{{prxprp100.jpg}} || 100 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

by Kitty, who came to tell the same news, and no sooner had

they entered the breakfastToom, where Mrs. Bennet was alone,

than she likewise began on the subject, calling on Miss Lucas

for her compassion, and entreating her to persuade her friend

Lizzy to comply with the wishes of all her family. 'Pray do, my

dear Miss Lucas,' she added in a melancholy tone, 'for nobody

is on my side, nobody takes part with me, I am cruelly used,

nobody feels for my poor nerves.'

Charlotte's reply was spared by the entrance of Jane and

Elizabeth.

'Aye, there she comes,' continued Mrs. Bennet, 'looking as

unconcerned as may be, and caring no more for us than if we

were at York, provided she can have her own way. -- But I tell

you what, Miss Lizzy -- if you take it into your head to go on

refusing every offer of marriage in this way, you will never get a

husband at all -- and I am sure I do not know who is to maintain

you when your father is dead. -- J shall not be able to keep you --

and so I warn you. -- I have done with you from this very day. --

I told you in the library, you know, that I should never speak

to you again, and you will find me as good as my word. I have

no pleasure in talking to undutiful children. -- Not that I have

much pleasure, indeed, in talking to any body. People who

suffer as I do from nervous complaints can have no great inclina^

tion for talking. Nobody can tell what I suffer! -- But it is

always so. Those who do not complain arc never pitied.'

Her daughters listened in silence to this effusion, sensible that

iny attempt to reason with or soothe her would only increase

the irritation. She talked on, therefore, without interruption

from any of them, till they were joined by Mr. Collins, who

entered with an air more stately than usual, and on perceiving

whom, she said to the girls --

'Now, I do insist upon it, that you, all of you, hold your tongues,

and let Mr. Collins and me have a little conversation together.'

Elizabeth passed quietly out of the room, Jane and Kitty fol-

lowed, but Lydia stood her ground, determined to hear all she

could; and Charlotte, detained first by the civility of Mr. Collins,

whose inquiries after herself and all her family were very minute,

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