CHAPTER 7
Lady Catherine de Bourgh sat in a high-backed chair, her posture perfectly erect, as though the very form of her person were an assertion of rank no circumstance could diminish, and her keen, searching eyes moved with deliberate slowness across the room, not in expectation merely, but in possession, as if all that entered her presence must first submit to her judgement before being permitted the courtesy of notice.
The door opened with measured restraint, and Mr. Collins entered with that mixture of solemn importance and visible anxiety which rendered his approach at once studied and uncertain, for though each step had evidently been considered beforehand, he could not wholly command the impression he produced, and his obsequious smile, intended to convey ease, betrayed instead his eagerness to secure approval which he knew must be earned, and might yet be withheld.
“Your ladyship, I am most deeply sensible of the distinction conferred upon me by this interview, and I should think myself wanting in gratitude, as well as deficient in respect, were I to depart from Rosings without first presenting my acknowledgements for the condescension and attention with which I have been honoured during my stay, and which I shall not soon forget.”
Lady Catherine regarded him without immediate reply, her expression composed, though not encouraging, as if she chose to measure the adequacy of his address before determining whether it merited further notice.
“Mr. Collins, I am informed that you and your relations intend to quit Rosings tomorrow, and I do not suppose that your departure has been resolved upon without sufficient consideration, though I cannot say that your presence has been of a nature to render its continuance particularly necessary,” she said calmly, her tone neither harsh nor indulgent, but marked by that peculiar authority which rendered even indifference a form of judgement.
“I should be most unwilling, your ladyship, to presume upon the indulgence which has already been extended to me, and I would not, for any personal gratification, prolong my stay beyond what might be deemed proper, though I cannot but regret that circumstances require me to relinquish so soon the advantage of your ladyship’s society, from which I have derived instruction of the highest value. ”
“Instruction,” Lady Catherine repeated, with the slightest inclination of her head, “is not always equally received, Mr. Collins, and I have long observed that those who are most eager to acknowledge it are not invariably those who profit by it to the greatest extent, though I do not, at present, choose to determine into which class you may properly be placed.”
Mr. Collins coloured faintly, though whether from mortification or renewed effort was not immediately apparent, and when he spoke again, it was with an increased earnestness which bordered upon anxiety.
“I should be most concerned, your ladyship, to fall short of the expectations which your goodness might reasonably form, and I should esteem it the greatest possible advantage if I might be guided, even in some small degree, by your superior judgement, particularly in those matters which must determine my future establishment.”
Lady Catherine’s attention sharpened perceptibly at this, for though she was not easily flattered, she was never insensible to the opportunity of exercising influence where it might be acknowledged without resistance.
“Your establishment, Mr. Collins, must depend less upon expressions of gratitude than upon the propriety of your conduct, and I cannot but observe that a gentleman in your situation, however respectable in intention, must inevitably labour under certain disadvantages while he remains unmarried, for there are duties which cannot be properly discharged, nor expectations fulfilled, without the assistance of a suitable partner.”
Clearly discomposed, Mr. Collins coughed to steady his voice and compose his thoughts, for he found himself at a loss for an answer suited to the occasion.
After a moment’s hurried reflection, he determined that it would not be prudent to disclose to Lady Catherine the particulars of his recent conversation with Mr. Darcy respecting the living at Kympton.
“The discernment with which your ladyship judges such matters can scarcely be equalled, and I should be most grateful for any direction you might be pleased to afford me, for I have long been sensible that my situation, though not without its advantages, might be considerably improved by an alliance formed with prudence and guided by proper advice.”
Lady Catherine allowed a brief pause to intervene, as though considering not the truth of what had been said, but the degree to which it might be turned to purpose.
“You may depend upon it, Mr. Collins, that marriage, when properly contracted, has the effect of rendering a man more steady, more respectable, and, what is not of less consequence, more deserving of notice, for it supplies that deficiency of consequence which must otherwise be supplied, if at all, by means less certain and less permanent.”
Mr. Collins bowed with increased fervour, emboldened now by what he perceived as encouragement, though not without a degree of agitation which betrayed the hazard of what he was about to disclose.
“I should not, your ladyship, venture to trouble you with such particulars were I not persuaded that your judgement might extend even to the consideration of my present prospects, for I have already directed my attention toward a connexion which I have every reason to believe may prove advantageous, both in regard to my personal comfort and to the advancement of my situation.”
Lady Catherine’s gaze fixed upon him more intently.
“You have formed an attachment, then, Mr. Collins, and I am to understand that you consider it likely to be returned with equal propriety, for I should not wish to encourage an expectation which may not be supported by sufficient grounds.”
“I have every confidence, your ladyship, that my addresses will not be ill received, and I should not have ventured to form such an expectation without a conviction, however modestly entertained, that my proposals would meet with a favourable reception, particularly when supported by the advantages which my situation, under your ladyship’s patronage, may reasonably be thought to confer. ”
“And the lady?” Lady Catherine asked, with an air of composed scrutiny which admitted neither haste nor indulgence.
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet, your ladyship,” Mr. Collins replied, with an assurance which, though assumed, was not entirely steady, “whose understanding, I believe, is equal to the situation I offer, and whose connexion with my present circumstances may render the union not only agreeable, but advantageous in its consequences.”
Lady Catherine was silent for a moment, recalling her impressions of Miss Bennet, and weighing them not in the scale of inclination, but of utility.
“Miss Bennet is not without intelligence, though I have observed in her a degree of independence which, if not properly regulated, may prove less convenient in a married state than you appear to suppose, and you would do well to consider whether such a disposition may be rendered sufficiently compliant to suit your situation.”
“I should rely, your ladyship, upon the influence which a well-ordered household naturally produces, and I cannot doubt that, under proper direction, any tendency toward independence might be moderated into a more suitable form, without diminishing those qualities which first recommended her to my notice.”
“Very well, Mr. Collins,” Lady Catherine said at last, leaning back slightly, though without relinquishing her authority of manner, “if you succeed in securing Miss Bennet’s hand, and if your conduct thereafter corresponds with the expectations you now encourage, I shall not be indisposed to remember you, should any further preferment fall within my disposal, though you must not presume upon this as a certainty, for my favour is not lightly given, nor continued without sufficient cause. ”
“I should consider myself most fortunate, your ladyship, to merit even the possibility of such notice, and I shall endeavour, in every respect, to justify the confidence which you have been pleased to extend, however conditionally, for I am fully sensible that such encouragement, though not assured, is of the highest importance to my future prospects.”
“One word more, Mr. Collins,” Lady Catherine added, as though the matter had not yet been entirely concluded, “if you should think it proper to delay your departure for a single day more, you may attend tomorrow at the parsonage, where certain improvements have lately been undertaken, and where it may be useful for you to observe more particularly the arrangements now in place, as they may bear upon your expectations in ways you have not yet considered in relation to your future establishment.”
“I am deeply obliged by your ladyship’s consideration, and I shall most readily comply with a suggestion which promises not only instruction, but the further advantage of your guidance, which I cannot too highly value in any matter connected with my future.”
“Then you may consider it settled,” Lady Catherine returned, with calm finality, “and you may now withdraw, Mr. Collins, as I have no further occasion to detain you.”
He bowed deeply, his composure sustained only by effort, and withdrew with a mixture of gratitude and unease which he could not entirely reconcile, for though his hopes had been encouraged, they had not been secured, and he felt, even in the moment of apparent advantage, that he had placed himself within a system of expectations from which retreat might prove more difficult than compliance.
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