finished her speech. “Of what are you talking?”
“Of Mr. Collins and Lizzy. Lizzy declares she will not have Mr. Collins,

and Mr. Collins begins to say that he will not have Lizzy.”
“And what am I to do on the occasion? It seems a hopeless business.”
“Speak to Lizzy about it yourself. Tell her that you insist upon her

marrying him.”
“Let her be called down. She shall hear my opinion.”
Mrs. Bennet 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. Bennet?”
“Yes, or 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.{142}”
Elizabeth could not but smile at such a conclusion of such a beginning;

but Mrs. Bennet, who had persuaded herself that her husband regarded the

affair as she wished, was excessively disappointed.
“What do you mean, Mr. Bennet, by talking in this way? You promised me

to insist upon her marrying him.”
“My dear,” replied her husband, “I have two small favours 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 endeavoured to secure Jane in

her interest, but Jane, with all possible mildness, declined