“He does not exactly recollect the circumstances, though he has heard

them from Mr. Darcy more than once, but he believes that it was left to

him conditionally only.”
“I have not a doubt of Mr. Bingley’s sincerity,” said Elizabeth warmly,

“but you must excuse my not being convinced by assurances only. Mr.

Bingley’s defence of his friend was a very able one, I dare say; but

since he is unacquainted with several parts of the story, and has learnt

the rest from that friend himself, I shall venture still to think of

both gentlemen as I did before.”
She then changed the discourse to one more gratifying{123} to each, and on

which there could be no difference of sentiment. Elizabeth listened with

delight to the happy though modest hopes which Jane entertained of

Bingley’s regard, and said all in her power to heighten her confidence

in it. On their being joined by Mr. Bingley himself, Elizabeth withdrew

to Miss Lucas; to whose inquiry after the pleasantness of her last

partner she had scarcely replied, before Mr. Collins came up to them,

and told her with great exultation, that he had just been so fortunate

as to make a most important discovery.
“I have found out,” said he, “by a singular accident, that there is now

in the room a near relation to my patroness. I happened to overhear the

gentleman himself mentioning to the young lady who does the honours of

this house the names of his cousin Miss De Bourgh, and of her mother,

Lady Catherine. How wonderfully these sort of things occur! Who would

have thought of my meeting with—perhaps—a nephew of Lady Catherine de

Bourgh in this assembly! I am most thankful that the discovery is made

in time for me to pay my respects to him, which I am now going to do,

and trust he will excuse my not having done it before. My total

ignorance of the connection must plead my apology.”
“You are not going to introduce yourself to Mr. Darcy?”
“Indeed I am. I shall entreat his pardon for not having done it earlier.