Chapter 13 64
Jane and Elizabeth tried to explain to her the nature of an entail . They had often attempted to do it before , but it was a subject on which Mrs . Bennet was beyond the reach of reason , and she continued to rail bitterly against the cruelty of settling an estate away from a family of five daughters , in favour of a man whom nobody cared anything about .
" It certainly is a most iniquitous affair ," said Mr . Bennet , " and nothing can clear Mr . Collins from the guilt of inheriting Longbourn . But if you will listen to his letter , you may perhaps be a little softened by his manner of expressing himself ."
" No , that I am sure I shall not ; and I think it is very impertinent of him to write to you at all , and very hypocritical . I hate such false friends . Why could he not keep on quarreling with you , as his father did before him ?"
" Why , indeed ; he does seem to have had some filial scruples on that head , as you will hear ."
" Hunsford , near Westerham , Kent , 15th October . " Dear Sir , --
" The disagreement subsisting between yourself and my late honoured father always gave me much uneasiness , and since I have had the misfortune to lose him , I have frequently wished to heal the breach ; but for some time I was kept back by my own doubts , fearing lest it might seem disrespectful to his memory for me to be on good terms with anyone with whom it had always pleased him to be at variance . -- ' There , Mrs . Bennet .' --My mind , however , is now made up on the subject , for having received ordination at Easter , I have been so fortunate as to be distinguished by the patronage of the Right Honourable Lady Catherine de Bourgh , widow of Sir Lewis de Bourgh , whose bounty and beneficence has preferred me to the valuable rectory of this parish , where it shall be my earnest endeavour to demean myself with grateful respect towards her ladyship , and be ever ready to perform those rites and ceremonies which are instituted by the Church of England . As a clergyman , moreover , I feel it my duty to promote and