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《傲慢與偏見》 簡.奧斯汀 (中英對照)

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 樓主| Adelyn 發表於 2006-4-13 11:25 | 只看該作者
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 樓主| Adelyn 發表於 2006-4-13 11:25 | 只看該作者
Chapter 26

MRS. Gardiner's caution to Elizabeth was punctually and kindly given on the first favourable opportunity of speaking to her alone; after honestly telling her what she thought, she thus went on:
"You are too sensible a girl, Lizzy, to fall in love merely because you are warned against it; and, therefore, I am not  of speaking openly. Seriously, I would have you be on your guard. Do not involve yourself, or endeavour to involve him in an affection which the want of fortune would make so very imprudent. I have nothing to say against him; he is a most interesting young man; and if he had the fortune he ought to have, I should think you could not do better. But as it is -- you must not let your fancy run away with you. You have sense, and we all expect you to use it. Your father would depend on your resolution and good conduct, I am sure. You must not disappoint your father."
"My dear aunt, this is being serious indeed."
"Yes, and I hope to engage you to be serious likewise."
"Well, then, you need not be under any alarm. I will take care of myself, and of Mr. Wickham too. He shall not be in love with me, if I can prevent it."
"Elizabeth, you are not serious now."
"I beg your pardon. I will try again. At present I am not in love with Mr. Wickham; no, I certainly am not. But he is, beyond all comparison, the most agreeable man I ever saw -- and if he becomes really attached to me -- I believe it will be better that he should not. I see the imprudence of it. -- Oh! that abominable Mr. Darcy! -- My father's opinion of me does me the greatest honor; and I should be miserable to forfeit it. My father, however, is partial to Mr. Wickham. In short, my dear aunt, I should be very sorry to be the means of making any of you unhappy; but since we see every day that where there is affection, young people are seldom withheld by immediate want of fortune from entering into engagements with each other, how can I promise to be wiser than so many of my fellow creatures if I am tempted, or how am I even to know that it would be wisdom to resist? All that I can promise you, therefore, is not to be in a hurry. I will not be in a hurry to believe myself his first object. When I am in company with him, I will not be wishing. In short, I will do my best."
"erhaps it will be as well, if you discourage his coming here so very often. At least, you should not remind your mother of inviting him."
"As I did the other day," said Elizabeth, with a conscious smile; "very true, it will be wise in me to refrain from that. But do not imagine that he is always here so often. It is on your account that he has been so frequently invited this week. You know my mother's ideas as to the necessity of constant company for her friends. But really, and upon my honour, I will try to do what I think to be wisest; and now, I hope you are satisfied."
Her aunt assured her that she was; and Elizabeth having thanked her for the kindness of her hints, they parted; a wonderful instance of advice being given on such a point without being resented.
Mr. Collins returned into Hertfordshire soon after it had been quitted by the Gardiners and Jane; but as he took up his abode with the Lucases, his arrival was no great inconvenience to Mrs. Bennet. His marriage was now fast approaching, and she was at length so far resigned as to think it inevitable, and even repeatedly to say in an ill-natured tone that she "wished they might be happy." Thursday was to be the wedding day, and on Wednesday Miss Lucas paid her farewell visit; and when she rose to take leave, Elizabeth, ashamed of her mother's ungracious and reluctant good wishes, and sincerely affected herself, accompanied her out of the room. As they went down stairs together, Charlotte said,
"I shall depend on hearing from you very often, Eliza."
"That you certainly shall."
"And I have another favour to ask. Will you come and see me?"
"We shall often meet, I hope, in Hertfordshire."
"I am not likely to leave Kent for some time. Promise me, therefore, to come to Hunsford."
Elizabeth could not refuse, though she foresaw little pleasure in the visit.
"My father and Maria are to come to me in March," added Charlotte, "and I hope you will consent to be of the party. Indeed, Eliza, you will be as welcome to me as either of them."
The wedding took place; the bride and bridegroom set off for Kent from the church door, and every body had as much to say or to hear on the subject as usual. Elizabeth soon heard from her friend; and their correspondence was as regular and frequent as it had ever been; that it should be equally unreserved was impossible. Elizabeth could never address her without feeling that all the comfort of intimacy was over, and, though determined not to slacken as a correspondent, it was for the sake of what had been, rather than what was. Charlotte's first letters were received with a good deal of eagerness; there could not but be curiosity to know how she would speak of her new home, how she would like Lady Catherine, and how happy she would dare pronounce herself to be; though, when the letters were read, Elizabeth felt that Charlotte expressed herself on every point exactly as she might have foreseen. She wrote cheerfully, seemed surrounded with comforts, and mentioned nothing which she could not praise. The house, furniture, neighbourhood, and roads, were all to her taste, and Lady Catherine's behaviour was most friendly and obliging. It was Mr. Collins's picture of Hunsford and Rosings rationally softened; and Elizabeth perceived that she must wait for her own visit there, to know the rest.
Jane had already written a few lines to her sister to announce their safe arrival in London; and when she wrote again, Elizabeth hoped it would be in her power to say something of the Bingleys.
Her impatience for this second letter was as well rewarded as impatience generally is. Jane had been a week in town, without either seeing or hearing from Caroline. She accounted for it, however, by supposing that her last letter to her friend from Longbourn had by some accident been lost.
"My aunt," she continued, "is going to-morrow into that part of the town, and I shall take the opportunity of calling in Grosvenor-street."
She wrote again when the visit was paid, and she had seen Miss Bingley. "I did not think Caroline in spirits," were her words, "but she was very glad to see me, and reproached me for giving her no notice of my coming to London. I was right, therefore; my last letter had never reached her. I enquired after their brother, of course. He was well, but so much engaged with Mr. Darcy, that they scarcely ever saw him. I found that Miss Darcy was expected to dinner. I wish I could see her. My visit was not long, as Caroline and Mrs. Hurst were going out. I dare say I shall soon see them here."
Elizabeth shook her head over this letter. It convinced her that accident only could discover to Mr. Bingley her sister's being in town.
Four weeks passed away, and Jane saw nothing of him. She endeavoured to persuade herself that she did not regret it; but she could no longer be blind to Miss Bingley's inattention. After waiting at home every morning for a fortnight, and inventing every evening a fresh excuse for her, the visitor did at last appear; but the shortness of her stay, and yet more, the alteration of her manner, would allow Jane to deceive herself no longer. The letter which she wrote on this occasion to her sister, will prove what she felt.
"My dearest Lizzy will, I am sure, be incapable of triumphing in her better judgment, at my expence, when I confess myself to have been entirely deceived in Miss Bingley's regard for me. But, my dear sister, though the event has proved you right, do not think me obstinate if I still assert that, considering what her behaviour was, my confidence was as natural as your suspicion. I do not at all comprehend her reason for wishing to be intimate with me, but if the same circumstances were to happen again, I am sure I should be deceived again. Caroline did not return my visit till yesterday; and not a note, not a line, did I receive in the mean time. When she did come, it was very evident that she had no pleasure in it; she made a slight, formal, apology for not calling before, said not a word of wishing to see me again, and was in every respect so altered a creature, that when she went away I was perfectly resolved to continue the acquaintance no longer. I pity, though I cannot help blaming her. She was very wrong in singling me out as she did; I can safely say, that every advance to intimacy began on her side. But I pity her, because she must feel that she has been acting wrong, and because I am very sure that anxiety for her brother is the cause of it, I need not explain myself farther; and though we know this anxiety to be quite needless, yet if she feels it, it will easily account for her behaviour to me; and so deservedly dear as he is to his sister, whatever anxiety she may feel on his behalf is natural and amiable. I cannot but wonder, however, at her having any such fears now, because, if he had at all cared about me, we must have met long, long ago. He knows of my being in town, I am certain, from something she said herself; and yet it should seem by her manner of talking, as if she wanted to persuade herself that he is really partial to Miss Darcy. I cannot understand it. If I were not  of judging harshly, I should be almost tempted to say that there is a strong appearance of duplicity in all this. But I will endeavour to banish every painful thought, and think only of what will make me happy: your affection, and the invariable kindness of my dear uncle and aunt. Let me hear from you very soon. Miss Bingley said something of his never returning to Netherfield again, of giving up the house, but not with any certainty. We had better not mention it. I am extremely glad that you have such pleasant accounts from our friends at Hunsford. Pray go to see them, with Sir William and Maria. I am sure you will be very comfortable there.
Your's, &c."
This letter gave Elizabeth some pain; but her spirits returned as she considered that Jane would no longer be duped, by the sister at least. All expectation from the brother was now absolutely over. She would not even wish for any renewal of his attentions. His character sunk on every review of it; and as a punishment for him, as well as a possible advantage to Jane, she seriously hoped he might really soon marry Mr. Darcy's sister, as, by Wickham's account, she would make him abundantly regret what he had thrown away.
Mrs. Gardiner about this time reminded Elizabeth of her promise concerning that gentleman, and required information; and Elizabeth had such to send as might rather give contentment to her aunt than to herself. His apparent partiality had subsided, his attentions were over, he was the admirer of some one else. Elizabeth was watchful enough to see it all, but she could see it and write of it without material pain. Her heart had been but slightly touched, and her vanity was satisfied with believing that she would have been his only choice, had fortune permitted it. The sudden acquisition of ten thousand pounds was the most remarkable charm of the young lady to whom he was now rendering himself agreeable; but Elizabeth, less clear-sighted perhaps in his case than in Charlotte's, did not quarrel with him for his wish of independence. Nothing, on the contrary, could be more natural; and while able to suppose that it cost him a few struggles to relinquish her, she was ready to allow it a wise and desirable measure for both, and could very sincerely wish him happy.
All this was acknowledged to Mrs. Gardiner; and after relating the circumstances, she thus went on: -- "I am now convinced, my dear aunt, that I have never been much in love; for had I really experienced that pure and elevating passion, I should at present detest his very name, and wish him all manner of evil. But my feelings are not only cordial towards him; they are even impartial towards Miss King. I cannot find out that I hate her at all, or that I am in the least unwilling to think her a very good sort of girl. There can be no love in all this. My watchfulness has been effectual; and though I should certainly be a more interesting object to all my acquaintance, were I distractedly in love with him, I cannot say that I regret my comparative insignificance. Importance may sometimes be purchased too dearly. Kitty and Lydia take his defection much more to heart than I do. They are young in the ways of the world, and not yet open to the mortifying conviction that handsome young men must have something to live on, as well as the plain."
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 樓主| Adelyn 發表於 2006-4-13 11:26 | 只看該作者
  第 26 章

  嘉丁納太太一碰到有適當的機會和伊莉莎白單獨談話,總是善意地對外甥女進行忠告,把心裡的話老老實實講了出來,然後又接下去說:你是個非常懂事的孩子,麗萃,你不至於因為人家勸你談戀愛要當心,你就偏偏要談;因此我才敢向你說個明白。說正經話,你千萬要小心。跟這種沒有財產作為基礎的人談戀愛,實在非常莽撞,你千萬別讓自己墮上情網,也不要費盡心機使他墮入情網。我並不是說他的壞話──他倒是個再有趣不過的青年;要是他得到了他應當得到的那份財產,那我就會覺得你這門親事再好也沒有了。事實既是如此,你大可不必再對他想入非非。你很聰明,我們都希望你不要辜負了自己的聰明。我知道你父親信任你品行好,又有決斷,你切不可叫他失望。"親愛的舅母,你真是鄭重其事。"是呀,我希望你也能夠鄭重其事。"唔,你用不著急。我自己會當心,也會當心韋翰先生。只要我避免得了,我決不會叫他跟我戀愛。"伊莉莎白,你這話可就不鄭重其事啦。"請原諒。讓我重新講講看。目前我可並沒有愛上韋翰先生;我的確沒有。不過在我所看見的人當中,他的確是最可愛的一個,任誰也比不上他;如果他真會愛上我──我相信他還是不要愛上我的好。我看出了這件事很莽撞。噢!達西先生那麼可惡!父親這樣器重我,真是我最大的榮幸,我要是辜負了他,一定會覺得遺憾。可是我父親對韋翰也有成見。親愛的舅母,總而言之,我決不願意叫你們任何人為了我而不快活;不過,青年人一旦愛上了什麼人,決不會因為暫時沒有錢就肯撒手。要是我也給人家打動了心,我又怎能免俗?甚至我又怎麼知道拒絕他是不是上策?因此,我只能答應你不倉忙從事就是了。我決不會一下子就認為我自己是他最中意的人。我雖然和他來往,可是決不會存這種心思。總而言之,我一定儘力而為。"假如你不讓他來得這麼勤,也許會好些;至少你不必提醒你母親邀他來。"

  伊莉莎白羞怯地笑笑說:"就象我那天做法一樣,的確,最好是不要那樣。可是你也不要以為他是一直來得這麼勤。這個星期倒是為了你才常常請他來的。你知道媽的主意,她總以為想出最聰明的辦法去應付的;我希望這一下你總該滿意了吧。"

