Strona 181 z 817

But Elizabeth was not formed for ill-humour; and though every

prospect of her own was destroyed for the evening, it could not

dwell long on her spirits; and, having told all her griefs to

Charlotte Lucas, whom she had not seen for a week, she was soon

able to make a voluntary transition to the oddities of her

cousin, and to point him out to her particular notice. The two

first dances, however, brought a return of distress: they were

dances of mortification. Mr. Collins, awkward and solemn,

apologizing instead of attending, and often moving wrong without

being aware of it, gave her all the shame and misery which a

disagreeable partner for a couple of dances can give. The moment

of her release from him was ecstasy.