I just finished chapter 17 of this book and I've realized that I'm going to get really confused with this book and that I'm going to need an outlet for asking all of my questions. So, I've decided to use this thread for that purpose! Also, I know many of you have already read this book, but if you could please answer these questions without spoiling anything, I'd GREATLY appreciate it (Perhaps it'd help to use how far I currently am in the book as a reference?)
So, here's a couple questions for now (Just finished chapter 17):
1. After Elizabeth hears about the thing between Mr. Darcy (and his father) and Mr. Wickham, she talks to Jane about it. Now, this is where I got confused about the situation as Jane brought up Mr. Bingley for some reason. An example quote:
"I can much more easily believe Mr. Bingley's being imposed on than that Mr. Wickham should invest such a history of himself as he gave me last night..."
What does this mean? I thought all the drama was between Wickham and Darcy (As Darcy prevented Wickham from receiving the money that Darcy's father wanted to give him) and that Mr. Bingley has no idea about all of this?
2. At the end of this chapter, Mr. Collins asks Elizabeth if she would dance with him for the first 2 dances of the upcoming ball. Elizabeth is apparently floored by this -- why? She seemed so exciting about this for some reason, but I thought she was already interested in Wickham at the moment (After their talk) and that she was indifferent to Collins (Or maybe had a slight negative attitude due to him inheriting the home after Mr. Bennet)? Maybe I misinterpreted it or something? I thought that Collins was the only one who showed that he was interested (When he talked with Mrs. Bennet about Elizabeth)?
3. I'm confused as to the relationship between Collins and Catherine de Bourgh? When she was first brought up and Collins started absolutely raving about her and being blessed for meeting her and living so close to her, I thought that the two were a couple or something. But then I read that she had a daughter (Darcy's cousin). Why is Collins so enthusiastic about her (What did she do?)?
NO SPOILERS PLEASE
Thank you