  舅母告訴她說,這一下滿意了;伊莉莎白謝謝她好心的指示,於是二人就分別了──在這種問題上給人家出主意而沒受抱怨,這次倒可算一個稀罕的例子。嘉丁納夫婦和吉英剛剛離開了哈德福郡,柯林斯先生就回到哈福德郡去。他住在盧卡斯府上,因此班納特太太不但終於死了心,認為這門親事是免不了的,甚至還幾次三番惡意地說:"但願他們會幸福吧。"星期四就是佳期,盧卡斯小姐星期三到班府上來辭行。當夏綠蒂起身告別的時候,伊莉莎白一方面由於母親那些死樣怪氣的吉利話,使她聽得不好意思,另一方面自己也委實有動無衷,便不由得送她走出房門。下樓梯的時候,夏綠蒂說:我相信你一定會常常給我寫信的,伊麗莎。"這你放心好啦。"我還要你賞個臉。你願意來看看我嗎?"我希望我們能夠常常在哈福德郡見面。"我可能暫時不會離開肯特郡。還是答應我上漢斯福來吧。"

  伊莉莎白雖然預料到這種拜望不會有什麼樂趣,可又沒法推辭。

  夏綠蒂又說:"我的父母三月里要到我那兒去,我希望你跟他們一塊兒來。真的,伊麗莎,我一定象歡迎他們一樣地歡迎你。"

  結好了婚,新郎新娘從教堂門口直接動身往肯特郡去,大家總是照例你一句我一句的要說上多少話。伊莉莎白不久就收到了她朋友的來信,從此她們倆的通信便極其正常,極其頻繁!不過,要象從前一樣地暢所欲言,毫無顧忌,那可辦不到了。伊莉莎白每逢寫信給她,都免不了感覺到過去那種推心置腹的快慰已經成為陳跡;雖說她也下定決心,不要把通信疏懶下來,不過,那與其說是為了目前的友誼,倒不如說是為了過去的交情。她對於夏綠蒂開頭的幾封信都盼望得很迫切,那完全是出於一種好奇心,想要知道夏綠蒂所說的話,處處都和她自己所預料的完全一樣。她的信寫得充滿了愉快的情調,講到一件事總要讚美一句,好象她真有說不盡的快慰。凡是住宅、傢俱、鄰居、道路,樣樣都叫她稱心,咖苔琳夫人待人接物又是那麼友善,那麼親切。她只不過把柯林斯先生所誇耀的漢斯福和羅新斯的面貌,稍許說得委婉一些罷了;伊莉莎白覺得,一定要等到親自去那兒拜訪,才能了解底蘊。

  吉英早已來了一封短簡給伊莉莎白,信上說,她已經平安抵達倫敦;伊莉莎白希望她下次來信能夠講一些有關彬格萊家的事。

  第二封信真等得她焦急,可是總算沒有白等。信上說,她已經進城一個星期,既沒有看見珈羅琳,也沒有收到珈羅琳的信。她只得認為她上次從浪搏恩給珈羅琳的那封信,一定是在路上失落了。

  她接下去寫:"明天舅母要上那個地區去,我想趁這個機會到格魯斯汶納街去登門拜訪一下。"

  吉英拜訪過彬格萊小姐並且和她見過面以後,又寫了一封信來。她寫道:"我覺得珈羅琳精神不大好,可是她見到我卻很高興,而且怪我這次到倫敦來為什麼事先不通知她一下。我果然沒有猜錯,我上次給她那封信,她真的沒有收到。我當然問起她們的兄弟。據說他近況很好,不過同達西先生過從太密,以致姐妹兄弟很少機會見面。我這一次拜望的時間並不太久,因為珈羅琳和赫斯脫太太都要出去。也許她們馬上就會上我這兒來看我。"

  伊莉莎白讀著這封信,不由得搖頭。她相信除非有什麼偶然的機會,彬格萊先生決不會知道吉英來到了倫敦。

  四個星期過去了,吉英還沒有見到彬格萊先生的影子。她竭力寬慰自己說,她並沒有因此而覺得難受;可是彬格萊小姐的冷淡無情,她到底看明白了。她每天上午都在家裡等彬格萊小姐,一直白等了兩個星期,每天晚上都替彬格萊小姐編造一個藉口,最後那位貴客才算上門來了,可是只待了片刻工夫便告辭而去,而且她的態度也前後判若兩人,吉英覺得再不能自己騙自己了。她把這一次的情形寫了封信告訴她妹妹,從這封信里可以看出她當時的心情:──

  我最最親愛的麗萃妹妹:現在我不得不承認,彬格萊小姐對我的關注完全是騙我的。我相信你的見解比我高明,而且你看到我傷心,還會引為得意。親愛的妹妹,雖然如今事實已經證明你的看法是對的,可是,我如果從她過去的態度來看,我依舊認為,我對她的信任以及你對她的懷疑,同樣都是合情合理,請你不要以為我固執。我到現在還不明白她從前為什麼要跟我要好;如果再有同樣的情況發生,我相信我還會受到欺騙。珈羅琳一直到昨天才來看我,她未來以前不曾給我片紙隻字的訊息,既來之後又顯出十分不樂意的樣子。她只是照例敷衍了我一句,說是沒有早日來看我,很是抱歉,此外根本就沒有提起她想要再見見我的話。她在種種方面都前後判若兩人,因此,當她臨走的時候,我就下定決心和她斷絕來往,雖說我禁不住要怪她,可是我又可憐她。只怪她當初不該對我另眼看待;我可以問心無愧地說,我和她交情都是由她主動一步一步進展起來的。可是我可憐她,因為她一定會感覺到自己做錯了,我斷定她所以採取這種態度,完全是由於為她哥哥擔心的緣故。我用不著為自己再解釋下去了。雖然我們知道這種擔心完全不必要,不過,倘若她當真這樣擔心,那就足以說明她為什麼要這樣對待我了。既然他確實值得他妹妹珍惜,那麼,不管她替他擔的是什麼憂,那也是合情合理,親切可喜。不過,我簡直不懂她現在還要有什麼顧慮,要是他當真有心於我,我們早就會見面了。聽她口氣,我肯定他是知道我在倫敦的;然而從她談話的態度看來,就好象她拿穩他是真的傾心於達西小姐似的。這真使我弄不明白。要是我大膽地下一句刻薄的斷語,我真忍不住要說,其中一定大有蹊蹺。可是我一定會竭力打消一切苦痛的念頭,只去想一些能使我高興的事DD譬如想想你的親切以及親愛的舅父母對我始終如一的關切。希望很快就收到你的信。彬格萊小姐說起他再也不會回到尼日斐花園來,說他打算放棄那幢房子,可是說得並不怎麼肯定。我們最好不必再提起這件事。你從漢斯福我們那些朋友那兒聽到了許多令人愉快的事,這使我很高興。請你跟威廉爵士和瑪麗亞一塊兒去看看他們吧。我相信你在那裡一定會過得很舒適的。──你的???

  這封信使伊莉莎白感到有些難受;不過,一想到吉英從此不會再受到他們的欺矇,至少不會再受到那個妹妹的欺矇,她又高興起來了。她現在已經放棄了對那位兄弟的一切期望。她甚至根本不希望他再來重修舊好。她越想越看不起他;她倒真的希望他早日跟達西先生的妹妹結婚,因為照韋翰說來,那位小姐往後一定會叫他後悔,悔當初不該把本來的意中人丟了,這一方面算是給他一種懲罰,另方面也可能有利於吉英。

  大約就在這時候,嘉丁納太太把上次伊莉莎白答應過怎樣對待韋翰的事,又向伊莉莎白提醒了一下,並且問起最近的情況如何;伊莉莎白回信上所說的話,雖然自己頗不滿意,可是舅母聽了卻很滿意。原來他對她顯著的好感已經消失,他對她的殷勤也已經過去──他愛上了別人了。伊莉莎白很留心地看出了這一切,可是她雖然看出了這一切,在信上也寫到這一切,卻並沒有感到什麼痛苦,她只不過稍許有些感觸。她想,如果她有些財產,早就成為他唯一的意中人了──想到這裡,她的虛榮心也就得到了滿足。拿他現在所傾倒的那位姑娘來說,她的最顯著的魅力就是使他可以獲得一萬金鎊的意外鉅款;可是伊莉莎白對自己這件事,也許不如上次對夏綠蒂的事那麼看得清楚,因此並沒有因為他追求物質享受而怨怪他。她反而以為這是再自然不過的事;她也想像到他遺棄她一定頗費躊躇,可又覺得這對於雙方都是一種既聰明而又理想的辦法,並且誠心誠意地祝他幸福。她把這一切都對嘉丁納太太說了。述了這些事以後,她接下去這樣寫道:"親愛的舅母,我現在深深相信,我根本沒有怎樣愛他,假如我當真有了這種純潔而崇高的感情,那我現在一聽到他的名字都會覺得討厭,而且巴不得他倒盡了霉。可是我情緒上不僅對他沒有一些芥蒂,甚至對金小姐也毫無成見。我根本不覺得恨她,並且極其願意把她看作一個很好的姑娘。這樁事完全算不上戀愛。我的小心提防並不是枉然的;要是我狂戀著他,親友們就一定會把我看作一個更有趣的話柄了,我決不因為人家不十分器重我而竟會感到遺憾。太受人器重有時候需要付出很大的代價。吉蒂和麗迪雅對他的缺點計較得比我厲害。她們在人情世故方面還幼稚得很,還不懂得這樣一個有失體統的信條:美少年和凡夫俗子一樣,也得不飯吃,有衣穿。"
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 樓主| Adelyn 發表於 2006-4-13 11:27 | 只看該作者
Chapter 27

WITH no greater events than these in the Longbourn family, and otherwise diversified by little beyond the walks to Meryton, sometimes dirty and sometimes cold, did January and February pass away. March was to take Elizabeth to Hunsford. She had not at first thought very seriously of going thither; but Charlotte, she soon found, was depending on the plan, and she gradually learned to consider it herself with greater pleasure as well as greater certainty. Absence had increased her desire of seeing Charlotte again, and weakened her disgust of Mr. Collins. There was novelty in the scheme; and as, with such a mother and such uncompanionable sisters, home could not be faultless, a little change was not unwelcome for its own sake. The journey would moreover give her a peep at Jane; and, in short, as the time drew near, she would have been very sorry for any delay. Every thing, however, went on smoothly, and was finally settled according to Charlotte's first sketch. She was to accompany Sir William and his second daughter. The improvement of spending a night in London was added in time, and the plan became perfect as plan could be.
The only pain was in leaving her father, who would certainly miss her, and who, when it came to the point, so little liked her going that he told her to write to him, and almost promised to answer her letter.
The farewell between herself and Mr. Wickham was perfectly friendly; on his side even more. His present pursuit could not make him forget that Elizabeth had been the first to excite and to deserve his attention, the first to listen and to pity, the first to be admired; and in his manner of bidding her adieu, wishing her every enjoyment, reminding her of what she was to expect in Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and trusting their opinion of her -- their opinion of every body -- would always coincide, there was a solicitude, an interest which she felt must ever attach her to him with a most sincere regard; and she parted from him convinced that, whether married or single, he must always be her model of the amiable and pleasing.
Her fellow-travellers the next day were not of a kind to make her think him less agreeable. Sir William Lucas and his daughter Maria, a good humoured girl, but as empty-headed as himself, had nothing to say that could be worth hearing, and were listened to with about as much delight as the rattle of the chaise. Elizabeth loved absurdities, but she had known Sir William's too long. He could tell her nothing new of the wonders of his presentation and knighthood; and his civilities were worn out like his information.
It was a journey of only twenty-four miles, and they began it so early as to be in Gracechurch-street by noon. As they drove to Mr. Gardiner's door, Jane was at a drawing-room window watching their arrival; when they entered the passage she was there to welcome them, and Elizabeth, looking earnestly in her face, was pleased to see it healthful and lovely as ever. On the stairs were a troop of little boys and girls, whose eagerness for their cousin's appearance would not allow them to wait in the drawing-room, and whose shyness, as they had not seen her for a twelvemonth, prevented their coming lower. All was joy and kindness. The day passed most pleasantly away; the morning in bustle and shopping, and the evening at one of the theatres.
Elizabeth then contrived to sit by her aunt. Their first subject was her sister; and she was more grieved than astonished to hear, in reply to her minute enquiries, that though Jane always struggled to support her spirits, there were periods of dejection. It was reasonable, however, to hope that they would not continue long. Mrs. Gardiner gave her the particulars also of Miss Bingley's visit in Gracechurch-street, and repeated conversations occurring at different times between Jane and herself, which proved that the former had, from her heart, given up the acquaintance.
Mrs. Gardiner then rallied her niece on Wickham's desertion, and complimented her on bearing it so well.
"But, my dear Elizabeth," she added, "what sort of girl is Miss King? I should be sorry to think our friend mercenary."
"ray, my dear aunt, what is the difference in matrimonial affairs, between the mercenary and the prudent motive? Where does discretion end, and avarice begin? Last Christmas you were  of his marrying me, because it would be imprudent; and now, because he is trying to get a girl with only ten thousand pounds, you want to find out that he is mercenary."
"If you will only tell me what sort of girl Miss King is, I shall know what to think."
"She is a very good kind of girl, I believe. I know no harm of her."
"But he paid her not the smallest attention, till her grandfather's death made her mistress of this fortune."
"No -- why should he? If it was not allowable for him to gain my affections, because I had no money, what occasion could there be for making love to a girl whom he did not care about, and who was equally poor?"
"But there seems indelicacy in directing his attentions towards her, so soon after this event."
"A man in distressed circumstances has not time for all those elegant decorums which other people may observe. If she does not object to it, why should we?"
"Her not objecting, does not justify him. It only shews her being deficient in something herself -- sense or feeling."
"Well," cried Elizabeth, "have it as you choose. He shall be mercenary, and she shall be foolish."
"No, Lizzy, that is what I do not choose. I should be sorry, you know, to think ill of a young man who has lived so long in Derbyshire."
"Oh! if that is all, I have a very poor opinion of young men who live in Derbyshire; and their intimate friends who live in Hertfordshire are not much better. I am sick of them all. Thank Heaven! I am going to-morrow where I shall find a man who has not one agreeable quality, who has neither manner nor sense to recommend him. Stupid men are the only ones worth knowing, after all."
"Take care, Lizzy; that speech savours strongly of disappointment."
Before they were separated by the conclusion of the play, she had the unexpected happiness of an invitation to accompany her uncle and aunt in a tour of pleasure which they proposed taking in the summer.
"We have not quite determined how far it shall carry us," said Mrs. Gardiner, "but perhaps to the Lakes."
No scheme could have been more agreeable to Elizabeth, and her acceptance of the invitation was most ready and grateful. "My dear, dear aunt," she rapturously cried, "what delight! what felicity! You give me fresh life and vigour. Adieu to disappointment and spleen. What are men to rocks and mountains? Oh! what hours of transport we shall spend! And when we do return, it shall not be like other travellers, without being able to give one accurate idea of any thing. We will know where we have gone -- we will recollect what we have seen. Lakes, mountains, and rivers shall not be jumbled together in our imaginations; nor, when we attempt to describe any particular scene, will we begin quarrelling about its relative situation. Let our first effusions be less insupportable than those of the generality of travellers."
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 樓主| Adelyn 發表於 2006-4-13 11:27 | 只看該作者
  第 27 章

