牛津書蟲系列 傲慢與偏見 4 Elizabeth meets Mr Wickham

4 Elizabeth meets Mr Wickham

4 伊麗莎白巧遇韋翰先生

When later that morning Lydia suggested walking to Meryton to see some of the officers，all her sisters ex- cept Mary agreed to accompany her.Even Mr Collins went with them，encouraged by Mr Bennet，who was by now most anxious to have some time to himself.During their walk，the girls listened politely to Mr Collins'self-important speeches， but as soon as they entered Meryton，the younger ones no longer eved pretended to be interested in his conversation，but looked eagerly around in search of the officers.

那天上午晚些時候，麗迪亞提議步行到麥里屯去見幾位軍官，除了瑪麗，幾位姐姐都同意陪她去。甚至柯林斯先生也去了。是班納特先生鼓動他去的，他現(xiàn)在急切地需要清靜一會兒。在路上，姑娘們很有禮貌地聽著柯林斯先生妄自尊大的演講，可是，她們一進入麥里屯，幾位年齡小的便四處張望，搜索軍官的影子，連聽他講話的樣子都不裝了。

Just then all the young ladies noticed a very gentleman-like young man，whom they had never seen before，walking down the street with an officer they knew.They were all wondering who the handsome stranger could be，when the officer came up to them to greet them.He asked permission to introduce his friend，whose name was Mr Wickham，and who had apparently arrived recently from London，to become an officer in the regi- ment.This was exactly as it should be，because the young man only needed an officer's uniform to become completely charm- ing.He was very good-looking，with a very pleasant，sociable manner，and after the introductions，conversation flowed most enjoyably in the little group.They were still standing and talk- ing happily together，when they heard the sound of horses，and saw Darcy and Bingley riding down the street.The two gentlemen came straight towards the ladies to greet them.Bin- gley was clearly most interested in Jane Bennet，and started talking particuarly to her.Darcy，however，was just determin- ing not to look at Elizabeth，when he suddenly noticed the stranger.By chance Elizabeth saw Darcy's and Wickham's faces at the moment when they caught sight of each other，and she was astonished at the effect of the meeting.Both changed colour，one white，the other red.After a few moments Mr Wickham touched his hat，and Mr Darcy nodded very slightly. What could this mean?It was impossible to imagine，and it was impossible not to wish to know.

正在這時，所有的年輕小姐都注意到了一位風度翩翩的年輕人，這個人她們以前從未見過，現(xiàn)在正和一位她們認識的軍官沿著大街往前走。她們正在納悶這位英俊的陌生人是誰，那位軍官走過來和她們打招呼。軍官獲得允許之后介紹了他的朋友韋翰先生。他顯然是新近從倫敦過來的，調(diào)到團里當軍官?？磥碥姽倬屠響?，因為這個年輕人只需配上軍官制服，便能使姑娘們完全為之傾倒。此人一表人才，談吐文雅，待人隨和，互相介紹完畢之后，這個小團體就充滿了歡聲笑語。他們正站在一塊愉快地交談，這時他們聽到一陣馬蹄聲，看見達西和彬格萊騎著馬沿街走來。兩位先生徑直來到姑娘們面前與她們打招呼。彬格萊顯然對簡·班納特最感興趣，開始跟她一個人談話。而達西正在下決心不去看伊麗莎白時，突然注意到了那位陌生人。達西和韋翰目光相撞時，伊麗莎白正好看到他們兩人的臉色。她對兩人相遇時的表現(xiàn)感到驚訝不已。兩人臉色都變了，一個白，一個紅。片刻之后，韋翰先生碰了碰帽子以示行禮，達西先生則輕微地點了點頭。這會是什么意思?不可能想象得出來，而且也不可能不想去探個究竟。

In another moment Mr Bingley，who did not seem to have noticed what had happened，said goodbye and rode away with Mr Darcy.The two officers accompanied the young ladies to Mrs Philips’house，but did not go in，in spite of Lydia's re- peated invitations.Mrs Philips was always glad to see her nieces，and welcomed Mr Collins most politely when he was in- troduced to her.She did not，however，have any more informa- tion for the girls about the agreeable Mr Wickham.

