Chapter 11 : Triumph over Pride and Prejudice One morning, about a week later, the family were sitting in the dining room, when a carriage came up to the door.

It was Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She entered the room with a manner more than usually unfriendly and sat down.

After a moment she turned to Elizabeth and said, 'I hope you are well, Miss Bennet. That lady I expect is your mother.

Elizabeth answered that it was. And that I expect is one of your sisters.

Mrs Bennet said that it was. May I ask your ladyship if you left Mr and Mrs Collins well? ' she asked.

Yes, very well. I saw them last night.

At that Lady Catherine got up and asked Elizabeth to walk with her in the garden where she said, 'You must understand, Miss Bennet, the motive for my journey. Elizabeth looked surprised and assured her that she was mistaken.

Miss Bennet, ' answered her Ladyship in an angry tone, 'you must know that it is in my character always to say what I think. I shall not change now.

I was told a most scandalous story two days ago. That you, that Miss Elizabeth Bennet, would probably soon marry Mr Darcy.

I knew of course that it was not true, that he would never do such a thing. I decided to come here immediately to tell you of my feelings on the matter.