If he had been wavering before as to what he should do,which had often seemed likely, the advice and entreaty of so near a relation might settle every doubt, and determine him at once to be as happy as dignity unblemished could make him.In that case he would return no more.Lady Catherine might see him in her way through town;and his engagement to Bingley of coming again to Netherfield must give way.
She followed him thither; and her curiosity to know what he had to tell her was heightened by the supposition of its being in some manner connected with the letter he held. It suddenly struck her that it might be from Lady Catherine; and she anticipated with dismay all the consequent explanations.
The colour now rushed into Elizabeth's cheeks in the instantaneous conviction of its being a letter from the nephew,instead of the aunt;and she was undetermined whether most to be pleased that he explained himself at all, or offended that his letter was not rather addressed to herself;when her father continued:
“From Mr.Collins!and what can he have to say?”
“I have received a letter this morning that has astonished me exceedingly.As it principally concerns yourself,you ought to know its contents. I did not know before, that I had two daughters on the brink of matrimony. Let me congratulate you on a very important conquest.”