ELIZABETH.

Very well, Mr. Collins.

[MRS. BENNET _makes a sudden awed gesture of silence to the girls, who fail to understand._ ELIZABETH _enters by the gla.s.s doors. She is dressed in winter walking costume: a large hat,--fur-trimmed pelerine, and a large m.u.f.f. She stops in the doorway and looks at_ MRS. BENNET, _half puzzled and smiling._]

ELIZABETH.

Well, what is it, mamma? What is the matter?

MRS. BENNET.

Nothing. Hush! What have you done with Mr. Collins?

ELIZABETH.

[_Laughing._] Oh, Mr. Collins is safe! He has gone round to the library.

MRS. BENNET.

[_With a sigh of relief._] How providential!

ELIZABETH.

[_Looking back._] But I have brought someone else with me.

[MR. WICKHAM _and_ CHARLOTTE LUCAS _come in gaily._]

ALL.

[_Exclaiming._] Oh, Mr. Wickham!

WICKHAM.

[_To_ MRS. BENNET.] How do you do, Mrs. Bennet? This is indeed a pleasure. [_Going over to_ JANE.] Miss Bennet, I am _so_ glad to see you. [_Reproachfully._] You were not with our party! [_To_ LYDIA.] Why do you never come to Meryton, Miss Lydia? Mr. Denny is quite downcast.

LYDIA.

[_Pouting._] La, Mr. Denny!

WICKHAM.

And many others beside him, Miss Lydia.

[LYDIA _giggles._ WICKHAM _returns to_ MRS. BENNET.]

MRS. BENNET.

Well, 'tis an age since we saw you, Mr. Wickham. What _have_ you been doing?

WICKHAM.

Colonel Forster keeps me so busy that I have no time for enjoyment.

ELIZABETH.

Yes, Mr. Wickham bears all the marks of an hara.s.sed and overworked man.

WICKHAM.

[_Bowing to_ ELIZABETH.] Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. You have given me the very terms I needed. [_To_ MRS. BENNET.] You see before you, Mrs.

Bennet, an hara.s.sed and overworked man. Miss Elizabeth will bear witness that I was on my way to a business appointment when I yielded to temptation and went off for a walk with her and Miss Lucas and their irreproachable escort.

ELIZABETH.

And Miss Elizabeth will also testify that you yielded with the celerity and ease of long practice.

WICKHAM.

[_Laughing; to_ ELIZABETH.] But in this case who was the tempter?

ELIZABETH.

Oh, I will admit that Mr. Collins was partially responsible.

[_All laugh._]

MRS. BENNET.

Come, Lizzy, you have been talking to Mr. Wickham all the morning. Now, let some of the rest of us have a chance. [_Turning to_ WICKHAM.] You must stay to dinner, Mr. Wickham.