Chapter 6 #2
The disagreement subsisting between yourself and my late honored father always gave me much uneasiness; and, since I have had the misfortune to lose him, I have frequently wished to heal the breach, but, for some time, I was kept back by my own doubts, fearing lest it might seem disrespectful to his memory for me to be on good terms with anyone with whom it had always pleased him to be at variance.
My mind, however, is now made up on the subject; for, having received ordination at Easter, I have been so fortunate as to be distinguished by the patronage of the Right Honorable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, widow of Sir Lewis de Bourgh, whose bounty and beneficence has preferred me to the valuable rectory of this parish.
As a clergyman, I feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing of peace in all families within the reach of my influence; and on these grounds I flatter myself that my present overtures of good-will are highly commendable, and that the circumstance of my being next in the entail of Longbourn estate will be kindly overlooked on your side, and not lead you to reject the offered olive branch.
I cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the means of injuring your amiable daughters, and beg leave to apologize for it, as well as to assure you of my readiness to make them every possible amends; but of this hereafter.
If you should have no objection to receive me into your house, I propose myself the satisfaction of waiting on you and your family, Monday, November 18th, by four o’clock, and shall probably trespass on your hospitality till the Saturday se’nnight following, which I can do without any inconvenience, as Lady Catherine is far from objecting to my occasional absence on a Sunday, provided that some other clergyman is engaged to do the duty of the day.
I remain, dear sir, with respectful compliments to your lady and daughters, your well-wisher and friend,
William Collins
Elizabeth wrinkled her nose, blew out a breath, and set the letter aside.
Mr. Collins was, of course, the distant cousin who would inherit Longbourn when her father died.
It was obvious that he knew nothing at all of the Bennet family’s circumstances, given that he did not know that Sir Thomas had been knighted.
She lifted the letter to quickly scan it again and sighed. Mr. Collins sounded like a silly man, with his nattering on about his patroness, not to mention his apology for being the heir of the estate. It was not as though he would give up the estate if offered the opportunity, after all!
With her father at Emerald Island, it was not the appropriate time for Mr. Collins to visit since Longbourn was full of ladies without a male protector.
She picked up her pen to write a quick note explaining the situation and then lowered the pen with a grimace.
Mr. Collins would likely not take kindly to a message from a young lady.
Mr. Phillips was always willing to assist by writing letters on her behalf, and she would have to ask him to communicate with Mr. Collins in the next few days.
She finally turned her attention to Mary’s letter and spread it open.
Dear Elizabeth,
The comet is incredibly bright at the moment, and Father and I have been spending time every night gazing at it.
I regret that you were unable to see it in all its glory since you left the island when the moon was full.
There is still a telescope at Longbourn, you know, on that platform in the back field, though I do not know if the platform is still stable.
But you really ought to take the opportunity to look at it, dear sister, though of course you will wish to do so on a night when the moon is close to new.
I know it is absurd, but I genuinely despise the moon sometimes. Must it be so bright? I am teasing, certainly. I know the moon is important for tides among other things. At any rate, the last few days have been wonderful with clear skies and very little moon.
I am not certain what else to say. We are up most of the night and sleep during the day. When we are not looking at the comet, we are searching for double stars and nebulae, as usual.
I am most grateful for the additional maid you hired a few months ago, as she is helping keep the house in order.
Oh, Father received a letter from W. Herschel, which pleased him greatly.
I am tired and must sleep.
With much love,
Mary
Elizabeth read it a second time, smiling fondly, and then carefully folded it to show to the rest of the family.
Mary was a softened, feminine version of Sir Thomas, with a passion for the skies that far outweighed the usual interests of ladies.
Mary did at least write to her family regularly, while Sir Thomas largely confined his correspondence to fellow astronomers and scientists.
Her father was undoubtedly delighted at the letter from William Herschel, an older, famous astronomer who had discovered the planet Uranus.
She wondered briefly if there were more planets out there, beyond Uranus. Her father would think his life complete if he found another great giant in the distance reaches of the sky…
She shook her head to clear it and stood up. She did not resent her father’s and sister’s passion for astronomy, but she could not indulge in such a passion, not with two estates to manage.