{{prxprp054.jpg}} || 54 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

Jane and Elizabeth attempted to explain to her the nature of

an entail. They had often attempted it before, but it was a

subject on which Mrs. Bennet was beyond the reach of reason;

and she continued to rail bitterly against the cruelty of settling

an estate away from a family of five daughters, in favour of a man

whom nobody cared anything about.

'It certainly is a most iniquitous affair,' said Mr. Bennet, 'and

nothing can clear Mr. Collins from the guilt of inheriting Long'

bourn. But if you will listen to his letter, you may perhaps be

a little softened by his manner of expressing himself.'

'No, that I am sure I shall not; and I think it was very imper^

tinent of him to write to you at all, and very hypocritical. I hate

such false friends. Why could not he keep on quarrelling with

you, as his father did before him?'

'Why, indeed, he does seem to have had some filial scruples

on that head, as you will hear.'

Hunsford, near Westerbam, Kent,

i$tb October.

Dear Sir,

The disagreement subsisting between yourself and my late honoured

father always gave me much uneasiness, and since I have had the

misfortune to lose him, I have frequently wished to heal the breach;

but for some time I was kept back by my own doubts, fearing lest it

might seem disrespectful to his memory for me to be on good tarns

with any one with whom it had always pleased him to be at variance.

-- "There, Mrs. Bennet." -- My mind however is now made up on

the subject, for having received ordination at Easter, I have been so

fortunate as to be distinguished by the patronage of the Right Honour^

able Lady Catherine de Bourgh, widow of Sir Lewis de Bourgh, whose

bounty J.nd beneficence has preferred me to the valuable rector)' of this

parish, where it shall be my earnest endeavour to demean myself with

grateful respect towards her Ladyship, and be ever ready to perform

those rites and ceremonies which are instituted by the Church of

England. As a clergyman, moreover, I feel it my duty to promote

and establish the blessing of peace in all families widiin the reach of

my influence; and on these grounds I flatter myself that my present

overtures of goodnvill are highly commendable, and that the circunv

stance of my being next in the entail of Longbourn estate, will be kindly

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