Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 110 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 110

JANE AUSTEN

but it was a subject on which Mrs. Bennet was beyond

the reach of reason, and she continued to rail bitterly

against the cruelty of settling an estate away from a

family of five daughters, in favour of a man whom

nobody cared anything about.

“It certainly is a most iniquitous affair,” said

Mr. Bennet, “and nothing can clear Mr. Collins from the

guilt of inheriting Longbourn. But if you will listen to

his letter, you may perhaps be a little softened by his

manner of expressing himself.”

“No, that I am sure I shall not; and I think it is very

impertinent of him to write to you at all, and very

hypocritical. I hate such false friends. Why could he not

keep on quarreling with you, as his father did before

him?”

“Why, indeed; he does seem to have had some filial

scruples on that head, as you will hear.”

“Hunsford, near Westerham, Kent, 15th October.

“Dear Sir,

“The disagreement subsisting between yourself and

my late honoured father always gave me much

uneasiness, and since I have had the misfortune to lose

him, I have frequently wished to heal the breach; but

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