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Collinses were well。 She is on her road somewhere； I dare say； and
so passing through Meryton； thought she might as well call on you。
I suppose she had nothing particular to say to you； Lizzy？’
Elizabeth was forced to give into a little falsehood here； for to
acknowledge the substance of their conversation was impossible。
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CHAPTER XV
he discomposure of spirits； which this extraordinary visit
threw Elizabeth into； could not be easily overcome； nor
T
could she for many hours； learn to think of it less than
incessantly。 Lady Catherine it appeared； had actually taken the
trouble of this journey from Rosings； for the sole purpose of
breaking off her supposed engagement with Mr。 Darcy。 It was a
rational scheme to be sure！ but from what the report of their
engagement could originate； Elizabeth was at a loss to imagine； till
she recollected that his being the intimate friend of Bingley； and
her being the sister of Jane； was enough； at a time when the
expectation of one wedding； made every body eager for another； to
supply the idea。 She had not herself forgotten to feel that the
marriage of her sister must bring them more frequently together。
And her neighbours at Lucas lodge； therefore； （for through their
communication with the Collinses； the report she concluded had
reached Lady Catherine） had only set that down； as almost certain
and immediate； which she had looked forward to as possible； at
some future time。
In revolving Lady Catherine’s expressions； however； she could
not help feeling some uneasiness as to the possible consequence of
her persisting in this interference。 From what she had said of her
resolution to prevent their marriage； it occurred to Elizabeth that
she must meditate an application to her nephew； and how he
might take a similar representation of the evils attached to a
connection with her； she dared not pronounce。 She knew not the
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exact degree of his affection for his aunt； or his dependence on her
judgment； but it was natural to suppose that he thought much
higher of her ladyship than she could do； and it was certain； that in
enumerating the miseries of a marriage with one； whose
immediate connections were so unequal to his own； his aunt
would address him on his weakest side。 With his notions of
dignity； he would probably feel that the arguments； which to
Elizabeth had appeared weak and ridiculous； contained much
good sense and solid reasoning。
If he had been wavering before； as to what he should do； which
had often seemed likely； the advice and intreaty of so near a
relation might settle every doubt； and determine him at once to be
as happy； as dignity unblemished could make him。 In that case he
would return no more。 Lady Catherine might see him in her way
through town； and his engagement to Bingley of coming again to
Netherfield must give way。
‘If； therefore； an excuse for not keeping his promise； should
come to his friend within a few days；’ she added； ‘I shall know how
to understand it。 I shall then give over every expectation； every
wish of his constancy。 If he is satisfied with only regretting me；
when he might have obtained my affections and hand； I shall soon
cease to regret him at all。’
———————
The surprise of the rest of the family； on hearing who their
visitor had been； was very great； but they obligingly satisfied it；
with the same kind of supposition； which had appeased Mrs。
Bennet’s curiosity； and Elizabeth was spared from much teazing
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on the subject。
The next morning； as she was going down stairs； she was met
by her father； who came out of his library with a letter in his hand。
‘Lizzy；’ said he； ‘I was going to look for you； come into my
room。’
She followed him thither； and her curiosity to know what he
had to tell her； was heightened by the supposition of its being in
some manner connected with the letter he held。 It suddenly struck
her that it might be from Lady Catherine； and she anticipated with
dismay all the consequent explanations。
She followed her father to the fire place； and they both sat
down。 He then said；
‘I have received a letter this morning that has astonished me
exceedingly。 As it principally concerns yourself； you ought to know
its contents。 I did not know before； that I had two daughters on the
brink of matrimony。 Let me congratulate you； on a very important
conquest。’
The colour now rushed into Elizabeth’s cheeks in the
instantaneous conviction of its being a letter from the nephew；
instead of the aunt； and she was undetermined whether most to be
pleased that he explained himself at all； or offended that his letter
was not rather addressed to herself； when her father continued；
‘You look conscious。 Young ladies have great penetration in
such matters as these； but I think I may defy even your sagacity； to
discover the name of your admirer。 This letter is from Mr。 Collins。’
‘From Mr。 Collins！ and what can he have to say？’
‘Something very much to the purpose of course。 He begins with
congratulations on the approaching nuptials of my eldest
daughter； of which it seems he has been told； by some of the good…
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natured； gossiping Lucases。 I shall not sport with your impatience；
by reading wha