Jane Austen
than to secure her from any return of Mr. Collins's addresses, by engaging them towards
herself. Such was Miss Lucas's scheme; and appearances were so favourable, that when
they parted at night, she would have felt almost secure of success if he had not been to leave
Hertfordshire so very soon. But here she did injustice to the fire and independence of his
character, for it led him to escape out of Longbourn House the next morning with admirable
slyness, and hasten to Lucas Lodge to throw himself at her feet. He was anxious to avoid
the notice of his cousins, from a conviction that if they saw him depart, they could not fail
to conjecture his design, and he was not willing to have the attempt known till its success
might be known likewise; for though feeling almost secure, and with reason, for Charlotte
had been tolerably encouraging, he was comparatively diffident since the adventure of
Wednesday
annaabi.ee 
