Prudence and Practicality

by C. J. Hill

  Mr. Collins has been quite conciliatory thus far and has allowed me to acquaint myself with my new surroundings and responsibilities in a most affable manner. We had the most pleasant discussion just this morning regarding property and furnishings which was directly in contrast to other sides of him that I have noticed recently. I have already learnt that my husband is not always pleasant and agreeable, especially when crossed, and I shall take that into account whenever I feel I must disagree with him, which hopefully will not be very often.

  I am quite delighted with the Parsonage; it is comfortable and cosy and offers everything I need. All of my possessions have arrived safely and are happily distributed around the house and garden making me feel so much more at home already; the chickens appear well recovered from their long journey. I have already taken over the running of the household and have a housekeeper, cook, maid and gardener to oversee; fewer than at Lucas Lodge but ample for our small situation.

  Oh, Lizzy! I feel very fortunate to be here; all is to my liking and with a little attention I believe that Mr. Collins will improve in time. The lack of his side of the family at the wedding yesterday really brought to my attention that I know nothing about him – but did I not always say, Lizzy, that knowing too much about one’s partner in life could be an unnecessary evil? I anticipate that before too long he will volunteer some information regarding his past life but until then I shall continue with my observances and come to conclusions as I can.

  Be happy for me Lizzy, for I am content; I have what I have always wanted and feel already very much at home here. I will write later when I have met the much-vaunted Lady Catherine!

  Your friend,

  Charlotte Collins.

  Hunsford Parsonage

  January 9th 18~

  My Dearest Lizzy,

  I have met Lady Catherine twice now! She is everything that we supposed from Mr. Collins’ reports - very grand and extremely awe-inspiring; indeed, if I had not had the benefit of meeting several women equal to her standing, I would have been quite disarmed. But, rather than dislike her immediately, I found her to be somewhat charming although in an intimidating way; she is quite imperious and haughty with any persons lower than herself, and since that is generally the case, she is quite haughty! It is her way and we must make allowances for status and upbringing; not everyone can have the benefit of being reared in our varied society in Meryton. I should have liked to have you there in order to exchange glances and to compare observations later! I found myself hearing your opinions in my head and had to control my countenance - you had much to say on the subject I assure you!

  She first introduced herself (no one is so rude as to introduce her to you) when she called to pay her respects to me the day after we arrived at Hunsford. I had been forewarned by Mr. Collins and was therefore expecting her visit on that morning. She arrived at eleven-thirty and stayed for above ten minutes. She is, of course, very much at home in this house as she helped Mr. Collins with the furnishing of it when he moved in; she swept through the front door and entered my parlour without so much as a by-your-leave, but not taking me so much by surprise as she had hoped since Mr. Collins had seen her carriage coming up the road and had taken the trouble to alert me! She looked me up and down, completely ignoring Mr. Collins who was anxiously trying to interpose himself between us; he was only allowed the most timid of introductions before she introduced herself thus:

  “Good morning, Mrs. Collins. I am pleased finally to make your acquaintance; your appearance here has been long-anticipated by the whole village. I am extremely glad that Mr. Collins has finally found himself a wife. He has been a bachelor long enough and, as I constantly advised him, it is of a great example to his parish that he should be married and be seen to be a family man. Marriage is for the continuation of family and I hope to see children in this rectory before long.

  “My daughter, Anne, would have accompanied me this morning to pay her respects but unfortunately she is of a sickly disposition and could not be brought out in all this wind and weather. You will have the privilege of meeting her when you dine with us tomorrow night at Rosings Park.”

  She then studied the parlour with a critical air and turned her attention to the furnishings.

  “I see that you have been supplied by your parents with several pieces of furniture. They appear to complement the furnishings supplied by me quite well. This room will be quite comfortable for you I am sure.”

  To this I replied politely that I was already enjoying the parlour and its furnishings and that, yes, I, too, was delighted to at last be in my new situation. This was all the conversation I was allowed, as she nodded her head and then arose, wished me good day and left without another word! She is quite astonishing in her manner but, again, we must allow for her idiosyncrasies, whatever they are, for she means well and has been very kind to my husband. I fear that everything that I do will be evaluated by her - she will continue to be a most attentive neighbour and benefactress, I am sure!

  The dinner to which we had been so imperiously invited, and had not considered refusing, was surprisingly Spartan for such a sumptuous place and owner; perhaps she suffers from indigestion and therefore cannot eat much in the way of elaborate foods. Rosings Park is, of course, very grand and set very well in amongst some of the prettiest parklands I have ever seen - Lizzy, even you would be at home in them. They stretch for miles and are filled with the most interesting trees and plants. When you come in March (which I dearly hope you still intend) you will spend all the day walking, I am sure. The formal gardens around the house are well-tended and are a delight in themselves, even at this time of year. Soon, when the spring bulbs and flowers start blooming both the gardens and the woods will be exquisite.

