The next day opened a new scene at Longbourn. Mr. Collins made his declaration in form. Having resolved to do it without loss of time, as his leave of absence extended only to the following Saturday,and having no feelings of diffidence to make it distressing to himself even at the moment,he set about it in a very orderly manner,with all the observances,which he supposed a regular part of the business.On finding Mrs.Bennet,Elizabeth, and one of the younger girls together, soon after breakfast, he addressed the mother in these words:
“May I hope,madam,for your interest with your fair daughter Elizabeth,when I solicit for the honour of a private audience with her in the course of this morning?”
Before Elizabeth had time for anything but a blush of surprise, Mrs. Bennet answered instantly,“Oh dear! —yes—certainly. I am sure Lizzy will be very happy—I am sure she can have no objection.Come,Kitty,I want you upstairs.”And,gathering her work together,she was hastening away,when Elizabeth called out:
“Dear madam, do not go. I beg you will not go. Mr. Collins must excuse me.He can have nothing to say to me that anybody need not hear.I am going away myself.”
“No, no, nonsense,Lizzy.I desire you to stay where you are.”And upon Elizabeth's seeming really,with vexed and embarrassed looks, about to escape, she added:“Lizzy, I insist upon your staying and hearing Mr.Collins.”
Elizabeth would not oppose such an injunction—and a moment's consideration making her also sensible that it would be wisest to get it over as soon and as quietly as possible,she sat down again and tried to conceal, by incessant employment the feelings which were divided between distress and diversion.Mrs. Bennet and Kitty walked off,and as soon as they were gone,Mr. Collins began.
“Believe me, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that your modesty, so far from doing you any disservice, rather adds to your other perfections.You would have been less amiable in my eyes had there not been this little unwillingness;but allow me to assure you, that I have your respected mother's permission for this address. You can hardly doubt the purport of my discourse,however your natural delicacy may lead you to dissemble; my attentions have been too marked to be mistaken.Almost as soon as I entered the house,I singled you out as the companion of my future life.But before I am run away with by my feelings on this subject,perhaps it would be advisable for me to state my reasons for marrying—and,moreover,for coming into Hertfordshire with the design of selecting a wife,as I certainly did.”
The idea of Mr.Collins,with all his solemn composure,being run away with by his feelings,made Elizabeth so near laughing, that she could not use the short pause he allowed in any attempt to stop him further,and he continued:
