《傲慢與偏見》 簡．奧斯汀 (中英對照)

Chapter 43 (part 2)

They were within twenty yards of each other, and so abrupt was his appearance, that it was impossible to avoid his sight. Their eyes instantly met, and the cheeks of each were overspread with the deepest blush. He absolutely started, and for a moment seemed immoveable from surprise; but shortly recovering himself, advanced towards the party, and spoke to Elizabeth, if not in terms of perfect composure, at least of perfect civility.
She had instinctively turned away; but, stopping on his approach, received his compliments with an embarrassment impossible to be overcome. Had his first appearance, or his resemblance to the picture they had just been examining, been insufficient to assure the other two that they now saw Mr. Darcy, the gardener's expression of surprise on beholding his master must immediately have told it. They stood a little aloof while he was talking to their niece, who, astonished and confused, scarcely dared lift her eyes to his face, and knew not what answer she returned to his civil enquiries after her family. Amazed at the alteration in his manner since they last parted, every sentence that he uttered was increasing her embarrassment; and every idea of the impropriety of her being found there recurring to her mind, the few minutes in which they continued together were some of the most uncomfortable of her life. Nor did he seem much more at ease; when he spoke, his accent had none of its usual sedateness; and he repeated his enquiries as to the time of her having left Longbourn, and of her stay in Derbyshire, so often, and in so hurried a way, as plainly spoke the distraction of his thoughts.
At length, every idea seemed to fail him; and, after standing a few moments without saying a word, he suddenly recollected himself, and took leave.
The others then joined her, and expressed their admiration of his figure; but Elizabeth heard not a word, and, wholly engrossed by her own feelings, followed them in silence. She was overpowered by shame and vexation. Her coming there was the most unfortunate, the most ill-judged thing in the world! How strange must it appear to him! In what a disgraceful light might it not strike so vain a man! It might seem as if she had purposely thrown herself in his way again! Oh! why did she come? or, why did he thus come a day before he was expected? Had they been only ten minutes sooner, they should have been beyond the reach of his discrimination, for it was plain that he was that moment arrived, that moment alighted from his horse or his carriage. She blushed again and again over the perverseness of the meeting. And his behaviour, so strikingly altered, -- what could it mean? That he should even speak to her was amazing! -- but to speak with such civility, to enquire after her family! Never in her life had she seen his manners so little dignified, never had he spoken with such gentleness as on this unexpected meeting. What a contrast did it offer to his last address in Rosings Park, when he put his letter into her hand! She knew not what to think, nor how to account for it.
They had now entered a beautiful walk by the side of the water, and every step was bringing forward a nobler fall of ground, or a finer reach of the woods to which they were approaching; but it was some time before Elizabeth was sensible of any of it; and, though she answered mechanically to the repeated appeals of her uncle and aunt, and seemed to direct her eyes to such objects as they pointed out, she distinguished no part of the scene. Her thoughts were all fixed on that one spot of Pemberley House, whichever it might be, where Mr. Darcy then was. She longed to know what at that moment was passing in his mind; in what manner he thought of her, and whether, in defiance of every thing, she was still dear to him. Perhaps he had been civil only because he felt himself at ease; yet there had been that in his voice which was not like ease. Whether he had felt more of pain or of pleasure in seeing her, she could not tell, but he certainly had not seen her with composure.
At length, however, the remarks of her companions on her absence of mind roused her, and she felt the necessity of appearing more like herself.
They entered the woods, and bidding adieu to the river for a while, ascended some of the higher grounds; whence, in spots where the opening of the trees gave the eye power to wander, were many charming views of the valley, the opposite hills, with the long range of woods overspreading many, and occasionally part of the stream. Mr. Gardiner expressed a wish of going round the whole Park, but feared it might be beyond a walk. With a triumphant smile, they were told that it was ten miles round. It settled the matter; and they pursued the accustomed circuit; which brought them again, after some time, in a descent among hanging woods, to the edge of the water, in one of its narrowest parts. They crossed it by a simple bridge, in character with the general air of the scene; it was a spot less adorned than any they had yet visited; and the valley, here contracted into a glen, allowed room only for the stream, and a narrow walk amidst the rough coppice-wood which bordered it. Elizabeth longed to explore its windings; but when they had crossed the bridge, and perceived their distance from the house, Mrs. Gardiner, who was not a great walker, could go no farther, and thought only of returning to the carriage as quickly as possible. Her niece was, therefore, obliged to submit, and they took their way towards the house on the opposite side of the river, in the nearest direction; but their progress was slow, for Mr. Gardiner, though seldom able to indulge the taste, was very fond of fishing, and was so much engaged in watching the occasional appearance of some trout in the water, and talking to the man about them, that he advanced but little. Whilst wandering on in this slow manner, they were again surprised, and Elizabeth's astonishment was quite equal to what it had been at first, by the sight of Mr. Darcy approaching them, and at no great distance. The walk being here less sheltered than on the other side, allowed them to see him before they met. Elizabeth, however astonished, was at least more prepared for an interview than before, and resolved to appear and to speak with calmness, if he really intended to meet them. For a few moments, indeed, she felt that he would probably strike into some other path. This idea lasted while a turning in the walk concealed him from their view; the turning past, he was immediately before them. With a glance she saw that he had lost none of his recent civility; and, to imitate his politeness, she began, as they met, to admire the beauty of the place; but she had not got beyond the words "delightful," and "charming," when some unlucky recollections obtruded, and she fancied that praise of Pemberley from her might be mischievously construed. Her colour changed, and she said no more.
Mrs. Gardiner was standing a little behind; and on her pausing, he asked her if she would do him the honour of introducing him to her friends. This was a stroke of civility for which she was quite unprepared; and she could hardly suppress a smile at his being now seeking the acquaintance of some of those very people against whom his pride had revolted, in his offer to herself. "What will be his surprise," thought she, "when he knows who they are! He takes them now for people of fashion."
The introduction, however, was immediately made; and as she named their relationship to herself, she stole a sly look at him, to see how he bore it; and was not without the expectation of his decamping as fast as he could from such disgraceful companions. That he was surprised by the connexion was evident; he sustained it however with fortitude, and so far from going away, turned back with them, and entered into conversation with Mr. Gardiner. Elizabeth could not but be pleased, could not but triumph. It was consoling that he should know she had some relations for whom there was no need to blush. She listened most attentively to all that passed between them, and gloried in every expression, every sentence of her uncle, which marked his intelligence, his taste, or his good manners.
The conversation soon turned upon fishing, and she heard Mr. Darcy invite him, with the greatest civility, to fish there as often as he chose while he continued in the neighbourhood, offering at the same time to supply him with fishing tackle, and pointing out those parts of the stream where there was usually most sport. Mrs. Gardiner, who was walking arm in arm with Elizabeth, gave her a look expressive of her wonder. Elizabeth said nothing, but it gratified her exceedingly; the compliment must be all for herself. Her astonishment, however, was extreme; and continually was she repeating, "Why is he so altered? From what can it proceed? It cannot be for me, it cannot be for my sake that his manners are thus softened. My reproofs at Hunsford could not work such a change as this. It is impossible that he should still love me."
After walking some time in this way, the two ladies in front, the two gentlemen behind, on resuming their places after descending to the brink of the river for the better inspection of some curious water-plant, there chanced to be a little alteration. It originated in Mrs. Gardiner, who, fatigued by the exercise of the morning, found Elizabeth's arm inadequate to her support, and consequently preferred her husband's. Mr. Darcy took her place by her niece, and they walked on together. After a short silence, the lady first spoke. She wished him to know that she had been assured of his absence before she came to the place, and accordingly began by observing that his arrival had been very unexpected -- "for your housekeeper," she added, "informed us that you would certainly not be here till to-morrow; and indeed, before we left Bakewell we understood that you were not immediately expected in the country." He acknowledged the truth of it all; and said that business with his steward had occasioned his coming forward a few hours before the rest of the party with whom he had been travelling. "They will join me early tomorrow," he continued, "and among them are some who will claim an acquaintance with you, -- Mr. Bingley and his sisters."
Elizabeth answered only by a slight bow. Her thoughts were instantly driven back to the time when Mr. Bingley's name had been last mentioned between them; and if she might judge from his complexion, his mind was not very differently engaged.
"There is also one other person in the party," he continued after a pause, "who more particularly wishes to be known to you, -- Will you allow me, or do I ask too much, to introduce my sister to your acquaintance during your stay at Lambton?"
The surprise of such an application was great indeed; it was too great for her to know in what manner she acceded to it. She immediately felt that whatever desire Miss Darcy might have of being acquainted with her must be the work of her brother, and without looking farther, it was satisfactory; it was gratifying to know that his resentment had not made him think really ill of her.
They now walked on in silence; each of them deep in thought. Elizabeth was not comfortable; that was impossible; but she was flattered and pleased. His wish of introducing his sister to her was a compliment of the highest kind. They soon outstripped the others, and when they had reached the carriage, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were half a quarter of a mile behind.
He then asked her to walk into the house -- but she declared herself not tired, and they stood together on the lawn. At such a time, much might have been said, and silence was very awkward. She wanted to talk, but there seemed an embargo on every subject. At last she recollected that she had been travelling, and they talked of Matlock and Dove Dale with great perseverance. Yet time and her aunt moved slowly -- and her patience and her ideas were nearly worn out before the te^te-a`-te^te was over. On Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner's coming up, they were all pressed to go into the house and take some refreshment; but this was declined, and they parted on each side with the utmost politeness. Mr. Darcy handed the ladies into the carriage, and when it drove off, Elizabeth saw him walking slowly towards the house.
The observations of her uncle and aunt now began; and each of them pronounced him to be infinitely superior to any thing they had expected. "He is perfectly well behaved, polite, and unassuming," said her uncle.
"There is something a little stately in him to be sure," replied her aunt, "but it is confined to his air, and is not unbecoming. I can now say with the housekeeper, that though some people may call him proud, I have seen nothing of it."
"I was never more surprised than by his behaviour to us. It was more than civil; it was really attentive; and there was no necessity for such attention. His acquaintance with Elizabeth was very trifling."
"To be sure, Lizzy," said her aunt, "he is not so handsome as Wickham; or rather he has not Wickham's countenance, for his features are perfectly good. But how came you to tell us that he was so disagreeable?"
Elizabeth excused herself as well as she could; said that she had liked him better when they met in Kent than before, and that she had never seen him so pleasant as this morning.
"But perhaps he may be a little whimsical in his civilities," replied her uncle. "Your great men often are; and therefore I shall not take him at his word about fishing, as he might change his mind another day, and warn me off his grounds."
Elizabeth felt that they had entirely mistaken his character, but said nothing.
"From what we have seen of him," continued Mrs. Gardiner, "I really should not have thought that he could have behaved in so cruel a way by any body, as he has done by poor Wickham. He has not an ill-natured look. On the contrary, there is something pleasing about his mouth when he speaks. And there is something of dignity in his countenance, that would not give one an unfavourable idea of his heart. But to be sure, the good lady who shewed us the house did give him a most flaming character! I could hardly help laughing aloud sometimes. But he is a liberal master, I suppose, and that in the eye of a servant comprehends every virtue."
Elizabeth here felt herself called on to say something in vindication of his behaviour to Wickham; and therefore gave them to understand, in as guarded a manner as she could, that by what she had heard from his relations in Kent, his actions were capable of a very different construction; and that his character was by no means so faulty, nor Wickham's so amiable, as they had been considered in Hertfordshire. In confirmation of this, she related the particulars of all the pecuniary transactions in which they had been connected, without actually naming her authority, but stating it to be such as might be relied on.
Mrs. Gardiner was surprised and concerned; but as they were now approaching the scene of her former pleasures, every idea gave way to the charm of recollection; and she was too much engaged in pointing out to her husband all the interesting spots in its environs to think of any thing else. Fatigued as she had been by the morning's walk, they had no sooner dined than she set off again in quest of her former acquaintance, and the evening was spent in the satisfactions of an intercourse renewed after many years discontinuance.
The occurrences of the day were too full of interest to leave Elizabeth much attention for any of these new friends; and she could do nothing but think, and think with wonder, of Mr. Darcy's civility, and above all, of his wishing her to be acquainted with his sister.

　　第 43 章 (下)

　　他們只相隔二十碼路光景，他這樣突然出現，叫人家簡直來不及躲避。頃刻之間，四隻眼睛碰在一起，兩個人臉上都漲得血紅。只見主人吃驚非凡，竟楞在那兒一動不動，但是他立刻定了一定心，走到他們面前來，跟伊莉莎白說話，語氣之間即使不能算是十分鎮靜，至少十分有禮貌。

　　伊莉莎白早就不由自主地走開了，可是見他既然已經走上前來，她便不得不停住腳步，又窘又羞地接受他的問候。再說舅父母，他們即使一見了他還認不出是他，或是明明看出他和剛才那幅畫像有相似的地方，卻還看不出他就是達西先生，至少看看那個園丁眼見主人歸來而驚奇萬狀的神氣，也應該立刻明白了。舅父母看到他在跟他們的外甥女兒談話，便稍稍站得遠一點。他客客氣氣地問候她家裡人的平安，她卻詫異慌張得不敢抬起眼睛來朝他臉上看一眼，簡直不知道自己回答了他幾句什麼話。他的態度跟他們倆上一次分手的時候完全兩樣，這使她感到驚奇，因此他每說一句話都使她越發覺得窘；她腦子裡左思右想，覺得闖到這兒來被人家發現，真是有失體統，這短短的幾分鐘竟成了她生平最難挨的一段光陰。他也不見得比她從容，說話的聲調也不象往常那麼鎮定。他問她是幾時從浪搏恩出發，在德比郡待了多久，諸如此類的話問了又問，而且問得很是慌張，這足以說明他是怎樣的心神錯亂。

　　最後他好象已經無話可說，默默無言地站了幾分鐘，突然又定了一下心，告辭而去。

　　舅父母這才走到她跟前，說他的儀錶叫他們很是仰慕，伊莉莎白滿懷心事，一個字也沒聽進去，只是默默無言地跟著他們走。她真是說不出的羞愧和懊惱。她這次上這兒來，真是天下最不幸、最失算的事。他會覺得多麼奇怪！以他這樣傲慢的一個人，又會怎樣瞧不起這件事！她這次好象是重新自己送上門來。天哪，她為什麼要來？或者說，他怎麼偏偏就出人意料地早一天趕回家來？他們只要早走十分鐘，就會走得遠遠的叫他看不見了；他顯然是剛巧來到，剛巧跳下馬背或是走出馬車。想起了方才見面時那種彆扭的情形，她臉上不禁紅了又紅。他的態度完全和從前兩樣了……這是怎麼回事呢？他居然還會走上前來跟她說話，光是這一點，就叫人夠驚奇的了；何況他出言吐語，以及問候她家裡人的平安，又是那麼彬彬有禮！這次邂逅而遇，他的態度竟這般謙恭，談吐竟這般柔和，她真是從來也沒有見過。上次他在羅新斯花園裡交給她那封信的時候，他那種措詞跟今天成了怎樣的對比！她不知道如何想法才好，也不知道怎樣去解釋這種情景。

　　他們現在已經走到河邊一條美麗的小徑上，地面逐漸低下去，眼前的風光便越發顯得壯麗，樹林的景色也越發顯得幽雅，他們慢慢地向前走，舅父母沿途一再招呼伊莉莎白欣賞如此這般的景色，伊莉莎白雖然也隨口答應，把眼睛朝著他們指定的方向張望一下，可是她好久都辨別不出一景一物，簡直無心去看。她一心只想著彭伯里大廈的一個角落裡，不管是哪一個角落，只要是達西先生現在待在那兒的地方。她真起知道他這時候在想些什麼，他心目中怎樣看待她，他是否會冒天下之大不韙，依舊對她有好感。他也許只是自以為心頭一無牽掛，所以對她特別客氣，可是聽他說話的聲調，自有一種說不出的意味，又不像是一無牽掛的樣子。她不知道他見了她是痛苦多於快樂，還是快樂多於痛苦，可是看他那副樣子，決不像是心神鎮定。

　　後來舅父母怪她怎麼心不在焉，這才提醒了她，覺得應該裝得象個樣子。

　　他們走進樹林，踏上山坡，跟這一灣溪流暫時告別。從樹林的空隙間望出去，可以看到山谷中各處的景色。對面一座座小山，有些小山上都長滿了整片的樹林，蜿蜒曲折的溪流又不時映入眼帘。嘉丁納先生想在整個園林里兜個圈子，可是又怕走不動。園丁帶著得意的笑容告訴他們說，兜一圈有十英里路呢。這事情只得作罷，他們便沿著平常的途徑東兜西轉，過了好一會兒工夫，才在懸崖上的小林子里下了坡，又來到河邊，這是河道最狹的一部分。他們從一座簡陋的小橋上過了河，只見這座小橋和周圍的景色很是調和。這地方比他們所到過的地方要樸素些。山谷到了這兒也變成了一條小夾道，只能容納這一灣溪流和一條小徑，小徑上灌木夾道，參差不齊。伊莉莎白滿想循著曲徑去探幽尋勝；可是一過了橋，眼見得離開住宅已經那麼遠，不長於走路的嘉丁納太太已經走不動了，一心只想快一些上馬車。外甥女只得依從她，大家便在河對岸抄著近路向住宅那邊走。他們走得很慢，因為嘉丁納先生很喜歡釣魚，平常卻很少能夠過癮，這會兒看見河面上常常有鱒魚出現，便又跟園丁談魚談上了勁，因此時常站著不動。他們就這樣慢慢溜達，不料又吃了一驚，尤其是伊莉莎白，她幾乎詫異得跟剛才完全沒有兩樣。原來他們又看見達西先生向他們這邊走來，而且快要來到跟前了。這一帶的小路不象對岸那樣隱蔽，因此他們隔得很遠便可以看見他。不過伊莉莎白不管怎麼詫異，至少比剛剛那次見面有準備得多，因此她便下定決心；如果他當真要來跟他們碰頭，她便索性放得鎮定些跟他攀談一番。她開頭倒以為他也許會轉到別的一條小道上去。她所以會有這種想法，只因為道兒拐彎的時候，他的身影被遮住了，他們看不見他。可是剛一拐彎，他馬上便出現在他們面前。她偷偷一看，只見他正象剛才一樣，沒有一點兒失禮的地方，於是她也仿效著他那彬彬有禮的樣子，開始讚賞這地方的美麗風光，可是她剛剛開口說了幾聲"動人"、"嫵媚"，心裡又起了一個不愉快的念頭。她想，她這樣讚美彭伯里，不是會叫人家曲解嗎？想到這裡，她不禁又紅了臉，一聲不響。

　　嘉丁納太太站在稍微後面一點；正當伊莉莎白默不作聲的時候，達西卻要求她賞個臉，把她這兩位親友給他介紹一下。他這樣的禮貌周到，真是完全出乎她的意料；想當初他向她求婚的時候，他竟那樣傲慢，看不起她的某些親友，而他現在所要求介紹的卻正是這些親友，相形之下，她簡直忍不住要笑出來。她想："要是他知道了這兩位是什麼樣的人，他不知會怎樣吃驚呢！他現在大概把他們錯看作上流人了。"

