Chapter Eight
The next morning Elizabeth received some shocking news. She was reading in her chamber when she heard a commotion downstairs. At first she ignored it and then she heard her mother screaming. She laid the book aside and hurried to see what was wrong. Her mother was laying on the floor in the hallway, Jane by her side. "What an earth is the matter?" she asked, hurrying down the stairs.
"Oh Lizzy, such news," said Kitty excitedly, doing nothing to assist their mother.
"Yes, it is hilarious," said Lydia. "Charlotte Lucas is engaged to Mr. Collins and they are to be married before the end of the week."
"Is this some kind of joke?" asked Elizabeth, feeling suddenly cold.
"Married," muttered Mrs. Bennet from the floor. "How could this be?"
"It is true," said Lydia, clearly relishing the drama. "We have just come from Lucas Lodge. Lady Lucas and Maria told us."
"Oh Lizzy, what have you done?" sobbed Mrs. Bennet. "Charlotte Lucas. We will be thrown out of Longbourn. How are we to manage.?"
Elizabeth was still struggling to accept the news. "I don't know, Mama, but you must get up."
"Oh Lizzy, I am too weak. I cannot move," said Mrs. Bennet, who was enjoying being the centre of attention.
Fortunately, their housekeeper Mrs. Hill had summoned Thomas, one of their footmen, and he made light work of picking Mrs. Bennet up and carrying her into the morning room where she was laid down on the sofa. Jane put a pillow under her head and Lizzy found a shawl to throw over her. Mrs. Bennet was starting to shake.
"Perhaps we should call a physician," suggested Kitty.
"I don't think that is necessary," said Elizabeth quickly.
Mrs. Bennet opened her eyes. "Lizzy, you have no idea how much I suffer."
"Mama. There is nothing to worry about. I know this has upset you, but you must try and stay calm."
"You are a cruel girl, Elizabeth. How can you say that? We are going to be thrown out on the streets. Can you imagine Charlotte Lucas mistress of this house? I did try to warn you, Lizzy. You would not listen."
It was an accusation Elizabeth could not deny. She could hardly believe it. One thing she was absolutely certain of was that Charlotte did not love Mr. Collins. She did not really know him, so why on earth had she agreed to marry him. It was a horrifying thought.
"Mama, perhaps you would be better resting in your room," suggested Jane.
"Oh Jane. You understand my needs unlike your cruel sister. What a thoughtful daughter you are. I am not sure I am quite strong enough to get up the stairs. This has been such a terrible shock."
"It has, Mama, and I would not want you to exert yourself. I shall make sure that your bed is turned down and then get Thomas to carry you upstairs."
"But Jane, I cannot bear to be alone," said Mrs. Bennet, managing to squeeze a few more tears out of her eyes.
"You will not be alone, Mama," said Jane. "I will not leave you."
Elizabeth thought how sweet Jane was. She was so much better at looking after Mama than Elizabeth was. Elizabeth just found herself becoming impatient and then feeling guilty.
"You go, Jane, and I will stay with Mama while you see to her room," said Elizabeth, feeling she ought to do something.
"I am not sure I want to talk to you," said Mrs. Bennet crossly. "What have you done to Mr. Collins that he has not proposed to you?"
Elizabeth could not help blushing slightly.
"I bet Lizzy turned him down, Mama," said Lydia suddenly.
Elizabeth glared at her. "You do not know what you are talking about."
"Lizzy, did you turn him down?" asked Mrs. Bennet accusingly.
"Mama, I did not because there was no proposal. He now has his heart set on Charlotte."
"I cannot think how he could marry her, though she obviously took the opportunity to worm her way into his affections. Horrible girl, it really is too much. We are to be homeless now and this is all your fault, Lizzy. You should have made him propose. Who else would marry you? You do not have Jane's advantages."
Elizabeth sighed. Her mother never stopped pointing out the differences between herself and Jane. Jane was beautiful and Elizabeth could not match her beauty or elegance, but she was not jealous.
"I think Elizabeth is just as beautiful as Jane," said Kitty loyally.
