WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.879 Chapter 15 Mr. Collins was not a sensible man, 00:00:05.320 --> 00:00:07.759 and the deficiency of nature had been but little 00:00:07.759 --> 00:00:11.519 assisted by education or society, the greatest 00:00:11.519 --> 00:00:14.160 part of his life having been spent under the 00:00:14.160 --> 00:00:17.140 guidance of an illiterate and miserly father. 00:00:17.879 --> 00:00:20.460 And though he belonged to one of the universities, 00:00:20.980 --> 00:00:23.899 he had merely kept the necessary terms, without 00:00:23.899 --> 00:00:28.280 forming at it any useful acquaintance. The subjection 00:00:28.280 --> 00:00:30.820 in which his father had brought him up had given 00:00:30.820 --> 00:00:34.219 him originally great humility of manner, but 00:00:34.219 --> 00:00:37.259 it was now a good deal counteracted by the self 00:00:37.259 --> 00:00:40.140 -conceit of a weak head living in retirement 00:00:40.140 --> 00:00:43.700 and the consequential feelings of early and unexpected 00:00:43.700 --> 00:00:48.140 prosperity. A fortunate chance had recommended 00:00:48.140 --> 00:00:50.820 him to Lady Catherine de Bourgh when the living 00:00:50.820 --> 00:00:53.960 of Huntsford was vacant. And the respect which 00:00:53.960 --> 00:00:56.799 she felt for her high rank, and his veneration 00:00:56.799 --> 00:00:59.939 for her as his patroness, mingling with a very 00:00:59.939 --> 00:01:02.759 good opinion of himself, of his authority as 00:01:02.759 --> 00:01:05.780 a clergyman, and his right as a rector, made 00:01:05.780 --> 00:01:09.319 him altogether a mixture of pride and obsequiousness, 00:01:09.700 --> 00:01:13.000 self -importance, and humility. Having now a 00:01:13.000 --> 00:01:16.180 good house and a very sufficient income, he intended 00:01:16.180 --> 00:01:19.180 to marry, and in seeking a reconciliation with 00:01:19.180 --> 00:01:21.879 the long -born family, he had a wife in view. 00:01:22.120 --> 00:01:24.780 as he meant to choose one of the daughters, if 00:01:24.780 --> 00:01:27.079 he found them as handsome and amiable as they 00:01:27.079 --> 00:01:30.659 were represented by common report. This was his 00:01:30.659 --> 00:01:34.180 plan of amends, of atonement, for inheriting 00:01:34.180 --> 00:01:37.640 their father's estate, and he thought it an excellent 00:01:37.640 --> 00:01:41.659 one, full of eligibility and suitableness, and 00:01:41.659 --> 00:01:44.260 excessively generous and disinterested on his 00:01:44.260 --> 00:01:47.859 own part. His plan did not vary on seeing them. 00:01:48.090 --> 00:01:51.209 Miss Bennet's lovely face confirmed his views, 00:01:51.650 --> 00:01:54.430 and established all his strictest notions of 00:01:54.430 --> 00:01:57.670 what was due to seniority, and for the first 00:01:57.670 --> 00:02:01.829 evening she was his settled choice. The next 00:02:01.829 --> 00:02:05.150 morning, however, made an alteration, for in 00:02:05.150 --> 00:02:07.310 a quarter of an hour's tete -a -tete with Mrs. 00:02:07.409 --> 00:02:10.349 Bennet before breakfast, a conversation beginning 00:02:10.349 --> 00:02:12.990 with his parsonage house, and leading naturally 00:02:12.990 --> 00:02:15.830 to the avowal of his hopes that a mistress might 00:02:15.830 --> 00:02:19.199 be found for it at Longbourn, produced from her, 00:02:19.439 --> 00:02:22.819 amid very complacent smiles and general encouragement, 00:02:23.539 --> 00:02:26.539 a caution against the very Jane he had fixed 00:02:26.539 --> 00:02:30.560 on. As to her younger daughters, she could not 00:02:30.560 --> 00:02:33.479 take upon her to say, she could not positively 00:02:33.479 --> 00:02:37.000 answer, but she did not know of any prepossession. 