Chapter 8
The day passed quickly and allowed Elizabeth no time to speak to her father.
Strangely, however, she noticed her mother talking to her more and somehow differently from usual, but she ignored the feeling.
It was always difficult to guess Mrs. Bennet’s intentions when her manners changed so unexpectedly.
In the afternoon, punctual to his time, Mr. Collins arrived and was received with great politeness by the whole family.
He bowed excessively, complimented the ladies several times and repeatedly informed Mr. Bennet how happy he was to finally meet them.
The ladies talked and asked quite a number of questions and Mr. Collins seemed neither in need of encouragement, nor inclined to be silent himself.
Tall and heavy-looking, with a grave and stately air, Mr. Collins appeared to be around five and twenty with formal manners and mode of address. Soon after he sat he started to speak of his cousins’ beauty and their chances of marrying very well and very soon.
So passed more than a full hour. During that time, Mrs. Bennet accepted the praises readily on behalf of her daughters, who were more amused than pleased by such endless flattery.
“You are very kind, sir, I am sure; and I hope with all my heart that you are right. Otherwise, their future will surely be dark and sad, since things are settled so oddly.”
“You allude, perhaps, to the entail of this estate,” Mr. Collins admitted.
“I do indeed. You must agree that it is a grievous affair to my poor girls, although I know this is not your fault.”
“Madam, I assure you that I am very sensible of the hardship to my fair cousins, and I confess I come prepared to admire them. I will not say more at present, but perhaps when we are better acquainted…”
“Mr. Collins, perhaps you wish to rest and change before dinner,” Mr. Bennet interrupted him.
“Oh, yes; I would like that, thank you,” Mr. Collins replied.
Mrs. Bennet added with joyful pride, “We have two other gentlemen of great consequence who will join us. One of them is the master of Netherfield–a large estate only three miles away. The other is his friend, a very rich gentleman from Derbyshire.”
Mr. Collins seemed rather displeased with the prospect of such competitors.
He nodded and was shown to his chamber, while the ladies remained to discuss their first impression.
However, he returned soon and resumed his conversation with his fair cousins and their mother.
Mr. Bennet chose to remain in his room until dinner time.
The ladies were not the only objects of Mr. Collins's admiration.
The hall, the dining-room, the furniture were all examined and praised.
His commendation of everything would have touched Mrs. Bennet's heart, if she were not mortified by the supposition that he looked at everything as his own future property.
Mr. Collins asked Mrs. Bennet if she would be so kind as to show him the house and she reluctantly accepted. However, it became clear that Mr. Collins had a hidden agenda.
“My dear Mrs. Bennet, allow me to trust you enough to dare confess my hidden, yet strong desire. I have come here with the intention of making amends to the painful situation of my cousins by choosing one of them as my wife. My noble patroness–whom I forgot to mention earlier–Lady Catherine de Bourgh, advised me to do so.”
Mrs. Bennet was astonished, but thrilled.
“My dear Mr. Collins, I cannot tell you how happy I am to hear such a thoughtful plan! Please let me know how I may assist you and be sure you can trust me completely.”
“You are too kind and too generous with me. I confess that, from the first moment I saw her, I was charmed by the beauty of your eldest daughter. And, considering her seniority, I need not a moment longer to declare she would be my choice for a happy marriage.”
“Mr. Collins, I easily understand your decision. Jane is always admired, wherever she goes. But we expect a proposal for her soon. She will likely become engaged to marry before Christmas.”
“Oh, will she? How unfortunate for me.” Mr. Collins uttered.
“As for my younger daughters, I do not know of any obstacles in your way,” Mrs. Bennet concluded.
She did consider–very briefly–a possible inclination of Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth, but that seemed such a distant and unlikely goal that she preferred the more reasonable prospect of marriage to the man who would inherit Longbourn.
Nevertheless, Mrs. Bennet had little hope that Elizabeth’s wild nature qualified her as a clergyman’s wife.
Her main purpose was to encourage Mr. Collins to admire her daughter and maybe keep Longbourn in the family forever.
For another hour, Mr. Collins enjoyed the enchanting company of his pretty cousins, scrutinising them carefully. None of them returned his pleasure, but all behaved most properly, under Mrs. Bennet’s close supervision.
