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"Upon my word, sir," cried Elizabeth, "your hope is rather an

extraordinary one after my declaration. I do assure you that I am

not one of those young ladies (if such young ladies there are)

who are so daring as to risk their happiness on the chance of

being asked a second time. I am perfectly serious in my refusal.

You could not make me happy, and I am convinced that I am the

last woman in the world who would make you so. Nay, were your

friend Lady Catherine to know me, I am persuaded she would find

me in every respect ill qualified for the situation."

"Were it certain that Lady Catherine would think so," said Mr.

Collins, very gravely--"but I cannot imagine that her Ladyship

would at all disapprove of you. And you may be certain that when

I have the honour of seeing her again I shall speak in the

highest terms of your modesty, economy, and other amiable

qualifications."