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牛津書蟲系列 傲慢與偏見 12 Elizabeth and Darcy

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2016年05月14日

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  12 Elizabeth and Darcy

  12 伊麗莎白和達西

  One morning,about a week after Bingley had proposed to Jane,a carriage arrived outside Longbourn House. Elizabeth,Kitty and their mother were in the sitting-room, when suddenly the door was thrown open,and their visitor entered.It was Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

  一天上午,大約在彬格萊向簡求婚后一周,一輛馬車來到了浪搏恩府外。伊麗莎白、吉蒂和母親正在起居室呆著,突然門被撞開了,客人闖了進來。是凱瑟琳·德·包爾夫人。

  They were all extremely astonished.Mrs Bennet,flattered to have such an important visitor,received her with great polite- ness.After sitting for a moment in silence,Lady Catherine said very stiffly to Elizabeth,‘I hope you are well,Miss Bennet. That lady,I suppose,is your mother.And that,I suppose,is one of your sisters.’

  她們都極端驚訝。班納特太太因為來了這樣重要的客人而受寵若驚,趕緊非常客氣地接待她。干坐了一會兒之后,凱瑟琳夫人很傲氣地對伊麗莎白說:“我希望你還好,班納特小姐。那位夫人我想是你母親吧。那位我想是你妹妹吧。”

  Elizabeth replied that she was correct in thinking so.Lady Catherine rose and said,‘I would like to have a walk in your garden,Miss Bennet,if you would accompany me.’

  伊麗莎白回答說她說得對。凱瑟琳夫人站起來說:“班納特小姐,如果你愿意陪我,我想到你家花園走走。”

  ‘Go,my dear,’cried Mrs Bennet.‘Show her ladyship the different walks.I'm sure she will like them.’

  “去呀,親愛的,”班納特太太嚷道,“讓夫人看看不同的小路。我想她肯定會喜歡的。”

  As they passed through the hall,Lady Catherine opened the doors into the different rooms,looked in,and declared them to be reasonable-looking rooms.They went into the garden in si- lence.Elizabeth was determined to make no effort at conversa- tion with a woman who was being more than usually rude and disagreeable.

  她們穿過大廳時,凱瑟琳夫人打開各個房間的門,往里看,稱這些房間還算可以。她們沉默不語地走進花園。伊麗莎白覺得這個女人比往常更無禮傲慢,令人討厭,于是拿定主意,不先開口跟她說話。

  Lady Catherine began speaking when she was sure they were alone.‘You must know,Miss Bennet,why I have come.’

  凱瑟琳夫人確信沒有別人以后,便開始說話。“班納特小姐,你一定知道我的來意。”

  Elizabeth looked surprised.Indeed,you are mistaken, madam.I have no idea why you are honouring us with a visit.’

  伊麗莎白很奇怪。“夫人,您肯定弄錯了。我根本不知道您為什么肯賞臉光臨。”

  ‘Miss Bennet,’replied her ladyship angrily,‘however in- sincere you may be,you shall not find me so.A most alarming report reached me two days ago.I was told that you,Miss Elizabeth Bennet,would soon be engaged to my nephew,my own nephew,Mr Darcy.Although I knew it must be a shame- ful lie,and I would not offend him by supposing it to be possi- ble,I decided at once to come here, to let you know my feelings.’

  “班納特小姐,”夫人怒氣沖沖地說,“不管你有多么虛情假意,我可不是那種人。兩天前聽到的消息讓我非常震驚。我聽說,你,伊麗莎白·班納特小姐,不久將與我的外甥,我的親外甥,達西先生訂婚。雖然我知道這是無稽之談,雖然我把這事當(dāng)真也傷不了達西的感情,但我還是決定馬上到這里來,讓你知道我的想法。”

  ‘If you believed it to be impossible,’said Elizabeth,with disdain,‘I wonder why your ladyship took the trouble of com- ing so far.’

  “如果您認為那是不可能的,”伊麗莎白說道,帶點鄙視,“我不明白夫人為什么要自找麻煩,跑這么遠過來?”

  ‘I came to insist on having this report contradicted.Tell me,is it true?’

  “我到這里是要你把這條消息更正過來。告訴我,是真的嗎?”

  ‘Your ladyship may ask questions which I shall not choose to answer.’

  “您老盡可以問,但我可以拒絕回答。”

  ‘This is too much!Miss Bennet,I insist on an answer.Has my nephew made you an offer of marriage?’

  “太過分了!班納特小姐,你必須回答。我外甥向你求婚了沒有?”

  ‘Your ladyship has declared it to be impossible.’

  “您老剛說過那是不可能的。”

  ‘It ought to be impossible,but your skilful charms may have made him forget,in a moment of foolishness,what he owes to himself and his family.You must tell me.I am almost his nearest relation,and I have a right to know his plans.’

  “應(yīng)該是不可能的,但是你蠱惑人心的手段高強,可能使他一時頭腦發(fā)昏,忘記了自己的身份和門第。你必須告訴我。我?guī)缀跏撬闹劣H,我有權(quán)知道他的打算。”

  ‘But you have no right to know mine.’

  “但是您無權(quán)知道我的打算。”

  ‘Let me speak plainly.This marriage,which you dare to hope for,can never take place,because Mr Darcy is engaged to my daughter.His mother and I planned their marriage,when they were still children.They are an ideal couple,both from respectable,honourable,ancient families,with an excellent for- tune on both sides.What can possibly divide them?The des- perate ambitions of a young woman without family,connec- tions or fortune?It cannot be!And I warn you,Miss Bennet,if you marry him,do not expect to be noticed by his family or friends.Your name will never even be mentioned by any of us.

  “我說得明白點。你竟然敢指望這樁婚事,可是它永遠成不了,因為達西和我的女兒訂婚了。他們小的時候,他母親和我就幫他們訂好了。他們倆門當(dāng)戶對,是天生的一對。他們都出身于名門望族,家史悠久,家財萬貫。有什么可能把他們拆開?就靠一個沒有門第、沒有親戚、沒有家產(chǎn)的年輕女子的膽大妄為?根本不可能!班納特小姐,我警告你,如果你跟他結(jié)婚,他的家庭和朋友絕不會理你!我們大家永遠不會提你的名字!”

  ‘These are heavy misfortunes,but the wife of Mr Darcy must necessarily be so happy that she could not regret her mar- riage.

  “這真是天大的不幸,但是達西先生的妻子一定會非常幸福,無法對自己的婚姻感到后悔。”

  ‘Obstinate girl!Tell me,are you engaged to him?’

  “犟丫頭!告訴我,你們訂婚了沒有?”

  Elizabeth could not avoid saying,after a moment's thought, ‘I am not.’

  伊麗莎白無法再避而不答了,思索了一會兒,說:“沒有。”

  Lady Catherine seemed pleased.‘And will you promise me never to enter into such an engagement?’

  凱瑟琳夫人似乎很高興。“你能不能保證決不和他訂婚?”

  ‘I will make no such promise.You have totally misunder- stood my character if you think I can be persuaded by such threats.I do not know whether your nephew would approve of your interference in his life,but you certainly have no right to interfere in mine.’

  “我不會作這樣的保證。如果您認為我會屈服于威脅的話,那您就完全看錯我的性格了。我不知道您外甥是否會同意您干涉他的生活,但是您絕對沒有權(quán)力干涉我的生活。”

  ‘To all the objections I have mentioned,I add one more.I am aware of your younger sister's elopement.Is such a girl to be my nephew's sister-in-law,and bring shame on the ancient name of Darcy?’

  “除了我剛提到的反對意見,我再加上一條。我知道你妹妹私奔的事。這樣一個臭丫頭也配做我外甥的小姨子,給達西這個古老的家族抹黑嗎?”

  ‘You can now have nothing more to say,’Elizabeth said coldly.‘You have insulted me in every possible way.’She rose,and started walking back to the house.Lady Catherine also rose,and walked with her.

  “您現(xiàn)在該講完了,”伊麗莎白冷冷地說。“您也把我侮辱夠了。”她站起身,開始往回走。凱瑟琳夫人也起身,跟著她。

  ‘Unfeeling,selfish girl!So you are determined to have him?’

  “冷酷、自私的丫頭!你決心要嫁給他?”

  ‘I have not said that. I am only determined to do what in my opinion will bring me happiness,without reference to you.’

  “我沒說過。我只決心做那些我認為能給我?guī)硇腋5氖拢也还苣趺聪搿?rdquo;

  ‘Do not imagine,Miss Bennet,that you will ever achieve your ambition.’When they arrived at her carriage,she added, ‘I send no compliments to your mother.You do not deserve such politeness. I am most seriously displeased.’

  “班納特小姐,不要夢想你的癡心妄想會實現(xiàn)。”她們來到馬車旁時,她又補充了幾句,“我不向你母親問候了,你們都不識抬舉。我心情極不痛快。”

  Elizabeth did not answer,and entered the house,while Lady Catherine drove away in her carriage.She had to tell a little lie to her mother to explain Lady Catherine's unexpected visit and speedy departure,and then she shut herself in her room to consider what it all meant.Perhaps the Collinses had imagined,after the news of Jane's engagement to Bingley,that Darcy might marry her.They must have told Lady Catherine, who had made a special journey to Longbourn in order to break off this supposed engagement.Elizabeth began to feel depressed. If,as seemed likely,Lady Catherine now went straight to London to talk to her nephew,she might easily convince him of the inferiority of Elizabeth's social position. He would probably feel that his aunt's objections,which to Elizabeth appeared laughably weak,contained much common sense.In that case he might make up his mind not to marry her under any circumstances,and to keep away from Longbourn al- together.

  伊麗莎白沒有回答,進了屋子,凱瑟琳夫人坐上馬車,驅(qū)車走了。她不得不向母親撒了個小謊,來解釋凱瑟琳夫人不期而至和匆匆離去的原因,然后,她就進了自己的房間,關(guān)上門,考慮這一切的由來。也許柯林斯夫婦聽到簡與彬格萊訂婚的消息后,想象著達西可能跟她結(jié)婚。他們一定告訴了凱瑟琳夫人,她就專程來到浪搏恩,以便解除這一假想中的婚約。伊麗莎白開始感到沮喪。如果凱瑟琳夫人現(xiàn)在直接到倫敦去見她的外甥(這很可能),她可以輕易地說服他伊麗莎白的社會地位多么低下。他就可能會覺得姨媽的反對意見是很有道理的,當(dāng)然這種反對伊麗莎白認為十分可笑,不通情理,毫無說服力。倘若如此,他可能會下定決心無論如何不跟她結(jié)婚,從此不再到浪搏恩來。

  The next morning Mr Bennet called Elizabeth into the li- brary.In his hand he had a letter,which he had just received.

  第二天早上,班納特先生把伊麗莎白叫進了書房。他手里拿了封信,是剛剛收到的。

  ‘Lizzy,I did not know I had two daughters about to be married.I congratulate you on a very important conquest.’

  “麗萃,我還不知道我有兩個女兒要結(jié)婚了。我祝賀你情場得意。”

  Elizabeth blushed,thinking that Darcy himself had written.

  伊麗莎白羞紅了臉,認為是達西本人寫的信。

  ‘You seem to know what I mean,but I think even you will not be able to guess your admirer's name.This letter is from Mr Collins,and he first congratulates me on Jane's engage- ment,of which the gossiping Lucases have told him.Apparent- ly the Lucases also think that my daughter Elizabeth might soon be marrying one of the great gentlemen in the country— Mr Darcy,in fact!Now,Lizzy,I think I have surprised you. Could he have chosen anyone we know as a more unlikely hus- band for you?Mr Darcy,who never praises,only criticizes women,and who probably never looked at you in his life! What an admirable choice!’

  “你好像知道我的意思,可是,我覺得連你都猜不出這位愛慕者姓甚名誰。這封信是柯林斯先生來的,他先是為簡的訂婚恭喜我,是愛說閑話的盧卡斯夫婦告訴他的。很顯然,盧卡斯夫婦還認為我的女兒伊麗莎白不久可能就會跟大貴之人結(jié)婚——實際上,就是達西先生!麗萃,我想我讓你吃了一驚吧。在我們認識的人當(dāng)中,還有誰是比他更不可能做你丈夫的?這個達西先生,從來不贊美女人,只知道批評,也許他一輩子連看都沒看過你一眼!好個再恰當(dāng)不過的人選!”

  Elizabeth tried to share her father's amusement,but had never appreciated his humour so little.

  伊麗莎白盡量給父親的逗樂子捧場,可是,她從來沒有像今天那樣不喜歡父親的幽默。

  ‘He goes on to say that when he dutifully gave this news to her ladyship,she made many objections,and stated that she would never agree to the marriage.He kindly gives us this in- formation,he says,to prevent his cousin Elizabeth and her ad- mirer from rushing into a marriage not approved by their fami- lies.Well,Lizzy!What do you think of that?I do enjoy Mr Collins’letters.And I am delighted the Lucases thought of Mr Darcy.His perfect indifference to you,and your strong dislike of him,make it so extremely amusing.Don't you agree?’

  “他接著說,他責(zé)無旁貸地把這個消息告訴夫人以后,她極力反對,宣稱她決不答應(yīng)這門婚事。他說,他好心好意地把這個消息告訴我們,是為了防止表妹伊麗莎白和她的愛慕者未經(jīng)雙方家庭同意就草率成婚。喂,麗萃!你覺得怎么樣?我覺得柯林斯先生的信真有意思。盧卡斯夫婦竟然想到了達西,可真新鮮。他對你漠不關(guān)心,你對他討厭得要死,這樣不就太有趣了嗎?你難道不覺得嗎?”

