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A few days passed, and Elizabeth did not talk to her mother, but Mrs. Bennet did not seem to care. Mary was the only one who had comforted her after that incident.

“I am sorry, Lizzy. It is very inhumane of Mamma to do that, and I don’t think you did anything wrong.”

Elizabeth looked at her sister gratefully.

“Sometimes I feel very lonely despite being in such a big family, and I must thank you for comforting me.”

“I may not say it often, but I love you very much. I think you are the best sister in the world,” Mary said with warmth.

Elizabeth embraced her sister with affection.

***

One morning, a letter arrived for her father, and it was from his distant relative, Mr. Collins. After reading the letter, Mr. Bennet had a deep discussion with his wife.

“You say he is a widower and looking for a wife?” Mrs. Bennet asked her husband.

“Yes! He has explicitly written that he plans to visit us and see which of our daughters would suit him.”

“It will not do; I cannot have that man marry our Jane. She has to marry someone with good fortune, and I have raised her with high hopes. That horrible man not only has a right to our estate, but now he wants to choose from our daughters. What do we do?” she cried with worry.

“From what he states, he doesn’t have an intention to ever take over Longbourn, even after my death.

He has indirectly communicated that it might not be the case if we do not take him as a son-in-law.

He plans to stay in Kent for the rest of his life once he is married.

He wants to marry one of our daughters; in return, we will have Longbourn for ourselves.

Considering his age and marital status, I think it would be tough for him to find a wife anywhere. ”

“Oh!” Mrs. Bennet said thoughtfully.

“I think we may be able to settle this matter,” she said with a smile.

Much to Elizabeth’s surprise, her mother spoke to her affectionately that evening during supper.

“Lizzy, dear, why don’t you eat some more? You seem to be losing weight,” she said, smiling.

Elizabeth did not know what caused the change. She smiled at her mother, inwardly wanting to forget everything that happened a few days ago, and her father announced about the guest they were expecting.

“Is he handsome? How old is he? Is he rich?” Jane asked with excitement.

Her mother made a stern face at her and ignored her questions.

“Lizzy, I have given you the responsibility of overlooking preparations for his visit. He may want to explore the village or the outdoors. Who can be the best person to give him company than you?” her mother said.

“Of course, Mamma! I shall be happy to show him around,” Elizabeth said, unaware of the sinister motive behind her mother’s change of heart.

She helped the housekeeper with all the arrangements, and Mr. Collins arrived a few days later. He had a lengthy discussion with the parents before he met the daughters, and Jane looked at him with disgust.

What an old, ugly man!

Elizabeth welcomed her cousin with warmth, as she did not look down on a person for their appearance or status. But moments after his arrival, she found that he lacked manners.

They sat for supper, and Mrs. Bennet ensured that Elizabeth sat beside him. She conversed with him politely, not wanting to upset her mother.

“Fair cousin, it is a pleasure to meet all of you today, especially you. I understand you love to run the house and enjoy domestic pursuits,” he said to Elizabeth, food falling out of his mouth as he spoke.

Elizabeth looked at him perplexed.

“Oh! Yes! Elizabeth is efficient in running the house. In fact, she overlooked preparations for your stay here, Mr. Collins. She is also very interested in showing you around the neighborhood.”

Elizabeth did not understand what was going on and suddenly felt worried.

Something is not right. Why should Mamma lie to him about what I am not?

She noticed that he never paid attention to anyone else except her.

Somehow, his stare made her uncomfortable, and she shifted in her chair.

Elizabeth looked at her father, hoping he would intervene and stop Mr. Collins from his meaningless talk, but he had the same disinterest in their lives.

Mr. Collins spoke a great deal about Kent.

“My esteemed patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, approved my arrival here. She is the most noble person on earth. Her concern for my welfare has me indebted to her forever. “Go, Mr. Collins,” she said, looking at me with generosity as if it would deprive Kent of my services. But she wanted me to meet my relations and said it would heal my grief.”

“I am sorry, sir. I fail to understand you,” Elizabeth said.

“Fair cousin, you may wonder how I can conduct myself with such grace, irrespective of what happened to me. But my character is pristine, and I will not ruin my life because of the work of evil forces.”

Elizabeth was extremely confused by his words.

“My wife died last month because of an accident. She fell into the lake and drowned,” he said, referring to his loss without any grief.

All of them looked at him with shock except for Mr. and Mrs. Bennet.

Elizabeth understood that they were already aware of the details. It shocked her to know that he was out of mourning so soon, and his demeanor was joyous.

“Such evil forces should never be allowed to win as some evil force had caused my wife to disobey my orders and venture close to the waters. The outcome was a punishment she deserved,” he said.

Elizabeth looked at him with disgust and wanted to leave the table.

“Our daughters will always obey us, sir. Especially our dearest Elizabeth,” Mrs. Bennet said.

“I am certain she does. I must appreciate you for raising such obedient daughters. I can see that Miss Elizabeth shines with her applaudable qualities, which every young woman should possess to find a suitable partner in this world,” Mr. Collins said with a smile.

