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The colour now rushed into Elizabeth's cheeks in the in-

stantaneous conviction of its being a letter from the nephew,

instead of the aunt; and she was undetermined whether most

to be pleased that he explained himself at all, or offended that

his letter was not rather addressed to herself, when her

father continued,--

'You look conscious. Young ladies have great penetration

in such matters as these; but I think I may defy even _your_

sagacity to discover the name of your admirer. This letter

is from Mr. Collins.'

'From Mr. Collins! and what can _he_ have to say?'

'Something very much to the purpose, of course. He

begins with congratulations on the approaching nuptials of

my eldest daughter, of which, it seems, he has been told by

some of the good-natured, gossiping Lucases. I shall not

sport with your impatience by reading what he says on that

point. What relates to yourself is as follows: -- "Having thus

offered you the sincere congratulations of Mrs. Collins and

myself on this happy event, let me now add a short hint on

the subject of another, of which we have been advertised by

the same authority. Your daughter Elizabeth, it is presumed,

will not long bear the name of Bennet, after her eldest sister

has resigned it; and the chosen partner of her fate may be

reasonably looked up to as one of the most illustrious per-

sonages in this land."'

'Can you possibly guess, Lizzy, who is meant by this?'

'"This young gentleman is blessed, in a peculiar way, with

everything the heart of mortal can most desire, -- splendid

property, noble kindred, and extensive patronage. Yet, in

spite of all these temptations, let me warn my cousin Eliza-

beth, and yourself, of what evils you may incur by a pre-

cipitate closure with this gentleman's proposals, which, of

course, you will be inclined to take immediate advantage of."'

'Have you any idea, Lizzy, who this gentleman is? But

now it comes out.'

'"My motive for cautioning you is as follows: -- We have

reason to imagine that his aunt. Lady Catherine de Bourgh,

does not look on the match with a friendly eye."'

_'Mr._ _Darcy,_ you see, is the man! Now, Lizzy, I think I

_have_ surprised you. Could he, or the Lucases, have pitched

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