“But why does he dress like that?” Elizabeth asked. “He looked elegant at the assembly, but it was still not the sort of fit and fabric that a gentleman of wealth would wear.”
Mr. Bennet chuckled. “His valet stayed behind to tend to an invalid mother and Mr. Darcy ended up traveling in disguise, though I suspect he did not realise it at the time. Doubtless he was surprised to discover that he was taken for a man of business here in Meryton, and he has learnt to enjoy it.”
“Enjoy it? But why?” asked Jane.
It was Elizabeth who answered. “Because he is not married, and at present he is happy tonotbe pursued by young ladies. That is it, is it not, Papa?”
“It is, and he has sworn me to secrecy. He does not want it known that he is a landed gentleman of great wealth.”
“So not Mr. Bingley’s man of business at all,” Jane said.
“No, indeed. He is Mr. Bingley’s friend, and came here at Mr. Bingley’s request.”
“Does it not seem rather dishonest, Papa?” Elizabeth asked, her face troubled.
“It is, rather, but it is not hurting anyone, is it?”
“I suppose not.”
“Lizzy, Jane, you cannot share this information with anyone, and it would be best if he did not know that you had learnt the truth of his identity. Lizzy, I believe that he is attracted to you. He would be a fine match for you, but I fear he is destined to marry a young lady of fortune and breeding. Guard your heart, my girl!”
“I understand, Papa.”
Both girls turned and headed for the door, but Mr. Bennet stopped them.
“While you are here, you may as well read this.” He reached into his desk drawer and withdrew the letter from Mr. Collins. “Read it aloud, Lizzy.”
His daughter complied, her voice rising in disbelief as she did so.
Dear Sir,
The disagreement subsisting between yourself and my late honoured father always gave me much uneasiness; and, since I have had the misfortune to lose him, I have frequently wished to heal the breach: but, for some time, I was kept back by my own doubts, fearing lest it might seem disrespectful to his memory for me to be on good terms with anyone with whom it had always pleased him to be at variance.
My mind, however, is now made up on the subject; for, having received ordination at Easter, I have been so fortunate as to be distinguished by the patronage of the Right Honourable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, widow ofSir Lewis de Bourgh, whose bounty and beneficence has preferred me to the valuable rectory of this parish.
As a clergyman, moreover, I feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing of peace in all families within the reach of my influence; and on these grounds I flatter myself that my present overtures of good-will are highly commendable, and that the circumstance of my being next in the entail of Longbourn estate will be kindly overlooked on your side, and not lead you to reject the offered olive branch. I cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the means of injuring your amiable daughters, and beg leave to apologise for it, as well as to assure you of my readiness to make them every possible amends; but of this hereafter.
If you should have no objection to receive me into your house, I propose myself the satisfaction of waiting on you and your family, Monday, November 18th, by four o’clock, and shall probably trespass on your hospitality till the Saturday se’nnight following, which I can do without any inconvenience, as Lady Catherine is far from objecting to my occasional absence on a Sunday, provided that some other clergyman is engaged to do the duty of the day.
I remain, dear sir, with respectful compliments to your lady and daughters, your well-wisher and friend,
William Collins
“It is an odd letter, I think, but he clearly means well,” said Jane, preferring to think the best of this unknown cousin.
“Perhaps he is better in person than this letter would indicate,” Elizabeth said. But then she chuckled and added, “But you and I both doubt it, do we not, Papa?”
“We do, indeed. I should like to think that he will be amusing, but I suspect the amusement will wear off quickly, and then we shall find him quite tiresome.”
“Does Mama know?” Jane asked.
“No, but I suppose I should tell her directly.” With that, Mr. Bennet rose to his feet, took the letter from Elizabeth and went to find Mrs. Bennet, with Jane and Elizabeth trailing behind.
Her reaction was much as he had predicted to Mr. Darcy. She exclaimed over the unfairness of the entail and the vileness of any man who would wish to claim an estate that was not rightfully his. Her husband left the room after listening for all of one minute, but her two eldest daughters remained to comfort her.
“Mama, let us think this through,” Elizabeth said, taking her mother’s hands in her own. “We are being given an opportunity to become known to him; if his opinion of us is favourable, it is more likely that he will be kind to us in the event that – well, in the event that we need his kindness.”
“You mean in the event of your father’s death!” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed.
