{{prxprp315.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 315 ||

an idle report. For what do we live, but to make sport for our

neighbours, and laugh at them in our turn?'

'Oh!' cried Elizabeth, 'I am excessively diverted. But it is

so strange!'

'Yes -- that is what makes it amusing. Had they fixed on any

other man it would have been nothing; but his perfect indifference,

and your pointed dislike, make it so delightfully absurd! Much

as I abominate writing, I would not give up Mr. Collins's corre^

spondence for any consideration. Nay, when I read a letter of

his, I cannot help giving him the preference even over Wickham,

much as I value the impudence and hypocrisy of my son^in^law.

And pray, Lizzy, what said Lady Catherine about this report;

Did she call to refuse her consent?'

To this question his daughter replied only with a laugh; and as

it had been asked without the least suspicion, she was not cuV

tressed by his repeating it. Elizabeth had never been more at a

loss to make her feelings appear what they were not. It was

necessary to laugh, when she would rather have cried. Her

father had most cruelly mortified her, by what he said of Mr.

Darcy's indifference, and she could do nothing but wonder at

such a want of penetration, or fear that, perhaps, instead of his

seeing too little, she might have fancied too much.

 [[315]]