Mr. Darcy’s letter to Lady Catherine was in a different style, and still

different from either was what Mr. Bennet sent to Mr. Collins, in return

for his last.
 “Dear Sir, 
“I must trouble you once more for congratulations. Elizabeth will

soon be the wife of Mr. Darcy. Console Lady Catherine as well as

you can. But, if I were you, I would stand by the nephew. He has

more to give.


“Yours sincerely,” etc.

Miss Bingley’s congratulations to her brother on his approaching

marriage were all that was affectionate and insincere. She wrote even to

Jane on the occasion, to express her delight, and repeat all her former

professions of regard. Jane was not deceived, but she was affected; and

though feeling no reliance on her, could not help writing her a much

kinder answer than she knew was deserved.
The joy which Miss Darcy expressed on receiving similar information was

as sincere as her brother’s in sending it. Four sides of paper were

insufficient to contain all her delight, and all her earnest desire of

being loved by her sister.
Before any answer could arrive from Mr. Collins, or any congratulations

to Elizabeth from his wife, the Longbourn family heard that the

Collinses were come themselves to Lucas Lodge. The reason of this

sudden{471} removal was soon evident. Lady Catherine had been rendered so

exceedingly angry by the contents of her nephew’s letter, that

Charlotte, really rejoicing in the match, was anxious to get away till

the storm was blown over. At such a moment, the arrival of her friend

was a sincere pleasure to Elizabeth, though in the course of their

meetings she must sometimes think the pleasure dearly bought, when she

saw Mr. Darcy exposed to all the parading and obsequious civility of her

husband. He bore it, however, with admirable calmness. He could even

listen to Sir William Lucas, when he complimented him on carrying away

the brightest jewel of the country, and expressed his hopes of their all