Page 3 of Introducing Mrs. Collins
‘Why, you will join us in it when you hear – we may all breathe a little easier. He has gone! At last! Farewell Mr Collins!’ cried Elizabeth.
Two of the other Bennet sisters stood behind Elizabeth in the hall: Jane, the eldest, and Lydia, the youngest. There was a giddy relief among them all – even Jane, who was usually tolerant to a fault.
Charlotte smiled awkwardly.
‘Although,’ continued Elizabeth, ‘he threatens us with another visit, so while he is gone for now, we must be ever ready for his unfortunate return.’
‘Like ringworm,’ added Lydia gleefully, earning a look of disgust from Jane and a chuckle from Elizabeth.
Charlotte spoke before more was said that pained her. ‘I have news, Eliza. Could we speak alone?’
Elizabeth’s face fell serious. She showed her friend into the parlour and ushered out yet another sister.
Charlotte sat and looked her friend in the eye.
Like a cold bath, it was better to just get into it directly without delay; Charlotte knew trepidation would only make things worse. ‘Mr Collins called on me yesterday, and he asked me to marry him.’
Elizabeth gasped, and her hands covered her mouth. She, again almost laughing, uttered, ‘Oh! Charlotte! I am shocked… so soon after he asked… but anyway, I am sorry for you! Was it very awkward? Did he take—’
‘And I accepted him. We are engaged.’
Elizabeth let out the remaining half-laugh she had been holding in. But seeing the seriousness on Charlotte’s face, she stopped. ‘Engaged to Mr Collins! My dear Charlotte, impossible!’
Charlotte had expected this indignation and kept her reserve. She cooly defended her position, and Elizabeth, with some effort, held back her natural incredulity long enough to offer mealy-mouthed congratulations. Both unable to speak further, they joined the Bennets in the next room, relieved for a while by alternative company.
But as Charlotte was preparing to take her leave, Elizabeth drew her back into the parlour.
Evidently her feelings had been bubbling away, and she now allowed them to burst forth, saying vehemently, ‘Why?Why did you say yes Charlotte? He is dreadful.’
‘He is not to your taste.’
‘He is not toyourtaste, Charlotte. We have laughed at himtogether. How can you make this decision? It makes no sense!’
‘It makes perfect sense, Eliza. I am unmarried and older than you, and unlike you, I am not inundated with interest from all quarters.’ Charlotte’s patience was now wearing thin.
‘Better to be alone than tied to a man like that.’
‘Is it? Are you so sure? What experience have you of being alone? And living on what? You would have me be a spinster into my dotage, while you are married with children and a home of you own, and I, a lonely friend you have to visit occasionally. Is that what you would wish?’
‘Whatis this fantasy you’ve concocted? Charlotte, I do not know from where these thoughts have come—’
‘I have thought about this foryears, Eliza! Do you not imagine that every season, each as fruitless as the last, I have wondered what my future will look like, wondered how I will secure my happiness, a home, a family. Have you, as my dearest friend, never considered that questionforme? Or have you thought only about your ownprospects, which are so much happier? Did you not think, in turning down such a man as Mr Collins so easily, what a lucky position you were in – to feel so certain of what you have to offer, of your looks and your advantages, that you need not evenconsiderit? What a luxury that is, to be so sure. I do not have that luxury.’
Elizabeth was quiet but not calm, and she could not look her friend in the eye. After a minute, she said, ‘I hear what you are telling me, and I do understand your fears… but I cannot believe you will find solace for them inthat man.’
‘I had hoped for support from you…’ Charlotte’s voice was low and warning now.
Elizabeth crossed towards the fire and began furiously poking it.
Charlotte continued, ‘I knew you would not have done the same thing, but I am trying to do the right thing for myself—’
‘You are not doing the right thing!’ cried Elizabeth, rounding on her.
There had never before been a scene like this between them. For a moment, they each raged silently. Elizabeth was more openly agitated, whereas Charlotte, cursing the tears in her eyes, slowed her breath and found her stillness, which was a power of hers.
‘You have made your feelings clear. Perhaps I will see you before I leave. Good day.’
Her cool grey eyes could have chipped ice into Elizabeth’s, as she rose and exited the room.
