{{prxprp333.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 333 ||

soon be the wife of Mr. Darcy. Console Lady Catherine as well as

you can. But, if I were you, I would stand by the nephew. He has

more to give. -- Yours sincerely, etc.'

Miss Binglcy's congratulations to her brother on his approaching

marriage were all that was affectionate and insincere. She wrote

even to Jane on the occasion, to express her delight, and repeat

all her former professions of regard. Jane was not deceived, but

she was affected; and though feeling no reliance on her, could not

help writing her a much kinder answer than she knew was

deserved.

The joy which Miss Darcy expressed on receiving similar

information, was as sincere as her brother's in sending it. Four

sides of paper were insufficient to contain all her delight, and all

her earnest desire of being loved by her sister.

Before any answer could arrive from Mr. Collins, or any

congratulations to Elizabeth, from his wife, the Longbourn

family heard that die Collinses were come themselves to Lucas

Lodge. The reason of this sudden removal was soon evident.

Lady Catherine had been rendered so exceedingly angry by the

contents of her nephew's letter, that Charlotte, really rejoicing in

the match, was anxious to get away till the storm was blown over.

At such a moment, the arrival of her friend was a sincere pleasure

to Elizabeth, though in die course of their meetings she must

sometimes think the pleasure dearly bought, when she saw

Mr. Darcy exposed to all the parading and obsequious civility of

her husband. He bore it, however, with admirable calmness.

He could even listen to Sir William Lucas, when he complimented

him on carrying away the brightest jewel of the country', and

expressed his hopes of their all meeting frequently at St. James's,

with very decent composure. If he did shrug his shoulders, it

was not till Sir William was out of sight.

Mrs. Philips's vulgarity was another, and, perhaps, a greater

tax on his forbearance; and though Mrs. Philips, as well as her

sister, stood in too much awe of him to speak with the familiarity

which Bingley's good humour encouraged, yet, whenever she did

speak, she must be vulgar. Nor was her respect for him, though

it made her more quiet, at all likely to make her more elegant.

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