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companions in the shire might be able to give more in-

formation; and though she was not very sanguine in ex-

pecting it, the application was a something to look for-

ward to.

Every day at Longbourn was now a day of anxiety; but

the most anxious part of each was when the post was ex-

pected. The arrival of letters was the first grand object

of every morning's impatience. Through letters, whatever

of good or bad was to be told would be communicated, and

every succeeding day was expected to bring some news of

importance.

But before they heard again from Mr. Gardiner, a letter

arrived for their father, from a different quarter, from Mr.

Collins; which, as Jane had received directions to open all

that came for him in his absence, she accordingly read; and

Elizabeth, who knew what curiosities his letters always were,

looked over her, and read it likewise. It was as follows:--

> 'My Dear Sir -- I feel myself called upon, by our relationship, and

> my situation in life, to condole with you on the grievous affliction

> you are now suffering under, of which we were yesterday informed

> by a letter from Hertfordshire. Be assured, my dear sir, that Mrs.

> Collins and myself sincerely sympathise with you, and all your

> respectable family, in your present distress, which must be of the

> bitterest kind, because proceeding from a cause which no time can

> remove. No arguments shall be wanting on my part, that can alleviate

> so severe a misfortune; or that may comfort you, under a circum-

> stance that must be, of all others, most afflicting to a parent's mind.

> The death of your daughter would have been a blessing in com-

> parison of this. And it is the more to be lamented, because there

> is reason to suppose, as my dear Charlotte informs me, that this

> licentiousness of behaviour in your daughter has proceeded from a

> faulty degree of indulgence; though, at the same time, for the con-

> solation of yourself and Mrs. Bennet, I am inclined to think that

> her own disposition must be naturally bad, or she could not be guilty

> of such an enormity, at so early an age. Howsoever that may be,

> you are grievously to be pitied, in which opinion I am not only joined

> by Mrs. Collins, but likewise by Lady Catherine and her daughter,

> to whom I have related the affair. They agree with me in appre-

> hending that this false step in one daughter will be injurious to

> the fortunes of all the others: for who, as Lady Catherine herself

> condescendingly says, will connect themselves with such a family?

> And this consideration leads me, moreover, to reflect, with aug-

> mented satisfaction, on a certain event of last November; for had

> it been otherwise, I must have been involved in all your sorrow and

> disgrace. Let me advise you, then, my dear sir, to console yourself

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