'Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. Conduct books of the period tend to depict marriage as a solemn religious duty, but in Austen's novels the harsh economic reality of a young woman's value in the marriage market is what concerns most characters. The proposal itself followed a certain protocol, which Mr. Collins claims to understand. The rule in Austen's novels seems clear: if a man proposes as if he cannot imagine that the answer will be no, the answer will be no. Austen relishes the equally disastrous proposals of Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy. Both men are surprised when Elizabeth refuses them. He loves the countryside and his books, and these should console him for his error; he made his choice and will never be able to undo it