Posted on 2011-04-09

"I hope, my dear," said Mr. Bennet to his wife, as they were at breakfast one morning, "that you have ordered a good dinner to-day, because I have reason to expect an addition to our family party."

"Who do you mean, my dear? I know of nobody that is coming, I am sure, unless Charlotte Forster should happen to call in -- my dinners used to be more than good enough for her, but I suppose she has put on airs now that she's married to Colonel Forster." grumbled Mrs Bennet, for she had not forgiven the former Miss Lucas for being married before any of her own daughters, especially after her great disappointment over the former wealthy tenant of Netherfield. Mr Bingley had left Hertfordshire nearly a year ago – he had behaved so very ill to Jane, paying her such attentions as to raise her hopes, and then abruptly leaving for town and given up Netherfield!

"The person of whom I speak is a gentleman, and a stranger."

Mrs. Bennet's started in surprise and her eyes began to sparkle. "A gentleman and a stranger! Who can it be? I have not heard of anybody – he has not come back, and there is no other gentleman at Netherfield, is there?"

"He is not from Netherfield," said her husband; "it is a person whom I never saw in the whole course of my life."

This roused a general astonishment; and he had the pleasure of being eagerly questioned by his wife and five daughters at once. -- After amusing himself some time with their curiosity, he thus explained --

"About a month ago I received this letter; and about a fortnight ago I answered it, for I thought it a case of some delicacy, and requiring early attention. It is from my cousin, Mr. Collins, who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases."

"Oh! my dear," cried his wife, "I cannot bear to hear that mentioned. Pray do not talk of that odious man. I do think it is the hardest thing in the world, that your estate should be entailed away from your own children; and I am sure, if I had been you, I should have tried long ago to do something or other about it."

Jane and Elizabeth attempted to explain to her the nature of an entail. They had often attempted it before, but it was a subject on which Mrs. Bennet was beyond the reach of reason, and she continued to rail bitterly against the cruelty of settling an estate away from a family of five daughters, in favour of a man whom nobody cared anything about, and she continued to speak bitterly against Mr Collins.

"I think it was very impertinent of him to write to you at all, and very hypocritical. I hate such false friends. Why could not he keep on quarrelling with you, as his father did before him?"

"It certainly is a most iniquitous affair," said Mr. Bennet, "and nothing can clear Mr. Collins from the guilt of inheriting Longbourn. But if you will listen to his letter, you may perhaps be a little softened by his manner of expressing himself."

Mr Bennet then proceeded to read Mr Collins' letter aloud.

"Hunsford, near Westerham, Kent,

15th October.

DEAR SIR, -- The disagreement subsisting between yourself and my late honoured father always gave me much uneasiness, and since I have had the misfortune to lose him, I have frequently wished to heal the breach. Having received ordination at Easter, I have been so fortunate as to be distinguished by the patronage of the Right Honourable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, widow of Sir Lewis de Bourgh, whose bounty and beneficence has preferred me to the valuable rectory of this parish. As a clergyman, I feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing of peace in all families within the reach of my influence; and on these grounds I flatter myself that my present overtures of goodwill and the circumstance of my being next in the entail of Longbourn estate will not lead you to reject the offered olive-branch. I cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the means of injuring your amiable daughters, and beg leave to apologise for it, as well as to assure you of my readiness to make them every possible amends -- but of this hereafter. If you should have no objection to receive me into your house, I propose myself the satisfaction of waiting on you and your family, Monday, November 18th, by four o'clock, and shall probably trespass on your hospitality till the Saturday se'nnight following, which I can do without any inconvenience, as Lady Catherine is far from objecting to my occasional absence on a Sunday, provided that some other clergyman is engaged to do the duty of the day. -- I remain, dear sir, with respectful compliments to your lady and daughters, your well-wisher and friend,

William Collins."

"At four o'clock, therefore, we may expect this peace-making gentleman," said Mr. Bennet, as he folded up the letter. "He seems to be a most conscientious and polite young man, upon my word, and I doubt not will prove a valuable acquaintance, especially if Lady Catherine should be so indulgent as to let him come to us again."

"There is some sense in what he says about the girls, however, and if he is disposed to make them any amends, I shall not be the person to discourage him."

"Though it is difficult," said Jane, "to guess in what way he can mean to make us the atonement he thinks our due, the wish is certainly to his credit."

Mr. Collins's letter had certainly done away much of Mrs Bennet's ill-will, and she was preparing to see him with a degree of composure which astonished her husband and daughters.