　　不過她還是立刻替他介紹了；她一面跟他說明這兩位是她的至親，一面偷偷地瞟了他一眼，看他是不是受得了。她想他也許會撒腿就跑，避開這些丟臉的朋友。他弄明白了他們的親戚關係以後，顯然很吃驚。不過他總算沒給嚇壞，非但不走開，後面陪了他們一塊兒走回去，又跟嘉丁納先生攀談起來。伊莉莎白自然又是高興，又是得意。她可以讓他知道，她也有幾個不丟臉的親戚，這真叫她快慰。她十分留心地聽著他跟嘉丁納先生談話，幸喜他舅父的舉止談吐，處處都足以叫人看出他頗有見識，趣味高尚，風度優雅。他們不久就談到釣魚，她聽見達西先生非常客氣地跟他說，他既然住在鄰近，只要不走，隨時都可以來釣魚，同時又答應借釣具給他，又指給他看，這條河裡通常哪些地方魚最多。嘉丁納太太跟伊莉莎白挽著手走，對她做了個眼色，表示十分驚奇。伊莉莎白沒有說什麼，可是心裡卻得意極了，因為這番殷勤當然都是為了討好她一個人。不過她還是極端詫異；她一遍遍地問自己："他的為人怎麼變得這麼快？這是由於什麼原因？他不見得是為了我，看在我的面上，才把態度放得這樣溫和吧？不見得因為我在漢斯福罵了他一頓，就會使他這樣面目一新吧？我看他不見得還會愛我。"

　　他們就這樣兩個女的在前，兩個男的在後，走了好一會兒。後來為了要仔細欣賞一些稀奇的水草，便各各分開，走到河邊，等到恢復原來位置的時候，前後次序就改變了。原來嘉丁納太太因為一上午走累了，覺得伊莉莎白的臂膀支持不住她的重量，還是挽著自己丈夫走舒服些。於是達西先生便代替了她的位置，和她外甥女兒並排走。兩人先是沉默了一陣，後來還是小姐先開口說話。她想跟他說明一下，這一次他們是事先打聽他不在家然後再到這兒來遊覽的，因為她一開始就談起他這次回來非常出人意料。她接下去說："因為你的管家奶奶告訴我們，你一定要到明天才回來；我們離開巴克威爾以前，就打聽到你不會一下子回到鄉下來。"他承認這一切都是事實，又說，因為要找帳房有事，所以比那批同來的人早來了幾個鐘頭。接著又說："他們明天一大早就會和我見面，他們中間也有你認識的人，彬格萊先生和他的姐妹們都來了。"

　　伊莉莎白只稍微點了一下頭。她立刻回想到他們倆上一次提到彬格萊時的情形；從他的臉色看來，他心裡這時候也在想著上一回的情形。

　　歇了片刻，他又接下去說："這些人裡面，有個人特別想要認識你，那就是舍妹。我想趁你在藍白屯的時候，介紹她跟你認識認識，不知道你是否肯賞臉，是否認為我太冒昧？"

　　這個要求真使她受寵若驚；她不知道應該答應才好。她立刻感覺到，達西小姐所以要認識她，無非是出於他哥哥的慫恿；只要想到這一點，就足夠叫她滿意了。她看到他雖然對她不滿，可是並沒有因此就真的對她懷著惡感，心裡覺得很快慰。

　　他們倆默不作聲地往前走，各人在想各人的心思。伊莉莎白感到不安；這件事太不近情理了；可是她覺得又得意，又高興。他想要把妹妹介紹和她認識，這真是她了不起的面子。他們立刻就走到嘉丁納夫婦前頭去了；當他們走到馬車跟前的時候，嘉丁納夫婦還離開他們好一段路呢。

　　他請她到屋子裡去坐坐，她說並不累，兩個人便一塊兒站在草地上。在這種時候，雙方應當有多少話可以談，不作聲可真不象樣。她想要說話，可是什麼話都想不起來。最後她想起了自己正在旅行，兩個人便大談其馬特洛克和鴿谷的景物。然而時間過得真慢，她舅母也走得真慢，這場知心的密談還沒結束，她卻早已心也慌了，話也完了。嘉丁納夫婦趕上來的時候，達西先生再三請大家一塊兒進屋子裡去休息一下，可是客人們謝絕了，大家極有禮貌地告辭分手。達西先生扶著兩位女客上了車。直到馬車開駛，伊莉莎白還目送他慢慢兒走進屋去。

　　舅父母現在開始評長論短了；夫婦倆都說他的人品比他們所料想的不知要好多少。舅父說："他的舉止十分優雅，禮貌也極其周到，而且絲毫不搭架子。"

　　舅母說："他的確有點兒高高在上的樣子，不過只是風度上稍微有這麼一點兒罷了，並不叫人討厭。現在我真覺得那位管家奶奶的話說得一點不錯：雖然有些人說他傲慢，我可完全看不出來。"

　　"他竟那樣款待我們，真是萬萬料想不到。這不僅是客氣而是真正的殷勤；其實他用不到這樣殷勤，他跟伊莉莎白的交情是很浮淺的。"

　　舅母說："麗萃，他當然比不上韋翰那麼漂亮，或者可以說，他不象韋翰那樣談笑風生，因為他的容貌十分端莊。可是你怎麼會跟我們說他十分討厭呢？"

　　伊莉莎白竭力為自己辨解，她說她那次在肯特郡見他時，就比以前對他有好感，又說，她從來沒有看見過他象今天上午那麼和藹可親。

　　舅父說："不過，他那麼殷勤客氣，也許靠不大住，這些貴人大都如此；他請我常常去釣魚，我也不能信他的話，也許有一天他會改變了主意，不許我進他的莊園。"

　　伊莉莎白覺得他們完全誤解了他的性格，可是並沒說出口來。

　　嘉丁納太太接著說："從我們看到他的一些情形來說，我真想像不出，他竟會那樣狠心地對待可憐的韋翰。這人看上去心地不壞。他說起話來，嘴上的表情倒很討人喜歡。至於他臉上的表情，的確有些尊嚴，不過人家也不會因此就說他心腸不好。只是帶我們去參觀的那個管家奶奶，倒真把他的性格說得天花亂墜。有幾次我幾乎忍不住要笑出聲來。不過，我看他一定是位很慷慨的主人；在一個傭人的眼睛里看來，一切的德性就在於這一點上面。"

　　伊莉莎白聽到這裡，覺得應該替達西說幾句公道話，辨明他並沒有虧待韋翰；她便小心翼翼地把事情的原委說給舅父母聽。她說，據達西在肯特郡的有些親友，他們曾告訴她，他的行為和人家所傳說的情形大有出入，他的為人決不象哈福德郡的人們所想像的那麼荒謬，韋翰的為人也決不象哈福德郡的人們所想像的那麼厚道。為了證實這一點，她又把他們兩人之間銀錢往來上的事情，一五一十地講了出來，雖然沒有指明這話是誰講出來的，可是她斷定這些話很可靠。

　　這番話使嘉丁納太太聽得既感驚奇，又極擔心，只是大家現在已經走到從前她喜愛的那個地方，於是她一切的心思都雲散煙消，完全沉醉在甜蜜的回憶裡面。她把這周圍一切有趣的處所一一指給她丈夫看，根本無心想到別的事上面去。雖然一上午的步行已經使她感到疲倦，可是一吃過飯，她又動身去探訪故友舊交。這一晚過得真有意思，正所謂：連年怨闊別，一朝喜重逢。

　　至於伊莉莎白，白天里所發生的種種事情對她實在太有趣了，她實在沒有心思去結交任何新朋友；她只是一心一意地在想，達西先生今天為什麼那樣禮貌周全，尤其使她詫異的是，他為什麼要把他妹妹介紹給她。

Chapter 44

ELIZABETH had settled it that Mr. Darcy would bring his sister to visit her the very day after her reaching Pemberley; and was consequently resolved not to be out of sight of the inn the whole of that morning. But her conclusion was false; for on the very morning after their own arrival at Lambton, these visitors came. They had been walking about the place with some of their new friends, and were just returned to the inn to dress themselves for dining with the same family, when the sound of a carriage drew them to a window, and they saw a gentleman and lady in a curricle, driving up the street. Elizabeth, immediately recognising the livery, guessed what it meant, and imparted no small degree of surprise to her relations by acquainting them with the honour which she expected. Her uncle and aunt were all amazement; and the embarrassment of her manner as she spoke, joined to the circumstance itself, and many of the circumstances of the preceding day, opened to them a new idea on the business. Nothing had ever suggested it before, but they now felt that there was no other way of accounting for such attentions from such a quarter than by supposing a partiality for their niece. While these newly-born notions were passing in their heads, the perturbation of Elizabeth's feelings was every moment increasing. She was quite amazed at her own discomposure; but amongst other causes of disquiet, she dreaded lest the partiality of the brother should have said too much in her favour; and more than commonly anxious to please, she naturally suspected that every power of pleasing would fail her.
She retreated from the window, fearful of being seen; and as she walked up and down the room, endeavouring to compose herself, saw such looks of enquiring surprise in her uncle and aunt as made every thing worse.
Miss Darcy and her brother appeared, and this formidable introduction took place. With astonishment did Elizabeth see that her new acquaintance was at least as much embarrassed as herself. Since her being at Lambton, she had heard that Miss Darcy was exceedingly proud; but the observation of a very few minutes convinced her that she was only exceedingly shy. She found it difficult to obtain even a word from her beyond a monosyllable.
Miss Darcy was tall, and on a larger scale than Elizabeth; and, though little more than sixteen, her figure was formed, and her appearance womanly and graceful. She was less handsome than her brother, but there was sense and good humour in her face, and her manners were perfectly unassuming and gentle. Elizabeth, who had expected to find in her as acute and unembarrassed an observer as ever Mr. Darcy had been, was much relieved by discerning such different feelings.
They had not been long together before Darcy told her that Bingley was also coming to wait on her; and she had barely time to express her satisfaction, and prepare for such a visitor, when Bingley's quick step was heard on the stairs, and in a moment he entered the room. All Elizabeth's anger against him had been long done away; but, had she still felt any, it could hardly have stood its ground against the unaffected cordiality with which he expressed himself on seeing her again. He enquired in a friendly, though general way, after her family, and looked and spoke with the same good-humoured ease that he had ever done.
To Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner he was scarcely a less interesting personage than to herself. They had long wished to see him. The whole party before them, indeed, excited a lively attention. The suspicions which had just arisen, of Mr. Darcy and their niece, directed their observation towards each with an earnest, though guarded, enquiry; and they soon drew from those enquiries the full conviction that one of them at least knew what it was to love. Of the lady's sensations they remained a little in doubt; but that the gentleman was overflowing with admiration was evident enough.
Elizabeth, on her side, had much to do. She wanted to ascertain the feelings of each of her visitors, she wanted to compose her own, and to make herself agreeable to all; and in the latter object, where she feared most to fail, she was most sure of success, for those to whom she endeavoured to give pleasure were prepossessed in her favour. Bingley was ready, Georgiana was eager, and Darcy determined to be pleased.
In seeing Bingley, her thoughts naturally flew to her sister; and oh! how ardently did she long to know whether any of his were directed in a like manner. Sometimes she could fancy that he talked less than on former occasions, and once or twice pleased herself with the notion that as he looked at her, he was trying to trace a resemblance. But though this might be imaginary, she could not be deceived as to his behaviour to Miss Darcy, who had been set up as a rival of Jane. No look appeared on either side that spoke particular regard. Nothing occurred between them that could justify the hopes of his sister. On this point she was soon satisfied; and two or three little circumstances occurred ere they parted which, in her anxious interpretation, denoted a recollection of Jane not untinctured by tenderness, and a wish of saying more that might lead to the mention of her, had he dared. He observed to her, at a moment when the others were talking together, and in a tone which had something of real regret, that it "was a very long time since he had had the pleasure of seeing her --" and, before she could reply, he added, "It is above eight months. We have not met since the 26th of November, when we were all dancing together at Netherfield."
Elizabeth was pleased to find his memory so exact; and he afterwards took occasion to ask her, when unattended to by any of the rest, whether all her sisters were at Longbourn. There was not much in the question, nor in the preceding remark, but there was a look and manner which gave them meaning.
It was not often that she could turn her eyes on Mr. Darcy himself; but, whenever she did catch a glimpse, she saw an expression of general complaisance, and in all that he said she heard an accent so far removed from hauteur or disdain of his companions, as convinced her that the improvement of manners which she had yesterday witnessed, however temporary its existence might prove, had at least outlived one day. When she saw him thus seeking the acquaintance and courting the good opinion of people, with whom any intercourse a few months ago would have been a disgrace; when she saw him thus civil, not only to herself, but to the very relations whom he had openly disdained, and recollected their last lively scene in Hunsford Parsonage, the difference, the change was so great, and struck so forcibly on her mind, that she could hardly restrain her astonishment from being visible. Never, even in the company of his dear friends at Netherfield, or his dignified relations at Rosings, had she seen him so desirous to please, so free from self-consequence or unbending reserve, as now, when no importance could result from the success of his endeavours, and when even the acquaintance of those to whom his attentions were addressed would draw down the ridicule and censure of the ladies both of Netherfield and Rosings.
Their visitors staid with them above half an hour, and when they arose to depart, Mr. Darcy called on his sister to join him in expressing their wish of seeing Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner and Miss Bennet to dinner at Pemberley before they left the country. Miss Darcy, though with a diffidence which marked her little in the habit of giving invitations, readily obeyed. Mrs. Gardiner looked at her niece, desirous of knowing how she, whom the invitation most concerned, felt disposed as to its acceptance, but Elizabeth had turned away her head. Presuming, however, that this studied avoidance spoke rather a momentary embarrassment, than any dislike of the proposal, and seeing in her husband, who was fond of society, a perfect willingness to accept it, she ventured to engage for her attendance, and the day after the next was fixed on.
Bingley expressed great pleasure in the certainty of seeing Elizabeth again, having still a great deal to say to her, and many enquiries to make after all their Hertfordshire friends. Elizabeth, construing all this into a wish of hearing her speak of her sister, was pleased; and on this account, as well as some others, found herself, when their visitors left them, capable of considering the last half hour with some satisfaction, though while it was passing the enjoyment of it had been little. Eager to be alone, and fearful of enquiries or hints from her uncle and aunt, she staid with them only long enough to hear their favourable opinion of Bingley, and then hurried away to dress.
But she had no reason to fear Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner's curiosity; it was not their wish to force her communication. It was evident that she was much better acquainted with Mr. Darcy than they had before any idea of; it was evident that he was very much in love with her. They saw much to interest, but nothing to justify enquiry.
Of Mr. Darcy it was now a matter of anxiety to think well; and, as far as their acquaintance reached, there was no fault to find. They could not be untouched by his politeness, and, had they drawn his character from their own feelings and his servant's report, without any reference to any other account, the circle in Hertfordshire to which he was known would not have recognised it for Mr. Darcy. There was now an interest, however, in believing the housekeeper; and they soon became sensible that the authority of a servant who had known him since he was four years old, and whose own manners indicated respectability, was not to be hastily rejected. Neither had any thing occurred in the intelligence of their Lambton friends that could materially lessen its weight. They had nothing to accuse him of but pride; pride he probably had, and if not, it would certainly be imputed by the inhabitants of a small market-town where the family did not visit. It was acknowledged, however, that he was a liberal man, and did much good among the poor.
With respect to Wickham, the travellers soon found that he was not held there in much estimation; for though the chief of his concerns with the son of his patron were imperfectly understood, it was yet a well known fact that on his quitting Derbyshire he had left many debts behind him, which Mr. Darcy afterwards discharged.
As for Elizabeth, her thoughts were at Pemberley this evening more than the last; and the evening, though as it passed it seemed long, was not long enough to determine her feelings towards one in that mansion; and she lay awake two whole hours endeavouring to make them out. She certainly did not hate him. No; hatred had vanished long ago, and she had almost as long been ashamed of ever feeling a dislike against him that could be so called. The respect created by the conviction of his valuable qualities, though at first unwillingly admitted, had for some time ceased to be repugnant to her feelings; and it was now heightened into somewhat of a friendlier nature by the testimony so highly in his favour, and bringing forward his disposition in so amiable a light, which yesterday had produced. But above all, above respect and esteem, there was a motive within her of good will which could not be overlooked. It was gratitude. -- Gratitude, not merely for having once loved her, but for loving her still well enough to forgive all the petulance and acrimony of her manner in rejecting him, and all the unjust accusations accompanying her rejection. He who, she had been persuaded, would avoid her as his greatest enemy, seemed, on this accidental meeting, most eager to preserve the acquaintance, and without any indelicate display of regard, or any peculiarity of manner, where their two selves only were concerned, was soliciting the good opinion of her friends, and bent on making her known to his sister. Such a change in a man of so much pride excited not only astonishment but gratitude -- for to love, ardent love, it must be attributed; and as such, its impression on her was of a sort to be encouraged, as by no means unpleasing, though it could not be exactly defined. She respected, she esteemed, she was grateful to him; she felt a real interest in his welfare; and she only wanted to know how far she wished that welfare to depend upon herself, and how far it would be for the happiness of both that she should employ the power, which her fancy told her she still possessed, of bringing on the renewal of his addresses.
It had been settled in the evening, between the aunt and niece, that such a striking civility as Miss Darcy's, in coming to them on the very day of her arrival at Pemberley -- for she had reached it only to a late breakfast -- ought to be imitated, though it could not be equalled, by some exertion of politeness on their side; and, consequently, that it would be highly expedient to wait on her at Pemberley the following morning. They were, therefore, to go. -- Elizabeth was pleased, though, when she asked herself the reason, she had very little to say in reply.
Mr. Gardiner left them soon after breakfast. The fishing scheme had been renewed the day before, and a positive engagement made of his meeting some of the gentlemen at Pemberley by noon.

