the little sacrifice of her time. This was very amiable, but Charlotte's kindness extended farther
than Elizabeth had any conception of; its object was nothing else than to secure her from any
return of Mr. Collins's addresses, by engaging them towards herself. Such was Miss Lucas's
scheme; and appearances were so favourable, that when they parted at night, she would have felt
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almost secure of success if he had not been to leave Hertfordshire so very soon. But here she did
injustice to the fire and independence of his character, for it led him to escape out of Longbourn
House the next morning with admirable slyness, and hasten to Lucas Lodge to throw himself at
her feet. He was anxious to avoid the notice of his cousins, from a conviction that if they saw
him depart, they could not fail to conjecture his design, and he was not willing to have the
attempt known till its success might be known likewise; for though feeling almost secure, and
with reason, for Charlotte had been tolerably encouraging, he was comparatively diffident since
the adventure of Wednesday. His reception, however, was of the most flattering kind. Miss
Lucas perceived him from an upper window as he walked towards the house, and instantly set
out to meet him accidentally in the lane. But little had she dared to hope that so much love and
eloquence awaited her there.
In as short a time as Mr. Collins's long speeches would allow, everything was settled between
them to the satisfaction of both; and as they entered the house he earnestly entreated her to name
the day that was to make him the happiest of men; and though such a solicitation must be waived
for the present, the lady felt no inclination to trifle with his happiness. The stupidity with which
he was favoured by nature must guard his courtship from any charm that could make a woman
wish for its continuance; and Miss Lucas, who accepted him solely from the pure and
disinterested desire of an establishment, cared not how soon that establishment were gained.
Sir William and Lady Lucas were speedily applied to for their consent; and it was bestowed with
a most joyful alacrity. Mr. Collins's present circumstances made it a most eligible match for their
daughter, to whom they could give little fortune; and his prospects of future wealth were
exceedingly fair. Lady Lucas began directly to calculate, with more interest than the matter had
ever excited before, how many years longer Mr. Bennet was likely to live; and Sir William gave
it as his decided opinion, that whenever Mr. Collins should be in possession of the Longbourn
estate, it would be highly expedient that both he and his wife should make their appearance at St.
James's. The whole family, in short, were properly overjoyed on the occasion. The younger girls
formed hopes of COMING OUT a year or two sooner than they might otherwise have done; and
the boys were relieved from their apprehension of Charlotte's dying an old maid. Charlotte
herself was tolerably composed. She had gained her point, and had time to consider of it. Her
reflections were in general satisfactory. Mr. Collins, to be sure, was neither sensible nor
agreeable; his society was irksome, and his attachment to her must be imaginary. But still he
would be her husband. Without thinking highly either of men or matrimony, marriage had
always been her object; it was the only provision for well-educated young women of small
fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from
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want. This preservative she had now obtained; and at the age of twenty-seven, without having
ever been handsome, she felt all the good luck of it. The least agreeable circumstance in the
business was the surprise it must occasion to Elizabeth Bennet, whose friendship she valued
beyond that of any other person. Elizabeth would wonder, and probably would blame her; and
though her resolution was not to be shaken, her feelings must be hurt by such a disapprobation.
She resolved to give her the information herself, and therefore charged Mr. Collins, when he
returned to Longbourn to dinner, to drop no hint of what had passed before any of the family. A
promise of secrecy was of course very dutifully given, but it could not be kept without difficulty;
for the curiosity excited by his long absence burst forth in such very direct questions on his
return as required some ingenuity to evade, and he was at the same time exercising great self-
denial, for he was longing to publish his prosperous love.
As he was to begin his journey too early on the morrow to see any of the family, the ceremony of
leave-taking was performed when the ladies moved for the night; and Mrs. Bennet, with great
politeness and cordiality, said how happy they should be to see him at Longbourn again,
whenever his engagements might allow him to visit them.
"My dear madam," he replied, "this invitation is particularly gratifying, because it is what I have
been hoping to receive; and you may be very certain that I shall avail myself of it as soon as
possible."
They were all astonished; and Mr. Bennet, who could by no means wish for so speedy a return,
immediately said:
"But is there not danger of Lady Catherine's disapprobation here, my good sir? You had better
neglect your relations than run the risk of offending your patroness."
"My dear sir," replied Mr. Collins," I am particularly obliged to you for this friendly caution, and
you may depend upon my not taking so material a step without her ladyship's concurrence."
"You cannot be too much upon your guard. Risk anything rather than her displeasure; and if you
find it likely to be raised by your coming to us again, which I should think exceedingly probable,
stay quietly at home, and be satisfied that WE shall take no offence."
"Believe me, my dear sir, my gratitude is warmly excited by such affectionate attention; and
depend upon it, you will speedily receive from me a letter of thanks for this, and for every other
mark of your regard during my stay in Hertfordshire. As for my fair cousins, though my absence
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may not be long enough to render it necessary, I shall now take the liberty of wishing them
health and happiness, not excepting my cousin Elizabeth."
With proper civilities the ladies then withdrew; all of them equally surprised that he meditated a
quick return. Mrs. Bennet wished to understand by it that he thought of paying his addresses to
one of her younger girls, and Mary might have been prevailed on to accept him. She rated his
abilities much higher than any of the others; there was a solidity in his reflections which often
struck her, and though by no means so clever as herself, she thought that if encouraged to read
and improve himself by such an example as hers, he might become a very agreeable companion.
But on the following morning, every hope of this kind was done away. Miss Lucas called soon
after breakfast, and in a private conference with Elizabeth related the event of the day before.