Mr. Collins was punctual to his time, and was received with great politeness by the whole family. Mr. Bennet indeed said little; but the ladies were ready enough to talk, and Mr. Collins seemed neither in need of encouragement, nor inclined to be silent himself. He was a tall, heavy-looking young man of five-and-twenty. His air was grave and stately, and his manners were very formal. He had not been long seated before he complimented Mrs. Bennet on having so fine a family of daughters; said he had heard much of their beauty, but that in this instance fame had fallen short of the truth; and added, that he did not doubt her seeing them all in due time well disposed of in marriage. This gallantry was not much to the taste of some of his hearers; but Mrs. Bennet, who quarrelled with no compliments, answered most readily --

"You are very kind, sir, I am sure; and I wish with all my heart it may prove so, for else they will be destitute enough. Things are settled so oddly."

"You allude, perhaps, to the entail of this estate."

"Ah! sir, I do indeed. It is a grievous affair to my poor girls, you must confess. Not that I mean to find fault with you, for such things I know are all chance in this world. There is no knowing how estates will go when once they come to be entailed."

"I am very sensible, madam, of the hardship to my fair cousins, and could say much on the subject, but that I am cautious of appearing forward and precipitate. But I can assure the young ladies that I come prepared to admire them. At present I will not say more, but perhaps when we are better acquainted -- -- "

He was interrupted by a summons to dinner; and the girls smiled on each other. They were not the only objects of Mr. Collins's admiration. The hall, the dining-room, and all its furniture were examined and praised; and his commendation of everything would have touched Mrs. Bennet's heart, but for the mortifying supposition of his viewing it all as his own future property. The dinner too in its turn was highly admired; and he begged to know to which of his fair cousins the excellence of its cookery was owing. But here he was set right by Mrs. Bennet, who assured him with some asperity that they were very well able to keep a good cook, and that her daughters had nothing to do in the kitchen. He begged pardon for having displeased her, and in a softened tone she declared herself not at all offended.

During dinner Mr. Bennet scarcely spoke at all; but when the servants were withdrawn, he thought it time to have some conversation with his guest, and therefore started a subject in which he expected him to shine, by observing that he seemed very fortunate in his patroness. Lady Catherine de Bourgh's attention to his wishes, and consideration for his comfort, appeared very remarkable. Mr. Bennet could not have chosen better. Mr. Collins was eloquent in her praise. He protested that:

"I have never in my life witnessed such behaviour in a person of rank -- such affability and condescension, as from Lady Catherine. She had been graciously pleased to approve of both the discourses which I had already had the honour of preaching before her. She had also asked me twice to dine at Rosings. I know that Lady Catherine is reckoned proud by many people, but I have never seen anything but affability in her. She has always spoken to me as she would to any other gentleman; she made not the smallest objection to my joining in the society of the neighbourhood, nor to my leaving the parish occasionally for a week or two, to visit my relations. She had even condescended to advise me to marry as soon as I can, provided I choose with discretion; and had once paid me a visit in my parsonage; where she had perfectly approved all the alterations I had been making, and had even vouchsafed to suggest some herself, -- some shelves in the closets up stairs."

"That is all very proper and civil, I am sure," said Mrs. Bennet, "and I dare say she is a very agreeable woman. It is a pity that great ladies in general are not more like her. Does she live near you, sir?"

"The garden in which stands my humble abode, is separated only by a lane from Rosings Park, her ladyship's residence."

"I think you said she was a widow, sir? has she any family?"

"She has one only daughter, the heiress of Rosings, and of very extensive property."

"Ah!" cried Mrs. Bennet, shaking her head, "then she is better off than many girls. And what sort of young lady is she? is she handsome?"

"She is a most charming young lady indeed, she has recently been married to her cousin, and as his estate is in Derbyshire, she is greatly missed by her mother and everybody else at Rosings, but Lady Catherine is too good a mother to wish to stand in the way of her daughter's happiness and her own establishment in life, especially since it is a most eligible match for her."

Mr. Collins was not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature had so far been but little assisted by education or society. The greatest part of his life had been spent under the guidance of a semi-literate and miserly father; and though he belonged to one of the universities, he had merely kept the necessary terms, without forming at it any useful acquaintance. The unfortunate subjection in which his father had brought him up had given him originally great humility of manner; but it was now a good deal counteracted by the consequential feelings of early and unexpected prosperity. A fortunate chance had recommended him to Lady Catherine de Bourgh when the living of Hunsford was vacant; and the respect which he felt for her high rank, and his veneration for her as his patroness, mingling with a very good opinion of himself, of his authority as a clergyman, and his rights as a rector, made him altogether a mixture of pride and obsequiousness, self-importance and humility.

