PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 22

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THE Bennets were engaged to dine with the Lucases, and again during
  the chief of the day, was Miss Lucas so kind as to listen to Mr. Collins.
  Elizabeth took an opportunity of thanking her. "It keeps him in good
  humour," said she, "and I am more obliged to you than I can express."
  Charlotte assured her friend of her satisfaction in being useful, and
  that it amply repaid her for 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 less 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 almost sure 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 could
  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, every
  thing 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 waved 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
  of matrimony, marriage had always been her object; it was the only honourable
  provision for well-educated young women of small fortune, and however
  uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative
  from 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 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 other 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 on your guard. Risk any thing 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, as well as for every other mark
  of your regard during my stay in Hertfordshire. As for my fair cousins,
  though my absence 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 to find 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 her's, 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.

The possibility of Mr. Collins's fancying himself in love with her
  friend had once occurred to Elizabeth within the last day or two; but
  that Charlotte could encourage him, seemed almost as far from possibility
  as that she could encourage him herself, and her astonishment was consequently
  so great as to overcome at first the bounds of decorum, and she could
  not help crying out,

"Engaged to Mr. Collins! my dear Charlotte, -- impossible!"

The steady countenance which Miss Lucas had commanded in telling her
  story, gave way to a momentary confusion here on receiving so direct
  a reproach; though, as it was no more than she expected, she soon regained
  her composure, and calmly replied,

"Why should you be surprised, my dear Eliza? -- Do you think it incredible
  that Mr. Collins should be able to procure any woman's good opinion,
  because he was not so happy as to succeed with you?"

But Elizabeth had now recollected herself, and making a strong effort
  for it, was able to assure her with tolerable firmness that the prospect
  of their relationship was highly grateful to her, and that she wished
  her all imaginable happiness.

"I see what you are feeling," replied Charlotte, -- "you must be
  surprised, very much surprised, -- so lately as Mr. Collins was wishing
  to marry you. But when you have had time to think it all over, I hope
  you will be satisfied with what I have done. I am not romantic, you
  know. I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr.
  Collins's character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced
  that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast
  on entering the marriage state."

Elizabeth quietly answered "Undoubtedly;" -- and after an awkward
  pause, they returned to the rest of the family. Charlotte did not stay
  much longer, and Elizabeth was then left to reflect on what she had
  heard. It was a long time before she became at all reconciled to the
  idea of so unsuitable a match. The strangeness of Mr. Collins's making
  two offers of marriage within three days, was nothing in comparison
  of his being now accepted. She had always felt that Charlotte's opinion
  of matrimony was not exactly like her own, but she could not have supposed
  it possible that, when called into action, she would have sacrificed
  every better feeling to worldly advantage. Charlotte the wife of Mr.
  Collins, was a most humiliating picture! -- And to the pang of a friend
  disgracing herself and sunk in her esteem, was added the distressing
  conviction that it was impossible for that friend to be tolerably happy
  in the lot she had chosen.

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1. Ebooks list page : 81
2. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 58
3. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 44
4. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 42
5. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 41
6. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 40
7. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 39
8. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 38
9. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 11
10. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 12
11. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 45
12. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 46
13. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 49
14. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 57
15. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 56
16. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 55