Charlotte Lucas

Also known as: Charlotte / Miss Lucas / Mrs. Collins · Family: Lucas · Role: young woman · First appears: Chapter 3

In chapter 3, Charles Bingley asked Charlotte first, and by chapter 5 she was Elizabeth Bennet’s intimate friend, visiting Longbourn after the assembly to discuss the ball. She was also seen with her father, Sir William Lucas. In chapter 21, Mr. Collins transferred his attentions to her; by the following morning she had accepted his proposal, and Sir William Lucas and Lady Lucas joyfully gave their consent. Charlotte told Elizabeth Bennet of the engagement, but their friendship became restrained afterward.

Mr. Collins left Longbourn to prepare for the wedding, and in chapter 26 Charlotte married him and set off with him for Kent. There, she welcomed visits from Maria Lucas, described Lady Catherine de Bourgh as a respectable and attentive neighbour, and joined the household party at Rosings, where Lady Catherine de Bourgh formally received them. When Elizabeth Bennet departed Hunsford, she and Charlotte parted affectionately.

By chapter 53, Charlotte was married and settled. Later, after Lady Catherine de Bourgh became angry over the contents of Fitzwilliam Darcy’s letter, Charlotte and Mr. Collins moved to Lucas Lodge; Charlotte was “really rejoicing in the match” and was anxious to leave until the anger had passed.