{{prxprp114.jpg}} || 114 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

Jane had sent Caroline an early answer to her letter, and was

counting the days till she might reasonably hope to hear again

The promised letter of thanks from Mr. Collins arrived on Tues'

day, addressed to their father, and written with all the solemnity

of gratitude which a twelvemonth's abode in the family mighi

have prompted. After discharging his conscience on that head,

he [proceeded] to inform them, with many rapturous expressions,

of his happiness in having obtained the affection of their amiable

neighbour, Miss Lucas, and then explained that it was merely

with the view of enjoying her society that he had been so ready

to close with their kind wish of seeing him again at Longbourn,

whither he hoped to be able to return on Monday fortnight; for

Lady Catherine, he added, so heartily approved his marriage,

that she wished it to take place as soon as possible, which he

trusted would be an unanswerable argument with his amiable

Charlotte to name an early day for making him the happiest

of men.

Mr. Collins's return into Hertfordshire was no longer a matter

of pleasure to Mrs. Bennet. On the contrary she was as much

disposed to complain of it as her husband. -- It was very strange

that he should come to Longbourn instead of to Lucas Lodge;

it was also very inconvenient and exceedingly troublesome. --

She hated having visitors in the house while her health was so

indifferent, and lovers were of all people the most disagreeable.

Such were the gentle murmurs of Mrs. Bennet, and they gave

way only to the greater distress of Mr. Bingley's continued

absence.

Neither Jane nor Elizabeth were comfortable on this subject.

Day after day passed away without bringing any other tidings

of him than the report which shortly prevailed in Meryton of his

coming no more to Netherfield the whole winter; a report which

highly incensed Mrs. Bennet, and which she never failed to

contradict as a most scandalous falsehood.

Even Elizabeth began to fear -- not that Bingley was indifferent

-- but that his sisters would be successful in keeping him away.

Unwilling as she was to admit an idea so destructive of Jane's

happiness, and so dishonourable to the stability of her lover, she

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