Chapter 22

The Bennets had arranged to dine with the Lucases that evening. That day too, Miss Lucas spent most of the day kindly listening to Mr. Collins. Elizabeth found a chance to thank her for it. "It really does put him in better spirits," she said. "I truly cannot thank you enough."

Charlotte said she was glad to have been of use. She assured her friend that this was reward enough for the little time it had cost her — it was a very kind thing to say. But there was far more behind Charlotte's kindness than Elizabeth realized. She meant to turn Mr. Collins's attention to herself, so that he would not propose again. This was Miss Lucas's plan, and it seemed to be working very well. If he had not meant to leave Hertfordshire so soon, Charlotte would have gone to bed that night almost certain of success. But in this she had underrated the passion and independence in Mr. Collins's character. Thanks to that very quality, he slipped away from Longbourn House the next morning with surprising secrecy, and hurried to Lucas Lodge to throw himself at her feet. He took great care not to be seen by his cousins, for if they saw him leave, they would surely guess his purpose. He did not want anyone to know he had even tried, until it was certain whether he had succeeded. Charlotte had given him quite an encouraging welcome, so he had good reason to feel almost sure of success. Still, since Wednesday's events, his confidence had been somewhat less than before. Even so, she received him in the most hopeful manner. Miss Lucas saw him from an upstairs window, walking toward the house. She went out at once and met him in the lane, as if by pure chance. There, far more love and fine speeches awaited her than she had ever thought to find.

In as short a time as Mr. Collins's long speeches would allow, everything was settled to the satisfaction of them both. As they went into the house, he begged her earnestly to name the day that would make him the happiest of men. For the moment, such a request had to be put off. But Charlotte had no wish to keep him waiting for his happiness. Owing to his natural foolishness, there was nothing in his courtship that could make a woman wish to prolong it. Miss Lucas, who had accepted him for no reason but her own wish to establish a comfortable home, cared nothing at all how soon she got it.

The two of them soon asked Sir William and Lady Lucas for their consent. Both parents gave it at once, and with the greatest joy. Given Mr. Collins's present circumstances, it was an excellent match for their daughter. They had little fortune to give her. His prospects of future wealth, on the other hand, were very good. Lady Lucas began at once, with an eagerness she had never shown before, to calculate how many more years Mr. Bennet might live. Sir William declared that once Mr. Collins came into possession of the Longbourn estate, it would be only proper for the couple to appear together at the court of St. James's. In short, the whole family was delighted with the news. The younger girls hoped to come out into society a year or two earlier than they otherwise would have. The sons were relieved of their fear that Charlotte might die an old maid. Charlotte herself was quite composed. She had gained her point, and now had time to think it over. On the whole her feelings were satisfied. Mr. Collins, of course, was neither sensible nor pleasant. Being with him was tiresome. His love for her was only a thing she had to imagine. Still, he would be her husband. Charlotte had never thought very highly of men, or of marriage. But marriage had always been her aim. It was the only honorable path to a secure future for a well-educated young woman with little fortune. However uncertain it was to bring happiness, it was surely the most pleasant way to escape want. Now she had that path in her grasp. At twenty-seven, and never a beauty, Charlotte felt her good fortune keenly. The one thing that troubled her most in all this was that her dearest friend, Elizabeth Bennet, was sure to be shocked. Elizabeth would be surprised, and would probably blame her. Her resolve would not waver, but such reproach would still hurt. Charlotte decided to tell her the news herself. So when Mr. Collins went back to Longbourn for dinner, she asked him not to let a hint of it escape to any of the family. He, of course, promised very politely to keep the secret. But keeping that promise was not easy. The people who had been curious about his long absence greeted his return with such open questions that it took some skill to avoid them. Besides, he could hardly bear not to announce his successful love to the whole world. He had to exercise great self-control.

He was to leave so early the next day that he would not see any of the family. So they said their goodbyes when the ladies withdrew for the night. Mrs. Bennet spoke very politely and warmly. She said she would be delighted if he could come back to Longbourn whenever his other business allowed it.

He replied, "Dear madam, I am especially glad of this invitation, for it is exactly what I had been hoping to receive. You may be sure that I shall accept this kindness as soon as I possibly can."

Everyone was astonished. Mr. Bennet, who had not wished in the least for such a speedy return, soon spoke.

"But is there no danger that Lady Catherine will disapprove, my good sir? You had better neglect your relations than risk offending your patroness."

Mr. Collins answered, "My dear sir, I am especially grateful for such a kind warning. You may be sure that I would never decide so important a matter without Lady Catherine's consent."

"One cannot be too careful. Risk anything rather than her displeasure. And if you think your coming to see us again is likely to bring it on — and I think it very likely indeed — then stay quietly at home. We shall not be in the least offended."

"My dear sir, believe me, such kind concern fills me with the warmest gratitude — as does every other kindness you have shown me during my stay in Hertfordshire. You may be sure that you will soon receive a letter of thanks for it, and for this as well. As for my lovely cousins, I would venture to wish them health and happiness here and now, though my absence will hardly be long enough to make that necessary. My cousin Elizabeth is, of course, no exception."

The ladies made their proper curtsies and withdrew. They were all equally astonished that he meant to return so soon. Mrs. Bennet hoped it meant he intended to propose to one of her younger daughters. Mary might perhaps be persuaded to accept him. Mary valued his abilities far more than her sisters did. She sometimes found real substance in his thoughts to admire. Mary did not think him nearly as clever as herself. Still, she believed that with encouragement — reading and improving herself, following an example like hers — he might make a very tolerable companion. But by the next morning, all such hopes had vanished. Not long after breakfast, Miss Lucas came to call, and, talking with Elizabeth alone, told her what had happened the day before.

In the past day or two, Elizabeth herself had once thought that Mr. Collins might have fallen in love with her friend. But she thought Charlotte's accepting him was about as likely as her own accepting him. So she was so astonished that at first she forgot her manners and simply cried out:

"Engaged to Mr. Collins! My dear Charlotte — impossible!"

While she told her story, Miss Lucas had kept her face carefully composed. But faced with such an open reproach, she could not for a moment hide her discomposure. Still, it was not a reaction she had failed to expect. She soon recovered her calm and answered steadily.

"Why are you so surprised, dear Eliza? Do you find it so hard to believe that Mr. Collins could make himself agreeable to some woman, only because he was not lucky enough to succeed with you?"

But Elizabeth had by now collected herself. With great effort, she managed to speak in a fairly steady voice. She said she was very glad at the prospect of their becoming relations, and wished her friend all the happiness in the world.

Charlotte answered, "I know what you're thinking. You must be very surprised — very surprised indeed, since it was only recently that Mr. Collins wanted to marry you. But if you think it over carefully, I hope you will understand what I have done. You know I am not a romantic person. I never have been. All I want is a comfortable home. Considering Mr. Collins's character, his connections, and his situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as good as most people can boast when they marry."

Elizabeth quietly answered, "Of course." After an awkward silence, the two returned to where the family was sitting. Charlotte did not stay long. Elizabeth was then left alone to think over what she had heard. It was a long time before she could accept, even a little, so unsuitable a match. The strange fact that Mr. Collins had proposed twice in three days was nothing compared to the fact that someone had now accepted him. She had always known that Charlotte's views on marriage were not like her own. But she had never imagined that, when it came to acting on them, Charlotte would give up every better feeling for worldly advantage. Charlotte as the wife of Mr. Collins — what a humiliating picture! And beyond the pain of seeing a friend lower herself in her eyes and lose her respect, there was the bitter certainty that her friend could never be even a little happy in the fate she had chosen for herself.