Respect and Respectability: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (Pride and Prejudice Variations) by Clarissa Joy Thomas

Author:Clarissa Joy Thomas [Thomas, Clarissa Joy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-08-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

The following morning, Mr. Collins resolved that he must propose to Elizabeth forthwith, as his leave of absence extended only to the following Saturday. 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 requisite for the ritual.

Upon finding all the ladies of the house congregated soon after breakfast, he turned to Mrs. Bennet. “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?”

“Kitty, Jane, please go to the music room and begin your practice,” Mrs. Bennet ordered her other daughters. They left without hesitation, eager to avoid the impending scene.

Elizabeth turned pleading eyes on her stepmother. “Dear madam, I implore you not to go. Mr. Collins must excuse me. He can have nothing to say to me that anybody need not hear. I am going away myself.”

“You do not desire, then, to hear Mr. Collins’s offer of marriage, for I infer that is his intent?”

“Believe me, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that your modesty, so far from doing you any disservice, rather adds to your other perfections. You would have been less amiable in my estimation had there not been this slight unwillingness...” her suitor began.

Mrs. Bennet quickly silenced him, her gaze unwavering as she said, “I would know Elizabeth’s wishes, Mr. Collins. Do be silent.”

“Stepmother, I have no wish to hear Mr. Collins’s proposal. I do not believe we would suit at all,” was Elizabeth’s resolute response.

“Very well.” Mrs. Bennet then addressed Mr. Collins, “Elizabeth declines to hear your proposal and thus, you have your answer.”

Mr. Collins smiled obsequiously and gave a small bow, first to Mrs. Bennet and then Elizabeth. “I am not now to learn that it is usual with young ladies to reject the addresses of the man whom they secretly mean to accept, when he first applies for their favour, and Sometimes the refusal is repeated a second, or even a third time. I am therefore, by no means, discouraged by what you have just said, and shall hope to lead you to the altar ere long.”

“Upon my word, sir,” Elizabeth exclaimed, “your hope is extraordinary given my refusal even to hear your proposal. I assure you, I am not one of those young ladies, if they exist, who would risk their happiness on the chance of being asked a second time. My refusal is sincere. You could never make me happy, and I am convinced I am the last woman who could make you so. Were your patron Lady Catherine to know me, I am persuaded she would find me in every respect ill qualified for the situation.”

“Were it certain that Lady Catherine would think so,” Mr. Collins replied solemnly, “but I cannot imagine her ladyship would disapprove of you. Rest assured, when I next see her, I shall extol your modesty, frugality, and every other pleasing qualification.

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