  Elizabeth had great difficulty in pretending to be amused by the letter.It was necessary to laugh,when she would rather have cried.Her father had most cruelly hurt her by speaking of Darcy’ s indifference,and she began to wonder whether per- haps,instead of his seeing too little,she might have imagined too much.

  伊麗莎白要裝出對信感到有趣實在太難了。該笑的時候,她倒寧愿哭。她父親說達西對她漠不關(guān)心,這大大傷害了她的感情。她開始懷疑,也許不是父親太沒眼力,而是自己憑空想象太多。

  In spite of Elizabeth's doubts,however,Mr Darcy returned to Netherfield a few days later,and he and Mr Bingley came to Longbourn soon afterwards.Bingley suggested they should all go for a walk,and while he and Jane concentrated on their own private conversation,some distance away,Elizabeth found her- self alone with Mr Darcy.

  盡管伊麗莎白心里懷疑,幾天后達西先生還是回到了尼日斐,他和彬格萊先生沒多久就來到了浪搏恩。彬格萊提議他們都應(yīng)出來散散步。在稍遠的地方,彬格萊和簡在說悄悄話,這時,伊麗莎白發(fā)現(xiàn)自己一個人和達西留在了一起。

  Taking a deep breath,she said bravely,‘Mr Darcy,I can no longer stop myself from thanking you for your extraordinary kindness to my poor sister.If the rest of my family knew of it, they would add their grateful thanks to mine.’

  她深深吸了一口氣,鼓起勇氣說:“達西先生,我再也忍不住了,我要感謝你的深情厚意,是你救了我可憐的妹妹。如果我家里面別人知道的話,他們也會對你感激不盡的。”

  ‘I had hoped to keep it a secret,’he answered,‘but if you must thank me,let it be for yourself alone.I shall not attempt to deny that wishing to give happiness to you was one of my reasons for helping your sister.But your family owe me noth- ing.Much as I respect them,I believe I thought only of you.’

  “我本希望保密,”他回答說,“但是,如果你要謝我的話,只消表明這是你一個人的意思。我不想否認,希望讓你得到幸福是我?guī)湍忝妹玫脑蛑?。但你的家庭不欠我任何東西。我雖然尊重他們,可是我心里只想到你一個人。”

  Elizabeth was too embarrassed to say a word.After a short pause he added,‘You are too generous to play with my feelings. If you still feel as you did last April,tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged,but one word from you will prevent me from ever mentioning them again.’

  伊麗莎白窘得說不出一句話來。過了片刻,只聽他又說:“你是個爽快人,不會玩弄我的感情。如果你的感覺和四月份一樣,請馬上告訴我。我對你的初衷絲毫未變,但只要你說一句話,我以后決不再提。”

  Elizabeth forced herself to speak,and immediately,though hesitatingly,gave him to understand that her feelings had changed so considerably since that time that she was now grateful and pleased to accept his proposal.When Darcy heard this,he was probably happier than he had ever been before,and he expressed himself as warmly and sensibly as a man violently in love can.

  伊麗莎白不得不開口說話了。雖然說得吞吞吐吐的,但她馬上告訴他,從那時到現(xiàn)在,她的感情起了很大變化,她現(xiàn)在以愉快和激動的心情接受他的盛情美意。這一回答簡直使達西感到前所未有的快樂,他像狂戀者一樣,無限熱烈而又理智地向她傾訴衷曲。

  They walked on,without noticing in which direction.There was so much to be thought,and felt,and said.She soon learnt that his aunt had indeed seen him in London,after her disap- pointing visit to Longbourn.But unluckily for her ladyship,her critical comments and description of her conversation with Elizabeth produced exactly the opposite result to what she had intended.

  他們繼續(xù)往前走,也不管朝著什么方向。他們有多少心事要想,多少感覺要尋找,多少話要說呀。她一會兒就得知他姨媽確實在倫敦見到了他,那是在她來訪浪搏恩失望而歸之后。不幸的是,夫人的批評和她對那次談話的描述產(chǎn)生了與她本意恰恰相反的效果。

  ‘It taught me to hope,’Darcy explained,‘as I had hardly ever allowed myself to hope before.I knew that if you had de- cided never to marry me,you would have admitted it to Lady Catherine openly and honestly.’

  “這件事教會了我奢望,”達西解釋說,“因為我以前從來沒有過奢望。我知道,如果你已決定永不嫁給我,你會公開誠實地向凱瑟琳夫人承認的。”

  Elizabeth blushed and laughed as she replied,‘Yes,you have experienced my honesty.After scolding you so rudely to your face,I was obviously quite capable of criticizing you to all your relations. ’

  伊麗莎白羞紅了臉,一面笑,一面說:“是的,你知道我為人直爽。我既然能夠當(dāng)你的面深惡痛絕地罵你,自然也會在任何親戚面前批評你。”

  ‘I certainly deserved all your accusations. As an only son,I was brought up to be selfish and proud,and to consider myself superior to others.I would have continued like that if you, dearest,loveliest Elizabeth,had not taught me a lesson.I owe you a great deal for that.’

  “你罵我的話,都是我罪有應(yīng)得。我是個獨生子,從小就自私、高傲,認為自己高人一等。最最親愛的伊麗莎白,要不是你教訓(xùn)了我一次,我可能到現(xiàn)在還是如此。這都多虧了你。”

  ‘And I,how soon I thought better of you,when I read the letter you sent me!When I realized your description of events must be true,all my prejudices against you were removed!’

  “我也是,我讀了你給我的信之后,很快就對你改變了看法。當(dāng)我認識到你對事件的描述真實可信時,我對你的一切偏見都煙消云散了!”

  They talked of their unexpected meeting at Pemberley, which had renewed their interest in each other,of Georgiana Darcy's immediate liking for Elizabeth,and of the engagement between Jane and Bingley.

  他們談到了在彭伯里的不期而遇,那重新燃起了彼此的舊情;談到了喬治安娜·達西一見面就喜歡上了伊麗莎白;談到了簡和彬格萊的訂婚。

  ‘I guessed,’smiled Elizabeth,‘that you had given your permission for their marriage. ’

  伊麗莎白微笑著說:“我猜,你已經(jīng)準(zhǔn)許他們結(jié)婚了。”

  ‘My permission!No!But I must admit I confessed to Bingley that I had made a mistake in supposing that your sister was indifferent to him,and I encouraged him to return to Netherfield to see if she still cared for him.I am delighted to hear of their engagement.He will be one of the happiest men in the world when he marries your sister.Only I shall be happier than him,when I am fortunate enough to marry you.

