Pagina 269 van 817

Jane had sent Caroline an early answer to her letter, and was

counting the days till she might reasonably hope to hear again.

The promised letter of thanks from Mr. Collins arrived on

Tuesday, addressed to their father, and written with all the

solemnity of gratitude which a twelve-month's abode in the family

might have prompted.

After discharging his conscience on that head, he proceeded to

inform them, with many rapturous expressions, of his happiness in

having obtained the affection of their amiable neighbour, Miss

Lucas, and then explained that it was merely with the view of

enjoying her society that he had been so ready to close with

their kind wish of seeing him again at Longbourn, whither he

hoped to be able to return on Monday fortnight; for Lady

Catherine, he added, so heartily approved his marriage, that she

wished it to take place as soon as possible, which he trusted

would be an unanswerable argument with his amiable Charlotte to

name an early day for making him the happiest of men.