Chapter 14 70
" They arise chiefly from what is passing at the time , and though I sometimes amuse myself with suggesting and arranging such little elegant compliments as may be adapted to ordinary occasions , I always wish to give them as unstudied an air as possible ."
Mr . Bennet ' s expectations were fully answered . His cousin was as absurd as he had hoped , and he listened to him with the keenest enjoyment , maintaining at the same time the most resolute composure of countenance , and , except in an occasional glance at Elizabeth , requiring no partner in his pleasure .
By tea-time , however , the dose had been enough , and Mr . Bennet was glad to take his guest into the drawing-room again , and , when tea was over , glad to invite him to read aloud to the ladies . Mr . Collins readily assented , and a book was produced ; but , on beholding it ( for everything announced it to be from a circulating library ), he started back , and begging pardon , protested that he never read novels . Kitty stared at him , and Lydia exclaimed . Other books were produced , and after some deliberation he chose Fordyce ' s Sermons . Lydia gaped as he opened the volume , and before he had , with very monotonous solemnity , read three pages , she interrupted him with :
" Do you know , mamma , that my uncle Phillips talks of turning away Richard ; and if he does , Colonel Forster will hire him . My aunt told me so herself on Saturday . I shall walk to Meryton to-morrow to hear more about it , and to ask when Mr . Denny comes back from town ."
Lydia was bid by her two eldest sisters to hold her tongue ; but Mr . Collins , much offended , laid aside his book , and said :
" I have often observed how little young ladies are interested by books of a serious stamp , though written solely for their benefit . It amazes me , I confess ; for , certainly , there can be nothing so advantageous to them as instruction . But I will no longer importune my young cousin ."
Then turning to Mr . Bennet , he offered himself as his antagonist at backgammon . Mr . Bennet accepted the challenge , observing that he acted