pride and prejudice(傲慢与偏见)-第35节
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did not stay much longer； and Elizabeth was then left to reflect on
what she had heard。 It was a long time before she became at all
reconciled to the idea of so unsuitable a match。 The strangeness of
Mr。 Collins’s making two offers of marriage within three days； was
nothing in comparison of his being now accepted。 She had always
felt that Charlotte’s opinion of matrimony was not exactly like her
own； but she could not have supposed it possible that when called
into action； she would have sacrificed every better feeling to
worldly advantage。 Charlotte the wife of Mr。 Collins； was a most
humiliating picture！—And to the pang of a friend disgracing
herself and sunk in her esteem； was added the distressing
conviction that it was impossible for that friend to be tolerably
happy in the lot she had chosen。
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CHAPTER XXIII
lizabeth was sitting with her mother and sisters； reflect…
ing on what she had heard； and doubting whether she
E
were authorised to mention it； when Sir William Lucas
himself appeared； sent by his daughter to announce her
engagement to the family。 With many compliments to them； and
much self…gratulation on the prospect of a connection between the
houses； he unfolded the matter；—to an audience not merely
wondering； but incredulous： for Mrs。 Bennet； with more
perseverance than politeness； protested he must be entirely
mistaken； and Lydia； always unguarded and often uncivil；
boisterously exclaimed；
‘Good Lord！ Sir William； how can you tell such a story？—Do
not you know that Mr。 Collins wants to marry Lizzy？’
Nothing less than the complaisance of a courtier could have
borne without anger such treatment： but Sir William’s good
breeding carried him through it all； and though he begged leave to
be positive as to the truth of his information； he listened to all their
impertinence with the most forbearing courtesy。
Elizabeth； feeling it incumbent on her to relieve him from so
unpleasant a situation； now put herself forward to confirm his
account； by mentioning her prior knowledge of it from Charlotte
herself； and endeavoured to put a stop to the exclamations of her
mother and sisters； by the earnestness of her congratulations to
Sir William； in which she was readily joined by Jane； and by
making a variety of remarks on the happiness that might be
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expected from the match； the excellent character of Mr。 Collins；
and the convenient distance of Hunsford from London。
Mrs。 Bennet was in fact too much overpowered to say a great
deal while Sir William remained； but no sooner had he left them
than her feelings found a rapid vent。 In the first place； she
persisted in disbelieving the whole of the matter； secondly； she
was very sure that Mr。 Collins had been taken in； thirdly； she
trusted that they would never be happy together； and fourthly；
that the match might be broken off。 Two inferences； however；
were plainly deduced from the whole； one； that Elizabeth was the
real cause of all the mischief； and the other； that she herself had
been barbarously used by them all； and on these two points she
principally dwelt during the rest of the day。 Nothing could console
and nothing appease her。—Nor did that day wear out her resent…
ment。 A week elapsed before she could see Elizabeth without
scolding her； a month passed away before she could speak to Sir
William or Lady Lucas without being rude； and many months
were gone before she could at all forgive their daughter。
Mr。 Bennet’s emotions were much more tranquil on the
occasion； and such as he did experience he pronounced to be of a
most agreeable sort； for it gratified him； he said； to discover that
Charlotte Lucas； whom he had been used to think tolerably
sensible； was as foolish as his wife； and more foolish than his
daughter！
Jane confessed herself a little surprised at the match； but she
said less of her astonishment than of her earnest desire for their
happiness； nor could Elizabeth persuade her to consider it as
improbable。 Kitty and Lydia were far from envying Miss Lucas；
for Mr。 Collins was only a clergyman； and it affected them in no
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other way than as a piece of news to spread at Meryton。
Lady Lucas could not be insensible of triumph on being able to
retort on Mrs。 Bennet the comfort of having a daughter well
married； and she called at Longbourn rather oftener than usual to
say how happy she was； though Mrs。 Bennet’s sour looks and ill…
natured remarks might have been enough to drive happiness
away。
Between Elizabeth and Charlotte there was a restraint which
kept them mutually silent on the subject； and Elizabeth felt
persuaded that no real confidence could ever subsist between
them again。 Her disappointment in Charlotte made her turn with
fonder regard to her sister； of whose rectitude and delicacy she
was sure her opinion could never be shaken； and for whose
happiness she grew daily more anxious； as Bingley had now been
gone a week； and nothing was heard of his return。
Jane had sent Caroline an early answer to her letter； and was
counting the days till she might reasonably hope to hear again。
The promised letter of thanks from Mr。 Collins arrived on
Tuesday； addressed to their father； and written with all the
solemnity of gratitude which a twelvemonth’s abode in the family
might have prompted。 After discharging his conscience on that
head； he proceeded to inform them； with many rapturous
expressions； of his happiness in having obtained the affection of
their amiable neighbour； Miss Lucas； and then explained that it
was merely with the view of enjoying her society that he had been
so ready to close with their kind wish of seeing him again at
Longbourn； whither he hoped to be able to return on Monday
fortnight； for Lady Catherine； he added； so heartily approved his
marriage； that she wished it to take place as soon as possible；
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which he trusted would be an unanswerable argument with his
amiable Charlotte to name an early day for making him the
happiest of men。
Mr。 Collins’s return into Hertfordshire was no longer a matter
of pleasure to Mrs。 Bennet。 On the contrary she was as much
disposed to complain of it as her husband。—It was very strange
that he should come to Longbourn instead of to Lucas Lodge； it
was also very inconvenient and exceedingly troublesome。—She
hated having visitors in the house while her health was so
indifferent； and lovers were of all people the most disagreeable。
Such were the gentle murmurs of Mrs。 Bennet； and they gave way
only to the greater distress of Mr。 Bingley’s continued absence
