Epilogue
As they approachedMrs. Bennet, Elizabeth began to hesitate about telling her Mama the news in the presence of Mr. Darcy. She had no way of predicting what Mrs. Bennet would say, and Elizabeth preferred to find out in a more private setting. She said something vague to Mr. Darcy about breaking the news quietly, and, with the new-found tact he had been developing recently, he held back and waited for Elizabeth to come and fetch him, while Bingley and Jane started to walk towards a copse of trees.
“Mama,” said Elizabeth, intercepting Mrs. Bennet before she reached Darcy. “I have important news to convey to you, if you would please step inside the house.”
“News? What news? I cannot imagine anything more important than Mr. Collins.”
“It cannot wait,” said Elizabeth, firmly.
Mrs. Bennet’s eyes widened. She led the way into the parlor and shut the door, consumed by curiosity.
Elizabeth followed her. It was clear Mrs. Bennet had no idea of the news she was about to impart, so seeing her mother’s impatience, Elizabeth made the announcement as quickly as she could.
The effect on Mrs. Bennet was extraordinary. She sat quite still, unable to utter a syllable. Her astonishment was so extreme, she refused to believe it.
“This must be one of your Papa’s strange ideas of a joke, Lizzy. You cannot fool me so easily.”
“It is no joke, Mama. I am engaged to Mr. Darcy.”
Mrs. Bennet peered closely at Elizabeth, who put on her sternest face, and hoped she looked too serious for Mama to doubt her.
It must have worked, because Mrs. Bennet looked alarmed. “But are you certain, Lizzy? Are you quite sure you want to marry such an odious man? You must not do it, just because of his fortune.”
The irony of this statement did not escape Elizabeth, especially when she considered that Mrs. Bennet was perfectly content to sacrifice Elizabeth to Mr. Collins.
She laughed. “He is not odious, Mama. Far from it. And you must not talk about him that way anymore if he is to be my husband, Mama. I love him.”
By now Mrs. Bennet was beginning to recover, and Elizabeth’s assurances knocked everything else out of her head. She went around the room, exclaiming in astonishment, still unable to believe her daughter’s great fortune.
“Good gracious! Mr. Darcy! Who would have thought it? Oh, my sweetest Lizzy! How rich and how great you will be! What pin-money, what jewels, what carriages you will have! Jane's is nothing to it—nothing at all. I am so pleased! Such a charming man! So handsome! So tall! Oh, my dear Lizzy! Please apologize to him for my having disliked him so much before. I hope he will overlook it. Dear, dear Lizzy! A house in town! Everything that is charming! Ten thousand a year! Oh, heavens! I shall go distracted."
Elizabeth glanced uneasily towards the door. She was very glad now that she had not made the announcement in Mr. Darcy’s presence.
Mrs. Bennet’s effusions continued for a while, then came to an abrupt stop.
“But what about Mr. Bennet? He must give his permission immediately! What if he refuses his consent? For very likely, he does not like Mr. Darcy at all, and you know how your father is when he takes a notion into his head! Mr. Darcy must go after him at once and obtain his permission.”
“You must tell him yourself, Mama. He is outside.”
Mrs. Bennet continued, too overcome to hear a word Elizabeth was saying.
“Oh, and tell him he must obtain a special license! You must and shall be married by a special license! Also, you must tell me what dish Mr. Darcy is particularly fond of, so I can have it made tomorrow. I must go up to tell the others, and tell Mr. Collins that you are taken. He will have to marry your sister. Oh, is that not the most wonderful news!”
