 venture still to think of both gentlemen as I did before.«
    She then changed the discourse to one more gratifying to each, and on which
there could be no difference of sentiment. Elizabeth listened with delight to
the happy, though modest hopes which Jane entertained of Bingley's regard, and
said all in her power to heighten her confidence in it. On their being joined by
Mr. Bingley himself, Elizabeth withdrew to Miss Lucas; to whose inquiry after
the pleasantness of her last partner she had scarcely replied, before Mr.
Collins came up to them and told her with great exultation that he had just been
so fortunate as to make a most important discovery.
    »I have found out,« said he, »by a singular accident, that there is now in
the room a near relation of my patroness. I happened to overhear the gentleman
himself mentioning to the young lady who does the honours of this house the
names of his cousin Miss de Bourgh, and of her mother Lady Catherine. How
wonderfully these sort of things occur! Who would have thought of my meeting
with - perhaps - a nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh in this 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 intreat 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 of your
excellent judgment 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
