Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 19

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

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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