第 18 章(下)
她於是換了一個話題，使她們倆都能談得更稱心。她們倆在這方面的意見是完全一致的。伊莉莎白高興地聽著吉英談起，她在彬格萊先生身上雖然不敢存奢望，卻寄託著多少幸福的心願；她於是盡心竭力說了多少話來增加姐姐的信念。一會兒，彬格萊先生走到她們這裏來了，伊莉莎白便退到盧卡斯小姐身邊去。盧卡斯小姐問她跟剛才那位舞伴跳得是否愉快，她還沒有來得及回答，只見柯林斯先生走上前來，欣喜欲狂地告訴她們說，他真幸運，發現了一件極其重要的事。
他說：”這真是完全出於我意料之外，我竟然發現這屋子裏有一位是我女施主的至親。我湊巧聽到一位先生跟主人家的那位小姐說，他自己的表妹德?包爾小姐和他的姨母咖苔琳夫人。這些事真是太巧合了！誰想到我會在這次的舞會上碰到咖苔琳?德?包爾夫人的姨侄呢！謝天謝地，我這個發現正是時候，還來得及去問候他吧。我根本就不知道有這門親戚，因此還有道歉的餘地。”你打算去向達西先生自我介紹嗎？”我當然打算去。我一定去求他原諒，請他不要怪我沒有早些問候他。我相信他是咖苔琳夫人的姨侄。我可以告訴他說，上星期我還見到她老人家，她身體著實健康。”
伊莉莎白竭力勸他不要那麼做，她說，他如果不經過人家介紹就去招呼達西先生，達西先生一定會認為他冒昧唐突，而不會認為他是奉承他姨母，又說雙方根本不必打交道，即使要打交道，也應該由地位比較高的達西先生來跟他通候。柯林斯先生聽她這麼說，便顯出一副堅決的神氣，表示非照著自己的意思去做不可，等她說完了，他回答道：親愛的伊莉莎白小姐，你對於一切的問題都有卓越的見解。我非常敬佩，可是請你聽我說一句：俗人的禮節跟教士們的禮節大不相同。請聽我說，我認為從尊嚴方面看來，一個教士的位置可以比得上一個君侯，只要你能同時保持相當的謙虛。所以，這一次你應該讓我照著我自己的良心的吩咐，去做好我認為應該做的事情。請原諒我沒有領受你的指教，要是在任何其他的問題上，我一定把你的指教當作座右銘，不過對於當前這個問題，我覺得，由於我還算讀書明理，平日也曾稍事鑽研，由我自己來決定比由你這樣一位年輕小姐來決定要合適些；”他深深鞠了一躬，便離開了她，去向達西先生糾纏。於是她迫不及待地望著達西先生怎樣對待他這種冒失行為，料想達西先生對於這種問候方式一定要大為驚訝，只見她這位表兄先恭恭敬敬地對達西鞠了一躬，然後再開口跟他說話。伊莉莎白雖然一句也沒聽到他說些什麼，卻又好象聽到了他所有的話，因為從他那蠕動嘴唇的動作看來，他無非口口聲聲盡說些”道歉”、”漢斯福”、”咖苔琳?德?包爾夫人”之類的話。她看到表兄在這樣的一個人面前出醜，心中好不氣惱。達西先生帶著毫不掩飾的驚奇目光斜睨著他，等到後來柯林斯先生嘮叨夠了，達西才帶著一副敬而遠之的神氣，敷衍了他幾句。柯林斯先生卻並不因此而灰心掃興，一再開口。等他第二次開口嘮叨的時候，達西先生的輕蔑的神氣顯得更露骨了。他說完以後，達西先生隨便拱了拱身子就走開了。柯林斯先生這才回到伊莉莎白跟前來，跟伊莉莎白說：”告訴你，他那樣接待我，我實在沒有理由感到不滿意。達西聽到我的殷勤問候，好象十分高興。他禮貌周全地回答了我的話，甚至恭維我說，他非常佩服咖苔琳夫人的眼力，沒有提拔錯了人。這的確是個聰明的想法。大體上說，我很滿意他。”
伊莉莎白既然對舞會再也沒有什麼興味，於是幾乎把全部注意力都轉移她的姐姐和彬格萊先生身上去了。她把當場的情景都看在眼裏，想像出了多少可喜的事情，幾乎跟吉英自己感到同樣的快活。她想像著姐姐做了這幢房子裏的主婦，夫婦之間恩愛彌篤，幸福無比。她覺得如果真有這樣一天，那麼，連彬格萊的兩個姐妹，她也可以儘量對她們發生好感。她看見她母親也明明正在轉著同樣的念頭，因此她決定不要冒險走到母親跟前去，免得又要聽她嘮叨個沒完。因此當大家坐下來吃飯的時候，她看到母親的座位跟他隔得那麼近，她覺得真是受罪。只見母親老是跟那個人（盧卡斯太太）在信口亂說，毫無忌諱，而且盡談些她怎樣盼望吉英馬上跟彬格萊先生結婚之類的話，這叫伊莉莎白越發氣惱。她們對這件事越談越起勁，班納特太太一個勁兒數說著這門姻緣有多少多少好處。首先彬格萊先生是那麼漂亮的一個青年，那麼有錢，住的地方離她們只有三英里路，這些條件是令人滿意的。其次，他的兩個姐妹非常喜歡吉英，一定也象她一樣地希望能夠結成這門親，這一點也很令人快慰。再其次，吉英的親事既然攀得這麼稱心如意，那麼，幾個小女兒也就有希望碰上別的闊人。最後再說到她那幾個沒有出嫁的女兒，關於她們的終身大事，從此也可以委託給大女兒，不必要她自己再為她們去應酬交際了，于情於理，這都是一件值得高興的事，怎奈班納特太太生平就不慣於守在家裏。她又預祝盧卡斯太太馬上也會有同樣的幸運，其實也明明是在趾高氣揚地料定她沒有這個福份。
伊莉莎白一心想要挫挫她母親的談鋒，便勸她談起得意的事情來要放得小聲小氣一點，因為達西先生就坐在她們對面，可見得大部份的話都讓他聽到了。可是勸也無用，她的母親只顧罵她廢話，她真是說不出的氣惱。我倒請問你，達西先生與我有什麼關係，我幹嗎要怕他？我沒有理由要在他面前特別講究禮貌，難道他不愛聽的話我就不能說嗎？”看老天份上，媽媽，小聲點兒說吧。你得罪了達西先生有什麼好處？你這樣做，他的朋友也不會看得起你的。”
