Chapter 3: Mr Collins
A couple of days passed, and Elizabeth did not talk to her mother.
Mrs Bennet did not seem to care. Mary was the only one who had comforted Elizabeth after that incident.
"I am sorry, Lizzy. It is very inhuman of Mamma to do that. I don't think you did anything wrong."
Elizabeth looked at her sister gratefully.
" Sometimes I feel very lonely despite being in such a big family. Thank you for comforting me." She said.
" I may not say it often. I love you very much. I think you are the best sister in the whole world." Mary said with warmth.
Elizabeth embraced her sister with affection. Out of all the daughters, only Elizabeth and Mary had utilised the education their father had provided them.
One morning a letter arrived for her father. It was from his distant relative, Mr Collins. Mr Bennet had a deep discussion with his wife after reading it.
" You say he is a widower and looking for a wife?" Mrs Bennet asked her husband.
" Yes! He has explicitly written that he plans to come here and see which of our daughters would suit him."
" It will not do. I cannot have that man marry our Jane. She has to marry someone with good fortune. I have raised her with high hopes. That horrible man not only has a right to our estate, but now he wants to choose from our daughters. Oh, God! What do we do?" She cried with worry.
" From what he states, he doesn't have an intention to ever take over Longbourn, even after my death. He has indirectly communicated that it might not be the case if we do not take him as a son-in-law. He plans to stay in Kent for the rest of his life once he is married. He wants to marry one of our daughters. And in return, we will have Longbourn for ourselves. Considering his age and marital status, I think it would be tough for him to get a wife."
" Oh!" Mrs Bennet said with a sense of thought.
" I think we may be able to settle this matter." She said with a smile.
That evening during dinner, much to Elizabeth's surprise, her mother spoke to her with care.
"Elizabeth dear, why don't you eat some more? You seem to be losing weight." She said, smiling.
Elizabeth did not know what caused the change. She smiled at her mother, inwardly wanting to forget everything that happened a few days ago.
Her father announced about the new guest they were expecting.
"Is he handsome? How old is he? Is he rich?" Jane asked with excitement.
Her mother made a stern face at her and ignored her questions.
"Elizabeth, I give you the responsibility to overlook preparations for his visit. He may want to explore the village or outdoors. Who can be the best person to give him company than you?" Her mother said.
"Of course, Mamma! I shall be happy to show him around." Elizabeth said, unaware of the sinister motive behind her mother's change of heart.
She helped the housekeeper with all the arrangements.
Mr Collins arrived a few days later. He had a lengthy discussion with Mr and Mrs Bennet before he met the daughters. Jane looked at him with disgust.
What an old, ugly man!
Elizabeth welcomed her cousin with warmth. She was not someone who would look down on a person for their appearance or status. But within moments after his arrival, she found him to lack manners.
They sat for supper, and Mrs Bennet ensured that she sat next to him. Elizabeth conversed with him politely, not wanting to upset her mother.
"Fair cousin, it is a pleasure to meet all of you today, especially you. I understand you love to run the house and enjoy domestic pursuits."
Elizabeth looked at him perplexed.
"Oh! Yes! Elizabeth is efficient in running the house. In fact, she overlooked preparations for your stay here, Mr Collins. She is also very interested in showing you around the neighborhood."
Elizabeth did not understand what was going on. She suddenly felt worried.
Something is not right. Why should Mamma lie to him about what I am not.
She noticed that he never paid attention to anyone else except her. Somehow his stare made her uncomfortable. She shifted in her chair in discomfort. She looked at her father. He had the same disinterest in their lives.
Mr Collins spoke a great deal about Kent.
"My noble patroness Lady Catherine de Bourgh approved of my arrival here. She is the noblest person on earth. Her concern for my welfare has me indebted to her forever. "Go, Mr Collins", she said, looking at me with generosity, as it would deprive Kent of my services. But she wanted me to meet my relatives and said it would heal my grief."
"I am sorry, sir. I fail to understand you." Elizabeth said.
"Fair cousin, you may wonder how I can conduct myself with such grace, irrespective of what happened to me. But my character is made of such pristine qualities. I will not ruin my life because of the work of evil forces."
Elizabeth was extremely confused by his words.
"My wife died last month because of an accident. She fell into the lake and drowned." He said, referring to his loss without any grief.
All of them looked at him with shock, except Mr and Mrs Bennet.
Elizabeth understood that they were already aware of the detail. It shocked her to know that he was already out of mourning. His demeanor was nothing but joyous.
"Such evil forces should never be allowed to win. Some evil force has caused my wife to disobey my orders and venture close to the waters. The outcome is a punishment she deserved." He said.
Elizabeth looked at him with anger and disgust. She wanted to leave the table.
"Our daughters will always obey us, sir. Especially our dearest Elizabeth."
"Oh! I am well aware of it." Mr Collins said with a smile.