彬格萊先生似乎沒有注意到剛才發(fā)生的事，過了一會兒便道了別，與達西先生騎著馬走了。兩位軍官陪著幾位小姐到了菲力普斯家，雖然麗迪亞再三邀請，但他們沒有進去。菲力普斯太太見到外甥女總是十分高興，聽她們介紹了柯林斯先生后，很客氣地向他表示歡迎?？墒牵P(guān)于那隨和的韋翰先生，她也不能給姑娘們提供更多的情況。

‘But I tell you what，my dears，’she said brightly，‘I'm giving a little supper party for some of the officers tomorrow. I’ll ask Mr Philips to visit Mr Wickham and invite him to come too.Will you all come as well?’

“不過，我告訴你們怎么辦，孩子們，”她喜氣洋洋地說，“明天我請幾位軍官吃頓晚飯，我讓菲力普斯先生去拜訪一下韋翰先生，也請他過來。你們大家也都來嗎?”

The girls were delighted and agreed at once to this arrange- ment，and the whole group walked back to Longbourn，happily discussing the enjoyable evening they were going to have.Mr Collins had been very impressed with Mrs Philips’politeness， and when they reached Longbourn，he complimented Mrs Ben- net on her sister's elegance and charming manners.

姑娘們興高采烈，馬上同意了這個安排，這一些人便又步行返回浪搏恩，一路談論著將要度過的愉快的夜晚?？铝炙瓜壬鷮τ诜屏ζ账固谋虮蛴卸Y印象深刻，到達浪搏思后，便向班納特太太稱贊她妹妹迷人綽約的風姿。

The next evening the carriage took him and his five cousins to Meryton，and the girls had the pleasure of hearing，as they entered the hall，that Mr Wickham had accepted their uncle's invitation，and was at that moment in the house.

第二天晚上，柯林斯先生和五個表妹乘馬車到達麥里屯，姑娘們一進客廳，就聽說韋翰接受了姨夫的邀請，而且已經(jīng)駕到，感到十分高興。

When Mr Collins was shown into the sitting-room，and had time to look around and admire it，he said immediately to Mrs Philips，‘Madam，I must compliment you on the size and furni- ture of this room Really，I could almost imagine myself in the smaller summer breakfast-room at Rosings!’

柯林斯先生被領到起居室，四下張望并欣賞了一會兒，馬上對菲力普斯太太說：“夫人，您的房間如此寬敞，家具如此精美，我必須向您表示祝賀。實際上我?guī)缀蹩梢韵胂蟪鑫艺硖幜_新斯小型的夏日早餐廳!”

This remark did not at first please his hostess very much， but when she heard from him what Rosings was，and who its owner was，and how much Lady Latherine's furniture cost，she realized what a great compliment it was.During the evening Mr Collins found Mrs Philips a kind and attentive listener， which was fortunate，as the Bennet girls could not bring them- selves to listen to him any longer.

這句話起初并沒有使女主人感到十分高興，可是，當她得知羅新斯是什么、它的主人是誰、凱瑟琳夫人的家具多么昂貴時，她才認識到剛才的話是何等的恭維。那天晚上，柯林斯先生發(fā)現(xiàn)菲力普斯太太很和藹，聽別人講話很專心。這一點使他很幸運，因為班納特家的姑娘們已經(jīng)再也耐不住性子聽他講了。

All the ladies were impatient to see Mr Wickham，and when he came into the room，he appeared far more charming and gentlemanly than any of the officers present.He was the lucky man towards whom almost every female eye turned，and Eliza- beth was the lucky woman beside whom he finally took his seat.His pleasant way of making conversation made her feel that he could talk interestingly about anything.As he did not play cards，which some of the party were doing，he stayed talk- ing to Elizabeth for a large part of the evening.She hoped he would tell her how he knew Mr Darcy，but she dared not men- tion that gentleman.Luckily，however，Mr Wickham himself began to talk about it，although in a rather hesitating manner.

