That day the Bennets,with Mr Collins,went to dinner with the Lucas family at Lucas Lodge.Again it was Charlotte who spent most of the evening listening to Mr Collins.Elizabeth was very relieved,and thanked her friend gratefully for the trouble she was taking.But Charlotte's kindness had a particular aim,which Elizabeth was unaware of.Her plan was to en- courage Mr Collins to transfer his attentions to herself.In fact, she was managing so well that,when she said goodnight to him after dinner,she would have felt sure of success if he had been staying in Hertfordshire for another week.But she did not fully appreciate the fire and independence of his character,which caused him to get up very early the next morning and escape from Longbourn House,in a great hurry to reach Lucas Lodge and throw himself at her feet.She did not keep him waiting for an answer,and the happy couple found themselves engaged as quickly as Mr Collins’long speeches would allow.