Dame Julie Andrews

True, replied Lady Catherine, you are a gentleman's daughter.

But who was your mother?

Who are your uncles and aunts?

Do not imagine me ignorant of their condition.

Whatever my connections may be, said Elizabeth, if your nephew does not object to them, they can be nothing to you.

Tell me once and for all, are you engaged to him?

Though Elizabeth would not, for the mere purpose of obliging Lady Catherine, have answered this question, she could not but say, after a moment's deliberation, I am not.

Lady Catherine seemed pleased.

And will you promise me never to enter into such an engagement?

I will make no promise of the kind.

Miss Bennet, I am shocked and astonished.

I expected to find a more reasonable young woman, but do not deceive yourself into a belief that I will ever recede.

I shall not go away till you have given me the assurance I require.

And I certainly never shall give it, replied Elizabeth.

I am not to be intimidated into anything so wholly unreasonable.

Your ladyship wants Mr. Darcy to marry your daughter, but would me giving you the wished-for promise make their marriage at all more probable?

Supposing him to be attached to me, would my refusing to accept his hand make him wish to bestow it on his cousin?'

Allow me to say, Lady Catherine, that the arguments with which you have supported this extraordinary application have been as frivolous as the application was ill-judged.

You have widely mistaken my character, if you think I can be worked on by such persuasions as these.

How far your nephew might approve of your interference in his affairs I cannot tell, but you have certainly no right to concern yourself in mine.