Join Host Bree Carlile as she reads the fourteenth chapter of Pride and Prejudice.
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Take it chapter by chapter, one bite at a time so many adventures and mountains we can climb take it word for word like by line.
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One bite at a time.
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Today we'll be continuing pride and prejudice by Jane Austen chapter 14 during dinner, Mr.
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Bennett scarcely spoke at all, but when the servants were withdrawn, he thought it time to have some conversation with his guest, and therefore started a subject in which he expected him to shine by observing that he seemed very fortunate in his patroness, Lady Catherine Day Berg's attention to his wishes and consideration for his comfort appeared very remarkable.
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Mr.
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Bennet could not have chosen better.
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Mr.
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Collins was eloquent in her praise.
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The subject elevated him to more than usual solemnity of manner, and with a most important aspect.
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He protested that he had never in his life witnessed such behavior in a person of rank, such affability and condescension, as he had himself experienced from Lady Catherine.
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She had been graciously pleased to approve of both the discourses, which he had already had the honor of preaching before her.
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She had also asked him twice to dine at Rosings, and had sent for him only the Saturday before to make up her pool of quadrille in the evening.
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Lady Catherine was reckoned proud by many people he knew, but he had never seen anything but affability in her.
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She had always spoken to him as she would to any other gentleman.
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She made not the smallest objection to his joining in the society of the neighborhood, nor to his leaving his parish occasionally for a week or two to visit his relations.
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She had even condescended to advise him to marry as soon as he could, provided he chose with discretion, and had once paid him a visit in his humble parsonage, where she had perfectly approved all the alterations he had been making, and had even vouchsafe to suggest them herself.
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Some shelves in the closet upstairs.
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That is all very proper and civil, I am sure, said Mrs.
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Bennet, and I dare say she is a very agreeable woman.
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It is a pity that great ladies in general are not more like her.
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Does she live near you, sir?
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The garden, in which stands my humble abode, is separated only by Elaine from Rosings park, her ladyship's residence.
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I think you said she was a widow, sir.
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Has she any family?
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She is only one daughter, the heiress of Rosings, and a very extensive property.
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Ah.
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Cried Mrs.
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Bennett, shaking her head.
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Then she is better off than many girls.
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And what sort of young lady is she?
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Is she handsome?
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She's the most charming young lady.
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Indeed.
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Lady Catherine herself says that in point of true beauty, Mr.
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Berg is far superior to the handsomest of her sex, because there is that in her features which marks the young woman of distinguished birth.
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She is unfortunately of a sickly constitution, which has prevented her making that progress in many accomplishments which she could not otherwise have failed of, as I am informed by the lady who superintended her education, and who still resides with them.
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But she is perfectly amiable, and often condescends to drive by my humble abode in her little phaeton and ponies.
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Has she been presented?
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I do not remember her name among the ladies at court.
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Her indifferent state of health unhappily prevents her being in town, and by that means, as I told Lady Catherine myself one day, has deprived the british court of its brightest ornament.
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Her ladyship seemed pleased with the idea, and you may imagine that I am happy on every occasion to offer those little delicate compliments which are always acceptable to ladies.
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I have more than once observed to Lady Catherine that her charming daughter seemed born to be a duchess, and that the most elevated rank, instead of giving her consequence, would be adorned by her.
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These are the kind of little things which please her ladyship, and it is a sort of attention which I conceive myself peculiarly bound to play.
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You judge very properly, said Mr.
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Bennett, and it is happy for you that you possess the talent of flattering with delicacy.
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May I ask whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of the moment, or are the result of previous study?
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They arise chiefly from what is passing at the time, and though I sometimes amuse myself with suggesting and arranging such little elegant compliments as may be adapted to ordinary occasions, I always wish to give them as unstudied an air as possible.
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Mr.
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Bennett's expectations were fully answered.
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His cousin was as absurd as he had hoped, and he listened to him with the keenest enjoyment, maintaining at the same time the most resolute composure of countenance, and, except in an occasional glance at Elizabeth, required no partner in his pleasure.
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By tea time, however, the dose had been enough, and Mr.
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Bennett was glad to take his guest into the drawing room again, and when tea was over, glad to invite him to read aloud to the ladies.
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Mr.
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Collins readily assented, and the book was produced, but on beholding it for everything, announced it to be from a circulating library.
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He started back, and, begging pardon, protested that he never read novels.
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Kitty stared at him, and Lydia exclaimed, other books were produced, and after some deliberation, he chose Fordyce's sermons.
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Lydia gaped as he opened the volume, and before he had, with very monotonous solemnity, read three pages, she interrupted him with do you know, Mama, that my uncle Phillips talks of turning away Richard?
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And if he does, Colonel Forrester will hire him.
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My aunt told me so herself on Saturday.
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I shall walk to Maryton tomorrow to hear more about it, and to ask when Mr.
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Denny comes back from town.
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Lydia was bid by her two eldest sisters to hold her tongue, but Mr.
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Collins, much offended, laid aside his book, and said, I have often observed how little young ladies are interested by books of a serious stamp, though written solely for their benefit.
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It amazes me, I confess, for certainly there can be nothing so advantageous to them as instruction.
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Then I will no longer impertune my young cousin.
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Then, turning to Mr.
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Bennet, he offered himself as his antagonist at Batgammon.
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Mr.
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Bennet accepted the challenge, observing that he acted very wisely in leaving the girls to their own trifling amusements.
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Mrs.
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Bennet and her daughters apologized most civilly for Lydia's interruption, and promised that it should not occur again if he would resume his book.
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But Mr.
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Collins, after assuring them that he bore his young cousin no ill will, and should never resent her behavior as any affront, seated himself at another table with Mr.
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Bennett and prepared for Batgammon.
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Thank you for joining bite at a.
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Time books today while we read a bite of one of your favorite classics.
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Again, my name is Brie Carlyle, and I hope you come back tomorrow for the next bite of pride and prejudice.
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Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter@bytetimebooks.com, and check out the shop.
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You can check out the show notes or our website, bytetimebooks.com, for the rest of the links for our show.
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We'd love to hear from you on social media as well.
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A look in the book, and let's see what we can find.
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Take it chapter by chapter, one at a time.
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So many adventures and mountains we can climb.
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Take it word for word, line by line, one bite at a time.
