The next day opened a new scene at Longbourn. Mr. Collins
made his declaration in form. Having resolved to do it without
loss of time, as his leave of absence extended only to the
following Saturday, and having no feelings of diffidence to make
it distressing to himself even at the moment, he set about it in a
very orderly manner, with all the observances, which he
supposed a regular part of the business. On finding Mrs.
Bennet, Elizabeth, and one of the younger girls together, soon
after breakfast, he addressed the mother in these words: “May I
hope, madam, for your interest with your fair daughter
Elizabeth, when I solicit for the honour of a private audience
with her in the course of this morning?”
Before Elizabeth had time for anything but a blush of surprise,
Mrs. Bennet answered instantly, “Oh dear!— yes— certainly. I
am sure Lizzy will be very happy— I am sure she can have no
objection, Come, Kitty, I want you upstairs.” And, gathering
her work together, she was hastening away, when Elizabeth
called out:
“Dear madam, do not go. I beg you will not go. Mr. Collins
must excuse me. He can have nothing to say to me that anybody
need not hear. I am going away myself.”
“No, no, nonsense, Lizzy. I desire you to stay where you are.”
And upon Elizabeth’s seeming really, with vexed and
embarrassed looks, about to escape, she added: “Lizzy, I
INSIST upon your staying and hearing Mr. Collins.”
Elizabeth would not oppose such and injunction— and a
moment’s consideration making her also sensible that it would
be wisest to get it over as soon and as quietly as possible, she sat
down again and tried to conceal, by incessant employment the
feelings which were divided between distress and diversion.
Mrs. Bennet and Kitty walked off, and as soon as they were
gone, Mr. Collins began.
“Believe me, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that your modesty, so far
from doing you any disservice, rather adds to your other
perfections. You would have been less amiable in my eyes had
there NOT been this little unwillingness; but allow me to assure
you, that I have your respected mother’s permission for this
address. You can hardly doubt the purport of my discourse,
however your natural delicacy may lead you to dissemble; my
attentions have been too marked to be mistaken. Almost as
soon as I entered the house, I singled you out as the companion
of my future life. But before I am run away with by my feelings
on this subject, perhaps it would be advisable for me to state
my reasons for marrying— and, moreover, for coming into
Hertfordshire with the design of selecting a wife, as I certainly
did.”
The idea of Mr. Collins, with all his solemn composure, being
run away with by his feelings, made Elizabeth so near laughing,
that she could not use the short pause he allowed in any attempt
to stop him further, and he continued:
“My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing
for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set
the example of matrimony in his parish; secondly, that I am
convinced that it will add very greatly to my happiness; and
thirdly—which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, that it
is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble
lady whom I have the honour of calling patroness. Twice has
she condescended to give me her opinion (unasked too!) on this
subject; and it was but the very Saturday night before I left
Hunsford— between our pools at quadrille, while Mrs. Jenkins
was arranging Miss de Bourgh’s footstool, that she said, Mr.
Collins, you must marry. A clergyman like you must marry.
Choose properly, choose a gentlewoman for MY sake; and for
your OWN, let her be an active, useful sort of person, not brought
up high, but able to make a small income go a good way. This is
my advice. Find such a woman as soon as you can, bring her to
Hunsford, and I will visit her.’ Allow me, by the way, to
observe, my fair cousin, that I do not reckon the notice and
kindness of Lady Catherine de Bourgh as among the least of the
advantages in my power to offer. You will find her manners
beyond anything I can describe; and your wit and vivacity, I
think, must be acceptable to her, especially when tempered with
the silence and respect which her rank will inevitably excite.
Thus much for my general intention in favour of matrimony; it
remains to be told why my views were directed towards
Longbourn instead of my own neighbourhood, where I can
assure you there are many amiable young women.