Having now a good house and very sufficient income, he intended to marry; and in seeking a reconciliation with the Longbourn family he had a wife in view, as he meant to chuse one of the daughters, if he found them as handsome and amiable as they were represented by common report. This was his plan of amends -- of atonement -- for inheriting their father's estate. He was not a clever man, but he was well-meaning and well-intentioned in his own way, and he thought the plan was an excellent one, since it was full of eligibility and suitableness, and excessively generous and disinterested on his own part.

His plan did not vary on seeing them. Miss Bennet's lovely face confirmed his views, even if it had not established all his strictest notions of what was due to seniority; he admired her best of all, and she was soon his settled choice.

After about a week at Longbourn. Mr. Collins made his declaration in form. On finding Mrs. Bennet, Jane, and one of the younger girls together, soon after breakfast, he addressed the mother in these words: "May I hope, madam, for your interest with your fair daughter Jane, when I solicit for the honour of a private audience with her in the course of this morning?"

Before Jane had time for anything but a slight blush, Mrs. Bennet instantly answered, "Oh dear! Yes -- certainly. I am sure Jane will be very happy -- I am sure she can have no objection. Come, Kitty, I want you up stairs." And gathering her work together, she hastened away.

As soon as Mrs. Bennet and Kitty were gone Mr. Collins began.

"Almost as soon as I entered the house, I singled you out as the companion of my future life. But before I am run away with by my feelings on this subject, perhaps it will be advisable for me to state my reasons for marrying -- and, moreover, for coming into Hertfordshire with the design of selecting a wife, as I certainly did."

"My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his parish; secondly, that I am convinced it will add very greatly to my happiness; and thirdly -- which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, that it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honour of calling patroness. -- she has said, 'Mr. Collins, you must marry. A clergyman like you must marry. -- Chuse properly, chuse a gentlewoman for my sake; and for your own, let her be an active, useful sort of person, not brought up high, but able to make a small income go a good way. This is my advice. Find such a woman as soon as you can, bring her to Hunsford, and I will visit her.' Allow me, by the way, to observe, my fair cousin, that I do not reckon the notice and kindness of Lady Catherine de Bourgh as among the least of the advantages in my power to offer. You will find her manners beyond anything I can describe. Thus much for my general intention in favour of matrimony; it remains to be told why my views were directed to Longbourn instead of my own neighbourhood -- the fact is, that being, as I am, to inherit this estate after the death of your honoured father (who, however, may live many years longer), I could not satisfy myself without resolving to chuse a wife from among his daughters, that the loss to them might be as little as possible, when the melancholy event takes place -- which, however, as I have already said, may not be for several years. This has been my motive, my fair cousin, and I flatter myself it will not sink me in your esteem. And now nothing remains for me but to assure you in the most animated language of the violence of my affection. To fortune I am perfectly indifferent, and shall make no demand of that nature on your father, since I am well aware that it could not be complied with; and that one thousand pounds in the four per cents., which will not be yours till after your mother's decease, is all that you may ever be entitled to. On that head, therefore, I shall be uniformly silent; and you may assure youself that no ungenerous reproach shall ever pass my lips when we are married."

Jane was silent for a few moments, and then calmly replied:

"Accept my thanks for the compliment you are paying me. I am very sensible of the honour of your proposals, and I will do my best to be a good wife to you."

Mr and Mrs Bennet were speedily applied to for their consent, and it was bestowed with a most joyful alacrity by Mrs Bennet, who congratulated both Mr Collins and herself in warm terms on the happy prospect of their nearer connection. Mr Bennet did not say much, and to Mrs Bennet's great surprise, insisted on speaking alone with Jane before giving his consent.

When alone with his daughter, Mr Bennet told her his fears –

"My dear Jane, I do not expect a genius as a son-in-law, but I would certainly prefer, for your sake even more than for my own, that you marry a sensible, well-judging young man."

He then inquired into her wishes, asked her to be open with him, and assured her that every inconvenience should be braved, and the connection entirely given up, if she felt herself unhappy in the prospect of it.

