till its success could be known likewise; for, though feeling almost

secure, and with reason, for Charlotte had been tolerably encouraging,

he was comparatively diffident since the adventure of Wednesday. His

reception, however, was of the most flattering kind. Miss Lucas

perceived him from an upper window as he walked towards the house, and

instantly set out to meet him accidentally in the lane. But little had

she dared to hope that so much love and eloquence awaited her there.
In as short a time as Mr. Collins’s long speeches would allow,

everything was settled between them to the satisfaction of both; and as

they entered the house, he earnestly entreated her to name the day that

was to make him the happiest of men; and though such a solicitation must

be waived for the present, the lady felt no inclination to trifle with

his happiness. The stupidity with which he was favoured by nature must

guard his courtship from any charm that could make a woman wish for its

continuance; and Miss Lucas, who accepted him solely from the pure and

disinterested desire of an establishment, cared not how soon that

establishment were gained.
Sir William and Lady Lucas were speedily applied to for their consent;

and it was bestowed with a most joyful alacrity. Mr. Collins’s present

circumstances made it a most eligible match for their daughter, to whom

they could give little fortune; and his prospects of future wealth were

exceedingly fair. Lady Lucas began directly to calculate, with more

interest than the matter had ever{156}

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“So much love and eloquence”
[Copyright 1894 by George Allen.]

excited before, how many years longer Mr. Bennet was likely to live; and

Sir William gave it as his decided opinion, that whenever Mr. Collins

should be in possession of the Longbourn estate, it would be highly

expedient that both he and his wife should make their appearance at St.