Trials and Tribulations by Lynn Myers

Author:Lynn Myers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lynnette Williams
Published: 2021-04-21T09:15:57+00:00

Mr Bennet’s return from Cresswell without Elizabeth caused his wife to collapse in a fit of hysterics and she had to be carried upstairs where she declared she would stay until he saw sense, sent for his daughter, and ordered her to marry Mr Collins.

‘Well, madam,’ he said, ‘you had best be prepared for a long sojourn above stairs, for on this matter, I will not budge. Lizzy shall not marry Mr Collins, and as he has said he will have no other of my daughters, I declare myself to be a contented father for he does not deserve them, any of them – not even Lydia. Although I must say, the thought of Lydia as the wife of a pompous and obsequious clergyman who is in thrall to his patroness, is so diverting I could perhaps countenance it for the sport that would ensue.’

This pronouncement sent Mrs Bennet into such a fit of hysterics her husband regretted teasing her and he fled to the sanctuary of his library.

When Mr Collins was informed of Elizabeth’s journey to London with her friend Miss Beauchamp, he was so insulted he took himself off to Lucas Lodge, promptly proposed to Charlotte Lucas and was accepted with alacrity. Sir William’s permission was sought and granted, Lady Lucas was informed, and Mr Collins hurried back to Longbourn to tell his hosts of his good fortune, and to inform them he would be returning to Kent the following day in order to tell Lady Catherine the good news in person. He was in such high spirits he seemed to have forgotten how insulted he had been when he was told Elizabeth had gone to London, and even Mrs Bennet’s poorly concealed ill-temper was unable to diminish his aura of smug complacency.

In the morning, when he was due to depart, the lady sent down a message saying she was too unwell to leave her bed, and her husband and daughters were left to suffer the vicar’s lengthy extolments on the excellent character of his intended, and how pleased he expected his noble patroness to be with his choice of a bride.

With Mr Collins departed, and with him the hourly reminder of her failure to secure him as a husband for one of her girls, Mrs Bennet slowly began to take some interest in the running of the household, and in hearing about Nathaniel and Cresswell. As Mr Bennet had anticipated, the information he had to impart about Miss Beauchamp’s handsome, rich young uncle sent his wife off into another paroxysm of matchmaking.

‘How rich did you say he was, Mr Bennet?’

‘I did not say, madam. I have no idea except he owns a great estate in Boston, a fine estate in Derbyshire, and has money enough to lease a large town house in Queen’s Square. Why do you ask?’

‘Oh, do not vex me, Mr Bennet. You know perfectly well why I ask. I am thinking he could be a good match for Lizzy. Or Jane, if Mr Bingley does not propose, or Lydia.

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