Page 89 of Regrets

“Certainly, Your Honour. The entail was created by Arthur Bennet; he had two sons; the elder was Henry Bennet, and the younger was Joshua Bennet. Joshua Bennet married a lady named Janet Collins, who lived in Atherstone, near Birmingham. To oblige his in-laws, Joshua Bennet changed his name to Collins. We allege that Joshua had no son of his body, and adopted a baby, whom he named George. George is the father of Mr. William Collins, who stands before you today.”

“I see,” the judge said, soberly. “This is a serious situation, Mr. Stanley. And what proofs have you of this adoption?”

“Your Honour, may I present to you Mr. Jeffries, who served as the parson of Atherstone during the time that the adoption took place.”

The judge turned to look at Mr. Collins. “Mr. Collins, do you recognise Mr. Jeffries?”

Trembling, Mr. Collins rose and said, “I do, Your Honour. He was our rector.”

The judge nodded, and then said, “Mr. Jeffries, what do you know of this matter?”

Mr. Jeffries stood up and said, “Your Honour, I have here the baptism record of a baby born to Alice Pettison. The father was unknown, so the baby was baptised as George Pettison. The same baby was baptised again, some six weeks later, as George Collins.”

“Hmph. Let me see the baptism records.”

Mr. Jeffries tucked the book under his arm and used his cane to make his way slowly up to the judge’s seat. “I have the pages marked, Your Honour – here, and here.” Mr. Jeffries pointed out the entries.

“You are certain that it was the same baby?” The judge asked.

“Absolutely certain; his birth mother had asked me to find a family to adopt her child. She had no means of supporting the boy, and hoped to give him a better life. I knew that Mrs. Collins had been unable to carry a baby to term, and so visited the Collinses to tell them of Alice Pettison’s child. They were eager for the adoption to take place.”

“And then the baptism record of Mr. William Collins, who stands before us?’

“Right here, Your Honour; his parents are George and Mary Collins.”

“Those are your parents’ names, Mr. Collins?” the judge asked.

“Yes – yes. George and Mary,” Mr. Collins stammered. “Your Honour, I do not understand what is happening here. I am the legitimate son of George Collins!”

“No one doubts your legitimacy, Mr. Collins,” the judge said, kindly. “Mr. Stanley, may I see the entail document?”

Mr. Stanley rose, walked to the judge’s seat, and handed it to him.

The judge read it, slowly and carefully; the courtroom was absolutely still as he did so. Then he looked up and said, “I see; so the entail is very correctly limited to heirs of the body.”

“Yes, Your Honour,” Mr. Stanley said.

“Very well. Mr. Collins, it appears that the entail was broken when Joshua Collins failed to produce a male heir of his body. An adopted child is not an heir of the body. Mr. Jeffries, to the best of your knowledge, were there any children born to Joshua Collins? Daughters, perhaps?”

Mr. Jeffries shook his head. “No, Your Honour. As I said, it was understood that his wife could not carry a child to term.”

“I understand,” the judge said. “And Mr. Bennet’s legitimacy?”

Mr. Stanley stepped forward again to show the judge the baptism records of Mr. Thomas Bennet and his father, Mr. Henry Bennet.

The judge nodded. “Then there can be no doubt.” He turned to the clerk and said, “Let the record show that Mr. Thomas Bennet is the owner of the Longbourn estate, fee simple absolute.”

Mr. Collins shook his head and called out, “No, no. My father would have told me if he was adopted! This cannot be right! It is a trick! A trick to deprive me of my inheritance!”

The older woman stepped forward. “Your Honour, I am Lady Catherine de Bourgh; Mr. Collins is the rector of my parish. I do not think he truly comprehends what has happened here. I will take him away and try to explain it.”

“Thank you, Lady Catherine,” the judge said. “I am sorry, Mr. Collins, but the law is clear.” He rose, and everyone rose with him. Then he exited the room, followed by the clerk.

Mr. Bennet turned slowly to Mr. Stanley. “That is it? It is over?”

“It is, indeed. Congratulations, Mr. Bennet!”

Mr. Bennet was in a daze; it was truly over! Longbourn was his! He could scarce take it in.