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Elizabeth allowed that he had given a very rational account of

it, and they continued talking together with mutual satisfaction

till supper put an end to cards, and gave the rest of the ladies

their share of Mr. Wickham's attentions. There could be no

conversation in the noise of Mrs. Philips's supper party, but his

manners recommended him to everybody. Whatever he said, was said

well; and whatever he did, done gracefully. Elizabeth went away

with her head full of him. She could think of nothing but of Mr.

Wickham, and of what he had told her, all the way home; but there

was not time for her even to mention his name as they went, for

neither Lydia nor Mr. Collins were once silent. Lydia talked

incessantly of lottery tickets, of the fish she had lost and the

fish she had won; and Mr. Collins, in describing the civility of

Mr. and Mrs.