{{prxprp156.jpg}} || 156 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

'If he means to be but little at Netherfield, it would be better

for the neighbourhood that he should give up the place entirely,

for then we might possibly get a settled family there. But, perhaps,

Mr. Bingley did not take the house so much for the convenience of

the neighbourhood as for his own, and we must expect him to

keep or quit it on the same principle.'

'I should not be surprized,' said Darcy, 'if he were to give it

up, as soon as any eligible purchase offers.'

Elizabeth made no answer. She was afraid of talking longer

of his friend; and, having nothing else to say, was now determined

to leave the trouble of finding a subject to him.

He took the hint, and soon began with, 'This seems a very

comfortable house. Lady Catherine, I believe, did a great deal

to it when Mr. Collins first came to Hunsford'.

'I believe she did -- and I am sure she could not have bestowed

her kindness on a more grateful object.'

'Mr. Collins appears very fortunate in his choice of a

wife.'

'Yes, indeed; his friends may well rejoice in his having met

with one of the very few sensible women who would have

accepted him, or have made him happy if they had. My friend

has an excellent understanding -- though I am not certain that

I consider her marrying Mr. Collins as the wisest thing she ever

did. She seems perfectly happy, however, and in a prudential

light, it is certainly a very good match for her.'

'It must be very agreeable to her to be settled within so easy a

distance of her own family and friends.'

'An easy distance, do you call it? It is nearly fifty miles.'

'And what is fifty miles of good road? Little more than half

a day's journey. Yes, I call it a very easy distance.'

'I should never have considered the distance as one of the

advantages of the match,' cried Elizabeth. 'I should never have

said Mrs. Collins was settled near her family.'

'It is a proof of your own attachment to Hertfordshire. Any

thing beyond the very neighbourhood of Longbourn, I suppose,

would appear far.'

As he spoke there was a sort of smile, which Elizabeth fancied

 [[156]]