Their Just Deserts

Chapter Ten

Sunday, as Anne seated herself at her dressing mirror she noticed that the dark circles that had disappeared gradually, had now returned. While arranging her hair, Smith chattered on about the parson taking a trip in a few weeks to Hartfordshire to visit cousins. She was privy to that information from her cousin Bettie who worked at Hunsford.

Smith slipped the cream colored dress over her head. The green scarf was affixed with an emerald broach and then the matching bonnet was placed on her head. Smith saw the listlessness on the part of her mistress and inquired,

"Miss, do you feel well enough to attend service this morning?"

Anne was quite determined to go.

As Anne, her mother and Mrs. Jenkinson entered the church, she felt all eyes turn to admire the titled ones' finery. There was a certain air that those of rank carry with them wherever they appeared. It allowed them never to be questioned, doubted or found fault with, at least not in their presence. It was a form of insulation. Anne was used to it. She was, after all, 'to the manner born'. They took their seats in the front pew.

Mr. Collins had not been at his regular station greeting the faithful as they arrived for service. He had spent the night in chapel, thinking and composing his sermon. He had felt the need for sanctuary at this time. Fortunately, there were toiletries in the church but he had found not one mirror was found in the entire chapel. This was apparently the prior parson's hedge against self-flattery. This morning he chose not to greet all at the front and entered through the side door. This proved to be an unfortunate error.

Mr. Collins entered the pulpit and turned to face the congregation. The little children, who have no inhibitions were the first to point. The others tried to maintain straight faces. The damage was done however, for Mr. Collins had dressed at the church without benefit of his returned reflection. The ink used in sermon writing not only was affixed to the paper before him, but there was the unmistakable evidence of writer's ink, from the middle of his forehead down the side of his face. Mr. Collins' attempt to correct matters with his ever-present handkerchief met with limited success. After a scattering of children's giggles, the congregation settled down.

Anne, brought to her senses by what occurred thought to herself,

'I have never been laughed at in my life. How would I, as wife to a parson, react to such a spectacle? What comfort could I give to such a man?'

`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`

It was on this day that Mr. Collins preached a heartfelt sermon, one that would be remembered as his finest. The theme of the sermon was 'Duty'…The Christian's duty to the Lord, the servant's duty to his master, the child's duty to the parents.' Lady Catherine listened much like a teacher would to a student's recitation. Mrs. Jenkinson listened with feelings of victory. Anne listened for instruction and received it.

Anne returned home humbled and smiled as she thought of how brave her friend was and how ill-suited she would be to a life as a parson's wife. She even allowed herself a giggle as she envisioned him with his disfigured visage. 'We shall remain friends,' she thought with a sigh.

After service Mr. Collins retired to his book room, took pen to hand and wrote:

Hundsford, Near Westerham, Kent

15th October.

Dear Sir:

The disagreement subsisting between yourself and my late honored father always gave me great uneasiness and since I had the misfortune to lose him, I have frequently wished to heal the breach, but for some time I was kept back by my own doubts, fearing least it might seem disrespectful to his memory for me to be on good terms with anyone with whom it had always pleased him to be at variance.

My mind, however is made up on the subject, for having received ordination at Easter, I have been so fortunate as to be distinguished by the patronage of the widow of Sir Lewis de Bourgh, The Right Honorable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, whose bounty and beneficence has preferred me to the valuable rectory of this parish, where it shall be my earnest endeavor to demean myself with grateful respect towards her Ladyship and be ever ready to perform those rites and ceremonies which are instituted by The Church of England.

As a clergyman, moreover, I flatter myself that my present overtures of goodwill are highly commendable and any rift might be kindly overlooked on your side and now lead you to not reject the offered olive branch.

I cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the means of injuring your amiable daughters, and beg leave to apologize for it, as well as to assure you of my readiness to make them every possible amends—but of this we will speak hereafter.

If you should have no objection to receive me into your house, I propose myself the satisfaction of visiting you and your family, Monday, November 18th, by four o'clock and shall probably trespass on your hospitality till the Saturday night following. This period of absence has been sanction by Lady Catherine and will prove to no inconvenience for her Ladyship. She is a benevolent soul and is far from objecting to my occasional absence on even a Sunday providing that some other clergyman if engaged to do the duty of the day.

I close dear sir, with respectful compliments to your lady and daughters, your well-wisher and friend.

He signed the letter,

William Bennet Collins.

Thus Mr. Collins enters the world of Pride and Prejudice.

The End.