This gallantry was not much to the taste of some of his hearers; but Mrs.
Bennet, who quarreled with no compliments, answered most readily.
"You are very kind, I am sure; and I wish with all my heart it may prove so, for else they will be destitute enough.

Things are settled so oddly." "You allude, perhaps, to the entail of this estate." "Ah! sir, I do indeed.

It is a grievous affair to my poor girls, you must confess.

Not that I mean to find fault with _you_, for such things I know are all chance in this world.

There is no knowing how estates will go when once they come to be entailed." "I am very sensible, madam, of the hardship to my fair cousins, and could say much on the subject, but that I am cautious of appearing forward and precipitate.