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“Charlotte, is she well?”

Mr Collins started, and looked up at her with a quizzical expression, as though searching for the narees with us I can assure you, dear cousin, that we find it a beneficial condition indeed And Lady Catherine is most pleased with Mrs Collins— ‘You have chosen well, Mr Collins,’ she has told me on more than one occasion I could not be happier with my choice of a wife”

He paused and looked at Elizabeth deliberately, letting the h she had spurned him, he had nevertheless found an entirely suitable wife

Elizabeth could not help recalling another proposal she had rejected froht—for it was already late-Nove it feel cold and forlorn Itnecessary for life itself anting, so which she would not find in the short, bleak days of winter

“I’m so pleased,” said Elizabeth when she had collected herself “You are fortunate indeed, cousin” She meant the latter sincerely

Mr Collins closed his eyes and s his head towards her in the y Elizabeth felt a stab of pity for Charlotte

Then Mr Collins straightened, blinking his eyes as though he had just awakened He stared at her for aso abruptly that his teacup rattled in its saucer He paced towards the fire, which was blazing with a fresh log, and then turned toward her, his face working as if trying to for expression, which, if that had been his intention, to Elizabeth’s eye rather missed the mark

“I will keep you in suspense no longer,” he said at last, with a slight bow “For I know youabout the nature of reat surprise to you given that I aer to impulse” He raised his free hand before she could protest, doubtless thinking that shethe lines of how the clergyman was alelcome at the Bennet home This was, of course, untrue—they could hardly be cheered by a visit frobourn was entailed, and to whom it would pass in its entirety on the death of Mr Bennet—and Elizabeth was glad to have been spared the difficulty of co a suitable rejoinder

“I am here, my dear cousin, to extend to you an invitation which is not only a great honor but one that could be to your very great advantage”

Elizabeth waited, observing that Mr Collins see And, if pressed, she would’ve had to confess that she was intrigued

“Lady Catherine has sentyou, dearest Elizabeth, to attend Christs Park” Mr Collins said this with an air of triu, as though hein the nature of a kiss

Of course What other invitation—and what other agency? —could oblige Mr Collins to travel on what had to be short notice to Longbourn?

But ould Lady Catherine wish to have Elizabeth spend Christed her to prolong her visit to Hunsford when she had visited Charlotte in the spring, but on that occasion, Lady Catherine had been lacking coht Elizabeth’s presence for that reason alone Surely, she would have an abundance of visitors at Christmas time