The next day, a very important event happened at Longbourn. Mr. Collins decided it was time to propose to Elizabeth. He had to leave on Saturday, so he didn’t want to waste any time. After breakfast, he found Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth, and Kitty together.
"Madam," he said to Mrs. Bennet, "could you allow me to have a private conversation with your daughter Elizabeth this morning?"
Before Elizabeth could say a word, her mother answered happily, "Oh, yes! Certainly. Lizzy will be very happy to talk to you. Kitty, come upstairs with me."
"Dear mother, please stay," Elizabeth cried. "Mr. Collins can say anything he likes in front of everyone. I was just about to leave myself."
"No, no! Nonsense, Lizzy," Mrs. Bennet insisted. "I want you to stay and listen to Mr. Collins."
Elizabeth realized it was better to get the situation over with quickly, so she sat back down. As soon as Mrs. Bennet and Kitty left, Mr. Collins began.
"Believe me, my dear Miss Elizabeth, your modesty only makes you more perfect in my eyes," he said. "You can probably guess why I am here. Almost as soon as I entered this house, I chose you to be my wife."
Elizabeth wanted to laugh at his serious face, but she stayed quiet as he continued to list his reasons for marrying.
"First," he said, "I think every clergyman should set an example of marriage in his parish. Second, I am sure it will make me happy. And third—which is very important—my patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, advised me to do it. She told me, 'Mr. Collins, you must marry. Choose a useful person who can make a small income go a long way.' I believe your wit and spirit will please her, as long as you are silent and respectful when you meet her."
Then, he mentioned the house. "Since I will inherit this estate after your father dies, I thought it was only right to choose a wife from among his daughters. This way, the family can keep the house. I do not care about money, because I know you have very little. I promise never to bring up the fact that you are poor once we are married."
Elizabeth interrupted him immediately. "You are moving too fast, sir. You haven't heard my answer. Thank you for the honor you are doing me, but I must refuse your offer."
Mr. Collins smiled and waved his hand. "I know that young ladies often say 'no' the first time when they actually mean 'yes.' I am not discouraged. I hope we will be married soon."
"I am perfectly serious!" Elizabeth cried. "You could not make me happy, and I am the last woman in the world who could make you happy. Even Lady Catherine would think I am not the right person for you."
Mr. Collins stayed calm. "I am sure Lady Catherine will approve of you when I tell her how modest and careful with money you are. It is the custom for women to refuse a man at first. I will ask you again soon."
"Really, Mr. Collins," Elizabeth said, getting angry. "If you think my 'no' is actually an 'encouragement,' I don't know how to convince you! I am a rational person telling the truth from her heart. I cannot marry you."
She got up and left the room. She decided that if he didn't believe her, she would ask her father to help. Mr. Bennet’s "no" would be impossible to misunderstand.