  浪搏恩這家人家除了這些事以外,再沒有別的大事;除了到麥里屯去散散步以外,再沒有別的消遣。時而雨水濘途、時而風寒刺骨的正月和二月,就這樣過去了。三月里伊莉莎白要上漢斯福去。開頭她並不是真想去;可是她立刻想到夏綠蒂對於原來的約定寄予了很大的期望,於是她也就帶著比較樂意和比較肯定的心情來考慮這個問題了。離別促進了她想夏綠蒂重逢的願望,也消除了她對柯林斯先生的厭惡。這個計劃多少總有它新奇的地方;再說,家裡有了這樣的母親和這樣幾位不能融洽的妹妹,自難完美無缺,換換環境也好。趁著旅行的機會也可去看看吉英;總之,時日迫近了,她反而有些等不及了。她在一切都進行得很順利,最後依舊照了夏綠蒂原先的意思,跟威廉爵士和他的第二個女兒一塊兒去作一次客。以後這計劃又補充了一下,決定在倫敦住一夜,這一來可真是個十全十美的計劃了。

  只有和父親離別使她感到痛苦,父親一定會記掛她。說起來,他根本就不願意讓她去,既是事情已經決定,只得叫她常常寫信給他,而且幾乎答應親自給她回信。

  她跟韋翰先生告別時,雙方都十分客氣,韋翰比她還要客氣。他目前雖然在追求別人,卻並沒有因此就忘了伊莉莎白是第一個引起他注目的人,第一個值得他注目的人,第一個聽他傾訴衷情,第一個可憐他,第一個搏得了他愛慕的人;他向她告別,祝她萬事如意,又對她說了一遍德?包爾夫人是很好的一個人,他相信他們倆對那位老夫人的評價,對每一個人的評價,一定完全吻合。他說這話的時候,顯得很是熱誠,很是關切,這種盛情一定會使她對他永遠懷著極其深摯的好感。他們分手以後,她更相信不管他結婚也罷,單身也罷,他在她的心目中將會始終是一個極其和藹可親而又討人喜歡的人。

  第二天和她同路的那些人,也並沒有使韋翰在她心目中相形見絀。威廉爵士簡直說不出一句中聽的話,他那位女兒瑪麗亞雖然脾氣很好,腦子卻象她父親一樣空洞,也說不出一句中聽的話。聽他們父女倆說話,就好象聽到車輛的轆轆聲一樣無聊。伊莉莎白本來愛聽無稽之談,不過威廉爵士那一套她實在聽得膩了。他談來談去總不外乎覲見皇上以及榮膺爵士頭銜之類的奇聞,翻不出什麼新花樣來;他那一套禮貌舉止,也象他的出言吐語一樣,已經陳腐不堪。

  這段旅程不過二十四英里路,他們啟程很早,為的是要在正午趕到天恩寺街。他們走近嘉丁納先生的大門時,吉英正在會客室的視窗望著他們。他們走近過道時,吉英正等在那兒接他們,伊莉莎白真摯地仔細望了望吉英的臉,只見那張臉蛋兒還是象往常一樣地健康美麗,她覺得很高興。男男女女的孩子們為了急於要見到表奶,在客廳里等不及,又因為一年沒見面,不好意思下樓去,便都待在樓梯口。到處是一片歡樂與和善的氣氛。這一天真過得極其愉快;上午亂鬨哄地忙做一團,又要出去買東西;晚上上戲院去看戲。

  伊莉莎白在舅母身旁坐下來。她們倆首先就談到她姐姐。她仔仔細細問了許多話,舅母回答她說,吉英雖然竭力提著精神,還免不了有意氣消沉的時候,她聽了並不十分詫異,卻很憂鬱。她在這種意氣消沉的現象還會繼續多久。嘉丁納太太也跟伊莉莎白談起彬格萊小姐過訪天恩寺街的一切情形,又把吉英跟她好幾次的談話重述了一遍給她聽,這些話足以說明吉英的確打算再不和彬格萊小姐來往了。

  嘉丁納太太然後又談起韋翰遺棄伊莉莎白的話,把她外甥女笑話了一番,同時又讚美她的忍耐功夫。

  她接著又說:"可是,親愛的伊莉莎白,金小姐是怎麼樣的一個姑娘?我可不願意把我們的朋友看作是一個見不得錢的人啊。"請問你,親愛的舅母,拿婚姻問題來講,見錢眼紅與動機正當究竟有什麼不同?做到什麼地步為止就算知禮,打哪兒起就要算是貪心?去年耶誕節你還生怕我跟他結婚,怕的是不鄭重其事,而現在呢,他要去跟一個只不過有一萬鎊財產的姑娘結婚,你就要說他見不得錢啦。"只要你告訴我,金小姐是怎麼樣一個姑娘,我就知道該怎麼說話了。"我相信她是個好姑娘。我說不出她有什麼壞處。"可是韋翰本來完全不把她放在眼睛里,為什麼她祖父一去世,她做了這筆家產的主人,他就會看上了她呢?:"沒有的事,他為什麼要那樣?要是說,他不願意跟我相愛,就是因為我沒有錢,那麼,他一向不關心的一個姑娘,一個同樣窮的姑娘,他又有什麼理由要去跟她談戀愛呢?"不過,她家裡一發生這件變故,他就去向她獻殷勤,這未免不象話吧。"一個處境困難的人,不會象一般人那樣有閑,去注意這些繁文縟節。只要她不反對,我們為什麼要反對?"她不反對,並不說明他就做得對。那隻不過說明了她本身有什麼缺陷,不是見識方面有缺陷,就是感覺方面有缺陷。"哦,"伊莉莎白叫道:"你愛怎麼說就怎麼說吧,說他貪財也好,說她傻也好。"不麗萃,我才不這麼說呢。你知道,在德比郡住了這麼久的一個青年,我是不忍心說他壞話的。"噢,要是光光就憑這點理由,我才看不起那些住在德比郡的青年人呢,他們住在哈福德郡的那批知已朋友們,也好不了多少。他們全都叫我討厭。謝謝老天爺!明天我就要到一個地方去,我將要在那兒見到一個一無可取的人,他無論在風度方面,在見解方面,都不見長。說到頭來,只有那些傻瓜值得你去跟他們來來往往。"當心些,麗萃;這種話未免說得太消沉了些。"

  她們看完了戲,剛要分手的時候,舅父母又邀請她參加他們的夏季旅行,這真是一種意外的快樂。

  嘉丁納太太說:"至於究竟到什麼地方去,我們還沒有十分決定,也許到湖區去。"

  對伊莉莎白說來,隨便什麼計劃也不會比這個計劃更中她的意了,她毫不猶豫地接受了這個邀請,而且非常感激。"我的好舅母,親舅母,"她歡天喜地叫了起來,"多高興,多幸福!你給了我新的生命和活力。我再也不沮喪和憂鬱了。人比起高山大石來,算得了什麼?我們將要度過一些多麼快樂的時日啊!等到我們回來的時候,一定不會象一般遊人那樣,什麼都是浮光驚影。我們一定會知道到過什麼地方DD我們看見過的東西一定會記得住。湖泊山川決不會在我們腦子裡亂七八糟地混做一團;我們要談到某一處風景的時候,決不會連位置也弄不明白,彼此爭論不休。但願我們一回來述起遊蹤浪跡的時候,不要象一般旅客那樣陳腔濫調,叫人聽不入耳。"
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 樓主| Adelyn 發表於 2006-4-13 11:28 | 只看該作者
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 樓主| Adelyn 發表於 2006-4-13 11:28 | 只看該作者
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 樓主| Adelyn 發表於 2006-4-13 11:29 | 只看該作者
Chapter 28

