A Letter From Mr Collins

The Evening

The evening came and Mary was sitting at her desk, reading in the guest room she was shown to in the afternoon. It was comfortable with a floral green wallpaper garnishing the walls, a soft queen-sized bed, and a wide set of windows, deep enough for a window seat which Mr Collins had displayed his fervour towards, with passion.

Then there was an eager rap at the door.

"Come in." Mary called.

Maria poked her head around the door-frame, her eyebrows arching higher than usual. "Mary, dinner is ready, you've been up here all evening! We wait for you."

"Oh - I'm coming." Mary turned her heavy book shut and stood, walking over to her bedside mirror-stand, she checked her hair was in place. This wasn't a usual affair, however, she had been feeling extra conscious of her appearance ever since the Lucas's cart drew up in the Collins's courtyard.

She made sure her dress was sitting well around her shoulders with haste, and joined Maria in the hallway, pinching her cheeks as they hurried down the staircase.

They made it through to the dining-room, and Mary was happy to see an empty seat next to Mr Collins at the head of the table, opposite from Charlotte.

Mary gave Mr Collins a wider smile than she would usually bestow upon anyone, as she took her seat.

A few conversations through the meal, Mr Collins announced his sheer elation at the thought of dinner tomorrow.

"For we shall be dining at Rosing's! Indeed - we are blessed once more to be guests of The Lady Catherine De Bourgh. Verily, I shall look forward to evermore enriching discussions, which I find, are of critical importance in society! For Her Ladyship does not come short when bestowing us this vital guidance, you shall see, how she captures the very essence of..."

"...And the architectural engineerings of this parsonage are minor in comparison to the ingenious works of Rosing's Park!"

Mr Collins was still heard to be singing about Rosing's Park by the end of the meal, Mary the only person to be listening consciously, or displaying any signs of interest. Then she realised she had a valuable contribution to make.

"Why, Mr Collins... I was reading The Counties Of England, Their Influences And Differences In Architecture only last week, by Hugh Moore. A highly enlightening read I found, however Moore only briefly made mention of Rosings. And I find he provided a truly biased approach towards the French influence and lacked any gratified response towards Lady Catherine's personal benefits." She commented, attempting a mark of offended disbelief.

"Why... is this so?" Mr Collins stumbled, failing any attempt at surreptitiousness. "I say, I should like nothing more than an in depth review of this publication! And I shall do well to involve some personal scrutiny... I thank you for this notification, cousin. Hugh Moore, you say? I shall look into him... certainly so." Mr Collins affirmed solidly.

"Alas, I am through with this author, I shall fail to ever comprehend his distorted opinions." Mary was pleased to see Mr Collins found this new information of high importance, by his raising of eyebrows, the tautening of his features, as his mind was deep in concerned contemplation.

"That reminds me, I have longed a visit to your library, Mr Collins." Mary announced after the plates were taken away. "I have a good mind to survey your best recommendations."