Elizabeth Bennet refuses Mr. Collins’s marriage proposal once. She gives him a clear refusal, but Collins refuses to believe that she means it and continues speaking as though her rejection is merely conventional modesty.
The scene occurs early in Pride and Prejudice, when Collins has decided that marrying one of Mr. Bennet’s daughters would be appropriate. He first considers Jane, then turns to Elizabeth after learning that Jane may be attached to Mr. Bingley. His proposal is shaped by practicality, self-importance, and Lady Catherine’s expectations rather than genuine understanding of Elizabeth.
Elizabeth interrupts him and states that she cannot accept his offer. Collins responds by claiming that young women sometimes reject a man before secretly intending to accept him, even suggesting that refusals may be repeated. Elizabeth then makes her position unmistakable, and her father confirms that she is free to decline.
The wording can cause confusion: Collins keeps pressing his case after Elizabeth says no, but that is not a series of separate proposals. Elizabeth’s actual refusal is conventionally counted as one.