want abilities. He can be a conversible companion if he thinks it worth

his while. Among those who are at all his equals in consequence, he is a

very different man from what he is to the less prosperous. His pride

never deserts him; but with the rich he is liberal-minded, just,

sincere, rational, honourable, and, perhaps, agreeable,—allowing

something for fortune and figure.”
The whist party soon afterwards breaking up, the players gathered round

the other table, and Mr. Collins took his station between his cousin

Elizabeth and Mrs. Philips. The usual inquiries as to his success were

made by the latter. It had not been very great; he had lost every point;

but when Mrs. Philips began to express her concern thereupon, he assured

her, with much earnest gravity, that it was not of the least importance;

that he{106} considered the money as a mere trifle, and begged she would not

make herself uneasy.
“I know very well, madam,” said he, “that when persons sit down to a

card table they must take their chance of these things,—and happily I

am not in such circumstances as to make five shillings any object. There

are, undoubtedly, many who could not say the same; but, thanks to Lady

Catherine de Bourgh, I am removed far beyond the necessity of regarding

little matters.”
Mr. Wickham’s attention was caught; and after observing Mr. Collins for

a few moments, he asked Elizabeth in a low voice whether her relations

were very intimately acquainted with the family of De Bourgh.
“Lady Catherine de Bourgh,” she replied, “has very lately given him a

living. I hardly know how Mr. Collins was first introduced to her

notice, but he certainly has not known her long.”
“You know of course that Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Lady Anne Darcy

were sisters; consequently that she is aunt to the present Mr. Darcy.”
“No, indeed, I did not. I knew nothing at all of Lady Catherine’s

connections. I never heard of her existence till the day before

yesterday.”