Pride and Prejudice. Адаптированная книга для чтения на английском языке. Intermediate

«I do everything in a hurry», replied he; «I might leave Netherfield in five minutes. At present, however, I consider myself as quite fixed here».

«That is just what I've supposed about you», said Elizabeth.

«You begin to understand me, don't you?» cried he, turning towards her.

«Oh! Yes. I understand you perfectly».

«I wish I might take this for a compliment, but to be so easily seen through I am afraid isn't flattering».

«But it does not mean that your character is less admirable than a deep, complex one».

«Lizzy», cried her mother, «remember where you are, and do not run on in the wild manner that we suffer from you at home».

«The study of character must be amusing», Bingley said.

«Yes, but complex characters are the most amusing. They have at least that advantage».

«In a country neighborhood», said Darcy, «there are not many subjects for such study».

«But people themselves change so much, that there is always something new to be observed in them».

Mrs. Bennet got offended by Darcy's words and said that in the country there was as varied society as that in town.

Darcy didn't say anything to that, and Mrs. Bennet, feeling triumphant, continued.

«London has no great advantage over the country except the shops and public places. The country is a great deal pleasanter, is it not, Mr. Bingley?»

«When l am in the country», he replied, «I never wish to leave it; and when I am in town it is pretty much the same. They have each their advantages, and I can be equally happy in either».

«That is because your nature is so good. But that gentleman», looking at Darcy, «seemed to think the country was nothing at all».

«Indeed, Mamma, you are mistaken», said Elizabeth, blushing for her mother. «You've quite misunderstood Mr. Darcy. He only meant that you cannot meet such variety of people in the country as in the town, and you know it to be true».

«Certainly, my dear, but there are few neighborhoods larger than ours. I know we dine with four-and-twenty families».

For the sake of Elizabeth, Bingley kept himself from smiling. His sister was less delicate, and directed her eyes towards Mr. Darcy with a very expressive smile. To turn her mother's thoughts, Elizabeth asked her if Charlotte Lucas had been at Longbourn since her coming away.

«Yes, she called yesterday with her father. What an agreeable man Sir William is, Mr. Bingley, isn't he? So gentle and easy! He has always something to say to everybody. That is my idea of good breeding; and those persons who imagine themselves very important, and never open their mouths, quite mistake the matter».

«Did Charlotte dine with you?»

«No, she would go home. I think she was wanted about the mince-pies. For my part, Mr. Bingley, I always keep servants that can do their own work; my daughters are brought up very differently. But the Lucases are a very good sort of girls, I assure you. It is a pity they are not handsome! Not that I think Charlotte so very plain, but then she is our particular friend».

«She seems a very pleasant young woman».

«Oh, dear, yes; but one must admit she is very plain. Lady Lucas herself has often said so, and envied me Jane's beauty. Everybody says one does not often see anybody better looking. When she was only fifteen, there was a man at my brother Gardiner's in town so much in love with her that my sister-in-law was sure he would make her an offer before we came away. But, however, he did not. Perhaps he thought her too young. However, he wrote some very pretty verses on her».

«And so put an end to his affection», said Elizabeth impatiently. «I think there have been many cases of affection overcome in the same way. I wonder who first discovered the effectiveness of poetry in driving away love!»

«I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love», said Darcy.

«Of a fine, thick, healthy love it may. Everything nourishes what is strong already. But if it is only a slight, thin sort of fondness, I am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it entirely away».

Darcy only smiled. And a general pause followed. Elizabeth was afraid that her mother would say something stupid again. Though the lady wished to speak very much, she was unable to find anything to say. So after a short silence Mrs. Bennet repeated her thanks to Mr. Bingley for his kindness to Jane, with an apology for troubling him also with Lizzy, and ordered her carriage. Upon this signal, the youngest of her daughters put herself forward. The two girls had been whispering to each other during the whole visit, and the result of it was, that the youngest reminded Mr. Bingley of his promise to give a ball at Netherfield.

Lydia was a strong, well-grown girl of fifteen, with a fine complexion and good-humored face. She was a favourite with her mother, whose affection had brought her into society at an early age. She had high animal spirits, and a sort of natural self-importance, which the attention of the officers, to whom her uncle's good dinners, and her own easy manners recommended her, had increased into confidence. She was not afraid, therefore, to address Mr. Bingley on the subject of the ball, and not only to remind him of his promise, but to add also, that it would be the most shameful thing in the world if he did not keep it. His answer to this sudden attack was delightful to their mother's ear:

«I am perfectly ready, I assure you, to keep my promise; and when your sister is well again, you can name the day of the ball. But you would not wish to be dancing when she is ill».