EVERY object in the next day's journey was new and interesting to Elizabeth; and her spirits were in a state for enjoyment; for she had seen her sister looking so well as to banish all fear for her health, and the prospect of her northern tour was a constant source of delight.
When they left the high-road for the lane to Hunsford, every eye was in search of the Parsonage, and every turning expected to bring it in view. The palings of Rosings Park was their boundary on one side. Elizabeth smiled at the recollection of all that she had heard of its inhabitants.
At length the Parsonage was discernable. The garden sloping to the road, the house standing in it, the green pales and the laurel hedge, everything declared that they were arriving. Mr. Collins and Charlotte appeared at the door, and the carriage stopped at a small gate, which led by a short gravel walk to the house, amidst the nods and smiles of the whole party. In a moment they were all out of the chaise, rejoicing at the sight of each other. Mrs. Collins welcomed her friend with the liveliest pleasure, and Elizabeth was more and more satisfied with coming, when she found herself so affectionately received. She saw instantly that her cousin's manners were not altered by his marriage; his formal civility was just what it had been, and he detained her some minutes at the gate to hear and satisfy his enquiries after all her family. They were then, with no other delay than his pointing out the neatness of the entrance, taken into the house; and as soon as they were in the parlour, he welcomed them a second time with ostentatious formality to his humble abode, and punctually repeated all his wife's offers of refreshment.
Elizabeth was prepared to see him in his glory; and she could not help fancying that in displaying the good proportion of the room, its aspect and its furniture, he addressed himself particularly to her, as if wishing to make her feel what she had lost in refusing him. But though every thing seemed neat and comfortable, she was not able to gratify him by any sigh of repentance; and rather looked with wonder at her friend that she could have so cheerful an air, with such a companion. When Mr. Collins said any thing of which his wife might reasonably be ashamed, which certainly was not unseldom, she involuntarily turned her eye on Charlotte. Once or twice she could discern a faint blush; but in general Charlotte wisely did not hear. After sitting long enough to admire every article of furniture in the room, from the sideboard to the fender, to give an account of their journey, and of all that had happened in London, Mr. Collins invited them to take a stroll in the garden, which was large and well laid out, and to the cultivation of which he attended himself. To work in his garden was one of his most respectable pleasures; and Elizabeth admired the command of countenance with which Charlotte talked of the healthfulness of the excercise, and owned she encouraged it as much as possible. Here, leading the way through every walk and cross walk, and scarcely allowing them an interval to utter the praises he asked for, every view was pointed out with a minuteness which left beauty entirely behind. He could number the fields in every direction, and could tell how many trees there were in the most distant clump. But of all the views which his garden, or which the country, or the kingdom could boast, none were to be compared with the prospect of Rosings, afforded by an opening in the trees that bordered the park nearly opposite the front of his house. It was a handsome modern building, well situated on rising ground.
From his garden, Mr. Collins would have led them round his two meadows, but the ladies, not having shoes to encounter the remains of a white frost, turned back; and while Sir William accompanied him, Charlotte took her sister and friend over the house, extremely well pleased, probably, to have the opportunity of shewing it without her husband's help. It was rather small, but well built and convenient; and everything was fitted up and arranged with a neatness and consistency of which Elizabeth gave Charlotte all the credit. When Mr. Collins could be forgotten, there was really a great air of comfort throughout, and by Charlotte's evident enjoyment of it, Elizabeth supposed he must be often forgotten. She had already learnt that Lady Catherine was still in the country. It was spoken of again while they were at dinner, when Mr. Collins joining in, observed,
"Yes, Miss Elizabeth, you will have the honour of seeing Lady Catherine de Bourgh on the ensuing Sunday at church, and I need not say you will be delighted with her. She is all affability and condescension, and I doubt not but you will be honoured with some portion of her notice when service is over. I have scarcely any hesitation in saying that she will include you and my sister Maria in every invitation with which she honours us during your stay here. Her behaviour to my dear Charlotte is charming. We dine at Rosings twice every week, and are never allowed to walk home. Her ladyship's carriage is regularly ordered for us. I should say, one of her ladyship's carriages, for she has several."
"Lady Catherine is a very respectable, sensible woman indeed," added Charlotte, "and a most attentive neighbour."
"Very true, my dear, that is exactly what I say. She is the sort of woman whom one cannot regard with too much deference."
The evening was spent chiefly in talking over Hertfordshire news, and telling again what had been already written; and when it closed, Elizabeth, in the solitude of her chamber, had to meditate upon Charlotte's degree of contentment, to understand her address in guiding, and composure in bearing with her husband, and to acknowledge that it was all done very well. She had also to anticipate how her visit would pass, the quiet tenor of their usual employments, the vexatious interruptions of Mr. Collins, and the gaieties of their intercourse with Rosings. A lively imagination soon settled it all. About the middle of the next day, as she was in her room getting ready for a walk, a sudden noise below seemed to speak the whole house in confusion; and after listening a moment, she heard somebody running up stairs in a violent hurry, and calling loudly after her. She opened the door, and met Maria in the landing place, who, breathless with agitation, cried out,
"Oh, my dear Eliza! pray make haste and come into the dining-room, for there is such a sight to be seen! I will not tell you what it is. Make haste, and come down this moment."
Elizabeth asked questions in vain; Maria would tell her nothing more, and down they ran into the dining-room, which fronted the lane, in quest of this wonder; it was two ladies stopping in a low phaeton at the garden gate.
"And is this all?" cried Elizabeth. "I expected at least that the pigs were got into the garden, and here is nothing but Lady Catherine and her daughter!"
"La! my dear," said Maria quite shocked at the mistake, "it is not Lady Catherine. The old lady is Mrs. Jenkinson, who lives with them. The other is Miss De Bourgh. Only look at her. She is quite a little creature. Who would have thought she could be so thin and small!"
"She is abominably rude to keep Charlotte out of doors in all this wind. Why does she not come in?"
"Oh! Charlotte says, she hardly ever does. It is the greatest of favours when Miss De Bourgh comes in."
"I like her appearance," said Elizabeth, struck with other ideas. "She looks sickly and cross. -- Yes, she will do for him very well. She will make him a very proper wife."
Mr. Collins and Charlotte were both standing at the gate in conversation with the ladies; and Sir William, to Elizabeth's high diversion, was stationed in the doorway, in earnest contemplation of the greatness before him, and constantly bowing whenever Miss De Bourgh looked that way.
At length there was nothing more to be said; the ladies drove on, and the others returned into the house. Mr. Collins no sooner saw the two girls than he began to congratulate them on their good fortune, which Charlotte explained by letting them know that the whole party was asked to dine at Rosings the next day.
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 樓主| Adelyn 發表於 2006-4-13 11:29 | 只看該作者
  第 28 章

  第二天旅途上的每一樣事物,伊莉莎白都感到新鮮有趣;她精神很愉快,因為看到姐姐氣色那麼好,可以不用再為她的健康擔心,加上一想到去北方的旅行,她就越發高興。當他們離開了大路,走上一條通往漢斯福的小徑時,每一隻眼睛都在尋找著那幢牧師住宅;每拐一個彎,都以為就要看到那幢房子。他們沿著羅新斯花園的柵欄往前走。伊莉莎白一想到外界所傳聞的那家人家和種種情形,不禁好笑。

  終於看到那幢牧師住宅了。大路斜對面的花園、花園裡的房子、綠的柵欄、以及桂樹圍籬DD每一樣東西好象都在宣布他們的來到。柯林斯先生和夏綠蒂走到門口來了。在賓主頻頻點頭脈脈微笑中,客人們在一道小門跟前停下了車,從這裡穿過一條短短的鵝卵石鋪道,便能直達正屋。一剎眼工夫,他們都下了車,賓主相見,無限歡欣。柯林斯簡直手舞足蹈地歡迎自己的朋友,伊莉莎白受到這麼親切的歡迎,就越發滿意於這次的作客了。她立刻看到她表兄並沒有因為結了婚而改變態度,他還是完全和以往一樣地拘泥禮節,在門口耽擱了她好幾分鐘,問候她全家大小的起居安好。聽到她一一回答了之後,他才滿意。於是他就沒有再耽擱他們,只指給他們看看門口是多麼整潔,便把客人們帶進了屋子;等到客人一走進客廳,他又對他們作了第二次的歡迎,極其客氣地說,這次承蒙諸位光臨寒舍,真是不勝榮幸,並且刻不容緩地把他太太送上來的點心重新奉獻了一次。

  伊莉莎白早就料到他會那樣得意非凡,因此當他誇耀那屋子的優美結構、式樣、以及一切陳設的時候,她禁不住想到他是特地講給她聽的,好象要叫她明白,她當初拒絕了他,是多麼大的一個損失。雖說樣樣東西的確都那麼整潔和舒適,她可千萬不能流露出一點點後悔的痕迹來叫他得意;她甚至帶著詫異的目光看看夏綠蒂,她弄不明白夏綠蒂和這樣的一位伴侶相處,為什麼還會那麼高興。柯林斯先生有時竟會說些很不得體的話,叫他自己的太太聽了也不免難為情,而且這類話又說得並不太少,每逢這種場合,伊莉莎白就不由自主地要向夏綠蒂望一眼。夏綠蒂有一兩次被她看得微微臉紅了,不過一般總是很聰明地裝作沒有聽見。大家在屋裡坐了好一會兒,欣賞著每一件傢俱,從食器櫥一直欣賞到壁爐架,又談了談一路上的情況以及倫敦的一切情形,然後柯林斯先生就請他們到花園裡去散散步。花園很大,布置得也很好,一切都是由他親手料理的。他的最高尚的娛樂就是收拾花園。夏綠蒂說,這種操作有益於健康,她儘可能鼓勵他這樣做;她講起這件事的時候,非常鎮定自若,真叫伊莉莎白佩服。他領著他們走遍了花園裡的曲徑小道,看遍了每一處景物,每看一處都得瑣瑣碎碎地講一陣,美不美倒完全不在他心上,看的人即使想要讚美幾句也插不上嘴。他數得出每一個方向有多少田園,連最遠的樹叢里有多少棵樹他也講得出來,可是,不論是他自己花園裡的景物也好,或者是這整個鄉村甚至全國的名勝古迹也好,都萬萬比不上羅新斯花園的景色。羅新斯花園差不多就在他住宅的正對面,四面是樹,從樹林的空隙處可以望見裡面。那是一幢漂亮的控建築,聳立在一片高地上。

  柯林斯先生本來想把他們從花園裡帶去看看兩塊草地,但是太太小姐們的鞋子抵擋不住那殘餘的白霜,於是全都走回去了,只剩下威廉爵士陪伴著他。夏綠蒂陪著自己的妹妹和朋友參觀住宅,這一下她能夠撇開丈夫的幫忙,有機會讓她自己顯顯身手,真是高興極了。房子很小,但是建築結實,使用也很方便;一切都布置得很精巧,安排得很調和,伊莉莎白對夏綠蒂誇獎備至。只要不想起柯林斯先生,便真正有了一種非常美好的氣氛。伊莉莎白看見夏綠蒂那樣得意,便不由得想到她平常一定不把柯林斯先生放在心上。

  伊莉莎白已經打聽到咖苔琳夫人還在鄉下。吃飯的時候又談起了這樁事,當時柯林斯先生立即插嘴說:正是,伊莉莎白小姐,星期日晚上你就可以有榮幸在教學里見到咖苔琳?德?包爾夫人,你一定會喜歡她的。她為人極其謙和,絲毫沒有架子,我相信那天做完禮拜之後,你就會很榮幸地受到她的注目。我可以毫無猶豫地說,只要你待在這兒,每逢她賞臉請我們作客的時候,總少不了要請你和我的小姨子瑪麗亞。她對待我親愛的夏綠蒂真是好極了。我們每星期去羅新斯吃兩次飯,她老人家從來沒有哪一次讓我們步行回家,總是打發自己的馬車送我們──我應該說,是打發她老人家的某一部馬車,因為她有好幾部車子呢。"

  夏綠蒂又說:"咖苔琳夫人的確是個道貌岸然、通達情理的女人,而且是位極其殷勤的鄰居。"說得很對,親愛的,你真說到我心上去了。象她這樣一位夫人,你無論對她怎樣尊敬,依舊會感到有些欠缺。"

  這一晚主要就談論哈福德郡的新聞,又把以前信上所說的話重新再提一遍。大家散了以後,伊莉莎白孤單單地在房間里,不由得默默想起了夏綠蒂對於現狀究竟滿意到什麼程度,駕御丈夫的手腕巧妙到什麼程度,容忍丈夫的肚量又大到什麼程度。她不由得承認,一切都安排得非常好。她又去想像著這次作客的時間將如何度過,無非是:平淡安靜的日常起居,柯林斯先生那種惹人討厭的插嘴打貧,再加上跟羅新斯的應酬來往等。她那豐富的想像力馬上解決了整個問題。

  大約在第二天響午的時候,她正在房間里準備出去散散步,忽聽得樓下一陣喧嘩,馬上這整個住宅里的人好象都慌亂了起來;一會兒工夫,只聽得有人急急忙忙奔上樓來,大聲叫她。她開了門,在樓梯口遇見了瑪麗亞,只見她激動得氣都喘不過來,嚷道:噢,親愛的伊麗莎呀,請你趕快到餐室里去,那兒有了不起的場面值得看呢!我可不告訴你是怎麼回事。趕快呀,馬上下樓來。"

  伊莉莎白一遍遍問,也問不出一個究竟來;瑪麗亞多一句也不肯跟她說;於是她們倆便奔進那間面臨著大路的餐室,去探奇尋勝。原來來了兩位女客,乘著一輛低低的四輪馬車,停在花園門口。

  伊莉莎白連忙嚷道:"就是這麼回事嗎?我還以為是豬玀闖進了花園呢,原來只不過是咖苔琳夫人母女倆。"

  瑪麗亞聽她說錯了,不禁大吃一驚:"噍你,親愛的,那不是咖苔琳夫人。那位老夫人是姜金生太太,她跟她們住在一起的;另外一位是德?包爾小姐。你且瞧瞧她那副模樣兒吧。她真是個非常纖小的人兒。誰會想到她會這麼單薄,這麼小!"她真是太沒有禮貌,風這樣大,卻讓夏綠蒂待在門外。她為什麼不進來?"噢,夏綠蒂說,她真難得進來。德?包爾小姐要是進來一次,那可真是天大的面子。"她那副模樣兒真夠人瞧的,"伊莉莎白一面說,一面又突然起了別的種種念頭。她看上去身體不好,脾氣又壞。她配他真是再好不過呢。她做他的太太極其相稱。"

  柯林斯先生和夏綠蒂都站在門口跟那位女客談話。伊莉莎白覺得最好笑的是,威廉爵士正必恭必敬地站在門口,虔誠地瞻仰著面前的蔚然大觀,每當德?包爾小姐朝著他這邊望的時候,他總是一鞠躬。

  後來他們的話全說完了,兩位女客驅車而去,別人都回到屋裡。柯林斯一看到兩位小姐,就恭賀她們走了鴻運;夏綠蒂把他的意思解釋給她們聽,原來羅新斯明天又要請他們全體去吃飯了。
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 樓主| Adelyn 發表於 2006-4-13 11:30 | 只看該作者
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 樓主| Adelyn 發表於 2006-4-13 11:30 | 只看該作者
Chapter 29

