Join Host Bree Carlile as she reads the twentieth chapter of Pride and Prejudice.

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Today we'll be continuing pride and prejudice by Jane Austin chapter 20 Mr.

Collins was not left long to the silent contemplation of his successful love for Mrs.

Bennet, having dawdled about in the vestibule to watch for the end of the conference, no sooner saw Elizabeth open the door and with quick step pass her towards the staircase than she entered the breakfast room and congratulated both him and herself in warm terms on the happy prospect of their near connection.

Mr.

Collins received and returned these felicitations with equal pleasure, and then proceeded to relate the particulars of the interview, with the result of which he trusted.

He had every reason to be satisfied, since the refusal which his cousin had steadfastly given him would naturally flow from her bashful modesty and the genuine delicacy of her character.

This information, however, startled Mrs.

Bennett.

She would have been glad to be equally satisfied that her daughter had meant to encourage him by protesting against his proposals, but she dared not believe it, and could not help saying so.

But depend upon it, Mr.

Collins, she added, that Lizzie shall be brought to reason.

I will speak to her about it myself directly.

She's a very headstrong, foolish girl, and does not know her own interest.

But I will make her know it.

Pardon me for interrupting you, madam.

Cried Mr.

Collins, but if she is really headstrong and foolish, I know not whether she would altogether be a very desirable wife to a man in my situation who naturally looks for happiness in the marriage state.

If, therefore, she actually persists in rejecting my suit, perhaps it were better not to force her into accepting me, because, if liable to such defects of temper, she could not contribute much to my felicity.

Sir, you quite misunderstand me, said Mrs.

Bennett, alarmed.

Lizzie is only headstrong in such matters as these.

In everything else she is as good natured a girl has ever lived.

I will go directly to Mr.

Bennett, and we shall very soon settle it with her.

I am sure she would not give him time to reply, but, hurrying instantly to her husband, called out as she entered the library.

Oh, Mr.

Bennet, you are wanted immediately.

We are all in an uproar.

You must come and make Lizie marry Mr.

Collins, for she vows she will not have him, and if you do not make haste, he will change his mind and not have her.

Mr.

Bennett raised his eyes from his book as she entered, and fixed them on her face with a calm unconcern, which was not in the least altered by her communication.

I have not the pleasure of understanding.

You, said he, when she had finished her speech.

Of what are you talking?

Of Mr.

Collins and Lizzie.

Lizzie declares she will not have Mr.

Collins, and Mr.

Collins begins to say that he will not have Lizzie.

And what am I to do on the occasion?

It seems a hopeless business.

Speak to Lizzie about it yourself.

Tell her that you insist upon her marrying him.

Let her be called down.

She shall hear my opinion.

Mrs.

Bennett rang the bell, and Miss Elizabeth was summoned to the library.

Come here, child.

Cried her father as she appeared.

I have sent for you on an affair of importance.

I understand that Mr.

Collins has made you an offer of marriage.

Is it true?

Elizabeth replied that it was.

Very well.

And this offer of marriage you have refused?

I have, sir.

Very well.

We now come to the point.

Your mother insists upon your accepting it.

Is it not so, Mrs.

Bennett?

Yes, sir.

I will never see her again.

An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth.

From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents.

Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr.

Collins, and I will never see you again if you do.

Elizabeth could not but smile at such a conclusion of such a beginning.

But Mrs.

Bennett, who had persuaded herself that her husband regarded the affairs she wished, was excessively disappointed.

What do you mean, Mr.

Bennett?

By talking in this way you promised me to insist upon her marrying him.

My dear, replied her husband, I have two small favors to request.

First, that you will allow me the free use of my understanding on the present occasion, and secondly, of my room.

I shall be glad to have the.

Library to myself as soon as may be.

Not yet.

However, in spite of her disappointment in her husband, did Mrs.

Bennet give up the point.

She talked to Elizabeth again and again, coaxed and threatened her.

By turns.

She endeavored to secure Jane in her interest, but Jane, with all possible mildness, declined interfering, and Elizabeth, sometimes with real earnestness, and sometimes with playful gaiety, replied to her attacks.