所有的小姐都迫不及待地等著見到韋翰先生。他走進了屋里，顯得比在場的任何軍官都更有魅力，更有紳士風度。韋翰是當天最幸運的男子，差不多每個女人的目光都轉(zhuǎn)向了他;伊麗莎白是最幸運的女子，因為韋翰終于在她身邊坐了下來。他談話的愉快方式使伊麗莎白感覺到他可以饒有興趣地談論任何事情。有些人在打牌，他不打牌，所以，大半個晚上都在與伊麗莎白聊天。伊麗莎白希望他能告訴她他是如何認識達西先生的，可是她不敢提起那個男人。不過，韋翰碰巧自己提起了這個話頭，雖然講起來有些遲疑。

‘Netherfield is quite near Meryton，I suppose?How long has—has Mr Darcy been staying there?’

“尼日斐離麥里屯很近吧，我想是?達西先生在那兒呆了有——多長時間了?”

‘He has been there about a month，’replied Elizabeth.Un- willing to let the matter drop，she added，‘He is a man of very large property in Derbyshire，I understand.’

“大約有一個月了，”伊麗莎白回答說。為了不轉(zhuǎn)移話題，她又補充說：“據(jù)我所知，他在德比郡有大量財產(chǎn)。”

‘Yes，’replied Wickham，‘his income is ten thousand a year at least.I know more about him than most people，as I have been closely connected with his family since childhood.’

“是的，”韋翰回答說，“他的年收入至少一萬英鎊。提起他，我比一般人都更清楚，因為我從小就跟他家關(guān)系密切。”

Elizabeth could only look surprised.

伊麗莎白驚訝不已。

‘You might well be surprised，Miss Bennet，at my saying that，after noticing，as you probably did，the very cold manner of our meeting yesterday.Do you know Mr Darcy well?’

“班納特小姐，你昨天看到——可能會看到——我們見面時冷冰冰的樣子，今天又聽了我這番話，我想你會感到很奇怪的。你和達西先生很熟嗎?”

‘As well as I ever wish to!’cried Elizabeth.‘I've spent four days in the same house as him，and I consider him very disagreeable.’

“我也只希望跟他這么熟就足夠了!”伊麗莎白大聲說，“我們在同一屋檐下生活了四天，我覺得這個人很討厭。”

‘I've known him too long and too well to judge fairly whether he's disagreeable or not.But I believe most people would be astonished by your opinion.’

“我們的交往太久太深，使我不能公平地判斷他是否討厭。可是我覺得多數(shù)人都會對你的評價感到震驚。”

‘He is not at all liked here in Hertfordshire.Everybody is disgusted with his pride.You won't find him praised by any- one.’

“他在哈福德郡這兒可一點也不討人喜歡。大家對他的高傲都感到惡心。你不會聽到任何人贊揚他。”

‘I can't pretend to be sorry that he is valued as he deserves， but with him I believe it doesn't often happen.The world is blinded by his fortune and importance，or frightened by his proud behaviour，and sees him only as he chooses to be seen.’After a pause Wickham added，‘I wonder if he's likely to stay at Netherfield much longer.’

“他得到這樣的評價是罪有應得，我對此表示難過也不是裝出來的。但對于他，人們一般不會作出你這樣的評價。因為世人都被他的財產(chǎn)和地位蒙住了眼睛，或者被他的傲慢行為嚇懵了，只能是他擺出什么樣子，大家就看什么樣子。”韋翰頓了一下，接著說，“我不知道他是否可能在尼日斐長期呆下去。”

‘I don't know at all，but I hope his presence won't stop you becoming an officer in the regiment here.’

“我一點都不清楚，不過我希望他在這兒不會影響你在這邊的兵團成為軍官。”

‘Oh no!I won't be driven away by Mr Darcy.If he wishes to avoid seeing me，he must go.The reason I have for avoiding him is one I could easily make public to the whole world—he has treated me very badly.His late father，Miss Bennet，was one of the best men who ever lived，and the most faithful friend I ever had.And whenever I'm with this Mr Darcy，I think of his father with the most painful regret.Mr Darcy has behaved wickedly to wards me，but I could forgive him anything except the insult to his father's memory.’

