第140章[第1页/共3页]

He then recollected her embarrassment a few days before,on his reading Mr. Collins's letter; and after laughing at her some time,allowed her at last to go―saying,as she quitted the room,“If any young men come for Mary or Kitty,send them in,for I am quite at leisure.”

This was a sad omen of what her mother's behaviour to the gentleman himself might be;and Elizabeth found that,though in the certain possession of his warmest affection,and secure of her relations'consent,there was still something to be wished for.But the morrow passed off much better than she expected;for Mrs. Bennet luckily stood in such awe of her intended son-in-law that she ventured not to speak to him,unless it was in her power to offer him any attention,or mark her deference for his opinion.

This was enough to prove that her approbation need not be doubted;and Elizabeth,rejoicing that such an effusion was heard only by herself, soon went away. But before she had been three minutes in her own room,her mother followed her.

“I admire all my three sons-in-law highly,”said he.“Wickham, perhaps, is my favourite; but I think I shall like your husband quite as well as Jane's.”

When her mother went up to her dressing-room at night,she followed her,and made the important communication.Its effect was most extraordinary;for on first hearing it,Mrs.Bennet sat quite still,and unable to utter a syllable.Nor was it under many, many minutes that she could comprehend what she heard;though not in general backward to credit what was for the advantage of her family, or that came in the shape of a lover to any of them. She began at length to recover, to fidget about in her chair, get up, sit down again,wonder,and bless herself.