Miss Elizabeth Goldfinger Bennet

Chapter 10

After breakfast the next day, Mr. Bennet said to his wife: "My dear wife, I hope you will prepare your lunch better today, because I expect there will be guests today."

"Which guest do you mean, my good lord? I don't know if anyone is coming, unless Charlotte Lucas happens to be visiting us, and I don't think it would be wrong to entertain her at our usual meal." Good enough. I can't believe she eats so well at home so often."

"The guest I'm talking about is a male guest and a stranger."

Mrs. Bennet's eyes sparkled. "A gentleman and a stranger! That must be Mr. Bingley, there is no mistake. - Oh, Jane, you never got a word of it, you crafty fellow! - Hey, Bingley I'm so glad Mr. Lay's coming. Good God! I'm so unlucky, I can't get a fish today. -- Lydia, dear, ring the bell for me. I'm going to tell Hill at once. Just a moment. French or British?"

Mr. Bennet, looking at his wife in a state of madness, said hastily, "It is not Mr. Bingley who is coming; speaking of this guest, I have never seen him in my life."

This sentence surprised the whole family.His wives and daughters pressed him immediately, much to his delight.

After teasing the curiosity of his wife and daughters for a while, he said literally: "A letter came to me about a month ago, and I wrote back a fortnight ago, because I thought it was quite a matter. A nerve-wracking thing to look out for early. The letter is from my cousin, Mr. Collins. If it hadn't been for Andrew, this cousin could throw you out of this house whenever he pleases, after I'm dead." "Oh, dear," exclaimed Mrs. Bennet. "I can't bear to hear you bring it up. Please don't talk about that nasty fellow. Andrew has completely settled the matter but it still keeps me from liking him. Mr. Bennet now that we have an heir, Collins Why is he still here, God knows how long our two families have not been in touch."

"Well, it's stated in his letter about this, and let me read it to you:

Dear Elder:

There used to be some rift between you and my late father, which has always troubled me.Ever since my late father passed away unfortunately, I have often thought of making up for this rift; but I hesitated for a while, and did not do so, because my late father was afraid of hating you, but today I come to repair it with you, which is unavoidable. Humiliate the ancestors. -- "Listen, my dear lady." -- but I am now determined on the matter, for I was ordained on Easter.Madame Catherine de Bourgh, widow of the late Duc Lewis de Bourgh, who favored and graciously promoted me to the priesthood of the diocese, and hereafter may treat It's a great honor to be the third wife, and follow all the etiquette prescribed by the Church of England.Besides, as a priest, I feel that I have the responsibility to do my best to enable every family to cultivate friendship and promote friendship.Therefore, I am confident that this kindness will be valued by you, please accept this olive branch I offer.If you have no objection to my visit, I suggest that you come to visit me at four o'clock on Monday, November [-]th, or even stay at the house until next Saturday.It was no inconvenience to me, for Lady Catherine would never have objected to my leaving church now and then, so long as another priest presided over the few days.Greetings, Mrs. Ladies, and Mr. Bennett Jr.

your well-wisher and friend william collins

Written at Hansford, Kent, near Westerham, October [-]th

"At four o'clock, then, the quiet gentleman will be coming," said Mr. Bennet, as he folded up the letter. "He is a very conscientious and well-mannered young man, he must be; and I am sure he will be a very valuable friend, if only Lady Catherine would be kind enough to let him come to us again, that would be all the more so. Alright."

"Since he wants to visit relatives, I will receive him normally." Mrs. Bennet became a little calm when she heard the gentleman's intention.

Jane said: "Mr. Collins hopes to eliminate the barriers between the ancestors. It is really good. Besides, according to his letter, he is already a pastor. He should have a good character."

Elizabeth was greatly surprised to hear Mr. Collins's strange respect for Lady Catherine, and his good intentions, to baptize, marry, and funeral the inhabitants of his own parish at any time. Could this Collins be the Holy Father? .