不過，任憑她怎麼說都沒有用。她的母親偏偏要大聲發表高見。伊莉莎白又羞又惱，臉蛋兒紅了又紅。她禁不住一眼眼望著達西先生，每望一眼就越發證實了自己的疑慮，因為達西雖然並沒有老是瞧著她的母親，可是他一直目不轉睛地在望著伊莉莎白。他臉上先是顯出氣憤和厭惡的表情，慢慢地變得冷靜莊重，一本正經。
後來班納特太太說完了，盧卡斯太太聽她談得那樣志得意滿，自己又沒個份兒，早已呵欠連連，現在總算可以來安心享受一點冷肉冷雞了。伊莉莎白現在也算松了口氣。可惜她耳朵裏並沒有清淨多久，因為晚飯一吃完，大家就談起要唱歌。伊莉莎白眼看著曼麗經不起人家稍微慫恿一下就答應了大家的請求，覺得很難受。她曾經頻頻向曼麗遞眼色，又再三地默默勸告她，竭力叫她不要這樣討好別人，可惜終於枉費心機。曼麗毫不理會她的用意。這種出風頭的機會她是求之不得的，於是她就開始唱起來了。伊莉莎白極其苦痛地把眼睛盯在她身上，帶著焦慮的心情聽她唱了幾節，等到唱完了，她的焦慮絲毫沒有減輕，因為曼麗一聽到大家對她稱謝，還有人隱約表示要她再賞他們一次臉，於是歇了半分鐘以後，她又唱起了另一支歌。曼麗的才力是不適宜於這種表演的，因為她嗓子細弱，態度又不自然。伊莉莎白真急得要命。她看了看吉英，看看她是不是受得了，只見，吉英正在安安靜靜地跟彬格萊先生談天。她又看見彬格萊的兩位姐妹正在彼此擠眼弄眉，一面對著達西做手勢，達西依舊面孔鐵板。她最後對自己的父親望了一眼，求他老人家來攔阻一下，免得曼麗通宵唱下去。父親領會了她的意思，他等曼麗唱完了第二支歌，便大聲說道：你這樣盡夠啦，孩子。你使我們開心得夠久啦。留點時間給別的小姐們表演表演吧。”
曼麗雖然裝做沒聽見，心裏多少有些不自在。伊莉莎白為她感到不好受，也為她爸爸的那番話感到不好受，生怕自己一片苦心完全白費。好在這會兒大家請別人來唱歌了。
只聽得柯林斯先生說：”假如我僥倖會唱歌，那我一定樂意給大家高歌一曲；我認為音樂是一種高尚的娛樂，和牧師的職業絲毫沒有抵觸。不過我並不是說，我們應該在音樂上花上太多的時間，因為的確還有許多別的事情要做。負責一個教區的主管牧師在多少事要做啊，首先他得制訂什一稅的條例，既要訂得于自己有利，又要不侵犯地主的利益。他得自己編寫講道辭，這一來剩下的時間就不多了。他還得利用這點兒時間來安排教區裏的事務，照管和收拾自己的住宅──住宅總少不了要儘量弄得舒舒服服。還有一點我認為也很重要；他對每一個人都得殷勤和藹，特別是那些提拔他的人。我認為這是他應盡的責任。再說，遇到施主家的親友，凡是在應該表示尊敬的場合下，總得表示尊敬，否則是不象話的。”他說到這裏，向達西先生鞠了一躬，算是結束了他的話。他這一席話說得那麼響亮，半個屋子裏的人都聽得見。多少人看呆了，多少人笑了，可是沒有一個人象班納特先生那樣聽得有趣，他的太太卻一本正經地誇獎柯林斯先生的話真說得合情合理，她湊近了盧卡斯太太說，他顯然是個很聰明優秀的青年。
伊莉莎白覺得她家裏人好象是約定今天晚上到這兒來儘量出醜，而且可以說是從來沒有那樣起勁，從來沒有那樣成功。她覺得姐姐和彬格萊先生真幸運，有些出醜的場面沒有看到，好豐彬格萊先生即使看到了一些可笑的情節，也不會輕易感到難受。不過他的兩個姐妹和達西先生竟抓住這個機會來嘲笑她家裏人，這已經是夠難堪的了，那位先生的無聲的蔑視和兩個娘兒們的無禮的嘲笑，究竟哪一樣更叫人難堪，她可不能斷定。
晚會的後半段時間也沒有給她帶來什麼樂趣。柯林斯先生還是一直不肯離開她身邊，和她打趣。雖然他無法請她再跟他跳一次舞，可是卻弄得她也無法跟別人跳。她要求他跟別人去跳，並且答應給他介紹一位小姐，可是他不肯。他告訴她說，講到跳舞，他完全不發生興趣，他的主要用意就是要小心等候她，她博得她的歡心，因此他打定主意整個晚上待在她身邊。無論怎樣跟解釋也沒用。多虧她的朋友盧卡斯小姐常常來到他們身邊，好心好意地和柯林斯先生攀談攀談，她才算覺得好受一些。
至少達西先生可以不再來惹她生氣了。他雖然常常站得離她很近，邊上也沒有人，卻一直沒有走過來跟她說話。她覺得這可能是因為她提到了韋翰先生的緣故，她因此不禁暗暗自喜。
在全場賓客中，浪博恩一家人最後走，而且班納特太太還用了點手腕，藉口等候馬車，一直等到大家走完了，她們一家人還多待了一刻鐘。她們在這一段時間裏看到主人家有些人非常指望她們趕快走。赫斯脫太太姐妹倆簡直不開口說話，只是嚷著疲倦，顯然是在下逐客令了。班納特太太一開口想跟她們攀談，就被她們拒絕了，弄得大家都沒精打采。柯林斯先生儘管在發表長篇大論，恭維彬格萊先生和他的姐妹們，說他們家的宴席多麼精美，他們對待客人多麼殷勤有禮，可是他的話也沒有能給大家增加一些生氣。達西一句話也沒有說。班納特先生同樣沒做聲，站在那兒袖手旁觀。彬格萊和吉英站得離大家遠一些，正在親親密密地交談。伊莉莎白象赫斯脫太太和彬格萊小姐一樣，始終不開口。連麗迪雅也覺得太疲乏了，沒有說話，只是偶然叫一聲：”天啊，我多麼疲倦！”接著便大聲打了一個呵欠。
後來她們終於起身告辭了，班納特太太懇切務至地說，希望在最短時間以內，彬格萊先生闔府都到浪博恩去玩，又特別對彬格萊先生本人說，要是那天他能上她們家去吃頓便飯，也不要正式下請帖，那她們真是榮幸之至。彬格萊先生欣喜異常，連忙說，他明天就要動身到倫敦去待一個短時期，等他回來以後，一有機會就去拜望她。
