Chapter 57 345
The colour now rushed into Elizabeth ' s cheeks in the instantaneous conviction of its being a letter from the nephew , instead of the aunt ; and she was undetermined whether most to be pleased that he explained himself at all , or offended that his letter was not rather addressed to herself ; when her father continued :
" You look conscious . Young ladies have great penetration in such matters as these ; but I think I may defy even your sagacity , to discover the name of your admirer . This letter is from Mr . Collins ."
" From Mr . Collins ! and what can he have to say ?"
" Something very much to the purpose of course . He begins with congratulations on the approaching nuptials of my eldest daughter , of which , it seems , he has been told by some of the good-natured , gossiping Lucases . I shall not sport with your impatience , by reading what he says on that point . What relates to yourself , is as follows : ' Having thus offered you the sincere congratulations of Mrs . Collins and myself on this happy event , let me now add a short hint on the subject of another ; of which we have been advertised by the same authority . Your daughter Elizabeth , it is presumed , will not long bear the name of Bennet , after her elder sister has resigned it , and the chosen partner of her fate may be reasonably looked up to as one of the most illustrious personages in this land .'
" Can you possibly guess , Lizzy , who is meant by this ?" ' This young gentleman is blessed , in a peculiar way , with every thing the heart of mortal can most desire , --splendid property , noble kindred , and extensive patronage . Yet in spite of all these temptations , let me warn my cousin Elizabeth , and yourself , of what evils you may incur by a precipitate closure with this gentleman ' s proposals , which , of course , you will be inclined to take immediate advantage of .'
" Have you any idea , Lizzy , who this gentleman is ? But now it comes out :
"' My motive for cautioning you is as follows . We have reason to imagine that his aunt , Lady Catherine de Bourgh , does not look on the match with a