Charlotte’s kindness extended farther than Elizabeth had any conception of; – its object was nothing else than to secure her from any return of Mr. Collins’s addresses, by engaging them towards herself. Such was Miss Lucas’s scheme.
– Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 22. Elizabeth appreciates the kindness of her friend Charlotte who deflects the attentions of Mr. Collins away from her and towards Charlotte herself. But Charlotte is being calculating here in attending to Mr. Collins and keeping him occupied. This is foreshadowing of Charlotte’s engagement to Mr. Collins soon after this.