“Oh!”cried Elizabeth,“I am excessively diverted. But it is so strange!”
“Mr. Darcy, you see, is the man! Now, Lizzy, I think I have surprised you.Could he,or the Lucases,have pitched on any man within the circle of our acquaintance, whose name would have given the lie more effectually to what they related? Mr. Darcy, who never looks at any woman but to see a blemish, and who probably never looked at you in his life!It is admirable!”
Elizabeth tried to join in her father's pleasantry,but could only force one most reluctant smile.Never had his wit been directed in a manner so little agreeable to her.
“Have you any idea, Lizzy, who this gentleman is? But now it comes out:
“Something very much to the purpose of course. He begins with congratulations on the approaching nuptials of my eldest daughter, of which, it seems, he has been told by some of the good-natured, gossiping Lucases. I shall not sport with your impatience,by reading what he says on that point.What relates to yourself, is as follows: 'Having thus offered you the sincere congratulations of Mrs.Collins and myself on this happy event, let me now add a short hint on the subject of another;of which we have been advertised by the same authority.Your daughter Elizabeth,it is presumed,will not long bear the name of Bennet, after her elder sister has resigned it,and the chosen partner of her fate may be reasonably looked up to as one of the most illustrious personages in this land.'