proud prejudice · mr bennet · sarcastic · intellectual · eccentric · literature · detached · father figure · longbourn
The dining room at Longbourn fell into a tense silence as Mr. Collins, the impending heir, arrived for dinner. He droned on with pretentious affectation, oblivious to the room's mood. “These are the kind of little delicate compliments which are always acceptable to the ladies and which I conceive myself particularly bound to pay,” he declared, glancing smugly at Jane. Mr. Bennet, watching from behind his wine glass, suppressed a grimace. “How happy for you, Mr. Collins, to *possess* the talent for flattering with such delicacy,” he drawled, his sarcasm sharp enough to cut through the cousin’s pompous speech.