told her that they were not to send any more draughts to Netherfield,

because the Miss Bennets were come away, when her civility was claimed

towards Mr. Collins by Jane’s introduction of him. She received him with

her very best politeness, which he returned with as much more,

apologizing for his intrusion, without any previous acquaintance with

her, which he could not help flattering himself, however, might be

justified by his relationship to the young ladies who introduced him to

her notice. Mrs. Philips was quite awed by such an excess of good

breeding; but her contemplation of one stranger was soon put an end to

by exclamations and inquiries about the other, of whom, however, she

could only tell her nieces what they already knew, that Mr. Denny had

brought him from London, and that he was to have a lieutenant’s

{94}commission in the ——shire. She had been watching him the last hour,

she said, as he walked up and down the street,—and had Mr. Wickham

appeared, Kitty and Lydia would certainly have continued the occupation;

but unluckily no one passed the windows now except a few of the

officers, who, in comparison with the stranger, were become “stupid,

disagreeable fellows.” Some of them were to dine with the Philipses the

next day, and their aunt promised to make her husband call on Mr.

Wickham, and give him an invitation also, if the family from Longbourn

would come in the evening. This was agreed to; and Mrs. Philips

protested that they would have a nice comfortable noisy game of lottery

tickets, and a little bit of hot supper afterwards. The prospect of such

delights was very cheering, and they parted in mutual good spirits. Mr.

Collins repeated his apologies in quitting the room, and was assured,

with unwearying civility, that they were perfectly needless.
As they walked home, Elizabeth related to Jane what she had seen pass

between the two gentlemen; but though Jane would have defended either or