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But before they heard again from Mr. Gardiner, a letter arrived

for their father, from a different quarter, from Mr. Collins;

which, as Jane had received directions to open all that came for

him in his absence, she accordingly read; and Elizabeth, who knew

what curiosities his letters always were, looked over her, and

read it likewise. It was as follows:--

/* "My dear Sir, */

"I feel myself called upon, by our relationship, and my situation

in life, to condole with you on the grievous affliction you are

now suffering under, of which we were yesterday informed by a

letter from Hertfordshire. Be assured, my dear sir, that Mrs.

Collins and myself sincerely sympathize with you, and all your

respectable family, in your present distress, which must be of

the bitterest kind, because proceeding from a cause which no time

can remove. No arguments shall be wanting on my part, that can

alleviate so severe a misfortune; or that may comfort you, under

a circumstance that must be, of all others, most afflicting to a

parent's mind. The death of your daughter would have been a

blessing in comparison of this. And it is the more to be

lamented, because there is reason to suppose, as my dear

Charlotte informs me, that this licentiousness of behaviour in

your