“No, nor could I. In truth, I believed you to be quite brave for being willing to do so much to keep Longbourn in the family.”
“I was not being brave, Jane, nor was I thinking of Longbourn. I was hoping to take what might well be the only chance I have for a home and family of my own.” Mary raised her face and turned her head to look at Jane.
“There is nothing wrong with that,” Elizabeth cried at once. “No one could fault you for it!”
Mary went on. “And when he arrived, and was so – well, bumbling and awkward, I was glad, for I knew that no one else would want him.”
“That is also very reasonable,” Jane assured her. “I would not have wanted him in any case, being engaged, but you are right that had he presented a more attractive person and demeanor, you might have had Lizzy and Kitty as rivals.”
“No one would pick me over either of them – no, do not protest – so I felt truly blessed.”
“Will he propose, do you think?” Elizabeth asked.
“I think he will,” Mary said, slowly. “And you do not think me wrong, either of you, for accepting a man so very unappealing?
“I will think you wrong only if you do not like him, Mary,” Elizabeth said. “You have described him as bumbling, awkward, and unattractive. As long as you do not mind these traits, your sisters can have no complaint.”
“I do not mind, truly,” Mary said. “If anything, I value them. I need never think that he is off with another woman, nor need I ever believe that he married me from pity.”
“That is true, Mary,” Jane agreed. “And just think – someday you will be mistress of Longbourn. That is worth a great deal, and many women have married for far less cause.”
Mary sighed deeply. “I thank you both; my mind is much relieved.”
“That leaves us with only one question,” Elizabeth said, beginning to laugh. “Which is this – who will stand up with you when you are wed?”
Chapter Twenty-Six
The next day saw Mr. Collins begging for private time with Mary, saying to his hostess, “May I hope, madam, for your interest with your fair daughter Mary, when I solicit for the honour of a private audience with her in the course of this morning?”
Mrs. Bennet’s face lit up like a candle as she replied, “Yes, certainly. I am sure Mary will be very happy. Come, everyone, let us leave Mr. Collins and Mary together.”
Mary made no protest as her mother and sisters left the room, Kitty and Lydia laughing at her and Elizabeth and Jane sending her loving glances.
Once they were alone, Mr. Collins wasted no time. “My dear cousin Mary, you can hardly doubt the purport of my discourse; my attentions have been too marked to be mistaken. Almost as soon as I entered the house I singled you out as the companionof my future life. I shall begin by stating my reasons for marrying.”
He paused, and Mary took the opportunity to sit. She knew it was likely to be a rather lengthy proposal, and she thought she may as well be comfortable. Mr. Collins did not sit, however, but paced about the room as he spoke.
“First, I think it a right thing for every clergyman in easy circumstances, like myself, to set the example of matrimony in his parish; secondly, that I am convinced it will add very greatly to my happiness; and, thirdly, which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, that it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honour of calling patroness.”
He paused for breath, and Mary quickly said, “These are excellent reasons, Mr. Collins.”
“Indeed, Lady Catherine has condescended to give me her opinion on this subject; and it was the very Saturday night before I left Hunsford, that she said, ‘Mr. Collins, you must marry. A clergyman like you must marry. Choose properly, choose a gentlewoman formysake, and for yourown; let her be an active, useful sort of person, not brought up high, but able to make a small income go a good way. This is my advice. Find such a woman as soon as you can, bring her to Hunsford, andI will visit her.’”
He stopped again, clearly overwhelmed by such attention paid him by his patroness, giving Mary the opportunity to say, “It would appear that the notice and kindness of Lady Catherine de Bourgh is one of the many advantages your wife would enjoy.”
“Indeed, indeed, which is just what I was about to observe, Miss Mary! You will find her manners beyond anything I can describe; and your many admirable qualities must be acceptableto her, especially when tempered with the silence and respect which her rank will inevitably excite.”
“Silence and respect, of course,” Mary agreed, thinking it was well that Mr. Collins had turned his attention from Elizabeth.
“And the fact is, that being, as I am, to inherit this estate after the death of your honoured father, who, however, may live many years longer, I could not satisfy myself without resolving to choose a wife from among his daughters, that the loss to them might be as little as possible when the melancholy event takes place—which, however, as I have already said, may not be for several years. This has been my motive, my fair cousin, and I flatter myself it will not sink me in your esteem.”
“On the contrary, Mr. Collins, I esteem you now more highly than ever,” responded Mary at once, knowing what was expected of her.
He nodded in satisfaction, and then said, “And now nothing remains for me but to assure you in the most animated language of the violence of my affection. To fortune I am perfectly indifferent, and shall make no demand of that nature on your father, since I am well aware that it could not be complied with; and that one thousand pounds in the 4 per cents, which will not be yours till after your mother’s decease, is all that you may ever be entitled to. On that head, therefore, I shall be uniformly silent: and you may assure yourself that no ungenerous reproach shall ever pass my lips when we are married.”
“I thank you for your generosity, Mr. Collins,” she said, calmly. “I wish I brought more to the marriage than my share of my mother’s money, but you will be glad to know that I have been trained to be the mistress of an estate, and you will not find me wanting when my father’s inevitable demise makes it necessary for me to assume that role.”
“Ah!” he cried. “Quite right, quite right! How wise I was to single you out, Miss Mary! How very well we shall complement one another; I hope that we may marry as soon as may be.”
