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of the family, without being alarmed on the score of the gentleman's

conduct; but even this partial communication gave her a great

deal of concern, and she bewailed it as exceedingly unlucky that

the ladies should happen to go away, just as they were all getting

so intimate together. After lamenting it however at some

length, she had the consolation of thinking that Mr. Bingley

would be soon down again and soon dining ar Longbourn, and

the conclusion of all was the comfortable declaration that, though

he had been invited only to a family dinner, she would take care

to have two full courses.

Chapter XXII

The Bennets were engaged to dine with the Lucases, and again

during the chief of the day, was Miss Lucas so kind as to listen

to Mr. Collins. Elizabeth took an opportunity of thanking her.

'It keeps him in good humour/ said she, 'and I am more obliged

to you than I can express.' Charlotte assured her friend of her

satisfaction in being useful, and that it amply repaid her for the

little sacrifice of her time. This was very amiable, but Charlotte's

kindness extended farther than Elizabeth had any conception of;

-- its object was nothing less, than to secure her from any return

of Mr. Collins's addresses, by engaging them towards herself.

Such was Miss Lucas's scheme; and appearances were so favour^

able that when they parted at night, she would have felt almost

sure of success if he had not been to leave Hertfordshire so very

soon. But here she did injustice to the fire and independence of

his character, for it led him to escape out of Longbourn House

the next morning with admirable slyness, and hasten to Lucas

Lodge to throw himself at her feet. He was anxious to avoid

the notice of his cousins, from a conviction that if they saw him

depart, they could not fail to conjecture his design, and he was

not willing to have the attempt known till its success could be

known likewise; for though feeling almost secure, and with

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