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very little entreaty； preparing to oblige the company。 By many
significant looks and silent entreaties； did she endeavour to
prevent such a proof of complaisance；—but in vain； Mary would
not understand them； such an opportunity of exhibiting was
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delightful to her； and she began her song。 Elizabeth’s eyes were
fixed on her with most painful sensations； and she watched her
progress through the several stanzas with an impatience which
was very ill rewarded at their close； for Mary； on receiving amongst
the thanks of the table； the hint of a hope that she might be pre…
vailed on to favour them again； after the pause of half a minute
began another。 Mary’s powers were by no means fitted for such a
display； her voice was weak； and her manner affected。—Elizabeth
was in agonies。 She looked at Jane； to see how she bore it； but Jane
was very composedly talking to Bingley。 She looked at his two
sisters； and saw them making signs of derision at each other； and
at Darcy； who continued however impenetrably grave。 She looked
at her father to entreat his interference； lest Mary should be
singing all night。 He took the hint； and when Mary had finished her
second song； said aloud；
‘That will do extremely well； child。 You have delighted us long
enough。 Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit。’
Mary； though pretending not to hear； was somewhat
disconcerted； and Elizabeth sorry for her； and sorry for her father’s
speech； was afraid her anxiety had done no good。—Others of the
party were now applied to。
‘If I；’ said Mr。 Collins； ‘were so fortunate as to be able to sing； I
should have great pleasure； I am sure； in obliging the company
with an air； for I consider music as a very innocent diversion； and
perfectly compatible with the profession of a clergyman。—I do not
mean however to assert that we can be justified in devoting too
much of our time to music； for there are certainly other things to
be attended to。 The rector of a parish has much to do。—In the first
place； he must make such an agreement for tythes as may be
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beneficial to himself and not offensive to his patron。 He must write
his own sermons； and the time that remains will not be too much
for his parish duties； and the care and improvement of his
dwelling； which he cannot be excused from making as comfortable
as possible。 And I do not think it of light importance that he should
have attentive and conciliatory manners towards every body；
especially towards those to whom he owes his preferment。 I cannot
acquit him of that duty； nor could I think well of the man who
should omit an occasion of testifying his respect towards any body
connected with the family。’ And with a bow to Mr Darcy； he
concluded his speech； which had been spoken so loud as to be
heard by half the room。—Many stared。—Many smiled； but no one
looked more amused than Mr。 Bennet himself； while his wife
seriously commended Mr。 Collins for having spoken so sensibly；
and observed in a half…whisper to Lady Lucas； that he was a
remarkably clever； good kind of young man。
To Elizabeth it appeared； that had her family made an
agreement to expose themselves as much as they could during the
evening； it would have been impossible for them to play their parts
with more spirit； or finer success； and happy did she think it for
Bingley and her sister that some of the exhibition had escaped his
notice； and that his feelings were not of a sort to be much
distressed by the folly which he must have witnessed。 That his two
sisters and Mr。 Darcy； however； should have such an opportunity
of ridiculing her relations was bad enough； and she could not
determine whether the silent contempt of the gentleman； or the
insolent smiles of the ladies； were more intolerable。
The rest of the evening brought her little amusement。 She was
teazed by Mr。 Collins； who continued most perseveringly by her
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side； and though he could not prevail with her to dance with him
again； put it out of her power to dance with others。 In vain did she
entreat him to stand up with somebody else； and offer to introduce
him to any young lady in the room。 He assured her that as to
dancing； he was perfectly indifferent to it； that his chief object was
by delicate attentions to recommend himself to her； and that he
should therefore make a point of remaining close to her the whole
evening。 There was no arguing upon such a project。 She owed her
greatest relief to her friend Miss Lucas； who often joined them； and
good…naturedly engaged Mr。 Collins’s conversation to herself。
She was at least free from the offence of Mr。 Darcy’s farther
notice； though often standing within a very short distance of her；
quite disengaged； he never came near enough to speak。 She felt it
to be the probable consequence of her allusions to Mr。 Wickham；
and rejoiced in it。
The Longbourn party were the last of all the company to depart；
and by a man？uvre of Mrs。 Bennet had to wait for their carriages
a quarter of an hour after every body else was gone； which gave
them time to see how heartily they were wished away by some of
the family。 Mrs。 Hurst and her sister scarcely opened their mouths
except to complain of fatigue； and were evidently impatient to have
the house to themselves。 They repulsed every attempt of Mrs。
Bennet at conversation； and by so doing； threw a languor over the
whole party； which was very little relieved by the long speeches of
Mr。 Collins； who was complimenting Mr。 Bingley and his sisters on
the elegance of their entertainment； and the hospitality and
politeness which had marked their behaviour to their guests。
Darcy said nothing at all。 Mr。 Bennet； in equal silence； was
enjoying the scene。 Mr。 Bingley and Jane were standing together； a
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little detached from the rest； and talked only to each other。
Elizabeth preserved as steady a silence as either Mrs。 Hurst or
Miss Bingley； and even Lydia was too much fatigued to utter more
than the occasional exclamation of ‘Lord； how tired I am！’
accompanied by a violent yawn。
When at length they arose to take leave； Mrs。 Bennet was most
pressingly civil in her hope of seeing the whole family soon at
Longbourn； and addressed herself particularly to Mr。 Bingley； to
assure him how happy he would make them； by eating a family
dinner with them at any time； without the ceremony of a formal
invitation。 Bingley was all grateful pleasure； and he readily
engaged for taking the earliest opportunity of waiting on her； after
his return from London； whither he was obliged to go the next day
for a short time。
Mrs。 Bennet was perfectly satisfied； and quitted the house
under the delightful persuasion that； allowing for the necessary
preparations of settlements； new carriages and wedding clothes；
she should undoubtedly see her daughter settled at Netherfield； in
the course of three or four months。 Of having another daughter
married to Mr。 Collins； she