character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my

chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on

entering the marriage state.”
Elizabeth quietly answered “undoubtedly;” and, after an awkward pause,

they returned to the rest of the family. Charlotte did not stay much

longer; and Elizabeth was then left to reflect on what she had heard. It

was a long time before she became at all reconciled to the idea of so

unsuitable a match. The strangeness of Mr. Collins’s making two offers

of marriage within three days was nothing in comparison of his being now

accepted. She had always felt that Charlotte’s opinion of matrimony was

not exactly like her own; but she could not have supposed it possible

that, when called into action, she would have sacrificed every better

feeling to worldly advantage. Charlotte, the wife of Mr. Collins, was a

most humiliating picture! And to the pang of a friend disgracing

herself, and sunk in her esteem, was added the distressing conviction

that it was impossible for that friend to be tolerably happy in the lot

she had chosen.{161}

[Image unavailable.]


“Protested he must be entirely mistaken.”


CHAPTER XXIII.

ELIZABETH was sitting with her mother and sisters, reflecting on what

she had heard, and doubting whether she was authorized to mention it,

when Sir William Lucas himself appeared, sent by his daughter to

announce her engagement to the family. With many compliments to them,

and much self-gratulation on the prospect of a connection between the

houses, he unfolded the{162} matter,—to an audience not merely wondering,

but incredulous; for Mrs. Bennet, with more perseverance than

politeness, protested he must be entirely mistaken; and Lydia, always

unguarded and often uncivil, boisterously exclaimed,—
“Good Lord! Sir William, how can you tell such a story? Do not you know

that Mr. Collins wants to marry Lizzy?”