"Thank you," said Elizabeth, smiling at her younger sister.
"If a man is only concerned about the appearance of a wife, then he must be very shallow. A man should look for other qualities in a wife, such as the ability to keep house, her general manners, her depth of knowledge," said Mary.
"Oh, be quiet, Mary," snapped Mrs. Bennet. "You always talk such nonsense."
Mary continued talking. "And naturally a wife should look for certain qualities in a husband such as fidelity, good manners, a good income, a comfortable home and a great deal of knowledge."
"Well then, the knowledge is missing in Mr. Collins," said Lydia bluntly. "He is very silly man."
"Lydia, how can you say such a thing?" said Mrs. Bennet.
"Because it is true. And I am rather glad that Lizzy is not going to marry him. Imagine us all having to tolerate him every day. It is definitely a good thing Mr. Collins is to marry Charlotte."
"You see what you have done?" said Mrs. Bennet, turning angrily on Elizabeth. "This is all your fault. You have been putting silly ideas in her head."
"I have done nothing of the sort," said Elizabeth.
"Oh yes you have. You have acted as if you have a choice in these matters. Mr. Collins is a man who wanted to marry you and now you have done something to make him change his mind. That is very wicked of you, Lizzy. You would rather see us on the street than do your duty."
"Mama. We will not be on the street. Mr. Collins will continue to live down in Kent and we can live here."
"But for how long? Do you think with Charlotte Lucas being the mistress of this house, she will not want to throw us out and have her own house near her parents?"
It was not something Elizabeth had even thought of, but then she hadn't thought Mr. Collins would even propose and even if that strange thought had occurred to her she would have been absolutely certain Charlotte would turn him down. Apart from her father's death, nothing so shocking had ever happened to her.
Elizabeth was relieved when Jane returned with Thomas and he picked up Mrs. Bennet, who was quite capable of walking, and carried her up to her room.
When she was gone, Kitty and Lizzy turned to Elizabeth. For once they both looked serious. "Lizzy, if you are not to marry Mr. Collins, what will happen to us?"
Elizabeth did not know what to tell them. In truth, she had been so intent in ensuring that she did not find herself tied to Mr. Collins that she really had not thought about their long term future. Thank goodness Mr. Gardiner was coming to stay. She hoped she would get the opportunity to talk to him about it.
Later that day Elizabeth walked over to Lucas Lodge to see Charlotte. In truth she felt a little awkward about seeing her friend. She did not understand why anyone as sensible as Charlotte would have agreed to marry Mr. Collins.
"My dear Miss Elizabeth," said Mr. Collins when she was shown into the drawing room at Lucas Lodge. "I am so delighted to see you. I want you to be the first to congratulate me on my engagement to Miss Lucas. I could not be happier."
"I am pleased for both of you," said Elizabeth, stealing a glance at her friend who was observing Mr. Collins with her normal sanguine expression.
"I could not have chosen a better wife," continued Mr. Collins, "and I am so honoured that she accepted my proposal. I have always had great admiration for her, but now I have a deep and abiding love for her too."
Elizabeth was certain that she saw Charlotte wink at her. How could her friend who had always despised marriage get engaged to such a man? Not only was he silly but he was untruthful. Only the day before he'd wanted to propose to her. He could hardly have fallen in love with Charlotte overnight.
As the visit progressed, listening to Mr. Collins Elizabeth was left wondering if there really was madness in the family and yet it was on her father's side as Mr. Collins continued to make the most ridiculous statements about how much he loved Charlotte and how Lady Catherine would approve of his choice of wife. Elizabeth's frustration was great and yet through it all the serene expression on Charlotte's face remained the same.
Elizabeth was grateful when Sir William proposed a walk and they set off with Maria for a walk around Longbourn and the surrounding countryside. Fortunately, Mr. Collins wanted to tell Sir William about his latest sermon and how much it had been admired by Lady Catherine, which gave her the opportunity to talk to Charlotte.
"I cannot understand how this has happened," said Elizabeth quickly.
"Is it that you think Mr. Collins cannot love anyone but yourself?" asked Charlotte, smiling at her friend.
