pride and prejudice(傲慢与偏见)-第16节
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‘Certainly；’ replied Elizabeth—‘there are such people； but I hope
I am not one of them。 I hope I never ridicule what is wise or good。
Follies and nonsense； whims and inconsistencies do divert me； I
own； and I laugh at them whenever I can。—But these； I suppose；
are precisely what you are without。’
‘Perhaps that is not possible for any one。 But it has been the
study of my life to avoid those weaknesses which often expose a
strong understanding to ridicule。’
‘Such as vanity and pride。’
‘Yes； vanity is a weakness indeed。 But pride—where there is a
real superiority of mind； pride will be always under good
regulation。’
Elizabeth turned away to hide a smile。
‘Your examination of Mr。 Darcy is over； I presume；’ said Miss
Bingley；—‘and pray what is the result？’
‘I am perfectly convinced by it that Mr。 Darcy has no defect。 He
owns it himself without disguise。’
‘No’—said Darcy； ‘I have made no such pretension。 I have faults
enough； but they are not； I hope； of understanding。 My temper I
dare not vouch for。—It is I believe too little yielding—certainly too
little for the convenience of the world。 I cannot forget the follies
and vices of others so soon as I ought； nor their offences against
myself。 My feelings are not puffed about with every attempt to
move them。 My temper would perhaps be called resentful。—My
good opinion once lost is lost for ever。’
‘That is a failing indeed！’—cried Elizabeth。 ‘Implacable
resentment is a shade in a character。 But you have chosen your
fault well。—I really cannot laugh at it。 You are safe from me。’
‘There is； I believe； in every disposition a tendency to some
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particular evil； a natural defect； which not even the best education
can overcome。’
‘And your defect is a propensity to hate every body。’
‘And yours；’ he replied with a smile； ‘is wilfully to mis…
understand them。’
‘Do let us have a little music；’—cried Miss Bingley； tired of a
conversation in which she had no share。—‘Louisa； you will not
mind my waking Mr。 Hurst。’
Her sister made not the smallest objection； and the pianoforté
was opened； and Darcy； after a few moments recollection； was not
sorry for it。 He began to feel the danger of paying Elizabeth too
much attention。
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CHAPTER XII
n consequence of an agreement between the sisters； Eliza…
beth wrote the next morning to her mother； to beg that the
I
carriage might be sent for them in the course of the day。 But
Mrs。 Bennet； who had calculated on her daughters remaining at
Netherfield till the following Tuesday； which would exactly finish
Jane’s week； could not bring herself to receive them with pleasure
before。 Her answer； therefore； was not propitious； at least not to
Elizabeth’s wishes； for she was impatient to get home。 Mrs。
Bennet sent them word that they could not possibly have the
carriage before Tuesday； and in her postscript it was added； that if
Mr。 Bingley and his sister pressed them to stay longer； she could
spare them very well。—Against staying longer； however； Elizabeth
was positively resolved—nor did she much expect it would be
asked； and fearful； on the contrary； as being considered as
intruding themselves needlessly long； she urged Jane to borrow
Mr。 Bingley’s carriage immediately； and at length it was settled
that their original design of leaving Netherfield that morning
should be mentioned； and the request made。
The communication excited many professions of concern； and
enough was said of wishing them to stay at least till the following
day to work on Jane； and till the morrow； their going was deferred。
Miss Bingley was then sorry that she had proposed the delay； for
her jealousy and dislike of one sister much exceeded her affection
for the other。
The master of the house heard with real sorrow that they were
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to go so soon； and repeatedly tried to persuade Miss Bennet that it
would not be safe for her—that she was not enough recovered； but
Jane was firm where she felt herself to be right。
To Mr。 Darcy it was welcome intelligence—Elizabeth had been
at Netherfield long enough。 She attracted him more than he
liked—and Miss Bingley was uncivil to her； and more teazing than
usual to himself。 He wisely resolved to be particularly careful that
no sign of admiration should now escape him； nothing that could
elevate her with the hope of influencing his felicity； sensible that if
such an idea had been suggested； his behaviour during the last day
must have material weight in confirming or crushing it。 Steady to
his purpose； he scarcely spoke ten words to her through the whole
of Saturday； and though they were at one time left by themselves
for half an hour； he adhered most conscientiously to his book； and
would not even look at her。
On Sunday； after morning service； the separation； so agreeable
to almost all； took place。 Miss Bingley’s civility to Elizabeth
increased at last very rapidly； as well as her affection for Jane； and
when they parted； after assuring the latter of the pleasure it would
always give her to see her either at Longbourn or Netherfield； and
embracing her most tenderly； she even shook hands with the
former。—Elizabeth took leave of the whole party in the liveliest
spirits。
They were not welcomed home very cordially by their mother。
Mrs Bennet wondered at their coming； and thought them very
wrong to give so much trouble； and was sure Jane would have
caught cold again。—But their father； though very laconic in his
expressions of pleasure； was really glad to see them； he had felt
their importance in the family circle。 The evening conversation；
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when they were all assembled； had lost much of its animation； and
almost all its sense； by the absence of Jane and Elizabeth。
They found Mary； as usual； deep in the study of thorough bass
and human nature； and had some new extracts to admire； and
some new observations of thread…bare morality to listen to。
Catherine and Lydia had information for them of a different sort。
Much had been done； and much had been said in the regiment
since the preceding Wednesday； several of the officers had dined
lately with their uncle； a private had been flogged； and it had
actually been hinted that Colonel Forster was going to be married。
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CHAPTER XIII
hope； my dear；’ said Mr。 Bennet to his wife； as they were
‘Iat breakfast the next morning； ‘that you have ordered a
good dinner to…day； because I have reason to expect an
addition to our family party。’
‘Who do you mean； my dear？ I know of nobody that is coming