　　第 44 章

　　伊莉莎白料定達西先生的妹妹一到彭伯里，達西先生隔天就會帶著她來拜訪她，因此決定那天整個上午都不離開旅館，至多在附近走走。可是她完全猜錯了，原來她舅父母到達藍白屯的當天上午，那批客人就到了彭伯里。他們到了藍白屯的，便跟著幾個新朋友到各處去溜達了一轉，剛剛回到旅館去換衣服，以便到一家朋友那裡去吃飯，忽然聽到一陣馬車聲，他們便走到視窗，只見一男一女，坐著一輛雙輪馬車，從大街上往這邊來。伊莉莎白立刻就認出了馬車夫的號衣，心裡有了數，於是告訴舅父母說，她就要有貴客光臨。舅父母聽了都非常驚訝。他們看見她說起話來那麼窘，再把眼前的事實和昨天種種情景前前後後想一想，便對這件事有了一種新的看法。他們以前雖然完全蒙在鼓裡，沒有看出達西先生愛上了他們的外甥女兒，可是他們現在覺得一定是這麼回事，否則他這百般殷勤就無法解釋了。他們腦子裡不斷地轉著這些新的念頭，伊莉莎白本人也不禁越來越心慌意亂。她奇怪自己怎麼會這樣坐立不安。她前思後想，很是焦急，怕的是達西先生為了愛她緣故，會在他妹妹面前把她捧得太過分；她愈是想要討人喜歡，便愈是懷疑自己沒有討人喜歡的本領。

　　她為了怕讓舅父母看見，便打從窗前退縮回來，在房間里踱來踱去，竭力裝出心神鎮定的樣子，只見舅父母神色詫異，這可更糟了。

　　達西兄妹終於走進了旅館，大家鄭重其事地介紹了一番，伊莉莎白看到達西小姐也和自己同樣顯得不好意思，不禁頗感驚奇。自從她來到藍白屯以來，總是聽說達西小姐為人非常傲慢，可是這會兒她只觀察了她幾分鐘工夫，就斷定她不過是過分羞怯畏縮。達西小姐只是唯唯喏喏，此外你休想再逼得出她一句話來。

　　達西小姐身材很高，身段比伊莉莎白粗壯，她雖然才十六歲，可是已經發育完全，一舉一動都象大人，端莊大方。她抵不上她哥哥漂亮，可是她的臉蛋兒長得聰明有趣，儀錶又謙和文雅。伊莉莎白本以為她看起人來也象達西一樣尖酸刻薄，不留情面，現在見她並不如此，倒放下了心。

　　他們見面不久，達西先生就告訴伊莉莎白說，彬格萊也要來拜訪她；她正要說一聲不勝榮幸，可是話未出口，就聽見彬格萊先生上樓梯的急促的腳步聲，一剎那工夫，他就進來了。伊莉莎白本來已經對他心平氣和，縱使余怒未消，只要看他這次來訪，情懇意切，喜慶重逢，這般情景便使得她有氣也變成無氣了。他親親切切地問候她全家安好，雖然只說了幾句尋常話，可是他的容貌談吐，卻完全和從前一樣安詳愉快。

　　嘉丁納夫婦也和她有同感，認為他是個耐人尋味的人物。他們早就想見見他。眼前這些人確實引起了他們極大的興趣。他們因為懷疑達西先生跟他們外甥女兒的關係，便禁不住偷偷仔細觀察雙方的情形，觀察的結果，他們立刻確定兩個人中間至少有一個已經嘗到了戀愛的滋味。小姐的心思一時還不能斷定，可是先生方面顯然是情意綿綿。

　　伊莉莎白忙於應付。她既要明白在場賓客中每個人對她觀感如何，又要確定她自己對人家的觀感如何，還要搏得大家的好感。她最怕不能博得大家的好感，可是效果偏偏非常好，因為她要討好的那些人，未來之前都已對她懷著好感。彬格萊存心要和她交好，喬治安娜極想和她要好，達西非要討她的好不可。

　　看到了彬格萊，她一切的念頭自然都轉到自己姐姐身上去了，她多麼想要知道他是不是也同她一樣，會想到她姐姐！她有時覺得他比從前說話說得少了。不過有一兩次，當他看著她的時候，她又覺得他竭力想在她身上看出一點和姐姐相似的地方。這也許是她自己的憑空假想，不過有一件事她可看得很真切：人家都說達西小姐是吉英的情敵，其實彬格萊先生對達西小姐並沒有什麼情意。他們兩人之間看不出有什麼特別鍾情的地方。無論什麼地方，都不能證明彬格萊小姐的願望一定會實現。伊莉莎白立刻就覺得自己這種想法頗近情理。賓客們臨走以前，又發生了兩三件小事，伊莉莎白因為愛姐心切，便認為為兩三件小事足以說明彬格萊先生對吉英依然舊情難忘，而且他還想多攀談一會兒，以便談到吉英身上去，只可惜他膽量甚小，未敢如此。他只有趁著別人在一起談話時，才用一種萬分遺憾的語氣跟她說："我和她好久不曾相見，真是福薄緣淺。"她還沒有來得及回他的話，他又說道："有八個多月不見面了。我們是十一月二十六日分別的，那一次我們大家都在尼日斐花園跳舞。"

　　伊莉莎白見他對往事記得這麼清楚，很是高興；後來他又趁著別人不在意的時候，向她問起她姐妹們現在是不是全在浪搏恩。這前前後後的一些話，本身並沒有什麼深意，可是說話人的神情態度，卻大可玩味。

　　她雖然不能常常向達西先生顧盼，可是她只消隨時瞥他一眼，就看見他臉上總是那麼親切，她聽他談吐之間既沒有絲毫的高傲習氣，也沒有半點蔑視她親戚的意味，於是她心裡不由得想道：昨天親眼看到他作風大有改進，那即使是一時的改變，至少也保持到了今天。幾個月以前他認為和這些人打交道有失身份，如今他卻這樣樂於結交他們，而且要搏得他們的好感；她看到他不僅對她自己禮貌周全，甚至對那些他曾經聲言看不入眼的親戚們。禮貌也頗周全。上次他在漢斯福牧師家裡向她求婚的那一幕，還歷歷如在目前，如今對比起來，真是前後判若兩人。這種種情形，實在使她激動得太厲害，使她幾乎禁不住把心裡的驚奇流露到臉上來。她從來沒見過他這樣一心要討好別人，無論在尼日斐花園和他那些好朋友們在一起的時候，或是在羅新斯跟他那些高貴的親戚在一起的時候，也不曾象現在這樣虛懷若谷，有說有笑，何況他這樣的熱情並不能增進他自己的體面，何況他現在殷勤招待的這些人，即使跟他攀上了交情，也只會落得尼日花園和羅新斯的太太小姐們嘲笑指摘。

　　這些客人在他們這兒待了半個多鐘頭；臨走的時候，達西叫他妹妹跟他一起向嘉丁納夫婦和班納特小姐表示，希望他們在離開這兒以前，上彭伯里去吃頓便飯。達西小姐雖然對於邀請客人還不大習慣，顯得有些畏畏縮縮，可是她卻立刻照做了。於是嘉丁納太太望著外甥女兒，看她是不是願意去，因為這次請客主要是為了她，不料伊莉莎白轉過頭去不響。嘉丁納太太認為這樣假痴假呆是一時的羞怯，而不是不喜歡這次邀請；她又看看自己的丈夫：他本來就是個愛交際的人，這會兒更顯得完全願意去的樣子，於是她就大膽答應了日期訂在後天。

　　彬格萊表示十分高興，因為他又可以多一次看到伊莉莎白的機會，他還有許多話要和她談，還要向她打聽哈福德郡某些朋友的情況。伊莉莎白認為這一切都只是因為，他想從她嘴裡探聽她姐姐的消息，因此心裡很快活。凡此種種，雖然她當時倒並不怎麼特別歡欣，可是客人們走了以後，她一想起剛才那半個鐘頭的情景，就不禁得意非凡。她怕舅父母追三問四，很想走開，所以她一聽完他們把彬格萊讚揚了一番以後，便趕快去換衣服。可是她沒有理由害怕嘉丁納夫婦的好奇心，因為他們並不想強迫她講出心裡的話。她跟達西先生的交情，顯然不是他們以前所猜想的那種泛泛之交，他顯然愛上了她，舅父母發現了許多蛛絲馬跡，可又實在不便過問。

　　他們現在一心只想到達西先生的好處。他們和他認識到現在為止，從他身上找不出半點兒錯處。他那樣的客氣，使他們不得不感動。要是他們光憑著自己的感想和那個管家奶奶的報導來稱道他的不人，而不參考任何其他資料，那麼，哈福德郡那些認識他的人，簡直辨別不出這是講的達西先生。大家現在都願意去相信那個管家奶奶的話，因為她在主人四歲的那年就來到他，當然深知主人的為人，加上她本身的舉止也令人起敬，那就決不應該貿貿然把她的話置若罔聞，何況根據藍白屯的朋友們跟他們講的情形來看，也覺得這位管家奶奶的話沒有什麼不可靠的地方。達西除了傲慢之外，人家指摘不出他有任何錯處。說到傲慢，他也許果真有些傲慢，縱使他並不傲慢，那麼，那個小鎮上的居民們見他全家終年足跡不至，自然也要說他傲慢。不過大家都公認他是個很大方的人，濟苦救貧，慷慨解囊。再說韋翰，他們立刻就發覺他在這個地方並不十分受人器重；雖然大家不大明了他和他恩人的獨生子之間的主要關係，可是大家都知道他離開德比郡時曾經欠下了多少債務，後來都是達西先生替他償還的。

　　伊莉莎白這個晚上一心一意只想到彭伯里，比昨天晚上還要想得厲害。這雖然是一個漫漫的長夜，可是她還是覺得不夠長，因為彭伯里大廈里那個人弄得她心裡千頭萬緒，她在床上整整躺了兩個鐘頭睡不著覺，左思右想，還弄不明白對他究竟是愛是憎。她當然不會恨他。決不會的；恨早就消了。如果說她當真一度討厭過他，她也早就為當初這種心情感到慚愧。她既然認為他具有許多高尚的品質，自然就尊敬起他來，儘管她開頭還不大願意承認，事實上早就因為尊敬他而不覺得他有絲毫討厭的地方了。她現在又聽到大家都說他的好話，昨天她又親眼看到了種種情形，看出他原來是個性格很柔順的人，於是尊敬之外又添了幾分親切，但是問題的關鍵還不在於她對他尊敬和器重，而在於她還存著一片好心好意，這一點可不能忽略。她對他頗有幾分感激之心。她所以感激他，不僅因為他曾經愛過她，而且因為當初她雖然那麼意氣用事，斬釘截鐵地拒絕過他，錯怪過他，如今他卻決不計較，反而依舊愛她。她本以為他會恨她入骨，決不會再理睬她，可是這一次邂逅而遇，他卻好象急不待緩地要跟她重修舊好。提到他們倆人本身方面的事情，他雖然舊情難忘，可是語氣神態之間，卻沒有粗鄙怪癖的表現，只是竭力想要獲得她親友們的好感，而且真心誠意地要介紹她和他的妹妹認識。這麼傲慢的一個男人會一下子變得這樣謙虛，這不僅叫人驚奇，也叫人感激，這不能不歸根於愛情，濃烈的愛情。她雖然不能千真萬確地把這種愛情說出一個所以然來，可是她決不覺得討厭，而且還深深地給打動了心，覺得應該讓這種愛情滋長下去。她既然尊敬他，器重他，感激他，便免不了極其關心到他幸福；她相信自己依舊有本領叫他再來求婚，問題只在於她是否應該放心大膽地施展出這副本領，以便達到雙方的幸福。

　　晚上她和舅母商談，覺得達西小姐那麼客氣，回到彭伯里已經是吃早飯的時候，卻還當天就趕來看她們，她們即使不能象她那樣禮貌周全，至少也應該稍有禮貌，去回拜她一次。最後她們認為，最好是明天一大早就上彭伯里去拜候她，她們決定就這麼辦。伊莉莎白很是高興，不過她只要問問自己為什麼這樣高興，卻又答不上來了。

　　吃過早飯以後，嘉丁納先生馬上就出去了，因為上一天他又重新跟人家談到了釣魚的事，約定今天中午到彭伯里去和幾位紳士碰頭。

Chapter 45

CONVINCED as Elizabeth now was that Miss Bingley's dislike of her had originated in jealousy, she could not help feeling how very unwelcome her appearance at Pemberley must be to her, and was curious to know with how much civility on that lady's side the acquaintance would now be renewed.
On reaching the house, they were shewn through the hall into the saloon, whose northern aspect rendered it delightful for summer. Its windows, opening to the ground, admitted a most refreshing view of the high woody hills behind the house, and of the beautiful oaks and Spanish chesnuts which were scattered over the intermediate lawn.
In this room they were received by Miss Darcy, who was sitting there with Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley, and the lady with whom she lived in London. Georgiana's reception of them was very civil; but attended with all that embarrassment which, though proceeding from shyness and the fear of doing wrong, would easily give to those who felt themselves inferior the belief of her being proud and reserved. Mrs. Gardiner and her niece, however, did her justice, and pitied her.
By Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley, they were noticed only by a curtsey; and on their being seated, a pause, awkward as such pauses must always be, succeeded for a few moments. It was first broken by Mrs. Annesley, a genteel, agreeable looking woman, whose endeavour to introduce some kind of discourse proved her to be more truly well bred than either of the others; and between her and Mrs. Gardiner, with occasional help from Elizabeth, the conversation was carried on. Miss Darcy looked as if she wished for courage enough to join in it; and sometimes did venture a short sentence, when there was least danger of its being heard.
Elizabeth soon saw that she was herself closely watched by Miss Bingley, and that she could not speak a word, especially to Miss Darcy, without calling her attention. This observation would not have prevented her from trying to talk to the latter, had they not been seated at an inconvenient distance; but she was not sorry to be spared the necessity of saying much. Her own thoughts were employing her. She expected every moment that some of the gentlemen would enter the room. She wished, she feared, that the master of the house might be amongst them; and whether she wished or feared it most, she could scarcely determine. After sitting in this manner a quarter of an hour without hearing Miss Bingley's voice, Elizabeth was roused by receiving from her a cold enquiry after the health of her family. She answered with equal indifference and brevity, and the other said no more.
The next variation which their visit afforded was produced by the entrance of servants with cold meat, cake, and a variety of all the finest fruits in season; but this did not take place till after many a significant look and smile from Mrs. Annesley to Miss Darcy had been given, to remind her of her post. There was now employment for the whole party; for though they could not all talk, they could all eat; and the beautiful pyramids of grapes, nectarines, and peaches soon collected them round the table.
While thus engaged, Elizabeth had a fair opportunity of deciding whether she most feared or wished for the appearance of Mr. Darcy, by the feelings which prevailed on his entering the room; and then, though but a moment before she had believed her wishes to predominate, she began to regret that he came.
He had been some time with Mr. Gardiner, who, with two or three other gentlemen from the house, was engaged by the river, and had left him only on learning that the ladies of the family intended a visit to Georgiana that morning. No sooner did he appear, than Elizabeth wisely resolved to be perfectly easy and unembarrassed; -- a resolution the more necessary to be made, but perhaps not the more easily kept, because she saw that the suspicions of the whole party were awakened against them, and that there was scarcely an eye which did not watch his behaviour when he first came into the room. In no countenance was attentive curiosity so strongly marked as in Miss Bingley's, in spite of the smiles which overspread her face whenever she spoke to one of its objects; for jealousy had not yet made her desperate, and her attentions to Mr. Darcy were by no means over. Miss Darcy, on her brother's entrance, exerted herself much more to talk; and Elizabeth saw that he was anxious for his sister and herself to get acquainted, and forwarded, as much as possible, every attempt at conversation on either side. Miss Bingley saw all this likewise; and, in the imprudence of anger, took the first opportunity of saying, with sneering civility,
"ray, Miss Eliza, are not the ----shire militia removed from Meryton? They must be a great loss to your family."
In Darcy's presence she dared not mention Wickham's name; but Elizabeth instantly comprehended that he was uppermost in her thoughts; and the various recollections connected with him gave her a moment's distress; but, exerting herself vigorously to repel the ill-natured attack, she presently answered the question in a tolerably disengaged tone. While she spoke, an involuntary glance shewed her Darcy with an heightened complexion, earnestly looking at her, and his sister overcome with confusion and unable to lift up her eyes. Had Miss Bingley known what pain she was then giving her beloved friend, she undoubtedly would have refrained from the hint; but she had merely intended to discompose Elizabeth, by bringing forward the idea of a man to whom she believed her partial, to make her betray a sensibility which might injure her in Darcy's opinion, and perhaps to remind the latter of all the follies and absurdities by which some part of her family were connected with that corps. Not a syllable had ever reached her of Miss Darcy's meditated elopement. To no creature had it been revealed, where secrecy was possible, except to Elizabeth; and from all Bingley's connections her brother was particularly anxious to conceal it, from that very wish which Elizabeth had long ago attributed to him, of their becoming hereafter her own. He had certainly formed such a plan, and without meaning that it should affect his endeavour to separate him from Miss Bennet, it is probable that it might add something to his lively concern for the welfare of his friend.
Elizabeth's collected behaviour, however, soon quieted his emotion; and as Miss Bingley, vexed and disappointed, dared not approach nearer to Wickham, Georgiana also recovered in time, though not enough to be able to speak any more. Her brother, whose eye she feared to meet, scarcely recollected her interest in the affair, and the very circumstance which had been designed to turn his thoughts from Elizabeth, seemed to have fixed them on her more, and more cheerfully.
Their visit did not continue long after the question and answer above-mentioned; and while Mr. Darcy was attending them to their carriage, Miss Bingley was venting her feelings in criticisms on Elizabeth's person, behaviour, and dress. But Georgiana would not join her. Her brother's recommendation was enough to ensure her favour: his judgment could not err, and he had spoken in such terms of Elizabeth as to leave Georgiana without the power of finding her otherwise than lovely and amiable. When Darcy returned to the saloon, Miss Bingley could not help repeating to him some part of what she had been saying to his sister.
"How very ill Eliza Bennet looks this morning, Mr. Darcy," she cried; "I never in my life saw any one so much altered as she is since the winter. She is grown so brown and coarse! Louisa and I were agreeing that we should not have known her again."
However little Mr. Darcy might have liked such an address, he contented himself with coolly replying that he perceived no other alteration than her being rather tanned -- no miraculous consequence of travelling in the summer.
"For my own part," she rejoined, "I must confess that I never could see any beauty in her. Her face is too thin; her complexion has no brilliancy; and her features are not at all handsome. Her nose wants character; there is nothing marked in its lines. Her teeth are tolerable, but not out of the common way; and as for her eyes, which have sometimes been called so fine, I never could perceive any thing extraordinary in them. They have a sharp, shrewish look, which I do not like at all; and in her air altogether, there is a self-sufficiency without fashion which is intolerable."
Persuaded as Miss Bingley was that Darcy admired Elizabeth, this was not the best method of recommending herself; but angry people are not always wise; and in seeing him at last look somewhat nettled, she had all the success she expected. He was resolutely silent however; and, from a determination of making him speak she continued,
"I remember, when we first knew her in Hertfordshire, how amazed we all were to find that she was a reputed beauty; and I particularly recollect your saying one night, after they had been dining at Netherfield, "She a beauty! -- I should as soon call her mother a wit." But afterwards she seemed to improve on you, and I believe you thought her rather pretty at one time."
"Yes," replied Darcy, who could contain himself no longer, "but that was only when I first knew her, for it is many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance."
He then went away, and Miss Bingley was left to all the satisfaction of having forced him to say what gave no one any pain but herself.
Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth talked of all that had occurred during their visit, as they returned, except what had particularly interested them both. The looks and behaviour of every body they had seen were discussed, except of the person who had mostly engaged their attention. They talked of his sister, his friends, his house, his fruit, of every thing but himself; yet Elizabeth was longing to know what Mrs. Gardiner thought of him, and Mrs. Gardiner would have been highly gratified by her niece's beginning the subject.

