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I will go directly to Mr. Bennet, and we shall very soon settle

it with her, I am sure.'

She would not give him time to reply, but hurrying in-

stantly to her husband, called out, as she entered the library,--

'Oh, Mr. Bennet, you are wanted immediately; we are

all in an uproar. You must come and make Lizzy marry

Mr. Collins, for she vows she will not have him; and if

you do not make haste he will change his mind and not

have _her.'_

Mr. Bennet raised his eyes from his book as she entered,

and fixed them on her face with a calm unconcern, which

was not in the least altered by her communication.

'I have not the pleasure of understanding you,' said he,

when she had finished her speech. 'Of what are you

talking?'

'Of Mr. Collins and Lizzy. Lizzy declares she will not

have Mr. Collins, and Mr. Collins begins to say that he will

not have Lizzy.'

'And what am I to do on the occasion? It seems a hope-

less business.'

'Speak to Lizzy about it yourself. Tell her that you in-

sist upon her marrying him.'

'Let her be called down. She shall hear my opinion.'

Mrs. Bennet rang the bell, and Miss Elizabeth was sum-

moned to the library.

'Come here, child,' cried her father as she appeared. 'I

have sent for you on an affair of importance. I under-

stand that Mr. Collins has made you an offer of marriage.

Is it true?' Elizabeth replied that it was. 'Very well --

and this offer of marriage you have refused?'

'I have, sir.'

'Very well. We now come to the point. Your mother

insists upon your accepting it. Is it not so, Mrs. Bennet?'

'Yes, or I will never see her again.'

'An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From

this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents.

Your mother will never see you again if you do _not_ marry

Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you _do.'_

Elizabeth could not but smile at such a conclusion of such

a beginning; but Mrs. Bennet, who had persuaded herself

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