She valued her friend’s good opinion, although not enough to sacrifice a matrimonial opportunity to maintain it – such high-minded delicacy was too fine a luxury – yet it gave her pain to consider that her conduct might sink her in Elizabeth’s esteem. A difficult conversation with her friend lay ahead, and she wished to prepare for this, and communicate the news to Lizzy directly, before the rest of the neighbourhood heard it. She therefore charged Mr Collins with secrecy and, although reluctant to comply, he could not argue with the modesty of his affianced.

The next morning, Charlotte arrived at Longbourn for a tête-à-tête with her friend. While anticipating no great pleasure from the conversation, she knew her family would not keep her engagement secret for long, nor should they be constrained to do so. She broke the news to Elizabeth without further ado, who received it with such unguarded astonishment and dismay that Charlotte was momentarily caught between distress and anger at her friend’s lack of decorum. But it was no less than she had expected and indeed possibly deserved, and, for a few minutes, neither woman could look at the other. Lizzy, too, seemed ashamed, if not of her immediate response then of the visible pain it caused her old friend, and after her first expostulation of ‘Engaged to Mr Collins! – why, this is impossible!’ she caught at the reins of her disbelief and tried to utter the necessary congratulations.

Her stammered wishes for Charlotte’s happiness gave the latter the strength to speak honestly, rather than pretend to the joy of a bride-to-be. To Elizabeth, she would not dissemble. ‘I see what you must think of me,’ she said. ‘You must be very surprised, especially as only a few days ago, Mr Collins was wishing to marry you. But Eliza, I hope that upon reflection, you will understand what I have done. You know I am not romantic. I never have been. I ask only a comfortable home, and shall endeavour to do my part to ensure that whomever I share it with shall have no grounds on which to reproach me. Mr Collins may not be a star in the firmament of intelligent thought, but then neither am I; we know of no blemish or stain of disgrace on his character; and considering his connections and situation in life, I do not see that my chance of happiness is any less of a gamble than most take upon entering married life.’

Lizzy had by now gained control of her tongue, and murmured agreement and further congratulations, but it was clear from her face, always expressive, that she was disappointed in and even repelled by her friend’s choice, and doubted her prospects for future happiness. Charlotte understood that her response was driven by affection and concern – nothing less could have made her judgement bearable.