00:02:37.680 --> 00:02:41.439 Her eldest daughter, she must just mention, she 00:02:41.439 --> 00:02:44.539 felt it incumbent on her to hint, was likely 00:02:44.539 --> 00:02:48.610 to be very soon engaged. Mr. Collins had only 00:02:48.610 --> 00:02:51.729 to change from Jane to Elizabeth, and it was 00:02:51.729 --> 00:02:54.729 soon done—done while Mrs. Bennet was stirring 00:02:54.729 --> 00:02:58.689 the fire. Elizabeth, equally next to Jane in 00:02:58.689 --> 00:03:02.349 birth and beauty, succeeded her, of course. Mrs. 00:03:02.409 --> 00:03:04.990 Bennet treasured up the hint, and trusted that 00:03:04.990 --> 00:03:07.969 she might soon have two daughters married, and 00:03:07.969 --> 00:03:10.270 the man whom she could not bear to speak of the 00:03:10.270 --> 00:03:14.650 day before was now high in her good graces. Lydia's 00:03:14.650 --> 00:03:17.150 intention of walking to Meryton was not forgotten. 00:03:17.770 --> 00:03:20.590 Every sister except Mary agreed to go with her, 00:03:21.009 --> 00:03:24.090 and Mr. Collins was to attend them, at the request 00:03:24.090 --> 00:03:26.949 of Mr. Bennet, who was most anxious to get rid 00:03:26.949 --> 00:03:30.229 of him, and have his library to himself. For 00:03:30.229 --> 00:03:32.849 thither Mr. Collins had followed him after breakfast, 00:03:33.330 --> 00:03:36.469 and there he would continue, nominally engaged 00:03:36.469 --> 00:03:38.889 with one of the largest folios in the collection, 00:03:39.330 --> 00:03:41.949 but really talking to Mr. Bennet, with little 00:03:41.949 --> 00:03:45.169 cessation. of his house and garden at Huntsford. 00:03:46.370 --> 00:03:49.349 Such doings discomposed Mr. Bennet exceedingly. 00:03:49.909 --> 00:03:53.110 In his library he had been always sure of leisure 00:03:53.110 --> 00:03:56.330 and tranquillity, and though prepared, as he 00:03:56.330 --> 00:03:59.330 told Elizabeth, to meet with folly and conceit 00:03:59.330 --> 00:04:02.289 in every other room of the house, he was used 00:04:02.289 --> 00:04:05.569 to be free from them there. His civility, therefore, 00:04:05.830 --> 00:04:08.830 was most prompt in inviting Mr. Collins to join 00:04:08.830 --> 00:04:11.830 his daughters in their walk, and Mr. Collins 00:04:12.120 --> 00:04:14.900 being in fact much better fitted for a walker 00:04:14.900 --> 00:04:18.060 than a reader, was extremely pleased to close 00:04:18.060 --> 00:04:22.160 his large book and go. In pompous nothings on 00:04:22.160 --> 00:04:25.060 his side, and civil assents on that of his cousins, 00:04:25.680 --> 00:04:28.079 their time passed till they entered Meryton. 00:04:29.060 --> 00:04:31.300 The attention of the younger ones was then no 00:04:31.300 --> 00:04:34.519 longer to be gained by him. Their eyes were immediately 00:04:34.519 --> 00:04:37.420 wandering up in the street in quest of the officers, 00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:40.740 and nothing less than a very smart bonnet indeed. 00:04:41.100 --> 00:04:44.180 or a really new muslin in a shop window, could 00:04:44.180 --> 00:04:47.220 recall them. But the attention of every lady 00:04:47.220 --> 00:04:50.019 was soon caught by a young man, whom they had 00:04:50.019 --> 00:04:53.120 never seen before, of most gentlemanlike appearance, 00:04:53.639 --> 00:04:55.759 walking with another officer on the other side 00:04:55.759 --> 00:05:00.000 of the way. The officer was the very Mr. Denny, 00:05:00.399 --> 00:05:02.720 concerning whose return from London Lydia came 00:05:02.720 --> 00:05:06.980 to inquire, and he bowed as they passed. All 00:05:06.980 --> 00:05:09.980 were struck with the strangest air. all wondered 00:05:09.980 --> 00:05:13.879 who he could be, and Kitty and Lydia, determined 00:05:13.879 --> 00:05:17.319 if possible to find out, led the way across the 00:05:17.319 --> 00:05:19.720 street under pretence of wanting something in 00:05:19.720 --> 00:05:23.319 an opposite shop, and fortunately had just gained 00:05:23.319 --> 00:05:25.819 the pavement when the two gentlemen, turning 00:05:25.819 --> 00:05:30.600 back, had reached the same spot. Mr. Denny addressed 00:05:30.600 --> 00:05:33.660 them directly, and entreated permission to introduce 00:05:33.660 --> 00:05:36.399 his friend Mr. Wickham, who had returned with 00:05:36.399 --> 00:05:39.209 him the day before from town. and, he was happy 00:05:39.209 --> 00:05:42.110 to say, had accepted a commission in their corps. 