Chapter 16 84 where a lady lives with her , and superintends her education ."
After many pauses and many trials of other subjects , Elizabeth could not help reverting once more to the first , and saying :
" I am astonished at his intimacy with Mr . Bingley ! How can Mr . Bingley , who seems good humour itself , and is , I really believe , truly amiable , be in friendship with such a man ? How can they suit each other ? Do you know Mr . Bingley ?"
" Not at all ."
" He is a sweet-tempered , amiable , charming man . He cannot know what Mr . Darcy is ."
" Probably not ; but Mr . Darcy can please where he chooses . He does not want abilities . He can be a conversible companion if he thinks it worth his while . Among those who are at all his equals in consequence , he is a very different man from what he is to the less prosperous . His pride never deserts him ; but with the rich he is liberal-minded , just , sincere , rational , honourable , and perhaps agreeable--allowing something for fortune and figure ."
The whist party soon afterwards breaking up , the players gathered round the other table and Mr . Collins took his station between his cousin Elizabeth and Mrs . Phillips . The usual inquiries as to his success was made by the latter . It had not been very great ; he had lost every point ; but when Mrs . Phillips began to express her concern thereupon , he assured her with much earnest gravity that it was not of the least importance , that he considered the money as a mere trifle , and begged that she would not make herself uneasy .
" I know very well , madam ," said he , " that when persons sit down to a card-table , they must take their chances of these things , and happily I am not in such circumstances as to make five shillings any object . There are undoubtedly many who could not say the same , but thanks to Lady