“噢，不會的!我不會被達西先生趕走的。如果他想避免見到我，他應當走。我不想見他的理由我可以輕易地向全世界公開——他待我很糟糕。班納特小姐，他已故的父親是世界上最好的人之一，也是我所有朋友中最忠誠的。每當我和現(xiàn)在的達西先生在一起時，我一想到他的父親，便會充滿了最令人痛心的遺憾。達西先生對我十分惡毒，但是，我一切都可以原諒他，就是不能原諒他辱沒了他先父的聲名。”

Elizabeth was fascinated，and listened eagerly，but did not like to ask any questions.Mr Wickham began to speak more generally about Meryton and the charming people he had met there.

伊麗莎白被強烈地吸引住了，急切地聽著，但不想問什么問題。韋翰先生開始泛泛而談麥里屯和他在那里遇到的軼聞趣事。

In fact，that's why I was tempted to join the regiment.I'd heard that Meryton society is most agreeable.Society，I confess，is necessary to me.I have been a disappointed man， you see.I did not intend to join the army at all.The Church ought to have been my profession，and I should at this moment have a comfortable income as a Derbyshire rector，if the gentle- man we were speaking of just now had wished it.’

“實際上，這也正是我為什么會被吸引到這里參軍的緣故。我早就聽說麥里屯的社交圈子是十分令人愉快的。我承認，社交對我是必要的，你知道，我是一個生活無望的人。我原來并不打算參軍。我應當做牧師。如果我們剛才談到的那位先生希望的話，我現(xiàn)在應當是德比郡的一名教區(qū)長了，有一筆豐厚的收入。”

‘Indeed!’

“是嗎!”

‘Yes—Mr Darcy's father had always been very fond of me， and intended to give me the post of rector of Pemberley.But unfortunately，after his death，when the post became vacant，it was given to someone else.’

“是的——達西先生的父親一直很疼愛我，打算把彭伯里的牧師職位留給我?？墒?，遺憾的是，他死后，牧師的職位空缺時，卻給了別人。”

‘No!’cried Elizabeth，horrified.‘But how could that hap- pen?Why didn't you get legal advice，and claim what was rightfully yours?’

“不!”伊麗莎白感到震驚，叫了起來。“可是那怎么可能呢?你為什么不尋求法律幫助，請求獲得自己的合法權(quán)益?”

Mr Darcy's father had not stated his wish in writing.A man of honour could not have doubted his intention，but Mr Darcy chose to treat it as a recommendation only.I really can not accuse myself of having done anything to deserve to lose the post.The fact is，he hates me.I think he was jealous of his father's affection for me，which annoyed him from the begin- ning.

“達西先生的父親沒有立書面遺囑。正直的人是不會懷疑他的意圖的，但是達西先生卻把它理解為僅僅是一種推薦意見。我確實沒有做錯什么事，讓我喪失這樣的職位。事實上是他恨我。我想是他父親對我的疼愛使他心存妒意，使他一開始就耿耿于懷。”

‘This is very shocking!I hadn't thought Mr Darcy as bad as this，although I've never liked him.I assumed he felt superi- or to everyone else，but did not suspect him of behaving in such a wicked，unjust，inhuman way!’

“真是駭人聽聞!雖然我從來沒有喜歡過達西先生.可是從來沒有想到過他有那樣壞。我只是想，他總覺得自己高人一等，可是從來沒有懷疑過他會這樣邪惡，這樣不公正，這樣無情!”

‘We grew up together at Pemberley，you know.My father gave up all his time to take care of the Pemberley farms，and was greatly appreciated as a close friend by the late Mr Darcy， who promised just before my father's death to provide for me. The present Mr Darcy did not choose to respect that promise.’

“你知道，我們倆在彭伯里一塊長大。我父親把畢生的精力都用于照料彭伯里的農(nóng)場，因此，已故的達西先生對我父親十分感激，把父親看作摯友，就在我父親臨終前，他許諾以后供養(yǎng)我?，F(xiàn)在的達西先生沒有信守那個諾言。”

‘How strange that Mr Darcy's pride has not made him help you!Surely he's too proud to wish to appear dishonest— which is what I must call him.’

