{{prxprp059.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 59 ||

'Has she been presented l I do not remember her name among

the ladies at court.'

'Her indifferent state of health unhappily prevents her being

in town; and by that means, as I told Lady Catherine myself

one day, has deprived the British court of its brightest ornament.

Her ladyship seemed pleased with the idea; and you may imagine

that I am happy on every occasion to offer those little delicate

compliments which are always acceptable to ladies. I have

more than once observed to Lady Catherine, that her charming

daughter seemed born to be a duchess, and that the most elevated

rank, instead of giving her consequence, would be adorned by

her. -- These are the kind of little things which please her ladyship,

and it is a sort of attention which I conceive myself peculiarly

bound to pay.'

'You judge very properly,' said Mr. Bennet, 'and it is happy

for you that you possess the talent of flattering with delicacy.

May I ask whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the

impulse of the moment, or are the result of previous study?'

'They arise chiefly from what is passing at the time, and

though I sometimes amuse myself with suggesting and arranging

such little elegant compliments as may be adapted to ordinary

occasions, I always wish to give them as unstudied an air as

possible.'

Mr. Bennet's expectations were fully answered. His cousin

was as absurd as he had hoped, and he listened to him with the

keenest enjoyment, maintaining at the same time the most resolute

composure of countenance, and except in an occasional glance

at Elizabeth, requiring no partner in his pleasure.

By tea-time, however, the dose had been enough, and Mr. Bennet

was glad to take his guest into the drawing-room again, and, when

tea was over, glad to invite him to read aloud to the ladies.

Mr. Collins readily assented, and a book was produced; but on

beholding it, (for everything announced it to be from a circulating

library,) he started back, and begging pardon, protested that he

never read novels. Kitty stared at him, and Lydia exclaimed. --

Other books were produced, and after some deliberation he chose

Fordyce's Sermons. Lydia gaped as he opened the volume, and

 [[059]]