“Not one.”
“That is very strange. But I suppose you had no opportunity. Your mother

should have taken you to town every spring for the benefit of masters.”
“My mother would have no objection, but my father hates London.”
“Has your governess left you?”
“We never had any governess.”
“No governess! How was that possible? Five daughters brought up at home

without a governess! I never heard of such a thing. Your mother must

have been quite a slave to your education.”
Elizabeth could hardly help smiling, as she assured her that had not

been the case.
“Then who taught you? who attended to you? Without a governess, you must

have been neglected.”
“Compared with some families, I believe we were; but such of us as

wished to learn never wanted the means. We were always encouraged to

read, and had all the masters that were necessary. Those who chose to be

idle certainly might.”
“Ay, no doubt: but that is what a governess will prevent; and if I had

known your mother, I should have advised her most strenuously to engage

one. I always say that nothing is to be done in education without steady

and regular instruction, and nobody but a governess can give it. It is

wonderful how many families I have been the means of supplying in that

way. I am always glad to get a young person well placed out. Four nieces

of Mrs. Jenkinson are most delightfully situated through my means; and

it was but the other day that I recommended another young person, who

was{207} merely accidentally mentioned to me, and the family are quite

delighted with her. Mrs. Collins, did I tell you of Lady Metcalfe’s

calling yesterday to thank me? She finds Miss Pope a treasure. ‘Lady

Catherine,’ said she, ‘you have given me a treasure.’ Are any of your

younger sisters out, Miss Bennet?”
“Yes, ma’am, all.”
“All! What, all five out at once? Very odd! And you only the second. The

younger ones out before the elder are married! Your younger sisters must

be very young?”