Lydia was satisfied. «Oh! Yes, it would be much better to wait till Jane was well, and by that time most likely Captain Carter would be at Meryton again. And when you have given your ball», she added, «I'll insist on the regiment's giving one also. I'll tell Colonel Forster it'll be quite a shame if he does not».

Mrs. Bennet and her daughters then left, and Elizabeth returned instantly to Jane, leaving her own behaviour and that of her relatives to the remarks of the two ladies and Mr. Darcy. But, in spite of all Miss Bingley's witticisms on fine eyes, Elizabeth was unable to make him join in their critical remarks about her.

Chapter 10

During the day Elizabeth stayed with Jane. Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley had spent some hours of the morning with the sick girl, who continued, though slowly, to recover; and in the evening Elizabeth joined their party in the drawing-room. Mr. Darcy was writing a letter to his sister. Miss Bingley was watching the progress of his letter and repeatedly calling off his attention by messages to his sister. Mr. Hurst and Mr. Bingley were at piquet, and Mrs. Hurst was observing their game.

Elizabeth took up some needlework, and was listening to what passed between Darcy and his companion with great amusement. The endless praises of the lady either of his handwriting or the length of his letter, and the absolute indifference of the gentleman to them formed a curious dialogue, which was exactly in agreement with her opinion of each of them.

«Miss Darcy will be delighted to receive such a letter!»

No reaction.

«You write unusually fast».

«You are mistaken. I write rather slowly».

«Pray tell your sister that I long to see her».

«I have already told her so once, by your desire».

«How do you manage to make your lines so even?»

Silence.

«Tell your sister I am delighted to hear of her progress on the harp; and please let her know how I admire her beautiful little design for a table».

«Will you let me postpone your admiration till I write again? At present I have no space to put it down».

«Oh! It isn't important. I'll see her in January. But do you always write such charming long letters to her, Mr. Darcy?»

«They are usually long, but as to always charming it is not for me to say».

«I'm sure that a person, who can write a long letter with ease, cannot write badly».

«That will not do for a compliment to Darcy, Caroline», cried her brother, «he does not write with ease. He thinks too much about words of four syllables. Don't you, Darcy?»

«My style of writing is very different from yours».

«Charles writes so carelessly. He leaves out half his words, and blots the rest», said Miss Bingley.

«My ideas flow so rapidly that I have not time to express them, so my letters sometimes convey no ideas at all to my correspondents».

«Your modesty, Mr. Bingley», said Elizabeth, «must disarm criticism».

«Nothing is more deceptive», said Darcy, «than the appearance of modesty. It is often just carelessness and sometimes an indirect boast».

«And which of the two do you call my little recent piece of modesty?»

«The indirect boast. You are really proud of your defects in writing, because you believe them to be the result from rapidity of thought, and you think it's highly interesting. And when you told Mrs. Bennet this morning that if you ever decided to leave Netherfield you'd be gone in five minutes, you meant it to be a sort of compliment to yourself. But what is there so very praiseworthy in haste which must leave very necessary business undone, and can be of no real advantage to yourself or anyone else?»

«No», cried Bingley, «this is too much, to remember at night all the foolish things that were said in the morning. And yet, upon my honour, I believe what I said of myself to be true, and I believe it at this moment. At least, therefore, I did not pretend to the character of needless haste merely to show off before the ladies».

«I know you believe it; but lam by no means convinced that you would be gone so fast if, as you were mounting your horse, a friend were to say, „Bingley, you had better stay till next week“, you would probably do it, you would probably not go».

«By this», cried Elizabeth, «you have only shown Mr. Bingley's good nature much better than he did himself».

«Thank you», said Bingley, «for turning my friend's words into a compliment on the sweetness of my temper. But I am convinced he would certainly be of better opinion of me, if under such circumstance I refused to stay and rode off as fast as I could».

«Would Mr. Darcy then consider that your refusal to stay was justified by the sudden decision to go away?»

«Upon my word, I cannot exactly explain the matter; Darcy must speak for himself».