Elizabeth felt extremely uncomfortable with the attention he was giving her.
Lydia and Kitty giggled whenever he spoke. Soon after supper, she retired to her room, not wanting to endure any more of his company.
How could someone talk about his wife's demise in such a cruel way? Why is he here all of a sudden?
She wondered.
The next day, her mother forced her to accompany him to the village. Mary joined them.
He spoke a great deal about his patroness. If at all he mentioned his wife, it was only to blame her for her own death.
Even Mary found him to be appalling.
When he was at a store, the sisters discussed the matter.
"I do not know why he is here, Lizzy. Does he want to drive us out of the house?" Mary asked with worry.
"No, that is not how the entailment works. Only in the unlikely event of Papa's death can he claim ownership of the estate."
"I wish he leaves soon."
Elizabeth nodded her head in agreement. That evening, Elizabeth entered the library to find her father. Her father was sitting there immersed in his books.
She wanted to be certain that there was nothing to worry about the sudden visit.
Maybe it is some financial matter that has to be discussed. Elizabeth thought.
"Papa, could you spare a few minutes."
" What is it? " He asked, not even looking up at her.
"Why is Mr Collins here?" She asked bluntly.
"What sort of a question is that? He is here to visit us."
"But, his wife had died just a few weeks ago. Is it not odd to be out of mourning so soon? I hope you would agree that his talks are neither sensible nor decent. I had a tough time this morning with him in the village. I am not comfortable being around him, Papa! He does not seem honorable." She said
"Enough! What did he do to be termed a rake?"
"I did not say that he was a rake. But he makes me uncomfortable with his behavior."
"I will not have a word more. He is to be respected, and you will do as your mother says. Now leave me." He said in anger.
"Why are you angry at me? Who else can I take my concerns to? I have to bring them to you."
Elizabeth pleaded.
"You have wild imaginations. Do you think you are the only one perfect in this world? Leave now. There is no peace for me in this house."
"Is there something wrong with the estate or entailment? Why is he here?"
"He is here as our relative. I order you to treat him with respect. Do not show your sarcastic behavior to him. I will not have it. Leave now." He said in anger.
Elizabeth marched out of the library in distress.
She remembered that he had not been this way always. In recent years he had changed a lot. Elizabeth often thought it was because of their financial status, but his behavior often confused her. She felt something was stopping him from being affectionate towards her.
The next morning Mrs Bennet and her sisters left for the village for shopping. Elizabeth consciously stayed back, knowing Mr Collins would accompany them.
Her father was away from the house on some business.
She knew Mr Collins would leave the following week. Just a week more, Lizzy. You can endure him. She said to herself and walked to the library.
She sat down to read and heard the door open.
Elizabeth was shocked to see Mr Collins enter the room with a wide smile on his face.
Good, God! Why is he here?
"Mr Collins! I thought you had gone to the village with my sisters." She said, standing up.
"Fair cousin. How could I do so? Leaving you back. I know you would want company." He said and walked close to her.
"I have a headache. Excuse me." She said and tried to leave.
He stood before her and blocked her way.
"I cannot allow you to leave. You have to hear me out. You, my dear cousin, have captured my eye in a way no woman has. When I first saw you, I knew you would be an excellent choice for a wife. In the past few days, you have strongly assured my intuition with your grace and beauty. As a clergyman, I must set an example to the people of Kent in marriage. Even though my wife died recently, I assure you I am not depressed. I can keep you happy in all ways a man needs to." He said, licking his lips.
You are wrong, Papa! This man is a rake.
Elizabeth was disgusted by his words. She was shocked beyond measure that he had the intention to propose all this time. He was in his mid-forties and almost twice her age.
"Mr Collins, please understand that I cannot..."
Before she could finish, he interrupted her.
"Oh! Do not worry about your dowry. Your father acknowledged how meager the sum is. But I assure you, I will not need it. All I need is you, my beautiful bride."
"Stop it!" She cried. "I cannot accept this proposal of yours. I cannot marry you. Will you please allow me to leave?" She cried.
"Oh! I understand. You want to toy with me. I do admire your spirited approach to life. Would you like to hear my thoughts about your fine figure? I have failed to express myself. That day when we walked to the village, I couldn't but admire the way your…"
"Shut up! I have had enough. I cannot believe you have the nerve to speak this way to me. Your character is hideous, and I cannot believe you are a clergyman." She cried and quickly ran out of the room. Mr Collins stared at her in shock.
She did not stop till she reached her room and locked the door.
Mamma set this up, she knew his intentions, and now I understand why she has been kind to me.
She realised the truth and sobbed. She felt ashamed of her tears. Mamma may have such a horrendous plan in mind, but Papa will never agree. She was determined to drive the man out of the house once her father returned.
Little did she know her refusal would create repercussions that would alter her life forever.