{{prxprp077.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 77 ||

'While I can have my mornings to myself,' said she, 'it is

enough. -- I think it is no sacrifice to join occasionally in evening

engagements. Society has claims on us all; and I profess myself

one of those who consider intervals of recreation and amusement

as desirable for every body.'

Elizabeth's spirits were so high on the occasion, that though

she did not often speak unnecessarily to Mr. Collins, she could

not help asking him whether he intended to accept Mr. Bingley's

invitation, and if he did, whether he would think it proper to

join in the evening's amusement; and she was rather surprized

to find that he entertained no scruple whatever on that head, and

was very far from dreading a rebuke either from the Archbishop,

or Lady Catherine de Bourgh, by venturing to dance.

'I am by no means of opinion, I assure you,' said he, 'that a

ball of this kind, given by a young man of character, to respectable

people, can have any evil tendency; and I am so far from objecting

to dancing myself, that I shall hope to be honoured with the

hands of all my fair cousins in the course of the evening, and

I take this opportunity of soliciting yours, Miss Elizabeth, for the

two first dances especially, -- a preference which I trust my cousin

Jane will attribute to the right cause, and not to any disrespect

for her.'

Elizabeth felt herself completely taken in. She had fully pre

posed being engaged by Mr. Wickham for those very dances: --

and to have Mr. Collins instead! -- her liveliness had been never

worse timed. There was no help for it however. Mr. Wick'

ham's happiness and her own was per force delayed a little longer,

and Mr. Collins's proposal accepted with as good a grace as

she could. She was not the better pleased with his gallantry,

from the idea it suggested of something more. -- It now first struck

her, that she was selected from among her sisters as worthy of

being the mistress of Hunsford Parsonage, and of assisting to

form a quadrille table at Rosings, in the absence of more eligible

visitors. The idea soon reached to conviction, as she observed

his increasing civilities toward herself, and heard his frequent

attempt at a compliment on her wit and vivacity; and though

more astonished than gratified herself by this effect of her charms,

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