"No… of course not. But Charlotte, you have never wanted to be married."
"No, I haven't, but Lizzy, I do understand the importance of doing my duty. I cannot expect to stay living with my parents as a burden if there is an opportunity for me to have my own home."
"But you do not love him."
"How could I, Lizzy? I hardly know him, but I believe I have as much chance of happiness with Mr. Collins as any other man. All I look for is a comfortable home and I believe he can offer that."
Elizabeth was still troubled by Charlotte's decision.
"But Charlotte, how will you tolerate him…." she nodded towards Mr. Collins, who was almost tripping over Sir William in his eagerness to expound on some biblical text.
"Elizabeth, I am not you. You have to understand the differences in our nature. You, Lizzy, are curious, passionate and crave stimulation."
"You make me sound giddy like Lydia," grumbled Elizabeth, not enjoying the picture Charlotte was painting of her nature.
"I don't mean to," said Charlotte calmly. "But you need someone who is your equal. You would never be happy with a man like Mr. Collins, I know that."
"I don't want any man."
"You will marry," said Charlotte firmly.
"I will not, Charlotte. I have never wanted to be married."
"And I believe you have only ever said that because you are afraid," said Charlotte, echoing Jane's thoughts on the matter.
"Afraid of what?"
"Of giving yourself to someone who is not worthy of your love. So instead of taking the risk you distance yourself from any man who is in danger of showing you some interest."
"Charlotte, there have been few opportunities to meet a suitable man, but I had never realised you thought so badly of me."
Charlotte laid her hands on Elizabeth's shoulders and looked at her earnestly. "Lizzy, I do not. You are my best friend. But that does not make me blind to the best and worst of you. You are sweet, kind, intelligent, and will make the right man an excellent wife. But your husband will have to be someone who can curb your impetuous nature, will enjoy your banter, and be someone capable of thinking deeply and able to express their feelings. I believe you have yet to meet such a man."
Elizabeth did not know whether she should feel pleased or annoyed at Charlotte's assessment of her character.
"I am going to miss you, Charlotte."
"I will miss you too, Elizabeth," said Charlotte with tears in her eyes. "Lizzy, you must write to me frequently and tell me all the news as I believe we will be going to Kent and it will be some time before I am able to leave it again."
"I will write to you weekly, though I am not sure I will have anything very cheerful to say."
"Nonsense," said Charlotte as they carried on walking. "You have always had the ability to make the most trivial of things amusing."
Elizabeth was certain Charlotte was flattering her unnecessarily.
"And Lizzy, Father and Maria are going to come and stay with us before the end of autumn. I hope that you will agree to be one of the party."
"As long as Mother agrees I will definitely come," promised Elizabeth, thinking that it would be interesting to see Mr. Collins in his home environment. "As long as you promise that I will meet Lady Catherine."
Charlotte laughed. "That is a promise I am certain I can keep."
"What is that, my dear?" asked Mr. Collins, joining them and taking Charlotte's hand.
"Elizabeth has agreed to come and visit us in Kent and I was saying that I was certain she would meet Lady Catherine."
"Oh my dear cousin, that is splendid news. We will be delighted to welcome you into our humble abode. I have no doubt that Lady Catherine with her generosity will insist that you go to Rosings Park at least once. She is very interested in all my family."
"I hope I will live up to her expectations," said Elizabeth drily.
"You need not be afraid, cousin. Lady Catherine is very kind to those that have a lower status in society."
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows at Charlotte. Was she really going to marry this man?
"Come, Mr. Collins," said Charlotte. "We must return to Lucas Lodge. I know Mother would like to talk to you about the wedding."
"Oh yes, my dear. Lead on."
Elizabeth followed behind with Maria and Sir William and was happy to let them chatter away, making little contribution to the conversation. She was too busy thinking about the future. She must talk to Jane. Now that a respectable time had passed since her father's death, a wedding between Jane and Mr. Bingley should be imminent. That would be a far more palatable affair than the one planned between her best friend and the dreadful Mr. Collins.