Mr. Bennet anticipates Collins visit because of the letter he has received from his cousin. Having no male heirs, the law of England ("entailment") decreed that the estate of the patriarch could not be bequeathed to female children; instead, it would have to go to the closest male relation, in this case Mr. Collins.
In the letter, Collins renounces his claim to the estate. He has been recently ordained and made the parson for the regions belonging to Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Collins writes:
As a clergyman, moreover, I feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing of peace in all families within the reach of my influence; and on these grounds I flatter myself that my present overtures of good-will are highly commendable, and that the circumstance of my being next in the entail of Longbourn estate will be kindly overlooked on your side, and not lead you to reject the offered olive branch (Vol I, XIII).
Having a parsonship, Collins has no need of Longbourn. Called an "avowson," a position, like the one Lady Catherine offered Collins, was held for life unless he was to resign it or be found completely incompetent.
Understand that Collins would not give up the property, but neither would he turn the girls out as he would have an estate of his own. This is the reason for Mr. Bennet's warm welcome: the assurance of security for his girls.
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