{{prxprp094.jpg}} || 94 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

up high, but able to make a small income go a good way. This is

my advice. Find such a woman as soon as you can, bring her to

Hunsford, and I will visit her." Allow me, by the way, to

observe, my fair cousin, that I do not reckon the notice and kind'

ness of Lady Catherine de Bourgh as among the least of the

advantages in my power to offer. You will find her manners

beyond any thing I can describe; and your wit and vivacity

I think must be acceptable to her, especially when tempered

with the silence and respect which her rank will inevitably

excite. Thus much for my general intention in favour of matrix

mony; it remains to be told why my views were directed to

Longbourn instead of my own neighbourhood, where I assure

you there are many amiable young women. But the fact is, that

being as I am, to inherit this estate after the death of your honoured

father, (who, however, may live many years longer,) I could not

satisfy myself without resolving to chuse a wife from among his

daughters, that the loss to them might be as little as possible,

when the melancholy event takes place -- which, however, as

I have already said, may not be for several years. This has been

my motive, my fair cousin, and I flatter myself it will not sink

me in your esteem. And now nothing remains for me but to

assure you in the most animated language of the violence of my

affection. To fortune I am perfectly indifferent, and shall make

no demand of that nature on your father, since I am well aware

that it could not be complied with; and that one thousand

pounds in the 4 per cents, which will not be yours till after your

mother's decease, is all that you may ever be entitled to. On

that head, therefore, I shall be uniformly silent; and you may

assure yourself that no ungenerous reproach shall ever pass my

lips when we are married.'

It was absolutely necessary to interrupt him now.

'You are too hasty, sir,' she cried. 'You forget that I have

made no answer. Let me do it without further loss of time.

Accept my thanks for the compliment you are paying me. I am

very sensible of the honour of your proposals, but it is impossible

for me to do otherwise than decline them.'

'I am not now to learn,' replied Mr. Collins, with a formal

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