“It is precisely the contrary, Lady Catherine: a man of sense and experience must be guided by his own judgement as to what constitutes his happiness, and mine is not to be directed by you or anyone else on this point. I will add, especially when this officiousness comes in the form of great imposition and insult to my own feelings, and most probably those of Miss de Bourgh.”

“Fitzwilliam,” said Lady Catherine, “you greatly mistake me. I did not call you here to enquire…”

Colonel Fitzwilliam could bear no more, and interrupted her with some warmth. “Ma’am, this application, in any form, is extraordinary, indeed. You say that your daughter has been long disinclined to marry. Would your approval of our marriage necessarily change her preference for being single? I have known Miss de Bourgh all of her life and have never once been honoured by any mark of distinction or esteem in her behaviour. Even were I to give my consent, would that make her consent more probable? In addition, I know not whether Miss de Bourgh might have consented to an union with our cousin. In any case, her acceptance of me—as a substitute—must make a poor basis for marriage, if she would accept me. No man would willingly stand in for another in such a case; the disappointed hopes of one and the declared inferiority of the other must render any chance for happiness wholly impossible.”

“Fitzwilliam, unlike yourself, Anne knows her duty to me and will do it. She will rely upon my judgement,” declared Lady Catherine, rising to her full height and speaking in accents of uncommon hauteur.

Colonel Fitzwilliam now stood and, picking up his gloves, replied, “Even if this is so, Aunt, I should never wish to marry wholly out of duty; nor would I wish any such sacrifice for my wife,” replied Colonel Fitzwilliam, every feature marking his disdain for Lady Catherine’s insolence in continuing to press the subject.

“Fitzwilliam, in your case it is more than duty. It is interest. As Darcy has refused the claims of family and friends, it is incumbent upon you to keep the fortune of Miss de Bourgh from being estranged from the Fitzwilliam line.”

“If that is Your Ladyship’s chief consideration,” replied the Colonel with evident disgust, “I wonder you do not chuse my brother for this honour. With that expedient, you would preserve both the fortune and the title!”