Chapter 13 67
" You allude , perhaps , to the entail of this estate ."
" Ah ! sir , I do indeed . It is a grievous affair to my poor girls , you must confess . Not that I mean to find fault with you , for such things I know are all chance in this world . There is no knowing how estates will go when once they come to be entailed ."
" I am very sensible , madam , of the hardship to my fair cousins , and could say much on the subject , but that I am cautious of appearing forward and precipitate . But I can assure the young ladies that I come prepared to admire them . At present I will not say more ; but , perhaps , when we are better acquainted-- "
He was interrupted by a summons to dinner ; and the girls smiled on each other . They were not the only objects of Mr . Collins ' s admiration . The hall , the dining-room , and all its furniture , were examined and praised ; and his commendation of everything would have touched Mrs . Bennet ' s heart , but for the mortifying supposition of his viewing it all as his own future property . The dinner too in its turn was highly admired ; and he begged to know to which of his fair cousins the excellency of its cooking was owing . But he was set right there by Mrs . Bennet , who assured him with some asperity that they were very well able to keep a good cook , and that her daughters had nothing to do in the kitchen . He begged pardon for having displeased her . In a softened tone she declared herself not at all offended ; but he continued to apologise for about a quarter of an hour .