The day after the extraordinary visit, Mr Bennet received a text from Mr Collins that cheered him up no end.
“I say, Lizzy,” he called, “I’ve just had a text from Mr Collins. It will amuse you! Ha! Ha! Ha! It says… Ha! Ha! Ha!… that you, Lizzy… you… may be linked to… Ha! Ha!… Mr Darcy! Mr Darcy! That man who probably never looked at you in his life! Ha! Ha!… and there is more… Dear Mr Collins expressly advises against it, as Lady Catherine would be seriously displeased! Ha! Ha! Ha!”
Lizzy would have much rather cried than laughed but did manage to add a “Ha! Ha!” to keep up appearances.