pride and prejudice(傲慢与偏见)-第57节
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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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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 o
