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company with an air; for I consider music as a very innocent

diversion, and perfectly compatible with the profession of a

clergyman. I do not mean, however, to assert that we can

be justified in devoting too much of our time to music, for

there are certainly other things to be attended to. The rector

of a parish has much to do. In the first place, he must make

such an agreement for tithes as may be beneficial to himself

and not offensive to his patron. He must write his own

sermons; and the time that remains will not be too much for

his parish duties, and the care and improvement of his

dwelling, which he cannot be excused from making as com-

fortable as possible. And I do not think it of light impor-

tance that he should have attentive and conciliatory manners

toward everybody, especially towards those to whom he owes

his preferment. I cannot acquit him of that duty; nor could

I think well of the man who should omit an occasion of testi-

fying his respect towards anybody connected with the family.'

And with a bow to Mr. Darcy, he concluded his speech, which

had been spoken so loud as to be heard by half the room.

Many stared -- many smiled; but no one looked more amused

than Mr. Bennet himself, while his wife seriously commended

Mr. Collins for having spoken so sensibly, and observed, in

a half-whisper to Lady Lucas, that he was a remarkably

clever, good kind of young man.

To Elizabeth it appeared, that had her family made an

agreement to expose themselves as much as they could during

the evening, it would have been impossible for them to play

their parts with more spirit, or finer success; and happy did

she think it for Bingley and her sister that some of the exhi-

bition had escaped his notice, and that his feelings were not

of a sort to be much distressed by the folly which he must

have witnessed. That his two sisters and Mr. Darcy, how-

ever, should have such an opportunity of ridiculing her rela-

tions was bad enough; and she could not determine whether

the silent contempt of the gentleman, or the insolent smiles

of the ladies, were more intolerable.

The rest of the evening brought her little amusement. She

was teased by Mr. Collins, who continued most perseveringly

by her side; and though he could not prevail with her to

dance with him again, put it out of her power to dance with

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