"Her indifferent state of health unhappily prevents her being in town; and by that means, as I told Lady Catherine myself one day, has deprived the British court of its brightest ornament. Her ladyship seemed pleased with the idea; and you may imagine that I am happy on every occasion to offer those little delicate compliments which are always acceptable to ladies. I have more than once observed to Lady Catherine, that her charming daughter seemed born to be a duchess, and that the most elevated rank, instead of giving her consequence, would be adorned by her. These are the kind of little things which please her ladyship, and it is a sort of attention which I conceive myself peculiarly bound to pay." (Chapter 14)

I agree completely. Lady Catherine does not have to spend significant social time with Mr. Collins nor does she have to listen to his blathering. I think it is right and natural that she should pay him some courtesies as the clergyman of her parish but as the superior in consequence Lady Catherine controls how often they meet and of what intimacy their relationship. In Chapter 14 Mr. Collins says Lady Catherine is pleased by his compliments to her daughter, Miss de Bourgh. Mr. Collins is full of pride about his connection with her ladyship and also on his supposed ability to please her and other ladies with his compliments. In this at least Mr. Collins paints a picture of Lady Catherine being pleased with his blathering but as you say, perhaps future chapters will confirm or dispel his veracity on the subject. ;D