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Miss Lucas； who accepted him solely from the pure and
disinterested desire of an establishment； cared not how soon that
establishment were gained。
Sir William and Lady Lucas were speedily applied to for their
consent； and it was bestowed with a most joyful alacrity。 Mr。
Collins’s present circumstances made it a most eligible match for
their daughter； to whom they could give little fortune； and his
prospects of future wealth were exceedingly fair。 Lady Lucas
began directly to calculate with more interest than the matter had
ever excited before； how many years longer Mr。 Bennet was likely
to live； and Sir William gave it as his decided opinion； that
whenever Mr。 Collins should be in possession of the Longbourn
estate； it would be highly expedient that both he and his wife
should make their appearance at St。 James’s。 The whole family in
short were properly overjoyed on the occasion。 The younger girls
formed hopes of coming out a year or two sooner than they might
otherwise have done； and the boys were relieved from their
apprehension of Charlotte’s dying an old maid。 Charlotte herself
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was tolerably composed。 She had gained her point； and had time
to consider of it。 Her reflections were in general satisfactory。 Mr。
Collins to be sure was neither sensible nor agreeable； his society
was irksome； and his attachment to her must be imaginary。 But
still he would be her husband。—Without thinking highly either of
men or of matrimony； marriage had always been her object； it was
the only honourable provision for well…educated young women of
small fortune； and however uncertain of giving happiness； must be
their pleasantest preservative from want。 This preservative she
had now obtained； and at the age of twenty…seven； without having
ever been handsome； she felt all the good luck of it。 The least
agreeable circumstance in the business； was the surprise it must
occasion to Elizabeth Bennet； whose friendship she valued beyond
that of any other person。 Elizabeth would wonder； and probably
would blame her； and though her resolution was not to be shaken；
her feelings must be hurt by such disapprobation。 She resolved to
give her the information herself； and therefore charged Mr。 Collins
when he returned to Longbourn to dinner； to drop no hint of what
had passed before any of the family。 A promise of secrecy was of
course very dutifully given； but it could not be kept without
difficulty； for the curiosity excited by his long absence； burst forth
in such very direct questions on his return； as required some
ingenuity to evade； and he was at the same time exercising great
self…denial； for he was longing to publish his prosperous love。
As he was to begin his journey too early on the morrow to see
any of the family； the ceremony of leave…taking was performed
when the ladies moved for the night； and Mrs。 Bennet with great
politeness and cordiality said how happy they should be to see him
at Longbourn again； whenever his other engagements might allow
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him to visit them。
‘My dear Madam；’ he replied； ‘this invitation is particularly
gratifying； because it is what I have been hoping to receive； and
you may be very certain that I shall avail myself of it as soon as
possible。’
They were all astonished； and Mr。 Bennet； who could by no
means wish for so speedy a return； immediately said；
‘But is there not danger of Lady Catherine’s disapprobation
here； my good sir？—You had better neglect your relations； than
run the risk of offending your patroness。
‘My dear sir；’ replied Mr。 Collins； ‘I am particularly obliged to
you for this friendly caution； and you may depend upon my not
taking so material a step without her ladyship’s concurrence。’
‘You cannot be too much on your guard。 Risk any thing rather
than her displeasure； and if you find it likely to be raised by your
coming to us again； which I should think exceedingly probable；
stay quietly at home； and be satisfied that we shall take no
offence。’
‘Believe me； my dear sir； my gratitude is warmly excited by
such affectionate attention； and depend upon it； you will speedily
receive from me a letter of thanks for this； as well as for every
other mark of your regard during my stay in Hertfordshire。 As for
my fair cousins； though my absence may not be long enough to
render it necessary； I shall now take the liberty of wishing them
health and happiness； not excepting my cousin Elizabeth。’
With proper civilities the ladies then withdrew； all of them
equally surprised to find that he meditated a quick return。 Mrs。
Bennet wished to understand by it that he thought of paying his
addresses to one of her younger girls； and Mary might have been
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prevailed on to accept him。 She rated his abilities much higher
than any of the others； there was a solidity in his reflections which
often struck her； and though by no means so clever as herself； she
thought that if encouraged to read and improve himself by such an
example as her’s； he might become a very agreeable companion。
But on the following morning； every hope of this kind was done
away。 Miss Lucas called soon after breakfast； and in a private
conference with Elizabeth related the event of the day before。
The possibility of Mr。 Collins’s fancying himself in love with her
friend had once occurred to Elizabeth within the last day or two；
but that Charlotte could encourage him； seemed almost as far
from possibility as that she could encourage him herself； and her
astonishment was consequently so great as to overcome at first the
bounds of decorum； and she could not help crying out；
‘Engaged to Mr。 Collins！ my dear Charlotte；—impossible！’
The steady countenance which Miss Lucas had commanded in
telling her story； gave way to a momentary confusion here on
receiving so direct a reproach； though； as it was no more than she
expected； she soon regained her composure； and calmly replied；
‘Why should you be surprised； my dear Eliza？—Do you think it
incredible that Mr。 Collins should be able to procure any woman’s
good opinion； because he was not so happy as to succeed with
you？’
But Elizabeth had now recollected herself； and making a strong
effort for it； was able to assure her with tolerable firmness that the
prospect of their relationship was highly grateful to her； and that
she wished her all imaginable happiness。
‘I see what you are feeling；’ replied Charlotte；—‘you must be
surprised； very much surprised；—so lately as Mr。 Collins was
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wishing to marry you。 But when you have had time to think it all
over； I hope you will be satisfied with what I have done。 I am not
romantic you know。 I never was。 I ask only a comfortable home；
and considering Mr。 Collins’s character； connections； and situation
in life； I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as
fair； as most people can boast on entering the marriage state。’
Elizabeth quietly answered ‘Undoubtedly；’—and after an
awkward pause； they returned to the rest of the family。 Charlotte
did not stay much longer； and Elizabeth was then left to reflect on
what