There was one additional page—the letter from the bishop with the official notification of Mr. Collins’s dismissal. No hope then, thought Charlotte. A wave of anxiety and sorrow washed over her. To have to leave her lovely home where she had been so happy these past few years! Where might they end up? How could Mr. Collins even find another living, much less one as well-off as Lady Catherine’s? If she were perfectly honest with herself, Charlotte would have to admit that the security Mr. Collins offered her at Hunsford was the primary reason she wed him. Now what?
Charlotte pulled out the cheque. Thirty pounds. More generous than she would have expected from the old skinflint. She tucked it into her pocket and turned to her still-moaning husband. Dismayed as she was, Charlotte forced herself to swallow her grief and assume an optimistic attitude.
“Let us eat something and go to bed, dearest. Tomorrow things will look brighter.”
“But where are we to go?”
“Well…back to Meryton, of course,” she replied. “We shall stay with my parents for the time being.”
“And then…?” Mr. Collins heaved himself to his feet.
Charlotte gave him a kiss on the cheek and attempted a smile. “We shall see what the good Lord sends to us.”
***
Despite grieving his wife (and he was somewhat surprised to find that, despite her annoying ways, he truly did miss her presence), Mr. Bennet did not forget his promise to refurbish the parsonage at Longbourn. Eight days after the funeral, he presented himself at the cottage to speak with his new rector. However, he found only Mrs. Withers present. She invited him into the front parlor.
“My brother has returned to Dorset to see to all the details of moving our possessions,” she said as she took her seat. “I offered to do it, but he insisted it would be too much for me, so off he went. In truth, I suspect he wanted to handle the packing of his library himself.”
“He enjoys reading?” asked Mr. Bennet.
“Indeed, we both do. Although I hope your opinion of me will not fall when I confess that I enjoy popular novels as well as more serious works.” Amelia smiled, and again Mr. Bennet was struck by how the small act improved her appearance. “In any event, I expect Robert back on Friday, or Saturday at the latest, so you need not worry about Sunday’s service.”
“I came to discuss the renovations of the parsonage with him, but perhaps it is best that you are here instead,” Mr. Bennet said. “Such things usually fall under the guidance of the female sex, after all.”
“Yes. Robert told me of your generous offer. It is so kind. I have taken the liberty to write up a few suggestions. I shall show them to you, but only if you promise not to think me too impertinent.”
“Not at all. You seem to be a lady who knows her own mind and moves ahead accordingly, for which I can have no criticism. May I see your list?”
Amelia pulled a piece of paper from her pocket, smoothed it, and handed it to him.
“I keep it with me at all times so that, when I see something to add, I have it handy. I hope it is not too extravagant. Items could certainly be cut, be assured; it is just an initial assessment. Did you…have a budget in mind?”
Mr. Bennet perused the paper. He quickly saw that her keen eye had seen many of the same issues he had discovered when he first showed the parsonage to Mr. Yarby.
“My budget is somewhat flexible, although I was certainly hoping to make improvements for less than thirty pounds. This all seems very much in order.” He looked again. “Oh, but you did not write down new curtains or paper for the walls for this room. Do you not think them very dated and dingy? Mr. Dudley was a pipe smoker, and I can see that has left its mark.”
“I did note it, Mr. Bennet, but I felt that change might be too much of an extravagance at this time. Fresh upholstery for the furniture and a new rug in here will be costly enough. We can easily manage with what is here.”
Mr. Bennet shook his head, and chuckled. “No, I believe the redone chair and settee with the new rug will only make the sad condition of the walls and draperies that much more apparent. You should go into Meryton and pick out the paper pattern and fabric you like. Have them send the bill to me. Then we shall hire the workmen necessary.”
“You are too kind. And may I just say how very grateful I am to you for giving Robert the living? To have an entire house for ourselves? It is a dream come true! In Dorset, we rented somewhat cramped rooms above a shop in town; curates, as you know, are not provided any housing, and it was all we could afford. We shall both be so happy here at Longbourn.”
“Will you miss your friends in Dorset?”
He watched as she considered her answer. “I shall. But if you will forgive me a tiny brag, I believe I am one of those fortunate people who can be content in almost any situation. After all, one is only as happy as one makes up one’s mind to be.”
“I am glad to hear it. But, could new paper for the walls not make one even happier?”
Amelia gave a musical laugh. “Indeed, it would, Mr. Bennet. Indeed, it would.”
***
Mr. and Mrs. Collins spoke but little on their journey back to Meryton. They had hastily packed what they would need most immediately and arranged for the rest to be shipped. In truth, there was not that much to deal with, seeing as how the Hunsford Parsonage came fully furnished. Therefore, they took their clothing and personal effects as well as books and wedding gifts that they could call their own.
Mr. Collins had attempted one last time to speak to Lady Catherine, but he was refused entry to Rosings Park. He had to content himself with writing a letter to his former patron, thanking her for all she had done for him over the years. He did not fool himself into thinking a gracious farewell missive would change her mind, but he was smart enough to realize that showing Lady Catherine his true disappointment and anger would only serve to harden her heart against him when it came to any reference she might later be inclined to write. A good recommendation would be invaluable to finding a new living.
Therefore, his mood was quite dejected as they left Hunsford. Charlotte did her best to raise his spirits even as she disguised her own sorrow, reminding him that the Lord would provide for them.