MR. Collins's triumph in consequence of this invitation was complete. The power of displaying the grandeur of his patroness to his wondering visitors, and of letting them see her civility towards himself and his wife, was exactly what he had wished for; and that an opportunity of doing it should be given so soon was such an instance of Lady Catherine's condescension as he knew not how to admire enough.
"I confess," said he, "that I should not have been at all surprised by her Ladyship's asking us on Sunday to drink tea and spend the evening at Rosings. I rather expected, from my knowledge of her affability, that it would happen. But who could have foreseen such an attention as this? Who could have imagined that we should receive an invitation to dine there (an invitation moreover including the whole party) so immediately after your arrival!"
"I am the less surprised at what has happened," replied Sir William, "from that knowledge of what the manners of the great really are, which my situation in life has allowed me to acquire. About the Court, such instances of elegant breeding are not uncommon."
Scarcely any thing was talked of the whole day, or next morning, but their visit to Rosings. Mr. Collins was carefully instructing them in what they were to expect, that the sight of such rooms, so many servants, and so splendid a dinner might not wholly overpower them.
When the ladies were separating for the toilette, he said to Elizabeth,
"Do not make yourself uneasy, my dear cousin, about your apparel. Lady Catherine is far from requiring that elegance of dress in us, which becomes herself and daughter. I would advise you merely to put on whatever of your clothes is superior to the rest, there is no occasion for any thing more. Lady Catherine will not think the worse of you for being simply dressed. She likes to have the distinction of rank preserved."
While they were dressing, he came two or three times to their different doors, to recommend their being quick, as Lady Catherine very much objected to be kept waiting for her dinner. -- Such formidable accounts of her ladyship, and her manner of living, quite frightened Maria Lucas, who had been little used to company, and she looked forward to her introduction at Rosings with as much apprehension, as her father had done to his presentation at St. James's.
As the weather was fine, they had a pleasant walk of about half a mile across the park. -- Every park has its beauty and its prospects; and Elizabeth saw much to be pleased with, though she could not be in such raptures as Mr. Collins expected the scene to inspire, and was but slightly affected by his enumeration of the windows in front of the house, and his relation of what the glazing altogether had originally cost Sir Lewis De Bourgh.
When they ascended the steps to the hall, Maria's alarm was every moment increasing, and even Sir William did not look perfectly calm. -- Elizabeth's courage did not fail her. She had heard nothing of Lady Catherine that spoke her awful from any extraordinary talents or miraculous virtue, and the mere stateliness of money and rank she thought she could witness without trepidation.
From the entrance hall, of which Mr. Collins pointed out, with a rapturous air, the fine proportion and finished ornaments, they followed the servants through an ante-chamber, to the room where Lady Catherine, her daughter, and Mrs. Jenkinson were sitting. -- Her ladyship, with great condescension, arose to receive them; and as Mrs. Collins had settled it with her husband that the office of introduction should be her's, it was performed in a proper manner, without any of those apologies and thanks which he would have thought necessary.
In spite of having been at St. James's, Sir William was so completely awed by the grandeur surrounding him, that he had but just courage enough to make a very low bow, and take his seat without saying a word; and his daughter, frightened almost out of her senses, sat on the edge of her chair, not knowing which way to look. Elizabeth found herself quite equal to the scene, and could observe the three ladies before her composedly. -- Lady Catherine was a tall, large woman, with strongly-marked features, which might once have been handsome. Her air was not conciliating, nor was her manner of receiving them such as to make her visitors forget their inferior rank. She was not rendered formidable by silence; but whatever she said was spoken in so authoritative a tone as marked her self-importance, and brought Mr. Wickham immediately to Elizabeth's mind; and from the observation of the day altogether, she believed Lady Catherine to be exactly what he had represented.
When, after examining the mother, in whose countenance and deportment she soon found some resemblance of Mr. Darcy, she turned her eyes on the daughter, she could almost have joined in Maria's astonishment at her being so thin, and so small. There was neither in figure nor face any likeness between the ladies. Miss De Bourgh was pale and sickly; her features, though not plain, were insignificant; and she spoke very little, except in a low voice to Mrs. Jenkinson, in whose appearance there was nothing remarkable, and who was entirely engaged in listening to what she said, and placing a screen in the proper direction before her eyes.
After sitting a few minutes, they were all sent to one of the windows to admire the view, Mr. Collins attending them to point out its beauties, and Lady Catherine kindly informing them that it was much better worth looking at in the summer.
The dinner was exceedingly handsome, and there were all the servants, and all the articles of plate which Mr. Collins had promised; and, as he had likewise foretold, he took his seat at the bottom of the table, by her ladyship's desire, and looked as if he felt that life could furnish nothing greater. -- He carved, and ate, and praised with delighted alacrity; and every dish was commended, first by him, and then by Sir William, who was now enough recovered to echo whatever his son in law said, in a manner which Elizabeth wondered Lady Catherine could bear. But Lady Catherine seemed gratified by their excessive admiration, and gave most gracious smiles, especially when any dish on the table proved a novelty to them. The party did not supply much conversation. Elizabeth was ready to speak whenever there was an opening, but she was seated between Charlotte and Miss De Bourgh -- the former of whom was engaged in listening to Lady Catherine, and the latter said not a word to her all dinner time. Mrs. Jenkinson was chiefly employed in watching how little Miss De Bourgh ate, pressing her to try some other dish, and fearing she were indisposed. Maria thought speaking out of the question, and the gentlemen did nothing but eat and admire.
When the ladies returned to the drawing room, there was little to be done but to hear Lady Catherine talk, which she did without any intermission till coffee came in, delivering her opinion on every subject in so decisive a manner as proved that she was not used to have her judgment controverted. She enquired into Charlotte's domestic concerns familiarly and minutely, and gave her a great deal of advice as to the management of them all; told her how every thing ought to be regulated in so small a family as her's, and instructed her as to the care of her cows and her poultry. Elizabeth found that nothing was beneath this great lady's attention, which could furnish her with an occasion of dictating to others. In the intervals of her discourse with Mrs. Collins, she addressed a variety of questions to Maria and Elizabeth, but especially to the latter, of whose connections she knew the least, and who, she observed to Mrs. Collins, was a very genteel, pretty kind of girl. She asked her at different times, how many sisters she had, whether they were older or younger than herself, whether any of them were likely to be married, whether they were handsome, where they had been educated, what carriage her father kept, and what had been her mother's maiden name? -- Elizabeth felt all the impertinence of her questions, but answered them very composedly. -- Lady Catherine then observed,
"Your father's estate is entailed on Mr. Collins, I think. For your sake," turning to Charlotte, "I am glad of it; but otherwise I see no occasion for entailing estates from the female line. -- It was not thought necessary in Sir Lewis de Bourgh's family. -- Do you play and sing, Miss Bennet?"
"A little."
"Oh! then -- some time or other we shall be happy to hear you. Our instrument is a capital one, probably superior to -- You shall try it some day. -- Do your sisters play and sing?"
"One of them does."
"Why did not you all learn? -- You ought all to have learned. The Miss Webbs all play, and their father has not so good an income as your's. -- Do you draw?"
"No, not at all."
"What, none of you?"
"Not one."
"That is very strange. But I suppose you had no opportunity. Your mother should have taken you to town every spring for the benefit of masters."
"My mother would have had no objection, but my father hates London."
"Has your governess left you?"
"We never had any governess."
"No governess! How was that possible? Five daughters brought up at home without a governess! -- I never heard of such a thing. Your mother must have been quite a slave to your education."
Elizabeth could hardly help smiling, as she assured her that had not been the case.
"Then, who taught you? who attended to you? Without a governess you must have been neglected."
"Compared with some families, I believe we were; but such of us as wished to learn, never wanted the means. We were always encouraged to read, and had all the masters that were necessary. Those who chose to be idle, certainly might."
"Aye, no doubt; but that is what a governess will prevent, and if I had known your mother, I should have advised her most strenuously to engage one. I always say that nothing is to be done in education without steady and regular instruction, and nobody but a governess can give it. It is wonderful how many families I have been the means of supplying in that way. I am always glad to get a young person well placed out. Four nieces of Mrs. Jenkinson are most delightfully situated through my means; and it was but the other day that I recommended another young person, who was merely accidentally mentioned to me, and the family are quite delighted with her. Mrs. Collins, did I tell you of Lady Metcalfe's calling yesterday to thank me? She finds Miss Pope a treasure. "Lady Catherine," said she, "you have given me a treasure." Are any of your younger sisters out, Miss Bennet?"
"Yes, Ma'am, all."
"All! -- What, all five out at once? Very odd! -- And you only the second. -- The younger ones out before the elder are married! -- Your younger sisters must be very young?"
"Yes, my youngest is not sixteen. Perhaps she is full young to be much in company. But really, Ma'am, I think it would be very hard upon younger sisters, that they should not have their share of society and amusement because the elder may not have the means or inclination to marry early. -- The last born has as good a right to the pleasures of youth, as the first. And to be kept back on such a motive! -- I think it would not be very likely to promote sisterly affection or delicacy of mind."
"Upon my word," said her ladyship, "you give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person. -- Pray, what is your age?"
"With three younger sisters grown up," replied Elizabeth smiling, "your Ladyship can hardly expect me to own it."
Lady Catherine seemed quite astonished at not receiving a direct answer; and Elizabeth suspected herself to be the first creature who had ever dared to trifle with so much dignified impertinence!
"You cannot be more than twenty, I am sure, -- therefore you need not conceal your age."
"I am not one and twenty."
When the gentlemen had joined them, and tea was over, the card tables were placed. Lady Catherine, Sir William, and Mr. and Mrs. Collins sat down to quadrille; and as Miss De Bourgh chose to play at cassino, the two girls had the honour of assisting Mrs. Jenkinson to make up her party. Their table was superlatively stupid. Scarcely a syllable was uttered that did not relate to the game, except when Mrs. Jenkinson expressed her fears of Miss De Bourgh's being too hot or too cold, or having too much or too little light. A great deal more passed at the other table, Lady Catherine was generally speaking -- stating the mistakes of the three others, or relating some anecdote of herself. Mr. Collins was employed in agreeing to every thing her Ladyship said, thanking her for every fish he won, and apologising if he thought he won too many. Sir William did not say much. He was storing his memory with anecdotes and noble names.
When Lady Catherine and her daughter had played as long as they chose, the tables were broke up, the carriage was offered to Mrs. Collins, gratefully accepted, and immediately ordered. The party then gathered round the fire to hear Lady Catherine determine what weather they were to have on the morrow. From these instructions they were summoned by the arrival of the coach, and with many speeches of thankfulness on Mr. Collins's side, and as many bows on Sir William's, they departed. As soon as they had driven from the door, Elizabeth was called on by her cousin to give her opinion of all that she had seen at Rosings, which, for Charlotte's sake, she made more favourable than it really was. But her commendation, though costing her some trouble, could by no means satisfy Mr. Collins, and he was very soon obliged to take her ladyship's praise into his own hands.
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倍可親智囊會員(十八級)

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 樓主| Adelyn 發表於 2006-4-13 11:31 | 只看該作者
  第 29 章

  羅新斯這一次請客,真使得柯林斯先生感到百分之百地得意。他本來一心要讓這些好奇的賓客們去風光一下他那女施主的堂皇氣派,看看老夫人對待他們夫婦倆多麼禮貌周全。他竟會這麼快就得到了如願以償的機會,這件事大足以說明咖苔琳夫人的禮賢下士,使得他不知如何景仰是好。說老實話,"他說,"她老人家邀請我們星期日去吃茶點,在羅新斯消磨一個下午,我一點兒也不覺得意外。她一貫為人殷勤,我倒以為她真要這樣招待一番的,可是誰料想到會象這次這樣情意隆重?誰會想到你們剛剛到這裡在,就被請到那邊去吃飯(而且全體都請到了)?"

