Chapter 35

Collins arrived, heading directly to his room, to write Lady Catherine of the most grievous news imaginable. A conniving tradesmen's daughter had so effectively wielded her charms that he had reason to believe, that the fair gem, Miss DeBourgh, would be jilted in order to gain the said woman's hand in matrimony and her ladyship's nephew was there in the flesh to dispute such assertions and yet said not a word! Mr. Collins began penning the entirety of that morning's events, in such grievous detail one must wonder if Lady Catherine's patience would allow her to condescend to read it far enough to find the part that pertained to her and her nearest relations.

Mr. Collins thought nothing of the delay, so far as he was concerned, Miss Bennet was his. It briefly occurred to him that he may think to rehearse a new style of the proposal, as the last manner of proposing had failed twice to succeed in gaining a woman's hand. Though he later considered, it may not be his mode of address which was wanting, and may very well have been God's providence, sparing him the wrong partner in life, and freeing his hand for his fairest cousin.

Had he known what already passed in the drawing-room, his effusions could have started much sooner, vexing Mrs. Bennet and every one with her at a much earlier hour, as he was to be the only one, other than Miss Bingley, to be disappointed in the match. Though they had also that in common, Miss Bingley never would confess that which was so similar in their temperaments.

Mr. Bingley missed the man's entrance as he was waiting for Mrs. Bennet to quit Mr. Bennet's study, rather impatient to have the business settled, and formally become Miss Bennet's intended. He paced outside the door, no walls thick enough in all of England to dampen the cries of the mistress's exclamations insisting on Mr. Bennet's ill-usage for lack of interference, laying squarely on his shoulders Elizabeth's impertinence and lack of consideration for her own poor mother's nerves.

Mr. Bingley, as embarrassed as he was to overhear it, couldn't countenance delaying consent, as he was still rather aware of Mr. Collins interest, and thus remained at his station, awaiting Mr. Bennet's pleasure, and hoping to help avoid such abuse for his dear Jane, if she could be spared an unwelcome proposal that day.

The young ladies missed his entrance as they were all joy for Jane and all laughter at Mr. Collins, as Elizabeth had confessed just previous to Mr. Bingley's call to have aided him in the transfer of his affections. Charlotte Lucas was suddenly announced and wished her heartiest congratulations as the youngest let slip what was not yet consented to by their father. Though, in truth, it was a small breach in priority, as Charlotte was so very dear to their family. The ladies were chatting with all joy, everyone insisting they were sure he would propose, except sweet, modest Jane, who confessed she was sure she had no clue until he turned up in their parlor begging a private audience.

At last, it was Bingley's turn to enter. However, he found himself delayed as Mrs. Bennet exited Mr. Bennet's study and welcomed him with all solicitousness. When he begged her leave to see her husband at once, the said woman began crying "We are all saved! Mr. Bingley has come and we are saved." As he could tell she would likely further delay him, he bowed to her quite curtly and insisted the business was urgent. She then declared, "Yes, yes, young lovers are so very impatient but I must have time to plan a proper wedding." To which he replied, "Madam, I must first receive your husband's consent. I beg you not to delay me." She responded by nearly shoving him through the door and declaring "Mr. Bennet I must have you hear Mr. Bingley. I beg of you to think for once of our futures. For what will become of us when you decide to expire and we are left to the hedgerows?"

"I have made no such decision as of late madam, and will not so long as I can prevent it," replied her husband dryly. "But I daresay Mr. Bingley may reconsider at your effusions, as he may not wish to add so many to his household, if he has in fact, come to declare himself as you so claim."

Mr. Bingley went pale, having not considered, and replied, "I daresay Mrs. Bennet would be happiest running her own household, which I would be happy to provide." So much as he loved Jane, he suspected her mother's eternal presence would intrude upon their felicity and strain both their nerves, adding little to their happiness and much less to their peace. Even two people of such good natures as they, were would surely buckle under such stain with no hope of relief, he may be amiable and kind but he was not stupid.

"Well, well, Mr. Bingley, I can not imagine what would compel you to take so much on? Have you come for the hand of one of my daughters as Mrs. Bennet has declared?" inquired Mr. Bennet.

