Jolly interesting post Kathi! The passages you selected out well illustrates why Sir William was awed by Lady Catherine. Of course she'd want deference from him as she wanted reverence from all. The idea that Lady C. may be alittle afraid of Darcy came up in relation to the rumoured engagement. I think the idea was Lady C. preferred to approach Lizzy to acquire 'the universal contridiction' rather than Darcy who she probably knew as obstinate and bull headed so she thought less likely to yield than Lizzy. Really, it's probably fear of losing what Darcy possessed and could bring to the de Boughs that outweighed any fear of Darcy personally. As she hopped in her carriage and went off to see Darcy instead. 'Lady Catherine told me of her coming to see you...' If I had to say Lady C. was afraid of anything in relation to Darcy, I guess it would be the fear in her mind he was capable of forgetting any 'tacit engagement' to Anne. The engagement rumour if nothing else made Lady C. uneasy as it confirmed for her (what the readers knows)that Darcy was not influenced by her and could frustrate her wishes. BTW: I think at Rosings Lady Catherine had rather enjoyed Lizzy's company. Remember when Lizzy and Mariah were planning to leave on the morrow and she wanted them to 'stay another month'? I can't believe that invite was for the sake of kindness. It was the novelty of the young visitors and diversion of Lizzy's wit. Yet with due respect to Mariah, although her respectful manner and over-awed manner must have been gratifying, Lady C. got plenty of that treatment from the Collinses. IMO, that invite. was really aimed at Lizzie who we know was quite composed in Her Ladyship's presence. That's what makes me think Lady C. may've had some respect for Lizzy- despite her middle social class. She could even play and converse while Mariah Lucas just sat up like a good little girl ;) Please pardon length of post.