  The interior of the house is, of course, very grand; everything is large and ornate and over-furnished in a most unappealing manner. Too many gilt mirrors, heavy tapestries, and over-stuffed chairs for my liking; everything is for effect and set out to impress.

  Impress it certainly does - poor Mr. Collins is constantly overwhelmed when in the company of her ladyship in her natural surroundings. He has become rather an authority on her house over the many dinners he has been invited to as, in a form of conversation, he likes to ask Lady Catherine about a certain aspect of the building - how many stairs, how many windows, how many rooms etc., etc., and, naturally, she is more than happy to accommodate his curiosity and will expound at length about whatever he proposes for discussion. She seems quite happy with his attention but for myself, I find it hard to become one of her admirers and so have determined to sit quietly and politely, and allow them to continue with their mutual admiration. It certainly allows me to watch my husband as he interacts and converses; I am forming a clearer picture of him constantly which will stand me in good stead if I am ever to gain influence over his manners.

  Miss Anne de Bourgh, the only daughter and heiress of Rosings, is, as her mother and Mr. Collins have already intimated, a small, sickly creature, quite retiring and without any kind of talent usually associated with ladies of her class and standing. She is too unwell, according to her mother, to even play the pianoforte, let alone stitch and embroider. She barely says two words together at dinner and those that she does utter are directed mainly to her companion. She is so self-effacing that she could almost be overlooked when in the same room as her mother; I would imagine that she has developed this instinct over the years of living in the shadow of the same. I would dearly like to befriend her in some way, to bring her out of her isolation. I wonder what kind of man Lord de Bourgh must have been? Perhaps he, too, was the retiring type which would account for the very free manner in which Lady Catherine offers her opinions regardless of their reception. I hardly suppose that any gentleman of definite opinion would allow his wife to be so opinionated!

  And so, dear Lizzy, that is my full and first account of my impressions of the great Lady Catherine and her surroundings. I shall become used to her ways, I am sure, and will find her to be of
some benefit to me if I am able to hold my tongue and act the dutiful wife of her favourite clergyman. She was very kind after dinner; it was cold and raining outside and she called for the carriage to take us home - a five minute walk - and, although both Mr. Collins and I insisted we would not hear of it, she is not a woman to be gainsaid and so, we found ourselves being whisked home in style and in the dry. Naturally, Mr. Collins was quite overcome with gratitude and repeated more than three times how kind and thoughtful his benefactress was. I am not sure why he must repeat himself so often. I retired to bed immediately, since he was too excited to even think of sleeping for some time after.

  There, Lizzy, I shall write again soon with more news as it happens; do write to me and let me know of events from home. Maria and my mother are not the best correspondents nor do they have your satirical eye for detail which, already, I am missing. How is Jane enjoying London? Has she had a meeting with Mr. Bingley yet? I hope that all is well with you and your family and that your mother is now more reconciled to my marriage to Mr. Collins and hard at work finding another suitor for you!

  With best regards from your dear friend,

  Charlotte Collins

  Hunsford Parsonage

  January 20th 18~

  My dearest Lizzy,

  How wonderful to hear your voice in your letter. How have I missed your opinions and light wit! I was extremely amused by your thoughts on how I should advise Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine as to proper behaviour in society but, alas, I believe it will be some time before I am courageous enough to enact your proposals!

  In the meantime, I am, every day, learning more about my role here in Hunsford and with what I can fill my hours. Mr. Collins is, of course, kept busy with his work and his garden, which, I may say, is beginning to look rather neat and well-dug and ready for planting when the time should arise in the Spring, and so he has allowed me to devise my own agenda regarding charitable activities in the village.

  “Whatever you think fit, my dear,” were his exact words and so I have begun a round of sick visiting to begin with. This is something I was assured by my housekeeper that Lady Catherine does not attend to as she would rather not become unwell herself, and so I felt it would suit my desire to help without encroaching upon her charitable works.

  I have visited several of the outlying farms, since, at this time of year, sickness abounds in both the children and their parents; mainly it is merely colds but sometimes it is something more critical and so I give what I can in the way of food and medicines made up by Mrs. Hall. Like most country women she has a remedy for almost anything and is happy to oblige and help where she can. When the mother is the one who is sick, then I take whole meals and bread to the house, to help provide for the family. I have found that many of the neighbours also help out when they know there is a need and this is quite uplifting to observe, especially as some families have trouble feeding themselves without the added expense of helping others.

  Although Mr. Collins and I do not have an excess, we have more than these families and, as I pointed out to Mr. Collins when he advised caution in my generosity, surely we should offer as much help as we can to the most deserving. He had no argument to that and I have assured him that I do not intend to overspend my housekeeping allowance upon this charitable work but rather, be more cautious where it is spent. I have already managed to reduce our spending now that I am overseeing the amounts ordered from the merchants every week - a situation I already monitored at Lucas Lodge and one at which I am constantly amazed when faced with the waste and excess considered normal by men and servants alike! I brought all of this to Mr. Collins’ attention and he was exceedingly encouraged that my stewardship was reaping rewards after only so short a time.

