{{prxprp313.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 313 ||

know its contents. I did not know before, that I had two daughters

on the brink of matrimony. Let me congratulate you, on a very

important conquest.'

The colour now rushed into Elizabeth's checks in the instant

taneous conviction of its being a letter from the nephew, instead

of the aunt; and she was undetermined whether most to be

pleased that he explained himself at all, or offended that his letter

was not rather addressed to herself; when her father continued,

'You look conscious. Young ladies have great penetration in

such matters [as] these; but I think I may defy even your sagacity,

to discover the name of your admirer. This letter is from Mr.

Collins.'

'From Mr. Collins! and what can be have to say?'

'Something very much to the purpose of course. He begins

with congratulations on the approaching nuptials of my eldest

daughter, of which it seems he has been told, by some of the

good-natured, gossiping Lucases. I shall not sport with your

impatience, by reading what he says on that point. What relates

to yourself, is as follows: "Having thus offered you the sincere

congratulations of Mrs. Collins and myself on this happy event,

let me now add a short hint on the subject of another; of which

we have been advertised by the same authority. Your daughter

Elizabeth, it is presumed, will not long bear the name of Bennet,

after her elder sister has resigned it, and the chosen partner of her

fate may be reasonably looked up to, as one of the most illustrious

personages in this land".

'Can you possibly guess, Lizzy, who is meant by this? -- "This

young gentleman is blessed, in a peculiar way, with every thing

the heart of mortal can most desire, -- splendid property, noble

kindred, and extensive patronage. Yet, in spite of all these

temptations, let me warn my cousin Elizabeth, and yourself, of

what evils you may incur, by a precipitate closure with this

gentleman's proposals, which, of course, you will be inclined to

take immediate advantage of."

'Have you any idea, Lizzy, who this gentleman is? But now

it comes out.

'"My motive for cautioning you is as follows: We have reason

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