【正文】 was too conscious of his own importance, and, at the same time, too humbly afraid of giving offence, especially to those above him in rank. A fortunate chance had remended him to Lady Catherine de Bourgh, when the living at Hunsford became vacant. Having now a good house and a large enough ine, he intended to marry, he was thinking of a wife, as he meant to choose one of the Bennet sisters. This was his plan of lessening the wrong done to them by his being the heir to their father’s estate, and he thought it was an extremely generous one. Mr. Collins arrived punctually, and was received with great politeness by the whole Bennet family. His plan did not change on seeing them. Miss Jane Bennet’s beautiful face soon attracted him, and for the first evening she was his settled choice. In the book, after dinner, Mr. Bennet thought it was time to have some conversation with his guest. He therefore chose a subject on which he expected Mr. Collins would be pleased to speak, and began by observing that he seemed very fortunate in receiving such an excellent living from Lady Catherine. Mr. Bennet could not have thought of a better beginning. Mr. Collins praised her loudly, expressing himself in an extremely humble manner. By the tea time, however, his host had had enough, and was glad to take the young man into the drawing room and invite him to read to the ladies. Mr. Collins readily agreed, and a book was produced, but at the sight of it, he quickly drew back, and, begging pardon, declared that he never read novels. Kitty stared at him, and Lydia exclaimed in surprise. Other books were offered, and he chose a collection of writings on matters of religion. Lydia turned away as he opened the book, and before he had, in a dull voice, read three pages, she interrupted to speak to her mother. Her two eldest sisters urged her to hold her tongue, but Mr. Collins, much offended, laid the book aside.The next morning, however, caused a change, because in a quarter of an hour’s private talk with Mrs. Bennet before breakfast, he received a caution against the cousin whom he had fixed on. ‘As to her younger daughters, she could not be sure, she could not answer absolutely—but her eldest daughter, she must just mention, she felt it her duty to state, was likely to be very soon engaged to be married.’Mr. Collins had only to change from Jane to Elizabeth. It was done in a moment. Elizabeth, next to Jane both in birth and beauty, followed her as his choice, as a matter of course. Mrs. Bennet treasured up his suggestion, and trusted that she might soon have two daughters married. The man whom she could not bear to speak of the day before, was now high in her favour. In the film, during the dinner, Mr. Collins praised the cooking first, then he said: “After dinner I thought I might read to you all for an hour or two. I have with me Fordyce’s Sermons, which speak very eloquently on all matters moral.” Then he turned to Jane, and asked: ‘Are you familiar with Fordyce’s Sermons, Miss Bennet?’When the sermons were over, they were all yawning. At the same time, Mr. Collins asked for a private talk with Mrs Bennet.‘Mrs Bennet, you do know that I’ve been bestowed by the good grace of Lady Catherine de Bourgh a parsonage of no mean size.’‘I have bee aware of the fact.’‘Well, it is my avowed hope that soon I may find a mistress for it and I have to inform you that the eldest Miss Bennet has captured my special attention.’‘Oh, Mr. Collins…, unfortunately, it is incumbent upon me to hint that the eldest Miss Bennet is very soon to be engaged.’ ‘Engaged?’‘But Miss Lizzie, next to her in both age and beauty, would make anyone an excellent partner. Do you agree, Mr. Collins?’He turned round and glanced at Elizabeth, and said satisfiedly: ‘Indeed, indeed, very agreeable alternative.’The morning of the day after the second ball, when Mr. Collins went downstairs the Bennet family were having breakfast, he suddenly went to Mrs. Bennet and said: ‘Mrs. Bennet, I was hoping, if it would not trouble you that I might solicit a private audience with Miss Elizabeth in the course of the morning.’‘Oh, yes, certainly. Lizzie will be very happy, indeed. Everyone, out. Mr. Collins will like a private audience with your sister.’ Mrs. Bennet said.A few seconds later, there were just Mr. Collins and Elizabeth in the dinning room. Mr. Collins began his proposal to Elizabeth.At the beginning, he put a small flower in the front of Elizabeth, and he said: ‘Dear Miss Elizabeth, I am sure my attentions have been too marked to be mistaken. Almost as soon as I entered the house, I singled you out as the panion of my future life. But before I am run away with my feelings, perhaps I may state my reasons for marrying.’Elizabeth was extremely surprised and unacceptable, she wanted to interrupt him: ‘Mr…’, but it was useless. Mr. Collins continued: ‘Firstly, that it is the duty of a clergyman to set the example of matrimony in his parish. Secondly, that I am convinced it will add greatly to my happiness. And thirdly, that it is at the urging for my esteemed patroness Lady Catherine that I select a wife.’ Elizabeth was very impatient, and she tried to stop him at once. Again, she failed.‘My object is ing to Longbourn was to choose such a one from among Mr. Bennet’s daughters for I am to inherit the estate and such an alliance will surely suit everyone. And now, nothing remains but for me to assure you in the most animated language of the violence of my affections.’ He suddenly kneeled to Elizabeth in this moment. Elizabeth stood up right away, she was extremely reluctant. However, Mr. Collins went on to say: ‘And that no reproach on the subject of fortune will cross my lips once we’re married.’‘You are too hasty, Sir. You forget that I have given no answer.’‘I must add that Lady Catherine will thoroughly approve when I speak to her of your modesty, economy, and another amiable q