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The situation at Longbourn was at last relieved- or in some opinions, aggravated- by none other than Elizabeth’s friend, Charlotte Lucas, whom the entire Bennets and Mr. Collins dined with her family on Thursday evening. Having visited the Bennets the exact day of the proposal and heard the news therefrom, Charlotte relieved Elizabeth of Mr. Collins’ wrathful stares by engaging him in discourses to her side. For this, Elizabeth was immensely grateful and she heartily encouraged the aside.
However, the engagement arose in Mr. Collins another set of wondrous feelings; for what other encouragement was there to be had in a female than the willingness to listen to one’s speech and appear enraptured by them?
To this effect, Mr. Collins convinced himself of a receptive mind in Charlotte Lucas and purported to re-channel his effusions of love to her listening ears before he took his leave of Hertfordshire the very next day. Charlotte, for a lack of excuse, could only say for herself that if her friend would not have Mr. Collins, for whatever reason only she could fathom, she certainly would- for her heart though previously hopeful of love was now dead and no illusions of a marriage filled with love had she; not anymore. So, it was with all in her wit that she engaged careful attentiveness to him that though would inform him of her willingness to receive him, would also not put her in a bad way with her friend Elizabeth.
In effect, she did receive her proposal very early on Friday morning a little before breakfast at Longbourn. That same morning, she had been sitting in her room, staring longingly at Longbourn and despairing that all her encouragements had gone in vain. It was too soon; only between Wednesday and Thursday; for Mr. Collins to adjust his choice of a wife but therein, she belittled the powers of Mr. Collins determination not to fail his patroness and self-confidence. Alas, she saw him hasten up the path that led from Longbourn to Lucas Lodge, wrapped up nicely against the cold with determined strides that did justice to his tall figure. It was that exact moment that Charlotte decided that she would take a walk along the path herself.
So it was that they just happened to meet in the shrubbery close to Lucas Lodge where Mr. Collins fell on his knees in a most charming manner and delivered his proposal in a most affectionately lengthy monologue.
Charlotte wasted no time in accepting and together, they proceeded into the house to inform Sir and Lady Lucas who both were ecstatic at the news, for Charlotte had little chance of a better prospect as a consequence of the little dowry they could bestow to her. Her sisters and brothers received the news with great felicity; their ranking and chances of marriage were sure to increase by the connections of their sister’s soon-to-be husband. Mr. Collins, thereafter, went back to Longbourn with a promise from his engaged not to disclose the affair to the family; for she wanted the ‘pleasure’ of telling it to Elizabeth first.
Mr. Collins pronounced his farewell to the family after dinner on the same night. In this regard of his oath to Charlotte, the clergyman kept to his word, despite the burning need to inform the entire family on his successful new love and impeding marital status in Charlotte Lucas. So that night, he only said his farewells to his fair cousins who- particularly Elizabeth bade him the same with utmost relief. Mrs. Bennet, in an attempt to compensate for the disappointment he had received in her daughter and in a self-deceiving hope that the proposal might yet be repeated (to Mary this time around) and accepted, invited him for another stay soon and at this, Mr. Collins was over-joyous. He promised to avail himself of the invitation, much to the dismay of Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth who were impatient to see him go. He left the following morning without fanfare.
Charlotte Lucas came visiting the same morning after breakfast. When alone with Elizabeth, she disclosed the true purpose of her visit much to the shocked discomposure of her friend who blurted out without prior thoughts and delicacy: “Engaged to Mr. Collins! My dear Charlotte- impossible!”
This hurt her friend but a little for she was not so insensible as to think the news would be received with very great warmth and congratulations. As calm as a summer sky, she replied, “Why should you be surprised, my dear Eliza? Do you think it incredible that Mr. Collins should be able to procure any woman's good opinion, because he was not so happy as to succeed with you?”
Elizabeth took a moment of recollection to study Charlotte’s steady composure and saw in her eyes, a challenge, a daring to convince her out of her decision. Elizabeth also recognized the vessel which precipitated her friend’s reaction.
“Nay, dearest Charlotte,” she hastened to say, “I was merely taken in by your announcement. Be certain that I wish you all happiness in this match and bear you no grudge.”
“I see what you are feeling,” Charlotte replied, quite unmoved by Elizabeth’s quick candour. “You must be surprised, very much surprised- so lately as Mr. Collins was wishing to marry you. But when you have had time to think it over, I hope you will be satisfied with what I have done. I am not romantic, you know; I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins's character, connection, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state.”
It was true that her friend was never romantic, but last year, someone had instilled in her a sense of romance and she had had a clandestine affair with him. The man was married and in the duration of the affair, his wife had repaired to town suddenly, with speculations of an annulment in the air. The couple’s marriage was five years gone with no issues yet; the Lawrences they were, but never had Elizabeth seen a more mismatched couple than the two for they never seemed to agree on any score even in public. Just as suddenly as the wife’s disappearance, Elizabeth began to notice her friend’s change in disposition, particularly when Mr. Lawrence was near. She had put her numbers together and challenged Charlotte candidly, eliciting a confession that Mr. Lawrence had wooed her and the affair was underway already with a promise of marriage as soon as the encumbrances of his annulment was done with.
Elizabeth had sought to convince her friend of Mr. Lawrence’s lies. She had the misfortune of being his first target of professions of undying love and promise of marriage and that was three months before his wife repaired to town. She had sent him on his way with a warning to expose his infidelity should he repeat his actions. Obviously, he had forgotten about her and settled for her friend. Perceiving that Charlotte would only be convinced with physical evidence- so far gone was she in love with Mr. Lawrence for indeed, the man was not without immense charms; Elizabeth decided on a scheme that would put the deceit out of her friend. This scheme had led them to Fitzwilliam Tavern where she had unwittingly met Mr. Darcy for the first time.
“Would your choice to settle for Mr. Collins be remotely related to him?” she asked at her own peril.
Her question was well understood- for no sooner had their scheme worked than Mrs. Lawrence resumed again, at Garywood like nothing happened. The look that Charlotte however favoured upon her would have sufficed to melt a stone.
“Of course not,” Charlotte said.
“Then, know that I wish you nothing but happiness,” Elizabeth told her friend, perceiving no other manner of ending the discourse and the awkwardness with which it was engaged.