Chapter 20

           Mr.Collinswasnotleftlongtothesilentcontemplationofhissuccessfullove; forMrs.Bennet,havingdawdledaboutinthevestibuletowatchfortheendoftheconference,nosoonersawElizabethopenthedoorandwithquicksteppasshertowardsthestaircase,thansheenteredthebreakfast-room,andcongratulatedbothhimandherselfinwarmtermsonthehappyprospectortheirnearerconnection. Mr.Collinsreceivedandreturnedthesefelicitationswithequalpleasure,andthenproceededtorelatetheparticularsoftheirinterview,withtheresultofwhichhetrustedhehadeveryreasontobesatisfied,sincetherefusalwhichhiscousinhadsteadfastlygivenhimwouldnaturallyflowfromherbashfulmodestyandthegenuinedelicacyofhercharacter. 

           Thisinformation,however,startledMrs.Bennet; shewouldhavebeengladtobeequallysatisfiedthatherdaughterhadmeanttoencouragehimbyprotestingagainsthisproposals,butshedarednotbelieveit,andcouldnothelpsayingso. 

           "But,dependuponit,Mr.Collins,"sheadded,"thatLizzyshallbebroughttoreason. Iwillspeaktoheraboutitdirectly. Sheisaveryheadstrong,foolishgirl,anddoesnotknowherowninterestbutIwillmakeherknowit." 

           "Pardonmeforinterruptingyou,madam,"criedMr.Collins; "butifsheisreallyheadstrongandfoolish,Iknownotwhethershewouldaltogetherbeaverydesirablewifetoamaninmysituation,whonaturallylooksforhappinessinthemarriagestate. Ifthereforesheactuallypersistsinrejectingmysuit,perhapsitwerebetternottoforceherintoacceptingme,becauseifliabletosuchdefectsoftemper,shecouldnotcontributemuchtomyfelicity."