Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 211 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 211

Pride and Prejudice

for it led him to escape out of Longbourn House the

next morning with admirable slyness, and hasten to

Lucas Lodge to throw himself at her feet. He was

anxious to avoid the notice of his cousins, from a

conviction that if they saw him depart, they could not

fail to conjecture his design, and he was not willing to

have the attempt known till its success might be known

likewise; for though feeling almost secure, and with

reason, for Charlotte had been tolerably encouraging,

he was comparatively diffident since the adventure of

Wednesday. His reception, however, was of the most

flattering kind. Miss Lucas perceived him from an upper

window as he walked towards the house, and instantly

set out to meet him accidentally in the lane. But little

had she dared to hope that so much love and eloquence

awaited her there.

In as short a time as Mr. Collins’s long speeches

would allow, everything was settled between them to

the satisfaction of both; and as they entered the house

he earnestly entreated her to name the day that was

to make him the happiest of men; and though such a

solicitation must be waived for the present, the lady felt

no inclination to trifle with his happiness. The stupidity

with which he was favoured by nature must guard his

courtship from any charm that could make a woman

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