A/N- Thanks to all reviewers! All the advice is extremely helpful, and if I am improving at all, I have your suggestions to thank for it. Thanks a lot to JeanB. The site is incredibly helpful! I looked through all my chapters, and though I did not intend to do so, Mrs Bennet seems to rather hate Elizabeth. I assure you, it was not intentionally done. She only disapproves of Mr Darcy because she finds him odd due to reasons I explained in the last chapter. She is concerned for her daughter, and mildly annoyed with her for defending Mr Darcy. This will be further explained in the coming chapters, so stay tuned in! Oh, and Lilies of Avonlea, I'd love to try something with Anne of Green Gables, but I'm afraid I intend to finish this story first, and since there is a good deal of it left to tell, it will be some time before I can do the one shot. You don't mind waiting, do you?
Ladies and gentleman, I had an odd thought. Whenever I read reviews, or stories I have a tendency to think of the authors as ladies. Are there any gentlemen reading this story? I know, odd question, but I was simply so curious. Anyway, the story...

At four that evening, Mr Collins arrived, and was cordially greeted by Mr and Mrs Bennet.

Mr Bennet, who had secretly suspected his cousin to be quite absurd, was disappointed, for though originally Mr Collins was ridiculously formal, he soon grew at ease and discussed many topics with pleasure. He initially chose to describe his patroness, and was awarded by the fascinated interest of the party.

'Lady Catherine is quite gracious, and many would say a bit too much, for she has invited me to Rosings several times and deigned to visit my humble house more than once. She has been kind enough to allow me to visit my relations whenever I desired, provided I did not do so too often, and even condescended to advise me to choose a suitable companion and marry her soon.'

Here Mr Collins paused for breath. And something about his expression when he described Lady Catherine was mocking enough to ignite the curiosity of the listeners. They looked at him impatiently, waiting for him to divulge further information.

'Mr Collins, you don't sound as though you entirely approve of her?', said Mary timidly, after waiting for some time.

'It is not my place to approve or disapprove of my patroness, Ms Mary, but I must confess that she has a failing that makes me dislike her, though it is wrong to do so, and wronger still to speak ill of her.', said he, as though suddenly realizing that he had said too much.

Mary, emboldened by the fact that Mr Collins was not in the least offended by her inquiry, started to make another.

'You may be sure that none of us would betray your confidence, sir. It is not at all wrong of you to like or dislike a person, does an individual not have the right to think what they please of another? Besides, you are not speaking ill of her, but merely describing her character. You may be sure that none of us will think the worse of you for it.'

Mary blushed after this unusually long speech, wondering how she had the courage to speak so freely before a stranger.

Mr Bennet raised his eyebrows in astonishment, for Mary usually carefully calculated every word before she spoke. His wife, however, was very pleased that Mary was learning to put herself forward, and supported the girl.

'Mary is right, Mr Collins. Why, pray tell us what defect in Lady Catherine is the cause of your dislike, and rest assured that no one would blame you for it!'

Mr Collins thanked her warmly though his eyes rested on Mary as he voiced his gratitude.

'You have excited our curiosity, Mr Collins. It would be cruel of you to not complete the description!', cried Elizabeth.

'You see, Ms Elizabeth, Lady Catherine is rather proud, and her condescending air belittles the virtue of any favor she might bestow.'

'I recall you saying that she is a widow. Does she have any family?', asked Jane, who was always distresses by discussions of anyone's faults.

'She has one daughter, the heiress of Rosings.'

'How fortunate she is!', cried out Mrs Bennet.

Mary was mortified by her mother's not so subtle exclamation, and hoped that Mr Collins wouldn't notice anything amiss. She asked him if Ms de Bourgh was very handsome, hoping to distract him.

'Oh yes! She is widely regarded as a great beauty, has impeccable manners and is altogether charming. It is a pity she is too frail to be seen often. But Mrs Bennet, you must allow me to say that you have incredible taste, and the house, at least parts of it that I have seen are quite charming.'

Mrs Bennet thanked him heartily, and the conversation flowed easily till teatime was announced.

A/N- That's all folks! Will try to update again soon but in the meantime feed the muse with reviews.