Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 19

The next day opened a new scene at Longbourn. Mr. Collins

made his declaration in form. Having resolved to do it without

loss of time, as his leave of absence extended only to the

following Saturday, and 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 a regular part of the business. On finding Mrs.

Bennet, Elizabeth, and one of the younger girls together, soon

after breakfast, he addressed the mother in these words:

"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?"

Before Elizabeth had time for anything but a blush of surprise,

Mrs. Bennet answered instantly, "Oh dear!--yes--certainly. I

am sure Lizzy will be very happy--I am sure she can have no

objection. Come, Kitty, I want you upstairs." And, gathering

her work together, she was hastening away, when Elizabeth

called out:

"Dear madam, do not go. I beg you will not go. Mr. Collins

must excuse me. He can have nothing to say to me that anybody

need not hear. I am going away myself."

"No, no, nonsense, Lizzy. I desire you to stay where you are."

And upon Elizabeth's seeming really, with vexed and embarrassed

looks, about to escape, she added: "Lizzy, I _insist_ upon your

staying and hearing Mr. Collins."

Elizabeth would not oppose such an injunction--and a moment's

consideration making her also sensible that it would be wisest to

get it over as soon and as quietly as possible, she sat down again

and tried to conceal, by incessant employment the feelings which

were divided between distress and diversion. Mrs. Bennet and Kitty

walked off, and as soon as they were gone, Mr. Collins began.

"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 eyes had

there _not_ been this little unwillingness; but allow me to assure

you, that I have your respected mother's permission for this

address. You can hardly doubt the purport of my discourse,

however your natural delicacy may lead you to dissemble; my

attentions have been too marked to be mistaken. Almost as soon

as I entered the house, I singled you out as the companion of

my future life. But before I am run away with by my feelings on

this subject, perhaps it would be advisable for me to state my