“我真感到奇怪，達西先生既然有那樣的自尊心，為什么不能幫你一把!確實，他是傲慢過度，不愿顯得不誠實——我不能不稱之為不誠實。”

‘He's certainly very proud—proud of his position，his family，his father，and his sister，too，you know.’

“他當然很傲慢——因為自己的地位、家庭、父親，還有妹妹，你知道。”

‘What sort of a girl is Miss Darcy?’

“達西小姐是什么樣的人?”

He shook his head.‘It gives me pain to criticize a Darcy.But she's too much like her brother—very，very proud.She's a handsome girl of about fifteen or sixteen，and，I understand， extremely accomplished.’

他搖了搖頭。“批評達西家的人使我感到痛心。但是，她太像她哥哥了——非常、非常傲慢。她是個十五六歲的漂亮小姐，據(jù)我所知，很有才氣。”

‘I am astonished at Mr Darcy's close friendship with Mr Bingley!How can Mr Bingley，who seems so charming and kind，be friendly with such a man?’

“我對達西先生和彬格萊先生的親密關(guān)系感到震驚!彬格萊先生看起來那么可愛，那么和藹，怎么會跟這樣的人交朋友?”

‘I don't know Mr Bingley at all，but Mr Darcy can be a pleasant companion if he thinks it worthwhile.’

“我根本不認識彬格萊先生，可是達西先生如果認為值得，也會和顏悅色地和人相處。”

Just then they were joined by some of the others，and the conversation became more general.When Mr Collins was talk- ing to Mrs Philips about his patron，Mf Wickham looked quickly in his direction，and then asked Elizabeth，‘Does your cousin know Lady Catherine de Bourgh very well?’

這時，另外幾個人加入了他們的談話，話題就分散了。當柯林斯先生對菲力普斯太太談起他的保護人時，韋翰先生迅速朝那個方向望了一下，然后問伊麗莎白：“你表兄和凱瑟琳·德·包爾夫人很熟嗎?”

‘I don't think he has known her for long，but she has re- cently given him the post of rector of Hunsford.’

“我想他們不會相識多久，但是，她最近把漢斯福的教區(qū)長職務給了他。”

‘Perhaps you know that Lady Catherine is the present Mr Darcy's aunt?I believe she is planning to marry herdaughter，who will inherit a fortune，to Mr Darcy.’

“你也許知道凱瑟琳夫人就是現(xiàn)在的達西先生的姨媽?我想她打算把她的女兒嫁給達西先生。她女兒會繼承一大筆財產(chǎn)。”

This information made Elizabeth smile，as she thought of poor Miss Bingley's efforts to attract Mr Darcy，which might all be in vain.The supper party came to an end，and Elizabeth went away with her head full of Mr Wickham.She could think of nothing but him，and what he had told her，all the way home.

這話使伊麗莎白笑了，因為她想到了可憐的彬格萊小姐，她正在設法吸引達西先生，這下就可能是白費力氣了。晚宴結(jié)束，伊麗莎白走了，滿腦子都是韋翰先生。她一路上只是想著他，和他所說的話。

The next day she told Jane everything she had discussed with Mr Wickham.Jane listened with astonishment and con- cern.She could not believe that Mr Darcy could so little deserve Mr Bingley's friendship，and yet she did not want to doubt the truthfulness of such an agreeable young man as Mr Wickham. Elizabeth，however，felt sure that Mr Darcy was to blame.

第二天，她把與韋翰先生的談話內(nèi)容全部告訴了簡。簡又驚訝又關(guān)切地聽著。她不敢相信達西先生竟如此辜負了彬格萊先生的一番情誼，又不愿懷疑像韋翰先生這樣可愛的年輕人所說的話的真實性。但是，伊麗莎白堅信是達西先生的錯。

That morning an invitation arrived at Longbourn.Mr Bing- ley had fixed the date for the ball he had promised to give at Netherfield，and it was to be on the following Tuesday.Every female in the Bennet family was looking forward to it，even Mary，who lifted her head from her book to say，unsmiling，‘As long as I have my mornings free for serious reading，I do not mind meeting people in the evenings.I consider some relax- ation and amusement is good for everybdy.’