"I think he must be a queer man," said Elizabeth. "His writing style is obviously exaggerated. His tone is inferior and arrogant, and he is too flattering to that Mrs. Catherine. Those who don't know it think that he is not a priest but Mrs. Catherine de Bourgh's servant. No matter how you look at it, I can see from his letter that he is a man with no backbone."

The talented Mary said: "As far as the article is concerned, there seems to be nothing wrong with his letter. Although the word olive branch is not new, I think it is very appropriate to use it."

"Anyway, the man hasn't arrived yet, and it's okay even if this man really can't catch your eye, Lizzie, you can laugh at him to your heart's content. If he is as you said, you know that my property will belong to Andrew in the future, And he'll never throw you out, am I right, son?"

"Of course, Dad. Andrew likes his sister best."

"Oh, thank God we have little Prince Andrew!" Mrs. Bennet kissed her son happily.

Neither the letter nor the person who wrote it meant anything to Catherine and Lydia.Anyway, they didn't think their cousin would come in a "red uniform," and they hadn't been happy to hang out with anyone in any other color for weeks.Elizabeth is puzzled by Catherine and Lydia's obsession with the so-called "red uniform".What is there to be obsessed with those militiamen who have loose military discipline and have no military temperament in Elizabeth's opinion.If they were fans of the military, then Elizabeth thought she might introduce some real soldiers to them, how about Junker officers, who are famous for their high quality in Germany.

Mr. Collins came punctually, and was received with great civility by the whole family. Mr. Bennet said nothing; but the ladies and ladies were more than willing to chat, and Mr. Collins himself did not seem to need encouragement, Of course he didn't intend to stay silent.He is a 25-year-old young man, not tall, looks fat, and looks ordinary. He obviously wants to appear superior but is very rigid about etiquette.Make him look a little lewd (Elizabeth)?As soon as he sat down, he complimented Mrs. Bennet on her good fortune and having raised so many good daughters. He said that he had heard people praise their beauty for a long time, but when they met today, he realized that their beauty far surpassed their reputation. and he added that he believed that the ladies would all be happy in due time.No one liked his flattery very much, except Mrs. Bennet.Elizabeth looked at her mother and Mr. Collins chatting so well, indicating that it was not that the family did not enter the house.

The host invited him to lunch, so he had to be interrupted.The ladies looked at each other and smiled.They were not the only ones Mr. Collins admired.He carefully looked at the living room, dining room, and all the furniture in the house, and praised them.Well they admit Elizabeth does everything right in the house but Mr Collins really doesn't need to boast about them all.

He even admired his lunch, and he begged his master to tell him which cousin cooked such a good dish.When Mrs. Bennet heard his words, she could not help criticizing him.She told him rather bluntly that the family could still afford a decent cook, and that the daughters would not need to be involved in the kitchen.He begged her forgiveness, not to take offense.So she said in a soft voice that she didn't blame him at all, but he kept apologizing for a quarter of an hour.

The chatter at Mr. Collins' table put Elizabeth's appetite to shame for a good meal.Mr. Bennet said hardly a word during the meal; but when the servants had gone away, it occurred to him that he might now speak to his visitor.He expected that if Lady Catherine should be mentioned at the outset, the honored visitor would smile, and he began the subject by saying how lucky Mr. Collins was to have such a benefactor, And that it was rare for Madame Catherine de Bourgh to be so obedient to him, and to take such care of his comfort in life.Mr. Bennet could not have chosen the subject better.Mr. Collins did speak eloquently of the lady's praise.As soon as the subject had begun, his original seriousness became more serious, and he said with a very pompous air that he had never in his life seen any person of value and position as Lady Catherine. So virtuous, so kind and humble.He had the honor of preaching twice in her presence, and Mrs. Dormont loved and admired both of his sermons.Madame had invited him to dine twice at Rosings, and to her house last Saturday night to have a quack.As far as he knew, many people thought Lady Catherine was proud, but he only felt kindness.When she usually talked to him, she always treated him as a person of status.She had no objection to his association with the neighbors, or his occasional absence from the parish for a week or two to visit relatives and friends.She was sympathetic to Domon, and once personally advised him to get married as soon as possible, as long as he could choose his partner carefully.She also paid a visit to his humble abode once, and she was very appreciative of all the places in his house that he had renovated, and she personally gave him instructions to add some shelves to the upper chest of drawers...

