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appearing forward and precipitate. But I can assure the young

ladies that I come prepared to admire them. At present I will

not say more; but, perhaps, when we are better acquainted -- '

He was interrupted by a summons to dinner; and the girls

smiled on each other. They were not the only objects of

Mr. Collins's admiration. The hall, the dining-room, and all

its furniture, were examined and praised; and his commendation

of everything would have touched Mrs. Bennet's heart, but for

the mortifying supposition of his viewing it all as his own future

property. The dinner too in its turn was highly admired; and

he begged to know to which of his fair cousins the excellence of

its cooking was owing. But here he was set right by Mrs. Bennet,

who assured him with some asperity that they were very well

able to keep a good cook, and that her daughters had nothing

to do in the kitchen. He begged pardon for having displeased

her. In a softened tone she declared herself not at all offended;

but he continued to apologise for about a quarter of an hour.

Chapter XIV

During dinner, Mr. Bennet scarcely spoke at all; but when the

servants were withdrawn, he thought it time to have some

conversation with his guest, and therefore started a subject in

which he expected him to shine, by observing that he seemed

very fortunate in his patroness. Lady Catherine de Bourgh's

attention to his wishes, and consideration for his comfort, appeared

very remarkable. Mr. Bennet could not have chosen better.

Mr. Collins was eloquent in her praise. The subject elevated

him to more than usual solemnity of manner, and with a most

important aspect he protested that 'he had never in his life wit-

nessed such behaviour in a person of rank -- such affability and

condescension, as he had himself experienced from Lady

Catherine. She had been graciously pleased to approve of

both the discourses which he had already had the honour of

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