  “我準(zhǔn)許了?不!不過,我得承認,我向彬格萊說明了你姐姐并非對他毫不在意,是我犯了一個估計錯誤,我并且鼓勵他返回尼日斐看你姐姐是否還愛他。聽到他們訂婚的消息真使我感到喜悅。他娶了你的姐姐,將成為世界上最幸福的男人之一。只有我會比他更幸福,因為我有幸跟你結(jié)婚。”

  Their conversation continued in this way,until they sudden- ly became aware of the lateness of the hour. They returned to Longbourn House,where they separated.

  他們就這樣談了下去,突然發(fā)現(xiàn)天色已晚。他們回到浪搏恩府,在那里分了手。

  That evening Elizabeth could not help telling Jane her news. However,she almost regretted doing so,when she saw the astonishment on Jane's face.At first Jane could not believe that her sister was engaged to a man she had so disliked,and she wondered if Elizabeth could really be happy with him.But when she had been convinced by Elizabeth's explanations and promises,she was delighted,and congratulated her sister with all her heart.

  那天晚上,伊麗莎白忍不住將這一消息告訴了簡??墒牵?dāng)她看到簡臉上的驚訝神色時,她差一點后悔告訴她。一開始,簡難以相信妹妹會和一個她這樣討厭的人訂婚,她懷疑伊麗莎白跟他是否會真正幸福??墒?,當(dāng)伊麗莎白向她解釋和許諾之后,她便相信了,于是十分高興,全心全意地向妹妹表示祝賀。

  The next day Mr Darcy came to ask Mr Bennet officially for Elizabeth's hand in marriage.Mr Bennet also had to be per- suaded that his favourite daughter could really be happy with such a proud,disdainful man.Only Mrs Bennet did not need to be convinced,although she was,most unusually,speechless with shock when she heard the news.When she recovered a little,she cried,‘My sweetest Lizzy!How rich you will be! What jewels,what carriages you will have!Mr Darcy!Such a charming man!So handsome!So tall!I am so sorry I dis- liked him before.Ten thousand a year!Oh,my dear Lizzy!’

  第二天,達西先生正式來請班納特先生恩準(zhǔn)他同伊麗莎白結(jié)婚。班納特先生還得經(jīng)勸說才相信他最寵愛的女兒同這樣傲慢、愛瞧不起人的人結(jié)婚會獲得真正的幸福。只有班納特太太不需要做什么思想工作,不過她聽到這個消息后也驚得說不出一句話來,這種反應(yīng)可是很少見。她稍微醒悟過來一點,便叫道:“我的心肝寶貝!你就要大富大貴了!你會有多少珠寶、多少馬車呀!達西先生!多么可愛的丈夫!那么精神!那么魁梧!請原諒我以前那么討厭他。每年收入一萬英鎊!噢,親愛的麗萃!”

  During the weeks of her engagement,Elizabeth was glad to see that all her family were beginning to appreciate Mr Darcy's good qualities.Determined to protect him from her mother's over-familiarity,she was relieved to see that Mrs Bennet res- pected her future son-in-law too much to say more than a few words to him.In spite of this,Elizabeth looked happily forward to the time when she and Darcy would leave Longbourn and move to all the comfort and elegance of their own home at Pemberley.

  在她訂婚的那一周,伊麗莎白高興地看到全家人都開始喜歡達西先生的優(yōu)秀品質(zhì)。她決心護著達西,不讓媽媽和他過分隨便,但她看到班納特太太對未來的女婿極其敬畏,簡直不敢跟他多說話,便松了口氣。盡管如此,伊麗莎白還是幸福地期待著有一天她和達西離開浪搏恩,搬進彭伯里自己舒適、幽雅的家園。

  Mrs Bennet was a happy mother indeed on the day when she got rid of her two most deserving daughters.It may be guessed with what delighted pride she afterwards visited Mrs Bingley and talked of Mrs Darcy.Mr Bennet missed his second daugh- ter very much,and greatly enjoyed going to Pemberley to visit her.

  班納特太太打發(fā)掉兩個最爭氣的女兒那天,感到無比幸福??梢韵胂?,后來她去探訪彬格萊太太及談到達西太太時,會是多么高興與自豪。班納特先生十分想念二女兒,所以非常喜歡到彭伯里去探訪她。

  Mr Bingley and Jane stayed only a year at Netherfield,be- fore buying a large house in the north,only fifty kilometres from Pemberley. In this way,the two sisters were permitted their dearest wish,and were able to visit each other frequently.

  彬格萊先生和簡在尼日斐只呆了一年,然后就在北方買了座大宅子,離彭伯里只有50公里。這樣,姐妹二人就可以經(jīng)常往來,實現(xiàn)了最珍視的愿望。

  Mary was the only sister who remained at home,as Kitty spent most of her time with her two elder sisters,which greatly improved her behaviour,character and intelligence.

  家里就剩下瑪麗一個女兒,因為吉蒂大部分時間都和兩位大姐住在一起,耳濡目染,她的言談舉止、品行和思想都大有長進。

  Lydia and Wickham were always moving from one place to another in search of cheap rooms,and always spending more than they should.His affection for her soon became indiffer- ence,while hers for him lasted a little longer. They were not too proud to ask Lydia's sisters for financial help during every crisis,and Elizabeth and Jane both sent them regular gifts of money to pay their bills.

  麗迪亞和韋翰總是搬來搬去,找便宜的房子住,總是入不敷出。他對妻子的愛很快變成了冷漠,她對丈夫的感情則持續(xù)得稍微長一點。每逢危機、伸手向麗迪亞的姐姐們要錢時,他們便顯得不那么自傲了。伊麗莎白和簡還定期給他們寄點私房錢幫他們付帳。

  Caroline Bingley was deeply offended by Darcy's marriage, but she did not show her bitterness,and was always extremely polite to Elizabeth. Georgiana Darcy,on the other hand,became greatly attached to Elizabeth,and had the highest opinion of her.Lady Catherine,however,was so rude about Elizabeth to her nephew that he broke off communication completely with her for a time.In the end Elizabeth persuaded him to forgive his aunt,who eventually fongot her pride enough to visit them at Pemberley.

  卡羅琳·彬格萊由于達西結(jié)婚而受到很大傷害,但她并沒有顯露心中的苦楚,對伊麗莎白也總是極為客氣。另一方面,喬治安娜·達西對伊麗莎白極為依戀,對她也評價最高。但是,凱瑟琳夫人在外甥面前講伊麗莎白的話如此無禮,達西有段時間與她斷絕了往來。最后,伊麗莎白說服他原諒姨媽,后來,他姨媽竟也忘掉傲慢,到彭伯里拜訪他們。

  There remained a close relationship between the Darcys and the Gardiners.Darcy and Elizabeth were both warmly grateful to the two people who,by inviting her to Derbyshire and tak- ing her to visit Pemberley,had brought them together.

