May I hope, madam, for your interest with your fair daughter Eliz-abeth, when I solicit for the honour of a private audience with her inthe course of this morning?”
Oh dear!—yes—certainly. I am sure Lizzywill be very happy—I am sure she can have no objection. Come, Kitty,I want you upstairs.
Dear madam, do not go. I beg you will not go. Mr. Collins mustexcuse me. He can have nothing to say to me that anybody need nothear. I am going away myself.
Al-most as soon as I entered the house, I singled you out as the compan-ion of my future life. But before I am run away with by my feelings onthis subject, perhaps it would be advisable for me to state my reasonsfor marrying—and, moreover, for coming into Hertfordshire with thedesign of selecting a wife, as I certainly did.”
I wish you very happy and very rich, and by refus-ing your hand, do all in my power to prevent your being otherwise. Inmaking me the offer, you must have satisfied the delicacy of your feel-ings with regard to my family, and may take possession of Longbournestate whenever it falls, without any self-reproach.
you again and again for the honour you have done me in your propos-als, but to accept them is absolutely impossible. My feelings in everyrespect forbid it. Can I speak plainer? Do not consider me now asan elegant female, intending to plague you, but as a rational creature,speaking the truth from her heart.”
You are uniformly charming! And I am persuaded that when sanctioned by the expressauthority of both your excellent parents, my proposals will not fail ofbeing acceptable.