He then recollected her embarrassment a few days before,on his reading Mr. Collins's letter; and after laughing at her some time,allowed her at last to go―saying,as she quitted the room,“If any young men come for Mary or Kitty,send them in,for I am quite at leisure.”
To complete the favourable impression,she then told him what Mr. Darcy had voluntarily done for Lydia. He heard her with astonishment.
This was a sad omen of what her mother's behaviour to the gentleman himself might be;and Elizabeth found that,though in the certain possession of his warmest affection,and secure of her relations'consent,there was still something to be wished for.But the morrow passed off much better than she expected;for Mrs. Bennet luckily stood in such awe of her intended son-in-law that she ventured not to speak to him,unless it was in her power to offer him any attention,or mark her deference for his opinion.
This was enough to prove that her approbation need not be doubted;and Elizabeth,rejoicing that such an effusion was heard only by herself, soon went away. But before she had been three minutes in her own room,her mother followed her.