Mr. Collins was not a sensible man. His position as Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s pastor had brought conceit. He was a mixture of pride and obsequiousness, self-importance and humility. His plan on coming to Longbourn was to choose one of his cousins to marry as an appeasement to the entail. His first choice was Jane, but Mrs. Bennet redirected him to Elizabeth. Mr. Collins was now in Mrs. Bennet’s good graces even though she could not bear to speak to him the day before. A walk to Meryton introduces them to Mr. Wickham, soon to be a Lieutenant in the militia. His appearance and manners were favorable, only lacking “regimentals to make him completely charming.” Mr. Bingley meets the party on horseback with Mr. Darcy. Darcy notices Wickham and Elizabeth witness’s one turn white, the other red. What could it mean? The group progresses to their aunt and uncle Phillips house where Mr. Collins is introduced. They are all invited for dinner the next evening including Mr. Wickham. As they walk home Elizabeth shares with Jane what seemed to have passed between Wickham and Darcy.
