Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 169 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 169

Pride and Prejudice

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 of

my patroness. I happened to overhear the gentleman

himself mentioning to the young lady who does the

honours of the 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 hav-

ing done it earlier. I believe him to be Lady Catherine’s

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