  One family to which I was most happy to extend my assistance was that of Farmer Betts, the man who saved us from being stranded upon our wedding night. He was stricken with a heavy cold and had taken to his bed for days before his straits were brought to my attention by Mrs. Hall – without whom I would never hear anything; I impatiently wait for the day that I should be party to the goings-on of village life, but, as yet, I am confined to being the newcomer and not entrusted with any information. Upon hearing of his predicament, I paid a visit the next day and found the house in a state of uproar due to his wife having also caught the sickness; the children were trying to cope but, being very small, were unable to do much of use.

  I immediately sent for my housekeeper and gardener and set them on cooking and chopping wood, enough for several days at least, and I took charge of the children, feeding and washing them and telling them some stories that I could recall from my childhood. They are really charming children and I managed them quite well, I think, although it has been some while since my siblings have been so small and needing attention. Just as we were leaving, a neighbour called round and assured me that she would keep an eye on the family until one or other of the parents was recovered.

  I am sorry to hear about Jane and her ill-luck in London so far; however, she will have many more opportunities if she is to stay there until May. Perhaps your aunt will be able to introduce her to a more varied society than that in which we find ourselves in Meryton? That would be of great comfort to your dear mother, I am sure. I must stop now and take this to the post. I hope to hear very soon that you have arranged to visit me in March. I am relying upon it as you know; I will be in deepest need of your company and friendly face by that time!

  With fondest love,

  Charlotte.

  Hunsford Parsonage

  February 2nd 18~

  Dear Lizzy!

  I feel most popular this week! Not only did your letter arrive with all of your news but also Maria and my father have communicated that they still have every intention of visiting Hunsford in early March. I confess that I am already anticipating their arrival and still keep hope alive that you will accompany them? Do please come, dear Lizzy, you know that I will be as happy to see you as either of them. I have missed our talks and, although your letters are of great comfort to me, having you here in person would be the greatest comfort.

  How much we will have to discuss – I can hardly believe your reports about Lydia and her incautious behaviour amongst the soldiers. I certainly do not blame you for your attempts to control her antics. Someone has to caution her if your Mamma will not. Maybe my father’s insistence that Maria should not have been out in society before I married has some merit after all. I do hope that Lydia will moderate her behaviour and take some guidance from your and Jane’s advice.

  How shocking about Mr. Wickham and his attentions to Miss King, especially after his attentions to you! What a despicable man he must be, although I understand that he must have money to live on, as you pointed out, still, it is not very gentlemanly behaviour towards my dear friend and I shall not forgive him for it. I am happy that you do not appear to be overly concerned about his altered affections and can only hope that in time you shall meet a man more deserving of your affection.

  Marriage is a strange business, Lizzy. I find that, as the weeks go on, more and more of Mr. Collins’ personality begins to grow upon me. I find that where once his opinions irked me, now that I understand him better, I am more able to be tolerant of them. I see within him a man most anxious to be accepted and admired in higher society, and his only fault is of trying too hard and presenting himself in an unacceptable manner as a direct result of his upbringing, the essence of which I am also gradually learning. I hope to improve this defect in him by degrees so that he will be able to accomplish his goals and become the good man he aspires to be. He is very kind, Lizzy, and wants only for me to be happy and to accept his love which I find I am able to do, and more readily as the weeks progress.

  My home continues to delight me every day; I really had no idea of the genuine contentment to be obtained from the careful planning and running of one’s own home. I have gradually reorganised the living rooms to my satisfaction and was able to order new drapes for them due to m
y reduction of housekeeping expenses so far.

  Lady Catherine continues in her attentions towards me and Mr. Collins but she is not as pervasive as she once was and has many times complimented me on my parish duties, which I am always happy to carry out as I can. I believe that she now sees me as a beneficial partner for Mr. Collins and approves more and more of the match. Not that her approval is anything that I have desired but Mr. Collins finds it to be so necessary that I can only be pleased for his sake that we have won her approval. Mr. Collins is always newly overawed each time we dine at Rosings; one would think that after so many twice-weekly dinners, he would become used to it, as I have. We are, after all, only invited as a source of entertainment when none other is forthcoming - we were neglected for an entire week when Lady Catherine had house guests two weeks ago. A welcome respite, for my part, I can assure you!

  The weather continues cold and wet but I did spy some early snowdrops in the garden yesterday and so I hope that Spring is around the corner, when the roads will be passable again and you, my dear friend, will accompany my sister and father to visit me next month!

  I will importune you no longer – I anxiously await your reply.

  Yours fondly,

  Charlotte.

  XVII

  The overnight winds had abated and, as Charlotte surveyed the bent and bedraggled garden beyond the window, she was happy to be inside, comfortable and warm by the fire in her own parlour writing letters to her friends and family. She had been kept rather busy for the past week as many parishioners had become ill with all of the cold and damp, and she and Mrs. Hall had been hard pressed to produce enough food baskets and to deliver them with the appropriate care and attention that Charlotte now believed to be the essential ingredient of her visits.