The following day, their father cleared his throat to gain their attention.
“I hope, my dear, that you have ordered a good meal for this evening, for we are to have company.”
Mrs. Bennet’s exclamations interrupted her husband, who waited with visible impatience for his wife to finish.
“It is not Mr. Bingley, my dear. No, it is a man who I have never before seen in all my life and who will, upon my death, have the power to cast you all out. My cousin, Mr. William Collins, writes to extend an olive branch to the family. He will arrive at four o’clock.”
“Oh, Mr. Bennet! How could you not give me time to prepare? Goodness, I must speak to Hill!” Mrs. Bennet rose in a flurry, leaving her plate half full as she rushed from the room, calling for the housekeeper.
“That was badly done, Papa,” Elizabeth chastised mildly when the others had gone and they were alone. “She will be unbearable for the rest of the day.”
“I must have my amusements, Lizzy—you know that.” Mr. Bennet chuckled. “Here. Read the letter. You will find it as amusing as I did, I am certain.”
Elizabeth took the letter and began to read silently.
Sir,
We have not been introduced, and it falls to me to rectify this unfortunate matter. I am William Collins, eldest son and heir to Mr. Josiah Collins, late of Kent. The disagreement subsisting between yourself and my late honored father always gave me much uneasiness. He spoke about the matter often while he lived, and I have long regretted the breach that prevented me from knowing my relations. Since suffering the misfortune of his loss this past year, I have frequently wished to heal the rift.
It is no easy thing to undertake, and for some time my own doubts restrained me, lest my actions seem disrespectful to his memory, for it had ever pleased him to remain at variance with your household. Likewise, the thought of how I would be received by those who, in his telling, had wronged my dearest father, filled me with dread, for I could only imagine your response would be what he told me—that of derision and dismissal.
My mind is, at long last, now made up on the subject, for having received ordination last Easter, I have been so fortunate as to be distinguished by the patronage of the Right Honorable Lady Catherine de Bourgh. The name, cousin, may not hold familiarity to you, for she moves in exalted circles, far beyond those you command. My patroness is the widow of Sir Lewis de Bourgh—a baronet of some considerable property when he was alive—and a grander lady never lived. Neither is there one so predisposed to be generous, offering her condescension to all those honored with her notice.
Providence has favored me in securing a patroness whose bounty and beneficence has preferred me to the valuablerectory of her parish. Here it shall be my earnest endeavor to demean myself with grateful respect towards her ladyship and to be ever ready to perform those rites and ceremonies instituted by the Church of England. She is everything that is good, and I shall fulfill her bidding in whatever manner lies within my power.
The duties of a clergyman are vast, and the ordination I received demands a certain standard of conduct. Moreover, I feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing of peace in all families within the reach of my influence. This includes my own house and relations. As I have none other living than the Bennets of Hertfordshire, I seek to rectify this matterimmediately. On these grounds, I flatter myself that my present overtures are highly commendable, and that the circumstance of my being next in the entail of the Longbourn estate will be kindly overlooked on your side and not lead you to reject the offered olive-branch.
I must do my duty to repair that which is broken, and to atone for my position, which will usurp your daughters upon your demise. I cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the means of injuring your amiable daughters and beg leave to apologize for it, as well as to assure you of my readiness to make them every possible amends.
If you should have no objection to receive me into your house, I propose myself the satisfaction of waiting on you and your family, Monday, the eighteenth of November, by four o’clock, and shall trespass on your hospitality till the Saturday se’nnight following, which I hope will be no inconvenience.
I am, sir, with respectful compliments to your lady and daughters,
Your well-wisher and friend,
William Collins
Elizabeth looked up at her father, whose amusement remained unchecked.
“What manner of man is he?” she asked. “This is the most nonsensical letter I have ever had the misfortune of reading. What olive branch? What can he mean?”
“Is it not obvious, Lizzy? Mr. Collins means to offer for one of my daughters.”
She chuckled. “Are you certain? His praise of Lady Catherine is excessive. One might safely assume he is in love with his patroness. Any lady he marries will certainly come second in his affections.”
“Indeed, I suspect it will be so. No matter. He will provide much amusement, I think, for the duration of his stay. It will please Mrs. Bennet to throw her daughters in his path. Jane will be excluded, of course. And you? Will you allow your mother to steer him toward you?” Mr. Bennet raised an eyebrow at his daughter, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
“Mama will be disappointed if she does. I will not be forced into a marriage not of my choosing, no matter how she wails and complains.” She speared the eggs with her fork, then took a bite.
“Yes, I thought you would profess as much. I cannot say that I blame you, particularly when a superior specimen is available.”
Elizabeth choked on her egg. Eyes watering, she took her teacup and sipped carefully, trying to soothe the cough that overtook her. “I do not know what you mean,” she said hoarsely.
Mr. Bennet laughed. “I am not blind to the man’s interest in you, my dear. Why do you think I have welcomed him into my study? I wished to understand what manner of man Mr. Darcy is. I am impressed. He is intelligent, thoughtful, and dutiful—a rare treasure among his set.”
“We are only friends, Papa,” she cautioned. Mr. Darcy had made no declaration, and she did not wish to raise false hopes.
“Friends, is it? That is good. A solid relationship ought to begin with friendship.” His expression turned serious. “I do hope you will not form your final opinion based on anything but his character.”