  威廉爵士說:"剛才的事我倒不怎麼覺得稀奇,大人物的為人處世實在都是如此,象我這樣有身份的人,就見識得很多。在顯宦貴族們當中,這類風雅好客的事不足為奇。"

  這一整天和第二天上午,簡直只談到去羅新斯的事。柯林斯先生預先仔仔細細地一樣樣告訴他們,到那邊去將要看到什麼東西,免得他們看到了那樣宏偉的屋子,那樣眾多的僕從,那樣豐盛的菜肴,會造成臨時慌亂,手足失措。

  當娘兒們正要各自去打扮的時候,他又對伊莉莎白說:不要為衣裝擔心思,親愛的表妹。咖苔琳夫人才不會要我們穿得華麗呢,這隻有她自己和她的女兒才配。我勸你只要在你自己的衣服裡面,揀一件出色的穿上就行,不必過於講究。珈苔琳夫人決不會因為你衣裝樸素就瞧你不起。她喜歡各人守著自己的本份,分得出一個高低。"

  娘兒們整裝的時候,他又到各個人的房門口去了兩三次,勸她們快一點,因為咖苔琳夫人請人吃飯最恨客人遲到。瑪麗亞?盧卡斯聽說她老人家的為人處事這樣可怕,不由得嚇了一跳,因為她一向不大會應酬。她一想起要到羅新斯去拜望,就誠惶誠恐,正如她父親當年進宮覲見一樣。

  天朗氣清,他們穿過花園,作了一次差不多半英里的愉快的散步。一家家的花園都各有美妙,伊莉莎白縱目觀賞,心曠神怡,可是並不如柯林斯先生所預期的那樣,會被眼前的景色陶醉得樂而忘形。儘管他數著屋前一扇扇窗戶說,光是這些玻璃,當初曾一共花了劉威斯?德?包爾爵士多大一筆錢,她可並不為這些話動心。

  他們踏上台階走進穿堂的時候,瑪麗亞一分鐘比一分鐘來得惶恐,連威廉爵士也不能完全保持鎮定。倒是伊莉莎白不畏縮。無論是論才論德,她都沒有聽到咖苔琳夫人有什麼了不起的地方足以引起她敬畏,光憑著有錢有勢,還不會叫她見到了就膽戰心驚。

  進了穿堂,柯林斯先生就帶著一副喜極欲狂的神氣,指出這屋子的堂皇富麗,然後由傭人們帶著客人走過前廳,來到咖苔琳夫人母女和姜金生太太的起坐間。夫人極其謙和地站起身來迎接他們。根據柯林斯太太事先跟她丈夫商量好的辦法,當場由太太出面替賓主介紹,因此介紹得很得體,凡是柯林斯先生認為必不可少的那些道歉和感激的話,都一概免了。

  威廉爵士雖說當年也曾進宮覲見過皇上,可是看到四周圍這般的富貴氣派,也不禁完全給嚇住了,只得彎腰一躬,一聲不響,坐了下來;再說他的女兒,簡直嚇得喪魂失魄一般,兀自坐在椅子邊上,眼睛也不知道往哪裡看才好。伊莉莎白倒是完全安然自若,而且從容不迫地細細瞧著那三位女主人。咖苔琳夫人是位高大的婦人,五官清楚,也許年輕時很好看。她的樣子並不十分客氣,接待賓客的態度也不能使賓客忘卻自己身份的低微。她嚇人的地方倒不是默不作聲,而是她出言吐語時聲調總是那麼高高在上,自命不凡,這叫伊莉莎白立刻想起了韋翰先生的話。經過這一整天的察言觀色之後,她覺得咖苔琳夫人的為人,果然和韋翰所形容的完全一樣。

  她仔細打量了她一眼,立刻就發覺她的容貌有些象達西先生,然後她就把目光轉到她的女兒身上,見她女兒長得那麼單薄,那麼瘦小,這使她幾乎和瑪麗亞一樣感到驚奇。母女二人無論體態面貌,都沒有相似之處。德?包爾小姐臉色蒼白、滿面病容,五官雖然長得不算難看,可是並不起眼;她不大說話,除非是低聲跟姜金生太太嘀咕幾句。姜金生太太的相貌沒有一點特出的地方,她只是全神貫注地聽著小姐說話,並且擋在她面前,不讓人家把她看得太清楚。

  坐了幾分鐘以後,客人們都被打發到視窗去欣賞外面的風景。柯林斯先生陪著他們,一處處指給他們看,咖苔琳夫人和善地告訴他們說,到了夏天還要好看。酒席果然特別體面,待候的僕從以及盛酒菜的器皿,也跟柯林斯先生所形容過的一模一樣,而且正如他事先所料到的那樣,夫人果然吩咐他坐在末席,看他那副神氣,好象人生沒有比這更得意的事了。他邊切邊吃,又興緻淋漓地讚不絕口;每一道菜都由他先來誇獎,然後由威廉爵士加以吹噓,原來威廉爵士現在已經完全消除了驚恐,可以做他女婿的應聲蟲了。伊莉莎白看到那種樣子,不禁擔心咖苔琳夫人怎麼受得了。可是咖苔琳夫人對這些過分的讚揚好象倒非常滿意,總是顯露出仁慈的微笑,尤其是端上一道客人們沒見過的菜到桌上來的時候,她便格外得意。賓主們都沒有什麼可談的,伊莉莎白卻只要別人開個頭,總還有話可說,可惜她坐的地方不對頭,一邊是夏綠蒂,她正在用心聽咖苔琳夫人談話;另一邊是德?包爾小姐,整個吃飯時間不跟她說一句話。姜金生太太主要在注意德?包爾小姐,她看到小姐東西吃得太少,便逼著她吃了這樣再吃那樣,又怕她不受用。瑪麗亞根本不想講話,男客們只顧一邊吃一邊讚美。

  女客們回到會客室以後,只是聽咖苔琳夫人談話。夫人滔滔不絕地一直談到咖啡端上來為止,隨便談到哪一樁事,她總是那麼斬釘截鐵、不許別人反對的樣子。她毫不客氣地仔細問著夏綠蒂的家常,又給她提供了一大堆關於料理家務的意見。她告訴夏綠蒂說,象她這樣的一個小家庭,一切事情都應該精密安排,又指教她如何照料母牛和家禽。伊莉莎白髮覺這位貴婦人只要有機會支配別人,隨便怎麼小的事情也決不肯輕易放過。夫人同柯林斯太太談話的時候,也間或向瑪麗亞和伊莉莎白問幾句話,特別向伊莉莎白問得多。她不大清楚伊莉莎白和她們是什麼關係,不過她對柯林斯太太說,她是個很斯文、很標緻的姑娘。她好幾次問伊莉莎白有幾個姐妹,她們比她大還是比她小,她們中間有沒有哪一個已經結婚,她們長得好看不好看,在哪裡讀書,她們的父親有什麼樣的馬車,她母親的娘家姓什麼。伊莉莎白覺得她這些話問得唐突,不過還是心平氣和地回答了她。於是咖苔琳夫人說:你父親的財產得由柯林斯先生繼承吧,我想?"──說到這裡,她又掉過頭來對夏綠蒂說:"為你著想,我倒覺得高興;否則我實在看不出有什麼理由不讓自己的女兒們來繼承財產,卻要給別人。劉威斯?德?包爾家裡就覺得沒有這樣做的必要。──你會彈琴唱歌嗎,班納特小姐?"略知一二。"噢,幾時我們倒想要聽一聽。我們的琴非常好,說不定比──你哪一天來試一試看吧。你的姐妹們會彈琴唱歌嗎?"有一個會。"為什麼不大家都學呢?你們應該個個都學。魏伯家的小姐們就個個都會,她們父親的收入還比不上你們父親呢。你們會畫嗎?"不,一點兒不會。"怎麼說,一個也不會嗎?"沒有一個會。"這倒很稀奇。我猜想你們是沒有機會學吧。你們的母親應該每年春天帶你們上城裡來投投名師才對。"我媽是不會反對的,可是我父親厭惡倫敦。"你們的女家庭教師走了嗎?"我們從來就沒有請過女家庭教師。"沒有女家庭教師!那怎麼行?家裡教養著五個姑娘,卻不請個女家庭教師!我從來沒聽到過這樣的事!你媽簡直是做奴隸似的教育你們啦。"

  伊莉莎白禁不住笑起來了,一面告訴她說,事實並不是那樣。那麼誰教導你們呢?誰服待你們呢?沒有一個女家庭老師,你們不就是沒人照管了嗎?"同別的一些人家比較起來,我們家裡待我們算是比較懈怠;可是姐妹們中間,凡是好學的,決不會沒有辦法。家裡經常鼓勵我們好好讀書,必要的教師我們都有。誰要是存心偷懶,當然也可以。"那是毫無疑問的;不過,女家庭教師的任務也就是為了防止這種事情;要是我認識你們的母親,我一定要竭力勸她請一位。我總以為缺少了按部就班的指導,教育就不會有任何成績,而按部就班的指導就只有女家庭教師辦得到。說起來也怪有意思,多少人家都是由我介紹女家庭教師的。我一貫喜歡讓一個年輕人得到很好的安插。姜金生太太的四個侄女兒都由我給她們介紹了稱心如意的位置;就在前幾天,我又推薦了一個姑娘,她不過是人家偶然在我面前提起的,那家人家對她非常滿意。──柯林斯太太,我有沒有告訴過你,麥特卡爾夫人昨天來謝我?她覺得蒲白小姐真是件珍寶呢。她跟我說:'咖苔琳夫人,你給了我一件珍寶。'──你的妹妹們有沒有哪一個已經出來交際了,班納特小姐?"有,太太,全都出來交際了。"全都出來交際了!什麼,五個姐妹同時出來交際?真奇怪!你不過是第二個!姐姐還沒有嫁人,妹妹就出來交際了!你的妹妹們一定還很小吧?"是的;最小的一個才十六歲。或許她還太小,不適宜多交朋友。不過,太太,要是因為姐姐們無法早嫁,或是不想早嫁,做妹妹的就不能有社交和娛樂,那實在太苦了她們。最小的和最大的同樣有消受青春的權利。怎麼能為了這樣的原由,就叫她們死守在家裡!我以為那樣做就不可能促進姐妹之間的情感,也不可能養成溫柔的性格。"真想不到,"夫人說,"你這麼小的一個人,倒這樣有主見。請問你幾歲啦?"我已經有了三個成人的妹妹,"伊莉莎白笑著說。"你老人家總不會再要我招出年紀來了吧。"

  咖苔琳夫人沒有得到直截了當的回答,顯得很驚奇;伊莉莎白覺得敢於和這種沒有禮貌的富貴太太開玩笑,恐怕要推她自己為第一個人。你不會超過二十歲,所以你也不必瞞年紀。"我不到二十一歲。"

  等到喝過茶,男客們都到她們這邊來了,便擺起牌桌來。咖苔琳夫人、威廉爵士和柯林斯夫婦坐下來打"誇錐";德?包爾小姐要玩"卡西諾",因此兩位姑娘就很榮幸地幫著姜金生太太給她湊足了人數。她們這一桌真是枯燥無味,除了姜金生太太問問德?包爾小姐是否覺得太冷或太熱,是否感到燈光太強或太弱以外,就沒有一句話不是說到打牌方面的。另外一桌可就有聲有色得多了。咖苔琳夫人差不多一直都在講話,不是指出另外三個人的錯處,就是講些自己的趣聞軼事。她老人家說一句,柯林斯先生就附和一句,他贏一次要謝她一次,如果贏得太多,還得向她道歉。威廉爵士不大說話,只顧把一樁樁軼事和一個個高貴的名字裝進腦子裡去。

  等到咖苔琳夫人母女倆玩得不想再玩的時候,兩桌牌桌就散場了,打發馬車送柯林斯太太回去,柯林斯太太很感激地接受了,於是馬上叫人去套車。大家又圍著火爐,聽咖苔琳夫人斷定明天的天氣怎麼樣。等到馬車來了,叫他們上車,他們方始停止受訓。柯林斯先生說了多少感激的話,威廉爵士鞠了多少躬,大家方才告別。馬車一走出門口,柯林斯就要求伊莉莎白髮表她對於羅新斯的感想,她看在夏綠蒂面上,便勉強敷衍了他幾句。她雖然勉為其難地說出了一大篇好話,卻完全不能叫柯林斯先生滿意,柯林斯沒有辦法,只得立刻親自開口,把老夫人大大重新讚揚了一番。
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 樓主| Adelyn 發表於 2006-4-13 11:32 | 只看該作者
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 樓主| Adelyn 發表於 2006-4-13 11:33 | 只看該作者
Chapter 30

