Elizabeth took her breakfast while reviewing the day’s concerns, wishing one matter already resolved.
Lydia and Kitty had already finished and gone upstairs for their French lessons. Lydia had surprised them all by applying herself to her lessons with unexpected eagerness. Kitty, however, showed more talent for drawing than languages. Mrs. Tayler continued to encourage her, assuring her that improvement would come with practice. The rest of the family remained at the table enjoying their breakfast when Mr. Collins entered. He lingered in the doorway for several moments; his gaze fixed upon Miss Elizabeth.
“Miss Elizabeth, I wonder if I might speak with you.”
Elizabeth suppressed a sigh, more from confirmation than from surprise, and nodded politely. “Of course. We may speak in my writing room.” She stood and began to leave the room, pausing when she encountered Mrs. Hill. “Please send Millie to my sitting room.” She met Mrs. Hill’s eye, then glanced briefly toward Mr. Collins.
Mrs. Hill nodded. “Yes, Miss Elizabeth, right away.”
Elizabeth walked slowly toward her sitting room, partly to give Millie time to arrive and partly to delay the inevitable. Millie reached the room at nearly the same moment as Elizabeth and Mr. Collins. Elizabeth gestured toward a chair just outside the door. Millie nodded and took her seat. Elizabeth then entered the writing room with Mr. Collins close behind her. She left the door open wide enough that Millie remained in clear view. Elizabeth seated herself at her writing desk, facing Mr. Collins, and gestured for him to take a chair.
Mr. Collins remained standing. He glanced once toward the maid seated outside the door before beginning his speech. “I have determined that it is my duty to lessen the misfortune your family must otherwise suffer by marrying one of my cousins. My patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, has long held the opinion that a clergyman ought to be married, and that such a union must reflect credit upon his situation…”
Elizabeth could hear Mr. Collins continuing to speak about what Lady Catherine felt to be the proper conduct of a clergyman’s wife, though she struggled to understand how any of it was particularly relevant to the present conversation. She waited patiently for a pause so that she might give her answer, but such an opportunity did not appear to be a priority for Mr. Collins.
At last, it seemed he was approaching his conclusion. “So now, dear cousin, I may say that I am the happiest of men.”
Elizabeth rose. “Mr. Collins. I thank you for the honor of your proposal. However, I do not believe we should suit. I am therefore sorry, but my answer is no.”
Mr. Collins stared at her in astonishment. “But you must accept me.”
Elizabeth regarded him calmly. “And why is that, sir?”
He looked at her as though she had spoken nonsense. “Because I am to inherit. In that way you will have a home.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Mr. Collins, that is very considerate of you, and I appreciate that you wish to lessen the effects of the entail. Pray allow me to reassure you. We shall be quite well.” She came around the desk and began gently guiding him toward the door. “Thank you for your attention, Mr. Collins.”
You will reconsider. I am certain you will…”
Mr. Collins stepped out into the hall. Elizabeth closed the door quietly behind him. He remained there for several moments, staring at the closed door, before at last turning away in visible confusion.
***
Mr. Bennet had only just opened the first volume of Robertson’sHistory of the Reign of the Emperor Charles V. Having at last finished Gibbon’s account of the fall of the Roman Empire, he had resolved to turn his attention to emperors who had managed to keep their thrones for a respectable period.
He had not progressed beyond the opening pages when the door of the library opened, and Mr. Collins entered with an air of great agitation. Mr. Bennet looked up from the page. “My dear cousin, I trust nothing has occurred that threatens the stability of the Holy Roman Empire.”
Mr. Collins blinked at him. “No, sir, though I fear the matter which brings me to you is of considerable consequence.”
Mr. Bennet closed the book with deliberate calm. “Indeed. Pray sit down and enlighten me.”
Mr. Collins took a deep breath. “I have just come from speaking with your daughter. I asked her to marry me, and she said no.”
Mr. Bennet nodded thoughtfully. “I see. May I ask which daughter? I have five, you know.”
Mr. Collins looked at him as though he had spoken a foreign language. “I asked Miss Elizabeth.”
“Ah. Well, that explains it.” Mr. Bennet regarded him mildly. “Is that all, sir?”
Mr. Collins stared at him and shook his head. “No, no, you do not understand. She must marry me. It is entirely proper that she should.”
“Well now we come to the point. Miss Elizabeth declined your proposal, and you wished her to accept. Have I understood you correctly?”
Mr. Collins nodded eagerly. “Exactly. You must make her change her mind and marry me.”
Mr. Bennet leaned back in his chair. “Now here is where the difficulty lies. You may not be aware, but in this country, a lady is at liberty to refuse.” Mr. Bennet spread his hands slightly. “I see your difficulty, but I do not see how it may be remedied.”
Mr. Collins leaned forward anxiously. “You do not understand. I want you to tell her she must marry me.”
