Page 82 of The Widower of Pemberley

“Has Sir William lost all his money? Has—”

“Eliza, do you find it impossible to believe that Mr. Collins has gained my good opinion simply because he did not gain yours?”

“I can scarce believe that any woman of sense would like Mr. Collins. Is there anything I might do? The sum named in the settlement for my pin money is quite significant. I am sure I can help you in some way if I economise only a little.”

“Eliza, I—” Charlotte smiled warmly. “That is kind. So very kind. But you know that I have always meant to marry and set up my own household, and I shall not get a better opportunity. There is nothing frightening in Mr. Collins’s character.”

“But Mr. Collins! I never imagined—Imeant to accept his offer if he made it. I cannot blame you. I cannot judge you. I would not have married him except under the immediate threat of poverty, but Iwouldhave married him. You must choose what is best for you—and if you make a mistake, I cannot judge. I once would have judged you harshly, but I was prejudiced then. The world seemed so much simpler.”

“Youwill be happy, very happy,” Charlotte said. “And that is all I can hope for.”

“I hardly know. I hardly do—I am so filled with confusion when I think of Mr. Darcy. And fear… I fear that I shall like him far more than he likes me. But are you certain inyourplans? You are, I see. Then I wish you and Mr. Collins joy, and I hope that you will find every happiness, every satisfaction, that you expect and more. I only wish…I wish that you could find a man for yourself like…”

Like Mr. Darcy.

The thought deeply surprised Elizabeth.

“Like Mr. Darcy?” Charlotte’s smile quirked as she echoed Elizabeth’s thoughts. “You already think very much of him. And though your characters are quite different, there is something…something fundamental that fits. The more I see of Mr. Darcy, the more hopeful I am for both of you.”

“Perhaps,” Elizabeth replied. “But I wish you to find a man whom you can fully admire, a man with great virtues, great attractions, and great capabilities, whose conversation interests you, and whom—whom you love. That is what I wish for you.”

Charlotte smiled lopsidedly at Elizabeth. “We cannot all have your luck, Eliza.”

That made Elizabeth blush and laugh. “You know all my tortured musings on the subject—I hardly know whether I am lucky. Jane still fears that I have made a terrible mistake, though Mr. Darcy taking her advice about Mr. Wickham relieved her concerns considerably. It has been so difficult these past nights when we had our usual evening conferences. The judgment is in what she does not say. It is easy forherto say that she would happily live in poverty. She is not the one who would have the guilt of knowing that it was her fault.”

She swallowed, then added, “I think Jane does not realise how…I like Mr. Darcy. I think him a very good sort of man. I only fear—”

“You will be happy with Mr. Darcy,” Charlotte said. “You need fear nothing except some minor difficulties and perhaps a storm or two as you learn each other’s ways. The course of true love never did run smooth. But I see it in the way you talk to each other.You will be happy with him. And I amglad, glad, glad to know it.” Charlotte’s voice choked. “I always wanted to see you happy. There is nothing that makesmeso happy as to believe thatyouwill be happy—not my own marriage, not anything else.”

“He says that he cannot love. He believes that he cannot make any woman happy. And…he is often so quiet. So…”

“He loves you,” Charlotte replied. “From the outside it is clear.”

“I wish you were marrying a man whom you could love!”

“No, no, no.” Charlotte laughed. “Do not insult the man that I shall marry—I do not think I could ever love a man. I have never thought much of men, nor of marriage. Marriage gives me an establishment to be the mistress of—Mr. Collins is exactly the sort of husband I want. He does not expect me to really love him. I would hate to be married to a husband who expected more feeling from me than I could ever give him. I am satisfied. I shall be most content. And I cannot even be sorry that my marriage is taking me from you, since you will leave the neighbourhood first.”

“We shall see each other often. Mr. Darcy stays with his aunt in Kent for a week every Easter. I, too, will be blessed to be for a time in the presence of the great Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”

Charlotte laughed. “No, no. Do not jest about that! It will be my duty to always be at her service.Youwill simply be the unwanted niece by marriage whom she can control in no meaningful way—I shall look forward to seeing you more than anything.”

Almost as soon as the two of them rejoined the others, Charlotte went to Mr. Collins, took his hand, and announced their engagement.

Mrs. Bennet was quite disgruntled, and she gave her congratulations with as much ill-humour as could be managed, while remaining technically within the bounds of formal politeness. Elizabeth thought that her mother had not given up hope of attaching Mary to Mr. Collins—the disinterest of Kitty and Lydia in the clergyman had forced her to abandon any hopes she might have had for one of them.

Mr. Darcy and Georgiana gave the happy couple their congratulations.

Mr. Darcy’s were given with a keen look, a steady voice, and a glance at Elizabeth which seemed to ask her whether she thought her friend to be of sound mind.

Elizabeth said to him, “I am very happy for my friend, and for my cousin.”

“As you should be,” Mr. Collins replied, “for marriage is an institution beyond all others, designed for the promotion of human happiness, as you must know yourself, being so recently married.”

Georgiana’s congratulations had a confused tone to them, but she was sincere in hoping for Charlotte’s happiness. Later, in the carriage, Georgiana said that she could never have imagined a woman could fall in love with Mr. Collins, but that if Miss Lucas thought she would be happy with him, she was pleased for her.

To Elizabeth’s surprise, Mr. Bennet was the only one who was sincerely glad for the couple, or at least for Charlotte. Elizabeth detected no irony or amusement when he stood on his own and walked forward a few steps, supporting himself on the table, so that he could shake Charlotte’s hand. “Congratulations, my sincere congratulations. I have at times fretted over you, but I think this promises you every good that you can hope for.” Seeing that Mr. Collins was on the other side of the room, speaking at some length to Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bennet lowered his voice and added, “As much as I respect my cousin, there are few sensible women who could make a good choice by marrying him, but I believe that you are one. His presence has been of good fortune to the both of you.”

“Thank you,” Charlotte said sincerely.