  達西夫婦和嘉丁納夫婦仍然關(guān)系密切。達西和伊麗莎白衷心感激這兩個人,正是他們兩個邀請伊麗莎白到德比郡去,并帶她去參觀彭伯里,最終使他們喜結(jié)良緣。


  12 Elizabeth and Darcy

  One morning,about a week after Bingley had proposed to Jane,a carriage arrived outside Longbourn House. Elizabeth,Kitty and their mother were in the sitting-room, when suddenly the door was thrown open,and their visitor entered.It was Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

  They were all extremely astonished.Mrs Bennet,flattered to have such an important visitor,received her with great polite- ness.After sitting for a moment in silence,Lady Catherine said very stiffly to Elizabeth,‘I hope you are well,Miss Bennet. That lady,I suppose,is your mother.And that,I suppose,is one of your sisters.’

  Elizabeth replied that she was correct in thinking so.Lady Catherine rose and said,‘I would like to have a walk in your garden,Miss Bennet,if you would accompany me.’

  ‘Go,my dear,’cried Mrs Bennet.‘Show her ladyship the different walks.I'm sure she will like them.’

  As they passed through the hall,Lady Catherine opened the doors into the different rooms,looked in,and declared them to be reasonable-looking rooms.They went into the garden in si- lence.Elizabeth was determined to make no effort at conversa- tion with a woman who was being more than usually rude and disagreeable.

  Lady Catherine began speaking when she was sure they were alone.‘You must know,Miss Bennet,why I have come.’

  Elizabeth looked surprised.Indeed,you are mistaken, madam.I have no idea why you are honouring us with a visit.’

  ‘Miss Bennet,’replied her ladyship angrily,‘however in- sincere you may be,you shall not find me so.A most alarming report reached me two days ago.I was told that you,Miss Elizabeth Bennet,would soon be engaged to my nephew,my own nephew,Mr Darcy.Although I knew it must be a shame- ful lie,and I would not offend him by supposing it to be possi- ble,I decided at once to come here, to let you know my feelings.’

  ‘If you believed it to be impossible,’said Elizabeth,with disdain,‘I wonder why your ladyship took the trouble of com- ing so far.’

  ‘I came to insist on having this report contradicted.Tell me,is it true?’

  ‘Your ladyship may ask questions which I shall not choose to answer.’

  ‘This is too much!Miss Bennet,I insist on an answer.Has my nephew made you an offer of marriage?’

  ‘Your ladyship has declared it to be impossible.’

  ‘It ought to be impossible,but your skilful charms may have made him forget,in a moment of foolishness,what he owes to himself and his family.You must tell me.I am almost his nearest relation,and I have a right to know his plans.’

  ‘But you have no right to know mine.’

  ‘Let me speak plainly.This marriage,which you dare to hope for,can never take place,because Mr Darcy is engaged to my daughter.His mother and I planned their marriage,when they were still children.They are an ideal couple,both from respectable,honourable,ancient families,with an excellent for- tune on both sides.What can possibly divide them?The des- perate ambitions of a young woman without family,connec- tions or fortune?It cannot be!And I warn you,Miss Bennet,if you marry him,do not expect to be noticed by his family or friends.Your name will never even be mentioned by any of us.

  ‘These are heavy misfortunes,but the wife of Mr Darcy must necessarily be so happy that she could not regret her mar- riage.

  ‘Obstinate girl!Tell me,are you engaged to him?’

  Elizabeth could not avoid saying,after a moment's thought, ‘I am not.’

  Lady Catherine seemed pleased.‘And will you promise me never to enter into such an engagement?’

  ‘I will make no such promise.You have totally misunder- stood my character if you think I can be persuaded by such threats.I do not know whether your nephew would approve of your interference in his life,but you certainly have no right to interfere in mine.’

  ‘To all the objections I have mentioned,I add one more.I am aware of your younger sister's elopement.Is such a girl to be my nephew's sister-in-law,and bring shame on the ancient name of Darcy?’

  ‘You can now have nothing more to say,’Elizabeth said coldly.‘You have insulted me in every possible way.’She rose,and started walking back to the house.Lady Catherine also rose,and walked with her.

  ‘Unfeeling,selfish girl!So you are determined to have him?’

  ‘I have not said that. I am only determined to do what in my opinion will bring me happiness,without reference to you.’

  ‘Do not imagine,Miss Bennet,that you will ever achieve your ambition.’When they arrived at her carriage,she added, ‘I send no compliments to your mother.You do not deserve such politeness. I am most seriously displeased.’

  Elizabeth did not answer,and entered the house,while Lady Catherine drove away in her carriage.She had to tell a little lie to her mother to explain Lady Catherine's unexpected visit and speedy departure,and then she shut herself in her room to consider what it all meant.Perhaps the Collinses had imagined,after the news of Jane's engagement to Bingley,that Darcy might marry her.They must have told Lady Catherine, who had made a special journey to Longbourn in order to break off this supposed engagement.Elizabeth began to feel depressed. If,as seemed likely,Lady Catherine now went straight to London to talk to her nephew,she might easily convince him of the inferiority of Elizabeth's social position. He would probably feel that his aunt's objections,which to Elizabeth appeared laughably weak,contained much common sense.In that case he might make up his mind not to marry her under any circumstances,and to keep away from Longbourn al- together.

  The next morning Mr Bennet called Elizabeth into the li- brary.In his hand he had a letter,which he had just received.

  ‘Lizzy,I did not know I had two daughters about to be married.I congratulate you on a very important conquest.’

  Elizabeth blushed,thinking that Darcy himself had written.

  ‘You seem to know what I mean,but I think even you will not be able to guess your admirer's name.This letter is from Mr Collins,and he first congratulates me on Jane's engage- ment,of which the gossiping Lucases have told him.Apparent- ly the Lucases also think that my daughter Elizabeth might soon be marrying one of the great gentlemen in the country— Mr Darcy,in fact!Now,Lizzy,I think I have surprised you. Could he have chosen anyone we know as a more unlikely hus- band for you?Mr Darcy,who never praises,only criticizes women,and who probably never looked at you in his life! What an admirable choice!’

  Elizabeth tried to share her father's amusement,but had never appreciated his humour so little.

  ‘He goes on to say that when he dutifully gave this news to her ladyship,she made many objections,and stated that she would never agree to the marriage.He kindly gives us this in- formation,he says,to prevent his cousin Elizabeth and her ad- mirer from rushing into a marriage not approved by their fami- lies.Well,Lizzy!What do you think of that?I do enjoy Mr Collins’letters.And I am delighted the Lucases thought of Mr Darcy.His perfect indifference to you,and your strong dislike of him,make it so extremely amusing.Don't you agree?’

  Elizabeth had great difficulty in pretending to be amused by the letter.It was necessary to laugh,when she would rather have cried.Her father had most cruelly hurt her by speaking of Darcy’ s indifference,and she began to wonder whether per- haps,instead of his seeing too little,she might have imagined too much.

