CHAPTER XIV

Summary

• During dinner, Mr. Bennet remains mostly silent but initiates a conversation with Mr. Collins after the servants leave, focusing on Mr. Collins's patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
• Mr. Collins praises Lady Catherine extensively, highlighting her affability, condescension, and approval of his sermons.
• He recounts specific examples of Lady Catherine’s generosity, including her advice to marry, her approval of his home improvements, and her social invitations.
• Mrs. Bennet expresses admiration for Lady Catherine and inquires about her residence, her widowhood, and her family.
• Mr. Collins describes Lady Catherine’s daughter, Miss De Bourgh, as a sickly but charming and distinguished young lady who has not been presented at court due to her health.
• Mr. Collins shares how he flatters Lady Catherine and her daughter with carefully crafted, but seemingly spontaneous compliments, which he views as a duty.
• Mr. Bennet enjoys the absurdity of Mr. Collins’s remarks, maintaining his composure and occasionally exchanging glances with Elizabeth.
• After tea, Mr. Bennet suggests Mr. Collins read aloud to the ladies; Mr. Collins refuses to read novels and instead selects Fordyce’s Sermons.
• Lydia interrupts Mr. Collins's reading with unrelated chatter about local gossip, offending Mr. Collins, who ceases his reading and criticizes young ladies' lack of interest in serious books.
• Mr. Bennet invites Mr. Collins to play backgammon, and Mr. Collins accepts, leaving the ladies to their own activities.
• Mrs. Bennet and her daughters apologize for Lydia’s behavior, but Mr. Collins assures them he harbors no ill will before beginning his game with Mr. Bennet.