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as for every other mark of your regard during my stay in

Hertfordshire. As for my fair cousins, though my absence

may not be long enough to render it necessary, I shall now

take the liberty of wishing them health and happiness, not

excepting my cousin Elizabeth.'

With proper civilities, the ladies then withdrew; all of

them equally surprised to find that he meditated a quick

return. Mrs. Bennet wished to understand by it that he

thought of paying his addresses to one of her younger girls,

and Mary might have been prevailed on to accept him. She

rated his abilities much higher than any of the others: there

was a solidity in his reflections which often struck her; and

though by no means so clever as herself, she thought that, if

encouraged to read and improve himself by such an example

as hers, he might become a very agreeable companion. But

on the following morning every hope of this kind was done

away.

Miss Lucas called soon after breakfast, and in a private

conference with Elizabeth related the event of the day

before.

The possibility of Mr. Collins's fancying himself in love

with her friend had once occurred to Elizabeth within the

last day or two: but that Charlotte could encourage him

seemed almost as far from possibility as that she could en-

courage him herself; and her astonishment was consequently

so great as to overcome at first the bounds of decorum, and

she could not help crying out,--

'Engaged to Mr. Collins! my dear Charlotte, impossible!'

The steady countenance which Miss Lucas had com-

manded in telling her story gave way to a momentary con-

fusion here on receiving so direct a reproach; though, as it

was no more than she expected, she soon regained her com-

posure, and calmly replied,--

'Why should you be surprised, my dear Eliza? Do you

think it incredible that Mr. Collins should be able to procure

any woman's good opinion, because he was not so happy as

to succeed with you?'

But Elizabeth had now recollected herself; and, making

a strong effort for it, was able to assure her, with tolerable

firmness, that the prospect of their relationship was highly

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