　　第 45 章

　　伊莉莎白現在認為，彬格萊小姐所以一向厭惡她，原因不外乎和她吃醋。她既然有了這種想法，便不禁覺得這次到彭伯里去，彬格萊小姐一定不會歡迎她；儘管如此，她倒想看看這一次舊雨重逢，那位小姐是否會多少顧全一些大體。

　　到了彭伯里的大廈，家人們就帶著她們走過穿堂，進入客廳，只見客廳北面景色非常動人，窗戶外邊是一片空地，屋后樹林茂密，崗巒聳疊，草地上種滿了美麗的橡樹和西班牙栗樹，真是好一派爽心悅目的夏日風光。

　　達西小姐在這間屋子裡接待她們，跟她一同來接她們的還有赫斯脫太太、彬格萊小姐，以及那位在倫敦跟達西小姐住在一起的太太。喬治安娜對她們禮貌非常周全，只是態度頗不自然，這固然是因為她有幾分羞怯，生怕有失禮的地方，可是在那些自以為身份比她低的人看來，便容易誤會她為人傲慢矜持，幸虧嘉丁納太太和她外甥女決不會錯怪她反而還同情她。

　　赫斯脫太太和彬格萊小姐只對她們行了個屈膝禮。她們坐定以後，賓主之間許久不曾交談，實在彆扭。後來還是安涅斯雷太太第一個開口說話。這位太太是個和藹可親的大家閨秀，你只要瞧她竭力想出話來攀談，便可以知道她確實比另外兩位有教養得多。全靠她同嘉丁納太太先攀談起來，再加上伊莉莎白不時地插幾句嘴助助興，談話才算沒有冷場。達西小姐好象想說話而又缺乏勇氣，只是趁著人家聽不見的時候支吾一兩聲，也總算難得。

　　伊莉莎白立刻發覺彬格萊小姐在仔細地看著她，注意她的一言一語，特別注意她跟達西小姐攀談。如果伊莉莎白跟達西小姐座位隔得很近，攀談起來很方便，她決不會因為畏忌彬格萊小姐而就不和達西小姐攀談，可是既然毋須多談，再加她自己也正心思重重，所以也並不覺得遺憾。她時時刻刻都盼望著男客們一同進來，可是她雖然盼望，卻又害怕，她究竟是盼望得迫切，還是害怕得厲害，她自己也幾乎說不上來。伊莉莎白就這樣坐了一刻鐘之久，沒有聽到彬格萊小姐發表一言半語，後來忽然之間嚇了一跳，原來是彬格萊小姐冷冰冰地問候她家裡人的安好。她也同樣冷冷談談簡簡單單地敷衍了她幾句，對方便也就不再開口。

　　她們來了不久，傭人們便送來了冷肉、點心、以及各種應時鮮果。本來達西小姐一直忘了叫人端來，幸虧安涅斯雷太太頻頻向她做著眼色，裝著微笑，方才提醒了她做主人的責任。這一下大家都有事情可做了。雖然不是每個人都健談，可是每個人都會吃；大家一看見那大堆大堆美麗的葡萄、油桃和桃子，一下子就聚攏來圍著桌子坐下。吃東西的時候，達西先生走了進來，伊莉莎白便趁此辨別一下自己的心情，究竟是希望他在場，還是害怕他在場。辨別的結果，雖然自以為盼望的心情多於害怕的心情，可是他進來了不到一分鐘，她卻又認為他還是不進來的好。

　　且說達西原先同自己家裡兩三個人陪著嘉丁納先生在河邊釣魚，後來一聽到嘉丁納太太和她外甥女當天上午就要來拜望喬治安娜，便立刻離開了他們，回到家裡來。伊莉莎白見他走進來，便臨機應變，下定決心，促使自己千萬要表現得從容不迫，落落大方。她下定這個決心，確實很必要，只可惜事實上不大容易做到，因為她看到全場的人都在懷疑他們倆；達西一走進來，幾乎沒有一隻眼睛不在注意著他的舉止。雖然人人都有好奇心，可是誰也不象彬格萊小姐那麼露骨，她在她對他們兩人中間隨便哪一個談起話來，還是滿面笑容，這是因為她還沒有嫉妒到不擇手段的地步，也沒有對達西先生完全死心。達西小姐看見哥哥來了，便盡量多說話；伊莉莎白看出達西極其盼望她跟他妹妹處熟起來，他還盡量促進她們雙方多多攀談。彬格萊小姐把這些情形看在眼裡，很是氣憤，也就顧不得唐突，顧不得禮貌，一有機會便冷言冷語地說：

　　"請問你，伊莉莎白小姐，麥里屯的民兵團不是開走了嗎？府上一定覺得這是一個很大的損失吧。"

　　她只是不敢當著達西的面明目張膽地提起韋翰的名字，可是伊莉莎白立刻懂得她指的就是那個人，因此不禁想起過去跟他的一些來往，一時感到難過。這是一種惡意的攻擊，伊莉莎白非要狠狠地還擊她一下不可，於是她立刻用一種滿不在乎的聲調回答了她那句話。她一面說，一面不由自主地對達西望了一眼，只見達西漲紅了臉，懇切地望著她，達西的妹妹更是萬分慌張，低頭無語。彬格萊小姐如果早知道這種不三不四的話會使得她自己的意中人這樣苦痛，她自然就決不會說出中了。她只是存心要打亂伊莉莎白的心思，她以為伊莉莎白過去曾傾心於那個男人，便故意說了出來，便她出出醜，讓達西看不起她，甚至還可以讓達西想起她幾個妹妹曾經為了那個民兵團鬧出多少荒唐的笑話。至於達西小姐想要私奔的事情，她一點也不知情，因為達西先生對這件事一向盡量保守秘密，除了伊莉莎白小姐以外，沒有向任何人透露過。她對彬格萊的親友們隱瞞得特別小心，因為他認為以後要和他們攀親，這也是伊莉莎白意料中的事。他的確早就有了這個打算；也許就是為了這個原因，便對彬格萊的幸福更加關心，可並不是因此而千方百計地拆散彬格萊和班納特小姐的好事。

　　達西看到伊莉莎白不動聲色，方才安下心來。彬格萊小姐苦惱失望之餘，不敢再提到韋翰，於是喬治安娜也很快恢復了正常的神態，只不過一時之間還不好意思開口說話。她害怕看到她哥哥的眼睛，事實上她哥哥倒沒有留意她也牽涉在這件事情裡面。彬格萊小姐這次本來已經安排好神機妙算，要使得達西回心轉意，不再眷戀伊莉莎白，結果反而使他對伊莉莎白更加念念難忘，更加有情意。

　　這一問一答以後，客人們沒有隔多久就告辭了。當達西先生送她們上馬車的時候，彬格萊小姐便趁機在他妹妹面前大發牢騷，把伊莉莎白的人品、舉止和服裝都一一編派到了。喬治安娜可並沒有接嘴，因為她哥哥既然那麼推崇伊莉莎白，她當然便也對她有了好感。哥哥的看法決不會錯；他把伊莉莎白捧得叫喬治安娜只覺得她又親切又可愛。達西回到客廳里來的時候，彬格萊小姐又把剛才跟他妹妹說的話，重新又說了一遍給他聽。

　　她大聲說道："達西先生，今天上午伊麗莎班納特小姐的臉色多難看！從去年冬天以來，她真變得太厲害了，我一輩子也沒看見過哪個人象她這樣。她的皮膚變得又黑又粗糙，露薏莎和我簡直不認識她了。"

　　這種話儘管不投合達西的心意，他卻還是冷冷地敷衍了她一下，說是他看不出她有什麼變化，只不過皮膚黑了一點，這是夏天旅行的結果，不足為奇。

　　彬格萊小姐回答道："老實說，我覺得根本看不出她有什麼美。她的臉太瘦，皮膚沒有光澤，眉目也不清秀。她的鼻子也不過普普通通；講到她的眼睛，人家有時候都把它說得多麼美，我可看不出有什麼大不了。她那雙眼睛有些尖刻相，又有些惡毒相，我才不喜歡呢；而且拿她的整個風度來說，完全是自命不凡，其實卻不登大雅之堂，真叫人受不了。"

　　彬格萊小姐既然早已拿定主意達西愛上了伊莉莎白，又要用這種辦法來搏得他的喜歡，實在不太高明；不過人們在一時氣憤之下，往往難免有失算的時候。她看到達西終於給弄得多少有些神色煩惱，便自以為如意算盤打成功了。達西卻咬緊牙關，一聲不響；她為了非要他說幾句話不可，便又往下說：

　　"我還記得我們第一次在哈福德郡認識她的時候，聽人家說她是個有名的美人兒，我們都覺得十分奇怪；我特別記得有一個晚上，她們在尼日斐花園吃過晚飯以後，你說：'她也算得上一個美人！那麼她媽媽也算得上一個天才了！'可是你以後就對她印象她起來了，你也有一個時期覺得她很好看。"

　　達西真是忍無可忍了，只得回答道："話是說得不錯，可是，那是我剛認識她的時候的事情；最近好幾個月以來，我已經把她看做我認識的女朋友當中最漂亮的一個。"

　　他這樣說過以後，便走開了，只剩下彬格萊小姐一個人。她逼著他說出了這幾句話，本以為可以藉此得意一番，結果只落得自討沒趣。

　　嘉丁納太太和伊莉莎白回到寓所以後，便把這次作客所遇到的種種事情詳細談論了一番，只可惜大家都感到興趣的那件事卻偏偏沒有談到；凡是她們所看到的人，她們都拿來一個個評頭論足，又一一談到各人的神情舉止，只可惜她們特別留意的那個人卻沒有談到。她們談到了他的妹妹、他的朋友、他的住宅、他請客人們吃的水果……樣樣都談到了，只是沒有談到他本人，其實外甥女真希望舅母大人談談對那個人印象如何，舅母大人也極其希望外甥女先扯到這個話題上來。

Chapter 46

ELIZABETH had been a good deal disappointed in not finding a letter from Jane on their first arrival at Lambton; and this disappointment had been renewed on each of the mornings that had now been spent there; but on the third, her repining was over, and her sister justified, by the receipt of two letters from her at once, on one of which was marked that it had been missent elsewhere. Elizabeth was not surprised at it, as Jane had written the direction remarkably ill.
They had just been preparing to walk as the letters came in; and her uncle and aunt, leaving her to enjoy them in quiet, set off by themselves. The one missent must be first attended to; it had been written five days ago. The beginning contained an account of all their little parties and engagements, with such news as the country afforded; but the latter half, which was dated a day later, and written in evident agitation, gave more important intelligence. It was to this effect:
"Since writing the above, dearest Lizzy, something has occurred of a most unexpected and serious nature; but I am  of alarming you -- be assured that we are all well. What I have to say relates to poor Lydia. An express came at twelve last night, just as we were all gone to bed, from Colonel Forster, to inform us that she was gone off to Scotland with one of his officers; to own the truth, with Wickham! -- Imagine our surprise. To Kitty, however, it does not seem so wholly unexpected. I am very, very sorry. So imprudent a match on both sides! -- But I am willing to hope the best, and that his character has been misunderstood. Thoughtless and indiscreet I can easily believe him, but this step (and let us rejoice over it) marks nothing bad at heart. His choice is disinterested at least, for he must know my father can give her nothing. Our poor mother is sadly grieved. My father bears it better. How thankful am I, that we never let them know what has been said against him; we must forget it ourselves. They were off Saturday night about twelve, as is conjectured, but were not missed till yesterday morning at eight. The express was sent off directly. My dear Lizzy, they must have passed within ten miles of us. Colonel Forster gives us reason to expect him here soon. Lydia left a few lines for his wife, informing her of their intention. I must conclude, for I cannot be long from my poor mother. I am  you will not be able to make it out, but I hardly know what I have written."
Without allowing herself time for consideration, and scarcely knowing what she felt, Elizabeth, on finishing this letter, instantly seized the other, and opening it with the utmost impatience, read as follows -- it had been written a day later than the conclusion of the first:
"By this time, my dearest sister, you have received my hurried letter; I wish this may be more intelligible, but though not confined for time, my head is so bewildered that I cannot answer for being coherent. Dearest Lizzy, I hardly know what I would write, but I have bad news for you, and it cannot be delayed. Imprudent as a marriage between Mr. Wickham and our poor Lydia would be, we are now anxious to be assured it has taken place, for there is but too much reason to fear they are not gone to Scotland. Colonel Forster came yesterday, having left Brighton the day before, not many hours after the express. Though Lydia's short letter to Mrs. F. gave them to understand that they were going to Gretna Green, something was dropped by Denny expressing his belief that W. never intended to go there, or to marry Lydia at all, which was repeated to Colonel F., who, instantly taking the alarm, set off from B. intending to trace their route. He did trace them easily to Clapham, but no farther; for on entering that place they removed into a hackney-coach and dismissed the chaise that brought them from Epsom. All that is known after this is that they were seen to continue the London road. I know not what to think. After making every possible enquiry on that side London, Colonel F. came on into Hertfordshire, anxiously renewing them at all the turnpikes, and at the inns in Barnet and Hatfield, but without any success; no such people had been seen to pass through. With the kindest concern he came on to Longbourn, and broke his apprehensions to us in a manner most creditable to his heart. I am sincerely grieved for him and Mrs. F., but no one can throw any blame on them. Our distress, my dear Lizzy, is very great. My father and mother believe the worst, but I cannot think so ill of him. Many circumstances might make it more eligible for them to be married privately in town than to pursue their first plan; and even if he could form such a design against a young woman of Lydia's connections, which is not likely, can I suppose her so lost to every thing? -- Impossible. I grieve to find, however, that Colonel F. is not disposed to depend upon their marriage; he shook his head when I expressed my hopes, and said he feared W. was not a man to be trusted. My poor mother is really ill and keeps her room. Could she exert herself it would be better, but this is not to be expected; and as to my father, I never in my life saw him so affected. Poor Kitty has anger for having concealed their attachment; but as it was a matter of confidence, one cannot wonder. I am truly glad, dearest Lizzy, that you have been spared something of these distressing scenes; but now, as the first shock is over, shall I own that I long for your return? I am not so selfish, however, as to press for it, if inconvenient. Adieu. I take up my pen again to do what I have just told you I would not, but circumstances are such, that I cannot help earnestly begging you all to come here as soon as possible. I know my dear uncle and aunt so well that I am not  of requesting it, though I have still something more to ask of the former. My father is going to London with Colonel Forster instantly, to try to discover her. What he means to do, I am sure I know not; but his excessive distress will not allow him to pursue any measure in the best and safest way, and Colonel Forster is obliged to be at Brighton again to-morrow evening. In such an exigence my uncle's advice and assistance would be every thing in the world; he will immediately comprehend what I must feel, and I rely upon his goodness."
"Oh! where, where is my uncle?" cried Elizabeth, darting from her seat as she finished the letter, in eagerness to follow him without losing a moment of the time so precious; but as she reached the door, it was opened by a servant, and Mr. Darcy appeared. Her pale face and impetuous manner made him start, and before he could recover himself enough to speak, she, in whose mind every idea was superseded by Lydia's situation, hastily exclaimed, "I beg your pardon, but I must leave you. I must find Mr. Gardiner this moment, on business that cannot be delayed; I have not a moment to lose."
"Good God! what is the matter?" cried he, with more feeling than politeness; then recollecting himself, "I will not detain you a minute, but let me, or let the servant, go after Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. You are not well enough; -- you cannot go yourself."
Elizabeth hesitated, but her knees trembled under her, and she felt how little would be gained by her attempting to pursue them. Calling back the servant, therefore, she commissioned him, though in so breathless an accent as made her almost unintelligible, to fetch his master and mistress home instantly.
On his quitting the room, she sat down, unable to support herself, and looking so miserably ill that it was impossible for Darcy to leave her, or to refrain from saying, in a tone of gentleness and commiseration, "Let me call your maid. Is there nothing you could take, to give you present relief? -- A glass of wine; -- shall I get you one? -- You are very ill."
"No, I thank you;" she replied, endeavouring to recover herself. "There is nothing the matter with me. I am quite well. I am only distressed by some dreadful news which I have just received from Longbourn."
She burst into tears as she alluded to it, and for a few minutes could not speak another word. Darcy, in wretched suspense, could only say something indistinctly of his concern, and observe her in compassionate silence. At length, she spoke again. "I have just had a letter from Jane, with such dreadful news. It cannot be concealed from any one. My youngest sister has left all her friends -- has eloped; -- has thrown herself into the power of -- of Mr. Wickham. They are gone off together from Brighton. You know him too well to doubt the rest. She has no money, no connections, nothing that can tempt him to -- she is lost for ever."
Darcy was fixed in astonishment. "When I consider," she added, in a yet more agitated voice, "that I might have prevented it! -- I who knew what he was. Had I but explained some part of it only -- some part of what I learnt -- to my own family! Had his character been known, this could not have happened. But it is all, all too late now."
"I am grieved, indeed," cried Darcy; "grieved -- shocked. But is it certain, absolutely certain?"
"Oh yes! -- They left Brighton together on Sunday night, and were traced almost to London, but not beyond; they are certainly not gone to Scotland."
"And what has been done, what has been attempted, to recover her?"
"My father is gone to London, and Jane has written to beg my uncle's immediate assistance, and we shall be off, I hope, in half an hour. But nothing can be done; I know very well that nothing can be done. How is such a man to be worked on? How are they even to be discovered? I have not the smallest hope. It is every way horrible!"
Darcy shook his head in silent acquiescence.
"When my eyes were opened to his real character. -- Oh! had I known what I ought, what I dared, to do! But I knew not -- I was  of doing too much. Wretched, wretched, mistake!"
Darcy made no answer. He seemed scarcely to hear her, and was walking up and down the room in earnest meditation; his brow contracted, his air gloomy. Elizabeth soon observed and instantly understood it. Her power was sinking; every thing must sink under such a proof of family weakness, such an assurance of the deepest disgrace. She should neither wonder nor condemn, but the belief of his self-conquest brought nothing consolatory to her bosom, afforded no palliation of her distress. It was, on the contrary, exactly calculated to make her understand her own wishes; and never had she so honestly felt that she could have loved him, as now, when all love must be vain.
But self, though it would intrude, could not engross her. Lydia -- the humiliation, the misery, she was bringing on them all -- soon swallowed up every private care; and covering her face with her handkerchief, Elizabeth was soon lost to every thing else; and, after a pause of several minutes, was only recalled to a sense of her situation by the voice of her companion, who, in a manner, which though it spoke compassion, spoke likewise restraint, said, "I am  you have been long desiring my absence, nor have I any thing to plead in excuse of my stay, but real, though unavailing, concern. Would to heaven that any thing could be either said or done on my part, that might offer consolation to such distress! -- But I will not torment you with vain wishes, which may seem purposely to ask for your thanks. This unfortunate affair will, I fear, prevent my sister's having the pleasure of seeing you at Pemberley to-day."
"Oh, yes. Be so kind as to apologize for us to Miss Darcy. Say that urgent business calls us home immediately. Conceal the unhappy truth as long as it is possible. -- I know it cannot be long."
He readily assured her of his secrecy -- again expressed his sorrow for her distress, wished it a happier conclusion than there was at present reason to hope, and, leaving his compliments for her relations, with only one serious, parting, look, went away.
As he quitted the room, Elizabeth felt how improbable it was that they should ever see each other again on such terms of cordiality as had marked their several meetings in Derbyshire; and as she threw a retrospective glance over the whole of their acquaintance, so full of contradictions and varieties, sighed at the perverseness of those feelings which would now have promoted its continuance, and would formerly have rejoiced in its termination.
If gratitude and esteem are good foundations of affection, Elizabeth's change of sentiment will be neither improbable nor faulty. But if otherwise, if the regard springing from such sources is unreasonable or unnatural, in comparison of what is so often described as arising on a first interview with its object, and even before two words have been exchanged, nothing can be said in her defence, except that she had given somewhat of a trial to the latter method in her partiality for Wickham, and that its ill-success might perhaps authorise her to seek the other less interesting mode of attachment. Be that as it may, she saw him go with regret; and in this early example of what Lydia's infamy must produce, found additional anguish as she reflected on that wretched business. Never, since reading Jane's second letter, had she entertained a hope of Wickham's meaning to marry her. No one but Jane, she thought, could flatter herself with such an expectation. Surprise was the least of her feelings on this developement. While the contents of the first letter remained on her mind, she was all surprise -- all astonishment that Wickham should marry a girl whom it was impossible he could marry for money; and how Lydia could ever have attached him had appeared incomprehensible. But now it was all too natural. For such an attachment as this, she might have sufficient charms; and though she did not suppose Lydia to be deliberately engaging in an elopement, without the intention of marriage, she had no difficulty in believing that neither her virtue nor her understanding would preserve her from falling an easy prey.
She had never perceived, while the regiment was in Hertfordshire, that Lydia had any partiality for him, but she was convinced that Lydia had wanted only encouragement to attach herself to any body. Sometimes one officer, sometimes another had been her favourite, as their attentions raised them in her opinion. Her affections had been continually fluctuating, but never without an object. The mischief of neglect and mistaken indulgence towards such a girl. -- Oh! how acutely did she now feel it.
She was wild to be at home -- to hear, to see, to be upon the spot, to share with Jane in the cares that must now fall wholly upon her, in a family so deranged; a father absent, a mother incapable of exertion and requiring constant attendance; and though almost persuaded that nothing could be done for Lydia, her uncle's interference seemed of the utmost importance, and till he entered the room, the misery of her impatience was severe. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner had hurried back in alarm, supposing, by the servant's account, that their niece was taken suddenly ill; -- but satisfying them instantly on that head, she eagerly communicated the cause of their summons, reading the two letters aloud, and dwelling on the postscript of the last with trembling energy. -- Though Lydia had never been a favourite with them, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner could not but be deeply affected. Not Lydia only, but all were concerned in it; and after the first exclamations of surprise and horror, Mr. Gardiner readily promised every assistance in his power. -- Elizabeth, though expecting no less, thanked him with tears of gratitude; and all three being actuated by one spirit, every thing relating to their journey was speedily settled. They were to be off as soon as possible. "But what is to be done about Pemberley?" cried Mrs. Gardiner. "John told us Mr. Darcy was here when you sent for us; -- was it so?"
"Yes; and I told him we should not be able to keep our engagement. That is all settled."
"That is all settled!" repeated the other, as she ran into her room to prepare. "And are they upon such terms as for her to disclose the real truth! Oh, that I knew how it was!"
But wishes were vain; or at best could serve only to amuse her in the hurry and confusion of the following hour. Had Elizabeth been at leisure to be idle, she would have remained certain that all employment was impossible to one so wretched as herself; but she had her share of business as well as her aunt, and amongst the rest there were notes to be written to all their friends in Lambton, with false excuses for their sudden departure. An hour, however, saw the whole completed; and Mr. Gardiner meanwhile having settled his account at the inn, nothing remained to be done but to go; and Elizabeth, after all the misery of the morning, found herself, in a shorter space of time than she could have supposed, seated in the carriage, and on the road to Longbourn.

