This has to do with the mini series of Pride and Prejiduce (BBC)?

Question

At the last dance....Why was it soooo improper for Mr. Collins to address Mr. Darcy? It mortified the Bennet sisters....because?

Answer 1

Mr. Collins was their money grubbing cousin who lived next door to Mr. Darcy's Aunt, Lady Catherine De Bourgh. He was to inherit THEIR fathers house when he died, because their father had only girls and no sons. Therefore, if none of the girls married him, it would pass out of the family and they would have no place to live.

Mr. Collins is garish and rude and makes no attempt to hide his reason for speaking to Mr. Darcy. That being to ingraiate himself in good with the nephew of his "patron, Lady Catherine De Bourgh," who he won't shut up about. Causing enormous embarrasment for Elizabeth and the other girls. Here they are trying to make it seem they are respectable, and here he is practically BEGGING to follow him around. It just looks stupid and embarrassing to girls trying to make a good impression, especially when their NAMES are on the line!