Jane Austen
doubting whether she was authorised to mention it, when Sir William Lucas himself
appeared, sent by his daughter, to announce her engagement to the family. With many
compliments to them, and much self-gratulation on the prospect of a connection between
the houses, he unfolded the matter--to an audience not merely wondering, but incredulous;
for Mrs. Bennet, with more perseverance than politeness, protested he must be entirely
mistaken; and Lydia, always unguarded and often uncivil, boisterously exclaimed:
"Good Lord! Sir William, how can you tell such a story? Do not you know that Mr.
Collins wants to marry Lizzy?"
Nothing less than the complaisance of a courtier could have borne without anger such
treatment; but Sir William's good breeding carried him through it all; and though he begged
leave to be positive as to the truth of his information, he listened to all their impertinence
with the most forbearing courtesy.
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