　　第 46 章

　　伊莉莎白到藍白屯的時候，因為沒有立即接到吉英的來信，感到非常失望；第二天早上又感到同樣的失望。可是到了第三天，她就再也不用焦慮了，再也不埋怨她的姐姐了，因為她這一天收到了姐姐兩封信，其中一封註明曾經送錯了地方。伊莉莎白並不覺得詫異，因為吉英確實把位址寫得很潦草。

　　那兩封信送來的時候，他們剛剛要出去溜達；舅父母管自己走了，讓她一個人去靜靜地讀信。誤投過的那封信當然要先讀，那還是五天前寫的。信上先講了一些小規模的宴會和約會之類的事，又報導了一些鄉下的新聞；后一半卻報導了重要消息，而且註明是下一天寫的，顯見得寫信人提筆時心緒很亂。後半封內容如下：

　　親愛的麗萃，寫了上半封信之後，發生了一件極其出人意料、極其嚴重的事；可是我又怕嚇壞了你。請放心吧，家裡人都好，我這裡要說的是關於可憐的麗迪雅的事。昨天晚上十二點鐘，我們正要睡覺和時候，突然接到弗斯脫上校一封快信，告訴我們說，麗迪雅跟他部下的一個軍官到蘇格蘭去了；老實說，就是跟韋翰私奔了！你想像我們當時多麼驚奇。不過吉蒂卻以為這件事並非完全出人意料。我真難受。這兩個男女就這樣冒冒失失地配成了一對！可是我還是願意從最好的方面去著想，希望別人都是誤解了他的人品。我固然認為他為人輕率冒昧，不過他這次的舉動未必就是存心不良（讓我們但願如此吧）。至少他選中這個物件不是為了有利可圖，因為他一定知道父親沒有一個錢給她。可憐的母親傷心得要命。父親總算還支持得住。謝天謝地，好在我們從來沒有讓他們老人家知道外界對他的議論。我們自己也不必把它放在心上。據大家猜想，他們大概是星期六晚上十二點鐘走的，但是一直到昨天早上八點鐘，才發現這兩個失了蹤。於是弗斯脫上校連忙寫信告訴我們。親愛的麗萃，他們所經過的地方離開我們一定不滿十英里。弗斯脫上校說，他一定立刻就到我們這裡來。麗迪雅留了一封簡訊給弗斯脫太太，把他們兩人的意圖告訴了她。我不得不停筆了，因為我不能離開母親太久。我怕你一定覺得莫明其妙吧，我自己也簡直不知道在寫些什麼。

　　伊莉莎白讀完了這封信以後，幾乎說不出自己是怎樣的感覺，想也沒有想一下，便連忙抓起另一封信，迫不及待一拆開就看。這封信比第一封信遲寫一天。

　　親愛的妹妹，你現在大概收到了我那封匆促草成的信了吧。我希望這封信會把問題說得明白些；不過，時間雖然並不是急促，我的頭腦卻糊裡糊塗，因此並不是擔保這封信一定會寫得有條有理。我的親麗萃，我簡直不知道該寫些什麼，但是我總得把壞消息報導給你，而且事不宜遲。儘管韋翰先生和我們可憐的麗迪雅的婚姻是多麼荒唐，可是我們卻巴不得聽到他們已經結婚的消息，因為我們非常擔心他們並沒有到蘇格蘭去。弗斯脫上校前天寄出那封快信以後，稍隔數小時即由白利屯出發到我們這兒來，已於昨日抵達此間。雖然麗迪雅給弗太太的那封簡訊里說，他們倆要到格利那草場去，可是根據丹呢透露出來的口風，他相信韋決不打算到那兒去，也根本不打算跟麗迪雅結婚。弗上校一聽此話，大為駭異，便連忙從白出發，希望能追到他們。他一路追蹤覓跡，追到克拉普汗，這倒還不費什麼事，可是再往前追便不容易，因為他們兩人到達此地后，便把從艾普桑雇來的馬車打發走了，重新雇了出租馬車。以後的先蹤去跡便頗難打聽，只聽見有人說，看見他們繼續往倫敦那方面去。我不知道應該怎樣想法。弗上校在倫敦竭力仔細打聽了一番以後，便來到哈福德郡，在沿路的關卡上以及巴納特和帽場兩地所有的旅館里，統統探尋了一遍，可是不得要領而返。大家都說沒有看見這樣的人走過。他無限關切地來到了浪搏恩，把他的種種疑慮全都誠心誠意地告訴了我們。我實在替他和弗太太難過；誰也不能怪他們夫婦倆。親愛的麗萃，我們真是痛苦到極點。父親和母親都以為，這事情的下場勢必糟透壞極，可是我卻不忍心把他看作那麼壞。也許為了種種關係，他們覺得在城裡私下結婚，比較合適，故未按照原來計劃進行；縱使他欺侮麗迪雅年幼無知，沒有顯親貴戚，因而對她存心不良，難道麗迪雅自己也會不顧一切嗎？這件事絕對不可能！不過，聽到弗上校不大相信他們倆會結婚，我又不免傷心。我把我的心愿說給他聽，他只是頻頻搖頭，又說韋恐怕是個靠不住的人。可憐的媽真要病倒了，整天不出房門。要是她能勉強克制一下，事情也許要好些，可惜她無法辦到。講到父親，我一輩子也沒見過他這樣難受。可憐的吉蒂也很氣憤，她怪她自己沒有把他們倆的親密關係預先告訴家裡；但是他們倆既然信任她能夠保守秘密，我也不便怪她沒有早講。最親愛的麗萃，我真替你高興，這些痛苦的場面對你說來，真是眼不見為凈。不過，開頭一場驚險既已過去，我很希望你回來，你不會覺得我這是不合情理吧？如果你不方便，自然我也不會太自私，非要逼你回來不可。再見吧！剛剛才告訴過你，我不願意逼你回來，現在我又要拿起筆來逼你了，因為照目前情況看來，我不得不誠懇地請求你們儘可能快些回來。舅父母和我相知頗深，決不會見怪，我因此才大膽提出要求，而且我還有別的事要求舅父幫忙。父親馬上就要跟弗斯脫上校到倫敦去想辦法找她。他的具體打算我無從知道，可是看他那麼痛苦萬狀，就知道他辦起事來決不會十分穩妥，而弗斯脫上校明天晚上就得回白利屯。情況如此緊急，萬萬非請舅父前來協助指示不可。我相信他一定會體諒我此刻的心情，我相信他一定肯來幫忙。

　　伊莉莎白讀完信以後，不禁失聲叫道："舅父上哪兒去啦？"她連忙從椅子上跳起來急急去找尋舅父。時間太寶貴，一分鐘也不能錯過。她剛走到門口，恰逢傭人把門打開，達西先生走了進來。他看見她臉色蒼白，神情倉皇，不由得吃了一驚。他還沒有定下心來說一句話，她卻因為一心只想到麗迪雅的處境，卻連忙叫起來了："對不起，不能奉陪。我有緊要的事要去找嘉丁納先生，一分鐘也不能耽擱。"

　　他抑制不住一時的感情衝動，便也顧不得禮貌。大聲嚷道："老天爺，這究竟是怎麼回事？"他讓自己定了一下心，然後接下去說："我不願意耽擱你一分鐘；不過還是讓我去替你找嘉丁納先生夫婦吧，或是讓傭人去也好。你身體不好；你不能去。"

　　伊莉莎白猶豫不定，但是她已經雙膝發抖，也覺得自己沒有辦法去找他們。她只得叫傭人來，打發他去把主人和主婦立刻找回來。她說話的時候上氣不接下氣，幾乎叫人家聽不清楚。

　　傭人走出去以後，她便坐下來，達西見她身體已經支持不住，臉色非常難看，簡直不放心離開她，便用了一種溫柔體貼的聲調跟她說："讓我把你的女佣人叫來吧。你能不能吃點東西，叫你自己好過一些？要我給你弄一杯酒嗎？你好象有病呢。"

　　她竭力保持鎮靜，回答他道："不要，謝謝你。我沒有什麼。我很好；只是剛剛從浪搏恩傳來了一個不幸的消息，使我很難受。"

　　她說到這裡，不禁哭了起來，半天說不出一句話。達西一時摸不著頭腦，只得含含糊糊說了些慰問的話，默默無言地望著她，心裡很是同情。後來她便向他吐露實情："我剛剛收到吉英一封信，告訴我一個非常不幸的消息，反正這也瞞不住任何人。告訴你，我那最小的妹妹丟了她所有的親友……私奔了……落入了韋翰先生的圈套。他們倆是從白利屯逃走的。你深知他的為人，下文也就不必提了。她沒錢沒勢，沒有任何地方足以使他要……麗迪雅一生完了。"

　　達西給嚇呆了。伊莉莎白又用一種更激動的聲調接下去說："我本來是可以阻止這一件事的！我知道他的真面目！我只要把那件事的一部分……我所聽到的一部分，早講給家裡人聽就好了，要是大家都知道了他的品格，就不會出這一場亂子了，但現在事已太遲。"

　　達西叫道："我真痛心，又痛心又驚嚇。但是這消息靠得住嗎，完全靠得住嗎？"

　　"當然靠得住！他們是星期日晚上從白利屯出奔的，人家追他們一直追到倫敦，可是無法再追下去。他們一定沒有去蘇格蘭。"

　　"那麼，有沒有想什麼辦法去找她呢？"

　　"我父親到倫敦去了，吉英寫信來，要舅父立刻回去幫忙，我希望我們在半個鐘頭之內就能動身。可是事情毫無辦法，我認為一定毫無辦法。這樣的一個人，有什麼辦法對付得了？又想得出什麼辦法去找他們？我實在不敢存一線的希望。想來想去真可怕。"

　　達西搖搖頭，表示默認。

　　"我當初本已看穿了他的人品，只怪我一時缺乏果斷，沒有大著膽子去辦事。我只怕做得太過火，這真是千不該萬不該！"

　　達西沒有回答。他好象完全沒有聽到她的話，只是在房間里踱來踱去，煞費苦心地在深思默想。他雙眉緊蹙，滿臉憂愁。伊莉莎白立刻看到了他這副面容，而且隨即明白了他的心思。她對他的魔力一步步在消退了；家庭這樣不爭氣，招來了這樣的奇恥大辱，自然處處都會惹得人家一天比一天看不起。她絲毫不覺得詫異，也不怪別人。她即使姑且認為他願意委曲求全，也未必就會感到安慰，未必就會減輕痛苦。這反而足發使她愈加有自知之明。現在千恩萬愛都已落空，她倒第一次感覺到真心真意地愛他。

　　她雖然難免想到自己，卻並不是完全只想到自己。只要一想到麗迪雅給大家帶來的恥辱和痛苦，她立刻就打消了一切的個人顧慮。她用一條手絹掩住了臉，便一切都不聞不問了。過了好一會兒，她聽到她朋友的聲音，這才神志清醒過來。只聽得達西說話的聲調里滿含著同情，也帶著一些拘束；"我恐怕你早就希望我走開了吧，我實在沒有理由待在這兒，不過我無限地同情你，雖然這種同情無濟於事。天哪，我但願能夠說幾句什麼話，或是盡我一份力量，來安慰安慰你這樣深切的痛苦！可是我不願意說些空洞的漂亮話，讓你受罪，這樣做倒好象是我故意要討你的好。我恐怕這樁不幸的事，會使得你們今天不能到彭伯里去看我妹妹了。"

　　"哦！是呀，請你替我們向達西小姐道個歉吧。就說我們有緊要的事，非立刻回家不可。請你把這一樁不幸的事儘可能多隱瞞一些時候。不過我也知道隱瞞不了多久。"

　　他立刻答應替她保守秘密，又重新說他非常同情她的苦痛，希望這一件事會得到比較圓滿的結局，不至於象現在所想像的這樣糟糕，又請她代為問候她家裡人，然後鄭重地望了她一眼便告辭了。

　　他一走出房門，伊莉莎白就不禁想到；這一次居然能和他在德比郡見面，而且好幾次見面都蒙他竭誠相待，這簡直是出人意料。她又回想了一下他們整個一段交情，真是矛盾百出，千變萬化，她以前曾經巴不得斷絕這一段交情，如今卻又希望能繼續下去，想到這種顛三倒四的地方，不由得嘆了口氣。

　　如果說，大凡一個人愛上一個人，都是因為先有了感激之心，器重之意，那麼，伊莉莎白這次感情的變化當然既合情理，又叫人無可非議。反而言之，世人有所謂一見傾心的場面，也有雙方未曾交談三言兩語就相互傾心的場面，如果說，由感激和器重產生的愛情，比起一見傾心的愛情來，就顯得不近人情事理，那我們當然就不能夠再袒護伊莉莎白，不過還有一點可以替她交待清楚一下；當初韋翰使他動心的時候，她也許多少就採用了另一種比較乏味的戀愛方式。這且不提，卻說她看見達西走了，真是十分惆悵；麗迪雅這次的醜行，一開頭就造成了這樣不良的後果，再想起這件糟糕的事，她心裡更加痛苦。自從她讀了吉英的第二封信以後，她再也不指望韋翰會存心和麗迪雅結婚了。她想，只有吉英會存這種希望，此外誰都不會。關於這件事的發展趨勢，她絲毫不覺得奇怪。當她唯讀到第一封信的時候，她的確覺得太奇怪，太驚訝……韋翰怎麼會跟這樣一個無利可圖的姑娘結婚？麗迪雅又怎麼會愛上他？實在叫人不可理解。可是現在看來，真是再自然也沒有了。象這一類的苟合，麗迪雅的風流嫵媚可能也就足夠了。

　　她雖然並不以為麗迪雅會存心跟人家私奔頁不打算結婚，可是麗迪雅無論在品德方面或見識方面，的確都很欠缺，當然經不起人家勾引，這也是她意料中事。

　　民兵團駐紮在哈福德郡的時候，她完全沒有看出麗迪雅對韋翰有什麼傾心的地方，可是她深深認識到麗迪雅只要隨便哪個人勾引一下就會上鉤。她今天喜歡這個軍官，明天又喜歡那個軍官，只要你對她獻殷勤，她就看得中你。她平常的情感極不專一，可是從來沒有缺少過談情說愛的物件。這隻怪一向沒有家教，對她任意縱容，結果使這樣的一個姑娘落得這般下場。天哪！她現在實在體會得太深刻啦！

　　她非回家不可了……要親自去聽聽清楚，看看明白，要趕快去給吉英分擔一份憂勞。家裡給弄得那麼糟，父親不在家，母親撐不起身，又隨時要人侍候，千斤重擔都壓在吉英一個人身上。關於麗迪雅的事，她雖然認為已經無法可想，可是她又認為舅父的幫助是極其重要的，她等他回來真等得萬分焦急。且說嘉丁納夫婦聽了僕人的話還以為是外甥女得了急病，便連忙慌慌張張趕回來。伊莉莎白見到他們，馬上說明並非得了急病，他們方才放心，她又連忙講清楚找他們回來的原因，把那兩封信讀出來，又氣急敗壞地念著第二封信後面補寫的那一段話。雖然舅父母平常並不喜愛麗迪雅，可是他們卻不得不感到深切的憂慮，因為這件事不單是牽涉到麗迪雅，而是對於大家都體面攸關。嘉丁納先生開頭大為駭異，連聲慨嘆，然後便一口答應竭盡一切力量幫忙到底。伊莉莎白雖然並沒有覺得事出意外，可還是感激涕零。於是三個人協力同心，一剎那工夫就樣樣收拾妥貼，只等上路。他們要走得越快越好。"可是怎樣向彭伯里交待呢？"嘉丁納太太大聲地說："約翰跟我們說，當你在找我們的時候，達西先生正在這兒，這是真的嗎？"

　　"是真的；我已經告訴過他，我們不能赴約了。這件事算是交待清楚了。"

　　"這件事算是交待清楚了，"舅母一面重說了一遍，一面跑回房間去準備。"難道他們兩人的交情已經好到這步田地，她可以把事實真相都說給他聽了嗎？哎唷，我真想弄明白這究竟是怎麼回事！"

　　可惜她這個願望落空了，最多不過在這匆匆忙忙、慌慌亂亂的一個鐘頭裡面，寬慰了一下她自己的心。縱使伊莉莎白能夠偷閑摸空跟她談談，在這種狼狽不堪的情況下，哪裡還會有閒情逸緻來談這種事，何況她也和她舅母一樣，有多少事情要料理；別的且不說，藍白屯所有的朋友們就得由她寫信去通知，執行捏造一些藉口，說明他們為什麼要突然離去。她在一小時以後，樣樣事情都已經料理妥貼，嘉丁納先生也和旅館里算清了賬，只等動身。伊莉莎白苦悶了整整一個上午，想不到在極短的時間裡，居然坐上馬車，向浪搏恩出發了

