certain you will not leave the house without receiving her thanks for

it. The favour of your company has been much felt, I assure you. We know

how little there is to tempt anyone to our humble abode. Our plain

manner of{268} living, our small rooms, and few domestics, and the little we

see of the world, must make Hunsford extremely dull to a young lady like

yourself; but I hope you will believe us grateful for the condescension,

and that we have done everything in our power to prevent you spending

your time unpleasantly.”
Elizabeth was eager with her thanks and assurances of happiness. She had

spent six weeks with great enjoyment; and the pleasure of being with

Charlotte, and the kind attention she had received, must make her feel

the obliged. Mr. Collins was gratified; and with a more smiling

solemnity replied,—
“It gives me the greatest pleasure to hear that you have passed your

time not disagreeably. We have certainly done our best; and most

fortunately having it in our power to introduce you to very superior

society, and from our connection with Rosings, the frequent means of

varying the humble home scene, I think we may flatter ourselves that

your Hunsford visit cannot have been entirely irksome. Our situation

with regard to Lady Catherine’s family is, indeed, the sort of

extraordinary advantage and blessing which few can boast. You see on

what a footing we are. You see how continually we are engaged there. In

truth, I must acknowledge, that, with all the disadvantages of this

humble parsonage, I should not think anyone abiding in it an object of

compassion, while they are sharers of our intimacy at Rosings.”
Words were insufficient for the elevation of his feelings; and he was

obliged to walk about the room, while Elizabeth tried to unite civility

and truth in a few short sentences.
“You may, in fact, carry a very favourable report of us{269} into

Hertfordshire, my dear cousin. I flatter myself, at least, that you will