{{prxprp108.jpg}} || 108 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

reason, for Charlotte had been tolerably encouraging, he was

comparatively diffident since the adventure of Wednesday. -- His

reception however was of the most flattering kind. Miss Lucas

perceived him from an upper window as he walked towards the

house, and instantly set out to meet him accidentally in the lane.

But little had she dared to hope that so much love and eloquence

awaited her there.

In as short a time as Mr. Collins's long speeches would allow,

everything was settled between them to the satisfaction of both;

and as they entered the house he earnestly entreated her to name

the day that was to make him the happiest of men; and though

such a solicitation must be waived for the present, the lady felt

no inclination to trifle with his happiness. The stupidity with

which he was favoured by nature must guard his courtship from

any charm that could make a woman wish for its continuance;

and Miss Lucas, who accepted him solely from the pure and

disinterested desire of an establishment, cared not how soon that

establishment were gained.

Sir William and Lady Lucas were speedily applied to for

their consent; and it was bestowed with a most joyful alacrity.

Mr. Collins's present circumstances made it a most eligible match

for their daughter, to whom they could give little fortune; and

his prospects of future wealth were exceedingly fair. Lady Lucas

began directly to calculate with more interest than the matter

had ever excited before, how many years longer Mr. Bennet was

likely to live; and Sir William gave it as his decided opinion,

that whenever Mr. Collins should be in possession of the Long'

bourn estate, it would be highly expedient that both he and his

wife should make their appearance at St. James's. The whole

family in short were properly overjoyed on the occasion. The

younger girls formed hopes of coming out a year or two sooner than

they might otherwise have done; and the boys were relieved from

their apprehension of Charlotte's dying an old maid. Charlotte

herself was tolerably composed. She had gained her point, and

had time to consider of it. Her reflections were in general

satisfactory. Mr. Collins to be sure was neither sensible nor

agreeable; his society was irksome, and his attachment to her must

 [[108]]