For some time, however, I was restrained from writing by doubts respecting the propriety of such a step, lest it should appear that I was wanting in due regard for the memory of my late father. Having now the happiness of enjoying the distinguished patronage of the Right Honourable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, widow of Sir Lewis de Bourgh, whose benevolence and condescension have been such as few men are fortunate enough to experience, I have been encouragedto believe that every Christian clergyman ought to promote harmony whenever it lies within his power to do so. Under the guidance of so excellent a patroness, whose judgement I esteem most highly, I have therefore resolved to make the attempt.
Perhaps you may not be aware that I have lately been so fortunate as to receive the valuable living of Hunsford, in Kent, through the generosity of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. The duties of my office are considerable, yet I trust I discharge them with diligence and humility, and it is my constant endeavour to conduct myself in a manner worthy of the distinguished favour I have received.
The circumstance of my being the future possessor of Longbourn has not escaped my consideration. Indeed, I have often reflected upon the hardship which the entail must occasion your amiable daughters, and I am by no means insensible to the inconvenience of an arrangement which deprives them of an estate to which they might otherwise look forward with confidence.
As the future inheritor of Longbourn, I have therefore long felt it incumbent upon me to make every suitable reparation within my power. After much consideration, and with the approbation of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, whose advice upon matters of consequence I always seek with gratitude and respect, I have determined that the most eligible means of accomplishing this object would be by forming a matrimonial connexion with one of your daughters, should such an arrangement prove agreeable to all parties concerned.
You may perhaps think me hasty in expressing myself so plainly, but I have always considered openness and sincerity among the greatest ornaments of the clerical character.
In order that I may have the pleasure of making the acquaintance of yourself, Mrs. Bennet, and your daughters, and of judging whether my hopes may be reasonablyentertained, I propose waiting upon you at Longbourn on Friday the eighth of November at two o'clock in the afternoon. I trust this arrangement will not prove inconvenient.
I remain, dear sir,
With respectful compliments to Mrs. Bennet and your accomplished daughters,
Your well-wisher and cousin,
William Collins
Silence followed the conclusion of the reading.
Then Lydia burst into laughter. "He writes like a sermon," she said, when she had gathered herself sufficiently to speak.
"He writes considerably worse than most sermons," Mr. Bennet replied. "Sermons, in my experience, generally possess the good sense to end."
"He means to marry one of us," Kitty said, with the air of someone identifying a threat.
"He means to offer," Mrs. Bennet corrected, sitting a little straighter. "Which is quite a different thing." She was already calculating. "Jane is as good as engaged, so it cannot be Jane. Lizzy is next."
"Mama—"
"It is only sensible, Lizzy," Mrs. Bennet said. "You are one-and-twenty and have yet to show the slightest interest in any gentleman who has shown an interest in you. Mr. Collins will inherit this estate, which is considerably more than most of your admirers have ever been able to offer."
"He does not sound particularly intelligent," Elizabeth replied. "He appears to have determined upon reconciliation only because Lady Catherine approves of it. A gentleman who requires another person to tell him what to think can hardly be said to possess much judgement of his own. I cannot think that a desirable quality."
"A clergyman," Mary observed before Mrs. Bennet could answer, "occupies a very respectable station in life. There is much to be said for a man of steady principles and an established parish."
Every eye at the table turned towards her.
"You see," Kitty said, "I believe Mary has just volunteered."
Mary looked up from her plate. "I said no such thing."
"No," Mr. Bennet agreed. "But you said enough to suggest you would not object to the man."
Mary returned her attention to her toast without offering either a defence or a quotation.
Mrs. Bennet looked from Elizabeth to Mary and then to her husband.
"Well," said Mr. Bennet, "this visit may prove even more entertaining than I anticipated."
Had Hill not entered the breakfast room carrying a note upon a small tray, Elizabeth suspected her mother would have pursued the subject with renewed determination. The housekeeper's appearance, however, drew everyone's attention at once.
Elizabeth's own settled immediately upon the note.
This must be Georgiana's letter.
The prospect was a welcome distraction from her mother's efforts to dispose of her in favour of Mr. Collins.
