Read the given passage and answer the four questions that follow:-
At length the Parsonage was discernible. The garden sloping to the road, the house in it, the green pales, and the laurel hedge all declared their arrival. Mr. Collins and Charlotte appeared at the door as the carriage stopped at the small gate leading to the house.
In a moment they were all out of the chaise, rejoicing at the sight of each other. Mrs. Collins welcomed her friend with the liveliest pleasure, and Elizabeth was entirely satisfied on being so affectionately received. She saw instantly that her cousin's manners were not altered by his marriage; his formal civility was just what it had been, and he detained her some minutes at the gate to hear and satisfy his inquiries after all her family. They were then, with no other delay than his pointing out the neatness of the entrance, taken into the house; and as soon as they were in the parlour, he welcomed them, with ostentatious formality, to his humble abode, and punctually repeated all his wife's offers of refreshment. Elizabeth was prepared to see him in his glory; and she could not help in fancying that in displaying the good proportion of the room, its aspect and its furniture, he addressed himself particularly to her, as if wishing to make her feel what she had lost in refusing him. But though everything seemed neat and comfortable, she was not able to gratify him by any sigh of repentance, and wondered how her friend could have so cheerful an air with such a companion.
Elizabeth's lack of repentance suggests that she is _______.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → confident about her judgment of Collins' character and her decision
Mr. Collins shows off his house "as if wishing to make her feel what she had lost in refusing him", but Elizabeth gives him no sigh of repentance. She saw at once that his manners were as formal and showy as ever, so she feels no regret: she is sure she judged him rightly and was right to refuse him. Repentance is sorrow or regret for something one has done.
Example: The thief showed no repentance in court.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: stubborn and too arrogant to admit her flaws and weaknesses — Incorrect. Misread: there is no mistake for her to admit; refusing a man whose manners she dislikes is not a flaw.
Option 3: regretful of her decision, but hides it to protect her pride — Incorrect. Contradicted: she has no repentance at all, not hidden repentance.
Option 4: envious of Charlotte's fate and is content in not having compromised — Incorrect. Contradicted: Elizabeth wonders how Charlotte can be cheerful with such a companion; that is the opposite of envy.