"My dear, although Mr Collins is the heir to Longbourn, and the match would certainly be advantageous to the family, your happiness must not be sacrificed to it. The financial circumstances for you, your mother and sisters would certainly be reduced after I'm gone, but whatever your mother might say, you need not fear being cast to starve in the hedgerows. There will be a little something for you and your sisters to live upon economically; and your uncles have assured me that they would also provide some assistance, after all your uncle Phillips has no children, and your uncle Gardiner is doing very well in his business."

Jane said firmly:

"I thank you for your concern, Papa, but you need have no fears for me. I will not be unhappy. Mr Collins may not be a very clever young man, but he is very respectable and well-meaning, as well as disinterested and generous. There is no need for him to offer to marry any one of us; his wish to make amends to us for being next in the entail for the Longbourn estate – something that certainly cannot be blamed on him – is very much to his credit. I believe I can have some regard for such a man."

Jane's words reconciled Mr Bennet to the match, and he made no further objection.

It was more difficult to reconcile Elizabeth to the match. Elizabeth was obliged to restrain herself and hold her tongue when Mrs Bennet announced the joyful news of Jane's engagement to Mr Collins to the family, but as soon as she and Jane were alone together, Elizabeth gave vent to her feelings.

"Jane! I know Papa will not force you to marry Mr Collins!".

"Certainly not, he has asked me to reconsider my decision, but I have assured him that I will not be unhappy with Mr Coliins."

"But, Jane ... "

"Yes, Lizzy, I know what you're thinking, Papa had mentioned the same concerns to me. I admit that it would not do for someone of your temper and disposition to marry Mr Collins – your wit and liveliness would not suit him. But you must make allowances for the difference of temper between us. I am now nearly four and twenty, and my experience of the past year has shown that – handsome and charming young men are not always the most reliable."

Elizabeth hesitated at Jane's allusion to her unhappy experience of the past year, and after a moment's silence, she said –

"Jane, you've always said that a woman should not marry without having some esteem and regard for her future husband."

"That is true, and Mr Collins is a respectable young man who is well-intentioned and disinterested, I can have some esteem and regard for such a man."

Elizabeth saw that her sister's mind was made up, and Jane could be firm when she felt herself to be right.

Twenty years later

Mrs Jane Collins, nee Bennet, was sitting in her widow's weeds in the drawing room at Longbourn. Her eldest son Bennet Collins, was now the owner of Longbourn. Her father had died about fifteen years after her marriage, and she had returned to Longbourn with her husband as its master. Her mother had continued to make her home with them at Longbourn; Mrs Bennet was very much pleased that she had a grandson who would be the next heir of Longbourn. Mrs Collins had been tolerably contented in the nearly twenty years of her married life.

Elizabeth had visited Hunsford in the year after Jane's marriage, and had met Lady Catherine's only remaining unmarried nephew, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, the younger son of the Earl of Matlock. The Colonel had fallen so deeply in love with Elizabeth that he had declared that although he was a younger son with no very large fortune of his own, he was willing to give up his habits of expense, and had asked her to marry him. Elizabeth had liked the Colonel very much from their first meeting, he was not handsome, but intelligent and very agreeable, and she was happy to accept him. The Colonel did have a moderate fortune, and that, together with his pay and emoluments from the army, enabled him to support his wife and family in tolerable comfort. Mary had married the young attorney who had taken over their uncle Phillips' law practice after Mr Phillips' retirement. Kitty and Lydia had married army officers whom they had met while staying with Elizabeth and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Elizabeth and Mrs Forster, nee Charlotte Lucas had remained close friends, and Mrs Forster's sister Maria was also married to an army officer whom she met while staying with her sister and Colonel Forster.

Mrs Collins had found the late Lady Catherine de Bourgh to have been a most attentive neighbour, perhaps a little too attentive, but Jane had convinced herself that her ladyship's apparent interference had been kindly meant, and it was certainly commendable of her to have taken such an active interest in the parish. It had been a shock at first to have discovered that Lady Catherine's nephew and son-in-law had been no other than the Mr Darcy who had once been staying at Netherfield with Mr Bingley, but they had met without any apparent awkwardness. Mrs Darcy, nee Anne de Bourgh, was a quiet, harmless woman, whose rather delicate health must have accounted for her apparent indolence. The meeting with Mr and Mrs Darcy had prepared Mrs Collins for a possible future meeting with his friend Mr Bingley, and she was able to accept with indifference the news of Mr Bingley's marriage to Mr Darcy's sister three years later. Mrs Collins had also met Mr Bingley's sisters again, and found that her friend Caroline had married Mr Rushworth of Sotherton, a gentleman who, apart from his income of twelve thousand a year, was very like Mr Collins in many ways.