{{prxprp118.jpg}} || 118 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

With a stronger voice she soon added, 'I have this comfort

immediately, that it has not been more than an error of fancy

on my side, and that it has done no harm to any one but

myself.'

'My dear Jane!' exclaimed Elizabeth, 'you are too good. Your

sweetness and disinterestedness are really angelic; I do not know

what to say to you. I feel as if I had never done you justice, or

loved you as you deserve.'

Miss Bennet eagerly disclaimed all extraordinary merit, and

threw back the praise on her sister's warm affection.

'Nay,' said Elizabeth, 'this is not fair. You wish to think all

the world respectable, and are hurt if I speak ill of anybody.

/ only want to think you perfect, and you set yourself against it.

Do not be afraid of my running into any excess, of my encroaching

on your privilege of universal good will. You need not. There

are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think

well. The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied

with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of

all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be

placed on the appearance of either merit or sense. I have met

with two instances lately; one I will not mention; the other is

Charlotte's marriage. It is unaccountable! in every view it

is unaccountable!'

'My dear Lizzy, do not give way to such feelings as these.

They will ruin your happiness. You do not make allowance

enough for difference of situation and temper. Consider

Mr. Collins's respectability, and Charlotte's prudent, steady

character. Remember that she is one of a large family; that as

to fortune, it is a most eligible match; and be ready to believe,

for every body's sake, that she may feel something like regard and

esteem for our cousin.'

'To oblige you, I would try to believe almost anything, but no

one else could be benefited by such a belief as this; for were

I persuaded that Charlotte had any regard for him, I should only

think worse of her understanding, than I now do of her heart.

My dear Jane, Mr. Collins is a conceited, pompous, narrow

minded, silly man; you know he is, as well as I do; and you

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