Page 227 of A Question of Character

“As do mine,” Jane admitted, unable entirely to suppress her amusement.

Mr. Bennet folded the letter upon his knee.

“I should not have thought there existed two people in England capable of conversing at equal length upon the importance of one another.”

Darcy smiled into his teacup.

“I assure you, sir, my aunt will not permit Mr. Collins to eclipse her.”

This cousin wished to visit and offer an olive branch to the Bennet family.

The declaration astonished everyone assembled.

Mrs. Bennet blinked repeatedly.

“An olive branch? From Mr. Collins?”

Mr. Bennet consulted the letter once more.

“So he says.”

“What has become of the man?”

“I suspect,” Mr. Bennet replied, “that he has discovered reconciliation to be less expensive than litigation.”

Elizabeth accepted the pages from her father and read the relevant passage herself. Mr. Collins professed the deepest regret for past misunderstandings, assured his cousin of his Christian desire for harmony, and expressed the earnest hope of renewing family affection before circumstances deprived either gentleman of the opportunity.

“It is touching,” Kitty observed.

“It would be,” Mr. Bennet answered, “had I not met the author.”

Darcy wryly informed Mr. Bennet that it was likely his aunt had insisted her rector find a bride.

The explanation appeared infinitely more plausible.

“My aunt has always maintained that an unmarried clergyman neglects an important portion of his example,” Darcy said. “She believes matrimony contributes greatly to respectability.”

Mr. Bennet’s eyes twinkled.

“Then your cousin has become respectable by anticipation.”

“I fear she would argue just so.”

Elizabeth could not help imagining Lady Catherine lecturing the unfortunate Mr. Collins upon his domestic obligations with the same confidence she displayed upon every other conceivable subject. The picture required little effort.

“She has certain beliefs about matrimony,” he hedged.

The understatement delighted Mr. Bennet so thoroughly that he laughed outright.

“My dear Darcy, I begin to suspect your aunt possesses certain beliefs about nearly everything.”

“I have never known her deficient in opinions.”

Even Mrs. Bennet smiled at that.

“One is her certainty that I shall offer for my cousin. That is quite impossible, for I am already engaged.”

Mrs. Bennet looked scandalized on Elizabeth’s behalf.