“My dear Miss Mary, 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 therein factbeen complete confidence of the subject of my addresses. As you know, I did seek and receive your father’s permission to speak with you.
“You can hardly doubt the purpose of my discourse. However, your natural delicacy may lead you to doubt; 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. Before I am run away with my feelings on this subject though, 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.”
Mary knew he had been directed to her after first discovering Jane and Lizzy would not suit his purposes. That knowledge did not weaken her resolve. Collins continued:
“My reasons for marrying are, first, I think it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his parish; secondly, I am convinced it will add very greatly to my happiness; and thirdly—which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, 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 for too!) on this subject; and it was but the very Saturday night before I left Hunsford—between our pools at quadrille, while Mrs. Jenkinson was arranging Miss de Bourgh’s footstool—that she charged me to find a wife from among my cousins.
“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 good sense, I think, must be acceptable to her, especially when tempered with the silence and respect which her rank will inevitably excite.
“Thus, much of my general intention is 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. The fact, however, is that being as I am to inherit this estate after the death of your honoured father—who may live many years longer, I could not satisfy myself without resolving to choose a wife from among his daughters—especially as Lady Catherine recommended I do so. That way the loss to you and your sisters might be as little as possible, when the melancholy event takes place—which, however, as I have already said, may not be for several years.
“This has been my motive, my fair cousin, and I flatter myself it will not sink me in your esteem. And now nothing remains for me but to assure you in the most animated language of the violence of my affection. To fortune I am perfectly indifferent and shall make no demand of that nature on your father, since I am well aware he could not comply with it; and that one thousand pounds in the four per cents, which will not be yours until after your mother’s decease, is all you may ever be entitled to bring to a marriage. On that head, therefore, I shall be uniformly silent; and you may assure yourself no ungenerous reproach shall ever pass my lips when we are married.”
It was absolutely necessary to interrupt him now. Yes, he was verbose and used ten words when one would do, but he was at heart a decent man. In addition, Mary had already proved more than once how much she would be able to manage the man and redirect his unhealthy obsession with his patroness.
“You are too hasty, sir,” Mary cried. “As yet, you have spoken about your reasons to marry, but have not asked me the all-important question, hence I have nothing to which to reply.”
“I beg your pardon,” replied Mr. Collins, with a formal bow, “it was an oversight. Miss Mary, will you please accept my hand and agree to become my wife.”
“Yes, Mr. Collins, I will marry you,” Mary agreed.
“You have made me the happiest of men, thank you Miss…may I call you Mary?”
“In private, I have no objection to your doing so. As soon as you speak to my father, have his permission, and our engagement becomes official, then you may use my familiar name in public as well.”
“Allow me to go to your father now,” Collins approached her.
Mary was both worried and hopeful he was about to bestow her first kiss on her, but he rather bowed over her hand and kissed it lightly. “I must go to my mother,” Mary stated to hide her disappointment he had not kissed her lips. The thought she was disappointed he had not, frightened Mary and made her feel somewhat wanton, but she pushed it from her head.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Mary, are you sure this is your free choice to be accepting my cousin?” Bennet verified.
Collins had come to see him, informing Bennet his middle daughter had agreed to accept his hand in holy matrimony. Bennet had given his conditional consent and asked to see his daughter.
“Yes, Papa, it is my choice and my choice alone. Just like she agreed not to when we first spoke of this possibility, Mama has not attempted to influence me in any way regarding Mr. Collins and his suit,” Mary assured her father. “I am well aware my fiancé has deficiencies, but he is not vicious, he is a respectable man, and is well able to provide for me. In addition, if you and Mama are not blessed with a son, then one day I will be mistress of this estate, thus making sure it will remain with our family. Not only that, if I am given a son by God, then I will convince my husband his family name should be Bennet to continue the Bennet line here.”
“Do you know before an argument some generations back; the Collins branch of the family were Bennets?” Mary shook her head. “His great-grandfather, I believe that was who did it, changed his family name to Collins in protest of not being named heir of Longbourn and that is when my ancestor instituted the entail.”
Mary looked thoughtful. Mayhap I can help William…Mr. Collins decide to change his name back to what it was always meant to be,” Mary mused.
“If you choose to suggest that, I would not be unhappy,” Bennet responded. “Ask your fiancé to come see me again, please. I have not heard any excited utterances from the drawing room. Have you not told your mother yet?”
“I was about to when I was summoned hither,” Mary explained. “She will hear the news ere long. I assume you will make an announcement after you speak to him?” Bennet allowed it was so. “In that case, I will say nothing and allow you the honour.”
“Off with you,” Bennet waved his newly engaged daughter away.
A very excited Collins entered Bennet’s study. He reminded Bennet of a pointer pup, wagging its tale furiously. “You have my full-throated permission and blessing to wed Mary,” Bennet told the ebullient man.
Before Collins was able to launch into a soliloquy,undoubtedly,he would mention his patroness a time or ten, Bennet raised his hand. “Come, Collins, let us go inform your future mother-in-law and sisters.”
Collins followed his father-in-law-to-be obediently.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Darcy was torn about what to do with regard to Wickham. If he did nothing, then it would not be long before the libertine would be up to his old tricks, running up credit, starting to seduce young girls, and signing debt of honour markers he never intended to honour.
