Chapter 4
When Elizabeth descended the stairs the morning after the Netherfield ball, she was astonished to find Mr. Darcy exiting her father’s bookroom. She knew they had barely ever spoken to each other, so she could not imagine what business Mr. Darcy would have with Papa so early in the day.
When Mr. Darcy noticed her, he simply stared at her for a few moments.
His stare practically forced her to look at him.
There was an expression on his face she had never seen there before, something more human, more feeling, than she would have imagined possible.
Yet, she could not define what it actually was.
Eventually, he broke their staring contest by bowing and wishing her good morning. Even his voice caried more emotion than was usual with this man. Good manners forced her to return his greeting, though confusion kept her from saying anything else.
Papa then directed Mr. Darcy toward the door and ordered his own carriage to be readied. It looked as though the two of them had business that needed to be concluded elsewhere. Elizabeth’s curiosity mounted, and she asked her father what was happening, but he would not explain.
When Papa was gone, Elizabeth made her way into the breakfast parlor. Jane, Mama, and Mr. Collins were there. Elizabeth assumed that Kitty and Lydia were still sleeping off the excess wine they had drunk the night before.
Elizabeth sat down and began eating, though it didn’t take long to notice that her mother kept glancing meaningfully at Mr. Collins then at her.
Fortunately, Mr. Collins refused to take Mama’s hints and instead focused on eating. When he was done, however, he said, “Miss Elizabeth, I wonder if I might trouble you for a few minutes of your time after breakfast. There is a private matter concerning which I wish to speak with you.”
Elizabeth’s heart sunk into her stomach. She had known this moment was coming, but she had hoped that the man would wait until his last day here.
She looked at her mother, attempting to convey that she would rather not listen to what was certain to be a proposal, but her mother refused to even acknowledge her gaze.
Reluctantly, Elizabeth rose from the table and followed Mr. Collins into the back parlor, which was seldom used at this time of day.
Once the door was closed behind him, he said, “You cannot doubt the purpose of this conversation, Miss Elizabeth. You must know how I have hoped to make you my wife almost from the first moment I stepped foot in this house. Since I have been sanctioned by both your excellent parents, I have no doubt as to your answer. Nevertheless, I must ask. Miss Elizabeth Bennet, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Elizabeth stared at the man. There was no hesitation in his voice, no doubt about her response, which made no sense to her. Had she not clearly avoided him whenever possible? Had she not been coldly civil and no more when speaking with him? What could possibly be giving him such confidence.
Then she realized that he said he had been sanctioned by both her parents. That made no sense, either. Her mother, she knew, certainly wished for the match, but she had been certain her father cared more for her happiness than this.
She pushed the thought aside. It did not matter what her parents said. The decision was hers alone.
“No, Mr. Collins, I will not marry you,” she said.
“But…I do not understand you,” he said haltingly.
After a moment, his confused expression cleared, and he said, “Ah, this must be that thing I have heard of. It is said that many of the most elegant females will attempt to increase their suitor’s love by rejecting a proposal that they secretly wish to accept.
Come, Miss Elizabeth, there is no need for such stratagems. You must already be aware of the violence of my affections.
They can hardly be increased at this juncture.
Do say you will marry me so that we may share our excellent news with your beloved parents. ”
“Mr. Collins, you can hardly think that I have aspirations towards the kind of elegance that would play with the feelings of such a respectable man as yourself,” said Elizabeth.
She tried to remain reasonable, but internally she was growing desperate to be done with this conversation.
“I am quite serious, you see. I am of the firm belief that I would be a very poor choice of wife for you, that I could not make you happy. You must believe me.”
For a moment, Elizabeth thought her words had finally pierced his delusional arrogance.
His expression was doubtful. Then he said, “What you are saying is contrary to everything I know. Therefore, you must be mistaken. I am certain that when your parents make their feelings known to you, you will understand that there is only one acceptable answer to my proposals. Come, let us go see them now.”