Mrs. Bennet said: "I believe that all this is done very well and politely. I think she must be a pleasant woman. It's a pity that ordinary ladies can't compare with her. Does she live near you?" ,gentlemen?"

"There is only one alley between the garden of the humble house and the Rosings Garden where her old lady lives."

"You say she's a widow, sir? Does she have any family?"

"She has only one daughter, the heir of Rosings, who will inherit a very large fortune in the future."

"Why," cried Mrs. Bennet, shaking her head again. "Then she is more blessed than many girls. What kind of lady is she? Is she pretty?"

"She is a very lovely girl. Lady Catherine herself said that when it comes to real beauty, Mademoiselle de Bourgh surpasses the most beautiful women in the world; I know that she is of noble birth. She could have many talents, but it is a pity that she is not in good health and did not study, otherwise she must be proficient in everything from piano, chess, calligraphy and painting. This is what her female teacher told me. The teacher is still talking to their mother and daughter. Live together. She is indeed very sweet, and often comes to the humble house in her little buggy, regardless of her name."

"........."

Elizabeth looked completely at a loss as to why she just wanted to start with that Mrs. Catherine de Bourgh, but now Mr. Bennet, who had no idea where the topic was going, looked confused. .

"Pfft!" Elizabeth couldn't help laughing.In this way, the eyes of the whole family gathered towards her.

"Cousin Elizabeth is also very beautiful, although she is a little different from Miss Bauer." Collins saw Elizabeth's beautiful smile and felt that his cousin really lived up to her reputation.

"No, I'm talking about Cousin Collins. I can't compare with that beautiful Miss Bauer at all. You must not praise me against your will. I really can't afford it! Dad, I think you must have many Talk to Cousin Collins! I have an appointment with Andrew today, don’t you, Andrew?” Elizabeth thought it was better to stay away from this weird guy like Collins, as Andrew was too young to be taken away.

"Yes, sister, let's go out on a date!"

Mr. Bennet watched his second daughter dump Collins to himself and his son to carry him away, expressing that he was abandoned.There is no way to come, but the guest can't put down the burden himself.

Mr. Bennet was quite right, indeed, and his cousin was as absurd as he imagined, but by tea time the crime was over.Mr. Bennet cheerfully led his visitor into the drawing-room, and when the tea was over he cheerfully invited him to read something to his wives and ladies.Mr. Collins immediately agreed, and they brought him a book, but he drew back in surprise at the sight of it, and begged their pardon, declaring that he never read novels.Kitty stared at him, and Lydia cried out.So they brought several other books, and after much deliberation he chose Verdis's Sermons.As soon as he spread the book, Lydia was dumbfounded, and when he was about to read three pages with such monotonous solemnity, Lydia interrupted him:

"Mom, do you know that Uncle Philip is going to fire Li Que? If he really wants to fire him, Colonel Forster will definitely be willing to hire him. This is what my uncle told me personally on Saturday. I plan to go to the mic tomorrow Litton to find out more about the situation, and ask them, by the way, when Mr. Danny will be back from town."

Jane told Lydia to be silent; and Mr. Collins, very angry, laid down his book, and said:

"I keep seeing young ladies not interested in serious books, which are written entirely for their own good. To be honest, I cannot help being surprised, because nothing is in their best interest, of course, than The lesson of the sages. But I don't want to force my young cousin."

Then he turned to Mr. Bennet and talked about the parenting of his children.

/(ㄒoㄒ)/~~Mr. Bennett......

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