00:05:43.250 --> 00:05:46.170 This was exactly as it should be, for the young 00:05:46.170 --> 00:05:48.990 man wanted only regimentals to make him completely 00:05:48.990 --> 00:05:52.529 charming. His appearance was greatly in his favour. 00:05:53.050 --> 00:05:56.670 He had all the best part of beauty, a fine countenance, 00:05:57.009 --> 00:06:01.230 a good figure, and very pleasing a dress. The 00:06:01.230 --> 00:06:03.990 introduction was followed up on his side by a 00:06:03.990 --> 00:06:06.920 happy readiness of conversation. A readiness 00:06:06.920 --> 00:06:10.040 at the same time perfectly correct and unassuming, 00:06:10.660 --> 00:06:13.579 and the whole party were still standing and talking 00:06:13.579 --> 00:06:16.600 together very agreeably, when the sound of horses 00:06:16.600 --> 00:06:19.660 drew their notice, and Darcy and Bingley were 00:06:19.660 --> 00:06:23.399 seen riding down the street. On distinguishing 00:06:23.399 --> 00:06:26.040 the ladies of the group, the two gentlemen came 00:06:26.040 --> 00:06:29.439 directly towards them, and began the usual civilities. 00:06:30.500 --> 00:06:33.259 Bingley was the principal spokesman, and Miss 00:06:33.259 --> 00:06:37.050 Bennet the principal object. He was then, he 00:06:37.050 --> 00:06:40.149 said, on his way to Longbourn on purpose to inquire 00:06:40.149 --> 00:06:44.029 after her. Mr. Darcy corroborated it with a bow, 00:06:44.569 --> 00:06:46.990 and was beginning to determine not to fix his 00:06:46.990 --> 00:06:49.829 eyes on Elizabeth, when they were suddenly arrested 00:06:49.829 --> 00:06:52.930 by the sight of the stranger, and Elizabeth, 00:06:53.209 --> 00:06:55.490 happening to see the countenance of both as they 00:06:55.490 --> 00:06:58.629 looked at each other, was all astonishment at 00:06:58.629 --> 00:07:02.089 the effect of the meeting. Both changed colour. 00:07:02.670 --> 00:07:07.149 One looked white, the other red. Mr. Wickham, 00:07:07.370 --> 00:07:10.970 after a few moments, touched his hat, a salutation 00:07:10.970 --> 00:07:15.050 which Mr. Darcy just deigned to return. What 00:07:15.050 --> 00:07:17.870 could be the meaning of it? It was impossible 00:07:17.870 --> 00:07:21.389 to imagine. It was impossible not to long to 00:07:21.389 --> 00:07:25.050 know. In another minute Mr. Bingley, but without 00:07:25.050 --> 00:07:27.910 seeming to have noticed what passed, took leave 00:07:27.910 --> 00:07:32.379 and rode on with his friend. Mr. Denny and Mr. 00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:34.720 Wickham walked with the young ladies to the door 00:07:34.720 --> 00:07:37.160 of Mr. Phillips's house, and then made their 00:07:37.160 --> 00:07:40.240 bows, in spite of Miss Lydia's pressing entreaties 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:42.879 that they should come in, and even in spite of 00:07:42.879 --> 00:07:45.100 Mrs. Phillips's throwing up the parlour window, 00:07:45.500 --> 00:07:49.000 and loudly seconding the invitation. Mrs. Phillips 00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:52.079 was always glad to see her nieces, and the two 00:07:52.079 --> 00:07:55.120 eldest, from their recent absence, were particularly 00:07:55.120 --> 00:07:58.500 welcome, and she was eagerly expressing her surprise 00:07:58.500 --> 00:08:01.579 at their sudden return home. which, as their 00:08:01.579 --> 00:08:04.079 own carriage had not fetched them, she should 00:08:04.079 --> 00:08:06.959 have known nothing about, if she had not happened 00:08:06.959 --> 00:08:10.100 to see Mr. Jones's shop boy in the street, who 00:08:10.100 --> 00:08:12.399 had told her that they were not to send any more 00:08:12.399 --> 00:08:14.959 draughts to Netherfield, because the Miss Bennets 00:08:14.959 --> 00:08:18.240 were come