Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 598 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 598

JANE AUSTEN

his letter is only about his dear Charlotte’s situation,

and his expectation of a young olive-branch. But, Lizzy,

you look as if you did not enjoy it. You are not going

to be missish, I hope, and pretend to be affronted at an

idle report. For what do we live, but to make sport for

our neighbours, and laugh at them in our turn?”

“Oh!” cried Elizabeth, “I am excessively diverted. But

it is so strange!”

“Yes that is what makes it amusing. Had they fixed

on any other man it would have been nothing; but his

perfect indifference, and your pointed dislike, make it

so delightfully absurd! Much as I abominate writing, I

would not give up Mr. Collins’s correspondence for any

consideration. Nay, when I read a letter of his, I cannot

help giving him the preference even over Wickham,

much as I value the impudence and hypocrisy of my

son-in-law. And pray, Lizzy, what said Lady Catherine

about this report? Did she call to refuse her consent?”

To this question his daughter replied only with a

laugh; and as it had been asked without the least

suspicion, she was not distressed by his repeating it.

Elizabeth had never been more at a loss to make her

feelings appear what they were not. It was necessary

to laugh, when she would rather have cried. Her father

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