Yesterday in the afternoon, Mr Collins, Elizabeth and I were both invited for tea at Rosings. However Elizabeth could not accompany us because it was clearly evident that she had a migraine. At first Mr Collins was most perturbed by Elizabeth’s decision not to go to Rosings but I finally encouraged him not to ‘press’ her anymore ‘seeing that she was really unwell’. Yet Mr Collins could not stop to remind her of how displeased Lady Catherine would be.
However, on our return I went to check on Elizabeth and I was shocked to see her look paler than ever. She had dark red eyes with puffed up cheeks, as if she had been crying. When I asked her what had happened she burst into tears, and proclaimed that Mr Darcy had visited her in our absence and she then revealed that she had rejected his offer!
The reason that Eliza gave for her rejection him was because of his ‘abominable pride’ and ‘conceited’ manner. Yet I do believe he sustains all of these ill features. However, on the contrary Mr Darcy is a secure man. His wealth is of immense amount, £10,000 a year! As we both know, Eliza has previously made mistakes, for example turning down Mr Collins, and now Mr Darcy! She has made some ill decisions in her life and we both know well of her that she can sometimes act foolish.
Yet, Eliza is my best friend and so my purpose of writing to you is to ask you to advise your daughter to marry such a man of stature. How many men can she turn down? If she carries on the way she has she will lose a future of security and wealth. Mr Collins and I are financially stable and I am fully secure. Yet, I wish I could say the same for Eliza, if she gets married.
Mrs Bennet, it is both familiar to us to get married as soon as possible and grasp every opportunity as it comes. ‘When you are secure’ then there will be free time to fall in love. But Eliza contradicts these opinions which both to you and myself are so imperative. She wants to marry for love yet this cannot always be the case. She does not want to marry for financial security. Mr Darcy is such a wealthy and well connected man. It is up to you Mrs Bennet to advise your daughter to not regret making dreadful decisions. I thought that I had to write about this as Eliza is my good friend.
Love Charlotte Collins
