Lady Catherine de Bourgh

Patron of Mr. Collins, widowed Lady of Sir Lewis de Bourgh. Further details of Lady Catherine’s behavior toward Mr. Collins are revealed Mentioned as the owner of Rosings and as a recent benefactor to Mr. Collins; identified as Mr. Darcy’s aunt. Lady Catherine is cited as Mr. Collins’s patron. Collins praises Lady Catherine as his patroness and expects her approval of his marriage choice. Approves the marriage of Mr. Collins and Charlotte Lady Catherine receives the party at Rosings with condescension, interrogates Elizabeth about her family, education and age, comments on entailments, and dominates conversation during dinner and afterwards. She is described as an active local magistrate, intervening in village disputes and visiting the parish. Dominated the drawing‑room at Rosings, offered unsolicited advice on music and praised her daughter Lady Catherine is said to have done a great deal to Hunsford when Mr. Collins first arrived. Insists the Bennet sisters travel with a servant and expresses disdain for them traveling alone. Lady Catherine is referenced by Mr. Collins as providing advantageous connections. Lady Catherine arrives unannounced at Longbourn, confronts Elizabeth about a rumored marriage to Mr. Darcy and demands a promise not to marry him. Lady Catherine is revealed to be hostile toward a possible marriage between her nephew Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. Lady Catherine is described as angry over Darcy’s letter and her previous attempts to separate the couple.