Chapter 19A

CHAPTER XIX 

The next day opened a new scene at Longbourn. Mr.Collins made his declaration in form. Having resolved todo it without loss of time, as his leave of absence extendedonly to the following Saturday, and having no feelings of diffidenceto make it distressing to himself even at the moment, he set aboutit in a very orderly manner, with all the observances which hesupposed a regular part of the business. On finding Mrs. Bennet,Elizabeth, and one of the younger girls together, soon afterbreakfast, he addressed the mother in these words,‘May I hope, Madam, for your interest with your fair daughterElizabeth, when I solicit for the honour of a private audience withher in the course of this morning?’Before Elizabeth had time for any thing but a blush of surprise,Mrs. Bennet instantly answered,‘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 Ma’am, do not go.—I beg you will not go.—Mr Collinsmust excuse me.—He can have nothing to say to me that any bodyneed not hear. I am going away myself.’No, no, nonsense, Lizzy.—I desire you will stay where you are.’And upon Elizabeth’s seeming really, with vexed and embarrassedlooks, about to escape, she added, ‘Lizzy, I insist upon your stayingand hearing Mr. Collins.’Elizabeth would not oppose such an injunction—and amoment’s consideration making her also sensible that it would bewisest to get it over as soon and as quietly as possible, she sat downagain, and tried to conceal by incessant employment the feelingswhich were divided between distress and diversion. Mrs Bennetand Kitty walked off, and as soon as they were gone Mr Collinsbegan.‘Believe me, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that your modesty, so farfrom doing you any disservice, rather adds to your otherperfections. You would have been less amiable in my eyes hadthere not been this little unwillingness; but allow me to assure youthat I have your respected mother’s permission for this address.You can hardly doubt the purport of my discourse, however yournatural delicacy may lead you to dissemble; my attentions havebeen too marked to be mistaken. Almost as soon as I entered thehouse I singled you out as the companion of my future life. Butbefore I am run away with by my feelings on this subject, perhapsit will be advisable for me to state my reasons for marrying andmoreover for coming into Hertfordshire with the design ofselecting a wife, as I certainly did.’