Their unification would be one of convenience, not love. Elizabeth cannot see herself being happy in a loveless marriage with such a man, even though she would be well provided for. She finds his personality intolerable. She will not enter into a marriage of convenience. For this reason she refuses his proposal. .
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When Mrs. Bennet finds out that Elizabeth has turned down Mr. Collins, she is furious. She tells Elizabeth that unless she agrees to Mr. Collins's proposal she will never see her daughter again. She tries to persuade Mr. Bennet to insist that Elizabeth amend her refusal, but he will have no part of it. In fact, he tells her that if she does accept the proposal, he will refuse to see her again. Elizabeth is Mr. Bennet's favorite daughter and he wants her to be happy. He knows that she has enough sense to choose a good husband without Mrs. Bennet's meddling. He wants all of his daughters to marry for love rather than practicality. .
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Mrs. Bennet then pleads with Elizabeth's best friend, Charlotte Lucas, to entice Elizabeth to accept Mr. Collins' offer. Charlotte has her own plans. From the moment she meets him, she knows that he is the man she shall marry. Sure enough, three days later Mr. Collins proposes to Charlotte. She willingly accepts the proposal, not out of love for Mr. Collins, but for his assets. She knows that he will provide a comfortable living for her and that is her main concern. She is a plain quiet girl, who knows she will not receive a better offer. Elizabeth is upset that her friend would be so foolish. .
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Elizabeth has occasion to refuse another proposal, that of Fitzwilliam Darcy. She rejects his first proposal based mostly on his pride and condescension. When Elizabeth and Darcy first meet at the ball in Meryton, he insults her by saying, ".she is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me." (Austen 7). Elizabeth overhears this conversation between Darcy and Bingley and is quite insulted.