第274页 / 共817页

Mrs. Bennet was really in a most pitiable state. The very mention

of anything concerning the match threw her into an agony of

ill-humour, and wherever she went she was sure of hearing it

talked of. The sight of Miss Lucas was odious to her. As her

successor in that house, she regarded her with jealous

abhorrence. Whenever Charlotte came to see them, she concluded

her to be anticipating the hour of possession; and whenever she

spoke in a low voice to Mr. Collins, was convinced that they were

talking of the Longbourn estate, and resolving to turn herself

and her daughters out of the house as soon as Mr. Bennet was

dead. She complained bitterly of all this to her husband.

"Indeed, Mr. Bennet," said she, "it is very hard to think that

Charlotte Lucas should ever be mistress of this house, that I

should be forced to make way for her, and live to see her take my

place in it!"