by Linda Phelps
“I must agree that I have been. I never suspected that my cousin could display such ingratitude and poor manners. I, a respectable clergyman with the added advantage of preference from Lady Catherine de Bourgh, offered her the chance to share in the society offered at Rosings. I had already her mother’s permission to address her, which I did in the most ardent manner.”
“I am sure you were entirely correct, Mr. Collins,” said Charlotte. “It is a pity that you received such an unfavorable response. It is not what you deserved.”
“I am, of course, distressed for Lady Catherine,” said Mr. Collins. “Why only the Saturday before I came to Longbourn, she once again told me her wishes in this matter.‘You must marry’ said she. ‘Choose properly. Choose a gentlewoman for my sake. Let her be an active, useful sort of person. Find such a woman as soon as you can, bring her to Hunsford, and I will visit her.’ I have not fulfilled her request.”
“Perhaps you yet can. Lady Catherine seems to be very gracious.”
“She is marvelously condescending” said Mr. Collins. “I consider her interest to be a bonus, as it were, a special advantage that not many men can offer the women they marry. Miss Elizabeth Bennet, however, did not seem to appreciate what she was refusing.”
“Perhaps she does not understand the superior society that Lady Catherine could provide the woman who will be your wife. Elizabeth is sometimes playful when she would do better to be serious.”
“Exactly my thought, Miss Charlotte!” said Mr. Collins. “Although I did not know it then, I can now see that she is not the type of person I would care to take to meet Lady Catherine. While Lady Catherine is always affable, I fear she would take offense at my cousin’s frivolity and think poorly of my judgment. I begin to believe I have had a lucky escape. Miss Elizabeth Bennet a guest in the drawing room of Rosings? The incongruity is almost too humorous to contemplate. Yes, I am glad now that my offer was merely the result of a certain rapprochement I hoped to make with the entire Bennet family. You know, perhaps, that I will inherit the property upon the death of the father.”
“Which fact makes your gesture more generous than it seems on the surface,” said Charlotte. “You have acted with true charity.”
“Miss Lucas, you have grasped the situation entirely. You can perhaps understand why I am perplexed by Miss Elizabeth’s discourteous rejection of my suit. I had much to recommend her to me, and one must wonder if she will ever again receive an offer of marriage. To remain unwed would be a fitting reward for her willful conceit. Does she think that a man with a patroness such as mine will be likely to appear again?”
Charlotte encouraged Mr. Collins to express his feelings until he began to believe he had never really intended to court Elizabeth, and that he had shown her attention only to honour her as his cousin. Once he came to that position, he was able to re-enter the Bennet house comfortably. Although he very pointedly refused to speak to Elizabeth, he was cordial with the rest of the family. As they and Charlotte sat at dinner, he offered each of the females a chance to contemplate his superiority. As was his established habit, he eschewed conversation in order to speak of himself. Subdued by the day’s events, the girls, even Lydia, nodded agreement to all that he said.
Then, as if nothing had happened that day to interfere with the household routine, Mr. Collins joined Mr. Bennet in his library, leaving the ladies to discuss his character and position in life in terms of what Elizabeth had given up. Mrs. Bennet continued her recriminations, attempting to engage her other daughters in censure. However, they, and Charlotte, took Mr. Collins’s cue and acted as if nothing untoward had occurred.
“I dare say,” said Mrs. Bennet “that Jane’s marriage to Mr. Bingley will be what will save us in the long run. I have one dutiful daughter at the least, with the beauty to win a man and the sense to accept him when he offers his hand.”
Charlotte had managed not to think of Mr. Bingley until that moment. An antipathy against Jane Bennet lodged unbidden in her heart. Rather than present anyone with cause to notice it, she excused herself and began to walk to Lucas Lodge. She did not trust her ability to maintain a pretense of indifference while Mrs. Bennet praised Jane.
So it was that she did not hear Jane’s soft reply, “Madam, Mr. Bingley has not offered me his hand. He may never do so.”
