{{prxprp074.jpg}} || 74 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

that I never liked her, and that her manners were dictatorial and

insolent. She has the reputation of being remarkably sensible

and clever; but I rather believe she derives part of" her abilities

from her rank and fortune, part from her authoritative manner,

and the rest from the pride of her nephew, who chuses that

every one connected with him should have an understanding

of the first class.'

Elizabeth allowed that he had given a very rational account of

it, and they continued talking together with mutual satisfaction

till supper put an end to cards; and gave the rest of the ladies

their share of Mr. Wickham's attentions. There could be no

conversation in the noise of Mrs. Philips's supper party, but his

manners recommended him to everybody. Whatever he said,

was said well; and whatever he did, done gracefully. Elizabeth

went away with her head full of him. She could think of

nothing but of Mr. Wickham, and of what he had told her, all

the way home; but there was not time for her even to mention

his name as they went, for neither Lydia nor Mr. Collins were

once silent. Lydia talked incessantly of lottery tickets, of the fish

she had lost and the fish she had won; and Mr. Collins, in

describing the civility of Mr. and Mrs. Philips, protesting that

he did not in the least regard his losses at whist, enumerating all

the dishes at supper, and repeatedly fearing that he crouded his

cousins, had more to say than he could well manage before the

carriage stopped at Longbourn House.

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