Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 20

Mr. Collins was not left long to the silent contemplation of his successful

love; for Mrs. Bennet, having dawdled about in the vestibule

to watch for the end of the conference, no sooner saw Elizabeth open

the door and with quick step pass her towards the staircase, than she

entered the breakfast-room, and congratulated both him and herself

in warm terms on the happy prospect or their nearer connection. Mr.

Collins received and returned these felicitations with equal pleasure,

and then proceeded to relate the particulars of their interview, with the

result of which he trusted he had every reason to be satisfied, since

the refusal which his cousin had steadfastly given him would naturally

flow from her bashful modesty and the genuine delicacy of her

character.

This information, however, startled Mrs. Bennet; she would have

been glad to be equally satisfied that her daughter had meant to encourage

him by protesting against his proposals, but she dared not believe

it, and could not help saying so.

"But, depend upon it, Mr. Collins," she added, "that Lizzy shall be

brought to reason. I will speak to her about it directly. She is a very

headstrong, foolish girl, and does not know her own interest but I will

make her know it."

"Pardon me for interrupting you, madam," cried Mr. Collins; "but

if she is really headstrong and foolish, I know not whether she would

altogether be a very desirable wife to a man in my situation, who naturally

looks for happiness in the marriage state. If therefore she actually

persists in rejecting my suit, perhaps it were better not to force her into

accepting me, because if liable to such defects of temper, she could not

contribute much to my felicity."

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"Sir, you quite misunderstand me," said Mrs. Bennet, alarmed.

"Lizzy is only headstrong in such matters as these. In everything else

she is as good-natured a girl as ever lived. I will go directly to Mr.

Bennet, and we shall very soon settle it with her, I am sure."

She would not give him time to reply, but hurrying instantly to her

husband, called out as she entered the library, "Oh! Mr. Bennet, you

are wanted immediately; we are all in an uproar. You must come and

make Lizzy marry Mr. Collins, for she vows she will not have him, and

if you do not make haste he will change his mind and not have her."

Mr. Bennet raised his eyes from his book as she entered, and fixed

them on her face with a calm unconcern which was not in the least

altered by her communication.

"I have not the pleasure of understanding you," said he, when she