PRIDE & PREJUDICE: JANE AUSTEN: CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

Bennets were engaged to dine with Lucases. Mr Collins was also present. Miss Charlotte Lucas was very kind to listen to Mr Collins. Elizabeth thanked her for keeping him in good humour.  "I am more obliged to you than I can express," she said.  But Charlotte was aiming to secure Mr Collins towards her. When they parted at night Miss Lucas was very sure of her success; and the next morning Mr Collins slyly escaped out of Longbourn house and secured himself to Lucas Lodge. He was anxious to avoid the notice of his cousins because he was diffident of his success against his failure with Miss Elizabeth Bennet.  Miss Lucas perceived him from an upper window as he walked towards the house, and instantly set out to meet him accidentally in the lane.  But little had she dared to hope that so much love and eloquence waited her there.
Everything was settled between the long speeches of Mr Collins to the satisfaction of both the parties.  The stupidity with which he was favoured by the nature caused him to ask stupid questions, but Miss Lucas did not take care to trifle with his happiness.

Sir William and Lady Lucas speedily bestowed their consent with joyful alacrity.  Mr Collins's present circumstances made it a most eligible match for their daughter, to whom they could give little fortune; and his prospects of future wealth were exceedingly fair.  Lady Lucas began directly calculate how many years longer Mr Bennet was likely to live; and Sir William gave it as his decided opinion, that whenever Mr Collins should be in possession of Longbourn estate, it would be highly expedient that both he and his wife should make up their appearance at St James's.  The whole family, in short, were properly overjoyed on the occasion.  The younger girls formed hopes of coming out a year or two sooner than they might otherwise have done. The boys were relieved from the apprehension of Charlotte's dying an old maid.  For Charlotte, marriage had always been her object. It was the only provision for a well educated young woman of small fortune - A presevative. And this preservative now received at the age of twenty seven, without having ever been handsome; notwithstanding its uncertainty, and Mr Collins irksome nature.  The least agreeable circumstance in the business was the surprise it must occasion to Elizabeth Bennet, whose friendship she valued.  She resolved to give her the information herself, and therefore charged Mr Collins, when he returned to Longbourn to dinner, to drop no hint of what had passed before any of the family.  But Mr Collins was longing to publish his prosperous love.

So, the following day, Mr Collins started very early for Longbourn house.  Mrs Bennet was the first to see him and she told him she was very happy to see him again in Longbourn.

"My dear madam," he replied, "this is gratifying, and I have been waiting to receive it."

Astonished, Mr Bennet said, "But is there not danger of Lady Catherine's disapprobation here, my good sir? You had better neglect your relations than run the risk of offending your patroness."

"My dear sir," replied Mr Collins, "I am particularly obliged to you for this friendly caution, and you may depend upon my not taking so material a step without her ladyship's concurrence."

"You cannot be too much upon your guard.  Risk anything rather than her displeasure; and if you find it likely to be raised by your coming to us again, stay quietly at home, and be satisfied that we shall take no offence."

"My dear sir," my gratitude is warmly excited.  You will speedily receiving a letter of thanks from me during my stay in Hertfordshire.  I shall take the liberty of wishing my cousins health and happiness, not excepting Elizabeth.  With proper civilities, the ladies withdrew, thinking that he would return.  Mrs Bennet wished to understand that he thought of paying his addresses to one of her younger girls, and Mary might have been prevailed on to accept him.  But on following morning, every hope of this kind was done away.  Miss Lucas called soon after breakfast, and in a private conference with Elizabeth related the event of the day before.

The possibility of Collins's fancying herself in love with her friend occurred to Elizabeth, but Charlotte could encourage him seemed a distant possibility.  She cried out, "Engaged to Mr Collins!  My dear Charlotte - impossible!

The steady countenance of Charlotte telling the story gave way to the momentary confusion, when she received a direct reproach:

"Why should you be surprised, my dear Eliza? Do you think it incredible that Mr Collins should be able to procure any woman's good opinion, because he was not so happy to succeed with you?"

Elizabeth had now recollected herself, and making a strong effort for it, was able to assure the prospects of their relationship and wished her happiness and prosperity.

"I see what you are feeling," said Charlotte.  "You must be surprised, very surprised - so lately as Mr Collins was wishing to marry you.  
But when you have had time to think over, I think you will be satisfied with what I have done.  I am not romantic, you know, I never was.  I ask a comfortable home; and considering Mr Collins character, connection and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness in as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage."

Elizabeth quietly answered, "undoubtedly." And after an awkward pause, they returned to the family.  Charlotte did not stay much longer, and Elizabeth was left to reflect on the event.  It was a long time before she became reconciled to the idea of so suitable a match.  The strangeness of Mr Collins making two offers of marriage within three days was nothing in comparison of his being now accepted.  Charlotte's opinion of matrimony was not exactly like her own.  But she had not supposed that when called into action she would have sacrificed every better feeling to worldly advantage.  And to the pang of a friend disgracing herself and sunk in her esteem was added the distressing conviction that it was impossible for the friend to be tolerably happy in the lot she had chosen.

THE END


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