Chapter 57

by Jane Austen

　　The discomposure of spirits which this extraordinary visitthrew Elizabeth into, could not be easily overcome; nor couldshe, for many hours, learn to think of it less thanincessantly. Lady Catherine, it appeared, had actually takenthe trouble of this journey from Rosings, for the sole purposeof breaking off her supposed engagement with Mr. Darcy. It wasa rational scheme, to be sure! but from what the report oftheir engagement could originate, Elizabeth was at a loss toimagine; till she recollected that his being the intimatefriend of Bingley, and her being the sister of Jane, wasenough, at a time when the expectation of one wedding madeevery body eager for another, to supply the idea. She had notherself forgotten to feel that the marriage of her sister mustbring them more frequently together. And her neighbours atLucas lodge, therefore (for through their communication withthe Collinses, the report, she concluded, had reached ladyCatherine), had only set that down as almost certain andimmediate, which she had looked forward to as possible atsome future time.In revolving Lady Catherine's expressions, however, she couldnot help feeling some uneasiness as to the possible consequenceof her persisting in this interference. From what she had saidof her resolution to prevent their marriage, it occurred toElizabeth that she must meditate an application to her nephew;and how he might take a similar representation of the evilsattached to a connection with her, she dared not pronounce.She knew not the exact degree of his affection for his aunt, orhis dependence on her judgment, but it was natural to supposethat he thought much higher of her ladyship than she coulddo; and it was certain that, in enumerating the miseries of amarriage with one whose immediate connections were so unequalto his own, his aunt would address him on his weakest side.With his notions of dignity, he would probably feel that thearguments, which to Elizabeth had appeared weak and ridiculous,contained much good sense and solid reasoning.If he had been wavering before as to what he should do, whichhad often seemed likely, the advice and intreaty of so near arelation might settle every doubt, and determine him at once tobe as happy as dignity unblemished could make him. In thatcase he would return no more. Lady Catherine might see him inher way through town; and his engagement to Bingley of comingagain to Netherfield must give way."If, therefore, an excuse for not keeping his promise shouldcome to his friend within a few days," she added, "I shallknow how to understand it. I shall then give over everyexpectation, every wish of his constancy. If he is satisfiedwith only regretting me, when he might have obtained myaffections and hand, I shall soon cease to regret him at all."The surprise of the rest of the family, on hearing who theirvisitor had been, was very great; but they obligingly satisfiedit, with the same kind of supposition which had appeasedMrs. Bennet's curiosity; and Elizabeth was spared from muchteazing on the subject.The next morning, as she was going down stairs, she was met byher father, who came out of his library with a letter in hishand."Lizzy," said he, "I was going to look for you; come into myroom."She followed him thither; and her curiosity to know what hehad to tell her was heightened by the supposition of its beingin some manner connected with the letter he held. It suddenlystruck her that it might be from Lady Catherine; and sheanticipated with dismay all the consequent explanations.She followed her father to the fire place, and they both satdown. He then said,"I have received a letter this morning that has astonished meexceedingly. As it principally concerns yourself, you ought toknow its contents. I did not know before, that I had twodaughters on the brink of matrimony. Let me congratulate youon a very important conquest."The colour now rushed into Elizabeth's cheeks in theinstantaneous conviction of its being a letter from the nephew,instead of the aunt; and she was undetermined whether most tobe pleased that he explained himself at all, or offended thathis letter was not rather addressed to herself; when her fathercontinued,"You look conscious. Young ladies have great penetration insuch matters as these; but I think I may defy even yoursagacity, to discover the name of your admirer. This letteris from Mr. Collins.""From Mr. Collins! and what can he have to say?""Something very much to the purpose of course. He beginswith congratulations on the approaching nuptials of my eldestdaughter, of which, it seems, he has been told by some