Elizabeth found her mother in the small sitting room, examining a length of ribbon Mrs. Hill had set aside with particular care. Mrs. Bennet looked up at once, her expression sharpening with interest.
“Lizzy,” she said, “come and tell me. Do you think this shade suits me? I am not certain it does not wash me out.”
Elizabeth regarded the ribbon politely. “It is very pretty, Mama.”
Mrs. Bennet smiled, evidently satisfied, and laid it aside. “I shall have it made up for Sunday. One must look respectable, after all.”
Elizabeth took the chair opposite her. “Mama, I wished to speak with you about a letter Papa received this morning.”
Mrs. Bennet’s eyes brightened at once. “A letter? From whom?”
“We have received a letter from Mr. Collins.”
Mrs. Bennet frowned. “Mr. Collins? Our cousin?”
“Yes. He intends to visit Longbourn in about a fortnight. He writes that he wishes to make amends for the entail.”
“Oh,” Mrs. Bennet said faintly. Then, with sudden animation, “Well! That is very proper of him. Extremely proper. I have always said it was the least he could do.”
“Papa and I thought it best to receive him with civility,” Elizabeth said.
“Of course,” Mrs. Bennet replied quickly. “One never knows what may come of such things.” She hesitated. “He is, I believe, a man of some consequence?”
“He is a clergyman,” Elizabeth answered evenly.
Mrs. Bennet pursed her lips. “A living is something. And he will see the house, I suppose.”
“Yes, Mama. He will be our guest.” Elizabeth paused. “He also writes as though he assumes his visit will end in marriage, to one of your daughters.”
Mrs. Bennet’s eyes widened. “Marriage?”
Elizabeth met her gaze steadily. “I do not believe such a match would be right for any of us.”
Mrs. Bennet drew back. “Why should it not? It would secure the estate. We should keep our home.”
Elizabeth regarded her mother thoughtfully. “Suppose, for example, that Mr. Collins were to choose me, and I were expected to accept him. Do you believe I should be happy?”
Mrs. Bennet hesitated. “You would be married. He has a respectable situation.”
“I should not be content,” Elizabeth said quietly. “Nor should I remain here, managing the estate as I do now. You recall how matters stood before I assisted Papa, our concerns about money and order.”
Mrs. Bennet frowned, considering this.
“And in time,” Elizabeth continued, “when Papa is gone, and Mr. Collins returns as master of Longbourn, do you suppose your position would remain unchanged?”
Mrs. Bennet stiffened. “I am mistress of this house.”
Elizabeth’s voice softened. “Not then, Mama. If I were compelled into such a marriage, your position here would not remain the same."
Silence fell between them. Mrs. Bennet's gaze dropped briefly to her hands.
“At present,” Elizabeth said, “we are secure. There is no need to sacrifice any of us out of fear. And should circumstances everchange, you need not fear, Mama. I would never see you without a home.”
Mrs. Bennet exhaled slowly. “What of Jane? Or Mary?”
“They would not view such a proposal any more favourably than I,” Elizabeth replied. “We shall endure his visit, and nothing more.”
At last, Mrs. Bennet nodded. “Very well. He may come, and we shall see him properly received.” She rose. “Thank you for telling me yourself.”
