Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 154 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 154

JANE AUSTEN

no help for it, however. Mr. Wickham’s happiness and

her own were perforce delayed a little longer, and

Mr. Collins’s proposal accepted with as good a grace

as she could. She was not the better pleased with

his gallantry from the idea it suggested of something

more. It now first struck her, that she was selected

from among her sisters as worthy of being mistress

of Hunsford Parsonage, and of assisting to form a

quadrille table at Rosings, in the absence of more

eligible visitors. The idea soon reached to conviction,

as she observed his increasing civilities towards herself,

and heard his frequent attempt at a compliment on

her wit and vivacity; and though more astonished than

gratified herself by this effect of her charms, it was not

long before her mother gave her to understand that the

probability of their marriage was extremely agreeable

to her. Elizabeth, however, did not choose to take the

hint, being well aware that a serious dispute must be

the consequence of any reply. Mr. Collins might never

make the offer, and till he did, it was useless to quarrel

about him.

If there had not been a Netherfield ball to prepare

for and talk of, the younger Miss Bennets would have

been in a very pitiable state at this time, for from the

day of the invitation, to the day of the ball, there was

146