{{prxprp055.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 55 ||

overlooked on your side, and not lead you to reject the offered olive

branch. I cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the means

of injuring your amiable daughters, and beg leave to apologize for it,

as well as to assure you of my readiness to make them every possible

amends, -- but of this hereafter. If you should have no objection to

receive me into your house, I propose myself the satisfaction of waiting

on you and your family, Monday, November 18th, by four o'clock,

and shall probably trespass on your hospitality till the Saturday se'nnight

following, which I can do without any inconvenience, as Lady Catherine

is far from objecting to my occasional absence on a Sunday, provided

that some other clergyman is engaged to do the duty of the day. -- I

remain, dear sir, with respectful compliments to your lady and daughters,

your well-wisher and friend,

William Collins.'

'At four o'clock, therefore, we may expect this peacemaking

gentleman,' said Mr. Bennet, as he folded up the letter. 'He

seems to be a most conscientious and polite young man, upon my

word; and I doubt not will prove a valuable acquaintance,

especially if Lady Catherine should be so indulgent as to let

him come to us again.'

'There is some sense in what he says about the girls, however;

and if he is disposed to make them any amends, I shall not be

the person to discourage him.'

'Though it is difficult,' said Jane, 'to guess in what way he

can mean to make us the atonement he thinks our due, the wish

is certainly to his credit.'

Elizabeth was chiefly struck with his extraordinary deference

for Lady Catherine, and his kind intention of christening,

marrying, and burying his parishioners whenever it were

required.

'He must be an oddity, I think,' said she. 'I cannot make

him out. -- There is something very pompous in his style. -- And

what can he mean by apologising for being next in the entail ?? --

We cannot suppose he would help it if he could. -- Can he be

a sensible man, sir?'

'No, my dear; I think not. I have great hopes of finding

him quite the reverse. There is a mixture of servility and self*

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