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With proper civilities, the ladies then withdrew; all of them

equally surprised to find that he meditated a quick return. Mrs.

Bennet wished to understand by it that he thought of paying his

addresses to one of her younger girls, and Mary might have been

prevailed on to accept him. She rated his abilities much higher

than any of the others: there was a solidity in his reflections

which often struck her; and though by no means so clever as

herself, she thought that, if encouraged to read and improve

himself by such an example as hers, he might become a very

agreeable companion. But on the following morning every hope of

this kind was done away. Miss Lucas called soon after breakfast,

and in a private conference with Elizabeth related the event of

the day before.