pride and prejudice(傲慢与偏见)-第86节
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But to live in ignorance on such a point was impossible； or at
least it was impossible not to try for information。 Mr。 Darcy had
been at her sister’s wedding。 It was exactly a scene； and exactly
among people； where he had apparently least to do； and least
temptation to go。 Conjectures as to the meaning of it； rapid and
wild； hurried into her brain； but she was satisfied with none。
Those that best pleased her； as placing his conduct in the noblest
light； seemed most improbable。 She could not bear such suspense；
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and hastily seizing a sheet of paper； wrote a short letter to her
aunt； to request an explanation of what Lydia had dropt； if it were
compatible with the secrecy which had been intended。
‘You may readily comprehend；’ she added； ‘what my curiosity
must be to know how a person unconnected with any of us； and
（comparatively speaking） a stranger to our family； should have
been amongst you at such a time。 Pray write instantly； and let me
understand it—unless it is； for very cogent reasons； to remain in
the secrecy which Lydia seems to think necessary； and then I must
endeavour to be satisfied with ignorance。’
‘Not that I shall though；’ she added to herself； as she finished
the letter； ‘and my dear aunt； if you do not tell me in an
honourable manner； I shall certainly be reduced to tricks and
stratagems to find it out。’
Jane’s delicate sense of honour would not allow her to speak to
Elizabeth privately of what Lydia had let fall； Elizabeth was glad of
it；—till it appeared whether her inquiries would receive any
satisfaction； she had rather be without a confidante。
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CHAPTER X
lizabeth had the satisfaction of receiving an answer to her
letter； as soon as she possibly could。 She was no sooner in
E
possession of it； than hurrying into the little copse； where
she was least likely to be interrupted； she sat down on one of the
benches； and prepared to be happy； for the length of the letter
convinced her that it did not contain a denial。
‘Gracechurch…street； Sept。 6。
‘My Dear Niece；
‘I have just received your letter； and shall devote this whole
morning to answering it； as I foresee that a little writing will not
comprise what I have to tell you。 I must confess myself surprised
by your application； I did not expect it from you。 Don’t think me
angry； however； for I only mean to let you know； that I had not
imagined such enquiries to be necessary on your side。 If you do
not choose to understand me； forgive my impertinence。 Your
uncle is as much surprised as I am—and nothing but the belief of
your being a party concerned； would have allowed him to act as he
has done。 But if you are really innocent and ignorant； I must be
more explicit。 On the very day of my coming home from
Longbourn； your uncle had a most unexpected visitor。 Mr。 Darcy
called； and was shut up with him several hours。 It was all over
before I arrived； so my curiosity was not so dreadfully racked as
your’s seems to have been。 He came to tell Mr。 Gardiner that he
had found out where your sister and Mr。 Wickham were； and that
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he had seen and talked with them both； Wickham repeatedly；
Lydia once。 From what I can collect； he left Derbyshire only one
day after ourselves； and came to town with the resolution of
hunting for them。 The motive professed； was his conviction of its
being owing to himself that Wickham’s worthlessness had not
been so well known； as to make it impossible for any young
woman of character； to love or confide in him。 He generously
imputed the whole to his mistaken pride； and confessed that he
had before thought it beneath him； to lay his private actions open
to the world。 His character was to speak for itself。 He called it；
therefore； his duty to step forward； and endeavour to remedy an
evil； which had been brought on by himself。 If he had another
motive； I am sure it would never disgrace him。 He had been some
days in town； before he was able to discover them； but he had
something to direct his search； which was more than we had； and
the consciousness of this； was another reason for his resolving to
follow us。 There is a lady； it seems； a Mrs。 Younge； who was some
time ago governess to Miss Darcy； and was dismissed from her
charge on some cause of disapprobation； though he did not say
what。 She then took a large house in Edward…street； and has since
maintained herself by letting lodgings。 This Mrs。 Younge was； he
knew； intimately acquainted with Wickham； and he went to her
for intelligence of him； as soon as he got to town。 But it was two or
three days before he could get from her what he wanted。 She
would not betray her trust； I suppose； without bribery and
corruption； for she really did know where her friend was to be
found。 Wickham indeed had gone to her； on their first arrival in
London； and had she been able to receive them into her house；
they would have taken up their abode with her。 At length；
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however； our kind friend procured the wished…for direction。 They
were in — street。 He saw Wickham； and afterwards insisted on
seeing Lydia。 His first object with her； he acknowledged； had been
to persuade her to quit her present disgraceful situation； and
return to her friends as soon as they could be prevailed on to
receive her； offering his assistance； as far as it would go。 But he
found Lydia absolutely resolved on remaining where she was。 She
cared for none of her friends； she wanted no help of his； she would
not hear of leaving Wickham。 She was sure they should be
married some time or other； and it did not much signify when。
Since such were her feelings； it only remained； he thought； to
secure and expedite a marriage； which； in his very first
conversation with Wickham； he easily learnt； had never been his
design。 He confessed himself obliged to leave the regiment； on
account of some debts of honour； which were very pressing； and
scrupled not to lay all the ill…consequences of Lydia’s flight； on her
own folly alone。 He meant to resign his commission immediately；
and as to his future situation； he could conjecture very little about
it。 He must go somewhere； but he did not know where； and he
knew he should have nothing to live on。 Mr。 Darcy asked him why
he had not married your sister at once。 Though Mr。 Bennet was
not imagined to be very rich； he would have been able to do
something for him； and his situation must have been benefited by
marriage。 But he found； in reply to this question； that Wickham
still cherished the hope of more effectually making his fortune by
marriage； in some other country。 Under such circumstances；
however； he was not likely
