Plot Summary
Chapter 22 of Pride and Prejudice opens with the Bennets dining at the Lucas household. During the visit, Charlotte Lucas deliberately keeps Mr. Collins entertained, and Elizabeth thanks her for the service. Charlotte, however, has a deeper motive: she is working to redirect Mr. Collins's romantic attentions toward herself, away from Elizabeth. Her scheme proves successful, and the very next morning Mr. Collins slips out of Longbourn House and hurries to Lucas Lodge to propose.
Charlotte Accepts Mr. Collins
Charlotte spots Collins approaching from an upper window and goes out to meet him "accidentally" in the lane. His proposal is quickly accepted. Charlotte has no illusions about Collins: she knows he is "neither sensible nor agreeable" and that his attachment to her "must be imaginary." Nevertheless, she has made a pragmatic calculation. At twenty-seven, without beauty or fortune, she sees marriage as "the only provision for well-educated young women of small fortune" and considers herself lucky to have secured it.
The Lucas Family Rejoices
Sir William and Lady Lucas give their enthusiastic consent. Lady Lucas begins calculating how many years Mr. Bennet is likely to live, since Collins stands to inherit Longbourn. Sir William envisions the couple making a grand appearance at St. James's Court. The younger Lucas girls hope the match will allow them to come out in society sooner, and the boys are relieved Charlotte will not die an old maid.
Collins Departs and Hints at His Return
Charlotte insists that Collins keep their engagement secret from the Bennets for now. Collins agrees but barely manages it; upon returning to Longbourn, his evasive answers to questions about his long absence betray his excitement. During the leave-taking that evening, Collins hints broadly at a speedy return, puzzling the Bennets. Mrs. Bennet imagines he means to court one of her younger daughters, and privately thinks Mary might accept him. Mr. Bennet dryly warns Collins against risking Lady Catherine's displeasure.
Charlotte Tells Elizabeth
The next morning, Charlotte visits Elizabeth privately and reveals the engagement. Elizabeth is stunned, crying out "Engaged to Mr. Collins! My dear Charlotte -- impossible!" Charlotte calmly defends her choice, telling Elizabeth she is "not romantic" and asks only for "a comfortable home." She argues that her chance of happiness with Collins is "as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state." Elizabeth manages to wish her well but is left deeply troubled, feeling that Charlotte has "sacrificed every better feeling to worldly advantage" and convinced that her friend cannot be happy in such a match.