第134章[第1页/共5页]

“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-natured, gossiping Lucases. I shall not sport with your impatience,by reading what he says on that point.What relates to yourself, is as follows: 'Having thus offered you the sincere congratulations of Mrs.Collins and myself on this happy event, let me now add a short hint on the subject of another;of which we have been advertised by the same authority.Your daughter Elizabeth,it is presumed,will not long bear the name of Bennet, after her elder sister has resigned it,and the chosen partner of her fate may be reasonably looked up to as one of the most illustrious personages in this land.'

“'My motive for cautioning you is as follows.We have reason to imagine that his aunt,Lady Catherine de Bourgh,does not look on the match with a friendly eye.'

“Oh!”cried Elizabeth,“I am excessively diverted. But it is so strange!”

“Can you possibly guess, Lizzy, who is meant by this?”'This young gentleman is blessed, in a peculiar way, with every thing the heart of mortal can most desire, ―splendid property,noble kindred, and extensive patronage. Yet in spite of all these temptations, let me warn my cousin Elizabeth, and yourself, of what evils you may incur by a precipitate closure with this gentleman's proposals, which, of course, you will be inclined to take immediate advantage of.'