{{prxprp060.jpg}} || 60 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

before he had, with very monotonous solemnity, read three

pages, she interrupted him with:

'Do you know, mamma, that my uncle Philips talks of turning

away Richard? and if he docs, Colonel Forster will hire him.

My aunt told me so herself on Saturday. I shall walk to Meryton

to-morrow to hear more about it, and to ask when Mr. Denny

comes back from town.'

Lydia was bid by her two eldest sisters to hold her tongue; but

Mr. Collins, much offended, laid aside his book, and said,

'I have often observed how little young ladies are interested by

books of a serious stamp, though written solely for their benefit.

It amazes me, I confess; -- for certainly, there can be nothing so

advantageous to them as instruction. But I will no longer

importune my young cousin.'

Then turning to Mr. Bcnnet, he offered himself as his antagonist

at backgammon. Mr. Bennet accepted the challenge, observing

that he acted very wisely in leaving the girls to their own trifling

amusements. Mrs. Bennet and her daughters apologised most

civilly for Lydia's interruption, and promised that it should not

occur again, if he would resume his book; but Mr. Collins, after

assuring them that he bore his young cousin no ill will, and

should never resent her behaviour as any affront, seated himself

at another table with Mr. Bennet, and prepared for backgammon.

 [[060]]