Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 220 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 220

JANE AUSTEN

Nothing less than the complaisance of a courtier

could have borne without anger such treatment; but

Sir William’s good breeding carried him through it

all; and though he begged leave to be positive as to

the truth of his information, he listened to all their

impertinence with the most forbearing courtesy.

Elizabeth, feeling it incumbent on her to relieve him

from so unpleasant a situation, now put herself forward

to confirm his account, by mentioning her prior knowl-

edge of it from Charlotte herself; and endeavoured

to put a stop to the exclamations of her mother and

sisters by the earnestness of her congratulations to

Sir William, in which she was readily joined by Jane,

and by making a variety of remarks on the happiness

that might be expected from the match, the excellent

character of Mr. Collins, and the convenient distance of

Hunsford from London.

Mrs. Bennet was in fact too much overpowered to

say a great deal while Sir William remained; but no

sooner had he left them than her feelings found a rapid

vent. In the first place, she persisted in disbelieving

the whole of the matter; secondly, she was very sure

that Mr. Collins had been taken in; thirdly, she trusted

that they would never be happy together; and fourthly,

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