pride and prejudice(傲慢与偏见)-第51部分
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could not but allow that Mr。 Bingley； when questioned by Jane；
had long ago asserted his blamelessness in the affair； that proud
and repulsive as were his manners； she had never； in the whole
course of their acquaintance； an acquaintance which had latterly
brought them much together； and given her a sort of intimacy with
his ways； seen any thing that betrayed him to be unprincipled or
unjust—any thing that spoke him of irreligious or immoral habits。
That among his own connections he was esteemed and valued—
that even Wickham had allowed him merit as a brother； and that
she had often heard him speak so affectionately of his sister as to
prove him capable of some amiable feeling。 That had his actions
been what Wickham represented them； so gross a violation of
every thing right could hardly have been concealed from the
world； and that friendship between a person capable of it； and
such an amiable man as Mr。 Bingley； was incomprehensible。
She grew absolutely ashamed of herself。—Of neither Darcy nor
Wickham could she think； without feeling that she had been blind；
partial； prejudiced； absurd。
‘How despicably have I acted！’ she cried。—‘I； who have prided
myself on my discernment！—I； who have valued myself on my
abilities！ who have often disdained the generous candour of my
sister； and gratified my vanity； in useless or blameable distrust。—
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How humiliating is this discovery！—Yet； how just a humiliation！—
Had I been in love； I could not have been more wretchedly blind。
But vanity； not love； has been my folly。—Pleased with the
preference of one； and offended by the neglect of the other； on the
very beginning of our acquaintance； I have courted prepossession
and ignorance； and driven reason away； where either were
concerned。 Till this moment； I never knew myself。’
From herself to Jane—from Jane to Bingley； her thoughts were
in a line which soon brought to her recollection that Mr。 Darcy’s
explanation there； had appeared very insufficient； and she read it
again。 Widely different was the effect of a second perusal。—How
could she deny that credit to his assertions； in one instance； which
she had been obliged to give in the other？—He declared himself to
have been totally unsuspicious of her sister’s attachment；—and
she could not help remembering what Charlotte’s opinion had
always been。—Neither could she deny the justice of his
description of Jane。—She felt that Jane’s feelings； though fervent；
were little displayed； and that there was a constant complacency
in her air and manner； not often united with great sensibility。
When she came to that part of the letter in which her family
were mentioned； in terms of such mortifying； yet merited
reproach； her sense of shame was severe。 The justice of the charge
struck her too forcibly for denial； and the circumstances to which
he particularly alluded； as having passed at the Netherfield ball；
and as confirming all his first disapprobation； could not have made
a stronger impression on his mind than on hers。
The compliment to herself and her sister； was not unfelt。 It
soothed； but it could not console her for the contempt which had
been thus self…attracted by the rest of her family；—and as she
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considered that Jane’s disappointment had in fact been the work
of her nearest relations； and reflected how materially the credit of
both must be hurt by such impropriety of conduct； she felt
depressed beyond any thing she had ever known before。
After wandering along the lane for two hours； giving way to
every variety of thought； reconsidering events； determining
probabilities； and reconciling herself as well as she could； to a
change so sudden and so important； fatigue； and a recollection of
her long absence； made her at length return home； and she
entered the house with the wish of appearing cheerful as usual；
and the resolution of repressing such reflections as must make her
unfit for conversation。
She was immediately told； that the two gentlemen from Rosings
had each called during her absence； Mr。 Darcy； only for a few
minutes to take leave； but that Colonel Fitzwilliam had been
sitting with them at least an hour； hoping for her return； and
almost resolving to walk after her till she could be found。—
Elizabeth could but just affect concern in missing him； she really
rejoiced at it。 Colonel Fitzwilliam was no longer an object。 She
could think only of her letter。
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CHAPTER XIV
he two gentlemen left Rosings the next morning； and Mr。
Collins having been in waiting near the lodges； to make
T
them his parting obeisance； was able to bring home the
pleasing intelligence； of their appearing in very good health； and
in as tolerable spirits as could be expected； after the melancholy
scene so lately gone through at Rosings。 To Rosings he then
hastened to console Lady Catherine； and her daughter； and on his
return； brought back； with great satisfaction； a message from her
Ladyship； importing that she felt herself so dull as to make her
very desirous of having them all to dine with her。
Elizabeth could not see Lady Catherine without recollecting；
that had she chosen it； she might by this time have been presented
to her； as her future niece； nor could she think； without a smile； of
what her ladyship’s indignation would have been。 ‘What would she
have said？—how would she have behaved？’ were questions with
which she amused herself。
Their first subject was the diminution of the Rosings party—‘I
assure you； I feel it exceedingly；’ said Lady Catherine； ‘I believe
nobody feels the loss of friends so much as I do。 But I am
particularly attached to these young men； and know them to be so
much attached to me！—They were excessively sorry to go！ But so
they always are。 The dear colonel rallied his spirits tolerably till
just at last； but Darcy seemed to feel it most acutely； more I think
than last year。 His attachment to Rosings； certainly increases。’
Mr。 Collins had a compliment； and an allusion to throw in here；
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which were kindly smiled on by the mother and daughter。
Lady Catherine observed； after dinner； that Miss Bennet
seemed out of spirits； and immediately accounting for it herself； by
supposing that she did not like to go home again so soon； she
added；
‘But if that is the case； you must write to your mother to beg
that you may stay a little longer。 Mrs。 Collins will be very glad of
your company； I am sure。’
‘I am much obliged to your ladyship for your kind invitation；’
replied Elizabeth； ‘but it is not in my power to accept it。—I must
be in town next Saturday。’
‘Why； at that rate； you will have been here only six weeks。 I
expected you to stay two months。 I told Mrs。 Collins so before you
came。 There can be no occasion for your going so soon。 Mrs。
Bennet could certainly spare you for another fortnight。’
‘But my father cannot。—He wrote last week to hurry my
return。’
‘Oh！ your father of course may spare you； if your mother can。—
Daughters are never of so much consequence to a father。 And if
you will stay another month complete； it will be in my power to
take one of you as far as London； for I am going there early in
June； for a week； and as Dawson does not object to the Barouche
box； there will be very good room for one of you—and indeed； if
the weather should happen to be cool； I should not object to taking
you both； as you are neither of you large。’
‘You are all kindness； Madam； but I believe we must abide by
our original plan。’
Lady Catherine seemed resigned。
‘Mrs。 Collins； you must send a servant with them。 You know I
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