Thus for Charlotte, Mrs. Bennet’s words received no denial from Jane or anyone else. She was amazed anew at the pain those words caused her. She had believed that she did not still nourish a degree of hope. Well, hope was gone at last.. Now, scolding herself for her lapses into romantic fantasy, she determined that she would not repeat that error. There was no Frederick. There would never be a Frederick for her. She rejected the idea of romance and even the idea of affection. The one thing she determined was that she had no wish to attend the nuptials of the happy couple. She would feign illness or worse, if necessary, but she would not be at the church or the wedding breakfast..
Ignoring the onset of darkness, she walked past her home, reliving the events of the past few days and directly came to a conclusion. No one wanted to marry Charlotte Lucas. No one wanted to marry Mr. Collins. Her course of action was clear. Charlotte needed a husband and a home, Mr. Collins could supply her with both.
She recalled the lesson she had learned from Amelia in Lovers’ Vows. She reviewed the advice she had given Elizabeth to pass on to Jane, that hiding one’s interest in a man too successfully was likely to lose a woman the chance of securing him,. She thought of Mr. Collins, well fixed with a home of his own and the patronage of a powerful woman. Further, he would in time be the master of Longbourn.
Why should she not be the mistress of Longbourn?
It was true that Mr. Collins was a pompous bore, unable to converse on any topic but his own fortunate circumstances. It was true that as his wife she would be subjected to embarrassment when in public with him. For the moment, she refused to think of what their private life might be. The important thing was that, if she could bring him to speak, she would have a home of her own, children perhaps, and prospects of additional status and comfort through his alliance with Lady Catherine de Bourgh and his prospect of inheritance.
Accordingly after breakfast the following day, Charlotte again appeared at Longbourn. “I am so happy you are here,” Elizabeth whispered. “I am uncommonly grateful to you for engaging Mr. Collins’s attention yesterday. If you will be so kind today, I can only hope you can realize how obliged to you I am.”
“Dear Lizzy, I take pleasure in being useful to you and your family. I recognize that the situation with Mr. Collins cannot be one that fosters ease in conversation. If I can relieve a little of the strain on you and on your poor mother’s nerves, I will be very satisfied.”
“You are a friend indeed. I do not believe I could bear it if Mr. Collins spoke again of his ‘affection’ for me.”
“Do not worry,” said Charlotte. I will attempt to distract him from you all this day and again when your family arrives at Lucas Lodge to dine with us. It will be as if he does not remember his ill-spoken declaration.”
True to her promise to Elizabeth and a less unselfish promise to herself, Charlotte found occasion to talk to Mr. Collins privately, in the garden, in the breakfast room once the family had vacated it, and even in the stable when he offered her his arm as he acquiesced to her stated desire to see the horses. As she intended, he became somewhat familiar with her, speaking with what was for him a degree of informality. His speeches remained long and replete with grandiloquent words where short ones might have served better, but he no longer referred to Elizabeth Bennet with resentment, or, indeed, with any recollection at all of what had passed between them.
When the Bennets arrived at Lucas Lodge for dinner, Mr. Collins moved directly to Charlotte and resumed his description of the grandeurs to be seen at Rosings. Charlotte listened attentively, occasionally interjecting a question which allowed him to take her to hitherto unseen rooms of the house. Much of what Mr. Collin said had been
said before, but the repetition helped her to imagine those rooms as ones she might, if all went as planned, find herself visiting.
“I must again express my gratitude,” Elizabeth said at a moment in which they found themselves secluded from the party. “I will find a way to repay you this kindness.”
“Don’t think of that,” said Charlotte. “I am sure that my small kindness will reap its own reward.”
As the evening ended, Charlotte was sure she had engaged Mr. Collins’s interest to herself, but had she done enough to make him come to the point in the little time that remained before he must return to Hunsford? She resolved to arise at dawn in order to meet him at Longbourn in the breakfast parlor, it being well known that the Bennet girls did not often arrive there in the early hours. Another day might just secure his affections, if they could be s called such.
