Pride and Prejudice — Chapter Twenty-Two (Abridged)

The Bennets were engaged to dine with the Lucases, and again Miss Lucas was so kind as to listen to Mr. Collins. Elizabeth thanked her, assuming Charlotte was merely trying to keep him in good humor; but Charlotte’s kindness extended much farther. Her object was nothing less than securing Mr. Collins for herself, redirecting his addresses away from Elizabeth.

Miss Lucas perceived him from an upper window as he walked towards the house, and instantly set out to meet him accidentally in the lane. He was coming to Lucas Lodge on purpose to offer himself to her, as a match for the disappointment he had sustained at Longbourn. In a very short time, Mr. Collins made his formal proposal, which was accepted with great alacrity by the lady. They were soon joined by Sir William and Lady Lucas, to whom the suitor made his declaration, and received their hearty consent.

Sir William’s thoughts were immediately occupied by the prospect of his daughter’s future grandeur at Hunsford, and Lady Lucas began to calculate how many years Mr. Bennet would be likely to live. Charlotte herself was tolerably composed. She had accepted him solely from the pure desire of an establishment, caring little for the man, and nothing for his society. 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.

She was twenty-seven, and had never been handsome; she felt all the good luck of her situation. The only drawback was the surprise it would occasion to Elizabeth Bennet, whose friendship she valued beyond that of any other person. Elizabeth would wonder and blame her; and though Charlotte's resolution was not to be shaken, her feelings were hurt by the prospect. She determined to be herself the informant, and therefore requested Mr. Collins to keep the secret for that evening, which he readily promised. He took leave of his cousins at Longbourn with great solemnity the next morning, promising to return very soon.

Lady Lucas arrived soon after breakfast to break the news to Mrs. Bennet. Elizabeth, who was sitting with her mother, was completely astonished. But Mrs. Bennet’s indignation was far beyond anything Elizabeth could feel. She could not, she would not believe it; it was a gross falsehood, an invention to impose upon her. She scolded her daughter, abused Lady Lucas, and was so completely overwhelmed by vexation and anger, that it was several hours before she could speak with any degree of civility.

It was also a long time before Elizabeth could accept the truth of it herself. That Charlotte Lucas, who had always appeared to possess a good deal of sound sense, should throw herself away upon a man like Mr. Collins, was a matter of astonishment which she could scarcely overcome. She felt deeply for her friend, and felt that, by such a marriage, Charlotte must compromise her independence and lessen her estimation in the world.