Lizzie, I was going to look for you. Come into my room.

She followed him thither and her curiosity to know what he had come to tell her was heightened by the supposition of its being in some manner connected with the letter he held. It suddenly struck her that it might be from Lady Catherine, and she anticipated with dismay all the consequent explanations. She followed her father to the fireplace, and they both sat down. He then said, I

have received a letter this morning that has astonished me exceedingly. As it principally concerns yourself, you ought to know its contents. I did not know before that I had two daughters on the brink of matrimony. Let me congratulate you on a very important conquest.

from the nephew instead of the aunt, and she was undetermined whether most to be pleased that he explained himself at all, or offended that his letter was not rather addressed to herself

when her father continued. You look conscious. Young ladies have a great penetration in such matters as these, but I think I may defy even your sagacity to discover the name of your admirer. letter is from Mr Collins. From

Mr Collins? And what can he have to

say? Something very much to the purpose, of course. He begins with congratulations on the approaching nuptials of my oldest daughter, of which it seems he has been told by some of the good -natured gossiping Lucases, shall not sport with your impatience by reading what he says on that point. What relates to yourself is as follows. Having

thus offered you the sincerest congratulations of Mrs Collins and myself on this happy event, let me now add a short hint on the subject of another, of which we have been advertised by the same authority. Your daughter Elizabeth, it is presumed, will not long bear the name of Bennett after her elder sister has resigned it, and the chosen partner of her fate may be reasonably looked up to as one of the most illustrious personages in this land. Hmm.

Can you possibly guess, Lissie, who is meant by this?

This young gentleman is blessed in a peculiar way, with everything the heart of mortal can most desire. A splendid property, noble and extensive patronage Yet in spite of all these temptations Let me warn my cousin Elizabeth and yourself of what evils you may incur by a precipitate Closier with this gentleman's proposals which of course you will be inclined to take immediate advantage of

Hmm.