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"I do not blame Jane," she continued, "for Jane would have got

Mr. Bingley if she could. But, Lizzy! Oh, sister! it is very hard

to think that she might have been Mr. Collins's wife by this

time, had not it been for her own perverseness. He made her an

offer in this very room, and she refused him. The consequence of

it is, that Lady Lucas will have a daughter married before I

have, and that Longbourn estate is just as much entailed as ever.

The Lucases are very artful people, indeed, sister. They are all

for what they can get. I am sorry to say it of them, but so it

is. It makes me very nervous and poorly, to be thwarted so in my

own family, and to have neighbours who think of themselves before

anybody else. However, your coming just at this time is the

greatest of comforts, and I am very glad to hear what you tell us

of long sleeves."