  In spite of Elizabeth's doubts,however,Mr Darcy returned to Netherfield a few days later,and he and Mr Bingley came to Longbourn soon afterwards.Bingley suggested they should all go for a walk,and while he and Jane concentrated on their own private conversation,some distance away,Elizabeth found her- self alone with Mr Darcy.

  Taking a deep breath,she said bravely,‘Mr Darcy,I can no longer stop myself from thanking you for your extraordinary kindness to my poor sister.If the rest of my family knew of it, they would add their grateful thanks to mine.’

  ‘I had hoped to keep it a secret,’he answered,‘but if you must thank me,let it be for yourself alone.I shall not attempt to deny that wishing to give happiness to you was one of my reasons for helping your sister.But your family owe me noth- ing.Much as I respect them,I believe I thought only of you.’

  Elizabeth was too embarrassed to say a word.After a short pause he added,‘You are too generous to play with my feelings. If you still feel as you did last April,tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged,but one word from you will prevent me from ever mentioning them again.’

  Elizabeth forced herself to speak,and immediately,though hesitatingly,gave him to understand that her feelings had changed so considerably since that time that she was now grateful and pleased to accept his proposal.When Darcy heard this,he was probably happier than he had ever been before,and he expressed himself as warmly and sensibly as a man violently in love can.

  They walked on,without noticing in which direction.There was so much to be thought,and felt,and said.She soon learnt that his aunt had indeed seen him in London,after her disap- pointing visit to Longbourn.But unluckily for her ladyship,her critical comments and description of her conversation with Elizabeth produced exactly the opposite result to what she had intended.

  ‘It taught me to hope,’Darcy explained,‘as I had hardly ever allowed myself to hope before.I knew that if you had de- cided never to marry me,you would have admitted it to Lady Catherine openly and honestly.’

  Elizabeth blushed and laughed as she replied,‘Yes,you have experienced my honesty.After scolding you so rudely to your face,I was obviously quite capable of criticizing you to all your relations. ’

  ‘I certainly deserved all your accusations. As an only son,I was brought up to be selfish and proud,and to consider myself superior to others.I would have continued like that if you, dearest,loveliest Elizabeth,had not taught me a lesson.I owe you a great deal for that.’

  ‘And I,how soon I thought better of you,when I read the letter you sent me!When I realized your description of events must be true,all my prejudices against you were removed!’

  They talked of their unexpected meeting at Pemberley, which had renewed their interest in each other,of Georgiana Darcy's immediate liking for Elizabeth,and of the engagement between Jane and Bingley.

  ‘I guessed,’smiled Elizabeth,‘that you had given your permission for their marriage. ’

  ‘My permission!No!But I must admit I confessed to Bingley that I had made a mistake in supposing that your sister was indifferent to him,and I encouraged him to return to Netherfield to see if she still cared for him.I am delighted to hear of their engagement.He will be one of the happiest men in the world when he marries your sister.Only I shall be happier than him,when I am fortunate enough to marry you.

  Their conversation continued in this way,until they sudden- ly became aware of the lateness of the hour. They returned to Longbourn House,where they separated.

  That evening Elizabeth could not help telling Jane her news. However,she almost regretted doing so,when she saw the astonishment on Jane's face.At first Jane could not believe that her sister was engaged to a man she had so disliked,and she wondered if Elizabeth could really be happy with him.But when she had been convinced by Elizabeth's explanations and promises,she was delighted,and congratulated her sister with all her heart.

  The next day Mr Darcy came to ask Mr Bennet officially for Elizabeth's hand in marriage.Mr Bennet also had to be per- suaded that his favourite daughter could really be happy with such a proud,disdainful man.Only Mrs Bennet did not need to be convinced,although she was,most unusually,speechless with shock when she heard the news.When she recovered a little,she cried,‘My sweetest Lizzy!How rich you will be! What jewels,what carriages you will have!Mr Darcy!Such a charming man!So handsome!So tall!I am so sorry I dis- liked him before.Ten thousand a year!Oh,my dear Lizzy!’

  During the weeks of her engagement,Elizabeth was glad to see that all her family were beginning to appreciate Mr Darcy's good qualities.Determined to protect him from her mother's over-familiarity,she was relieved to see that Mrs Bennet res- pected her future son-in-law too much to say more than a few words to him.In spite of this,Elizabeth looked happily forward to the time when she and Darcy would leave Longbourn and move to all the comfort and elegance of their own home at Pemberley.

  Mrs Bennet was a happy mother indeed on the day when she got rid of her two most deserving daughters.It may be guessed with what delighted pride she afterwards visited Mrs Bingley and talked of Mrs Darcy.Mr Bennet missed his second daugh- ter very much,and greatly enjoyed going to Pemberley to visit her.

  Mr Bingley and Jane stayed only a year at Netherfield,be- fore buying a large house in the north,only fifty kilometres from Pemberley. In this way,the two sisters were permitted their dearest wish,and were able to visit each other frequently.

  Mary was the only sister who remained at home,as Kitty spent most of her time with her two elder sisters,which greatly improved her behaviour,character and intelligence.

  Lydia and Wickham were always moving from one place to another in search of cheap rooms,and always spending more than they should.His affection for her soon became indiffer- ence,while hers for him lasted a little longer. They were not too proud to ask Lydia's sisters for financial help during every crisis,and Elizabeth and Jane both sent them regular gifts of money to pay their bills.

  Caroline Bingley was deeply offended by Darcy's marriage, but she did not show her bitterness,and was always extremely polite to Elizabeth. Georgiana Darcy,on the other hand,became greatly attached to Elizabeth,and had the highest opinion of her.Lady Catherine,however,was so rude about Elizabeth to her nephew that he broke off communication completely with her for a time.In the end Elizabeth persuaded him to forgive his aunt,who eventually fongot her pride enough to visit them at Pemberley.

  There remained a close relationship between the Darcys and the Gardiners.Darcy and Elizabeth were both warmly grateful to the two people who,by inviting her to Derbyshire and tak- ing her to visit Pemberley,had brought them together.