SIR WILLIAM staid only a week at Hunsford; but his visit was long enough to convince him of his daughter's being most comfortably settled, and of her possessing such a husband and such a neighbour as were not often met with. While Sir William was with them, Mr. Collins devoted his mornings to driving him out in his gig and shewing him the country; but when he went away, the whole family returned to their usual employments, and Elizabeth was thankful to find that they did not see more of her cousin by the alteration, for the chief of the time between breakfast and dinner was now passed by him either at work in the garden, or in reading and writing, and looking out of window in his own book room, which fronted the road. The room in which the ladies sat was backwards. Elizabeth at first had rather wondered that Charlotte should not prefer the dining parlour for common use; it was a better sized room, and had a pleasanter aspect; but she soon saw that her friend had an excellent reason for what she did, for Mr. Collins would undoubtedly have been much less in his own apartment, had they sat in one equally lively; and she gave Charlotte credit for the arrangement.
From the drawing room they could distinguish nothing in the lane, and were indebted to Mr. Collins for the knowledge of what carriages went along, and how often especially Miss De Bourgh drove by in her phaeton, which he never failed coming to inform them of, though it happened almost every day. She not unfrequently stopped at the Parsonage, and had a few minutes' conversation with Charlotte, but was scarcely ever prevailed on to get out.
Very few days passed in which Mr. Collins did not walk to Rosings, and not many in which his wife did not think it necessary to go likewise; and till Elizabeth recollected that there might be other family livings to be disposed of, she could not understand the sacrifice of so many hours. Now and then, they were honoured with a call from her ladyship, and nothing escaped her observation that was passing in the room during these visits. She examined into their employments, looked at their work, and advised them to do it differently; found fault with the arrangement of the furniture, or detected the housemaid in negligence; and if she accepted any refreshment, seemed to do it only for the sake of finding out that Mrs. Collins's joints of meat were too large for her family.
Elizabeth soon perceived that though this great lady was not in the commission of the peace for the county, she was a most active magistrate in her own parish, the minutest concerns of which were carried to her by Mr. Collins; and whenever any of the cottagers were disposed to be quarrelsome, discontented or too poor, she sallied forth into the village to settle their differences, silence their complaints, and scold them into harmony and plenty.
The entertainment of dining at Rosings was repeated about twice a week; and, allowing for the loss of Sir William, and there being only one card table in the evening, every such entertainment was the counterpart of the first. Their other engagements were few; as the  of living of the neighbourhood in general was beyond the Collinses' reach. This, however, was no evil to Elizabeth, and upon the whole she spent her time comfortably enough; there were half hours of pleasant conversation with Charlotte, and the weather was so fine for the time of year, that she had often great enjoyment out of doors. Her favourite walk, and where she frequently went while the others were calling on Lady Catherine, was along the open grove which edged that side of the park, where there was a nice sheltered path, which no one seemed to value but herself, and where she felt beyond the reach of Lady Catherine's curiosity.
In this quiet way, the first fortnight of her visit soon passed away. Easter was approaching, and the week preceding it was to bring an addition to the family at Rosings, which in so small a circle must be important. Elizabeth had heard, soon after her arrival, that Mr. Darcy was expected there in the course of a few weeks, and though there were not many of her acquaintance whom she did not prefer, his coming would furnish one comparatively new to look at in their Rosings parties, and she might be amused in seeing how hopeless Miss Bingley's designs on him were, by his behaviour to his cousin, for whom he was evidently destined by Lady Catherine; who talked of his coming with the greatest satisfaction, spoke of him in terms of the highest admiration, and seemed almost angry to find that he had already been frequently seen by Miss Lucas and herself.
His arrival was soon known at the Parsonage, for Mr. Collins was walking the whole morning within view of the lodges opening into Hunsford Lane, in order to have the earliest assurance of it; and after making his bow as the carriage turned into the park, hurried home with the great intelligence. On the following morning he hastened to Rosings to pay his respects. There were two nephews of Lady Catherine to require them, for Mr. Darcy had brought with him a Colonel Fitzwilliam, the younger son of his uncle, Lord ----; and to the great surprise of all the party, when Mr. Collins returned, the gentlemen accompanied him. Charlotte had seen them, from her husband's room, crossing the road, and immediately running into the other, told the girls what an honour they might expect, adding,
"I may thank you, Eliza, for this piece of civility. Mr. Darcy would never have come so soon to wait upon me."
Elizabeth had scarcely time to disclaim all right to the compliment, before their approach was announced by the door-bell, and shortly afterwards the three gentlemen entered the room. Colonel Fitzwilliam, who led the way, was about thirty, not handsome, but in person and address most truly the gentleman. Mr. Darcy looked just as he had been used to look in Hertfordshire, paid his compliments, with his usual reserve, to Mrs. Collins; and whatever might be his feelings towards her friend, met her with every appearance of composure. Elizabeth merely curtseyed to him, without saying a word.
Colonel Fitzwilliam entered into conversation directly with the readiness and ease of a well-bred man, and talked very pleasantly; but his cousin, after having addressed a slight observation on the house and garden to Mrs. Collins, sat for some time without speaking to any body. At length, however, his civility was so far awakened as to enquire of Elizabeth after the health of her family. She answered him in the usual way, and after a moment's pause, added,
"My eldest sister has been in town these three months. Have you never happened to see her there?"
She was perfectly sensible that he never had; but she wished to see whether he would betray any consciousness of what had passed between the Bingleys and Jane; and she thought he looked a little confused as he answered that he had never been so fortunate as to meet Miss Bennet. The subject was pursued no farther, and the gentlemen soon afterwards went away.
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 樓主| Adelyn 發表於 2006-4-13 11:33 | 只看該作者
  第 30 章

  威廉爵士在漢斯福只待了一個星期,可是經過了這一次短短的拜訪,他大可以為了:女兒嫁得極其稱心如意,而且有了這樣不可多得的丈夫和難能可貴的鄰居。威謙爵士在這兒作客的時候,柯林斯先生總是每天上午同他乘著雙輪馬車,帶他到郊野去漫遊;他走了以後,家裡又恢復了日常生活。伊莉莎白真要謝天謝地。因為這一次作客,跟她表兄柯林斯朝夕相見的次數並不多。原來他從吃早飯到吃午飯那一段時間裡,不是在收拾花園,就是在自己那間面臨著大路的書房裡看書寫字,憑窗遠眺,而女客的起坐間又在後面那一間。伊莉莎白開頭很奇怪:這裡的餐廳比較大,地位光線也比較好,為什麼夏綠蒂不願意把餐廳兼作起居室?可是她立刻看出了她朋友所以要這樣做,的確非常有理由,因為:假如女客也在一間同樣舒適的起坐間里,那麼柯林斯先生待在自己房間里的時間就要比較少了;她很讚賞夏綠蒂這樣的按排。

  她們從會客室里根本看不見外面大路的情形,幸虧每逢有什麼車輛駛過,柯林斯先生總是要告訴她們;特別是德?包爾小姐常常乘著小馬車駛過,差不多天天駛過,他沒有哪一次不告訴她們的。小姐常在牧師的門前停下車來,跟夏綠蒂閑談幾分鐘,可是主人從來不請她下車。

  柯林斯先生差不多每天要到羅新斯去一趟,他的太太也是隔不了幾天就要去一次。伊莉莎白總以為他們還有些別的應得的俸祿要去處理一下,否則她就不懂得為什麼要犧牲那麼多的時間。有時候夫人也會光臨他們的住宅,來了以後就把屋子裡無論什麼事都看在眼裡。她查問他們的日常生活,察看他們的家務,勸他們換個方式處置;又吹毛求疵地說,他們的傢俱擺得不對,或者是他們的傭人在偷懶;要是她肯在這裡吃點東西,那好象只是為了要看看柯林斯太太是否持家節儉,不濫吃濫用。

  伊莉莎白立刻就發覺,這位貴婦人雖然沒有擔任郡里的司法職使,可是事實上她等於是她自己這個教區里最積極的法官,一點點芝麻大的事都由柯林斯先生報告給她;只要哪一個窮苦人在吵架,鬧意氣,或是窮得活不下去,她問題親自到村裡去調解處理,鎮壓制服,又罵得他們一個個相安無事,不再叫苦嘆窮。

  羅新斯大約每星期要請她們吃一兩次飯;儘管缺少了威廉爵士,而且只有一桌牌,不過每有一次這樣的宴會,都依照第一次如法炮製。他們簡直沒有別的宴會,因為附近一般人家的那種生活派頭,柯林斯還高攀不上。不過伊莉莎白並不覺得遺憾,因為她在這裡大體上是過得夠舒服了:經常和夏綠蒂作半個鐘點的交談,加上這個季節里又是天氣睛朗,可以常常到戶外去舒暢一下。別人去拜訪咖苔琳夫人的時候,她總是愛到花園旁邊那座小林子里去散散步,那兒有一條很美的綠蔭小徑,她覺得那地方只有她一人懂得欣賞,而且到了那兒,也就可以免得惹起咖苔琳夫人的好奇心。

  她開頭兩個星期的作客生涯,就這樣安靜地過去了。復活節快到了,節前一星期,羅新斯府上要添一個客人。在這麼一個小圈子裡,這當然是件大事。伊莉莎白一到那兒,便聽說達西先生最近幾個星期里就要到來,雖然她覺得在她所認識的人裡面,差不多沒有一個象達西這樣討厭,不過他來了卻能給羅新斯的宴會上添一個面貌比較新鮮的人,同時可以從他對他表妹的態度看出彬格萊小姐在他身上的打算要完全落空,那更有趣極了。咖苔琳夫人顯然已經把他安排給他的表妹,一談到他要來,就得意非凡,對他讚美備至,可是一聽說盧卡斯小姐和伊莉莎白早就跟他認識,又時常見面,就幾乎好象生起氣來。

  不久,柯林斯家裡就知道達西來了;因為牧師先生那天整個上午都在漢斯福旁的門房附近走動,以便儘早獲得確鑿的消息;等到馬車駛進花園,他就一鞠躬,連忙跑進屋去報告這重大的新聞。第二天上午,他趕快到羅新斯去拜會。他一共要拜會咖苔琳夫人的兩位姨侄,因為達西先生還帶來了一位費茨威廉上校,是達西舅父(某某爵士)的小兒子。柯林斯先生回家來的時候,把那兩位貴賓也帶來了,大家很是吃驚。夏綠蒂從她丈夫的房間里看到他們一行三人從大路那邊走過來,便立刻奔進另外一個房間,告訴小姐們說,她們馬上就會有貴客降臨,接著又說:伊麗莎,這次貴客光臨,我得感謝你呀。否則達西先生才不會一下子就來拜訪我呢。"

  伊莉莎白聽到這番恭維話,還沒有來得及申辯,門鈴就響了,宣布貴賓光臨。不大一會兒工夫,賓主三人一同走進屋來。帶頭的是費茨威廉上校,大約三十歲左右,人長得不漂亮,可是從儀錶和談吐看來,倒是個地道的紳士。達西先生完全是當初在哈福德郡的那副老樣子,用他往常一貫的矜持態度,向柯林斯太太問好。儘管他對她的朋友伊莉莎白可能另有一種感情,然而見到她的時候,神色卻極其鎮定。伊莉莎白只對他行了個屈膝禮,一句話也沒說。

  費茨威廉上校立刻就跟大家攀談起來,口齒伶俐,象個有教養的人,並且談得頗有風趣;可是他那位表兄,卻只跟柯林斯太太把房子和花園稍許評賞了幾句,就坐那兒沒有跟任何人說話。過了一會兒,他重新想到了禮貌問題,便向伊莉莎白問候她和她全家人的安好。伊莉莎白照例敷衍了他幾句,停了片刻,她又說:我姐姐最近三個月來一直在城裡。你從來沒有碰到過她嗎?"

  其實她明明知道他從來沒有碰到過吉英,只不過為了想要探探他的口氣,看看他是否知道彬格萊一家人和吉英之間的關係。他回答說,不幸從來未曾碰到過班納特小姐,她覺得他回答這話時神色有點慌張。這件事沒有再談下去,兩位貴賓立刻就告辭了。
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 樓主| Adelyn 發表於 2006-4-13 11:34 | 只看該作者
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 樓主| Adelyn 發表於 2006-4-13 11:34 | 只看該作者
Chapter 31

