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heard them from Mr. Darcy more than once, but he believes that

it was left to him conditionally only.'

'I have not a doubt of Mr. Bingley's sincerity,' said Elizabeth

warmly: 'but you must excuse my not being convinced by

assurances only. Mr. Bingley's defence of his friend was a very

able one I dare say; but since he is unacquainted with several

parts of the story, and has learnt the rest from that friend himself,

I shall venture still to think of both gentlemen as I did before.'

She then changed the discourse to one more gratifying to each,

and on which there could be no difference of sentiment. Eliza'

beth listened with delight to the happy, though modest hopes

which Jane entertained of Bingley's regard, and said all in her

power to heighten her confidence in it. On their being joined

by Mr. Bingley himself, Elizabeth withdrew to Miss Lucas; to

whose inquiry after the pleasantness of her last partner she had

scarcely replied, before Mr. Collins came up to them, and told

her with great exultation that he had just been so fortunate as to

make a most important discovery.

'I have found out,' said he, 'by a singular accident, that there

is now in the room a near relation of my patroness. I happened

to overhear the gentleman himself mentioning to the young lady

who does the honours of this house the names of his cousin Miss

de Bourgh, and of her mother Lady Catherine. How wonder^

fully these sort of things occur! Who would have thought of

my meeting with -- perhaps -- a nephew of Lady Catherine de

Bourgh in this assembly! -- I am most thankful that the discovery

is made in time for me to pay my respects to him, which I am

now going to do, and trust he will excuse my not having done

it before. My total ignorance of the connection must plead

my apology.'

'You are not going to introduce yourself to Mr. Darcy!'

'Indeed I am. I shall entreat his pardon for not having done

it earlier. I believe him to be Lady Catherine's nephew. It will

be in my power to assure him that her ladyship was quite well

yesterday se'nnight.'

Elizabeth tried hard to dissuade him from such a scheme;

assuring him that Mr. Darcy would consider his addressing him

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