{{prxprp101.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 101 ||

and then by a little curiosity, satisfied herself with walking to the

window and pretending not to hear. In a doleful voice Mrs.

Bennet thus began the projected conversation: 'Oh! Mr. Collins!'

'My dear madam,' replied he, 'let us be for ever silent on this

point. Far be it from me,' he presently continued, in a voice

that marked his displeasure, 'to resent the behaviour of your

daughter. Resignation to inevitable evils is the duty of us all;

the peculiar duty of a young man who has been so fortunate as

I have been in early preferment; and I trust I am resigned. Perhaps

not the less so from feeling a doubt of my positive happiness had

my fair cousin honoured me with her hand; for I have often

observed that resignation is never so perfect as when the blessing

denied begins to lose somewhat of its value in our estimation.

You will not, I hope, consider me as shewing any disrespect to

your family, my dear madam, by thus withdrawing my pretend

sions to your daughter's favour, without having paid yourself

and Mr. Bennet the compliment of requesting you to interpose

your authority in my behalf. My conduct may I fear be objec

tionable in having accepted my dismission from your daughter's

lips instead of your own. But we are all liable to error. I have

certainly meant well through the whole affair. My object has

been to secure an amiable companion for myself, with due

consideration for the advantage of all your family, and if my

manner has been at all reprehensible, I here beg leave to apologize/

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