Chapter 47

"I HAVE been thinking it over again, Elizabeth," said her uncle as they drove from the town; "and really, upon serious consideration, I am much more inclined than I was to judge as your eldest sister does of the matter. It appears to me so very unlikely that any young man should form such a design against a girl who is by no means unprotected or friendless, and who was actually staying in his colonel's family, that I am strongly inclined to hope the best. Could he expect that her friends would not step forward? Could he expect to be noticed again by the regiment, after such an affront to Colonel Forster? His temptation is not adequate to the risk."
"Do you really think so?" cried Elizabeth, brightening up for a moment.
"Upon my word," said Mrs. Gardiner, "I begin to be of your uncle's opinion. It is really too great a violation of decency, honour, and interest, for him to be guilty of it. I cannot think so very ill of Wickham. Can you, yourself, Lizzy, so wholly give him up as to believe him capable of it?"
"Not perhaps of neglecting his own interest. But of every other neglect I can believe him capable. If, indeed, it should be so! But I dare not hope it. Why should they not go on to Scotland, if that had been the case?"
"In the first place," replied Mr. Gardiner, "there is no absolute proof that they are not gone to Scotland."
"Oh! but their removing from the chaise into an hackney coach is such a presumption! And, besides, no traces of them were to be found on the Barnet road."
"Well, then -- supposing them to be in London. They may be there, though, for the purpose of concealment, for no more exceptionable purpose. It is not likely that money should be very abundant on either side; and it might strike them that they could be more economically, though less expeditiously, married in London, than in Scotland."
"But why all this secrecy? Why any fear of detection? Why must their marriage be private? Oh! no, no, this is not likely. His most particular friend, you see by Jane's account, was persuaded of his never intending to marry her. Wickham will never marry a woman without some money. He cannot afford it. And what claims has Lydia, what attractions has she beyond youth, health, and good humour, that could make him, for her sake, forgo every chance of benefiting himself by marrying well? As to what restraint the apprehension of disgrace in the corps might throw on a dishonourable elopement with her, I am not able to judge; for I know nothing of the effects that such a step might produce. But as to your other objection, I am  it will hardly hold good. Lydia has no brothers to step forward; and he might imagine, from my father's behaviour, from his indolence and the little attention he has ever seemed to give to what was going forward in his family, that he would do as little, and think as little about it, as any father could do in such a matter."
"But can you think that Lydia is so lost to every thing but love of him, as to consent to live with him on any other terms than marriage?"
"It does seem, and it is most shocking indeed," replied Elizabeth, with tears in her eyes, "that a sister's sense of decency and virtue in such a point should admit of doubt. But, really, I know not what to say. Perhaps I am not doing her justice. But she is very young; she has never been taught to think on serious subjects; and for the last half year, nay, for a twelvemonth, she has been given up to nothing but amusement and vanity. She has been allowed to dispose of her time in the most idle and frivolous manner, and to adopt any opinions that came in her way. Since the ----shire were first quartered in Meryton, nothing but love, flirtation, and officers have been in her head. She has been doing every thing in her power, by thinking and talking on the subject, to give greater -- what shall I call it? -- susceptibility to her feelings, which are naturally lively enough. And we all know that Wickham has every charm of person and address that can captivate a woman."
"But you see that Jane," said her aunt, "does not think so ill of Wickham as to believe him capable of the attempt."
"Of whom does Jane ever think ill? And who is there, whatever might be their former conduct, that she would believe capable of such an attempt, till it were proved against them? But Jane knows, as well as I do, what Wickham really is. We both know that he has been profligate in every sense of the word. That he has neither integrity nor honour. That he is as false and deceitful, as he is insinuating."
"And do you really know all this?" cried Mrs. Gardiner, whose curiosity as to the mode of her intelligence was all alive.
"I do, indeed," replied Elizabeth, colouring. "I told you the other day, of his infamous behaviour to Mr. Darcy; and you, yourself, when last at Longbourn, heard in what manner he spoke of the man who had behaved with such forbearance and liberality towards him. And there are other circumstances which I am not at liberty -- which it is not worth while to relate; but his lies about the whole Pemberley family are endless. From what he said of Miss Darcy, I was thoroughly prepared to see a proud, reserved, disagreeable girl. Yet he knew to the contrary himself. He must know that she was amiable and unpretending as we have found her."
"But does Lydia know nothing of this? Can she be ignorant of what you and Jane seem so well to understand?"
"Oh, yes! -- that, that is the worst of all. Till I was in Kent, and saw so much both of Mr. Darcy and his relation, Colonel Fitzwilliam, I was ignorant of the truth myself. And when I returned home, the ----shire was to leave Meryton in a week or fortnight's time. As that was the case, neither Jane, to whom I related the whole, nor I, thought it necessary to make our knowledge public; for of what use could it apparently be to any one that the good opinion which all the neighbourhood had of him should then be overthrown? And even when it was settled that Lydia should go with Mrs. Forster, the necessity of opening her eyes to his character never occurred to me. That she could be in any danger from the deception never entered my head. That such a consequence as this should ensue, you may easily believe was far enough from my thoughts."
"When they all removed to Brighton, therefore, you had no reason, I suppose, to believe them fond of each other."
"Not the slightest. I can remember no symptom of affection on either side; and had any thing of the kind been perceptible, you must be aware that ours is not a family on which it could be thrown away. When first he entered the corps, she was ready enough to admire him; but so we all were. Every girl in or near Meryton was out of her senses about him for the first two months; but he never distinguished her by any particular attention, and consequently, after a moderate period of extravagant and wild admiration, her fancy for him gave way, and others of the regiment who treated her with more distinction again became her favourites."
It may be easily believed that, however little of novelty could be added to their fears, hopes, and conjectures, on this interesting subject by its repeated discussion, no other could detain them from it long, during the whole of the journey. From Elizabeth's thoughts it was never absent. Fixed there by the keenest of all anguish, self-reproach, she could find no interval of ease or forgetfulness.
They travelled as expeditiously as possible; and, sleeping one night on the road, reached Longbourn by dinner-time the next day. It was a comfort to Elizabeth to consider that Jane could not have been wearied by long expectations.
The little Gardiners, attracted by the sight of a chaise, were standing on the steps of the house as they entered the paddock; and when the carriage drove up to the door, the joyful surprise that lighted up their faces, and displayed itself over their whole bodies in a variety of capers and frisks, was the first pleasing earnest of their welcome.
Elizabeth jumped out; and, after giving each of them an hasty kiss, hurried into the vestibule, where Jane, who came running down stairs from her mother's apartment, immediately met her.
Elizabeth, as she affectionately embraced her, whilst tears filled the eyes of both, lost not a moment in asking whether any thing had been heard of the fugitives.
"Not yet," replied Jane. "But now that my dear uncle is come, I hope every thing will be well."
"Is my father in town?"
"Yes, he went on Tuesday, as I wrote you word."
"And have you heard from him often?"
"We have heard only once. He wrote me a few lines on Wednesday, to say that he had arrived in safety, and to give me his directions, which I particularly begged him to do. He merely added that he should not write again till he had something of importance to mention."
"And my mother -- How is she? How are you all?"
"My mother is tolerably well, I trust; though her spirits are greatly shaken. She is up stairs, and will have great satisfaction in seeing you all. She does not yet leave her dressing-room. Mary and Kitty, thank Heaven! are quite well."
"But you -- How are you?" cried Elizabeth. "You look pale. How much you must have gone through!"
Her sister, however, assured her of her being perfectly well; and their conversation, which had been passing while Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were engaged with their children, was now put an end to by the approach of the whole party. Jane ran to her uncle and aunt, and welcomed and thanked them both, with alternate smiles and tears.
When they were all in the drawing room, the questions which Elizabeth had already asked were of course repeated by the others, and they soon found that Jane had no intelligence to give. The sanguine hope of good, however, which the benevolence of her heart suggested, had not yet deserted her; she still expected that it would all end well, and that every morning would bring some letter, either from Lydia or her father, to explain their proceedings, and perhaps announce the marriage.
Mrs. Bennet, to whose apartment they all repaired, after a few minutes conversation together, received them exactly as might be expected; with tears and lamentations of regret, invectives against the villainous conduct of Wickham, and complaints of her own sufferings and ill usage; blaming every body but the person to whose ill-judging indulgence the errors of her daughter must be principally owing.
"If I had been able," said she, "to carry my point of going to Brighton, with all my family, this would not have happened; but poor dear Lydia had nobody to take care of her. Why did the Forsters ever let her go out of their sight? I am sure there was some great neglect or other on their side, for she is not the kind of girl to do such a thing, if she had been well looked after. I always thought they were very unfit to have the charge of her; but I was over-ruled, as I always am. Poor dear child! And now here's Mr. Bennet gone away, and I know he will fight Wickham wherever he meets him, and then he will be killed, and what is to become of us all? The Collinses will turn us out, before he is cold in his grave; and if you are not kind to us, brother, I do not know what we shall do."
They all exclaimed against such terrific ideas; and Mr. Gardiner, after general assurances of his affection for her and all her family, told her that he meant to be in London the very next day, and would assist Mr. Bennet in every endeavour for recovering Lydia.
"Do not give way to useless alarm," added he; "though it is right to be prepared for the worst, there is no occasion to look on it as certain. It is not quite a week since they left Brighton. In a few days more, we may gain some news of them, and till we know that they are not married, and have no design of marrying, do not let us give the matter over as lost. As soon as I get to town, I shall go to my brother and make him come home with me to Gracechurch Street, and then we may consult together as to what is to be done."
"Oh! my dear brother," replied Mrs. Bennet, "that is exactly what I could most wish for. And now do, when you get to town, find them out, wherever they may be; and if they are not married already, make them marry. And as for wedding clothes, do not let them wait for that, but tell Lydia she shall have as much money as she chuses to buy them, after they are married. And, above all things, keep Mr. Bennet from fighting. Tell him what a dreadful state I am in, -- that I am frightened out of my wits; and have such tremblings, such flutterings all over me such spasms in my side, and pains in my head, and such beatings at heart, that I can get no rest by night nor by day. And tell my dear Lydia, not to give any directions about her clothes till she has seen me, for she does not know which are the best warehouses. Oh, brother, how kind you are! I know you will contrive it all."
But Mr. Gardiner, though he assured her again of his earnest endeavours in the cause, could not avoid recommending moderation to her, as well in her hopes as her fears; and, after talking with her in this manner till dinner was on table, they left her to vent all her feelings on the housekeeper, who attended in the absence of her daughters.
Though her brother and sister were persuaded that there was no real occasion for such a seclusion from the family, they did not attempt to oppose it, for they knew that she had not prudence enough to hold her tongue before the servants while they waited at table, and judged it better that one only of the household, and the one whom they could most trust, should comprehend all her fears and solicitude on the subject.
In the dining-room they were soon joined by Mary and Kitty, who had been too busily engaged in their separate apartments, to make their appearance before. One came from her books, and the other from her toilette. The faces of both, however, were tolerably calm; and no change was visible in either, except that the loss of her favourite sister, or the anger which she had herself incurred in the business, had given something more of fretfulness than usual to the accents of Kitty. As for Mary, she was mistress enough of herself to whisper to Elizabeth, with a countenance of grave reflection, soon after they were seated at table,
"This is a most unfortunate affair; and will probably be much talked of. But we must stem the tide of malice, and pour into the wounded bosoms of each other the balm of sisterly consolation."
Then, perceiving in Elizabeth no inclination of replying, she added, "Unhappy as the event must be for Lydia, we may draw from it this useful lesson: that loss of virtue in a female is irretrievable -- that one false step involves her in endless ruin -- that her reputation is no less brittle than it is beautiful, -- and that she cannot be too much guarded in her behaviour towards the undeserving of the other sex."
Elizabeth lifted up her eyes in amazement, but was too much oppressed to make any reply. Mary, however, continued to console herself with such kind of moral extractions from the evil before them.
In the afternoon, the two elder Miss Bennets were able to be for half an hour by themselves; and Elizabeth instantly availed herself of the opportunity of making many enquiries, which Jane was equally eager to satisfy. After joining in general lamentations over the dreadful sequel of this event, which Elizabeth considered as all but certain, and Miss Bennet could not assert to be wholly impossible, the former continued the subject by saying, "But tell me all and every thing about it which I have not already heard. Give me farther particulars. What did Colonel Forster say? Had they no apprehension of any thing before the elopement took place? They must have seen them together for ever."
"Colonel Forster did own that he had often suspected some partiality, especially on Lydia's side, but nothing to give him any alarm. I am so grieved for him. His behaviour was attentive and kind to the utmost. He was coming to us, in order to assure us of his concern, before he had any idea of their not being gone to Scotland; when that apprehension first got abroad, it hastened his journey."
"And was Denny convinced that Wickham would not marry? Did he know of their intending to go off? Had Colonel Forster seen Denny himself?"
"Yes; but when questioned by him, Denny denied knowing any thing of their plan, and would not give his real opinion about it. He did not repeat his persuasion of their not marrying -- and from that, I am inclined to hope, he might have been misunderstood before."
"And till Colonel Forster came himself, not one of you entertained a doubt, I suppose, of their being really married?"
"How was it possible that such an idea should enter our brains! I felt a little uneasy -- a little fearful of my sister's happiness with him in marriage, because I knew that his conduct had not been always quite right. My father and mother knew nothing of that, they only felt how imprudent a match it must be. Kitty then owned, with a very natural triumph on knowing more than the rest of us, that in Lydia's last letter she had prepared her for such a step. She had known, it seems, of their being in love with each other many weeks."
"But not before they went to Brighton?"
"No, I believe not."
"And did Colonel Forster appear to think ill of Wickham himself? Does he know his real character?"
"I must confess that he did not speak so well of Wickham as he formerly did. He believed him to be imprudent and extravagant. And since this sad affair has taken place, it is said that he left Meryton greatly in debt; but I hope this may be false."
"Oh, Jane, had we been less secret, had we told what we knew of him, this could not have happened!"
"erhaps it would have been better," replied her sister. "But to expose the former faults of any person, without knowing what their present feelings were, seemed unjustifiable. We acted with the best intentions."
"Could Colonel Forster repeat the particulars of Lydia's note to his wife?"
"He brought it with him for us to see."
Jane then took it from her pocket-book, and gave it to Elizabeth. These were the contents:
"MY DEAR HARRIET,
You will laugh when you know where I am gone, and I cannot help laughing myself at your surprise to-morrow morning, as soon as I am missed. I am going to Gretna Green, and if you cannot guess with who, I shall think you a simpleton, for there is but one man in the world I love, and he is an angel. I should never be happy without him, so think it no harm to be off. You need not send them word at Longbourn of my going, if you do not like it, for it will make the surprise the greater when I write to them and sign my name Lydia Wickham. What a good joke it will be! I can hardly write for laughing. Pray make my excuses to Pratt, for not keeping my engagement and dancing with him to night. Tell him I hope he will excuse me when he knows all, and tell him I will dance with him at the next ball we meet, with great pleasure. I shall send for my clothes when I get to Longbourn; but I wish you would tell Sally to mend a great slit in my worked muslin gown before they are packed up. Good bye. Give my love to Colonel Forster. I hope you will drink to our good journey.
Your affectionate friend,
LYDIA BENNET."
"Oh! thoughtless, thoughtless Lydia!" cried Elizabeth when she had finished it. "What a letter is this, to be written at such a moment. But at least it shews that she was serious in the object of her journey. Whatever he might afterwards persuade her to, it was not on her side a scheme of infamy. My poor father! how he must have felt it!"
"I never saw any one so shocked. He could not speak a word for full ten minutes. My mother was taken ill immediately, and the whole house in such confusion!"
"Oh! Jane!" cried Elizabeth, "was there a servant belonging to it, who did not know the whole story before the end of the day?"
"I do not know. -- I hope there was. -- But to be guarded at such a time, is very difficult. My mother was in hysterics, and though I endeavoured to give her every assistance in my power, I am  I did not do so much as I might have done! But the horror of what might possibly happen, almost took from me my faculties."
"Your attendance upon her has been too much for you. You do not look well. Oh! that I had been with you, you have had every care and anxiety upon yourself alone."
"Mary and Kitty have been very kind, and would have shared in every fatigue, I am sure, but I did not think it right for either of them. Kitty is slight and delicate, and Mary studies so much, that her hours of repose should not be broken in on. My aunt Phillips came to Longbourn on Tuesday, after my father went away; and was so good as to stay till Thursday with me. She was of great use and comfort to us all, and Lady Lucas has been very kind; she walked here on Wednesday morning to condole with us, and offered her services, or any of her daughters, if they could be of use to us."
"She had better have stayed at home," cried Elizabeth; "perhaps she meant well, but under such a misfortune as this, one cannot see too little of one's neighbours. Assistance is impossible; condolence, insufferable. Let them triumph over us at a distance, and be satisfied."
She then proceeded to enquire into the measures which her father had intended to pursue, while in town, for the recovery of his daughter.
"He meant, I believe," replied Jane, "to go to Epsom, the place where they last changed horses, see the postilions, and try if any thing could be made out from them. His principal object must be to discover the number of the hackney coach which took them from Clapham. It had come with a fare from London; and as he thought the circumstance of a gentleman and lady's removing from one carriage into another might be remarked, he meant to make enquiries at Clapham. If he could any how discover at what house the coachman had before set down his fare, he determined to make enquiries there, and hoped it might not be impossible to find out the stand and number of the coach. I do not know of any other designs that he had formed: but he was in such a hurry to be gone, and his spirits so greatly discomposed, that I had difficulty in finding out even so much as this."

　　第 47 章

　　他們離開那個城鎮的時候，舅父跟伊莉莎白說："我又把這件事想了一遍，認真地考慮了一番，越發覺得你姐姐的看法很對。我認為無論是哪個青年，決不會對這樣一位姑娘存著這樣的壞心眼，她又不是無親無靠，何況她就住在他自己的上校家裡，因此我要從最好的方面去著想。難道他以為她的親友們不會挺身而出嗎？難道他還以為這一次冒犯弗斯脫上校以後，還好意思回到民兵團里去嗎？我看他不見得會痴情到冒險的地步。"

　　伊莉莎白的臉色立刻顯得高興起來，連忙嚷道："你果真這樣想嗎？"

　　嘉丁納太太接嘴說："你相信我好了，我也開始贊成你舅舅的看法了。這件事太不顧羞恥，太不顧名譽和利害關係了，他不會這樣膽大妄為。我覺得韋翰未必會這樣壞。麗萃，你竟這樣不把他放在眼裡，相信他會做出這種事嗎？"

　　"他也許不會不顧全自己的利害關係。除此以外，我相信他全不在乎。但願他能有所顧忌。我可不敢存這個奢望。要是真象你所想的那樣，那他們幹嗎不到蘇格蘭去呢？"

　　嘉丁納先生回答道："第一，現在並不能完全證明他們沒有到蘇格蘭去。"

　　"哎喲！可是他們把原來的馬車打發走，換上了出租的馬車，光是憑這一點就可想而知！此外，到巴納特去的路上，也找不到他們的蹤跡。"

　　"那麼就假定他們在倫敦吧。他們到那兒去也許是為了暫時躲避一下，不會別有用心。他們兩個人都沒有多少錢；也許他們都會想到，在倫敦結婚雖然比不上在蘇格蘭結婚來得方便，可是要省儉些。"

　　"可是為什麼要這樣秘密？為什麼怕給人家發覺？為什麼結婚要偷偷摸摸？哦，不，不，你這種想法不切合實際。你不是看到吉英信里說嗎……連他自己最要好的朋友也相信他不會跟她結婚。韋翰絕不會跟一個沒有錢的女人結婚的。他根本辦不到。麗迪雅除了年輕、健康、愛開玩笑之外，有什麼辦法、有什麼吸引力，可以叫他為了她而放棄掉結婚致富的機會？至於他會不會怕這次羞恥的私奔使他自己在部隊里丟面子，便把行為檢點一下，那我就無法判斷了，因為我無從知道他這一次的行為究竟會產生什麼樣的後果。但是你說的另外一點，我恐怕不大靠得住。麗迪雅的確沒有個親兄弟為她出頭，他又看到我父親平日為人懶散，不管家事，便以為他遇到這類事情，也會跟人家做父親的一樣，不肯多管，也不肯多想。"

　　"可是你以為麗迪雅為了愛他，竟會不顧一切，可以不跟他結婚而跟他同居嗎？"

