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Nothing less than the complaisance of a courtier could have borne

without anger such treatment: but Sir William's good-breeding

carried him through it all; and though he begged leave to be

positive as to the truth of his information, he listened to all

their impertinence with the most forbearing courtesy.

Elizabeth, feeling it incumbent on her to relieve him from so

unpleasant a situation, now put herself forward to confirm his

account, by mentioning her prior knowledge of it from Charlotte

herself; and endeavoured to put a stop to the exclamations of her

mother and sisters, by the earnestness of her congratulations to

Sir William, in which she was readily joined by Jane, and by

making a variety of remarks on the happiness that might be

expected from the match, the excellent character of Mr. Collins,

and the convenient distance of Hunsford from London.