"Oh, I knew it would be so, Jane could not have been so pretty for nothing! Do not toy with him Mr. Bennet, for he may not understand your humor and accidentally leave here unattached." cried Mrs. Bennet, attempting to speed the matter up and have it settled, though her attempts were in fact, rather delaying, the angst poor Bingley suffered.

"Yet again, I do not have the pleasure of understanding you, Mrs. Bennet. Are you implying the man knows not why he is here and may decide on another endeavor before he departs?"

"Oh, Mr. Bennet, my poor nerves. Not know why he is here? Why would he not know why he is here? How can a man become confused on whether or not he means matrimony? Oh, how you vex me! Do you not know he has 5,000 a year?"

Bingley blushed and knew not what to make of the goings-on in Bennet's study, this was hardly the conversation he expected to have, so he merely said nothing, waiting for something to make sense, or at least until their conversation required his response. He was beginning to understand Darcy's reservations about the family but was still determined on his course.

"Mrs. Bennet, I beg your leave, madam, to get to the bottom of the matter with Mr. Bingley, in the privacy of my own study," he said, looking meaningfully at the door.

She huffed and left, but could be heard shouting seconds later "Oh jane! He has come. He has come! We are saved! So long as your father will use his sense we are saved, though I do not suppose he would deny you anything."

"Mr. Bingley, do you now care to speak for yourself sir and tell me what business you have with my daughter?'' he said rather sternly. Always up for sport, Mr. Bennet now found himself a new object of amusement, and quite found himself committed to toying with the young man, though not to the point of cruelty, as he did wish for his study to be returned to his own company really rather soon.

"Sir, I have come to ask for your consent to marry Miss Bennet," replied Bingley rather nervously, shuffling his feet, the chaos of the previous scene not leaving him unaffected.

"I suppose she has consented sir?," inquired Mr. Bennet.

"Yes, sir, I requested a private audience this morning sir."

"May I assume you received it?"

"Ah, well, no sir, the matter was settled before her sisters left us." realized Bingley, feeling suddenly more anxious and perturbed.

"How so sir?" Mr. Bennet asked and Bingley explained.

.

"Sir, before I grant my consent, I must be assured my daughter has consented to matrimony and not merely a private audience which never took place."

"I understand sir, let me assure you, sir, Miss Bennet made her intentions quite clear sir."

"She made her intentions clear. I have believed these many years it was the Gentleman's prerogative to make his sentiments known. Am I to understand that it was my demure daughter that proposed marriage to you?" replied Mr. Bennet, who couldn't believe his luck, what a botched proposal this was to make sport of. Only someone as generous as Jane could have countenanced accepting such a stupid proposal. His Lizzy would have toyed with the man until he reworded his request to better suit her tastes.

"Ah, no sir, I made myself quite clear, or at least I believe so, then she made her sentiments known to me. It is quite clear our regard is mutual sir," replied Bingley, quite botching the matter with his nerves, which were almost as bad as Mrs. Bennets, for whom he suddenly had more sympathy.

"Very well, I shall call for Jane, perhaps she can make clear what transpired this morning."

Mr. Bennet rang Hill and requested his daughter's immediate presence in his study, when she arrived, he asked "I understand Mr. Bingley, may or may not have proposed marriage this morning for which he would like my consent. What is your wish, my dear Jane."

"Oh papa, do not tease! For me, there is no other. I should be very happy to be married to Mr. Bingley if he will still have me." she replied, looking lovingly at her betrothed.

"Very well, Jane, you are a good girl. I will deny you nothing. Mr. Bingley, am I to understand you meant to marry Jane when you asked for a private audience that never actually occurred this morning?"

"Oh, papa, that's not at all how it was, we, both of us, we were just so very excited, we could not wait for my dear sisters to quit the room."

"Yes, sir. Nothing should make either of us happier, I daresay," chimed in Mr. Bingley, barely believing his luck as Miss Bennet defended him and hearing her commitment to him.

"Well, you have my consent. Let us go inform the family if Mrs. Bennet is not out informing the neighborhood."

As the three left Mr. Bennet's study, Mr. Collins was descending the stairs, rather loudly and with little grace, which was all very well, as no one failed to be alerted to his presence, occasionally making their escape all the easier on account of his clamorous descent.

"Mr. Collins there you are sir, I had heard you quit Longbourn on a mystery mission this morning, but I see you are back now. Won't you please join us, as I have an announcement to make to the family," said Mr. Bennet.