Pride and Prejudice Quotes from Novel to Film (Chapter 20)

Continuing from my previous posts (Chapters 1-19) and moving right on to Chapter 20, which was about Mrs. Bennet telling Mr. Bennet to go out and tell Lizzie that he insist upon her marrying Mr. Collins, so that she can have their house and save her sisters from destitution...

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Pride and Prejudice

Novel

MR. COLLINS was not left long to the silent contemplation of his successful love; for Mrs. Bennet, having dawdled about in the vestibule to watch for the end of the conference, no sooner saw Elizabeth open the door and with quick step pass her towards the staircase, than she entered the breakfast room, and congratulated both him and herself in warm terms on the happy prospect of their nearer connection. Mr. Collins received and returned these felicitations with equal pleasure, and then proceeded to relate the particulars of their interview, with the result of which he trusted he had every reason to be satisfied, since the refusal which his cousin had steadfastly given him would naturally flow from her bashful modesty and the genuine delicacy of her character.

This information, however, startled Mrs. Bennet; -- she would have been glad to be equally satisfied that her daughter had meant to encourage him by protesting against his proposals, but she dared not to believe it, and could not help saying so.

"But depend upon it, Mr. Collins,'' she added, "that Lizzy shall be brought to reason. I will speak to her about it myself directly. She is a very headstrong foolish girl, and does not know her own interest; but I will make her know it.''

"Pardon me for interrupting you, Madam,'' cried Mr. Collins; ``but if she is really headstrong and foolish, I know not whether she would altogether be a very desirable wife to a man in my situation, who naturally looks for happiness in the marriage state. If therefore she actually persists in rejecting my suit, perhaps it were better not to force her into accepting me, because if liable to such defects of temper, she could not contribute much to my felicity.''

"Sir, you quite misunderstand me,'' said Mrs. Bennet, alarmed. "Lizzy is only headstrong in such matters as these. In every thing else she is as good natured a girl as ever lived. I will go directly to Mr. Bennet, and we shall very soon settle it with her, I am sure.''

She would not give him time to reply, but hurrying instantly to her husband, called out as she entered the library, "Oh! Mr. Bennet, you are wanted immediately; we are all in an uproar. You must come and make Lizzy marry Mr. Collins, for she vows she will not have him, and if you do not make haste he will change his mind and not have her.''

Mr. Bennet raised his eyes from his book as she entered, and fixed them on her face with a calm unconcern which was not in the least altered by her communication.

"I have not the pleasure of understanding you,'' said he, when she had finished her speech. "Of what are you talking?''

"Of Mr. Collins and Lizzy. Lizzy declares she will not have Mr. Collins, and Mr. Collins begins to say that he will not have Lizzy.''

"And what am I to do on the occasion? -- It seems an hopeless business.''

"Speak to Lizzy about it yourself. Tell her that you insist upon her marrying him.''
"Let her be called down. She shall hear my opinion.''

Mrs. Bennet rang the bell, and Miss Elizabeth was summoned to the library.
"Come here, child,'' cried her father as she appeared.  "I have sent for you on an affair of importance. I understand that Mr. Collins has made you an offer of marriage. Is it true?'' Elizabeth replied that it was. "Very well -- and this offer of marriage you have refused?''
"I have, Sir.''

"Very well. We now come to the point. Your mother insists upon your accepting it. Is not it so, Mrs. Bennet?''

"Yes, or I will never see her again.''

"An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. -- Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do.''

Elizabeth could not but smile at such a conclusion of such a beginning; but Mrs. Bennet, who had persuaded herself that her husband regarded the affair as she wished, was excessively disappointed.
"What do you mean, Mr. Bennet, by talking in this way? You promised me to insist upon her marrying him.''

"My dear,'' replied her husband, "I have two small favours to request. First, that you will allow me the free use of my understanding on the present occasion; and secondly, of my room. I shall be glad to have the library to myself as soon as may be.''