of thegood-natured, gossiping Lucases. I shall not sport with yourimpatience, by reading what he says on that point. Whatrelates to yourself, is as follows." "Having thus offeredyou the sincere congratulations of Mrs. Collins and myself onthis happy event, let me now add a short hint on the subjectof another; of which we have been advertised by the sameauthority. Your daughter Elizabeth, it is presumed, will notlong bear the name of Bennet, after her elder sister hasresigned it, and the chosen partner of her fate may bereasonably looked up to as one of the most illustriouspersonages in this land.""Can you possibly guess, Lizzy, who is meant by this?" "Thisyoung gentleman is blessed, in a peculiar way, with every thingthe heart of mortal can most desire, -- splendid property,noble kindred, and extensive patronage. Yet in spite of allthese temptations, let me warn my cousin Elizabeth, andyourself, of what evils you may incur by a precipitate closurewith this gentleman's proposals, which, of course, you will beinclined to take immediate advantage of.""Have you any idea, Lizzy, who this gentleman is? But now itcomes out.""My motive for cautioning you is as follows. We have reason toimagine that his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, does not lookon the match with a friendly eye.""Mr. Darcy, you see, is the man! Now, Lizzy, I think Ihave surprised you. Could he, or the Lucases, have pitchedon any man within the circle of our acquaintance, whose namewould have given the lie more effectually to what they related?Mr. Darcy, who never looks at any woman but to see a blemish,and who probably never looked at you in his life! It isadmirable!"Elizabeth tried to join in her father's pleasantry, but couldonly force one most reluctant smile. Never had his wit beendirected in a manner so little agreeable to her."Are you not diverted?""Oh! yes. Pray read on.""After mentioning the likelihood of this marriage to herladyship last night, she immediately, with her usualcondescension, expressed what she felt on the occasion; when itbecome apparent, that on the score of some family objections onthe part of my cousin, she would never give her consent to whatshe termed so disgraceful a match. I thought it my duty togive the speediest intelligence of this to my cousin, that sheand her noble admirer may be aware of what they are about, andnot run hastily into a marriage which has not been properlysanctioned." "Mr. Collins moreover adds," "I am truly rejoicedthat my cousin Lydia's sad business has been so well hushed up,and am only concerned that their living together before themarriage took place should be so generally known. I must not,however, neglect the duties of my station, or refrain fromdeclaring my amazement at hearing that you received the youngcouple into your house as soon as they were married. It was anencouragement of vice; and had I been the rector of Longbourn,I should very strenuously have opposed it. You ought certainlyto forgive them as a Christian, but never to admit them in yoursight, or allow their names to be mentioned in your hearing.""That is his notion of Christian forgiveness! The rest ofhis letter is only about his dear Charlotte's situation, andhis expectation of a young olive-branch. But, Lizzy, you lookas if you did not enjoy it. You are not going to be Missish,I hope, and pretend to be affronted at an idle report. Forwhat do we live, but to make sport for our neighbours, andlaugh at them in our turn?""Oh!" cried Elizabeth, "I am excessively diverted. But it isso strange!""Yes -- that is what makes it amusing. Had they fixed onany other man it would have been nothing; but his perfectindifference, and your pointed dislike, make it sodelightfully absurd! Much as I abominate writing, I would notgive up Mr. Collins's correspondence for any consideration.Nay, when I read a letter of his, I cannot help giving him thepreference even over Wickham, much as I value the impudence andhypocrisy of my son-in-law. And pray, Lizzy, what said LadyCatherine about this report? Did she call to refuse herconsent?"To this question his daughter replied only with a laugh; andas it had been asked without the least suspicion, she was notdistressed by his repeating it. Elizabeth had never beenmore at a loss to make her feelings appear what they were not.It was necessary to laugh, when she would rather have cried.Her father had most cruelly mortified her, by what he said ofMr. Darcy's indifference, and she could do nothing but wonderat such a want of penetration, or fear that perhaps, instead ofhis seeing too little, she might have fancied too much.