Jane Austen
be no difference of sentiment. Elizabeth listened with delight to the happy, though modest
hopes which Jane entertained of Mr. Bingley's regard, and said all in her power to heighten
her confidence in it. On their being joined by Mr. Bingley himself, Elizabeth withdrew to
Miss Lucas; to whose inquiry after the pleasantness of her last partner she had scarcely
replied, before Mr. Collins came up to them, and told her with great exultation that he had
just been so fortunate as to make a most important discovery.
"I have found out," said he, "by a singular accident, that there is now in the room a near
relation of my patroness. I happened to overhear the gentleman himself mentioning to the
young lady who does the honours of the house the names of his cousin Miss de Bourgh, and
of her mother Lady Catherine. How wonderfully these sort of things occur! Who would
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