{{prxprp089.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 89 ||

Mary, on receiving amongst the thanks of the table, the hint of

a hope that she might be prevailed on to favour them again,

after the pause of half a minute began another. Mary's powers

were by no means fitted for such a display; her voice was weak,

and her manner affected. -- Elizabeth was in agonies. She looked

at Jane, to see how she bore it; but Jane was very composedly

talking to Bingley. She looked at his two sisters, and saw them

making signs of derision at each other, and at Darcy, who

continued, however, impenetrably grave. She looked at her

father to entreat his interference, lest Mary should be singing all

night. He took the hint, and when Mary had finished her

second song, said aloud,

'That will do extremely well, child. You have delighted us

long enough. Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit.'

Mary, though pretending not to hear, was somewhat discon^

certed; and Elizabeth, sorry for her, and sorry for her father's

speech, was afraid her anxiety had done no good. Others of the

pirty were now applied to.

'If I,' said Mr. Collins, 'were so fortunate as to be able to

sing, I should have great pleasure, I am sure, in obliging the

company with an air; for I consider music as a very innocent

diversion, and perfectly compatible with the profession of a

clergyman. -- I do not mean however to assert that we can be

justified in devoting too much of our time to music, for there

are certainly other things to be attended to. The rector of a

parish has much to do. -- In the first place, he must make such

an agreement for tythes as may be beneficial to himself and not

offensive to his patron. He must write his own sermons; and

the time that remains will not be too much for his parish duties,

and the care and improvement of his dwelling, which he cannot

be excused from making as comfortable as possible. And I do

not think it of light importance that he should have attentive

and conciliatory manners towards everybody, especially towards

those to whom he owes his preferment. I cannot acquit him of

that duty; nor could I think well of the man who should omit

an occasion of testifying his respect towards anybody connected

with the family.' And with a bow to Mr. Darcy, he concluded

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