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DURING dinner,

Mr. Bennet scarcely spoke at all; but when the servants were withdrawn,

he thought it time to have some conversation with his guest, and therefore

started a subject in which he expected him to shine, by observing that

he seemed very fortunate in his patroness. Lady Catherine de Bourgh's

attention to his wishes, and consideration for his comfort, appeared very

remarkable. Mr. Bennet could not have chosen better. Mr. Collins was eloquent

in her praise. The subject elevated him to more than usual solemnity of

manner, and with a most important aspect he protested that he had never

in his life witnessed such behaviour in a person of rank -- such affability

and condescension, as he had himself experienced from Lady Catherine.

She had been graciously pleased to approve of both the discourses which

he had already had the honour of preaching before her. She had also asked

him twice to dine at Rosings, and had sent for him only the Saturday before,

to make up her pool of quadrille in the evening. Lady Catherine was reckoned

proud by many people he knew, but he had never seen any thing but affability

in her. She had always spoken to him as she would to any other gentleman;

she made not the smallest objection to his joining in the society of the

neighbourhood, nor to his leaving his parish occasionally for a week or

two, to visit his relations. She had even condescended to advise him to

marry as soon as he could, provided he chose with discretion; and had

once paid him a visit in his humble parsonage; where she had perfectly

approved all the alterations he had been making, and had even vouchsafed

to suggest some herself, -- some shelves in the closets up stairs.

"That is all very proper and civil I am sure," said Mrs. Bennet, "and

I dare say she is a very agreeable woman. It is a pity that great ladies

in general are not more like her. Does she live near you, sir?"

"The garden in which stands my humble abode is separated only by

a lane from Rosings Park, her ladyship's residence." .

"I think you said she was a widow, sir? has she any family?" .

"She has one only daughter, the heiress of Rosings, and of very extensive

property." .

"Ah!" cried Mrs. Bennet, shaking her head, "then she is better

off than many girls. And what sort of young lady is she? is she handsome?"

.

"She is a most charming young lady indeed. Lady Catherine herself

says that in point of true beauty, Miss De Bourgh is far superior to

the handsomest of her sex; because there is that in her features which

marks the young woman of distinguished birth. She is unfortunately of

a sickly constitution, which has prevented her making that progress

in many accomplishments which she could not otherwise have failed of;

as I am informed by the lady who superintended her education, and who

still resides with them. But she is perfectly amiable, and often condescends

to drive by my humble abode in her little phaeton and ponies." .

"Has she been presented? I do not remember her name among the ladies

at court." .

"Her indifferent state of health unhappily prevents her being in

town; and by that means, as I told Lady Catherine myself one day, has

deprived the British court of its brightest ornament. Her ladyship seemed

pleased with the idea, and you may imagine that I am happy on every

occasion to offer those little delicate compliments which are always

acceptable to ladies. I have more than once observed to Lady Catherine

that her charming daughter seemed born to be a duchess, and that the

most elevated rank, instead of giving her consequence, would be adorned

by her. -- These are the kind of little things which please her ladyship,

and it is a sort of attention which I conceive myself peculiarly bound

to pay." .

"You judge very properly," said Mr. Bennet, "and it is happy for

you that you possess the talent of flattering with delicacy. May I ask

whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of the moment,

or are the result of previous study?" .

"They arise chiefly from what is passing at the time, and though

I sometimes amuse myself with suggesting and arranging such little elegant

compliments as may be adapted to ordinary occasions, I always wish to

give them as unstudied an air as possible." .

Mr. Bennet's expectations were fully answered. His cousin was as absurd

as he had hoped, and he listened to him with the keenest enjoyment,

maintaining at the same time the most resolute composure of countenance,

and, except in an occasional glance at Elizabeth, requiring no partner

in his pleasure. .

By tea-time, however, the dose had been enough, and Mr. Bennet was

glad to take his guest into the drawing-room again, and when tea was

over, glad to invite him to read aloud to the ladies. Mr. Collins readily

assented, and a book was produced; but on beholding it (for every thing

announced it to be from a circulating library), he started back, and

begging pardon, protested that he never read novels. -- Kitty stared

at him, and Lydia exclaimed. -- Other books were produced, and after

some deliberation he chose Fordyce's Sermons. Lydia gaped as he opened

the volume, and before he had, with very monotonous solemnity, read

three pages, she interrupted him with, .

"Do you know, mama, that my uncle Philips talks of turning away Richard,

and if he does, Colonel Forster will hire him. My aunt told me so herself

on Saturday. I shall walk to Meryton to-morrow to hear more about it,

and to ask when Mr. Denny comes back from town." .

Lydia was bid by her two eldest sisters to hold her tongue; but Mr.

Collins, much offended, laid aside his book, and said, .

"I have often observed how little young ladies are interested by

books of a serious stamp, though written solely for their benefit. It

amazes me, I confess; -- for certainly, there can be nothing so advantageous

to them as instruction. But I will no longer importune my young cousin."

.

Then turning to Mr. Bennet, he offered himself as his antagonist at

backgammon. Mr. Bennet accepted the challenge, observing that he acted

very wisely in leaving the girls to their own trifling amusements. Mrs.

Bennet and her daughters apologised most civilly for Lydia's interruption,

and promised that it should not occur again, if he would resume his

book; but Mr. Collins, after assuring them that he bore his young cousin

no ill will, and should never resent her behaviour as any affront, seated

himself at another table with Mr. Bennet, and prepared for backgammon.

.

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