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sequence of any reply. Mr. Collins might never make the

offer, and, till he did, it was useless to quarrel about him.

If there had not been a Netherfield ball to prepare for

and talk of, the younger Miss Bennets would have been in

a pitiable state at this time; for from the day of the invitation

to the day of the ball there was such a succession of rain

as prevented their walking to Meryton once. No aunt, no

officers, no news could be sought after; the very shoe-roses

for Netherfield were got by proxy. Even Elizabeth might

have found some trial of her patience in weather which

totally suspended the improvement of her acquaintance with

Mr. Wickham; and nothing less than a dance on Tuesday

could have made such a Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Mon-

day endurable to Kitty and Lydia.

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