in all your state

[TheUnitedStatesOfEurope]

Hi everyone,

in the dialogue below from Pride & Prejudice (from the film of 2005), I don't understand what Ms. Bennet (Keira Knightley) means by saying to Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) "coming in all your state". Does it have to do with "stately", as Mr. Darcy is a grand/imposing and thus stately character in this film? - Please see below the dialogue between the two, when Ms. Bennet is "forced" by her Ladyship (Judi Dench as Lady de Bourgh) to play the piano forte at Rosing's estate:

"Elizabeth Bennet: [Playing the piano] You mean to frighten me Mr. Darcy by coming in all your state to hear me. But I won't be alarmed even if your sister does play so well.
Mr. Darcy: I'm well enough acquainted with you, Miss Elizabeth, that I cannot alarm you even if I should wish it."

Along these lines, I can't help but think of the false friend in modern French (which may not have been a false friend in old French) : être dans tous ces états.

Is my assumption above (in regard to "stately") correct?
Is "coming in all your state" still used nowadays? If no, what would be its closest equivalent in modern English?

Thank you so much in advance.
The USE.

 

[moustic]

Yes, its meaning is close to stately:

state: status or position in life, esp. for a person of wealth and rank: to travel in state.

And no, "coming in all your state" wouldn't be used nowadays.

I can't think of anything concise that would be used in modern English. (I don't think women are as impressed by men now as they were at that time )

 

[misterk]

Just FYI, the text of novel reads slightly differently:
“You mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy, by coming in all this state to hear me?..."
(This doesn't affect your question. This turn of phrase is not used in modern English.)

 

[TheUnitedStatesOfEurope]

Yes, its meaning is close to stately:

And no, "coming in all your state" wouldn't be used nowadays.

I can't think of anything concise that would be used in modern English. (I don't think women are as impressed by men now as they were at that time )

Thank you very much for the rapid response.

So it does have something to do with grand/imposing and thus stately, right?

Cheers,
The USE

 

[moustic]

So it does have something to do with grand/imposing and thus stately, right?

Right.

Yes, its meaning is close to stately...

 

[TheUnitedStatesOfEurope]

@moustic , so sorry for missing that. Thanks for the clarification and reminder.

 

[moustic]

De rien. Pas de soucis

 

[elroy]

“in all your glory” might work as a modern equivalent.

 

[Keith Bradford]

“in all your glory” might work as a modern equivalent.

I would imagine that Darcy arrived wearing fine clothes, riding in a carriage with footmen.

Or else Elizabeth is being particularly cutting, and suggesting that however he is dressed he carries around with him an air of superiority.