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so far from doing you any dis-service, rather adds to your

other perfections. You would have been less amiable in my

eyes had there _not_ been this little unwillingness; but allow

me to assure you that I have your respected mother's permis-

sion for this address. You can hardly doubt the purport of

my discourse, however your natural delicacy may lead you to

dissemble; my attentions have been too marked to be mis-

taken. Almost as soon as I entered the house I singled you

out as the companion of my future life. But before I am run

away with by my feelings on this subject, perhaps it will

be advisable for me to state my reasons for marrying -- and,

moreover, for coming into Hertfordshire with the design of

selecting a wife, as I certainly did.'

The idea of Mr. Collins, with all his solemn composure,

being run away with by his feelings, made Elizabeth so near

laughing that she could not use the short pause he allowed in

any attempt to stop him farther, and he continued,--

'My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a

right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like

myself) to set the example of matrimony in his parish;

secondly, that I am convinced it will add very greatly to my

happiness; and, thirdly, which perhaps I ought to have

mentioned earlier, that it is the particular advice and recom-

mendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honour of

calling patroness. Twice has she condescended to give me

her opinion (unasked too!) on this subject; and it was but

the very Saturday night before I left Hunsford, -- between our

pools at quadrille, while Mrs. Jenkinson was arranging Miss

de Bourgh's footstool, -- that she said, "Mr. Collins, you must

marry. A clergyman like you must marry. Choose properly,

choose a gentlewoman for _my_ sake, and for your _own;_ let her

be an active, useful sort of person, not brought up high, but

able to make a small income go a good way. This is my

advice. Find such a woman as soon as you can, bring her to

Hunsford, and I will visit her." Allow me, by the way, to

observe, my fair cousin, that I do not reckon the notice and

kindness of Lady Catherine de Bourgh as among the least of

the advantages in my power to offer. You will find her

manners beyond anything I can describe; and your wit and

vivacity, I think, must be acceptable to her, especially when

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