 off, and as soon as they were gone Mr. Collins began.
    »Believe me, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that your modesty, so far from doing
you any disservice, rather adds to your other perfections. You would have been
less amiable in my eyes had there not been this little unwillingness; but allow
me to assure you that I have your respected mother's permission for this
address. You can hardly doubt the purport of my discourse, however your natural
delicacy may lead you to dissemble; my attentions have been too marked to be
mistaken. Almost as soon as I entered the house I singled you out as the
companion of my future life. But before I am run away with by my feelings on
this subject, perhaps it will be advisable for me to state my reasons for
marrying - and moreover for coming into Hertfordshire with the design of
selecting a wife, as I certainly did.«
    The idea of Mr. Collins, with all his solemn composure, being run away with
by his feelings, made Elizabeth so near laughing that she could not use the
short pause he allowed in any attempt to stop him farther, and he continued:
    »My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for every
clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in
his parish. Secondly, that I am convinced it will add very greatly to my
happiness; and thirdly - which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, that
it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I
have the honour of calling patroness. Twice has she condescended to give me her
opinion (unasked too!) on this subject; and it was but the very Saturday night
before I left Hunsford - between our pools at quadrille, while Mrs. Jenkinson
was arranging Miss de Bourgh's foot-stool, that she said, Mr. Collins, you must
marry. A clergyman like you must marry. - Chuse properly, chuse a gentlewoman
for my sake; and for your own, let her be an active, useful sort of person, not
brought up high, but able to make a small income go a good way. This is my
advice. Find such a woman as soon as you can, bring her to Hunsford, and I will
visit her. Allow me, by the way, to observe, my fair cousin, that I do not
reckon the notice and kindness of Lady Catherine de Bourgh as among the least of
the advantages in my power to offer. You will find her manners beyond any thing
I