  12 伊麗莎白和達西

  一天上午,大約在彬格萊向簡求婚后一周,一輛馬車來到了浪搏恩府外。伊麗莎白、吉蒂和母親正在起居室呆著,突然門被撞開了,客人闖了進來。是凱瑟琳·德·包爾夫人。

  她們都極端驚訝。班納特太太因為來了這樣重要的客人而受寵若驚,趕緊非??蜌獾亟哟?。干坐了一會兒之后,凱瑟琳夫人很傲氣地對伊麗莎白說:“我希望你還好,班納特小姐。那位夫人我想是你母親吧。那位我想是你妹妹吧。”

  伊麗莎白回答說她說得對。凱瑟琳夫人站起來說:“班納特小姐,如果你愿意陪我,我想到你家花園走走。”

  “去呀,親愛的,”班納特太太嚷道,“讓夫人看看不同的小路。我想她肯定會喜歡的。”

  她們穿過大廳時,凱瑟琳夫人打開各個房間的門,往里看,稱這些房間還算可以。她們沉默不語地走進花園。伊麗莎白覺得這個女人比往常更無禮傲慢,令人討厭,于是拿定主意,不先開口跟她說話。

  凱瑟琳夫人確信沒有別人以后,便開始說話。“班納特小姐,你一定知道我的來意。”

  伊麗莎白很奇怪。“夫人,您肯定弄錯了。我根本不知道您為什么肯賞臉光臨。”

  “班納特小姐,”夫人怒氣沖沖地說,“不管你有多么虛情假意,我可不是那種人。兩天前聽到的消息讓我非常震驚。我聽說,你,伊麗莎白·班納特小姐,不久將與我的外甥,我的親外甥,達西先生訂婚。雖然我知道這是無稽之談,雖然我把這事當(dāng)真也傷不了達西的感情,但我還是決定馬上到這里來,讓你知道我的想法。”

  “如果您認為那是不可能的,”伊麗莎白說道,帶點鄙視,“我不明白夫人為什么要自找麻煩,跑這么遠過來?”

  “我到這里是要你把這條消息更正過來。告訴我,是真的嗎?”

  “您老盡可以問,但我可以拒絕回答。”

  “太過分了!班納特小姐,你必須回答。我外甥向你求婚了沒有?”

  “您老剛說過那是不可能的。”

  “應(yīng)該是不可能的,但是你蠱惑人心的手段高強,可能使他一時頭腦發(fā)昏,忘記了自己的身份和門第。你必須告訴我。我?guī)缀跏撬闹劣H,我有權(quán)知道他的打算。”

  “但是您無權(quán)知道我的打算。”

  “我說得明白點。你竟然敢指望這樁婚事,可是它永遠成不了,因為達西和我的女兒訂婚了。他們小的時候,他母親和我就幫他們訂好了。他們倆門當(dāng)戶對,是天生的一對。他們都出身于名門望族,家史悠久,家財萬貫。有什么可能把他們拆開?就靠一個沒有門第、沒有親戚、沒有家產(chǎn)的年輕女子的膽大妄為?根本不可能!班納特小姐,我警告你,如果你跟他結(jié)婚,他的家庭和朋友絕不會理你!我們大家永遠不會提你的名字!”

  “這真是天大的不幸,但是達西先生的妻子一定會非常幸福,無法對自己的婚姻感到后悔。”

  “犟丫頭!告訴我,你們訂婚了沒有?”

  伊麗莎白無法再避而不答了,思索了一會兒,說:“沒有。”

  凱瑟琳夫人似乎很高興。“你能不能保證決不和他訂婚?”

  “我不會作這樣的保證。如果您認為我會屈服于威脅的話,那您就完全看錯我的性格了。我不知道您外甥是否會同意您干涉他的生活,但是您絕對沒有權(quán)力干涉我的生活。”

  “除了我剛提到的反對意見,我再加上一條。我知道你妹妹私奔的事。這樣一個臭丫頭也配做我外甥的小姨子,給達西這個古老的家族抹黑嗎?”

  “您現(xiàn)在該講完了,”伊麗莎白冷冷地說。“您也把我侮辱夠了。”她站起身,開始往回走。凱瑟琳夫人也起身,跟著她。

  “冷酷、自私的丫頭!你決心要嫁給他?”

  “我沒說過。我只決心做那些我認為能給我?guī)硇腋5氖?,我不管您怎么想?rdquo;

  “班納特小姐,不要夢想你的癡心妄想會實現(xiàn)。”她們來到馬車旁時,她又補充了幾句,“我不向你母親問候了,你們都不識抬舉。我心情極不痛快。”

  伊麗莎白沒有回答,進了屋子,凱瑟琳夫人坐上馬車,驅(qū)車走了。她不得不向母親撒了個小謊,來解釋凱瑟琳夫人不期而至和匆匆離去的原因,然后,她就進了自己的房間,關(guān)上門,考慮這一切的由來。也許柯林斯夫婦聽到簡與彬格萊訂婚的消息后,想象著達西可能跟她結(jié)婚。他們一定告訴了凱瑟琳夫人,她就專程來到浪搏恩,以便解除這一假想中的婚約。伊麗莎白開始感到沮喪。如果凱瑟琳夫人現(xiàn)在直接到倫敦去見她的外甥(這很可能),她可以輕易地說服他伊麗莎白的社會地位多么低下。他就可能會覺得姨媽的反對意見是很有道理的,當(dāng)然這種反對伊麗莎白認為十分可笑,不通情理,毫無說服力。倘若如此,他可能會下定決心無論如何不跟她結(jié)婚,從此不再到浪搏恩來。

  第二天早上,班納特先生把伊麗莎白叫進了書房。他手里拿了封信,是剛剛收到的。

  “麗萃,我還不知道我有兩個女兒要結(jié)婚了。我祝賀你情場得意。”

  伊麗莎白羞紅了臉,認為是達西本人寫的信。

  “你好像知道我的意思,可是,我覺得連你都猜不出這位愛慕者姓甚名誰。這封信是柯林斯先生來的,他先是為簡的訂婚恭喜我,是愛說閑話的盧卡斯夫婦告訴他的。很顯然,盧卡斯夫婦還認為我的女兒伊麗莎白不久可能就會跟大貴之人結(jié)婚——實際上,就是達西先生!麗萃,我想我讓你吃了一驚吧。在我們認識的人當(dāng)中,還有誰是比他更不可能做你丈夫的?這個達西先生,從來不贊美女人,只知道批評,也許他一輩子連看都沒看過你一眼!好個再恰當(dāng)不過的人選!”

  伊麗莎白盡量給父親的逗樂子捧場,可是,她從來沒有像今天那樣不喜歡父親的幽默。

  “他接著說,他責(zé)無旁貸地把這個消息告訴夫人以后,她極力反對,宣稱她決不答應(yīng)這門婚事。他說,他好心好意地把這個消息告訴我們,是為了防止表妹伊麗莎白和她的愛慕者未經(jīng)雙方家庭同意就草率成婚。喂,麗萃!你覺得怎么樣?我覺得柯林斯先生的信真有意思。盧卡斯夫婦竟然想到了達西,可真新鮮。他對你漠不關(guān)心,你對他討厭得要死,這樣不就太有趣了嗎?你難道不覺得嗎?”

