In making me the offer, you must have satisfied the delicacy of your

feelings with regard to my family, and may take possession of Longbourn

estate whenever it falls, without any self-reproach. This matter may be

considered, therefore, as finally settled.” And rising as she thus

spoke, she would have quitted the room, had not Mr. Collins thus

addressed her,—
“When I do myself the honour of speaking to you next on the subject, I

shall hope to receive a more favourable answer than you have now given

me; though I am far from accusing you of cruelty at present, because I

know it to be the established custom of your sex to reject a man on the

first application, and, perhaps, you have even now said as much to

encourage my suit as would be consistent with the true delicacy of the

female character.”
“Really, Mr. Collins,” cried Elizabeth, with some warmth, “you puzzle me

exceedingly. If what I have hitherto said can appear to you in the form

of encouragement, I know not how to express my refusal in such a way as

may convince you of its being one.”
“You must give me leave to flatter myself, my dear cousin, that your

refusal of my addresses are merely words of course. My reasons for

believing it are briefly these:—It does not appear to me that my hand

is unworthy your acceptance, or that the establishment I can offer would

be any other than highly desirable. My situation in life, my connections

with the family of De Bourgh, and my relationship to your own, are

circumstances highly in my favour; and you should take{138} it into further

consideration that, in spite of your manifold attractions, it is by no

means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made you. Your

portion is unhappily so small, that it will in all likelihood undo the

effects of your loveliness and amiable qualifications. As I must,

therefore, conclude that you are not serious in your rejection of me, I