Pagina 218 de 817

The idea of Mr. Collins, with all his solemn composure, being run

away with by his feelings, made Elizabeth so near laughing that

she could not use the short pause he allowed in any attempt to

stop him farther, and he continued,--

"My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right

thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to

set the example of matrimony in his parish; secondly, that I am

convinced it will add very greatly to my happiness; and, thirdly,

which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, that it is the

particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom

I have the honour of calling patroness. Twice has she

condescended to give me her opinion (unasked too!) on this

subject; and it was but the very Saturday night before I left

Hunsford,--between our pools at quadrille, while Mrs. Jenkinson

was arranging Miss De Bourgh's footstool,--that she said, 'Mr.

Collins, you must marry. A clergyman like you must marry. Choose

properly, choose a gentlewoman for my sake, and for your own; let

her be an active, useful sort of person, not brought up high, but

able to make a small income go a good way. This is my advice.