Page 289 of 817

After a week spent in professions of love and schemes of

felicity, Mr. Collins was called from his amiable Charlotte by

the arrival of Saturday. The pain of separation, however, might

be alleviated on his side by preparations for the reception of

his bride, as he had reason to hope, that shortly after his next

return into Hertfordshire, the day would be fixed that was to

make him the happiest of men. He took leave of his relations at

Longbourn with as much solemnity as before; wished his fair

cousins health and happiness again, and promised their father

another letter of thanks.