SIR WILLIAM ELLIOT, having secured Lady Catherine’s jointure, had nothing further to fear from that quarter. Whether or not she were aware of the fact, she was now dependent upon his generosity. Sir William was little disposed to wait any longer in attaching the larger part of the de Bourgh fortune through Anne. As with her mother, he did not anticipate that his wife would be in any way troublesome, or make awkward demands once they were married. Anne was not much given to speaking, in general, and—at any rate, as his information concerning her father’s will having been the means of effecting her release from Lady Catherine—Sir William felt secure in the expectation of that form of conjugal felicity as conferred by obligation on the one side, balanced by an unremitting exercise of authority on the other. So confident was Sir William in the affection of the lady, that he determined to speak with Lady Catherine without even the customary expedient of securing the hand of his intended prior to addressing her formidable parent. Upon his being shewn into the de Bourghs’ apartments, he was met by Lady Catherine herself and given a seat in the best parlour, an elegant and spacious room with full-length windows facing the river, through which she had apparently been watching for his arrival with some anticipation.

“Sir William,” began Lady Catherine, “come and sit with me. I am delighted to report that my daughter is this afternoon engaged with some friends. It gives us an opportunity to converse alone.”

“I am most pleased and grateful to hear you say so, Lady Catherine. I have also been wishing a chance to speak with you privately for some time.”

Lady Catherine paused only briefly and continued, “I am celebrated for the frankness of my character, Sir William. One may, perhaps, be excused for some trespass on civility that would not do for matters of less import. On this subject, Sir William, I would have you speak with me quite plainly as to your situation and the extent of your property.”

“I understand you perfectly Lady Catherine,” said Sir William. “I could not do otherwise. It is the greatest of pleasures to be allowed the use of language delivered directly from the heart—to speak openly and without those locutions deemed necessary by a disingenuous society—and particularly gratifying to find that we are of the same opinion on this issue of particular delicacy.”

Lady Catherine simpered and smiled.