shall choose to attribute it to your wish of increasing my love by

suspense, according to the usual practice of elegant females.”
“I do assure you, sir, that I have no pretensions whatever to that kind

of elegance which consists in tormenting a respectable man. I would

rather be paid the compliment of being believed sincere. I thank you

again and again for the honour you have done me in your proposals, but

to accept them is absolutely impossible. My feelings in every respect

forbid it. Can I speak plainer? Do not consider me now as an elegant

female intending to plague you, but as a rational creature speaking the

truth from her heart.”
“You are uniformly charming!” cried he, with an air of awkward

gallantry; “and I am persuaded that, when sanctioned by the express

authority of both your excellent parents, my proposals will not fail of

being acceptable.”
To such perseverance in wilful self-deception Elizabeth would make no

reply, and immediately and in silence withdrew; determined, that if he

persisted in considering her repeated refusals as flattering

encouragement, to apply to her father, whose negative might be uttered

in such a manner as must be decisive, and whose behaviour at least could

not be mistaken for the affectation and coquetry of an elegant female.{139}

CHAPTER XX.

MR. COLLINS was not left long to the silent contemplation of his

successful love; for Mrs. Bennet, having dawdled about in the vestibule

to watch for the end of the conference, no sooner saw Elizabeth open the

door and with quick step pass her towards the staircase, than she

entered the breakfast-room, and congratulated both him and herself in

warm terms on the happy prospect of their nearer connection. Mr. Collins

received and returned these felicitations with equal pleasure, and then

proceeded to relate the particulars of their interview, with the result

of which he trusted he had every reason to be satisfied, since the