صفحة 229 من 817

This information, however, startled Mrs. Bennet: she would have

been glad to be equally satisfied that her daughter had meant to

encourage him by protesting against his proposals, but she dared

not believe it, and could not help saying so.

"But depend upon it, Mr. Collins," she added, "that Lizzy shall

be brought to reason. I will speak to her about it myself

directly. She is a very headstrong, foolish girl, and does not

know her own interest; but I will make her know it."

"Pardon me for interrupting you, madam," cried Mr. Collins; "but

if she is really headstrong and foolish, I know not whether she

would altogether be a very desirable wife to a man in my

situation, who naturally looks for happiness in the marriage

state. If, therefore, she actually persists in rejecting my suit,

perhaps it were better not to force her into accepting me,

because, if liable to such defects of temper, she could not

contribute much to my felicity."