Chapter 15

           Mr.Collinswasnotasensibleman,andthedeficiencyofnaturehadbeenbutlittleassistedbyeducationorsociety;thegreatestpartofhislifehavingbeenspentundertheguidanceofanilliterateandmiserlyfather;andthoughhebelongedtooneoftheuniversities,hehadmerelykeptthenecessaryterms,withoutformingatitanyusefulacquaintance. Thesubjectioninwhichhisfatherhadbroughthimuphadgivenhimoriginallygreathumilityofmanner;butitwasnowagooddealcounteractedbytheself-conceitofaweakhead,livinginretirement,andtheconsequentialfeelingsofearlyandunexpectedprosperity. AfortunatechancehadrecommendedhimtoLadyCatherinedeBourghwhenthelivingofHunsfordwasvacant; andtherespectwhichhefeltforherhighrank,andhisvenerationforherashispatroness,minglingwithaverygoodopinionofhimself,ofhisauthorityasaclergyman,andhisrightasarector,madehimaltogetheramixtureofprideandobsequiousness,self-importanceandhumility. 

           Havingnowagoodhouseandaverysufficientincome,heintendedtomarry; andinseekingareconciliationwiththeLongbournfamilyhehadawifeinview,ashemeanttochooseoneofthedaughters,ifhefoundthemashandsomeandamiableastheywererepresentedbycommonreport. Thiswashisplanofamends—ofatonement—forinheritingtheirfather’sestate; andhethoughtitanexcellentone,fullofeligibilityandsuitableness,andexcessivelygenerousanddisinterestedonhisownpart. 

           Hisplandidnotvaryonseeingthem. MissBennet’slovelyfaceconfirmedhisviews,andestablishedallhisstrictestnotionsofwhatwasduetoseniority; andforthefirsteveningshewashissettledchoice.