Elizabeth could not bear up under such condescension from a man for whom she had no respect.
If her words would not be taken at face value, she would have to reject him with actions instead.
She turned and left the room, heading straight up the stairs and into her room, where she knew he could not follow.
If Mr. Collins was correct, and both her parents wished for the match, she had no doubt she would be called back downstairs soon enough. In the meantime, Elizabeth spent her time gathering her strength and courage for the battle to come. She would not give in, even if her father was against her.
It did not matter that Mr. Collins was the heir to Longbourn. It did not matter that he could give her a comfortable home and provide for her family when Papa died. The price was a life of misery for both of them, a price that was far too high to pay.
At first, Elizabeth was surprised that she was not called down right away. Then she remembered that Papa had gone somewhere with Mr. Darcy. Since he was not at home, she would at least have peace until Papa returned.
It took a little more than an hour, but Elizabeth was eventually called to the bookroom by her mother.
As soon as both ladies had entered the room, Mama said, “Mr. Bennet, you must make Elizabeth marry Mr. Collins. He has proposed, but your stubborn daughter has declined his proposal.”
Papa looked at Elizabeth with a serious expression on his face. “You have declined his proposal?” he asked.
“I have, and I shall not be changing that answer,” she said, embodying the very stubbornness her mother had accused her of.
“But you must marry him,” cried Mama. “Our very futures depend upon it. If you do not, that awful man will throw us out of our home the very day your father dies.”
Elizabeth was used to her mother’s fits of nerves and her overexcitability, but she was surprised to see that there was real fear in Mama’s expression, and tears were gathering in her eyes. For a brief moment, she wondered if she was, in fact, making a mistake.
Memories of the awful embarrassment she had suffered at the ball when dancing with Mr. Collins combined in her mind with the very real discomfort she had experienced over the last week as he had sought her attention.
The man was incapable of speaking sensibly on any subject, and she refused to place herself in a position where she would be required to submit to such a man.
This saved her from her momentary doubt. “I will not marry him,” she said firmly. She was unhappy to see her mother miserable, but it was better for Mama to be miserable for a few days or weeks than for Elizabeth to be miserable for a lifetime.
At this, Mrs. Bennet broke down in tears, inconsolable in her grief. “Mr. Bennet, please, you must do something!” she cried through her tears.
Papa’s face was etched with sorrow, and a weight seemed to pull at his shoulders. “You are set on this course?” he asked.
“I am,” said Elizabeth. “I cannot vow to love, honor, or obey a man that I can barely tolerate much less respect. You must see this, Father.”
He nodded. “I understand. All I want is for my family to be both happy and well looked after.” He sighed.
“It seemed as though it was impossible to do both.” After another pause he said, “Well, I will not force the issue. If that is your decision, so be it. I am curious to see what happens next.” A familiar twinkle of humor glinted in his eyes.
Elizabeth was glad he could still see the humor in a situation where she saw nothing but discomfort, but she did wonder what exactly he thought was funny.
“Well, my dear, you run along,” said Papa. “I will help your mother.”
Elizabeth glanced at her mother who was still sobbing into her hands. She had apparently not heard the last part of the conversation. “Thank you, Papa,” said Elizabeth. Then, she left the room.
As she was closing the door behind her, she heard her mother say, “Oh, Mr. Bennet, how could you? You promised.”
“I know, my dear,” Papa said. “The situation has changed.”
Elizabeth heard no more, since she closed the door on the conversation, but she did wonder why her father would have promised her mother to force Elizabeth into an unwanted wedding. Even more, she wondered why he would have changed his mind so suddenly.
For a brief moment, the image of Mr. Darcy exiting the bookroom earlier surfaced in her mind, and she wondered if that conversation had anything to do with why Papa had said the situation had changed.
She almost immediately tossed the idea away.
There was no way that Mr. Darcy could possibly have anything to do with it.