Can she confess without revealing her secret?
Author Note: This is part of a mini-series of scenes telling the story of Charlotte Lucas’ other romance. Here are the previous parts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
November 30, 1811
One dreaded task remained for Charlotte, and that was telling Lizzy about her engagement. Her dearest friend could not have made it clearer that she thought Mr. Collins barely worthy of acknowledgment, and this news would come as a blow to her. Charlotte’s anxiety over the event was mixed with annoyance; after all, marrying Mr. Collins would be prudential even if she had no other incentive than a desire for independence, but Lizzy would not see it that way, and she had no intention of humiliating herself by telling her friend the whole truth.
Indeed, Lizzy’s reaction was all that Charlotte had feared. “Engaged to Mr. Collins! My dear Charlotte—impossible!”
This reproach was so strong that for a moment Charlotte could not help biting her lip, wondering if she should tell her friend everything. She only regained her composure as she contemplated the unfairness of Lizzy’s reaction. After all their years of friendship, apparently Lizzy still had no faith in her judgment.
Charlotte raised her chin slightly. “Why should you be surprised, my dear Eliza? Do you think it incredible that Mr. Collins should be able to procure any woman’s good opinion, because he was not so happy as to succeed with you?”
Apparently Lizzy heard the reproach in her voice, for she sat quietly and took a deep breath before saying, “Of course not, my dear—it was merely that you took me by surprise. Of course I am pleased for you, and I wish you all imaginable happiness.”
“I see what you are feeling,” replied Charlotte. “You must be surprised, very much surprised, so lately as Mr. Collins was wishing to marry you. But when you have had time to think it all over, I hope you will be satisfied with what I have done. I am not romantic you know. I never was, I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins’s character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state.” Lizzy was too young and innocent to realize that, compared to men like Mr. Willoughby and Mr. Robinson, Mr. Collins was a candidate for sainthood—or perhaps Lizzy was just fortunate enough never to have been mistreated by a man.
Elizabeth quietly answered, “Undoubtedly.”
In the awkward silence that followed, Charlotte knew that Lizzy would never understand, and most likely would hold this decision against her forever. Would she lose her dearest friend as one more consequence of a night’s indiscretion? But a still voice inside her reminded her that her intimate friend truly ought to have more faith that she knew what she was doing.
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You are such a good writer. I wish I could read the completed story somewhere.
Author
Thank you. I’ve just added the links to the previous parts of the Charlotte series. I’ve been thinking about posting it all together in one place after this project is completed, because not all of the original version I wrote in 2011 is going to be posted this time. Thanks for your interest!
Sorry I’m late with this one. Again poor Charlotte, if Elizabeth only knew that Lydia would end up married to Wickham I’m sure she would then think Charlotte had the better deal?
You’ve conveyed the pain and hurt Charlotte feels quite effectively, Abigail! Glynis’s comment above makes me wonder: do you think Elizabeth eventually does come to accept Charlotte’s decision as a good one (for her, if not for others)? I’ve always read P&P that way — that when Elizabeth sees Charlotte’s situation, and later when Elizabeth realizes all the ways she’s been mistaken in her own judgment, she’s more open to the idea that Charlotte made a good decision for her own sake. I don’t think she ever comes to admire Mr. Collins (especially after his comments about Lydia near the end of the book), but I do think she sees Charlotte’s perspective in the end. Perhaps? I don’t know. This may be more impression than reality (as much as fiction can be reality)! Thanks, Abigail, for this food for thought!