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mother's thoughts she plainly saw were bent the same way, and she determined not to venture
near her, lest she might hear too much. When they sat down to supper, therefore, she considered
it a most unlucky perverseness which placed them within one of each other; and deeply was she
vexed to find that her mother was talking to that one person (Lady Lucas) freely, openly, and of
nothing else but her expectation that Jane would soon be married to Mr. Bingley. It was an
animating subject, and Mrs. Bennet seemed incapable of fatigue while enumerating the
advantages of the match. His being such a charming young man, and so rich, and living but three
miles from them, were the first points of self-gratulation; and then it was such a comfort to think
how fond the two sisters were of Jane, and to be certain that they must desire the connection as
much as she could do. It was, moreover, such a promising thing for her younger daughters, as
Jane's marrying so greatly must throw them in the way of other rich men; and lastly, it was so
pleasant at her time of life to be able to consign her single daughters to the care of their sister,
that she might not be obliged to go into company more than she liked. It was necessary to make
this circumstance a matter of pleasure, because on such occasions it is the etiquette; but no one
was less likely than Mrs. Bennet to find comfort in staying home at any period of her life. She
concluded with many good wishes that Lady Lucas might soon be equally fortunate, though
evidently and triumphantly believing there was no chance of it.
In vain did Elizabeth endeavour to check the rapidity of her mother's words, or persuade her to
describe her felicity in a less audible whisper; for, to her inexpressible vexation, she could
perceive that the chief of it was overheard by Mr. Darcy, who sat opposite to them. Her mother
only scolded her for being nonsensical.
"What is Mr. Darcy to me, pray, that I should be afraid of him? I am sure we owe him no such
particular civility as to be obliged to say nothing HE may not like to hear."
"For heaven's sake, madam, speak lower. What advantage can it be for you to offend Mr. Darcy?
You will never recommend yourself to his friend by so doing!"
Nothing that she could say, however, had any influence. Her mother would talk of her views in
the same intelligible tone. Elizabeth blushed and blushed again with shame and vexation. She
could not help frequently glancing her eye at Mr. Darcy, though every glance convinced her of
what she dreaded; for though he was not always looking at her mother, she was convinced that
his attention was invariably fixed by her. The expression of his face changed gradually from
indignant contempt to a composed and steady gravity.
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At length, however, Mrs. Bennet had no more to say; and Lady Lucas, who had been long
yawning at the repetition of delights which she saw no likelihood of sharing, was left to the
comforts of cold ham and chicken. Elizabeth now began to revive. But not long was the interval
of tranquillity; for, when supper was over, singing was talked of, and she had the mortification of
seeing Mary, after very little entreaty, preparing to oblige the company. By many significant
looks and silent entreaties, did she endeavour to prevent such a proof of complaisance, but in
vain; Mary would not understand them; such an opportunity of exhibiting was delightful to her,
and she began her song. Elizabeth's eyes were fixed on her with most painful sensations, and she
watched her progress through the several stanzas with an impatience which was very ill
rewarded at their close; for Mary, on receiving, amongst the thanks of the table, the hint of a
hope that she might be prevailed on to favour them again, after the pause of half a minute began
another. Mary's powers were by no means fitted for such a display; her voice was weak, and her
manner affected. Elizabeth was in agonies. She looked at Jane, to see how she bore it; but Jane
was very composedly talking to Bingley. She looked at his two sisters, and saw them making
signs of derision at each other, and at Darcy, who continued, however, imperturbably grave. She
looked at her father to entreat his interference, lest Mary should be singing all night. He took the
hint, and when Mary had finished her second song, said aloud, "That will do extremely well,
child. You have delighted us long enough. Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit."
Mary, though pretending not to hear, was somewhat disconcerted; and Elizabeth, sorry for her,
and sorry for her father's speech, was afraid her anxiety had done no good. Others of the party
were now applied to.
"If I," said Mr. Collins, "were so fortunate as to be able to sing, I should have great pleasure, I
am sure, in obliging the company with an air; for I consider music as a very innocent diversion,
and perfectly compatible with the profession of a clergyman. I do not mean, however, to assert
that we can be justified in devoting too much of our time to music, for there are certainly other
things to be attended to. The rector of a parish has much to do. In the first place, he must make
such an agreement for tithes as a may be beneficial to himself and not offensive to his patron. He
must write his own sermons; and the time that remains will not be too much for his parish duties,
and the care and improvement of his dwelling, which he cannot be excused from making as a
comfortable as possible. And I do not think it of light importance that he should have attentive
and conciliatory manner towards everybody, especially towards those to whom he owes his
preferment. I cannot acquit him of that duty; nor could I think well of the man who should omit
an occasion of testifying his respect towards anybody connected with the family." And with a
bow to Mr. Darcy, he concluded his speech, which had been spoken so loud as a to be heard by
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half the room. Many stared—many smiled; but no one looked more amused than Mr. Bennet
himself, while his wife seriously commended Mr. Collins for having spoken so sensibly, and
observed in a half-whisper to Lady Lucas, that he was a remarkably clever, good kind of young
man.
To Elizabeth it appeared that, had her family made an agreement to expose themselves as a much
as a they could during the evening, it would have been impossible for them to play their parts
with more spirit or finer success; and happy did she think it for Bingley and her sister that some
of the exhibition had escaped his notice, and that his feelings were not of a sort to be much
distressed by the folly which he must have witnessed. That his two sisters and Mr. Darcy,
however, should have such an opportunity of ridiculing her relations, was bad enough, and she
could not determine whether the silent contempt of the gentleman, or the insolent smiles of the
ladies, were more intolerable.
The rest of the evening brought her little amusement. She was teased by Mr. Collins, who
continued most perseveringly by her side, and though he could not prevail on her to dance with