{{prxprp329.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 329 ||

before. I hope he will overlook it. Dear, dear Lizzy! A house

in town! Every thing that is charming! Three daughters

married! Ten thousand a year! Oh, Lord! what will become

of me. I shall go distracted.'

This was enough to prove that her approbation need not be

doubted: and Elizabeth, rejoicing that such an effusion was heard

only by herself, soon went away. But before she had been three

minutes in her own room, her mother followed her.

'My dearest child,' she cried, 'I can think of nothing else! Ten

thousand a year, and very likely more! 'Tis as good as a lord!

And a special license -- you must and shall be married by a

special license! But my dearest love, tell me what dish Mr.

Darcy is particularly fond of, that I may have it to-morrow.'

This was a sad omen of what her mother's behaviour to the

gentleman himself might be; and Elizabeth found, that, though in

the certain possession of his warmest affection, and secure of her

relations' consent, there was still something to be wished for. But

the morrow passed off much better than she expected; for Mrs.

Bennet luckily stood in such awe of her intended son^in^law that

she ventured not to speak to him, unless it was in her power to

offer him any attention, or mark her deference for his opinion.

Elizabeth had the satisfaction of seeing her father taking pains

to get acquainted with him; and Mr. Bennet soon assured her

that he was rising every hour in his esteem.

'I admire all my three sons-in-law highly,' said he. 'Wickham,

perhaps, is my favourite; but I think I shall like your husband

quite as well as Jane's.'

 [[329]]