　　伊莉莎白眼睛里湧起了眼淚說道："說起來真是駭人聽聞，一個人居然懷疑到自己親妹妹會不顧體面，不顧貞操！可是我的確不知道該怎麼說才好。也許是我冤枉了她。她很年輕，又從來沒有人教她應該怎樣去考慮這些重大的問題；半年以來……不，整整一年以來──她只知道開心作樂，愛好虛榮。家裡縱容她，讓她盡過些輕浮浪蕩的日子，讓她隨便遇到什麼事情都是輕信盲從。自從民兵團駐紮到麥里屯以後，她一腦子只想到談情說愛，賣弄風情，勾搭軍官。她先天就已經足夠騷，再加上老是想這件事，談這件事，想盡辦法使自己的感情更加……我應該說更加怎麼呢？……更加容易被人家誘惑。我們都知道韋翰無論在儀錶方面，辭令方面，都有足夠的魅力可以迷住一個女人。"

　　"可是你得明白，"她的舅母說，"吉英就不把韋翰看得那麼壞，她認為他不會存這種心腸。"

　　"吉英何嘗把任何人看作壞人？不管是什麼樣的人，無論他過去的行為怎樣，除非等到事實證明了那個人確實是壞，她怎麼會相信人家會存這種心腸？可是說到韋翰的底細，吉英卻和我一樣明白。我們倆都知道他是個不折不扣的淫棍，他既沒有人格，又不顧體面，一味虛情假意，柔聲媚氣。"

　　這番話使嘉丁納太太起了極大的好奇心，想要弄明白外甥女兒怎麼知道這些事情的，便大聲問道："這些情形你真的都了解嗎？"

　　伊莉莎白紅著臉回答道："我當然了解，那一天我已經把他對待達西先生的無恥行為說給你聽過。人家待他那麼寬宏大量，可是你上次在浪搏恩的時候，曾經親耳聽到他是以什麼的態度談到人家。還有許多事情我不便於說，也不值得說，可是他對於彭伯里府上造謠中傷的事實，真是數說不盡。他把達西小姐說成那樣一個人，使得我開頭完全把她當做一位驕傲冷酷，惹人討厭的小姐。然而他自己也知道事實完全相反。他心裡一定明白，達西小姐正象我們所看到的那樣和藹可親，一些也不裝腔作勢。"

　　"難道麗迪雅完全不知道這些事嗎？既然你和吉英都了解得那麼透徹，她自己怎麼會完全不曉得？"

　　"糟就糟在這裡。我自己也是到了肯特郡以後，常常跟達西先生和他的親戚弗茨威廉上校在一起，才知道真相。等我回得家來，某某郡的民兵團已經準備在一兩個星期以內就要離開麥里屯了。當時我就把這情形在吉英面前和盤托出，吉英和我都覺得不必向外面聲張，因為街坊四鄰既然都對韋翰有好感，如果叫大家對他印象轉壞，這會對誰有好處？甚至於臨到決定讓麗迪雅跟弗斯脫太太一塊兒走的時候，我還不想叫麗迪雅了解他的人品。我從來沒想到她竟會被他欺騙。你可以相信我萬萬想不到會造成這樣的後果。"

　　"那麼說，他們開拔到白利屯去的時候，你還是毫不在意，沒想到他們倆已經愛上了吧？"

　　"根本沒想到。我記得他們誰都沒有流露出相愛的意思，要知道，當初只要看出了一點形跡，在我們那樣的一個家庭里是不會不談論的。他剛到部隊里來的時候，她就對他十分愛慕，當時我們大家都是那樣。在開頭一兩個月裡面，麥里屯一帶的姑娘們沒有哪一個不為他神魂顛倒；可是他對她卻不曾另眼相看。後來那一陣濫愛狂戀的風氣過去了，她對他的幻想也就消失了，因為民兵團里其他的軍官們更加看重她，於是她的心又轉到他們身上去了。"

　　他們一路上把這個有趣的話題翻來複去地談論，談到哪些地方值得顧慮，哪些地方還可以寄予希望；揣想起來又是如何如何；實在再也談不出什麼新意來了，只得暫時住口。可是隔了不多一會兒，又談到這件事上面來了；這是可想而知的。伊莉莎白的腦子裡總是擺脫不開這件事。她為這件事自怨自艾，沒有一刻能夠安心，也沒有一刻能夠忘懷。

　　他們匆匆忙忙趕著路，在中途住宿了一夜，第二天吃飯的時候就到了浪搏恩。伊莉莎白感到快慰的是，總算沒有讓吉英等得心焦。

　　他們進了圍場，嘉丁納舅舅的孩子們一看見一輛馬車，便趕到台階上來站著；等到馬車趕到門口的時候，孩子們一個個驚喜交集，滿面笑容，跳來蹦去，這是大人們回來時第一次受到的愉快熱誠的歡迎。

　　伊莉莎白跳下馬車，匆匆忙忙把每個孩子親吻了一下便趕快向門口奔去，吉英這時候正從母親房間里跑下樓來，在那兒迎接她。

　　伊莉莎白熱情地擁抱著她，姐妹兩人都熱淚滾滾。伊莉莎白一面又迫不及待地問她是否聽到那一對私奔的男女有什麼下落。

　　"還沒有聽到什麼下落，"吉英回答道。"好在親愛的舅舅回來了，我希望從此以後一切都會順利。"

　　"爸爸進城去了嗎？"

　　"進城去了，他是星期二走的，我信上告訴過你了。"

　　"常常收到他的信嗎？"

　　"只收到他一封信。是星期三寄來的，信上三言兩語，只說他已經平安抵達，又把他的詳細地址告訴了我，這還是他臨走時我特別要求他寫的。另外他只說，等到有了重要消息，再寫信來。"

　　"媽好嗎？家裡人都好嗎？"

　　"我覺得媽還算好，只不過精神上受了很大的挫折。她在樓上；她看到你們回來，一定非常快活。她還在自己的化妝室里呢。謝天謝地，曼麗和吉蒂都非常好。"

　　"可是你好嗎？"伊莉莎白又大聲問道。"你臉色蒼白。你一定擔了多少心思啊！"

　　姐姐告訴她完好無恙。姐妹倆趁著嘉丁納夫婦忙於應付孩子們的時候，剛剛談了這幾句話，只見他們一大群男女老幼都走過來了，於是談話只得終止。吉英走到舅父母跟前去表示歡迎和感謝，笑一陣又哭一陣。

　　大家都走進會客室以後，舅父母又把伊莉莎白剛才問過的那些話重新問了一遍，立刻就發覺吉英沒有什麼消息可以奉告。吉英因為心腸慈善，總是從樂觀的方面去著想，即使事到如今，她還沒有心灰意冷，她還在指望著一切都會有圓滿的結局；總有哪一天早上她會收到一封信，或者是父親寫來的，或者是麗迪雅寫來的，信上會把事情進行的經過詳細報導一番，或許還會宣布那一對男女的結婚消息。

　　大家談了一會兒以後，都到班納特太太房裡去了。果然不出所料，班納特太太見到他們便眼淚汪汪，長吁短嘆。她先把韋翰的卑劣行為痛了一頓，又為自己的病痛和委屈抱怨了一番，她幾乎把每個人都罵到了，只有一個人沒罵到，而那個人卻正是盲目溺愛女兒，使女兒鑄成大錯的主要原因。

　　她說："要是當初能夠依了我的打算，讓全家人都跟著到白利屯去，那就不會發生這種事了。麗迪雅真是又可憐又可愛。毛病就出在沒有人照應。弗斯脫太太怎麼竟放心讓她離開他們跟前呢？我看，一定是他們太怠慢了她。象她那樣一個姑娘，要是有人好好地照料她，她是決不會做出那種事來的。我一直覺得他們不配照管她；可是我一直要受人家擺布。可憐的好孩子呀！班納特先生已經走了，他一碰到韋翰，一定會跟他拚個死活，他一定會給韋翰活活打死，那叫我們大家可怎麼辦？他屍骨未寒，柯林斯一家人就要把我們攆出去；兄弟呀，要是你不幫幫我們的忙，我就真不知道怎麼是好啦。"

　　大家聽到她這些可怕的話，都失聲大叫；嘉丁納先生告訴她說，無論對她本人，對她家裡人，他都會盡心照顧，然後又告訴她說，他明天就要到倫敦去，儘力幫助班納特先生去找麗迪雅。

　　他又說："不要過分焦急，雖說也應該從最壞的方面去著想，可也不一定會落得最壞的下場。他們離開白利屯還不到一個星期。再過幾天，我們可能會打聽到一些有關他們的消息。等我們把事情弄明白了；要是他們真的沒有結婚，而且不打算結婚，那時候才談得上失望。我一進城就會到姐夫那裡去，請他到天恩寺街我們家裡去住，那時候我們就可以一塊兒商量出一個辦法來。"

　　班納特太太回答道："噢，好兄弟，這話正講在我心上。你一到城裡，千萬把他們找到，不管他們在哪裡也好；要是他們還沒有結婚，一定叫他們結婚。講到結婚的禮服，叫他們用不著等了，只告訴麗迪雅說，等他們結婚以後，她要多少錢做衣服我就給她多少錢。千萬要緊的是，別讓班納特先生跟他打架。還請你告訴他，我真是在活受罪，簡直給嚇得神經錯亂了，遍身發抖，東倒西歪，腰部抽搐，頭痛心跳，從白天到夜裡，沒有一刻能夠安心。請你跟我的麗迪雅寶貝兒說，叫她不要自作主張做衣服，等到和我見了面再說，因為她不知道哪一家衣料店最好。噢，兄弟，你真是一片好心！我知道你會想出辦法來把樣樣事情都辦好。"

　　嘉丁納先生雖然又重新安了她一下心，說他一定會認真儘力地去效勞，可是又叫她不要過分樂觀，也不要過分憂慮。大家跟她一直談到吃中飯才走開，反正女兒們不在她跟前的時候，有管家婦等候她，她還可以去向管家婦發牢騷。

　　雖然她弟弟和弟婦都以為她大可不必和家裡人分開吃飯，可是他們並不打算反對她這樣做，因為他們考慮到她說話不謹慎，如果吃起飯來讓好幾個傭人一起來等候，那麼她在傭人們面前把心裡話全說了出來，未免不大好，因此最好還是只讓一個傭人……一個最靠得住的傭人等候她，聽她去述她對這件事是多麼擔心，多麼牽掛。

　　他們走進飯廳不久，曼麗和吉蒂也來了，原來這兩姐妹都在自己房間里忙著各人自己的事，一個在讀書，一個在化妝，因此沒有能夠早一些出來。兩人的臉色都相當平靜，看不出有什麼變化，只是吉蒂講話的聲調比平常顯得暴躁一些，這或者是因為她丟了一個心愛的妹妹而感到傷心，或者是因為這件事也使她覺得氣憤。至於曼麗，她卻自有主張，等大家坐定以後，她便擺出一副嚴肅的面孔，跟伊莉莎白低聲說道：

　　"家門不幸，遭此慘禍，很可能會引起外界議論紛紛。人心惡毒，我們一定要及時防範，免得一發不可收拾。我們要用姐妹之情來安慰彼此創傷的心靈。"

　　她看到伊莉莎白不想回答，便又接下去說："此事對於麗迪雅固屬不幸，但亦可以作為我們的前車之鑒。大凡女人家一經失去貞操，便無可挽救，這真是一失足成千古恨。美貌固然難於永保，名譽亦何嘗容易保全。世間多的是輕薄男子，豈可不寸步留神？"

　　伊莉莎白抬起眼睛來，神情很是詫異；她心裡實在太鬱悶，所以一句話也答不上來。可是曼麗還在往下說，她要從這件不幸的事例中闡明道德的精義，以便聊以自慰。

　　到了下午，兩位年紀最大的小姐有了半個鐘頭的時間可以在一起談談心。伊莉莎白不肯錯過機會，連忙向吉英問東問西，吉英也連忙一一加以回答，好讓妹妹放心。兩姐妹先把這件事的不幸的後果共同嘆息了一番。伊莉莎白認為一定會發生不幸的後果，吉英也認為難免。於是伊莉莎白繼續說道："凡是我不知道的情節，請你全部說給我聽。請你談得再詳細一些。弗斯脫上校怎麼說的？他們倆私奔之前，難道看不出一點形跡可疑的地方嗎？照理應該常常看到他們兩人在一起呀。"

　　"弗斯脫上校說，他也曾懷疑過他們倆有情感，特別是懷疑麗迪雅，可是他並沒有看出什麼形跡，因此沒有及時留意。我真為他難受。他為人極其殷勤善良。遠在他想到他們兩人並沒有到蘇格蘭去的時候，他就打算上我們這兒來慰問我們。等到人心惶惶的時候，他連忙便趕來了。"

　　"丹尼認為韋翰不會跟她結婚嗎？他是否知道他們存心私奔？弗斯脫上校有沒有見到丹尼本人？"

　　"見到的，不過他回到丹尼的時候，丹尼絕口否認，說是根本不知道他們私奔的打算，也不肯說出他自己對這件事究竟怎樣看法。丹尼以後便沒有再提起他們倆不會結婚之類的話。照這樣看來，但願上一次是我聽錯了他的話。"

　　"我想弗斯脫上校沒有到這兒以前，你們誰都沒有懷疑到他們不會正式結婚吧？"

　　"我們的腦子裡怎麼會有這種念頭呢！我只是覺得有些不安心，有些顧慮，怕妹妹跟他結婚不會幸福，因為我早就知道他的品德不太端正。父親和母親完全不知道這種情形，他們只覺得這門親事非常冒昧。吉蒂當時十分好勝地說，她比我們大家都熟悉內幕情形，麗迪雅給她的最後一封信上就已經隱隱約約透露也了一些口風，準備來這一著。看吉蒂那副神氣，她好象遠在她幾個星期以前，就知道他們倆相愛了。"

　　"總不見得在他們倆去到白利屯以前就看出了吧？"

　　"不見得，我相信不見得。"

　　"弗斯脫上校是不是顯出看不起韋翰的樣子？他了解韋翰的真面目嗎？"

　　"這我得承認，他不象從前那樣器重他了。他認為他行事荒唐，又愛奢華，這件傷心的事發生以後，人們都傳說他離開麥里屯的時候，還欠下了好多債，我但願這是謠言。"

　　"哎喲，吉英，要是我們當初少替他保守一點秘密，把他的事情照直說出來，那也許就不會發生這件事了！"

　　吉英說："說不定會好些，不過，光是揭露人家過去的錯誤，而不尊重人家目前的為人，未免亦有些說不過去。我們待人接物，應該完全好心好意。"

　　"弗斯脫上校能不能把麗迪雅留給他太太的那封簡訊逐字逐句背出來？"

　　"那封信他是隨身帶來給我們看的。"

　　於是吉英從口袋裡掏出那封信，遞給伊莉莎白。全文如下：

　　親愛的海麗，

　　明天一大早你發現我失了蹤，一定會大為驚奇；等你弄明白了我上什麼地方去，你一定又會發笑。我想到這裡，自己也禁不住笑出來了。我要到格利那草場去。如果你猜不著我是跟誰一起去，那我真要把你看成一個大傻瓜，因為這世界上只有一個男人是我心愛的，他真是一個天使。沒有了他，我決不會幸福，因此，你別以為這這次去會惹出什麼禍來。如果你不願意把我出走的消息告訴浪搏恩我家裡人，那你不告訴也罷。我要使他們接到我信的時候，看到我的簽名是"麗迪雅韋翰"，讓他們更覺得事出意外。這個玩笑真開得太有意思！我幾乎笑得無法寫下去了！請你替我向普拉特道個歉，我今天晚上不能赴約，不能和他跳舞了。我希望他知道了這一切情形以後，能夠原諒我；請你告訴他，下次在跳舞會上想見的時候，我一定樂意同他跳舞。我到了浪搏恩就派人來取衣服，請你告訴莎蕾一聲，我那件細洋紗的長衣服裂了一條大縫，叫她替我收拾行李的時候，把它補一補。再見。請代問候弗斯脫上校。願你為我們的一路順風而乾杯。

　　你的好友麗迪雅班納特

　　伊莉莎白讀完了信以後叫道："好一個沒有腦子的麗迪雅！遇到這樣重大的事，竟會寫出這樣一封信來！但是至少可以說明，她倒是把這一次旅行看成一件正經事。不管他以後會誘惑她走到哪一步田地，她可沒有存心要做出什麼丟臉的事來。可憐的爸爸！！他對這件事會有多少感觸啊！"

　　"他當時驚駭得那種樣子，我真一輩子也沒見過。他整整十分鐘說不出一句話來。媽一下子就病倒了，全家都給弄得鬼神不安！"

　　"噢，吉英，"伊莉莎白叫道。"豈不是所有的傭人當天都知道了這件事的底細嗎？"

　　"我不清楚，但願他們並沒有全都知道。不過在這種時候，即使你要當心，也很難辦到。媽那種歇斯底里的毛病又發作了，我雖然盡了我的力量去勸慰她，恐怕還是不有夠周到的地方。我只怕會出什麼意外，因此嚇得不知如何是好。"

　　"你這樣待候她，真夠你累的。我看你臉色不怎麼好。樣樣事都讓你一個人操心煩神，要是我跟你在一起就好了！"

　　"曼麗和吉蒂都非常好心，願意替我分擔疲勞，可是我不好意思讓她們受累，因為吉蒂很纖弱，曼麗又太用功，不應該再去打擾她們休息的時間。好在星期二那天，父親一走，腓力普姨媽就到浪搏恩來了，蒙她那麼好心，一直陪我到星期四才走。她幫了我們不少的忙，還安慰了我們。盧卡斯太太待我們也好，她星期三早上來慰問過我們，她說，如果我們需要她們幫忙，她和她女兒們都樂意效勞。"

　　伊莉莎白大聲說道："還是讓她待在自己家裡吧，她也許真是出於一片好意，但是遇到了這樣一件不幸的事，誰還樂意見到自己的鄰居？他們幫我們忙幫不成功，慰問我們反而會叫我們難受。讓她們在我們背後去高興得意吧。"

　　然後她又問起父親這次到城裡去，打算採用什麼方法去找到麗迪雅。

　　吉英說："我看他打算到艾普桑去，因為他們倆是在那兒換馬車的，他要上那兒去找找那些馬車夫，看看能不能從他們那裡探聽出一點消息。他的主要目的就要去查出他們在克拉普汗所搭乘的那輛出租馬車的號碼。那輛馬車本來是從倫敦搭乘客人來的；據他的想法，一男一女從一輛馬車換上另一輛馬車，一定會引起人家注目，因此他準備到克拉普汗去查問。他只要查出那個馬車夫在哪家門口卸下先前的那位客人，他便決定上那兒去查問一下，也許能夠查問得出那輛馬車的號碼和停車的地方。至於他有什麼別的打算，我就不知道了。他急急忙忙要走，心緒非常紊亂，我能夠從他嘴裡問出這麼些話來，已經算是不容易了。"