  伊麗莎白要裝出對信感到有趣實在太難了。該笑的時候,她倒寧愿哭。她父親說達西對她漠不關(guān)心,這大大傷害了她的感情。她開始懷疑,也許不是父親太沒眼力,而是自己憑空想象太多。

  盡管伊麗莎白心里懷疑,幾天后達西先生還是回到了尼日斐,他和彬格萊先生沒多久就來到了浪搏恩。彬格萊提議他們都應(yīng)出來散散步。在稍遠的地方,彬格萊和簡在說悄悄話,這時,伊麗莎白發(fā)現(xiàn)自己一個人和達西留在了一起。

  她深深吸了一口氣,鼓起勇氣說:“達西先生,我再也忍不住了,我要感謝你的深情厚意,是你救了我可憐的妹妹。如果我家里面別人知道的話,他們也會對你感激不盡的。”

  “我本希望保密,”他回答說,“但是,如果你要謝我的話,只消表明這是你一個人的意思。我不想否認,希望讓你得到幸福是我?guī)湍忝妹玫脑蛑?。但你的家庭不欠我任何東西。我雖然尊重他們,可是我心里只想到你一個人。”

  伊麗莎白窘得說不出一句話來。過了片刻,只聽他又說:“你是個爽快人,不會玩弄我的感情。如果你的感覺和四月份一樣,請馬上告訴我。我對你的初衷絲毫未變,但只要你說一句話,我以后決不再提。”

  伊麗莎白不得不開口說話了。雖然說得吞吞吐吐的,但她馬上告訴他,從那時到現(xiàn)在,她的感情起了很大變化,她現(xiàn)在以愉快和激動的心情接受他的盛情美意。這一回答簡直使達西感到前所未有的快樂,他像狂戀者一樣,無限熱烈而又理智地向她傾訴衷曲。

  他們繼續(xù)往前走,也不管朝著什么方向。他們有多少心事要想,多少感覺要尋找,多少話要說呀。她一會兒就得知他姨媽確實在倫敦見到了他,那是在她來訪浪搏恩失望而歸之后。不幸的是,夫人的批評和她對那次談話的描述產(chǎn)生了與她本意恰恰相反的效果。

  “這件事教會了我奢望,”達西解釋說,“因為我以前從來沒有過奢望。我知道,如果你已決定永不嫁給我,你會公開誠實地向凱瑟琳夫人承認的。”

  伊麗莎白羞紅了臉,一面笑,一面說:“是的,你知道我為人直爽。我既然能夠當(dāng)你的面深惡痛絕地罵你,自然也會在任何親戚面前批評你。”

  “你罵我的話,都是我罪有應(yīng)得。我是個獨生子,從小就自私、高傲,認為自己高人一等。最最親愛的伊麗莎白,要不是你教訓(xùn)了我一次,我可能到現(xiàn)在還是如此。這都多虧了你。”

  “我也是,我讀了你給我的信之后,很快就對你改變了看法。當(dāng)我認識到你對事件的描述真實可信時,我對你的一切偏見都煙消云散了!”

  他們談到了在彭伯里的不期而遇,那重新燃起了彼此的舊情;談到了喬治安娜·達西一見面就喜歡上了伊麗莎白;談到了簡和彬格萊的訂婚。

  伊麗莎白微笑著說:“我猜,你已經(jīng)準(zhǔn)許他們結(jié)婚了。”

  “我準(zhǔn)許了?不!不過,我得承認,我向彬格萊說明了你姐姐并非對他毫不在意,是我犯了一個估計錯誤,我并且鼓勵他返回尼日斐看你姐姐是否還愛他。聽到他們訂婚的消息真使我感到喜悅。他娶了你的姐姐,將成為世界上最幸福的男人之一。只有我會比他更幸福,因為我有幸跟你結(jié)婚。”

  他們就這樣談了下去,突然發(fā)現(xiàn)天色已晚。他們回到浪搏恩府,在那里分了手。

  那天晚上,伊麗莎白忍不住將這一消息告訴了簡??墒?,當(dāng)她看到簡臉上的驚訝神色時,她差一點后悔告訴她。一開始,簡難以相信妹妹會和一個她這樣討厭的人訂婚,她懷疑伊麗莎白跟他是否會真正幸福。可是,當(dāng)伊麗莎白向她解釋和許諾之后,她便相信了,于是十分高興,全心全意地向妹妹表示祝賀。

  第二天,達西先生正式來請班納特先生恩準(zhǔn)他同伊麗莎白結(jié)婚。班納特先生還得經(jīng)勸說才相信他最寵愛的女兒同這樣傲慢、愛瞧不起人的人結(jié)婚會獲得真正的幸福。只有班納特太太不需要做什么思想工作,不過她聽到這個消息后也驚得說不出一句話來,這種反應(yīng)可是很少見。她稍微醒悟過來一點,便叫道:“我的心肝寶貝!你就要大富大貴了!你會有多少珠寶、多少馬車呀!達西先生!多么可愛的丈夫!那么精神!那么魁梧!請原諒我以前那么討厭他。每年收入一萬英鎊!噢,親愛的麗萃!”

  在她訂婚的那一周,伊麗莎白高興地看到全家人都開始喜歡達西先生的優(yōu)秀品質(zhì)。她決心護著達西,不讓媽媽和他過分隨便,但她看到班納特太太對未來的女婿極其敬畏,簡直不敢跟他多說話,便松了口氣。盡管如此,伊麗莎白還是幸福地期待著有一天她和達西離開浪搏恩,搬進彭伯里自己舒適、幽雅的家園。

  班納特太太打發(fā)掉兩個最爭氣的女兒那天,感到無比幸福??梢韵胂螅髞硭ヌ皆L彬格萊太太及談到達西太太時,會是多么高興與自豪。班納特先生十分想念二女兒,所以非常喜歡到彭伯里去探訪她。

  彬格萊先生和簡在尼日斐只呆了一年,然后就在北方買了座大宅子,離彭伯里只有50公里。這樣,姐妹二人就可以經(jīng)常往來,實現(xiàn)了最珍視的愿望。

  家里就剩下瑪麗一個女兒,因為吉蒂大部分時間都和兩位大姐住在一起,耳濡目染,她的言談舉止、品行和思想都大有長進。

  麗迪亞和韋翰總是搬來搬去,找便宜的房子住,總是入不敷出。他對妻子的愛很快變成了冷漠,她對丈夫的感情則持續(xù)得稍微長一點。每逢危機、伸手向麗迪亞的姐姐們要錢時,他們便顯得不那么自傲了。伊麗莎白和簡還定期給他們寄點私房錢幫他們付帳。

  卡羅琳·彬格萊由于達西結(jié)婚而受到很大傷害,但她并沒有顯露心中的苦楚,對伊麗莎白也總是極為客氣。另一方面,喬治安娜·達西對伊麗莎白極為依戀,對她也評價最高。但是,凱瑟琳夫人在外甥面前講伊麗莎白的話如此無禮,達西有段時間與她斷絕了往來。最后,伊麗莎白說服他原諒姨媽,后來,他姨媽竟也忘掉傲慢,到彭伯里拜訪他們。

  達西夫婦和嘉丁納夫婦仍然關(guān)系密切。達西和伊麗莎白衷心感激這兩個人,正是他們兩個邀請伊麗莎白到德比郡去,并帶她去參觀彭伯里,最終使他們喜結(jié)良緣。

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