Elizabeth Dances at the Ball

Chapter-7

The long-expected ball at Netherfield was on the following Tuesday. The prospect was extremely agreeable to every female of the family. Mrs. Bennet was delighted because Mr. Bingley and his sisters came over themselves to deliver the invitation. Jane looked forward to a happy evening with Mr. Bingley and his sisters. Elizabeth thought with pleasure of dancing a great deal with Mr. Wickham. Her spirits were so high that, although she did not often speak to Mr. Collins, she could not help asking him whether he intended to accept Mr. Bingley’s invitation.
She was surprised to find that he had no objection to dancing. “I shall hope,” he said, “to dance with all my pretty cousins. I take this opportunity of asking you, Miss Elizabeth, for the first two dances especially.”
Elizabeth felt herself completely trapped. She had intended to dance those dances with Mr. Wickham— and now she had Mr. Collins instead! There was no help for it, however. Mr. Collins’ request was accepted as politely as possible. She was not better pleased either, by the sudden realisation that she had been selected from among her sisters as worthy of being the future mistress of Hunsford Parsonage—and of being a guest at Rosings when more suitable visitors were not available to Lady Catherine. As she watched his increasing politeness towards herself, and his frequent attempts to compliment her on her wit and liveliness, she was sure she was right. It was not long, moreover, before her mother hinted that such a marriage would be very agreeable to her. Elizabeth, however, pretended not to understand the hint, knowing that her reply would cause a serious argument. Mr. Collins might never make the offer, and until he did it was useless to quarrel about him.
It had never occurred to Elizabeth that Mr. Wickham would not be at the ball at Netherfield. But when she entered the drawing room, she looked for him in vain. She had dressed with more than usual care and had prepared in the highest spirits for the conquest of his heart.
At once the dreadful suspicion arose that he had purposely not been included in Mr. Bingley’s invitation to the officers. But a friend told them that Wickham had gone to London on business. He added, with a smile, “I do not think his business would have called him away if he had not wished to avoid a certain gentleman here.”
So Darcy was responsible for Wickham’s absence. She was so angry and disappointed that she could hardly reply politely to Darcy when he came up immediately to speak to her. She decided not to talk to him at all and turned away almost rudely. However, Elizabeth could never be bad-tempered for long. After two unhappy dances with Mr. Collins, who was the worst possible dancer, she enjoyed dancing with an officer and talking about Wickham again. A little later, she was talking with Charlotte Lucas when Mr. Darcy himself came up and asked her for a dance. She was so astonished that she accepted, and when they joined the dance she could see in her neighbours” eyes their amazement at the honour that was shown her. They talked very little during the dance. Eventually, he asked whether she and her sisters walked often to Meryton. She said that they did—and then added mischievously, “When you met us there the other day, we had just made a new friend.”
The effect was immediate. He looked more haughty than ever and said nothing for a while. Then he said grimly, “Mr. Wickham has such pleasant manners that he can always make friends—he is not always able to keep them.”

The next day Mr. Collins made his declaration. Finding Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth and Kitty together after breakfast, he said to Mrs. Bennet, “May I hope, madam, that you will allow your lovely daughter, Elizabeth, to see me alone during the morning?”
Before EIizabeth could do more than blush with surprise, Mrs. Bennet answered at once, “Oh, dear, yes—certainly! I am sure Elizabeth will be very happy. Come, Kitty, I want you upstairs.”
She was leaving the room when Elizabeth called out, “Dear mother, do not go! Please do not go! Mr. Collins will forgive me. He cannot have anything to say to me alone. I am going away myself.”
But before she could escape her mother said, “No, no, nonsense! I insist on you staying, Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth could not disobey such an order—and a moment’s thought made her realize that it would be better to get it over as soon and as quietly as possible.
She sat down again and as soon as the others had gone Mr. Collins began, “Believe me, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that your modesty adds to your other perfections. You would have been less attractive to me if there had not been this little unwillingness. You can hardly doubt my intentions. Almost as soon as I entered this house, I chose you as the companion of my future life. But before I let my feelings run away with me,”—Elizabeth hid a smile at the thought—“let me tell you my reasons for marrying. They are: firstly, I think every clergyman should set an example by marriage. Secondly, I am convinced it will add to my happiness. Thirdly, I have been advised to do so by the very noble lady who is my patroness. Twice she has been kind enough to give me her opinion (unasked, too!)—find an active, useful sort of gentlewoman. Bring her back to Hunsford and I will visit her.”
“These are the reasons why I decided to marry. Now I must tell you why I decided to look for a wife at Longbourn, instead of my own neighbourhood. The fact is that as I am to inherit this estate after the death of your father, I wish, therefore, to choose a wife from amongst his daughters. This has been my intention, my dear cousin, and I am confident that it will not decrease your respect for me. Now nothing remains but to assure you of the violence of love. I am not at all interested in money and shall ask your father for none, since I know that he could give none. The thousand pounds at four per cent interest which you will receive after your mother’s death is all you can expect. I shall remain silent about this matter, and you may be sure that no ungenerous reproach about it will ever be made by me when we are married.”
It was absolutely necessary to stop him now.
Meanwhile Mr. Collins thought privately about what had happened. He could not understand why his cousin had refused him. He had no real affection for her, and this example of her strong will prevented him feeling any regret. He felt he had been lucky to find her real character before it was too late. He made no attempt to shorten his visit, but he showed his displeasure by silence and stiffness of manner. Fortunately, Miss Lucas came to spend the day and he was able on that day, and several after, to devote himself to her. Her patience in listening to him gave relief to all.

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