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sincere. She wrote even to Jane on the occasion, to express

her delight, and repeat all her former professions of regard.

Jane was not deceived, but she was affected; and though

feeling no reliance on her, could not help writing her a

much kinder answer than she knew was deserved.

The joy which Miss Darcy expressed on receiving similar

information was as sincere as her brother's in sending it.

Four sides of paper were insufficient to contain all her

delight, and all her earnest desire of being loved by her

sister.

Before any answer could arrive from Mr. Collins, or any

congratulations to Elizabeth from his wife, the Longbourn

family heard that the Collinses were come themselves to

Lucas Lodge. The reason of this sudden removal was soon

evident. Lady Catherine had been rendered so exceedingly

angry by the contents of her nephew's letter, that Char-

lotte, really rejoicing in the match, was anxious to get

away till the storm was blown over. At such a moment the

arrival of her friend was a sincere pleasure to Elizabeth,

though in the course of their meetings she must sometimes

think the pleasure dearly bought, when she saw Mr. Darcy

exposed to all the parading and obsequious civility of her

husband. He bore it, however, with admirable calmness. He

could even listen to Sir William Lucas, when he compli-

mented him on carrying away the brightest jewel of the

country, and expressed his hopes of their all meeting fre-

quently at St. James's, with very decent composure. If he

did shrug his shoulders, it was not till Sir William was out

of sight.

Mrs. Philips's vulgarity was another, and, perhaps, a

greater tax on his forbearance; and though Mrs. Philips, as

well as her sister, stood in too much awe of him to speak

with the familiarity which Bingley's good humour en-

couraged, yet, whenever she did speak, she must be vulgar.

Nor was her respect for him, though it made her more quiet,

at all likely to make her more elegant. Elizabeth did all she

could to shield him from the frequent notice of either, and

was ever anxious to keep him to herself, and to those of her

family with whom he might converse without mortification;

and though the uncomfortable feelings arising from all this

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