Chapter Thirty-Five
The following day, after breakfast, Mr. Collins followed Mr. Bennet into his study and began to apologise. “Yor are quite right, Mr. Bennet; I should have shown more interest in the estate. I do know that there is considerable effort involved.”
“Do you, indeed?” Mr. Bennet replied. “And how do you plan to prepare yourself for this role?”
“Of course, I shall depend on Lady Catherine’s advice a good deal,” Mr. Collins replied. “She manages an estate many times larger than this one, and she knows what she is about!”
“She decides what will be planted and when?” Mr. Bennet enquired.
“Well, no, there is a steward for that.”
“Mr. Collins, there is no steward at Longbourn.”
“Well, then, I would hire one at once,” he declared.
“You do not understand, sir; there is no steward because the estate cannot afford one.”
“Cannot afford one? But why not?”
“Because not all estates are the same size. Your Rosings Park, for example; do you know how many acres it is?”
“I believe it to be some six hundred acres.”
“And Longbourn is only about one hundred and fifty acres. Do you see?”
“I do; nonetheless, Mr. Bennet, I confess that I wonder about your priorities.”
“My priorities?”
“Indeed; not only have you no steward, but the parlour has evidently not been updated for many years, and my own room is rather shabby. The house is in great need of an entire refurbishment.”
Mr. Bennet stared at his cousin. “And so you would spend your money on such things?”
“I would indeed, for Lady Catherine insists that it is the duty of the upper classes to set the example for those below us.”
“And you think you are of the upper classes, do you?”
“If I am to be an estate owner, then certainly. And everything must be in the finest taste and the newest fashion. Lady Catherine is always very clear on this subject.”
Mr. Bennet shook his head. “Mr. Collins, there is a good deal more –“
But Mr. Collins was not done. “And do not think that I did not understand the hint you gave me last evening, for I am sensitive to such undercurrents of conversation!”
“Hint?” Mr. Bennet was baffled.
“Yes; when you spoke of sewing and the stillroom and the like. Of course, the right thing to do is for me to marry your eldest daughter, and she shall manage those tasks.”
Mr. Bennet rose and shook his head at his cousin. “You shall not marry any of my daughters, Mr. Collins.”
“I assure you that this has been my intention –“
“Yes; I read the letter and hoped for the best, but then I met you and my hopes were dashed. None of my daughters will marry you.”
“Are you saying that –“
“I am saying that you are not good enough for any of my girls, sir, and that is the end of it. Please leave me in peace now, so that I might meditate on the ill fortune that has made you my heir.”