Not yet, however, in spite of her disappointment in her husband, did Mrs. Bennet give up the point. She talked to Elizabeth again and again; coaxed and threatened her by turns. She endeavoured to secure Jane in her interest but Jane with all possible mildness declined interfering; -- and Elizabeth, sometimes with real earnestness and sometimes with playful gaiety, replied to her attacks. Though her manner varied, however, her determination never did.

Mr. Collins, meanwhile, was meditating in solitude on what had passed. He thought too well of himself to comprehend on what motive his cousin could refuse him; and though his pride was hurt, he suffered in no other way. His regard for her was quite imaginary; and the possibility of her deserving her mother's reproach prevented his feeling any regret.

While the family were in this confusion, Charlotte Lucas came to spend the day with them. She was met in the vestibule by Lydia, who, flying to her, cried in a half whisper, "I am glad you are come, for there is such fun here! -- What do you think has happened this morning? -- Mr. Collins has made an offer to Lizzy, and she will not have him.''

Charlotte had hardly time to answer, before they were joined by Kitty, who came to tell the same news, and no sooner had they entered the breakfast-room, where Mrs. Bennet was alone, than she likewise began on the subject, calling on Miss Lucas for her compassion, and entreating her to persuade her friend Lizzy to comply with the wishes of all her family.  "Pray do, my dear Miss Lucas,'' she added in a melancholy tone, "for nobody is on my side, nobody takes part with me, I am cruelly used, nobody feels for my poor nerves.''

Charlotte's reply was spared by the entrance of Jane and Elizabeth.

"Aye, there she comes,'' continued Mrs. Bennet, "looking as unconcerned as may be, and caring no more for us than if we were at York, provided she can have her own way. -- But I tell you what, Miss Lizzy, if you take it into your head to go on refusing every offer of marriage in this way, you will never get a husband at all -- and I am sure I do not know who is to maintain you when your father is dead. -- I shall not be able to keep you -- and so I warn you. -- I have done with you from this very day. -- I told you in the library, you know, that I should never speak to you again, and you will find me as good as my word. I have no pleasure in talking to undutiful children, -- Not that I have much pleasure indeed in talking to any body. People who suffer as I do from nervous complaints can have no great inclination for talking. Nobody can tell what I suffer! -- But it is always so. Those who do not complain are never pitied.''

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Movie Script

"Mr. Bennet. Mr. Bennet. We're all in an uproar. You must come and make Lizzie marry Mr.  Collins. Mr. Collins has proposed to Lizzie. But she vows she will not have him. And now the danger is Mr. Collins may not have Lizzie." (Mrs. Bennet)
"Well, what am I to do?" (Mr. Bennet)

"Well, come and talk to her. Now. Tell her you insist upon them marrying." (Mrs. Bennet)

"Papa, please." (Lizzie)
"You will have this house." (Mrs. Bennet)
"I can't marry him." (Lizzie)
"And save your sisters from destitution." (Mrs. Bennet)
"I can't." (Lizzie)
"Go back now and say you've changed your mind!" (Mrs. Bennet)
"No!" (Lizzie)
"Think of your family!" (Mrs. Bennet)

"You cannot make me!" (Lizzie)
"Mr. Bennet, say something!" (Mrs. Bennet)
"So, your mother insists on you marrying Mr. Collins." (Mr. Bennet)
"Yes, or I shall never see her again." (Mrs. Bennet)
"Well, Lizzie, from this day onward, you must be a stranger to one of your parents." (Mr. Bennet)
"Who will maintain you when your father is dead?" (Mrs. Bennet)

"Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do." (Mr. Bennet)

"Mr. Bennet!" (Mrs. Bennet)

"Thank you, Papa." (Lizzie)
"Ungrateful child. I shall never speak to you again! Not that I take much pleasure in talking. People who suffer as I do from nervous complaints can have no pleasure in talking to anybody." (Mrs. Bennet)