{{prxprp122.jpg}} || 122 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

Chapter XXV

After a week spent in professions of love and schemes of

felicity, Mr. Collins was called from his amiable Charlotte by

the arrival of Saturday. The pain of separation, however, might

be alleviated on his side, by preparations for the reception of his

bride, as he had reason to hope, that shortly after his next return

into Hertfordshire, the day would be fixed that was to make him

the happiest of men. He took leave of his relations at Longbourn

with as much solemnity as before; wished his fair cousins health

and happiness again, and promised their father another letter

of thanks.

On the following Monday, Mrs. Bennet had the pleasure of

receiving her brother and his wife, who came as usual to spend

the Christmas at Longbourn. Mr. Gardiner was a sensible,

gentlemanlike man, greatly superior to his sister, as well by

nature as education. The Netherfield ladies would have had

difficulty in believing that a man who lived by trade, and within

view of his own warehouses, could have been so well bred and

agreeable. Mrs. Gardiner, who was several years younger than

Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Philips, was an amiable, intelligent,

elegant woman, and a great favourite with all her Longbourn

nieces. Between the two eldest and herself especially, there sub'

sisted a very particular regard. -- They had frequently been staying

with her in town.

The first part of Mrs. Gardiner's business on her arrival, was

to distribute her presents and describe the newest fashions. When

this was done, she had a less active part to play. It became her

turn to listen. Mrs. Bennet had many grievances to relate, and

much to complain of. They had all been very ill used since

she last saw her sister. Two of her girls had been on the point

of marriage, and after all there was nothing in it.

'I do not blame Jane,' she continued, 'for Jane would have

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