pride and prejudice(傲慢与偏见)-第41节
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This letter gave Elizabeth some pain； but her spirits returned as
she considered that Jane would no longer be duped； by the sister
at least。 All expectation from the brother was now absolutely over。
She would not even wish for any renewal of his attentions。 His
character sunk on every review of it； and as a punishment for him；
as well as a possible advantage to Jane； she seriously hoped he
might really soon marry Mr。 Darcy’s sister； as； by Wickham’s
account； she would make him abundantly regret what he had
thrown away。
Mrs。 Gardiner about this time reminded Elizabeth of her
promise concerning that gentleman； and required information；
and Elizabeth had such to send as might rather give contentment
to her aunt than to herself。 His apparent partiality had subsided；
his attentions were over； he was the admirer of some one else。
Elizabeth was watchful enough to see it all； but she could see it
and write of it without material pain。 Her heart had been but
slightly touched； and her vanity was satisfied with believing that
she would have been his only choice； had fortune permitted it。 The
sudden acquisition of ten thousand pounds was the most
remarkable charm of the young lady； to whom he was now
rendering himself agreeable； but Elizabeth； less clear…sighted
perhaps in his case than in Charlotte’s； did not quarrel with him
for his wish of independence。 Nothing； on the contrary； could be
more natural； and while able to suppose that it cost him a few
struggles to relinquish her； she was ready to allow it a wise and
desirable measure for both； and could very sincerely wish him
happy。
All this was acknowledged to Mrs。 Gardiner； and after relating
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the circumstances； she thus went on：—‘I am now convinced； my
dear aunt； that I have never been much in love； for had I really
experienced that pure and elevating passion； I should at present
detest his very name； and wish him all manner of evil。 But my
feelings are not only cordial towards him； they are even impartial
towards Miss King。 I cannot find out that I hate her at all； or that I
am in the least unwilling to think her a very good sort of girl。
There can be no love in all this。 My watchfulness has been
effectual； and though I should certainly be a more interesting
object to all my acquaintance； were I distractedly in love with him；
I cannot say that I regret my comparative insignificance。
Importance may sometimes be purchased too dearly。 Kitty and
Lydia take his defection much more to heart than I do。 They are
young in the ways of the world； and not yet open to the mortifying
conviction that handsome young men must have something to live
on； as well as the plain。
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CHAPTER IV
ith no greater events than these in the Longbourn
Wfamily； and otherwise diversified by little beyond the
walks to Meryton； sometimes dirty and sometimes
cold； did January and February pass away。 March was to take
Elizabeth to Hunsford。 She had not at first thought very seriously
of going thither； but Charlotte； she soon found； was depending on
the plan； and she gradually learned to consider it herself with
greater pleasure as well as greater certainty。 Absence had
increased her desire of seeing Charlotte again； and weakened her
disgust of Mr。 Collins。 There was novelty in the scheme； and as；
with such a mother and such uncompanionable sisters； home
could not be faultless； a little change was not unwelcome for its
own sake。 The journey would moreover give her a peep at Jane；
and； in short； as the time drew near； she would have been very
sorry for any delay。 Every thing； however； went on smoothly； and
was finally settled according to Charlotte’s first sketch。 She was to
accompany Sir William and his second daughter。 The
improvement of spending a night in London was added in time；
and the plan became perfect as plan could be。
The only pain was in leaving her father； who would certainly
miss her； and who； when it came to the point； so little liked her
going； that he told her to write to him； and almost promised to
answer her letter。
The farewell between herself and Mr。 Wickham was perfectly
friendly； on his side even more。 His present pursuit could not
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make him forget that Elizabeth had been the first to excite and to
deserve his attention； the first to listen and to pity； the first to be
admired； and in his manner of bidding her adieu； wishing her
every enjoyment； reminding her of what she was to expect in Lady
Catherine de Bourgh； and trusting their opinion of her—their
opinion of every body—would always coincide； there was a
solicitude； an interest which she felt must ever attach her to him
with a most sincere regard； and she parted from him convinced；
that whether married or single； he must always be her model of
the amiable and pleasing。
Her fellow…travellers the next day； were not of a kind to make
her think him less agreeable。 Sir William Lucas； and his daughter
Maria； a good humoured girl； but as empty…headed as himself； had
nothing to say that could be worth hearing； and were listened to
with about as much delight as the rattle of the chaise。 Elizabeth
loved absurdities； but she had known Sir William’s too long。 He
could tell her nothing new of the wonders of his presentation and
knighthood； and his civilities were worn out like his information。
It was a journey of only twenty…four miles； and they began it so
early as to be in Gracechurch…street by noon。 As they drove to Mr。
Gardiner’s door； Jane was at a drawing…room window watching
their arrival； when they entered the passage she was there to
welcome them； and Elizabeth； looking earnestly in her face； was
pleased to see it healthful and lovely as ever。 On the stairs were a
troop of little boys and girls； whose eagerness for their cousin’s
appearance would not allow them to wait in the drawing…room；
and whose shyness； as they had not seen her for a twelvemonth；
prevented their coming lower。 All was joy and kindness。 The day
passed most pleasantly away； the morning in bustle and shopping；
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and the evening at one of the theatres。
Elizabeth then contrived to sit by her aunt。 Their first subject
was her sister； and she was more grieved than astonished to hear；
in reply to her minute enquiries； that though Jane always
struggled to support her spirits； there were periods of dejection。 It
was reasonable； however； to hope； that they would not continue
long。 Mrs。 Gardiner gave her the particulars also of Miss Bingley’s
visit in Gr
