Pride and Prejudice — Chapter Nineteen (Abridged)

The next morning brought a formal development at Longbourn. Mr. Collins decided to make his marriage proposal to Elizabeth without losing any time. He was completely confident and felt no hesitation, so he entered the breakfast room with great readiness. Finding Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth, and Kitty together, he asked for a private audience.

Before Elizabeth could say anything, Mrs. Bennet quickly answered that Elizabeth would be very happy to listen. To give them privacy, Mrs. Bennet immediately ordered Kitty to come upstairs. Elizabeth grew anxious and begged her mother not to leave. She insisted that Mr. Collins could have nothing to say that required absolute secrecy, and she even threatened to leave the room herself.

However, Mrs. Bennet grew angry and ordered her daughter to stay and listen. Elizabeth realized that making a scene would only make matters worse. Trying to conceal her frustration under a look of calm composure, she sat back down and prepared to listen to his speech.

Mr. Collins began by praising her modesty. He stated that her little unwillingness actually made her more attractive in his eyes. He assured her that he had received her mother's formal permission before speaking. Then, he explained his reasons for marrying in an organized manner. First, he believed that every clergyman should set a good example of marriage in his neighborhood. Secondly, he was convinced it would increase his own personal happiness.

His third and most important reason was the direct advice of his wealthy patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. He explained that Lady Catherine had instructed him to find a valuable companion and bring her home. He also mentioned that since Elizabeth’s family would lose their property after Mr. Bennet died, marrying him was a practical financial choice for her future security.

When he finally stopped speaking, Elizabeth immediately thanked him for the honor but firmly refused his offer. She told him that his proposal could not make her happy, and she was certain that she was the last woman in the world who could make him happy. She asked him to believe her sincerity and drop the matter entirely.

Mr. Collins, however, smiled and refused to accept her answer. He argued that young ladies frequently say no at first when they actually intend to accept. He believed her refusal was merely a polite custom of her gender. He reminded her that his social position and income were highly desirable, and that her small fortune made it unlikely she would ever receive another offer of marriage.

Elizabeth became deeply frustrated. She told him clearly that she was not trying to deceive or torment him. She insisted that her feelings completely forbade the marriage and that her "no" was absolute. Despite her strong words, Mr. Collins remained convinced that she was simply trying to increase his affection by delaying her consent.