Chapter 13

At breakfast the next morning, Mr. Bennet instructs his wife to ensure a good dinner for the evening because they are expecting company. Mrs. Bennet’s initial excitement is quickly abated when she learns that their surprise guest is Mr. Collins, a clergyman and the distant relation who will inherit Longbourn when Mr. Bennet dies. Mrs. Bennet states that she has no use for the “odious” man and urges her husband again to “do something or other” about the entailment. Jane and Elizabeth try to explain the legally binding nature of the entailment to their mother, but their efforts are in vain. 

Mr. Bennet then reads a letter from Mr. Collins, which states that he wishes to make peace with the family and make “every possible amends” for the harm his inheritance will inflict upon the Bennet daughters. The older sisters and Mr. Bennet analyze the phrasing and tone of Mr. Collins’s letter and determine that he holds a sense of self-importance and may not be altogether sensible. Since the author of the letter is not in the militia, the youngest two daughters find no interest in its contents. 

Mr. Collins arrives on time and has a very formal and stilted manner. He compliments the beauty of the daughters, and Mrs. Bennet replies that this is to their benefit since they will one day find themselves “destitute.” Mr. Collins repeats his intentions to “admire” her daughters and then proceeds to praise the household furnishings; this mortifies Mrs. Bennet as she believes him to be viewing his own future property.

Chapter 14

At dinner, Mr. Collins speaks incessantly of the magnificence of his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. His parsonage, Hunsford, is located near Rosings Park, Lady Catherine’s grand estate. Though he admits that some find her “proud,” Mr. Collins insists that she speaks to him as she would to any other gentleman and proudly shares that she has even visited him in his parsonage. When Mrs. Bennet inquires about her family, Mr. Collins shares that she is a widow with one daughter, Miss Anne de Bourgh, who remains too sickly to be formally “presented” among the ladies at court. Mr. Collins then describes some of the little compliments he offers to please Lady Catherine, particularly on the beauty and charms of her daughter. As dinner continues, Mr. Bennet realizes that he has prejudged this cousin correctly, finding him utterly “absurd.” After dinner, the family asks Mr. Collins to read aloud, and the youngest girls are horrified to learn that he never reads from novels and intends to read them sermons instead. Only a few pages in, Lydia interrupts with news regarding Colonel Forster. Mr. Collins is greatly offended by the interruption and comments that though young ladies often find sermons boring, they were “solely written for their benefit.” 

Chapter 15

Over the course of the visit, Mr. Collins proves himself to be a foolish and pompous individual. Given his humble beginnings, he is very fortunate to be settled at Hunsford with Lady Catherine as his patroness; however, this unexpected prosperity has given him an undeservedly high opinion of himself and in his abilities as a clergyman. It is revealed that he plans to resolve the issue of the entailment by choosing one of the Bennet daughters for his wife, thus ensuring that Longbourn stays within the Bennet family. He finds Jane Bennet’s face the most lovely and decides almost immediately that she will make him a fine wife. When he reveals his intentions to Mrs. Bennet, however, she hints that Jane is likely to be engaged soon, and Mr. Collins quickly changes his choice to Elizabeth, second to Jane in both age and beauty.

Thrilled by the possibility of having two daughters married so soon, Mrs. Bennet forgets all about her previous scorn for Mr. Collins, and he immediately finds himself in her good graces. When the daughters decide to go to town, Mr. Bennet insists that Mr. Collins accompany them—mostly to give himself a break from Mr. Collins’s annoying presence. En route to Meryton, the girls’ attention is captured by a stranger named Mr. Wickham, who has recently accepted a commission in the regiment stationed there. Mr. Wickham has a fine countenance and pleasing manner of address, and the entire party chats agreeably with him. Darcy and Bingley ride past and, noticing the Bennets, stop to greet them. Darcy and Wickham barely acknowledge one another and are noticeably uncomfortable in each other's presence. After Darcy and Bingley ride away, Wickham and his friend walk the ladies to the door of their aunt’s house. She is delighted to see her nieces and plans an evening of entertainment for the following night, assuring the young ladies that she will ask her husband to call on Mr. Wickham and issue him an invitation as well.

Chapter 16

At the gathering at their aunt’s house, the girls are bored by Mr. Collins, who drones on about his own significance. When Mr. Wickham arrives, every lady’s eye is drawn toward him. He sits by Elizabeth, and their conversation turns toward Darcy. Wickham reveals that he has known Darcy’s family his entire life, and Elizabeth tells him that everyone in town finds Darcy proud and disagreeable. Wickham discloses that while he and Darcy are not on good terms, Darcy’s father was one of the best men he’s known in his life. He tells Elizabeth that although Darcy’s father left Wickham a considerable fortune in his will, the young Darcy prevented him from claiming his rightful inheritance. Shocked, Elizabeth asks what Darcy’s motivation could have been; Wickham replies that Darcy simply resented his father’s clear preference for Wickham. When Elizabeth inquires about the character of Miss Darcy, Darcy’s younger sister, Wickham says that she is just as proud as her older brother. He also informs her that Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Mr. Collins’ patroness, is Darcy’s “dictatorial” aunt.

Chapter 17

Later, Elizabeth relates Mr. Wickham’s comments to Jane, who is torn between wanting to believe in both the good character of Mr. Bingley’s friend and the words of the “amiable” Wickham. She concludes that there must be some misunderstanding between them. Bingley and his sisters later drop by with an invitation to a ball at Netherfield. Elizabeth plans to spend the ball dancing with Wickham and watching Darcy closely for signs of the despicable traits Wickham has described. In a moment of goodwill, Elizabeth asks Mr. Collins if he plans to attend. He replies that not only is he looking forward to the ball, but he hopes to reserve Elizabeth’s hand for the first two dances. Elizabeth is disappointed, having hoped to dance those very dances with Wickham. She finally realizes, much to her dismay, that Mr. Collins has selected her as a worthy mistress of Hunsford, noting his extra civilities toward her. Mrs. Bennet begins dropping hints that she would not be opposed to a union between Elizabeth and Mr. Collins, but since he has made no formal offer yet, Elizabeth sees little point in arguing with her mother.