{{prxprp198.jpg}} || 198 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

But as Elizabeth could not receive comfort from any such

expectation, she made no answer.

'Well, Lizzy,' continued her mother, soon afterwards, 'and so

the Collinses live very comfortable, do they? Well, well, I only

hope it will last. And what sort of table do they keep; Char'

lotte is an excellent manager, I dare say. If she is half as sharp

as her mother, she is saving enough. There is nothing extravagant

in their housekeeping, I dare say.'

'No, nothing at all.'

'A great deal of good management, depend upon it. Yes, yes.

They will take care not to outrun their income. They will never

be distressed for money. Well, much good may it do them!

And so, I suppose, they often talk of having Longbourn when

your father is dead. They look upon it quite as their own, I dare

say, whenever that happens.'

'It was a subject which they could not mention before me.'

'No; it would have been strange if they had. But I make no

doubt, they often talk of it between themselves. Well, if they

can be easy with an estate that is not lawfully their own, so much

the better. I should be ashamed of having one that was only

entailed on me.'

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