Chapter 48

THE whole party were in hopes of a letter from Mr. Bennet the next morning, but the post came in without bringing a single line from him. His family knew him to be, on all common occasions, a most negligent and dilatory correspondent, but at such a time they had hoped for exertion. They were forced to conclude that he had no pleasing intelligence to send, but even of that they would have been glad to be certain. Mr. Gardiner had waited only for the letters before he set off.
When he was gone, they were certain at least of receiving constant information of what was going on, and their uncle promised, at parting, to prevail on Mr. Bennet to return to Longbourn as soon as he could, to the great consolation of his sister, who considered it as the only security for her husband's not being killed in a duel.
Mrs. Gardiner and the children were to remain in Hertfordshire a few days longer, as the former thought her presence might be serviceable to her nieces. She shared in their attendance on Mrs. Bennet, and was a great comfort to them in their hours of freedom. Their other aunt also visited them frequently, and always, as she said, with the design of cheering and heartening them up, though as she never came without reporting some fresh instance of Wickham's extravagance or irregularity, she seldom went away without leaving them more dispirited than she found them.
All Meryton seemed striving to blacken the man, who, but three months before, had been almost an angel of light. He was declared to be in debt to every tradesman in the place, and his intrigues, all honoured with the title of seduction, had been extended into every tradesman's family. Every body declared that he was the wickedest young man in the world; and every body began to find out that they had always distrusted the appearance of his goodness. Elizabeth, though she did not credit above half of what was said, believed enough to make her former assurance of her sister's ruin still more certain; and even Jane, who believed still less of it, became almost hopeless, more especially as the time was now come when, if they had gone to Scotland, which she had never before entirely despaired of, they must in all probability have gained some news of them.
Mr. Gardiner left Longbourn on Sunday; on Tuesday, his wife received a letter from him; it told them that on his arrival, he had immediately found out his brother, and persuaded him to come to Gracechurch street; that Mr. Bennet had been to Epsom and Clapham before his arrival, but without gaining any satisfactory information; and that he was now determined to enquire at all the principal hotels in town, as Mr. Bennet thought it possible they might have gone to one of them, on their first coming to London, before they procured lodgings. Mr. Gardiner himself did not expect any success from this measure, but as his brother was eager in it, he meant to assist him in pursuing it. He added that Mr. Bennet seemed wholly disinclined at present, to leave London, and promised to write again very soon. There was also a postscript to this effect:
"I have written to Colonel Forster to desire him to find out, if possible, from some of the young man's intimates in the regiment, whether Wickham has any relations or connections who would be likely to know in what part of the town he has now concealed himself. If there were any one that one could apply to with a probability of gaining such a clue as that, it might be of essential consequence. At present we have nothing to guide us. Colonel Forster will, I dare say, do every thing in his power to satisfy us on this head. But, on second thoughts, perhaps Lizzy could tell us what relations he has now living better than any other person."
Elizabeth was at no loss to understand from whence this deference for her authority proceeded; but it was not in her power to give any information of so satisfactory a nature as the compliment deserved.
She had never heard of his having had any relations, except a father and mother, both of whom had been dead many years. It was possible, however, that some of his companions in the ----shire, might be able to give more information; and, though she was not very sanguine in expecting it, the application was a something to look forward to.
Every day at Longbourn was now a day of anxiety; but the most anxious part of each was when the post was expected. The arrival of letters was the first grand object of every morning's impatience. Through letters, whatever of good or bad was to be told would be communicated, and every succeeding day was expected to bring some news of importance.
But before they heard again from Mr. Gardiner, a letter arrived for their father from a different quarter -- from Mr. Collins; which, as Jane had received directions to open all that came for him in his absence, she accordingly read; and Elizabeth, who knew what curiosities his letters always were, looked over her, and read it likewise. It was as follows:
"MY DEAR SIR,
I feel myself called upon by our relationship, and my situation in life, to condole with you on the grievous affliction you are now suffering under, of which we were yesterday informed by a letter from Hertfordshire. Be assured, my dear Sir, that Mrs. Collins and myself sincerely sympathise with you, and all your respectable family, in your present distress, which must be of the bitterest kind, because proceeding from a cause which no time can remove. No arguments shall be wanting on my part that can alleviate so severe a misfortune; or that may comfort you, under a circumstance that must be of all others most afflicting to a parent's mind. The death of your daughter would have been a blessing in comparison of this. And it is the more to be lamented, because there is reason to suppose, as my dear Charlotte informs me, that this licentiousness of behaviour in your daughter has proceeded from a faulty degree of indulgence, though at the same time, for the consolation of yourself and Mrs. Bennet, I am inclined to think that her own disposition must be naturally bad, or she could not be guilty of such an enormity at so early an age. Howsoever that may be, you are grievously to be pitied, in which opinion I am not only joined by Mrs. Collins, but likewise by Lady Catherine and her daughter, to whom I have related the affair. They agree with me in apprehending that this false step in one daughter will be injurious to the fortunes of all the others; for who, as Lady Catherine herself condescendingly says, will connect themselves with such a family. And this consideration leads me moreover to reflect with augmented satisfaction on a certain event of last November, for had it been otherwise, I must have been involved in all your sorrow and disgrace. Let me advise you then, my dear Sir, to console yourself as much as possible, to throw off your unworthy child from your affection for ever, and leave her to reap the fruits of her own heinous offence.
I am, dear Sir, &c. &c."
Mr. Gardiner did not write again till he had received an answer from Colonel Forster; and then he had nothing of a pleasant nature to send. It was not known that Wickham had a single relation with whom he kept up any connection, and it was certain that he had no near one living. His former acquaintance had been numerous; but since he had been in the militia, it did not appear that he was on terms of particular friendship with any of them. There was no one therefore who could be pointed out as likely to give any news of him. And in the wretched state of his own finances there was a very powerful motive for secrecy, in addition to his fear of discovery by Lydia's relations, for it had just transpired that he had left gaming debts behind him, to a very considerable amount. Colonel Forster believed that more than a thousand pounds would be necessary to clear his expences at Brighton. He owed a good deal in the town, but his debts of honour were still more formidable. Mr. Gardiner did not attempt to conceal these particulars from the Longbourn family; Jane heard them with horror. "A gamester!" she cried. "This is wholly unexpected. I had not an idea of it."
Mr. Gardiner added, in his letter, that they might expect to see their father at home on the following day, which was Saturday. Rendered spiritless by the ill-success of all their endeavours, he had yielded to his brother-in-law's intreaty that he would return to his family, and leave it to him to do whatever occasion might suggest to be advisable for continuing their pursuit. When Mrs. Bennet was told of this, she did not express so much satisfaction as her children expected, considering what her anxiety for his life had been before.
"What, is he coming home, and without poor Lydia!" she cried. "Sure he will not leave London before he has found them. Who is to fight Wickham, and make him marry her, if he comes away?"
As Mrs. Gardiner began to wish to be at home, it was settled that she and her children should go to London at the same time that Mr. Bennet came from it. The coach, therefore, took them the first stage of their journey, and brought its master back to Longbourn.
Mrs. Gardiner went away in all the perplexity about Elizabeth and her Derbyshire friend that had attended her from that part of the world. His name had never been voluntarily mentioned before them by her niece; and the kind of half-expectation which Mrs. Gardiner had formed, of their being followed by a letter from him, had ended in nothing. Elizabeth had received none since her return, that could come from Pemberley.
The present unhappy state of the family, rendered any other excuse for the lowness of her spirits unnecessary; nothing, therefore, could be fairly conjectured from that, though Elizabeth, who was by this time tolerably well acquainted with her own feelings, was perfectly aware that, had she known nothing of Darcy, she could have borne the dread of Lydia's infamy somewhat better. It would have spared her, she thought, one sleepless night out of two.
When Mr. Bennet arrived, he had all the appearance of his usual philosophic composure. He said as little as he had ever been in the habit of saying; made no mention of the business that had taken him away, and it was some time before his daughters had courage to speak of it.
It was not till the afternoon, when he joined them at tea, that Elizabeth ventured to introduce the subject; and then, on her briefly expressing her sorrow for what he must have endured, he replied, "Say nothing of that. Who would suffer but myself? It has been my own doing, and I ought to feel it."
"You must not be too severe upon yourself," replied Elizabeth.
"You may well warn me against such an evil. Human nature is so prone to fall into it! No, Lizzy, let me once in my life feel how much I have been to blame. I am not  of being overpowered by the impression. It will pass away soon enough."
"Do you suppose them to be in London?"
"Yes; where else can they be so well concealed?"
"And Lydia used to want to go to London," added Kitty.
"She is happy, then," said her father, drily; "and her residence there will probably be of some duration."
Then, after a short silence, he continued, "Lizzy, I bear you no ill-will for being justified in your advice to me last May, which, considering the event, shews some greatness of mind."
They were interrupted by Miss Bennet, who came to fetch her mother's tea.
"This is a parade," cried he, "which does one good; it gives such an elegance to misfortune! Another day I will do the same; I will sit in my library, in my night cap and powdering gown, and give as much trouble as I can, -- or, perhaps, I may defer it till Kitty runs away."
"I am not going to run away, Papa," said Kitty, fretfully; "if I should ever go to Brighton, I would behave better than Lydia."
"You go to Brighton! -- I would not trust you so near it as East-Bourne, for fifty pounds! No, Kitty, I have at last learnt to be cautious, and you will feel the effects of it. No officer is ever to enter my house again, nor even to pass through the village. Balls will be absolutely prohibited, unless you stand up with one of your sisters. And you are never to stir out of doors till you can prove that you have spent ten minutes of every day in a rational manner."
Kitty, who took all these threats in a serious light, began to cry.
"Well, well," said he, "do not make yourself unhappy. If you are a good girl for the next ten years, I will take you to a review at the end of them."

　　第 48 章

　　第二天早上，大家都指望班納特先生會寄信來，可是等到郵差來了，卻沒有帶來他的片紙隻字。家裡人本來知道他一向懶得寫信，能夠拖延總是拖延；但是在這樣的時候，她們都希望他能夠勉為其難一些。既是沒有信來，她們只得認為他沒有什麼愉快的消息可以報導，即使如此，她們也希望把事情弄個清楚明白。嘉丁納先生也希望在動身以前能夠看到幾封信。

　　嘉丁納先生去了以後，大家都認為，今後至少可以經常聽到一些事情進行的經過情形。他臨走的時候，答應一定去勸告班納特先生儘可能馬上回來。她們的母親聽了這些話，很是安慰，她認為只有這樣，才能保證她丈夫不會在決鬥中被人打死。

　　嘉丁納太太和她的孩子們還要在哈福德郡多待幾天，因為她覺得，待在這裡可以讓外甥女們多一個幫手。她可以幫她們等候班納特太太，等她們空下來的時候，又大可以安慰安慰她們。姨媽也常常來看她們，而且據她自己說，她來的目的是為了讓她們高興高興，給她們打打氣，不過，她沒有哪一次來不談到韋翰的奢侈淫佚，每次都可以舉出新的事例。她每次走了以後，總是叫她們比她沒有來以前更加意氣消沉。

　　三個月以前，差不多整個麥里屯的人們都把這個男人捧到天上；三個月以後，整個麥里屯的人都說他的壞話。他們說，他在當地每一個商人那裡都欠下了一筆債；又給他加上了誘騙婦女的的頭銜，又說每個商人家裡都受過他的糟蹋。每個人都說他是天下最壞的青年；每個人都開始發覺自己一向就不信任他那偽善的面貌。伊莉莎白雖然對這些話只是半信半疑，不過她早就認為妹妹會毀在他手裡，這一來當然更是深信無疑。吉英本來連半信半疑也談不上，這一來也幾乎感到失望……因為時間已經過了這麼久，如果他們兩人真到蘇格蘭去了，現在也應該有消息了，這樣一想，縱使她從來沒有覺得完全失望，現在當然也難免要感到失望。

　　嘉丁納先生是星期日離開浪搏恩的。星期二他太太接到他一封信。信上說，他一到那裡就找到了姐夫，把他勸到天恩寺街去。又說，他沒有到達倫敦以前，班納特先生曾到艾普桑和克拉普汗去過，可惜沒有打聽到一點兒滿意的消息；又說他決定到城裡各大旅館去打聽一下，因為班納特先生認為，韋翰和麗迪雅一到倫敦，可能先住旅館，然後再慢慢尋找房子。嘉丁納先生本人並沒有指望這種辦法會獲得什麼成績；既是姐夫非要那樣做不可，也只有幫助他著手進行。信上還說，班納特先生暫時根本不想離開倫敦，他答應不久就會再寫一封信來。這封信上還有這樣的一段附言：

　　我已經寫信給弗斯脫上校，請他儘可能在民兵團里把那個年輕小夥子的要好朋友找幾個來打聽一下，韋翰有沒有什麼親友知道他躲藏在這個城裡的哪一個區域。要是我們有這樣的人可以請教，得到一些線索，那是大有用處的。目前我們還是無從捉摸。也許弗斯上校會盡量把這件事做得使我們滿意。但倡我又想了一下，覺得麗萃也許比任何人都了解情況。會知道他現在還有些什麼親戚。

　　伊莉莎白究竟為什麼會受到這樣的推崇，她自己完全知道，只可惜她提供不出什麼令人滿意的材料，所以也就受不起這樣的恭維。

　　她除了聽到韋翰談起過他自己的父母以外，從來不曾聽到他有什麼親友，況且他父母也都去世多年。某某郡民兵團里他的一些朋友們，可能提供得出一些材料，她雖說並不能對此存著過分的奢望，但究竟不妨試一試。

　　浪搏恩一家人每天都過得非常心焦，最焦急的時間莫過於等待郵差送信來。不管信上報導的是好消息還是壞消息，總是要講給大家聽，還盼望著第二天會有重要的消息傳來。

　　嘉丁納先生雖然還沒有給她們寄來第二封信，可是她們卻收到了別的地方寄來的一封信，原來是柯林斯先生寄來了一封信給她們的父親。吉英事前曾受到父親的囑託，代他拆閱一切信件，於是她便來拜讀這一封信。伊莉莎白也知道柯林斯先生的信總是寫得奇奇怪怪，便也挨在吉英身旁一同拜讀。信是這樣寫的：長者先生賜鑒：

　　昨接哈福德郡來信，借悉先生目前正什心煩慮亂，不勝苦悲。不佞與拙荊聞之，無論對先生個人或尊府老幼，均深表同情。以不佞之名份職位而言，自當聊申悼惜之意，何況與尊府為葭莩，益覺責無旁貸。夫癸諸情理，此次不幸事件自難免令人痛心疾首，蓋家聲一經敗壞，便永無清洗之日，傷天下父母之心，孰有甚於此者？早知如此，但冀其早日夭亡為幸耳。不佞只有曲盡言辭，備加慰問，庶幾可以聊寬尊懷。據內人夏綠蒂言，令媛此次淫奔，實系由於平日過分溺愛所致，此尤其可悲者也。唯不佞以為令媛年方及笄，竟而鑄成大錯，亦足見其本身天性之惡劣；先生固不必過於引咎自責也。日前遇咖苔琳夫人及其千金小姐，曾以此事奉告，夫人等亦與不佞夫婦不所同感。多蒙夫人與愚見不謀而合，認為令媛此次失足，辱沒家聲，遂使后之攀親者望而卻步，殃及其姐氏終生幸福，堪慮堪慮。瓴念言及此，不禁憶及去年十一月間一事，則又深為慶幸，否則木已成舟，勢必自取其辱，受累不淺。敬祈先生善自寬慰，任其妄自菲薄，自食其果，不足憐惜也。（下略）

　　嘉丁納先生一直挨到接得弗斯脫上校的回信以後，才寫第二封信到浪搏恩來。信上並沒有報導一點喜訊。大家都不知道韋翰是否還有什麼親戚跟他來往，不過倒知道他確確實實已經沒有一個至親在世。他以前交遊頗廣，只是自從進了民兵團以後，看來跟他們都已疏遠，因此找不出一個人來可以報導一些有關他的消息。他這次所以要保守秘密，據說是因為他臨走時拖欠了一大筆賭債，而他目前手頭又非常拮据，無法償還，再則是因為怕讓麗迪雅的親友發覺。弗斯脫上校認為，要清償他在白利屯的債務，需要有一千多英鎊才夠。他在本鎮固然欠債很多，但賭債則更可觀。嘉丁納先生並打算把這些事情瞞住浪搏恩這家人家。吉英聽得心驚肉跳，不禁叫道："好一個賭棍！這真是完全出人意料；我想也不曾想到。"

　　嘉丁納先生的信上又說，她們的父親明天（星期六）就可以回家來了。原來他們兩人再三努力，毫無成績，情緒十分低落，因此班納特先生答應了他舅爺的要求，立刻回家，一切事情都留給嘉丁納相機而行。女兒們本以為母親既是那樣擔心父親會被人打死，聽到這個消息，一定會非常得意，誰知並不盡然。

　　班納特太太嚷道："什麼！他沒有找到可憐的麗迪雅，就這樣一個人回來嗎？他既然沒有找到他們倆，當然不應該離開倫敦。他一走，還有誰去跟韋翰決鬥，逼著他跟麗迪雅結婚？"

　　嘉丁納太太也開始想要回家了，決定在班納特先生動身回浪搏恩的那一天，她就帶著孩子們回倫敦去。動身的那天可以由這裡打發一部馬車把她送到第一站，然後趁便接主人回來。

　　嘉丁納太太走了以後，對伊莉莎白和德比郡她那位朋友的事，還是糊裡糊塗，從當初在德比郡的時候起，就一直弄不明白。外甥女兒從來沒有主動在舅父母面前提起過他的名字。她本以為回來以後，那位先生就會有信來，可是結果並沒有。伊莉莎白一直沒收到過從彭伯里寄來的信。

　　她看到外甥女兒情緒消沉；可是，家裡既然出了這種不幸的事情，自然難免如此，不必把這種現象牽扯到別的原因上面去。因此她還是摸不著一點邊際。只有伊莉莎白自己明白自己的心思，她想，要是不認識達西，那麼麗迪雅這件丟臉的事也許會叫她多少好受些，也許可以使她減少幾個失眠之夜。

　　班納特先生回到家裡，仍然是那一副樂天安命的樣子。他還是象平常一樣不多說話，根本不提起他這次外出是為了什麼事情，女兒們也過了好久才敢提起。

　　一直到下午，他跟她們一塊兒喝茶的時候，伊莉莎白才大膽地談到這件事。她先簡單地說到他這次一定吃了不少的苦，這使她很難過，他卻回答道："別說這種話吧。除了我自己之外，還有誰該受罪呢？我自己做的事應該自己承擔。"

　　伊莉莎白勸慰他說："你千萬不要過分埋怨自己。"

　　"你勸我也是白勸。人的本性就是會自怨自艾！不麗萃，我一輩子也不曾自怨自艾過，這次也讓我嘗嘗這種滋味吧。我不怕憂鬱成病。這種事一下子就會過去的。"

　　"你以為他們會在倫敦嗎？"

　　"是的，還有什麼別的地方能讓他們藏得這樣好呢？"

　　吉蒂又在一旁補說了一句："而且麗迪雅老是想要到倫敦去。"

　　父親冷冷地說："那麼，她可得意啦，她也許要在那兒住一陣子呢。"

　　沉默了片刻以後，他又接下去說："麗萃，五月間你勸我的那些話的確沒有勸錯，我決不怪你，從目前這件事看來，你的確有見識。"

　　班納特小姐送茶進來給她母親，打斷了他們的談話。

　　班納特先生大聲叫道："這真所謂享福，舒服極了；居然倒楣也不忘風雅！哪一天我也要來學你的樣子，坐在書房裡，頭戴睡帽，身穿寢衣，盡量找人麻煩；要不就等到吉蒂私奔了以後再說。"

　　吉蒂氣惱地說："我不會私奔的，爸爸，要是我上白利屯去，我一定比麗迪雅規矩。"

　　"你上白利屯去！你即使要到東浪搏恩那麼近的地方去，叫我跟人家打五十鎊的賭，我也不敢！不吉蒂，我至少已經學會了小心，我一定要讓你看看我的厲害。今後隨便哪個軍官都不許上我的門，甚至不許從我們村裡經過。絕對不許你們去參加跳舞會，除非你們姐妹之間自己跳跳；也不許你走出家門一步，除非你在家裡每天至少有十分鐘規規矩矩，象個人樣。"

　　吉蒂把這些威嚇的話看得很認真，不由得哭了起來。

　　班納特先生連忙說道："得啦，得啦，別傷心吧。假使你從今天起，能做上十年好姑娘，那麼等到十年滿期的時候，我一定帶你去看閱兵典禮。"