那天上午，浪搏恩的一家受到了邀請。彬格萊先生已經(jīng)確定了他答應在尼日斐舉辦的舞會的日子，就在下一個星期二。班納特一家的所有女性都盼望著這一天，甚至瑪麗也不例外。她從書上抬起頭，繃著臉說：“只要我上午能空出來讀些嚴肅的書籍，晚上和人交往一下我倒不介意。我認為適度的放松和娛樂對任何人都是有好處的。”

Elizabeth felt so cheerful at the thought of dancing with Mr Wickham that she made an unusual effort to speak kindly to Mr Collins.

伊麗莎白一想到將要與韋翰先生跳舞了，感到異常興奮，竟然作出了不同尋常的努力，和柯林斯先生好聲好氣地說起話來。

‘Will you accept Mr Bingley's invitation，sir?And if you do，will you，as a priest，consider it right to dance?’

“先生，您接受彬格萊先生的邀請嗎?如果您接受的話，作為一個牧師，您覺得跳舞合適嗎?”

‘I shall certainly accept，and I am so far from objecting to dancing that I hope to have the honour of dancing with all my beautiful cousins.I take this opportunity of asking you，Miss Elizabeth，for the first two dances especially.’

“我當然接受。我不但不反對跳舞，而且還希望能有幸和所有漂亮的表妹跳上一曲。我借此機會邀請您，伊麗莎白小姐，特別和我跳前兩支曲子。”

She was very surprised，and rather annoyed.She had hoped that Wickham would ask her for those dances，but now she would have Mr Collins instead!She could not refuse， however，and his request also worried her in another way.His manner to her seemed particularly flattering，which gave her the unwelcome idea that perhaps she had been chosen from among her sisters to be the rector of Hunsford's wife.As she observed the increasing number of compliments he paid to her beauty and character，she felt sure that he intended to propose marriage.For the moment，however，she decided to do nothing，but wait and see.

她很奇怪，還有點惱火。她希望韋翰請她跳前兩場，可現(xiàn)在卻要和柯林斯先生跳!可是，她不能拒絕，而且，他的請求使她感到擔心的還有另外一點。他對她似乎特別殷勤，這給她一種不祥的感覺，即，在眾姐妹中莫非是她被選中了做漢斯福教區(qū)長的妻子?她觀察到他對她的美貌和性格奉承的次數(shù)越來越多，便肯定他想要求婚了。不過，目前她決定按兵不動，等著瞧。

On Tuesday evening，when Elizabeth entered the hall at Netherfield and looked in vain for Mr Wickham among the red coats gathered there，she was surprised and disappointed to see he was not present.She had never doubted he would come，and had dressed with more than her usual care，looking forward to winning his heart，which she knew was already partly hers.But she immediately suspected that Darcy had persuaded Bingley not to invite Wicham，and although she discovered from one of the officers that in fact Wickham had been invited，but had been called away on business，she felt sure Wickham had want- ed to avoid meeting Darcy，and blamed Darcy for this.As a re- sult，when Darcy greeted her，she was so annoyed with him that she could hardly reply politely.

星期二晚上，伊麗莎白走進了尼日斐的大廳，在穿著紅色制服的軍官中怎么也找不到韋翰先生。對他的缺席，伊麗莎白感到又奇怪，又失望。她從來沒有想過他會不來，所以刻意打扮了一番，希望贏得他的歡心。她知道，他的心已有一部分屬于她了。但是，她馬上懷疑是達西說服了彬格萊不要邀請韋翰。盡管她從一位軍官那里得知實際上韋翰受到了邀請，不過有公務而被抽走了，但她還是肯定，韋翰是想避免見到達西，因此又把罪責推到了達西身上。所以，當達西和她打招呼時，她對他很惱火，幾乎不能有禮貌地回答他。

But she soon became more cheerful，and determined to enjoy the ball in spite of Wickham's absence.Unfortunately，the first two dances，with Mr Collins，were painfully embarrassing，as her cousin had no idea how to dance，and moved extremely awkwardly.She was relieved to leave him，and have the third dance with an officer，who gave her great pleasure by talking about Wickham and his popularity in the regiment.Alter this， she was very surprised to be approached by Mr Darcy and in- vited to dance.She was so astonished，in fact，that she accepted him without thinking，and found herself standing opposite him on the dance floor.‘What an honour for me，to be allowed to dance with Mr Darcy!’she thought.They danced for some time in silence，and then she made a remark.He replied，and was silent again.After a pause，she spoke again.

