Page 376 of 817

It was an earnest, steadfast gaze, but she often doubted whether

there were much admiration in it, and sometimes it seemed nothing

but absence of mind.

She had once or twice suggested to Elizabeth the possibility of

his being partial to her, but Elizabeth always laughed at the

idea; and Mrs. Collins did not think it right to press the

subject, from the danger of raising expectations which might only

end in disappointment; for in her opinion it admitted not of a

doubt, that all her friend's dislike would vanish, if she could

suppose him to be in her power.

In her kind schemes for Elizabeth, she sometimes planned her

marrying Colonel Fitzwilliam. He was, beyond comparison, the

pleasantest man: he certainly admired her, and his situation in

life was most eligible; but, to counterbalance these advantages,

Mr. Darcy had considerable patronage in the church, and his

cousin could have none at all.

CHAPTER XXXIII.