Page 73 of Twice Chosen

Mrs. Bennet stared. "Do not 'Mama' me."

"I know why you are frightened."

The anger faltered. "No, you do not."

"Longbourn. Five daughters. No son. Papa's income ends with him and the estate passes to Mr. Collins. I know."

Mrs. Bennet's face crumpled. "Then how can you--"

"Because marrying Mr. Collins would secure only me."

Silence.

Elizabeth kept hold of her hands. "And I would be unhappy."

Mrs. Bennet looked away.

"I need you to care about that too," Elizabeth said softly.

Her mother began crying harder.

Mr. Bennet's humor vanished.

After a long moment Mrs. Bennet sniffed, "You are impossible."

"Yes."

"I am not speaking to you."

"All right."

"For a week."

"Very well."

Mrs. Bennet lasted twenty minutes.

It was progress.

Mr. Collins, wounded by Elizabeth's refusal and baffled by Mrs. Bennet's failure to compel her, turned his attention toward Mary.

Mary surprised everyone.

He approached her in the shrubbery after luncheon and began speaking of the honor of becoming mistress of Hunsford Parsonage. Mary listened with growing alarm.

When he reached Lady Catherine for the second time, Mary held up one hand.

"Mr. Collins, I beg your pardon, but are you asking me to marry you?"

He looked pleased by her understanding. "My dear cousin--"

"Then no."

Mr. Collins stared.

Mary pushed her spectacles higher upon her nose. "I do not believe admiration of Lady Catherine constitutes sufficient compatibility for marriage."

Elizabeth, watching from a window, nearly applauded.