COLONEL Fitzwilliam's manners were very much admired at the parsonage, and the ladies all felt that he must add considerably to the pleasure of their engagements at Rosings. It was some days, however, before they received any invitation thither, for while there were visitors in the house they could not be necessary; and it was not till Easter-day, almost a week after the gentlemen's arrival, that they were honoured by such an attention, and then they were merely asked on leaving church to come there in the evening. For the last week they had seen very little of either Lady Catherine or her daughter. Colonel Fitzwilliam had called at the parsonage more than once during the time, but Mr. Darcy they had only seen at church.
The invitation was accepted of course, and at a proper hour they joined the party in Lady Catherine's drawing room. Her ladyship received them civilly, but it was plain that their company was by no means so acceptable as when she could get nobody else; and she was, in fact, almost engrossed by her nephews, speaking to them, especially to Darcy, much more than to any other person in the room.
Colonel Fitzwilliam seemed really glad to see them; any thing was a welcome relief to him at Rosings; and Mrs. Collins's pretty friend had moreover caught his fancy very much. He now seated himself by her, and talked so agreeably of Kent and Hertfordshire, of travelling and staying at home, of new books and music, that Elizabeth had never been half so well entertained in that room before; and they conversed with so much spirit and flow, as to draw the attention of Lady Catherine herself as well as of Mr. Darcy. His eyes had been soon and repeatedly turned towards them with a look of curiosity; and that her ladyship after a while shared the feeling, was more openly acknowledged, for she did not scruple to call out,
"What is that you are saying, Fitzwilliam? What is it you are talking of? What are you telling Miss Bennet? Let me hear what it is."
"We are speaking of music, Madam," said he, when no longer able to avoid a reply.
"Of music! Then pray speak aloud. It is of all subjects my delight. I must have my share in the conversation, if you are speaking of music. There are few people in England, I suppose, who have more true enjoyment of music than myself, or a better natural taste. If I had ever learnt, I should have been a great proficient. And so would Anne, if her health had allowed her to apply. I am confident that she would have performed delightfully. How does Georgiana get on, Darcy?"
Mr. Darcy spoke with affectionate praise of his sister's proficiency.
"I am very glad to hear such a good account of her," said Lady Catherine; "and pray tell her from me, that she cannot expect to excel, if she does not practise a great deal."
"I assure you, Madam," he replied, "that she does not need such advice. She practises very constantly."
"So much the better. It cannot be done too much; and when I next write to her, I shall charge her not to neglect it on any account. I often tell young ladies, that no excellence in music is to be acquired, without constant practice. I have told Miss Bennet several times, that she will never play really well, unless she practises more; and though Mrs. Collins has no instrument, she is very welcome, as I have often told her, to come to Rosings every day, and play on the piano forte in Mrs. Jenkinson's room. She would be in nobody's way, you know, in that part of the house."
Mr. Darcy looked a little ashamed of his aunt's ill breeding, and made no answer.
When coffee was over, Colonel Fitzwilliam reminded Elizabeth of having promised to play to him; and she sat down directly to the instrument. He drew a chair near her. Lady Catherine listened to half a song, and then talked, as before, to her other nephew; till the latter walked away from her, and moving with his usual deliberation towards the piano forte, stationed himself so as to command a full view of the fair performer's countenance. Elizabeth saw what he was doing, and at the first convenient pause, turned to him with an arch smile, and said,
"You mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy, by coming in all this state to hear me? But I will not be alarmed though your sister does play so well. There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me."
"I shall not say that you are mistaken," he replied, "because you could not really believe me to entertain any design of alarming you; and I have had the pleasure of your acquaintance long enough to know, that you find great enjoyment in occasionally professing opinions which in fact are not your own."
Elizabeth laughed heartily at this picture of herself, and said to Colonel Fitzwilliam, "Your cousin will give you a very pretty notion of me, and teach you not to believe a word I say. I am particularly unlucky in meeting with a person so well able to expose my real character, in a part of the world where I had hoped to pass myself off with some degree of credit. Indeed, Mr. Darcy, it is very ungenerous in you to mention all that you knew to my disadvantage in Hertfordshire -- and, give me leave to say, very impolitic too -- for it is provoking me to retaliate, and such things may come out, as will shock your relations to hear."
"I am not  of you," said he, smilingly.
"ray let me hear what you have to accuse him of," cried Colonel Fitzwilliam. "I should like to know how he behaves among strangers."
"You shall hear then -- but prepare yourself for something very dreadful. The first time of my ever seeing him in Hertfordshire, you must know, was at a ball -- and at this ball, what do you think he did? He danced only four dances! I am sorry to pain you -- but so it was. He danced only four dances, though gentlemen were scarce; and, to my certain knowledge, more than one young lady was sitting down in want of a partner. Mr. Darcy, you cannot deny the fact."
"I had not at that time the honour of knowing any lady in the assembly beyond my own party."
"True; and nobody can ever be introduced in a ball room. Well, Colonel Fitzwilliam, what do I play next? My fingers wait your orders."
"erhaps," said Darcy, "I should have judged better, had I sought an introduction, but I am ill qualified to recommend myself to strangers."
"Shall we ask your cousin the reason of this?" said Elizabeth, still addressing Colonel Fitzwilliam. "Shall we ask him why a man of sense and education, and who has lived in the world, is ill qualified to recommend himself to strangers?"
"I can answer your question," said Fitzwilliam, "without applying to him. It is because he will not give himself the trouble."
"I certainly have not the talent which some people possess," said Darcy, "of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done."
"My fingers," said Elizabeth, "do not move over this instrument in the masterly manner which I see so many women's do. They have not the same force or rapidity, and do not produce the same expression. But then I have always supposed it to be my own fault -- because I would not take the trouble of practising. It is not that I do not believe my fingers as capable as any other woman's of superior execution."
Darcy smiled, and said, "You are perfectly right. You have employed your time much better. No one admitted to the privilege of hearing you, can think any thing wanting. We neither of us perform to strangers."
Here they were interrupted by Lady Catherine, who called out to know what they were talking of. Elizabeth immediately began playing again. Lady Catherine approached, and, after listening for a few minutes, said to Darcy,
"Miss Bennet would not play at all amiss, if she practised more, and could have the advantage of a London master. She has a very good notion of fingering, though her taste is not equal to Anne's. Anne would have been a delightful performer, had her health allowed her to learn."
Elizabeth looked at Darcy to see how cordially he assented to his cousin's praise; but neither at that moment nor at any other could she discern any symptom of love; and from the whole of his behaviour to Miss De Bourgh she derived this comfort for Miss Bingley, that he might have been just as likely to marry her, had she been his relation.
Lady Catherine continued her remarks on Elizabeth's performance, mixing with them many instructions on execution and taste. Elizabeth received them with all the forbearance of civility; and at the request of the gentlemen, remained at the instrument till her ladyship's carriage was ready to take them all home.
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 樓主| Adelyn 發表於 2006-4-13 11:35 | 只看該作者
  第 31 章

  費茨廉的風度大受牧師家裡人的稱道,女眷們都覺得他會使羅新斯宴會平添不少情趣。不過,他們已經有好幾天沒有受到羅新斯那邊的邀請,因為主人家有了客人,用不著他們了;一直到復活節那一天,也就是差不多在這兩位貴賓到達一星期以後,他們才蒙受到被邀請的榮幸,那也不過是大家離開教堂時,主人家當面約定他們下午去玩玩而已。上一個星期他們簡直就沒有見到咖苔琳夫人母女。在這段時間裡,費茨威廉到牧師家來拜望過好多次,但是達西先生卻沒有來過,他們僅僅是在教堂里才見到他。

  他們當然都接受了邀請,準時到達了咖苔琳夫人的會客室。夫人客客氣氣地接待了他們,不過事實很明顯,他們並不象請不到別的客人那樣受歡迎;而且夫人的心幾乎都在兩位姨侄身上,只顧跟他們說話,特別是跟達西說話比跟房間里任何人都說得多。

  倒是費茨廉上校見到他們好象很高興;因為羅新斯的生活實在單調無味,他很想要有點調劑,而且柯林斯太太的這位漂亮朋友更使他十分喜歡。他就坐到她身邊去,那麼有聲有色地談到肯特郡,談到哈福德郡,談到旅行和家居,談到新書和音樂,直談得伊莉莎白感覺到在這個房間里從來沒有受到過這樣的款待;他們倆談得那麼興緻淋漓,連咖苔琳夫人和達西先生也注意起來了。達西的一對眼睛立刻好奇地一遍遍在他們倆身上打溜轉;過了一會兒工夫,夫人也有了同感,而且顯得更露骨,她毫不猶豫地叫道:你們說的什麼?你們在談些什麼?你跟班納特小姐在談些什麼話?說給我聽聽看。"我們談談音樂,姨母,"費茨廉上校迫不得已地回答了一下。談音樂!那麼請你們說得響一些吧。我最喜愛音樂。要是你們談音樂,就得有我的份兒。我想,目前在英國,沒有幾個人能象我一樣真正欣賞音樂,也沒有人比我趣味更高。我要是學了音樂,一定會成為一個名家。安妮要是身體好,也一定會成為一個名家的。我相信也演奏起來,一定動人。喬治安娜,現在學得怎麼樣啦,達西?"

  達西先生極其懇切地把自己妹妹的成就讚揚了一番。聽到她彈得這樣好,我真高興,"咖苔琳夫人說:"請你替我告訴她,要是她不多多練習,那她也好不到哪裡去。"姨母,你放心吧,"達西說,"她用不著你這樣的勸告。她經常在練習。"那就更好。練習總不怕太多,我下次有空寫信給她,一定要囑咐她無論如何不得偷懶。我常常告訴年輕的小姐們說,要想在音樂上出人頭地,就非要經常練習不可。我已經告訴班納特小姐好幾次,除非她再多練習練習,她永遠不會好到哪裡去;我常常對她說,柯林斯太太那裡雖然沒有琴,我卻很歡迎她每天到羅新斯來,在姜金生太太房間里那架鋼琴上彈奏。你知道,在那間房間里,她不會妨礙什麼人的。"

  達西先生看到姨母這種無禮的態度,覺得有些丟臉,因此沒有去理她。

  喝過了咖啡,費茨廉上校提醒伊莉莎白說,她剛剛答應過彈琴給他,於是她馬上坐到琴邊去。他拖過一把椅子來坐在她身旁。咖苔琳夫人聽了半支歌,便象剛才那樣又跟這一位姨侄談起話來,直談得這位姨侄終於避開了她,從容不迫地走到鋼琴跟前站住,以便把演奏者的美麗的面貌看個清楚明白。伊莉莎白看出了他的用意,便趁機住手,回過頭來對他嬌媚地一笑,說道:達西先生,你這樣走過來聽,莫不是想嚇唬我?儘管你妹妹的確演奏得很好,我也不怕。我性子倔強,決不肯讓別人把我嚇倒。人家越是想來嚇倒我,我的膽子就越大。"

  達西說:"我決不會說你講錯了,因為你不會真以為我存心嚇你;好在我認識你很久了,知道你就喜歡說一些並不是你自己心裡想說的話。"

  伊莉莎白聽到人家這樣形容她,便高興地笑了起來,於是對費茨廉說道:"你表兄竟在你面前把我說成一個多糟糕的人,教你對我的話一句也不要相信。我真晦氣,我本來想在這裡騙騙人,叫人相信我多少有些長處,偏偏碰上了一個看得穿我真正性格的人。──真的,達西先生,你把我在哈福德郡的一些倒楣的事兒都一股腦兒說了出來,你這是不厚道的──而且,請允許我冒昧說一句,你這也是不聰明的──因為你這樣做,會引起我的報復心,我也會說出一些事來,叫你的親戚們聽了嚇一跳。"我才不怕你呢,"他微笑地說。

  費茨威廉連忙叫道:"我倒要請你說說看,他有什麼不是。我很想知道他跟陌生人一起的時候,行為怎麼樣。"那麼我就講給你聽吧;我先得請你不要駭怕。你得明白,我第一次在哈福德郡看見他,是在一個舞會上,你知道他在這個跳舞會上做些什麼?他一共只跳了四次舞!我不願意叫你聽了難受,不過事實確是這樣。雖說男客很少,他卻只跳了四次,而且我知道得很清楚,當時在場的女客中間,沒有舞伴而閑坐在一旁的可不止一個人呢──達西先生,你可不能否認有這件事喲。"說來遺憾,當時舞場上除了我自己人以外,一個女客也不認識。"不錯;跳舞場里是不作興請人家介紹女朋友的。──唔,費茨威廉上校,再叫我彈什麼呢?我的手指在等著你吩咐。"

  達西說:"也許我當時最好請人介紹一下,可是我又不配去向陌生人自我推薦。"我們要不要問問你的表兄,這究竟是什麼緣故?"伊莉莎白仍然對著費茨威廉上校說話。"我們要不要問問他,一個有見識、有閱歷、而又受過教育的人,為什麼不配把自己介紹給陌生人?"

  費茨威廉說:"我可以回答你的問題,用不著請教他。那是因為他自己怕麻煩。"

  達西說:"我的確不象人家那樣有本領,遇到向來不認識的人也能任情談笑。我也不會象人家那樣隨聲附和,假意關切。"

  伊莉莎白說:"我談起鋼琴來,手指不象許多婦女那麼有氣派,也不象她們那麼有力和靈活,也沒有她們彈得那麼有表情。我一直認為這是我自己的缺點,是我自己不肯用功練習的緣故。我可不信我的手指不及那些比我彈奏得高明的女人。"

  達西笑了笑說:"你說得完全對。可見你的成績要好得多。凡是有福份聽過你演奏的人,都覺得你毫無欠缺的地方。我們兩人可就不願意在陌生人面前表演。"

  說到這裡,咖苔琳夫人大聲地問他們談些什麼,打斷了他們的話。伊莉莎白立刻重新彈起琴來。咖苔琳夫人走近前來,聽了幾分鐘以後,就對達西說:班納特小姐如果再多練習練習,能夠請一位倫敦名師指點指點,彈起來就不會有毛病了。雖說她的趣味比不上安妮,可是她很懂得指法。安妮要是身體好,能夠學習的話,一定會成為一位令人滿意的演奏者。"

  伊莉莎白望著達西,要看看他聽了夫人對他表妹的這番誇獎,是不是竭誠表示贊同,可是當場和事後都看不出他對她有一絲一毫愛的跡象、從他對待德?包爾小姐的整個態度看來,她不禁替彬格萊小姐感到安慰:要是彬格萊小姐跟達西是親戚的話,達西一定也會跟她結婚。

  咖苔琳夫人繼續對伊莉莎白的演奏發表意見,還給了她許多關於演奏和鑒賞方面的指示。伊莉莎白只得極有忍耐地虛心領教。她聽從了兩位男客的要求,一直坐在鋼琴旁邊,彈到夫人備好了馬車送他們大家回家。
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倍可親智囊會員(十八級)

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 樓主| Adelyn 發表於 2006-4-13 11:35 | 只看該作者
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