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."

"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