away, when her civility was claimed 00:08:18.240 --> 00:08:21.319 towards Mr. Collins by Jane's introduction of 00:08:21.319 --> 00:08:25.480 him. She received him with her very best politeness, 00:08:25.980 --> 00:08:28.939 which he returned with as much more, apologizing 00:08:28.939 --> 00:08:31.860 for his intrusion without any previous acquaintance 00:08:31.860 --> 00:08:34.080 with her, which he could not help flattering 00:08:34.080 --> 00:08:37.720 himself, however, might be justified by his relationship 00:08:37.720 --> 00:08:40.259 to the young ladies who introduced him to her 00:08:40.259 --> 00:08:44.179 notice. Mrs. Phillips was quite awed by such 00:08:44.179 --> 00:08:47.600 an excess of good breeding, but her contemplation 00:08:47.600 --> 00:08:51.919 of one stranger was soon put to an end by exclamations 00:08:51.919 --> 00:08:55.440 and inquiries about the other. Of whom, however, 00:08:55.629 --> 00:08:58.110 She could only tell her nieces what they already 00:08:58.110 --> 00:09:01.429 knew, that Mr. Denny had brought him from London, 00:09:01.850 --> 00:09:04.149 and that he was to have a lieutenant's commission 00:09:04.149 --> 00:09:07.289 in the Fichtshire. She had been watching him 00:09:07.289 --> 00:09:10.210 the last hour, she said, as he walked up and 00:09:10.210 --> 00:09:13.190 down the street, and had Mr. Wickham appeared, 00:09:13.629 --> 00:09:15.730 Kitty and Lydia would certainly have continued 00:09:15.730 --> 00:09:19.070 the occupation, but, unluckily, no one passed 00:09:19.070 --> 00:09:22.669 windows now, except a few of the officers, who, 00:09:22.970 --> 00:09:25.779 in comparison with the stranger, were become 00:09:25.779 --> 00:09:30.279 stupid, disagreeable fellows. Some of them were 00:09:30.279 --> 00:09:33.019 to dine with the Philipses the next day, and 00:09:33.019 --> 00:09:35.220 their aunt promised to make her husband call 00:09:35.220 --> 00:09:38.019 on Mr. Wickham, and give him an invitation also, 00:09:38.399 --> 00:09:40.679 if the family from Longbourn would come in the 00:09:40.679 --> 00:09:44.620 evening. This was agreed to, and Mrs. Philips 00:09:44.620 --> 00:09:47.379 protested that they would have a nice, comfortable, 00:09:47.740 --> 00:09:50.379 noisy game of lottery tickets, and a little bit 00:09:50.379 --> 00:09:54.399 of hot supper afterwards. The prospect of such 00:09:54.399 --> 00:09:57.600 delights was very cheering, and they parted in 00:09:57.600 --> 00:10:01.399 mutual good spirits. Mr. Collins repeated his 00:10:01.399 --> 00:10:04.159 apologies in quitting the room, and was assured, 00:10:04.500 --> 00:10:07.220 with unwearying civility, that they were perfectly 00:10:07.220 --> 00:10:10.639 needless. As they walked home Elizabeth related 00:10:10.639 --> 00:10:12.960 to Jane what she had seen pass between the two 00:10:12.960 --> 00:10:15.759 gentlemen. But though Jane would have defended 00:10:15.759 --> 00:10:18.720 either or both, had they appeared to be in the 00:10:18.720 --> 00:10:21.929 wrong, She could no more explain such behaviour 00:10:21.929 --> 00:10:25.210 than her sister. Mr. Collins, on his return, 00:10:25.669 --> 00:10:28.789 highly gratified Mrs. Bennet by admiring Mrs. 00:10:28.990 --> 00:10:32.049 Phillips's manners and politeness. He protested 00:10:32.049 --> 00:10:34.549 that, except Lady Catherine and her daughter, 00:10:34.950 --> 00:10:38.350 he had never seen a more elegant woman, for she 00:10:38.350 --> 00:10:41.090 had not only received him with the utmost civility, 00:10:41.429 --> 00:10:44.370 but even pointedly included him in her invitation 00:10:44.370 --> 00:10:47.149 for the next evening, although utterly unknown 00:10:47.149 --> 00:10:51.279 to her before. Something, he supposed, might 00:10:51.279 --> 00:10:54.000 be attributed to his connection with them, but 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:56.940 yet he had never met with so much attention in 00:10:56.940 --> 00:10:58.539 the whole course of his life.