Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 38

On Saturday morning Elizabeth and Mr. Collins met for breakfast

a few minutes before the others appeared; and he took the

opportunity of paying the parting civilities which he deemed

indispensably necessary.

"I know not, Miss Elizabeth," said he, "whether Mrs. Collins has

yet expressed her sense of your kindness in coming to us; but I

am very certain you will not leave the house without receiving

her thanks for it. The favor of your company has been much

felt, I assure you. We know how little there is to tempt anyone

to our humble abode. Our plain manner of living, our small

rooms and few domestics, and the little we see of the world,

must make Hunsford extremely dull to a young lady like

yourself; but I hope you will believe us grateful for the

condescension, and that we have done everything in our power

to prevent your spending your time unpleasantly."

Elizabeth was eager with her thanks and assurances of happiness.

She had spent six weeks with great enjoyment; and the pleasure

of being with Charlotte, and the kind attentions she had received,

must make _her_ feel the obliged. Mr. Collins was gratified, and

with a more smiling solemnity replied:

"It gives me great pleasure to hear that you have passed your

time not disagreeably. We have certainly done our best; and

most fortunately having it in our power to introduce you to very

superior society, and, from our connection with Rosings, the

frequent means of varying the humble home scene, I think we

may flatter ourselves that your Hunsford visit cannot have been

entirely irksome. Our situation with regard to Lady Catherine's

family is indeed the sort of extraordinary advantage and blessing

which few can boast. You see on what a footing we are. You

see how continually we are engaged there. In truth I must

acknowledge that, with all the disadvantages of this humble

parsonage, I should not think anyone abiding in it an object of

compassion, while they are sharers of our intimacy at Rosings."

Words were insufficient for the elevation of his feelings; and

he was obliged to walk about the room, while Elizabeth tried to

unite civility and truth in a few short sentences.

"You may, in fact, carry a very favourable report of us into

Hertfordshire, my dear cousin. I flatter myself at least that you

will be able to do so. Lady Catherine's great attentions to Mrs.

Collins you have been a daily witness of; and altogether I trust

it does not appear that your friend has drawn an unfortunate--but