[Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen]@TWC D-Link bookPride and Prejudice Chapter 18 20/23
In the first place, he must make such an agreement for tithes as may be beneficial to himself and not offensive to his patron.
He must write his own sermons; and the time that remains will not be too much for his parish duties, and the care and improvement of his dwelling, which he cannot be excused from making as comfortable as possible.
And I do not think it of light importance that he should have attentive and conciliatory manner towards everybody, especially towards those to whom he owes his preferment.
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. To Elizabeth it appeared that, had her family made an agreement to expose themselves as much as they could during the evening, it would have been impossible for them to play their parts with more spirit or finer success; and happy did she think it for Bingley and her sister that some of the exhibition had escaped his notice, and that his feelings were not of a sort to be much distressed by the folly which he must have witnessed.
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