give them as unstudied an air as possible.”
Mr. Bennet’s expectations were fully answered. His cousin was as absurd

as he had hoped; and he listened to him with the keenest enjoyment,

maintaining at the same time the most resolute composure of countenance,

and, except in an occasional glance at Elizabeth, requiring no partner

in his pleasure.
By tea-time, however, the dose had been enough, and{87} Mr. Bennet was glad

to take his guest into the drawing-room again, and when tea was over,

glad to invite him

[Image unavailable.]


“Protested

that he never read novels”      H.T Feb 94


to read aloud to the ladies. Mr. Collins readily assented, and a book

was produced; but on beholding it (for everything announced it to be

from a circulating library){88} he started back, and, begging pardon,

protested that he never read novels. Kitty stared at him, and Lydia

exclaimed. Other books were produced, and after some deliberation he

chose “Fordyce’s Sermons.” Lydia gaped as he opened the volume; and

before he had, with very monotonous solemnity, read three pages, she

interrupted him with,—
“Do you know, mamma, that my uncle Philips talks of turning away

Richard? and if he does, Colonel Forster will hire him. My aunt told me

so herself on Saturday. I shall walk to Meryton to-morrow to hear more

about it, and to ask when Mr. Denny comes back from town.”
Lydia was bid by her two eldest sisters to hold her tongue; but Mr.

Collins, much offended, laid aside his book, and said,—
“I have often observed how little young ladies are interested by books

of a serious stamp, though written solely for their benefit. It amazes

me, I confess; for certainly there can be nothing so advantageous to

them as instruction. But I will no longer importune my young cousin.”
Then, turning to Mr. Bennet, he offered himself as his antagonist at

backgammon. Mr. Bennet accepted the challenge, observing that he acted