不過，不一會兒她就高興起來了，并決心在韋翰缺場的情況下盡情享受這個舞會。遺憾的是，和柯林斯先生跳的前兩場舞令人十分難堪，因為她的表兄根本不會跳舞，動作笨拙極了。跟他跳完以后，她松了口氣。第三場是與一位軍官跳的，這位軍官談到韋翰先生和他在團里的好人緣，使她獲得很大樂趣。跳完之后，達西先生走近她并請她跳舞，她感到十分驚訝。實際上，她由于過分驚訝，來不及思考就接受了他的邀請，發(fā)現(xiàn)自己已經(jīng)在舞池中站到了他的對面。“能獲許同達西先生跳舞，這對我該是多大的榮幸呀!”她想。他們在沉默中跳了一會兒，伊麗莎白說了一句話，他回答完畢，又陷入了沉默。停頓了一下，她又開了口。

‘Now pou must say something，Mr Darcy.You could re- mark on the size of the room，or the number of couples.’

“達西先生，你現(xiàn)在得說話了。你可以談談房間的大小，或是有幾對夫婦。”

He smiled.‘I’ll say whatever you wish me to say.’

他笑了。“你希望我說什么我就說什么。”

‘Very well.That reply will do for the moment.Perhaps soon I’ll observe that private balls are much pleasanter than public ones.But now we can be silent.Conversation needs to be ar- ranged In this way so that those people who don't enjoy talk- ing are not required to make any effort.’

“很好。這樣的回答現(xiàn)在還可以。也許過不了多久，我會發(fā)現(xiàn)私人舞會比公共舞會令人愉快得多。不過，現(xiàn)在我們可以不說話了。安排談話時不應當強求不喜歡談話的人費勁去找話說。”

‘Are you referring to yourself，or are you thinking of me?’

“你是在說自己，還是在說我?”

‘Both，’said Elizabeth，smiling，‘because I think you and Iare similar.We're both unsociable and unwilling to speak，un- less we can astonish and impress the whole room.’

“兩個都說，”伊麗莎白答道，面帶微笑，“因為我覺得我和你很相似。我們都不合群，不愿講話，除非能語驚四座。”

‘I am sure you aren't like that，’he answered.‘I cannot say whether I am，or not.You obviously think so.’

“我敢肯定你不是那樣的人，”他回答道。“我說不上自己是或者不是。你顯然認為我是那樣的人。”

She said nothing.

她一言不發(fā)。

‘Do you and your sisters often go to Meryton?’he contin- ued.

“你們姊妹幾個經(jīng)常去麥里屯嗎?”他繼續(xù)問道。

‘We do，’she replied，and，unable to resist the temptation， she added，‘When you met us there last week，we had just been introduced to someone.’

“經(jīng)常去，”她回答說，心里憋不住，又補充說，“你上周在那兒見到我們時，我們剛被介紹給別人。”

The effect was immediate.There was a new coldness in Dar- cy's expression.After a moment he said，with difficulty，‘Mr Wickham is so agreeable that he makes friends easily.Whether he can keep them is less certain.’

這句話立刻產(chǎn)生了效果。達西的臉上重新蒙上了一層陰冷的表情。停了片刻，他面露難色地說：“韋翰先生十分隨和，結(jié)交朋友自然容易。至于能不能和朋友長久相處，那就很難說了。”

‘He has been unlucky enough to lose your friendship，’ replied Elizabeth sharply，‘and in a way which will cause him hardship all his life.’Darcy did not reply to this，and there was only time for a little more conversation before the dance ended.

