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entirely, for then we might possibly get a settled family there.

But, perhaps, Mr. Bingley did not take the house so much

for the convenience of the neighbourhood as for his own,

and we must expect him to keep or quit it on the same

principle.'

'I should not be surprised,' said Darcy, 'if he were to give

it up as soon as any eligible purchase offers.'

Elizabeth made no answer. She was afraid of talking

longer of his friend; and, having nothing else to say, was

now determined to leave the trouble of finding a subject to

him.

He took the hint and soon began with, 'This seems a very

comfortable house. Lady Catherine, I believe, did a great

deal to it when Mr. Collins first came to Hunsford.'

'I believe she did -- and I am sure she could not have

bestowed her kindness on a more grateful object.'

'Mr. Collins appears very fortunate in his choice of a wife.'

'Yes, indeed; his friends may well rejoice in his having

met with one of the very few sensible women who would have

accepted him, or have made him happy if they had. My

friend has an excellent understanding -- though I am not

certain that I consider her marrying Mr. Collins as the wisest

thing she ever did. She seems perfectly happy, however;

and, in a prudential light, it is certainly a very good match

for her.'

'It must be very agreeable to her to be settled within so

easy a distance of her own family and friends.'

'An easy distance do you call it? It is nearly fifty miles.'

'And what is fifty miles of good road? Little more than

half a day's journey. Yes, I call it a very easy distance.'

'I should never have considered the distance as one of the

_advantages_ of the match,' cried Elizabeth. 'I should never

have said Mrs. Collins was settled _near_ her family.'

'It is a proof of your own attachment to Hertfordshire.

Anything beyond the very neighbourhood of Longbourn, I

suppose, would appear far.'

As he spoke there was a sort of smile, which Elizabeth

fancied she understood; he must be supposing her to be

thinking of Jane and Netherfield, and she blushed as she

answered,--

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