CHAPTER XXII.

The Bennets were engaged to dine with the Lucases, and again during the

chief of the day, was Miss Lucas so kind as to listen to Mr. Collins.

Elizabeth took an opportunity of thanking her. "It keeps him in good

humour," said she, "and I am more obliged to you than I can express."

Charlotte assured her friend of her satisfaction in being useful, and

that it amply repaid her for the little sacrifice of her time. This was

very amiable, but Charlotte's kindness extended farther than Elizabeth

had any conception of;--its object was nothing less, than to secure her

from any return of Mr. Collins's addresses, by engaging them towards

herself. Such was Miss Lucas's scheme; and appearances were so

favourable that when they parted at night, she would have felt almost

sure of success if he had not been to leave Hertfordshire so very soon.

But here, she did injustice to the fire and independence of his

character, for it led him to escape out of Longbourn House the next

morning with admirable slyness, and hasten to Lucas Lodge to throw

himself at her feet. He was anxious to avoid the notice of his cousins,

from a conviction that if they saw him depart, they could not fail to

conjecture his design, and he was not willing to have the attempt known

till its success could be known likewise; for though feeling almost

secure, and with reason, for Charlotte had been tolerably encouraging,

he was comparatively diffident since the adventure of Wednesday. His

reception however was of the most flattering kind. Miss Lucas perceived

him from an upper window as he walked towards the house, and instantly

set out to meet him accidentally in the lane. But little had she dared

to hope that so much love and eloquence awaited her there.

In as short a time as Mr. Collins's long speeches would allow, every

thing was settled between them to the satisfaction of both; and as they

entered the house, he earnestly entreated her to name the day that was

to make him the happiest of men; and though such a solicitation must be

waved for the present, the lady felt no inclination to trifle with his

happiness. The stupidity with which he was favoured by nature, must

guard his courtship from any charm that could make a woman wish for its

continuance; and 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 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 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 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 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 she had heard. It

was a long time before she became at all reconciled to the idea of so

unsuitable a match. The strangeness of Mr. Collins's making two offers

of marriage within three days, was nothing in comparison of his being

now accepted. She had always felt that Charlotte's opinion of matrimony

was not exactly like her own, but she could not have supposed it

possible that when called into action, she would have sacrificed every

better feeling to worldly advantage. Charlotte the wife of Mr. Collins,

was a most humiliating picture!--And to the pang of a friend disgracing

herself and sunk in her esteem, was added the distressing conviction

that it was impossible for that friend to be tolerably happy in the lot

she had chosen.