Elizabeth felt extremely uncomfortable with the attention he gave her, and Lydia and Kitty giggled whenever he spoke. Soon after supper, she retired to her room, not wanting to endure any more of his company.

How could someone talk about his wife’s demise in such a cruel way? Why is he here all of a sudden? she wondered.

Her mother forced her to accompany him to the village the next day, and Mary joined them.

He spoke a great deal about his patroness, and if at all he mentioned his wife, it was only to blame her for her own death, and even Mary, who had more patience, found him appalling.

When he was at a store, the sisters discussed the matter.

“I do not know why he is here, Lizzy. Does he want to drive us out of the house?” Mary asked with worry.

“No, that is not how the entailment works. Only in the unlikely event of Papa’s death can he claim the estate’s ownership.”

“I wish he leaves soon; I cannot stand his talks.”

Elizabeth nodded in agreement. That evening, Elizabeth entered the library to find her father, who sat immersed in his books.

She wanted to be certain that there was nothing to worry about regarding the sudden visit from Mr. Collins.

“Papa, could you spare a few minutes.”

“What is it?” he asked, not even looking up at her.

“Why is Mr. Collins here?” she asked bluntly.

“What sort of a question is that? He is here to visit us.”

“But his wife had died just a few weeks ago. Is it not odd to be out of mourning so soon? I hope you would agree that his talks are neither sensible nor decent. I had a tough time this morning with him in the village, and I was uncomfortable being around him. Papa, he does not seem honorable,” she said.

“Enough! What did he do to be termed a rake?”

“I did not say that he was a rake. But he makes me uncomfortable with his behavior.”

“I will not have a word more. He is to be respected, and you will do as your mother says. Now leave me,” he said in anger.

“Why are you angry with me? Who else can I take my concerns to? I have to bring them to you,” Elizabeth pleaded.

“You have wild imaginations. Do you think you are the only one perfect in this world? Leave now; there is no peace for me in this house.”

“Is there something wrong with the estate or entailment? Why is he here?”

“He is here as our relation. I warn you to treat him respectfully and not show your impertinence. I will not have it,” he said in anger, and Elizabeth marched out of the library in distress.

She remembered that he had not always been this way. In recent years, he had changed a lot, and Elizabeth often thought it was because of their financial situation, but his treatment often confused her. She felt something stopped him from being affectionate towards her.

The next day, her mother and sisters left for the village to shop. Elizabeth consciously stayed back, knowing Mr. Collins would accompany them, and her father was away from the house on some business.

She knew Mr. Collins would leave the following week.

Just a week more, Lizzy. You can endure him .

She said to herself and walked into the library. As she sat down to read, she heard the door open.

Elizabeth was shocked to see Mr. Collins enter the room with a broad smile on his face.

Good, God! Why is he here?

“Mr. Collins! I thought you had gone to the village with my sisters,” she said and stood.

“Fair cousin. How could I do so? I knew you were alone and would want company,” he said, walking close to her.

“I have a headache. Please excuse me,” she said and tried to leave.

But to her alarm, he blocked her way.

“I cannot allow you to leave, my dearest cousin. You have captured my eye in a way no woman has. When I first saw you, I knew you would be an excellent choice for a wife. You have strongly assured my intuition in the past few days with your grace and beauty. As a clergyman, I must set an example to the people of Kent in my marriage. Even though my wife died recently, I assure you I am not depressed, and I can keep you happy in all ways a man needs to,” he said, licking his lips.

You are wrong, Papa! This man is a rake.

Elizabeth was disgusted by his words. She was shocked beyond measure that he intended to propose all this time. He was in his mid-forties and almost twice her age.

“Mr. Collins, please understand that I cannot...”

Before she could finish, he interrupted her.

“Oh! Do not worry about your dowry. Your father acknowledged how meager the sum was. But I assure you, I will not need it. All I need is you, my beautiful bride.”

“Stop it!” she cried. “I cannot accept this proposal of yours, and I cannot marry you. Will you please allow me to leave?” she asked with anger.

“Now I understand. You want to tease me as most young women would. I do admire your spirited approach to life. Maybe you want me to express my admiration for you openly. Would you like to hear my thoughts about your fine figure? I have failed to express myself on that subject. The other day, when we walked to the village, I couldn’t but admire the way you… ”

“That is enough! I warn you not to utter another word. I cannot believe you have the nerve to speak to me this way. Your character is hideous, and I cannot believe you are a clergyman,” she cried and quickly ran out of the room. Mr. Collins stared at her in shock and confusion.

She did not stop until she reached her room and locked the door.

Mamma set this up; she knew his intentions, and now I understand why she has been kind to me.

She realized the truth and sobbed, feeling ashamed of her tears.

Mamma may have such a horrendous plan, but Papa will never agree .

She was determined to drive the man out of the house once her father returned, and little did she know that her refusal would create repercussions that would alter her life forever.