Thick headed as he was, Mr. Collins would not likely be able to ignore her presence. She would speak to him of the expected engagement of Mr. Bingley and Jane Bennet, claiming that she found the idea of marriage to be enticing. If he did not take the hint, she could be more forceful. It was unlikely that Mr. Collins had ever sought the hand of anyone other than Elizabeth Bennet. He would not have the skill to evade Charlotte Lucas who had once, long ago, been in the audience of a play called Lovers’ Vows.
Charlotte. Mr. Collins, I will impose upon you to ask your guidance on a subject which has long perplexed me.
Mr. Collins. I hope I can help you, Miss Lucas, for as Lady Catherine de Bourgh often reminds me, I am charged with the responsibility of giving what I can to those in need of instruction. In short, Lady Catherine says ----(Charlotte did not bother to invent Mr. Collin’s expected words on this topic.)
Charlotte. What a fine woman Lady Catherine must be. However, the patronage she affords you is surely less than you deserve. I do wish I could meet her sometime.
Mr. Collins. Should you ever be in our part of the world, be sure that I will take it upon myself to recommend your acquaintance to Lady Catherine. She is, as I may have said, all condescension and graciousness and (Here Charlotte interrupted the speech, just as she often longed to do when the real Mr. Collins was before her. Of course, face to face with the real Mr. .Collins, she would be forced to appear to listen to every word.)
Charlotte. I am afraid it is unlikely that I will ever be so far from home. Therefore, I must receive your wisdom before you return there.
Mr. Collins. My apologies, Miss Lucas. I had forgotten that you had need of my advice. What is the subject?
Charlotte. Love!
Mr. Collins. Love?
Charlotte. Teach it to me. Only you can teach me about love.
She examined her expression in the small mirror in the hall. It was certain that she and Mr. Collins would not speak of love. She practiced her simulation of awed\fascination in preparation for their next meeting..
As it happened, such efforts were not necessary, for she had underestimated Mr. Collins’s desire to please Lady Catherine with the news that he had indeed found a bride. As Charlotte dressed for her walk to Longbourn, she saw him through the upstairs window, walking swiftly to Lucas Lodge. There was only one thing that could mean. She hurried into her clothes and managed to meet him by accident on the path. It was important that the couple have privacy in which to discover each other’s minds.
Charlotte and Mr. Collins bid each other good morrow, and then, without preamble, Mr. Collins began to speak.
“My dear Miss Lucas, you can hardly doubt the purport of my discourse. Almost as soon as I first met you I singled you out as the companion of my future life. I trust I do not insult your modesty by being so bold.”
Charlotte lowered her eyes in sham embarrassment and said, “Oh, no, Sir. I am surprised and honoured by your words.”
“Then I will be so bold as to tell you I am run away by my feelings on this subject. Perhaps it will be advisable for me to state my reasons for marrying, for such is what I propose.” Before Charlotte could tender him a modest acceptance he continued, “My reasons for marrying are, first, that I think it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances to set an example of matrimony in his parish.”
“Indeed, Sir,” said Charlotte. “Your plan is exemplary. Your parishioners will benefit from your instruction in all areas of their life.”
“Secondly, I expect great happiness from such an alliance.”
“And you will give happiness to the fortunate woman who is your wife.”
“You are right. And I will please Lady Catherine, who is my patroness. She has instructed me to marry.”
“So you said yesterday, Mr. Collins. Lady Catherine is both wise and generous.” Charlotte felt her patience slipping away. Still, she maintained a smile and downcast eyes.
“You are correct, Miss Lucas, and I am positive she will find you suitable in every way. 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. You will find her manners beyond anything I can describe, and your sensible conversation will be acceptable to her, especially when tempered with the silence and respect due to her rank.”
Said Charlotte, “I look with eagerness toward the day I may meet her.”
“And now, nothing remains for me but to assure you of the violence of my affection. Indeed, when I first met you I hoped you would consent to be my wife.”
