{{prxprp073.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 73 ||

began to express her concern thereupon, he assured her with

much earnest gravity that it was not of the least importance, that

he considered the money as a mere trifle, and begged she would

not make herself uneasy.

'I know very well, madam,' said he, 'that when persons sit

down to a card table, they must take their chance of these things,

-- and happily I am not in such circumstances as to make five

shillings any object. There arc undoubtedly many who could

not say the same, but thanks to Lady Catherine dc Bourgh, I

am removed far beyond the necessity of regarding little matters.'

Mr. Wickham's attention was caught; and after observing

Mr. Collins for a few moments, he asked Elizabeth in a low

voice whether her relation were very intimately acquainted with

the family of de Bourgh.

'Lady Catherine de Bourgh,' she replied, 'has very lately

given him a living. I hardly know how Mr. Collins was

first introduced to her notice, but he certainly has not known

her long.'

'You know of course that Lady Catherine dc Bourgh and

Lady Anne Darcy were sisters; consequently that she is aunt

to the present Mr. Darcy?'

'No, indeed, I did not. -- I knew nothing at all of Lady

Catherine's connections. I never heard of her existence till the

day before yesterday.'

'Her daughter, Miss de Bourgh, will have a very large fortune,

and it is believed that she and her cousin will unite the two estates.'

This information made Elizabeth smile, as she thought of

poor Miss Bingley. Vain indeed must be all her attentions,

vain and useless her affection for his sister and her praise of

himself, if he were already self-destincd to another.

'Mr. Collins,' said she, 'speaks highly both of Lady Catherine

and her daughter; but from some particulars that he has related

of her ladyship, I suspect his gratitude misleads him, and that

in spite of her being his patroness, she is an arrogant, conceited

woman.'

'I believe her to be both in a great degree,' replied Wickham;

'I have not seen her for many years, but I very well remember

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