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Chapter XXII

The Bennets were engaged to dine with the Lucases;

and again, during the chief of the day, was Miss Lucas

so kind as to listen to Mr. Collins. Elizabeth took an

opportunity of thanking her. 'It keeps him in good humour,'

said she, 'and I am more obliged to you than I can express.'

Charlotte assured her friend of her satisfaction in being

useful, and that it amply repaid her for the little sacrifice of

her time. This was very amiable; but Charlotte's kindness

extended farther than Elizabeth had any conception of: --

its object was nothing less than to secure her from any

return of Mr. Collins's addresses, by engaging them

towards herself. Such was Miss Lucas's scheme; and ap-

pearances were so favourable, that when they parted at

night, she would have felt almost sure of success if he had

not been to leave Hertfordshire so very soon. But here she

did injustice to the fire and independence of his character;

for it led him to escape out of Longbourn House the next

morning with admirable slyness, and hasten to Lucas Lodge

to throw himself at her feet. He was anxious to avoid the

notice of his cousins, from a conviction that, if they saw him

depart, they could not fail to conjecture his design, and he

was not willing to have the attempt known till its success

could be known likewise; for, though feeling almost secure,

and with reason, for Charlotte had been tolerably encourag-

ing, he was comparatively diffident since the adventure of

Wednesday. His reception, however, was of the most flat-

tering kind. Miss Lucas perceived him from an upper

window as he walked towards the house, and instantly set out

to meet him accidentally in the lane. But little had she

dared to hope that so much love and eloquence awaited her

there.

In as short a time as Mr. Collins's long speeches would

allow, everything was settled between them to the satisfac-

tion of both; and as they entered the house, he earnestly

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