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The possibility of Mr. Collins's fancying himself in love with

her friend had once occurred to Elizabeth within the last day or

two: but that Charlotte could encourage him seemed almost as far

from possibility as that she could encourage him herself; and her

astonishment was consequently so great as to overcome at first

the bounds of decorum, and she could not help crying out,--

"Engaged to Mr. Collins! my dear Charlotte, impossible!"

The steady countenance which Miss Lucas had commanded in telling

her story gave way to a momentary confusion here on receiving so

direct a reproach; though, as it was no more than she expected,

she soon regained her composure, and calmly replied,--

"Why should you be surprised, my dear Eliza? Do you think it

incredible that Mr. Collins should be able to procure any woman's

good opinion, because he was not so happy as to succeed with

you?"