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married to Mr。 Collins； she thought with equal certainty； and with
considerable； though not equal； pleasure。 Elizabeth was the least
dear to her of all her children； and though the man and the match
were quite good enough for her； the worth of each was eclipsed by
Mr。 Bingley and Netherfield。
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CHAPTER XIX
he next day opened a new scene at Longbourn。 Mr。
Collins made his declaration in form。 Having resolved to
T
do it without loss of time； as his leave of absence extended
only to the following Saturday； and having no feelings of diffidence
to make it distressing to himself even at the moment； he set about
it in a very orderly manner； with all the observances which he
supposed a regular part of the business。 On finding Mrs。 Bennet；
Elizabeth； 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
Elizabeth； when I solicit for the honour of a private audience with
her in the course of this morning？’
Before Elizabeth had time for any thing but a blush of surprise；
Mrs。 Bennet instantly answered；
‘Oh dear！—Yes—certainly！ I am sure Lizzy 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 was hastening away；
when Elizabeth called out；
‘Dear Ma’am； do not go。—I beg you will not go。—Mr Collins
must excuse me。—He can have nothing to say to me that any body
need not hear。 I am going away myself。’
No； no； nonsense； Lizzy。—I desire you will stay where you are。’
And upon Elizabeth’s seeming really； with vexed and embarrassed
looks； about to escape； she added； ‘Lizzy； I insist upon your staying
and hearing Mr。 Collins。’
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Elizabeth would not oppose such an injunction—and a
moment’s consideration making her also sensible that it would be
wisest to get it over as soon and as quietly as possible； she sat down
again； and tried to conceal by incessant employment the feelings
which were divided between distress and diversion。 Mrs Bennet
and Kitty walked off； and as soon as they were gone Mr Collins
began。
‘Believe me； my dear Miss Elizabeth； that your modesty； so far
from doing you any disservice； rather adds to your other
perfections。 You would have been less amiable in my eyes had
there not been this little unwillingness； but allow me to assure you
that I have your respected mother’s permission for this address。
You can hardly doubt the purport of my discourse； however your
natural delicacy may lead you to dissemble； my attentions have
been too marked to be mistaken。 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。’
The idea of Mr。 Collins； with all his solemn composure； being
run away with by his feelings； made Elizabeth so near laughing
that she could not use the short pause he allowed in any attempt to
stop him farther； and he continued：
‘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
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advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have
the honour of calling patroness。 Twice has she condescended to
give me her opinion （unasked too！） on this subject； and it was but
the very Saturday night before I left Hunsford—between our pools
at quadrille； while Mrs。 Jenkinson was arranging Miss de Bourgh’s
foot…stool； that she 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
any thing I can describe； and your wit and vivacity I think must be
acceptable to her； especially when tempered with the silence and
respect which her rank will inevitably excite。 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； where I assure you there are many amiable young
women。 But 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
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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 4 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
yourself that no ungenerous reproach shall ever pass my lips when
we are married。’
It was absolutely necessary to interrupt him now。
‘You are too hasty； Sir；’ she cried。 ‘You forget that I have made
no answer。 Let me do it without farther loss of time。 Accept my
thanks for the compliment you are paying me。 I am very sensible of
the honour of your proposals； but it is impossible for me to do
otherwise than decline them。’
‘I am not now to learn；’ replied Mr。 Collins； with a formal wave
of the hand； ‘that it is usual with young ladies to reject the
addresses of the man whom they secretly mean to accept； when he
first applies for their favour； and that sometimes the refusal is
repeated a second or even a third time。 I am therefore by no means
discouraged by what you have just said； and shall hope to lead you
to the altar ere long。’
‘Upon my word； Sir；’ cried Elizabeth； ‘your hope is rather an
extraordinary one after my declaration。 I do assure you that I am
not one of those young ladies （if such young ladies there are） who
are so daring as to risk their happiness on the chance of being
asked a second time。 I am perfectly s