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for me to pay my respects to him； which I am now going to do； and
trust he will excuse my not having done it before。 My total
ignorance of the connection must plead my apology。’
‘You are not going to introduce yourself to Mr。 Darcy？’
‘Indeed I am。 I shall intreat his pardon for not having done it
earlier。 I believe him to be Lady Catherine’s nephew。 It will be in
my power to assure him that her ladyship was quite well yesterday
se’nnight。’
Elizabeth tried hard to dissuade him from such a scheme；
assuring him that Mr。 Darcy would consider his addressing him
without introduction as an impertinent freedom； rather than a
compliment to his aunt； that it was not in the least necessary there
should be any notice on either side； and that if it were； it must
belong to Mr。 Darcy； the superior in consequence； to begin the
acquaintance。—Mr。 Collins listened to her with the determined air
of following his own inclination； and when she ceased speaking；
replied thus；
‘My dear Miss Elizabeth； I have the highest opinion in the world
of your excellent judgment in all matters within the scope of your
understanding； but permit me to say that there must be a wide
difference between the established forms of ceremony amongst the
laity； and those which regulate the clergy； for give me leave to
observe that I consider the clerical office as equal in point of
dignity with the highest rank in the kingdom—provided that a
proper humility of behaviour is at the same time maintained。 You
must therefore allow me to follow the dictates of my conscience on
this occasion； which leads me to perform what I look on as a point
of duty。 Pardon me for neglecting to profit by your advice； which
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on every other subject shall be my constant guide； though in the
case before us I consider myself more fitted by education and
habitual study to decide on what is right than a young lady like
yourself。’ And with a low bow he left her to attack Mr。 Darcy；
whose reception of his advances she eagerly watched； and whose
astonishment at being so addressed was very evident。 Her cousin
prefaced his speech with a solemn bow； and though she could not
hear a word of it； she felt as if hearing it all； and saw in the motion
of his lips the words ‘apology；’ ‘Hunsford；’ and ‘Lady Catherine de
Bourgh。’—It vexed her to see him expose himself to such a man。
Mr。 Darcy was eyeing him with unrestrained wonder； and when at
last Mr。 Collins allowed him time to speak； replied with an air of
distant civility。 Mr。 Collins； however； was not discouraged from
speaking again； and Mr。 Darcy’s contempt seemed abundantly
increasing with the length of his second speech； and at the end of it
he only made him a slight bow； and moved another way。 Mr。
Collins then returned to Elizabeth。
‘I have no reason； I assure you；’ said he； ‘to be dissatisfied with
my reception。 Mr。 Darcy seemed much pleased with the attention。
He answered me with the utmost civility； and even paid me the
compliment of saying； that he was so well convinced of Lady
Catherine’s discernment as to be certain she could never bestow a
favour unworthily。 It was really a very handsome thought。 Upon
the whole； I am much pleased with him。’
As Elizabeth had no longer any interest of her own to pursue；
she turned her attention almost entirely on her sister and Mr。
Bingley； and the train of agreeable reflections which her
observations gave birth to； made her perhaps almost as happy as
Jane。 She saw her in idea settled in that very house in all the
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felicity which a marriage of true affection could bestow； and she
felt capable under such circumstances； of endeavouring even to
like Bingley’s two sisters。 Her mother’s thoughts she plainly saw
were bent the same way； and she determined not to venture near
her； lest she might hear too much。 When they sat down to supper；
therefore； she considered it a most unlucky perverseness which
placed them within one of each other； and deeply was she vexed to
find that her mother was talking to that one person （Lady Lucas）
freely； openly； and of nothing else but of her expectation that Jane
would be soon married to Mr Bingley。 It was an animating subject；
and Mrs。 Bennet seemed incapable of fatigue while enumerating
the advantages of the match。 His being such a charming young
man； and so rich； and living but three miles from them； were the
first points of self…gratulation； and then it was such a comfort to
think how fond the two sisters were of Jane； and to be certain that
they must desire the connection as much as she could do。 It was；
moreover； such a promising thing for her younger daughters； as
Jane’s marrying so greatly must throw them in the way of other
rich men； and lastly； it was so pleasant at her time of life to be able
to consign her single daughters to the care of their sister； that she
might not be obliged to go into company more than she liked。 It
was necessary to make this circumstance a matter of pleasure；
because on such occasions it is the etiquette； but no one was less
likely than Mrs。 Bennet to find comfort in staying at home at any
period of her life。 She concluded with many good wishes that Lady
Lucas might soon be equally fortunate； though evidently and
triumphantly believing there was no chance of it。
In vain did Elizabeth endeavour to check the rapidity of her
mother’s words； or persuade her to describe her felicity in a less
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audible whisper； for to her inexpressible vexation； she could
perceive that the chief of it was overheard by Mr。 Darcy； who sat
opposite to them。 Her mother only scolded her for being
nonsensical。
‘What is Mr。 Darcy to me； pray； that I should be afraid of him？ I
am sure we owe him no such particular civility as to be obliged to
say nothing he may not like to hear。’
‘For heaven’s sake； madam； speak lower。 What advantage can it
be to you to offend Mr。 Darcy？—You will never recommend
yourself to his friend by so doing。’
Nothing that she could say； however； had any influence。 Her
mother would talk of her views in the same intelligible tone。
Elizabeth blushed and blushed again with shame and vexation。
She could not help frequently glancing her eye at Mr。 Darcy；
though every glance convinced her of what she dreaded； for
though he was not always looking at her mother； she was
convinced that his attention was invariably fixed by her。 The
expression of his face changed gradually from indignant contempt
to a composed and steady gravity。
At length however Mrs。 Bennet had no more to say； and Lady
Lucas； who had been long yawning at the repetition of delights
which she saw no likelihood of sharing； was left to the comforts of
cold ham and chicken。 Elizabeth now began to revive。 But not long
was the interval of tranquillity； for when supper was over； singing
was talked of； and she had the mortification of seeing Mary； after
very little entreaty； preparing to oblige the company。 By many
significant looks and silent