{{prxprp096.jpg}} || 96 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

perhaps you have even now said as much to encourage my

suit as would be consistent with the true delicacy of the female

character.'

'Really, Mr. Collins,' cried Elizabeth with some warmth, 'you

puzzle me exceedingly. If what I have hitherto said can appear

to you in the form of encouragement, I know not how to express

my refusal in such a way as may convince you of its being one.'

'You must give me leave to flatter myself, my dear cousin, that

your refusal of my addresses are merely words of course. My

reasons for believing it are briefly these: -- It does not appear to me

that my hand is unworthy your acceptance, or that the establish'

ment I can offer would be any other than highly desirable. My

situation in life, my connections with the family of de Bourgh,

and my relationship to your own, are circumstances highly in

my favour; and you should take it into further consideration that

in spite of your manifold attractions, it is by no means certain

that another offer of marriage may ever be made you. Your

portion is unhappily so small that it will in all likelihood undo

the effects of your loveliness and amiable qualifications. As

I must therefore conclude that you are not serious in your rejection

of me, I shall chuse to attribute it to your wish of increasing my

love by suspense, according to the usual practice of elegant

females.'

'I do assure you, sir, that I have no pretensions whatever to

that kind of elegance which consists in tormenting a respectable

man. I would rather be paid the compliment of being believed

sincere. I thank you again and again for the honour you have

done me in your proposals, but to accept them is absolutely

impossible. My feelings in every respect forbid it. Can I speak

plainer; Do not consider me now as an elegant female intending

to plague you, but as a rational creature speaking the truth from

her heart.'

'You are uniformly charming!' cried he, with an air of awkward

gallantry; 'and I am persuaded that when sanctioned by the

express authority of both your excellent parents, my proposals

will not fail of being acceptable.'

To such perseverance in wilful self-deception Elizabeth would

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