第134章[第1页/共5页]

“Have you any idea, Lizzy, who this gentleman is? But now it comes out:

“Are you not diverted?”

Elizabeth tried to join in her father's pleasantry,but could only force one most reluctant smile.Never had his wit been directed in a manner so little agreeable to her.

“'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.'

“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.'

“Yes―that is what makes it amusing. Had they fixed on any other man it would have been nothing;but his perfect indifference, and your pointed dislike, make it so delightfully absurd! Much as I abominate writing, I would not give up Mr. Collins's correspondence for any consideration.Nay,when I read a letter of his,I cannot help giving him the preference even over Wickham, much as I value the impudence and hypocrisy of my son-in-law. And pray,Lizzy,what said Lady Catherine about this report?Did she call to refuse her consent?”To this question his daughter replied only with a laugh; and as it had been asked without the least suspicion, she was not distressed by his repeating it. Elizabeth had never been more at a loss to make her feelings appear what they were not.It was necessary to laugh,when she would rather have cried.Her father had most cruelly mortified her, by what he said of Mr. Darcy's indifference,and she could do nothing but wonder at such a want of penetration,or fear that perhaps,instead of his seeing too little, she might have fancied too much.