As time passed, Elizabeth found herself eager and nervous about Darcy’s arrival.
To conceal her excitement, she talked and smiled with their new guest more than she enjoyed doing so.
She found him ridiculous in his solemnity, with much knowledge as a result of his extensive reading, but little understanding and even less wit.
Still, talking to him was an easy way to employ her time so she kept engaging him in various discussions.
When Bingley and Darcy entered, Elizabeth was still speaking to Mr. Collins. She did not look towards the door but she sensed his presence and a chill ran down her spine. She smiled – at Mr. Collins, as she did not dare to smile at Darcy.
Distressed by her own reaction, she finally greeted the two gentlemen and was delighted to see Darcy’s face lit by a little, yet bright smile. If she was not mistaken, he appeared as pleased to see her as she was to see him.
The introductions were performed and Mr. Collins bowed to Mr. Bingley, then, at hearing his name, he stood stunned in front of Darcy.
Darcy watched with astonishment as Mr. Collins’s face changed colour, then the man bowed low.
“Mr. Darcy, this is indeed a blessed moment! I cannot believe that I have been so fortunate as to meet you precisely in the house that will be mine one day. What an extraordinary coincidence!”
Darcy took a step back and glanced at Elizabeth, whose smile was shadowed by embarrassment. Next to her, Mr. Bennet appeared to be exceedingly diverted.
“Have we met before, sir?” Darcy eventually uttered to the man who was still bent low.
“Not yet, Mr. Darcy. I am Mr. Collins!”
“And may I ask how you know me, Mr. Collins?”
“I am the recipient of Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s generous protection, at the parish of Hunsford! My humble abode is located at the edge of Rosings Park.”
“I see…I am pleased to meet you, Mr. Collins,” Darcy replied politely, hoping to be able to step forward. But Mr. Collins still had much to say.
“Sir, I am in the fortunate position to inform you that her ladyship was in perfect health two days ago. And so was Miss de Bourgh.”
“I am glad to hear that,” Darcy continued. “I keep up a regular correspondence with my aunt, so I am rather familiar with her state of health. But more good news is never harmful,” he offered.
“Well, we will have plenty of time for more conversation. Dinner is waiting,” Mr. Bennet said, as he ushered them into the dining room.
“Indeed, I hope you will enjoy the meal, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Bennet said. “I imagine you are accustomed to exquisite dishes, but I trust our meal will live up to your expectations.”
Darcy nodded. “Mrs. Bennet, I look forward to enjoying this dinner and I have not the smallest doubt that it will be one of the finest.”
Bingley had already offered Jane his arm and they walked together into the room. Mr. Collins moved to Elizabeth’s side and touched her arm, which she withdrew hastily, glaring at him in surprise. He responded with a wide, greasy smile and a lowering of his head.
Darcy remained behind the others, waiting for everyone to take their seats at the table.
He had mused for quite some time over his discussion with Mr. Bennet and was still not certain what to make of it.
At first, he was pained by several words that had harmed his vanity and pride.
But on closer and more careful inspection, he realised Mr. Bennet’s meaning could have been quite the opposite.
He sensed–but was still doubtful–that Mr. Bennet had encouraged him to attempt to pursue Elizabeth.
He had even hinted a couple of times that Elizabeth’s opinion of him had improved.
Could it be possible that Mr. Bennet guessed his true feelings for Elizabeth?
They had barely spoken at all apart from that day; could it be true, that despite his apparent indifference and mockery, Mr. Bennet was actually a good judge of character?
And his open admission regarding the desired marriage between Bingley and Jane was proof of his honesty and principles.
But who was this man who had unexpectedly appeared at Longbourn and seemed keen to insinuate himself around Elizabeth?
She was obviously embarrassed and annoyed by his attentions but he did not cease them; quite the contrary, even at the dinner table he took a chair near her.
Longbourn was entailed upon him–but that surely did not give him the right to be so annoying and bother the family.
“Mr. Darcy, will you sit near me?” Mr. Bennet asked.
“Gladly, sir,” Darcy accepted. Bingley was on the other side, between Mrs. Bennet and Jane.
“This is not a formal dinner, so each may choose their place,” Mrs. Bennet explained. “I hope you are comfortable there, Mr. Darcy.”