Though her manner varied.

However, her determination never did.

Mr.

Collins, meanwhile, was meditating in solitude on what had passed.

He thought too well of himself to comprehend on what motive his cousin could refuse him, and though his pride was hurt, he suffered in no other way.

His regard for her was quite imaginary, and the possibility of her deserving her mother's approach prevented his feeling any regret.

While the family were in the confusion, Charlotte Lucas came to spend the day with them.

She was met in the vestibule by Lydia, who, flying to her, cried in a half whisper, I am glad you are come, for there is such fun here.

What do you think has happened this morning?

Mr.

Collins has made an offer to Lizzie, and she will not have him.

Charlote had hardly time to answer before they were joined by Kitty, who came to tell the same news.

And no sooner had they entered the breakfast room, where Mrs.

Bennett was alone then she likewise began on the subject, calling on Miss Lucas for her compassion, and entreating her to persuade her friend Lizzie to comply with the wishes of her family.

Pray do, my dear Miss Lucas, she added in a melancholy tone, for nobody is on my side, nobody takes part with me.

I am cruelly used.

Nobody feels for my poor nerves.

Charlote's reply was spared by the entrance of Jane and Elizabeth.

Aye, there she comes, continued Mrs.

Bennet, looking as unconcerned as may be and caring no more for us than if we were at York, provided she can have her own way.

But I tell you what, Miss Lizzie, if you take it into your head to go on refusing every offer of marriage in this way, you will never get a husband at all, and I am sure I do not know who is to maintain you when your father is dead.

I shall not be able to keep you.

And so I warn you, I have done with you from this very day.

I told you in the library, you know that I should never speak to you again, and you will find me as good as my word.

I have no pleasure in talking to undueful children.

Not that I have much pleasure, indeed, in talking to anybody.

People who suffer as I do from nervous complaints can have no great inclination for talking.

Nobody can tell what I suffer, but it is always so.

Those who do not complain are never pitied.

Her daughters listened in silence to the suffusion, sensible that any attempt to reason with or soothe her would only increase the irritation she talked on.

Therefore, without interruption from any of them, till they were joined by Mr.

Collins, who entered with an air more stately than usual.

And on perceiving whom, she said to the girls, now I do insist upon it that you, all of you, hold your tongues, and let Mr.

Collins and me have a little conversation together.

Elizabeth passed quietly out of the room.

Jane and Kitty followed, but Lydia stood her ground, determined to hear all she could.

And Charlote, detained first by the civility of Mr.

Collins, whose inquiries after herself and all her family were very minute.

And then, by a little curiosity, satisfied herself with walking to the window and pretending not to hear a doleful voice.

Mrs.

Bennett.

Thus began the projected conversation.

Oh, Mr.

Collins, my dear madam, replied, he let us be forever silent on this point.

Thor be it from me.

He presently continued in a voice that marked his displeasure, to resent the behavior of your daughter.

Resignation to inevitable evils is the duty of us all.

The peculiar duty of young man, who has been so fortunate as I have been in early preferment, and I trust I am resigned, perhaps not the less so from feeling a doubt of my positive happiness, that my fair cousin honored me with her hand.

For I have often observed that resignation is never so perfect as when the blessing denied begins to lose somewhat of its value in our estimation.

You will not, I hope, consider me as showing any disrespect to your family, my dear madam, by thus withdrawing my pretensions to your daughter's favor, without having paid yourself and Mr.

Bennett the compliment of requesting you to interpose your authority in my behalf.

My conduct, may, I fear, be objectionable in having accepted my dismission from your daughter's lips instead of your own.

But we are all liable to error.

I have certainly meant well through the whole affair.

My object has been to secure an amiable companion for myself, with due consideration for the advantage of all your family.

And if my manner has been at all reprehensible.

I here beg leave to apologize.

Thank you for joining Bite at a time books today while we read a bite of one of your favorite classics.

Again, my name is Brie Carlyle, and I hope you come back tomorrow for the next bite of pride and prejudice.

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