I believe him to be Lady Catherine’s nephew. It will be in my power to

assure him that her Ladyship was quite well yesterday se’nnight.”
Elizabeth tried hard to dissuade him from such a scheme; assuring him

that Mr. Darcy would consider his addressing him without introduction as

an impertinent{124} freedom, rather than a compliment to his aunt; that it

was not in the least necessary there should be any notice on either

side, and that if it were, it must belong to Mr. Darcy, the superior in

consequence, to begin the acquaintance. Mr. Collins listened to her with

the determined air of following his own inclination, and when she ceased

speaking, replied thus,—
“My dear Miss Elizabeth, I have the highest opinion in the world of your

excellent judgment in all matters within the scope of your

understanding, but permit me to say that there must be a wide difference

between the established forms of ceremony amongst the laity and those

which regulate the clergy; for, give me leave to observe that I consider

the clerical office as equal in point of dignity with the highest rank

in the kingdom—provided that a proper humility of behaviour is at the

same time maintained. You must, therefore, allow me to follow the

dictates of my conscience on this occasion, which lead me to perform

what I look on as a point of duty. Pardon me for neglecting to profit by

your advice, which on every other subject shall be my constant guide,

though in the case before us I consider myself more fitted by education

and habitual study to decide on what is right than a young lady like

yourself;” and with a low bow he left her to attack Mr. Darcy, whose

reception of his advances she eagerly watched, and whose astonishment at

being so addressed was very evident. Her cousin prefaced his speech with

a solemn bow, and though she could not hear a word of it, she felt as if

hearing it all, and saw in the motion of his lips the words “apology,”