傲慢與偏見7 An Engagement for a Young Lady
CHAPTER SEVEN
An Engagement for a Young Lady
Together with all the problems and troubles, itseemed that Mr. Collins's offer was no longer good,either. In a short talk with Mrs. Bennet, he told herthat he had decided to "end his feelings of favor towardher daughter. " He added that he had sadly come to thedecision that Elizabeth would not make a good wife forhim. He started to give his attentions to CharlotteLucas. Her nice manners in listening to his complaintswere a relief for them all.
Elizabeth had hoped that her refusal would makehim leave sooner than planned , but he had asked to staya fortnight, and a fortnight he would stay.
On the following day, the Bennets dined with theLucases. Once again. Charlotte was very kind and gavemost of her time to Mr. Collins.
This was most friendly, but Charlotte's kindnesswas for another reason that Elizabeth had not yetguessed. Charlotte's purpose was to move Mr. Collins'sattentions away from Elizabeth and then have them forherself. This was Miss Lucas's plan. Things continuedso smoothly between them that she felt almost sure ofsuccess. One morning. before Mr. Collins was to leavefor Hertfordshire. Miss Lucas saw him from an upperwindow as he walked towards the house. Sheimmediately left to meet him, as if accidentally, in thelane .
Soon, despite Mr. Collins's long way of speaking,everything was settled between them. Sir William andLady Lucas, the parents of Charlotte. joyfully gavetheir permission. They thought it a very lucky matchfor their daughter, as they had little fortune to giveher. But Charlotte was worried that it would bringunhappiness to Elizabeth Bennet. She valued theirfriendship beyond that of any other person.
After Mr. Collins returned, he made ready toleave the Bennet house. Because he was beginning hisjourney early the next morning, he said goodbye to theladies that night. Mrs. Bennet told him they would behappy to see him at Longbourn again.
"My dear madam," he replied, "I have beenhoping for this invitation. You may be quite certainthat I shall take this opportunity as soon as possible. "
The ladies were all very surprised that he wouldeven be thinking about a quick return. On the followingmorning, however, his reason became quite clear.Charlotte Lucas called, and in a private talk withElizabeth, told her about the event of the day before.
Elizabeth's surprise was very great. She could nothelp crying out, "Dear Charlotte, it's impossible! "
Charlotte was a little hurt at this. but calmly said,"Why are you so surprised? Do you think it impossiblethat Mr. Collins succeed with me, because he failedwith you?"
"No, I did not mean that at all," said Elizabethquickly. "My dear, I am so very happy that you will bemy cousin after you marry! I wish you all the happinessin the world. "
"You know that I am not romantic in manner, "replied Charlotte. "I only want a comfortable home,and I am sure that my chance of happiness with him isfair in this way. I'm sure it is the same chance as mostpeople can say when they decide to get married! "
Elizabeth quietly answered, "Undoubtedly. "
Later in the day, Sir William Lucas, Charlotte'sfather appeared. He had come to announce hisdaughter's future marriage to the Bennets. Mrs.Bennet replied that he must be mistaken. Lydia, whosecharacter often made her speak too much, loudly said,"Good Lord! How can you say such a thing, SirWilliam? Don't you know that Mr. Collins wants tomarry Elizabeth?"
Sir William had good manners, so he only smiledpolitely.
Then Elizabeth told them that she had earlierspoken to Charlotte about the matter. Her mother andyounger sisters were rudely asking questions, butElizabeth started to loudly congratulate Sir William.Jane readily joined her and offered her congratulations ,too .
When Sir William left, Mrs. Bennet let out hertrue feelings. She believed the Lucases had tricked Mr.Collins away from Elizabeth, It was a month before shewould speak to Sir William or Lady Lucas withoutbeing rude, and many months before she decided toforgive their daughter.
Lady Lucas was full of happiness to have herdaughter so well married. She often called atLongbourn to say how happy she was. though Mrs.Bennet's mean looks were strong enough to drive anyhappiness away.
Mr. Collins wrote to them about his good fortune.He then added his decision to return to Longbourn onMonday in two weeks, so as to enjoy Miss Lucas'scompany. Lady Catherine, he said, truly approved ofhis marriage and she wished it to take place as soon aspossible.
Meanwhile, there was no further news from Mr.Bingley. Jane had replied to Caroline's letter, and shewas counting the days to hear some news again.
Elizabeth began to worry that Mr. Bingley's twouncaring sisters and Mr. Darcy were keeping Mr.Bingley from Jane. She also worried that theamusements and entertainment of London would be toomuch for the strength of Bingley's attachment to Jane.In the meantime, Mrs. Bennet never stopped speakingabout Mr. Bingley and how impatient she was for hisreturn. She even managed to convince Jane that shehad been badly treated by him.
Mr. Collins returned to Longbourn, which alsobothered Mrs. Bennet. She was not quite as polite orpositive as she had been on his first visit. However, hewas often calling on Charlotte, which relieved theBennets of dealing with his company.
Mrs. Bennet was really in a most horrible and sadstate. Even speaking about the future wedding put herinto a bad mood. The sight of Miss Lucas was too muchfor her. She came to believe that Mr. Collins andCharlotte were planning to make her and her daughtersleave the house immediately after Mr. Bennet's death.
Finally a letter from Miss Bingley arrived. Thebeginning part stated their decision to stay in Londonfor the winter. The ending expressed her brother'ssadness at not being able to say goodbye to his friendsbefore he left. Miss Bingley also stated that Mr.Bingley had not much free time. He had beenintroduced to Mr. Darcy's fine-looking younger sister,Georgiana, and had been so attracted to her that hecould think of nothing else.
This made Elizabeth very angry. She knew thatBingley was fond of Jane, but she also knew that hewas under the control of his wicked friend Mr. Darcy.She began to think that Mr. Bingley had a very weakcharacter. Elizabeth blamed Darcy for taking Bingleyaway from Jane. She knew that Mr. Darcy hated herfamily, and thought that he was "rescuing" his friend.
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