班納特太太滿意極了，走出屋來，一路打著如意算盤；不出三四個月光景，她就可以看到自己的女兒在尼日斐花園找到歸宿了，她少不了要準備一些財產、嫁妝和新的馬車。她同樣相信另一個女兒一定會嫁給柯林斯先生，對這門親事她雖然沒有對那門親事那樣高興，可也相當高興。在所有的女兒裏面，她最不喜歡伊莉莎白。儘管姑爺的人品和門第，配她已經綽綽有餘，可是比起彬格萊先生和尼日斐花園來，就顯得黯然失色了。
Chapter 18 (part 2)
She then changed the discourse to one more gratifying to each, and on which there could be no difference of sentiment. Elizabeth listened with delight to the happy, though modest hopes which Jane entertained of Bingley’s regard, and said all in her power to heighten her confidence in it. On their being joined by Mr. Bingley himself, Elizabeth withdrew to Miss Lucas; to whose inquiry after the pleasantness of her last partner she had scarcely replied, before Mr. Collins came up to them and told her with great exultation that he had just been so fortunate as to make a most important discovery.
“I have found out,” said he, “by a singular accident, that there is now in the room a near relation of my patroness. I happened to overhear the gentleman himself mentioning to the young lady who does the honours of this house the names of his cousin Miss de Bourgh, and of her mother Lady Catherine. How wonderfully these sort of things occur! Who would have thought of my meeting with — perhaps — a nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh in this assembly! — I am most thankful that the discovery is made in time 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 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 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 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 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 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 prevailed 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 tithes as may be 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 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 manoeuvre 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 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 thought with equal certainty, and with considerable, though not equal, pleasure. Elizabeth was the least dear to her of all her children; and though the man and the match were quite good enough for her, the worth of each was eclipsed by Mr. Bingley and Netherfield.
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