Chapter Sixty-Eight
He is actually quite good,” Elizabeth whispered to Mary.
“Oh, he really is!” Mary whispered back, her hands clasped at her chest.
They were in the second row of the Hunsford church, listening to Mr. Collins preach his Christmas sermon. The first row was, of course, the property of Lady Catherine, her daughter, and Mrs. Jenkinson.
Mr. Collin’s topic was forgiveness, and he explained that this forgiveness of others must be absolute and complete, and the purpose of this was not to release that other person, but to release oneself.
“To hold on to your anger is to leash yourself to that other person; and if that person is as dreadful and horrible as you think, then why would you wish to be leashed to him? No; release the anger, release the hatred, release the resentment, and in so doing, you yourself are released. Begin the coming year with a clean and open heart,” he said.
He then quoted the Bible, saying, “Matthew 6:14-15 says, For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
And he concluded with, “Make a vow within yourself this day, this very day, that you will harbor no ill will towards your neighbour, that you will forgive anyone and everyone who has wronged you, so that you yourself may be forgiven, so that you yourself may be released.”
Mary stood beside her husband as the congregation filed out, Elizabeth a step behind her sister. The congregants shook his hand with a good many “Excellent sermons” and “God bless you, Mr. Collins.” And to each of these, Mr. Collins very proudly introduced his wife and sister-by-marriage.
When everyone had left, they made their way to Rosings Park, as they had been invited to take Christmas luncheon with Lady Catherine.
The pianoforte Lady Catherine had promised to Mary had arrived the day before, and Mary had already polished it three times, and arranged all her music on a small bookcase that she had moved from one of the bedrooms. Mary had brought some Christmas music with her on this day, as she was determined to show her gratitude by providing her ladyship with music at once.
She had asked Elizabeth to sing some of the songs while she played.
“She is doubtless accustomed to hearing far superior performers than myself,” Elizabeth had demurred,
But Mary begged her, and so Elizabeth had finally, with considerable reluctance, agreed.
Lady Catherine was at her most agreeable, applauding Mary and Elizabeth heartily when they performed ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’, ‘The First Noel’, and ‘I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In’.
When it was time to take their leave, Miss de Bourgh approached Elizabeth and asked, “Would tomorrow be a good day to go out in the phaeton? You would be able to see a good deal more of the park.”
“By all means, Miss de Bourgh,” Elizabeth replied, smiling.
“Very good. Mrs. Jenkinson and I shall come for you at two in the afternoon, if that suits.”
“I shall look forward to it,” Elizabeth said.
***
That night, Elizabeth thought a good deal about Mr. Collins’ sermon on forgiveness. She understood quite well that she harboured a good deal of anger toward her father. Was it time to forgive him?
She struggled with it. He had allowed the family fortunes to fall so low that she and Jane were required to sacrifice their own happiness so that the family might be rescued! Was it forgivable?
She fell asleep before she could decide.