Pride and Prejudice; Sense and Sensibility

Chapter 22 Elizabeth's Choice

Mr. Collins was alone in silent fantasies of a happy marriage, but not for long, for Mrs. Bennet had been loitering in the corridor, waiting to hear the outcome of their conversation.When she saw Elizabeth open the door, and hurry up-stairs, she went into the dining-room, and congratulated Mr. Collins, and herself, on the prospect of their ever-increasing intimacy.Mr. Collins accepted her congratulations with equal joy, and at the same time congratulated her, and proceeded to give a complete account of the conversation he had just had with Elizabeth, and said that he had every reason to believe that the result of the conversation It was very satisfying, because although his cousin refused repeatedly, that kind of rejection was naturally the expression of her shy, quiet, delicate and delicate nature.

Mrs. Bennet was taken aback by this news.Of course, if her daughter really just rejected his marriage proposal verbally, but encouraged him in her heart, she would feel equally happy, but she dared not think so, and had to speak her mind directly.

"Don't worry, Mr. Collins," she said, "I'll make Lizzy understand. I'll talk to her myself right away. She's a stubborn, silly girl, and doesn't understand good and bad; but I'll make her understand."

"Excuse me, let me interrupt, ma'am," cried Mr. Collins, "if she is really stubborn and stupid, I don't know if she is worthy of my ideal wife, because a man of my position, married Naturally, it is for the sake of happiness. In other words, if she really refuses my marriage proposal, it is better not to force it, otherwise if her temper has these shortcomings, it will never be of any benefit to my happiness."

Mrs. Bennet said in surprise: "Sir, you have completely misunderstood me. Lizzy is only stubborn in such matters, but in other matters she can't be better. I will go to Ben at once." Mr. Knight, I'm sure we'll be able to settle her matter in a moment."

Without waiting for an answer, she hastened to her husband, and as soon as she entered his study she exclaimed: "Oh, my dear, you must come out at once, the sky is falling. You must come and persuade Lizzy." Marry Mr Collins because she swore she wouldn't want him, and if you don't come and make things right, he'll change his mind and not want her."

When Mr. Bennet saw her enter, he took his eyes from his book, and gazed at her face with contented indifference.He listened to her words, completely calm.

After she finished speaking, he said, "Sorry, I didn't understand what you said."

"I'm talking about Mr. Collins and Lizzy. Lizzy said she didn't want Mr. Collins, and Mr. Collins said he didn't want Lizzy anymore."

"What can I do about it? It seems hopeless."

"Go and talk to Lizzy. Just tell her that you insist on her marrying him."

"Call her down, and I'll talk to her."

Mrs. Bennet rang the bell, and Miss Elizabeth was called to the study.

When papa saw her coming, he cried out, "Come here, boy, I want you to talk about something important. I heard Mr. Collins proposed to you. Is it true?"

Elizabeth said it was true.

"Very well. Have you declined the marriage?"

"I say no, Dad."

"Very well, we will now come to this subject. Your mother will insist on your consent. My dear lady, will you not?"

"Yes, otherwise I shall never see her again."

"You have an unfortunate dilemma before you, Elizabeth. From this day you will be a stranger to your mother if you do not marry your father. If you do not marry Mr. Collins, you will Mother will never see you again; if you marry him, I will never see you again."

Elizabeth could not help laughing at such a beginning and such a conclusion.

However, this was a pain for Mrs. Bennet. She thought that her husband would treat this matter according to her wishes, but she was greatly disappointed. "What do you mean, my dear? Didn't you promise me that she would marry him?"

"Dear madam," replied the husband, "I have two things to ask you for. First, please allow me the free use of my own study. I really wish I could spend my days at ease in my own study."

Although Mrs. Bennet had a bad nose, she was not reconciled.She persuaded Elizabeth over and over, coaxing, threatening.She even tried her best to pull Jane to help, but Jane didn't want to meddle in her own business, so she refused very tactfully.Elizabeth coped with it well, with a moment of sincerity and a moment of smirking, and her determination remained the same in spite of her changing ways.

