pride and prejudice(傲慢与偏见)-第52部分
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always speak my mind； and I cannot bear the idea of two young
women travelling post by themselves。 It is highly improper。 You
must contrive to send somebody。 I have the greatest dislike in the
world to that sort of thing。—Young women should always be
properly guarded and attended； according to their situation in life。
When my niece Georgiana went to Ramsgate last summer； I made
a point of her having two men servants go with her。—Miss Darcy；
the daughter of Mr。 Darcy； of Pemberley； and Lady Anne； could
not have appeared with propriety in a different manner。—I am
excessively attentive to all those things。 You must send John with
the young ladies； Mrs。 Collins。 I am glad it occurred to me to
mention it； for it would really be discreditable to you to let them go
alone。’
‘My uncle is to send a servant for us。’
‘Oh！—Your uncle！—He keeps a man…servant； does he？—I am
very glad you have somebody who thinks of those things。 Where
shall you change horses？—Oh！ Bromley； of course。—If you
mention my name at the Bell； you will be attended to。’
Lady Catherine had many other questions to ask respecting
their journey； and as she did not answer them all herself； attention
was necessary； which Elizabeth believed to be lucky for her； or；
with a mind so occupied； she might have forgotten where she was。
Reflection must be reserved for solitary hours； whenever she was
alone； she gave way to it as the greatest relief； and not a day went
by without a solitary walk； in which she might indulge in all the
delight of unpleasant recollections。
Mr。 Darcy’s letter； she was in a fair way of soon knowing by
heart。 She studied every sentence： and her feelings towards its
writer were at times widely different。 When she remembered the
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style of his address； she was still full of indignation； but when she
considered how unjustly she had condemned and upbraided him；
her anger was turned against herself； and his disappointed
feelings became the object of compassion。 His attachment excited
gratitude； his general character respect； but she could not approve
him； nor could she for a moment repent her refusal； or feel the
slightest inclination ever to see him again。 In her own past
behaviour； there was a constant source of vexation and regret； and
in the unhappy defects of her family a subject of yet heavier
chagrin。 They were hopeless of remedy。 Her father； contented
with laughing at them； would never exert himself to restrain the
wild giddiness of his youngest daughters； and her mother； with
manners so far from right herself； was entirely insensible of the
evil。 Elizabeth had frequently united with Jane in an endeavour to
check the imprudence of Catherine and Lydia； but while they
were supported by their mother’s indulgence； what chance could
there be of improvement？ Catherine； weak…spirited； irritable； and
completely under Lydia’s guidance； had been always affronted by
their advice； and Lydia； self…willed and careless； would scarcely
give them a hearing。 They were ignorant； idle； and vain。 While
there was an officer in Meryton； they would flirt with him； and
while Meryton was within a walk of Longbourn； they would be
going there for ever。
Anxiety on Jane’s behalf； was another prevailing concern； and
Mr。 Darcy’s explanation； by restoring Bingley to all her former
good opinion； heightened the sense of what Jane had lost。 His
affection was proved to have been sincere； and his conduct cleared
of all blame； unless any could attach to the implicitness of his
confidence in his friend。 How grievous then was the thought that；
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of a situation so desirable in every respect； so replete with
advantage； so promising for happiness； Jane had been deprived；
by the folly and indecorum of her own family！
When to these recollections was added the developement of
Wickham’s character； it may be easily believed that the happy
spirits which had seldom been depressed before； were now so
much affected as to make it almost impossible for her to appear
tolerably cheerful。
Their engagements at Rosings were as frequent during the last
week of her stay； as they had been at first。 The very last evening
was spent there； and her Ladyship again enquired minutely into
the particulars of their journey； gave them directions as to the best
method of packing； and was so urgent on the necessity of placing
gowns in the only right way； that Maria thought herself obliged； on
her return； to undo all the work of the morning； and pack her
trunk afresh。
When they parted； Lady Catherine； with great condescension；
wished them a good journey； and invited them to come to
Hunsford again next year； and Miss De Bourgh exerted herself so
far as to curtsey and hold out her hand to both。
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CHAPTER XV
n Saturday morning Elizabeth and Mr。 Collins met for
breakfast a few minutes before the others appeared； and
O
he took the opportunity of paying the parting civilities
which he deemed indispensably necessary。
‘I know not； Miss Elizabeth；’ said he； ‘whether Mrs。 Collins has
yet expressed her sense of your kindness in coming to us； but I am
very certain you will not leave the house without receiving her
thanks for it。 The favour of your company has been much felt； I
assure you。 We know how little there is to tempt any one to our
humble abode。 Our plain manner of living； our small rooms； and
few domestics； and the little we see of the world； must make
Hunsford extremely dull to a young lady like yourself； but I hope
you will believe us grateful for the condescension； and that we
have done every thing in our power to prevent your spending your
time unpleasantly。’
Elizabeth was eager with her thanks and assurances of
happiness。 She had spent six weeks with great enjoyment； and the
pleasure of being with Charlotte； and the kind attentions she had
received； must make her feel the obliged。 Mr Collins was gratified；
and with a more smiling solemnity replied；
‘It gives me the greatest pleasure to hear that you have passed
your time not disagreeably。 We have certainly done our best； and
most fortunately having it in our power to introduce you to very
superior society； and from our connection with Rosings； the
frequent means of varying the humble home scene； I think we may
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flatter ourselves that your Hunsford visit cannot have been
entirely irksome。 Our situation with regard to Lady Catherine’s
family is indeed the sort of extraordinary advantage and blessing
which few can boast。 You see on what a footing we are。 You see
how continually we are engaged there。 In truth I must
acknowledge that； with all the disadvantages of this humble
parsonage； I should not think any one abiding in it an object of
compassion； while they are sharers of our intimacy at Rosings。
Words were insufficient for the elevation of his feelings。 and he
was obliged to walk about the room； while Elizabeth tried to unite
civility and truth in a few short sentences。
‘You may； in fact； carry a very favourable report of us into
Hertfordshire； my dear cousin。 I flatter myself at least that you will
be able to do so。 Lady Catherine’s great attentions to Mrs。 Collins
you have been a daily witness of； and altogether I trust it does not
appear that your friend has drawn an unfortunate—but on this
point it will be as well to be silent。 Only let me assure you； my dear
Miss Elizabeth； that I can from my heart most cordially wish you
equal felicity in marriage。 My dear Charlotte and I have but one
mind and one way of thinking。 There
