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'He is a sweet-tempered, amiable, charming man. He

cannot know what Mr. Darcy is.'

'Probably not; but Mr. Darcy can please where he chooses.

He does not want abilities. He can be a conversible com-

panion if he thinks it worth his while. Among those who

are at all his equals in consequence, he is a very different

man from what he is to the less prosperous. His pride never

deserts him; but with the rich he is liberal-minded, just,

sincere, rational, honourable, and, perhaps, agreeable, -- allow-

ing something for fortune and figure.'

The whist party soon afterwards breaking up, the players

gathered round the other table, and Mr. Collins took his

station between his cousin Elizabeth and Mrs. Philips. The

usual inquiries as to his success were made by the latter. It

had not been very great; he had lost every point; but when

Mrs. Philips began to express her concern thereupon, he

assured her, with much earnest gravity, that it was not of

the least importance; that he considered the money as a

mere trifle, and begged she would not make herself uneasy.

'I know very well, madam,' said he, 'that when persons

sit down to a card table they must take their chance of these

things, -- and happily I am not in such circumstances as to

make five shillings any object. There are, undoubtedly, many

who could not say the same; but, thanks to Lady Catherine

de Bourgh, I am removed far beyond the necessity of regard-

ing little matters.'

Mr. Wickham's attention was caught; and after observing

Mr. Collins for a few moments, he asked Elizabeth in a low

voice whether her relations were very intimately acquainted

with the family of de Bourgh.

'Lady Catherine de Bourgh,' she replied, 'has very lately

given him a living. I hardly know how Mr. Collins was first

introduced to her notice, but he certainly has not known her

long.'

'You know of course that Lady Catherine de Bourgh and

Lady Anne Darcy were sisters; consequently that she is aunt

to the present Mr. Darcy.'

'No, indeed. I did not. I knew nothing at all of Lady

Catherine's connections. I never heard of her existence till

the day before yesterday.'

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