{{prxprp109.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 109 ||

be imaginary. But still he would be her husband. -- Without

thinking highly either of men or of matrimony, marriage had

always been her object; it was the only honourable provision for

well-educated young women of small fortune, and however

uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest pre

servative from want. This preservative she had now obtained;

and at the age of twentyseven, without having ever been hand'

some, she felt all the good luck of it. The least agreeable circunv

stance in the business, was the surprize it must occasion to Elizabeth

Bennet, whose friendship she valued beyond that of any other

person. Elizabeth would wonder, and probably would blame

her; and though her resolution was not to be shaken, her feelings

must be hurt by such a disapprobation. She resolved to give

her the information herself, and therefore charged Mr. Collins,

when he returned to Longbourn to dinner, to drop no hint of

what had passed before any of the family. A promise of secrecy

was of course very dutifully given, but it could not be kept without

difficulty; for the curiosity excited by his long absence burst forth

in such very direct questions on his return, as required some

ingenuity to evade, and he was at the same time exercising great

self-denial, for he was longing to publish his prosperous love.

As he was to begin his journey too early on the morrow to see

any of the family, the ceremony of leave-taking was performed

when the ladies moved for the night; and Mrs. Bennet, with great

politeness and cordiality, said how happy they should be to see

him at Longbourn again, whenever his other engagements might

allow him to visit them.

'My dear madam,' he replied, 'this invitation is particularly

gratifying, because it is what I have been hoping to receive; and

you may be very certain that I shall avail myself of it as soon

as possible.'

They were all astonished; and Mr. Bennet, who could by no

means wish for so speedy a return, immediately said:

'But is there not danger of Lady Catherine's disapprobation

here, my good sir; -- You had better neglect your relations than

run the risk of offending your patroness.'

'My dear sir,' replied Mr. Collins, 'I am particularly obliged

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