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CHAPTER XXII
he Bennets were engaged to dine with the Lucases； and
again during the chief of the day； was Miss Lucas so kind
T
as to listen to Mr。 Collins。 Elizabeth took an opportunity
of thanking her。 ‘It keeps him in good humour；’ said she； ‘and I am
more obliged to you than I can express。’ Charlotte assured her
friend of her satisfaction in being useful； and that it amply repaid
her for the little sacrifice of her time。 This was very amiable； but
Charlotte’s kindness extended farther than Elizabeth had any
conception of；—its object was nothing less； than to secure her
from any return of Mr。 Collins’s addresses； by engaging them
towards herself。 Such was Miss Lucas’s scheme； and appearances
were so favourable that when they parted at night； she would have
felt almost sure of success if he had not been to leave
Hertfordshire so very soon。 But here； she did injustice to the fire
and independence of his character； for it led him to escape out of
Longbourn House the next morning with admirable slyness； and
hasten to Lucas Lodge to throw himself at her feet。 He was
anxious to avoid the notice of his cousins； from a conviction that if
they saw him depart； they could not fail to conjecture his design；
and he was not willing to have the attempt known till its success
could be known likewise； for though feeling almost secure； and
with reason； for Charlotte had been tolerably encouraging； he was
comparatively diffident since the adventure of Wednesday。 His
reception however was of the most flattering kind。 Miss Lucas
perceived him from an upper window as he walked towards the
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house； and instantly set out to meet him accidentally in the lane。
But little had she dared to hope that so much love and eloquence
awaited her there。
In as short a time as Mr。 Collins’s long speeches would allow；
every thing was settled between them to the satisfaction of both；
and as they entered the house； he earnestly entreated her to name
the day that was to make him the happiest of men； and though
such a solicitation must be waved for the present； the lady felt no
inclination to trifle with his happiness。 The stupidity with which
he was favoured by nature； must guard his courtship from any
charm that could make a woman wish for its continuance； and
Miss Lucas； who accepted him solely from the pure and
disinterested desire of an establishment； cared not how soon that
establishment were gained。
Sir William and Lady Lucas were speedily applied to for their
consent； and it was bestowed with a most joyful alacrity。 Mr。
Collins’s present circumstances made it a most eligible match for
their daughter； to whom they could give little fortune； and his
prospects of future wealth were exceedingly fair。 Lady Lucas
began directly to calculate with more interest than the matter had
ever excited before； how many years longer Mr。 Bennet was likely
to live； and Sir William gave it as his decided opinion； that
whenever Mr。 Collins should be in possession of the Longbourn
estate； it would be highly expedient that both he and his wife
should make their appearance at St。 James’s。 The whole family in
short were properly overjoyed on the occasion。 The younger girls
formed hopes of coming out a year or two sooner than they might
otherwise have done； and the boys were relieved from their
apprehension of Charlotte’s dying an old maid。 Charlotte herself
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was tolerably composed。 She had gained her point； and had time
to consider of it。 Her reflections were in general satisfactory。 Mr。
Collins to be sure was neither sensible nor agreeable； his society
was irksome； and his attachment to her must be imaginary。 But
still he would be her husband。—Without thinking highly either of
men or of matrimony； marriage had always been her object； it was
the only honourable provision for well…educated young women of
small fortune； and however uncertain of giving happiness； must be
their pleasantest preservative from want。 This preservative she
had now obtained； and at the age of twenty…seven； without having
ever been handsome； she felt all the good luck of it。 The least
agreeable circumstance in the business； was the surprise it must
occasion to Elizabeth Bennet； whose friendship she valued beyond
that of any other person。 Elizabeth would wonder； and probably
would blame her； and though her resolution was not to be shaken；
her feelings must be hurt by such disapprobation。 She resolved to
give her the information herself； and therefore charged Mr。 Collins
when he returned to Longbourn to dinner； to drop no hint of what
had passed before any of the family。 A promise of secrecy was of
course very dutifully given； but it could not be kept without
difficulty； for the curiosity excited by his long absence； burst forth
in such very direct questions on his return； as required some
ingenuity to evade； and he was at the same time exercising great
self…denial； for he was longing to publish his prosperous love。
As he was to begin his journey too early on the morrow to see
any of the family； the ceremony of leave…taking was performed
when the ladies moved for the night； and Mrs。 Bennet with great
politeness and cordiality said how happy they should be to see him
at Longbourn again； whenever his other engagements might allow
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him to visit them。
‘My dear Madam；’ he replied； ‘this invitation is particularly
gratifying； because it is what I have been hoping to receive； and
you may be very certain that I shall avail