At this time, Mr. Collins had silently recalled the scene just now.He had indeed overestimated himself, and hadn't figured out the real reason for his cousin's refusal.Although his self-esteem was hurt, he didn't feel sad at all.His affection for her was completely out of imagination, and he thought her mother would definitely scold her, so he didn't feel any discomfort in his heart, thinking that if she was scolded by her mother, she deserved it, and he didn't have to feel sorry for her.

While the family was making a fuss, Charlotte Lucas came to play with them.Lydia met her at the gate, and ran up to her, and said: "I'm glad you're here, and there's a lot of fun going on here! Do you know what happened this morning? Mr. Collins proposed to Lizzy, and Lizzy Cui just refuses to have him."

Before Charlotte could answer, Katie came up to them and told her the same news.They entered the breakfast-room, where they found Mrs. Bennet alone, and immediately resumed the subject with them, asking Miss Lucas to be considerate of her old man, and persuading her friend Lizzy to submit to the wishes of the whole family.

"Please, Miss Lucas," she said in a tormented voice, "no one is on my side, everyone is doing me wrong, everyone is cruel to me, and no one can understand my nerves. "

Charlotte was about to answer when Jane and Elizabeth came in, so she didn't speak.

"Well, here she is," went on Mrs. Bennet, "with the air of indifference on her face, that she must not mind us, as if she were the enemy, and let her have her own way."—Miss Lizzy, Let me tell you the truth, if you refuse a marriage proposal like this, you will never find a husband for the rest of your life. Then who will support you after your father dies. I can't support you , I have to explain it to you in advance. From today, I will break with you. You know, I told you just now in the study that I will never talk to you again. I will do what I say. I will not I am happy to talk to my disobedient daughter. To be honest, I am not very happy to talk to anyone. A person with a neurological problem like me, I don’t have much interest in talking. No one knows my suffering! But it’s always like this in the world Yes, if you don’t complain, no one will pity you.”

The daughters said nothing, just listened to her whining.They all understand that if you want to judge her and comfort her, it will add fuel to the fire.She babbled on, and none of the daughters interrupted her.At last Mr. Collins entered, with a more serious countenance than usual.As soon as she saw him, she said to her daughters thus: "Now I want you all to shut up, and let Mr. Collins talk to me for a while."

Elizabeth went out noiselessly, and Jane and Katie followed, while Lydia stood still, listening to what they had to say.Charlotte didn't go either, first because Mr. Collins asked her and her family earnestly that it was inconvenient to leave; then to satisfy her own curiosity, she went to the window and eavesdropped on their conversation.I only heard Mrs. Bennet begin to complain and say something she had prepared in advance: "Oh, Mr. Collins."

"My dear lady," said Mr. Collins, "let us never speak of the matter again. I shall never resent your niece for her conduct."

When he said this, the tone of his voice immediately revealed an extremely unpleasant meaning: "We all have to submit to it. As young and successful as I am, I have been valued by others at a young age. This is especially true. I believe that I will resign myself to fate. Even if Persevered by my beautiful cousin, who accepted my marriage proposal, perhaps I still cannot help doubting whether it will lead to real happiness, because I have always believed that happiness, once rejected, is not worthy of our attention. On such occasions, resignation is the best thing to do. My dear lady, I hope you will not take it as a sign of disrespect to your old man and Mr. Bennet by withdrawing my proposal of marriage to your mistress. Don't blame me for not asking you to come forward. Mediate for me. It's just that I was rejected not by you, but by your aunt. This may be regrettable. But everyone will inevitably have a wrong time. Regarding this matter, I am always on the same page. Well-intentioned. My purpose is to find a loving companion, with due regard for the interests of the family. If there is any fault in my attitude, let me apologize to my face."

(End of this chapter)