pride and prejudice(傲慢与偏见)-第87节
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however； he was not likely to be proof against the temptation of
immediate relief。 They met several times； for there was much to be
discussed。 Wickham of course wanted more than he could get； but
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at length was reduced to be reasonable。 Every thing being settled
between them； Mr。 Darcy’s next step was to make your uncle
acquainted with it； and he first called in Gracechurch…street the
evening before I came home。 But Mr。 Gardiner could not be seen；
and Mr。 Darcy found； on further enquiry； that your father was still
with him； but would quit town the next morning。 He did not judge
your father to be a person whom he could so properly consult as
your uncle； and therefore readily postponed seeing him； till after
the departure of the former。 He did not leave his name； and till the
next day； it was only known that a gentleman had called on
business。 On Saturday he came again。 Your father was gone； your
uncle at home； and； as I said before； they had a great deal of talk
together。 They met again on Sunday； and then I saw him too。 It
was not all settled before Monday： as soon as it was； the express
was sent off to Longbourn。 But our visitor was very obstinate。 I
fancy； Lizzy； that obstinacy is the real defect of his character after
all。 He has been accused of many faults at different times； but this
is the true one。 Nothing was to be done that he did not do himself；
though I am sure （and I do not speak it to be thanked； therefore
say nothing about it；） your uncle would most readily have settled
the whole。 They battled it together for a long time； which was
more than either the gentleman or lady concerned in it deserved。
But at last your uncle was forced to yield； and instead of being
allowed to be of use to his niece； was forced to put up with only
having the probable credit of it； which went sorely against the
grain； and I really believe your letter this morning gave him great
pleasure； because it required an explanation that would rob him of
his borrowed feathers； and give the praise where it was due。 But；
Lizzy； this must go no farther than yourself； or Jane at most。 You
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know pretty well； I suppose； what has been done for the young
people。 His debts are to be paid； amounting； I believe； to
considerably more than a thousand pounds； another thousand in
addition to her own settled upon her； and his commission
purchased。 The reason why all this was to be done by him alone；
was such as I have given above。 It was owing to him； to his reserve；
and want of proper consideration； that Wickham’s character had
been so misunderstood； and consequently that he had been
received and noticed as he was。 Perhaps there was some truth in
this； though I doubt whether his reserve； or anybody’s reserve； can
be answerable for the event。 But in spite of all this fine talking； my
dear Lizzy； you may rest perfectly assured； that your uncle would
never have yielded； if we had not given him credit for another
interest in the affair。 When all this was resolved on； he returned
again to his friends； who were still staying at Pemberley； but it was
agreed that he should be in London once more when the wedding
took place； and all money matters were then to receive the last
finish。 I believe I have now told you every thing。 It is a relation
which you tell me is to give you great surprise； I hope at least it
will not afford you any displeasure。 Lydia came to us； and
Wickham had constant admission to the house。 He was exactly
what he had been； when I knew him in Hertfordshire； but I would
not tell you how little I was satisfied with her behaviour while she
staid with us； if I had not perceived； by Jane’s letter last
Wednesday； that her conduct on coming home was exactly of a
piece with it； and therefore what I now tell you； can give you no
fresh pain。 I talked to her repeatedly in the most serious manner；
representing to her all the wickedness of what she had done； and
all the unhappiness she had brought on her family。 If she heard
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me； it was by good luck； for I am sure she did not listen。 I was
sometimes quite provoked； but then I recollected my dear
Elizabeth and Jane； and for their sakes had patience with her。 Mr。
Darcy was punctual in his return； and as Lydia informed you；
attended the wedding。 He dined with us the next day； and was to
leave town again on Wednesday or Thursday。 Will you be very
angry with me； my dear Lizzy； if I take this opportunity of saying
（what I was never bold enough to say before） how much I like him。
His behaviour to us has； in every respect； been as pleasing as
when we were in Derbyshire。 His understanding and opinions all
please me； he wants nothing but a little more liveliness； and that； if
he marry prudently； his wife may teach him。 I thought him very
sly；—he hardly ever mentioned your name。 But slyness seems the
fashion。 Pray forgive me； if I have been very presuming； or at least
do not punish me so far； as to exclude me from P。 I shall never be
quite happy till I have been all round the park。 A low phaeton；
with a nice little pair of ponies； would be the very thing。 But I
must write no more。 The children have been wanting me this half
hour。 Your’s； very sincerely；
M。 Gardiner。’
The contents of this letter threw Elizabeth into a flutter of
spirits； in which it was difficult to determine whether pleasure or
pain bore the greatest share。 The vague and unsettled suspicions
which uncertainty had produced of what Mr。 Darcy might have
been doing to forward her sister’s match； which she had feared to
encourage； as an exertion of goodness too great to be probable；
and at the same time dreaded to be just； from the pain of
obligation； were proved beyond their greatest extent to be true！
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He had followed them purposely to town； he had taken on himself
all the trouble and mortification attendant on such a research； in
which supplication had been necessary to a woman whom he must
abominate and despise； and where he was reduced to meet；
frequently meet； reason with； persuade； and finally bribe； the man
whom he always most wished to avoid； and whose very name it
was punishment to him to pronounce。 He had done all this for a
girl whom he could neither regard nor esteem。 Her heart did
whisper； that he had done it for her。 But it was a hope shortly
checked by other considerations； and she soon felt that even her
vanity was insufficient； when required to depend on his affection
for her； for a woman who had already refused him； as able to
overcome a sentiment so natural as abhorrence against
relationship with Wickham。 Brother…in…law of Wickham！ Every
kind of pride must revolt from the connection。 He had to be sure
done much。 She was ashamed to think how much。 But he had
given a reason for his interference； which asked no extraordinary
stretch of belief。 It was reasonable that he should feel he had been
wrong； he had liberal
