“I hope you will speak to my father very soon,” Mary said. “And assure him of my hearty consent to your proposal.”
Elated, Mr. Collins grasped Mary’s hand and placed a rather wet kiss upon it. “I depart at once, my dear! And when next I see you, we shall be an engaged couple!” He immediately left the room, leaving Mary to sit and contemplate her good fortune.
Not long after, Mr. Collins reappeared and said, “Your father wishes to see you in his study, my dear.”
Mary rose and made her way to Mr. Bennet’s refuge. She knocked, heard “Come in!” and entered the room. “Yes, Papa?”
Her father motioned her to a chair. “I have just had this idiot of a cousin of mine in here asking for your hand.”
“I must ask you not to speak about my future husband in that manner,” she said, steadily.
Her father stared at her. “I have never heard you speak so, Mary.”
“I suspect having someone actually want me has given me courage,” she observed.
“Wantyou? Whatever can you mean, Mary? Surely your family has always wanted you!”
“Really, Papa? I must say that it never felt that way. You have so rarely shown any interest in me that I almost fainted from my surprise when you kissed me on the head. Mama has always despaired of me, saying I would never marry. What will she say, do you think, now that I shall be the first to marry, as well as be the future mistress of Longbourn? In any case, yes, now I amwanted. I was his last choice, mind you, after Jane and Lizzy, but I was his choice.”
Mr. Bennet rose and walked around the desk. He gathered his middle daughter into his arms; she protested at first, squirming away, but he would not let her go. Finally, she collapsed into his arms and wept with him. He whispered, “Are you certain, my dear Mary? Do not marry him if you have any doubts.”
She raised her tear-stained face to gaze at her father. “I am certain, Papa. With me, Longbourn will continue to be in our family, and my first-born son will be named Bennet.”
***
That night at dinner, Mr. Bennet rose to his feet. “I have an announcement to make.” It was no secret by now, of course, as Mr. Collins had not stopped beaming at Mary since his success that morning. “I have agreed to allow Mr. Collins to marry our Mary. She will be Mrs. Collins as soon as the banns can be read.”
Kitty and Lydia rolled their eyes and began to groan; this was immediately hushed by Jane.
“Oh, Mary!” Mrs. Bennet squealed in her glee. “I always knew you would be the first to marry!”
No one commented on this obvious falsehood; instead, Elizabeth said, “Have you decided who will stand up with you, Mary?”
“I have, yes. I wantallmy sisters with me.”
“All four?” Mrs. Bennet asked in disbelief.
“All four,” Mary averred, causing Lydia to announce that she would need a new gown for the occasion. The conversation then turned to gowns, headpieces and flowers.
***
That Sunday, the twenty-fourth of November, the banns were read for the first time. No one was surprised; everyone in Meryton already knew of the betrothal, as Mrs. Bennet had wasted no time in spreading the good news. Longbourn was safe! She would never have to leave her home! She had, she thought, never known such happiness. Having Jane engaged to Mr. Bingley had been wonderful, but this – this! – was even better!
Mary was congratulated by everyone. There was no envy on anyone’s part, as no one else had had any interest in becoming Mrs. Collins.
***
Miss Bingley had not spoken to Jane since Mr. Bingley had informed his sister of his engagement. She had been reminded rather forcefully by her brother of her oversight, one which she attempted to rectify as the parties stood outside the church door.
“Miss Bennet,” she said, as Jane left the church.
“Oh, Miss Bingley,” Jane replied, cheerfully. “How are you today?”
“Quite well; I am never ill. I suppose congratulations are in order?”
“For my sister, Mary? I thank you!”
“Oh! Why, no, I meant for yourself.”
