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hope for better things. Let us flatter ourselves that I may be the

survivor.'

This was not very consoling to Mrs. Bennet, and, therefore,

instead of making any answer, she went on as before.

'I cannot bear to think that they should have all this estate.

If it was not for the entail I should not mind it.'

'What should not you mind;'

'I should not mind anything at all.'

'Let us be thankful that you are preserved from a state of such

insensibility.'

'I never can be thankful, Mr. Bennet, for any thing about the

entail. How any one could have the conscience to entail away

an estate from one's own daughters, I cannot understand; and all

for the sake of Mr. Collins too! -- Why should be have it more

than anybody else?'

'I leave it to yourself to determine,' said Mr. Bennet.

Chapter XXIV

Miss Bingley's letter arrived, and put an end to doubt. The

very first sentence conveyed the assurance of their being all settled

in London for the winter, and concluded with her brother's

regret at not having had time to pay his respects to his friends in

Hertfordshire before he left the country.

Hope was over, entirely over; and when Jane could attend to

the rest of the letter, she found little, except the professed affection

of the writer, that could give her any comfort. Miss Darcy's

praise occupied the chief of it. Her many attractions were again

dwelt on, and Caroline boasted joyfully of their increasing inti--

macy, and ventured to predict the accomplishment of the wishes

which had been unfolded in her former letter. She wrote also

with great pleasure of her brother's being an inmate of Mr. Darcy's

house, and mentioned with raptures some plans of the latter with

regard to new furniture.

Elizabeth, to whom Jane very soon communicated the chief

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