Elizabeth Is Forced to Stay
Elizabeth implores her mother not to leave, insisting that anything Mr. Collins might say could be heard by anyone. When she attempts to escape herself, Mrs.…
Collins’s Proposal Begins
Collins begins his address by praising Elizabeth’s modesty as an added charm. With her mother’s permission secured and his attentions unmistakable, he prepares to lay out his inte…
Reasons for Matrimony
Collins outlines his three reasons for marrying: as a clergyman of comfortable means he should set the example of matrimony in his parish, marriage will greatly increase his happi…
Lady Catherine’s Counsel
Collins recounts how Lady Catherine has twice offered her unsolicited opinion on the subject, the most recent being during a game of quadrille at Hunsford.…
The Longbourn Inheritance Motive
Collins explains that his search for a wife led him specifically to Longbourn rather than his own neighborhood. As heir to the estate upon Mr.…
Collins’s Declaration of Affection
Collins declares the constancy of his affection, professing complete indifference to Elizabeth’s fortune.…
Elizabeth’s First Refusal
Elizabeth interrupts him to insist she has made no answer and cannot accept. She thanks him for the compliment but firmly declines, refusing to dissemble in the manner of young la…
Collins Insists on Perseverance
Collins refuses to be discouraged, citing the established custom of ladies rejecting a first offer only to accept later.…
Elizabeth’s Firm Rejection
Elizabeth protests that she is entirely serious and that she would be the last woman to make him happy.…
Elizabeth Withdraws to Seek Her Father
Choosing not to persist in a further verbal exchange with Collins, Elizabeth withdraws in silence.…
CHAPITRE XX.
Mr. Collins, having proposed to Elizabeth and been refused, reports the outcome to Mrs. Bennet, who is dismayed at her daughter’s rejection and insists she will force Elizabeth to accept; when Mr.…
Mrs. Bennet’s Congratulations
Mrs. Bennet, who has been waiting in the vestibule for the outcome of Mr. Collins’s proposal to Elizabeth, enters the breakfast-room the moment her daughter leaves and warmly cong…
Mrs. Bennet Alarmed by the Refusal
Startled by this account, Mrs. Bennet wishes she could believe her daughter had simply been protesting out of coyness, but she cannot bring herself to credit it and says so aloud.
Mr. Collins Questions a Headstrong Wife
Mrs. Bennet vows to bring Lizzy to reason, calling her a headstrong, foolish girl who does not know her own interest, and promising to make her see it. Mr.…
Mrs. Bennet Summons Her Husband
Alarmed at his wavering, Mrs. Bennet protests that Lizzy is only headstrong in such matters and good-natured in everything else, then hurries off without giving him time to reply,…
Mr. Bennet’s Calm Response
Mr. Bennet looks up from his book with an air of calm unconcern utterly undisturbed by her news and confesses that he does not understand her; when she explains, he observes that…
Elizabeth Summoned to the Library
Mr. Bennet directs that Elizabeth be called down so that she may hear his opinion, and Mrs. Bennet rings the bell to summon her.…
Mr. Bennet’s Playful Ultimatum
Mr. Bennet then points out the unhappy alternative before her: her mother will never see her again if she does not marry Mr. Collins, and he will never see her again if she does.…
Mrs. Bennet’s Persisting Efforts
Undeterred, Mrs. Bennet continues to ply Elizabeth with coaxing and threats by turns, attempting even to enlist Jane, who mildly declines to interfere; Elizabeth meets the attacks…
Mr. Collins Meditates in Solitude
While the family is in confusion, Mr. Collins reflects privately on what has passed. He thinks too well of himself to understand on what motive his cousin could have refused him;…
Charlotte Lucas Arrives
Charlotte Lucas arrives to spend the day and is met in the vestibule by Lydia, who breathlessly whispers the news that Mr.…
Mrs. Bennet Appeals to Charlotte
In the breakfast-room, Mrs. Bennet, alone and miserable, calls on Miss Lucas for compassion and begs her to persuade Lizzy to comply with her family’s wishes, lamenting that nobod…
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