I thank you for your kind consideration in allowing me to come to you, uninvited, but I hope not unwelcome.
Rev. William Collins
Elizabeth read it again before returning it to her father. “It is not a bad letter, but I truly cannot make out his character. Is he happy to have a patroness who does not hesitate to advise him on all matters? Or does he find it irksome? And he quite evidently hopes to marry into the family, which can only be a good thing, can it not?”
Mr. Bennet shrugged. “It is a good thing, of course, but you do understand, Lizzy…” He trailed off.
“Yes, I do. If he is a clergyman, he has no money to speak of, so even if he does marry one of us, it does not save me from Mr. Bingley.” Her tone was flat.
“Save you? Lizzy, it is not as if we are asking you to marry Blackbeard!” His voice rose in protest.
“I know, Papa. I should not have put it like that.”
Elizabeth returned to the breakfast room, where her sisters waited. She sat down to deliver her report. “He is a rector with a parish in Kent. And he hopes to marry one of us.”
Lydia immediately made a face and threw down her napkin. “I will never marry a rector!”
“Nor I!” Kitty agreed.
All heads turned to Mary. She shrugged. “I would not be opposed, but of course I must meet him and determine for myself if I wish to marry him.”
Elizabeth’s lips twisted. How she wished she had that same freedom!
***
Later that day, Mrs. Bennet visited Mr. Bennet in his study. “We want to make a good impression on this Mr. Collins, do we not?”
“I suppose so, yes.”
Mrs. Bennet hesitated before going on. “The butcher says he will sell us no more meat until we pay him at least something.”
Mr. Bennet sighed. “Very well.” He reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a small pouch. “Here are two shillings. Perhaps that will be enough.”
Chapter Eighteen
Aletter from Lizzy! Jane smiled in anticipation.
Dearest Jane,
Of all the odd things, our cousin Mr. Collins is to visit us tomorrow! Yes, the very one who will inherit Longbourn when Papa dies and may throw us all out into the street! Mama is in a bit of a fret because Papa did not tell us of this until today, giving Mama justone dayto get the best guest room aired out and a proper dinner ordered.
But that is not the oddest thing; no, the odd thing is that his letter of introduction, proposing his visit, indicated that he hopes to marry one of his cousins!
He is a rector with a parish in Kent so, as you may imagine, both Kitty and Lydia have turned up their noses at the very idea of marrying a rector. Mary seems not unwilling, but she will of course reserve judgement until she actually meets the man.
Tell me your news! Are you enjoying your introduction to the world of art? Is the relationship advancing at all?
Your loving sister,
Lizzy
Jane could just imagine her mother rushing about, ordering the servants here and there, all in a panic! She was glad she was not there, as she would doubtless be subjected to a good deal of pressure to marry this Mr. Collins in order to secure the estate.
“Mr. Stanford is taking us to another art museum today?” Mrs. Gardinerasked.
“I suppose so,” Jane replied. “Aunt, I have to tell you that I am still not nearly as enthused as he is about these pictures. Is it wrong of me to pretend to enjoy these outings as much as he does?”
“I do not think it is wrong,” Mrs. Gardinersaid, slowly. “He will not be free to spend all his time in museums when he inherits, after all.”
