{{prxprp095.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 95 ||

wave of the hand, 'that it is usual with young ladies to reject the

addresses of the man whom they secretly mean to accept, when he

first applies for their favour; and that sometimes the refusal is

repeated a second or even a third time. I am therefore by no

means discouraged by what you have just said, and shall hope

to lead you to the altar ere long.'

'Upon my word, sir,' cried Elizabeth, 'your hope is rather

an extraordinary one after my declaration. I do assure you that

I am not one of those young ladies (if such young ladies there are)

who are so daring as to risk their happiness on the chance of being

asked a second time. I am perfectly serious in my refusal. -- You

could not make me happy, and I am convinced that I am the

last woman in the world who would make you so. -- Nay, were

your friend Lady Catherine to know me, I am persuaded she

would find me in every respect ill qualified for the situation.'

'Were it certain that Lady Catherine would think so,' said

Mr. Collins very gravely -- 'but I cannot imagine that her ladyship

would at all disapprove of you. And you may be certain that

when I have the honour of seeing her again I shall speak in the

highest terms of your modesty, economy, and other amiable

qualifications.'

'Indeed, Mr. Collins, all praise of me will be unnecessary.

You must give me leave to judge for myself, and pay me the

compliment of believing what I say. I wish you very happy and

very rich, and by refusing your hand, do all in my power to

prevent your being otherwise. In making me the offer, you

must have satisfied the delicacy of your feelings with regard to

my family, and may take possession of Longbourn estate whenever

it falls, without any self-reproach. This matter may be considered,

therefore, as finally settled.' And rising as she thus spoke, she

would have quitted the room, had not Mr. Collins thus

addressed her:

'When I do myself the honour of speaking to you next on

the subject I shall hope to receive a more favourable answer

than you have now given me; though I am far from accusing

you of cruelty at present, because I know it to be the established

custom of your sex to reject a man on the first application, and

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