“他真不走運，竟然失去了您的友誼，”伊麗莎白刻薄地說，“而且失去友誼的方式使他終生受罪。”達西沒有回答，僅剩一點兒時間了，又談了幾句話，舞會就結(jié)束了。

Elizabeth went to find Jane，and listened with delight as she described her feelings for Bingley，and her confidence in his af- fection for her.But apart from Jane，it seemed to Elizabeth that if her family had made an agreement to appear as stupid as pos- sible during the ball，they could not have been more successful. First Mr Collins insisted on going to introduce himself to Mr Darcy，the nephew of his respected patron，and was received very coldly.Then，during supper，Mrs Bennet could not be pre- vented from talking very loudly to Lady Lucas about her great hopes of Jane's marriage to Bingley.Elizabeth blushed in em- barrassment when she realized that the Bingley sisters and Mr Darcy were able to hear.Finally，when some music was re- quired，Mary Bennet went confidently to the piano，and sang and played several songs，all rather badly.

伊麗莎白走過去找到了簡，興高采烈地聽她描述自己對彬格萊的感情，以及她如何堅信彬格萊對她也一往情深。但伊麗莎白似乎覺得，假如當初她們?nèi)乙堰_成一致，認為在舞會上出洋相越多越好的話，那么，他們這次表演是再成功不過的了，只有簡是個例外。首先是柯林斯先生堅持要把自己介紹給達西先生，即他尊敬的保護人的外甥。而得到的反應卻十分冷淡。接著是吃晚飯時班納特太太禁不住大聲地同盧卡斯夫人談論她很有希望將簡嫁給彬格萊。伊麗莎白意識到彬格萊姐妹和達西先生能聽到這些話時，羞得兩頰通紅。最后是需要演奏音樂時，瑪麗·班納特走過去，充滿自信地坐到鋼琴前，演唱并彈奏了幾首歌曲，都很糟糕。

The rest of the evening brought Elizabeth little amusement. She could not even go and talk to people she knew，as Mr Collins seemed determined to stay close by her side all evening. Fortunately，her good friend Charlotte Lucas occasionally gave her some relief，by kindly listening to some of Mr Collins’long speeches.At least Elizabeth did not have to talk to Mr Darcy any more.He often stood near her，quite alone，but did not come close enough to speak.

晚上剩下的時間沒給伊麗莎白帶來多少樂趣。她甚至不能脫身去和熟人說話，因為柯林斯先生似乎下定了決心整個晚上都傍在她身邊形影不離。幸運的是，她的好友夏洛特·盧卡斯偶爾讓她松了口氣，十分和善地聽聽柯林斯先生的某些長篇大論。伊麗莎白至少不用和達西先生說話了。他經(jīng)常站在她附近，形單影只，但又不湊近了說話。

At the end of the evening it was obvious to Elizabeth that al- though her family had greatly enjoyed the ball，the Bingley sis- ters were eager for these particular guests to leave.Mr Collins， however，was enthusiastic in his praise of the Bingleys’hospi- tality，and Mrs Bennet invited the whole Bingley family to visit Longbourn as soon as possible.She was feeling very satisfied， convinced that in three or four months Jane would be married to Bingley.She was also sure that Elizabeth would marry Mr Collins.This was a good enough marriage for Elizabeth，who was her least favourite daughter，but not nearly as impressive as Jane's marriage to Bingley.

晚會結(jié)束時，伊麗莎白明顯地感覺到，雖然她全家在舞會上玩得都很高興，但彬格萊姐妹希望他們這批客人趕快離開。然而，柯林斯先生還興致勃勃地稱贊彬格萊全家的盛情款待，班納特太太又邀請彬格萊全家盡早到浪搏恩去。她感到十分滿意，確信三四個月以后，簡就可以和彬格萊成婚了。她也肯定伊麗莎白將會嫁給柯林斯先生。對伊麗莎白這位她最不待見的女兒來說，這樣的結(jié)合已經(jīng)夠可以的了，但是根本比不上簡和彬格萊的婚姻來勁。