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I cannot acquit him of that duty; nor could I think well of the

man who should omit an occasion of testifying his respect towards

anybody connected with the family." And with a bow to Mr. Darcy,

he concluded his speech, which had been spoken so loud as to be

heard by half the room. Many stared--many smiled; but no one

looked more amused than Mr. Bennet himself, while his wife

seriously commended Mr. Collins for having spoken so sensibly,

and observed, in a half-whisper to Lady Lucas, that he was a

remarkably clever, good kind of young man.