Chapter 18 99
assembly ! I am most thankful that the discovery is made in time for me to pay my respects to him , which I am now going to do , and trust he will excuse my not having done it before . My total ignorance of the connection must plead my apology ."
" You are not going to introduce yourself to Mr . Darcy !"
" Indeed I am . I shall entreat his pardon for not having done it earlier . I believe him to be Lady Catherine ' s nephew . It will be in my power to assure him that her ladyship was quite well yesterday se ' nnight ."
Elizabeth tried hard to dissuade him from such a scheme , assuring him that Mr . Darcy would consider his addressing him without introduction as an impertinent freedom , rather than a compliment to his aunt ; that it was not in the least necessary there should be any notice on either side ; and that if it were , it must belong to Mr . Darcy , the superior in consequence , to begin the acquaintance . Mr . Collins listened to her with the determined air of following his own inclination , and , when she ceased speaking , replied thus :
" My dear Miss Elizabeth , I have the highest opinion in the world in your excellent judgement in all matters within the scope of your understanding ; but permit me to say , that there must be a wide difference between the established forms of ceremony amongst the laity , and those which regulate the clergy ; for , give me leave to observe that I consider the clerical office as equal in point of dignity with the highest rank in the kingdom--provided that a proper humility of behaviour is at the same time maintained . You must therefore allow me to follow the dictates of my conscience on this occasion , which leads me to perform what I look on as a point of duty . Pardon me for neglecting to profit by your advice , which on every other subject shall be my constant guide , though in the case before us I consider myself more fitted by education and habitual study to decide on what is right than a young lady like yourself ." And with a low bow he left her to attack Mr . Darcy , whose reception of his advances she eagerly watched , and whose astonishment at being so addressed was very evident . Her cousin prefaced his speech with a solemn bow and though she could not hear a word of it , she felt as if hearing it all , and saw in the motion of his