Charlotte smiled in relief. She had feared her suitor might be so carried away by the preliminaries to the proposal that he would never get to the point where he made the offer. “Sir, I can only express my gratitude to you for your affection and assure you that it is entirely returned.”
“Then I am the happiest of men!”
“And I the happiest of women.”
Awkwardly he took her hand and brought it to his lips. “My Charlotte.”
“We must speak to my parents and plan the day we will wed,” said Charlotte. Now that her point had been won, it was essential that it be witnessed beyond possibility of reneging. “Let us go now.” And she led him in triumph into Lucas Lodge.
The delight of her parents was what she had hoped, and if their surprise was rather too obvious, Mr. Collins seemed not to notice. Sir William, with great good will, told the couple what dowry he could provide, while Lady Lucas began at once a list of items Charlotte must take with her to her new home. They invited the couple to remain at Lucas Lodge for the rest of the day, while counseling the younger children to allow them privacy.
As Charlotte half listened to her lover praise himself and the inhabitants and furnishings of Rosings, she had leisure to contemplate what she had accomplished. Whatever qualms she felt disappeared when she reminded herself that she would soon be a wife with a home of her own. She would not have to witness the marriage of Jane Bennet to Mr. Bingley. With good fortune she would see them only on rare visits to Lucas Lodge. Mr. Bingley would become unimportant to her.
Chapter Thirteen
CHARLOTTE HAD CONVINCED MR. Collins to spend his final night at Longbourn and make his morning departure without informing the Bennets of his new state of happiness. It was not to be expected that the family would greet his news with congratulations; rather astonishment and anger were the expected responses. She had likewise elicited promises from each of her parents that they would allow her to be the first purveyor of the news of the formal attachment that now existed between her and the Bennets’ cousin.
Once she had assured herself that her betrothed was safely on his way back to Hunsford, she made her way to Longbourn and there managed to arrange a private conversation with Elizabeth. The two young women had enjoyed an intimacy for many years. To the observer they seemed to have little in common, but Elizabeth’s playful disdain for the foibles of the people of the neighbourhood was a fine accompaniment for Charlotte’s seldom expressed cynicism. They had regaled themselves at the expense of Mr. Collins as recently as the night of the Netherfield ball. They had laughed together at Elizabeth’s desc
ription of his proposal of marriage. That Charlotte’s news would lower her in Elizabeth’s estimation was a hard fact to face. Elizabeth was one of the very few people for whom she felt respect. When she thought of leaving the neighbourhood for good, it was Elizabeth she expected to miss most.
Once the two friends were alone, Charlotte made haste to tell of her change of fortune. As she had feared, Elizabeth was astonished and disbelieving. “Engaged to Mr. Collins! My dear Charlotte,--impossible!”
“I assure you, it is true. Why should you be surprised, my dear Eliza?—Do you think it incredible that Mr. Collins should be able to procure any women’s good opinion because he was not so happy as to succeed with you?”
It was some moments before Elizabeth could remember the proper good wishes that were demanded in such a situation. “I am sure that you will be very happy, for that is what you deserve.”
“I see what you are feeling,” replied Charlotte. “You must be surprised that Mr. Collins would make me an offer so soon after you had refused him. You wonder further that I should accept him. You know I am not romantic, but I do long for a home of my own, which he will provide. He is a good hearted man, and I mean to make him as good a wife as I can.”
Elizabeth, somewhat ashamed, said quickly, “I know you will do that. He is fortunate that he has won your hand. I congratulate him with all my heart.”
“But you do not congratulate me,” Charlotte said, smiling. “I assure you, I am content with my decision.”
“I wish you all possible joy, dear Charlotte. Truly, I do.”
“My only regret is that I will not have you as my friend to talk to any time I want, so you must promise to write to me very often with the news of the neighbourhood, and I will write you of my new life.”
“I cannot comprehend at this moment how much I will miss you. Be assured that I will be a very steady correspondent,” said Elizabeth. “And you can write me of your new home and your grand neighbours.”