Darcy said he didn't have to explain the opinion he hadn't expressed.

«But you must remember, Miss Bennet, that the friend just asked him to return to the house, without offering any argument in favour of its necessity».

«To yield readily, easily, to the persuasion of a friend is no virtue with you».

«To yield without persuasion is no compliment to the intelligence of either».

«It seems, Mr. Darcy, you allow nothing for the influence of friendship and affection. Would you think poorly of a person if he yields to the desire of a friend, without waiting to be persuaded?»

«Before we continue, won't it be better, if we determine the degree of importance of that friend's request more precisely, as well as the degree of intimacy between the parties?»

«By all means», cried Bingley, «let us hear all the details, not forgetting their comparative height and size. I assure you, Miss Bennet, if Darcy were not such a great tall fellow, in comparison with myself, I would not yield to him half so much. I must say I don't know a more awful object than Darcy, on certain occasions, and in certain places; at his own house especially, and of a Sunday evening, when he has nothing to do».

Mr. Darcy smiled. But Elizabeth felt that he was rather offended, and, therefore, didn't laugh.

«I see, Bingley», said his friend. «You dislike reasoning, and want to stop this».

«Perhaps I do. Reasoning is too much like debate. If you and Miss Bennet postpone yours till I am out of the room, I'll be very thankful; and then you may say whatever you like of me».

«What you ask», said Elizabeth, «is no sacrifice on my side; and Mr. Darcy had much better finish his letter».

Later in the evening Mr. Darcy asked Miss Bingley and Elizabeth to entertain them with some music. Miss Bingley went quickly to the pianoforte; then she politely asked Elizabeth to lead the way. Elizabeth politely and sincerely refused, and Miss Bingley seated herself.

Mrs. Hurst sang with her sister, and while they were singing, Elizabeth noticed, as she turned over some music-books that lay on the instrument, how frequently Mr. Darcy's eyes were fixed on her. Since she could not imagine that she could be an object of admiration to so great a man, she decided that she drew his notice only because there was something most wrong about her, according to his ideas of right, than in any other person present. That thought did not pain her. She liked him too little to care for his approval.

After playing some Italian songs, Miss Bingley began a lively Scotch air. Mr. Darcy asked Elizabeth if she would like to dance.

She smiled, but made no answer. He repeated the question, with some surprise at her silence.

«Oh!» said she, «I heard you before, but I could not immediately determine what to say in reply. You wanted me, I know, to say „Yes“, that you might have the pleasure of despising my taste; but I always like overthrowing those kind of schemes. I have, therefore, made up my mind to tell you, that I do not want to dance at all, and now despise me if you dare».

«Indeed I do not dare».

Elizabeth rather expected that Mr. Darcy would be offended, and was surprised by his gallantry. There was a mixture of sweetness and archness in her manner which made it difficult for her to offend anybody. Darcy had never been so charmed by any woman as he was by her. He really felt, that if it were not for the lower position of her relatives, he would be in some danger.

Miss Bingley was jealous and wanted to get rid of Elizabeth. She often tried to talk of their supposed marriage, planning his happiness in such an alliance.

«I hope», said she, as they were walking together in the shrubbery the next day, «you will give your mother-in-law a few hints, when this pleasant event takes place, as to the advantage of holding her tongue; and if you can achieve it, please, cure the younger girls of running after officers. And try to control that little something, bordering on conceit and impertinence, which your lady possesses».

«Have you anything else to propose for my domestic happiness?»

«Oh! Yes. Put the portraits of your uncle and aunt Phillips next to your great-uncle the judge in the gallery at Pemberley They are in the same profession, you know, only in different lines. As for your Elizabeth's portrait, you must not have it painted. No painter could do justice to those beautiful eyes».

«It would not be easy, indeed, to catch their expression, but their colour and shape, and the eyelashes, so remarkably fine, might be copied».

At that moment they were met from another path by Mrs. Hurst and Elizabeth herself.

«I did not know that you intended to walk», said Miss Bingley, in some confusion. She was afraid that they had been overheard.

Mrs. Hurst joined Mr. Darcy and Miss Bingley, and left Elizabeth to walk by herself. The path just admitted three. Mr. Darcy felt their rudeness, and immediately said:

«This walk is not wide enough for our party. We had better go into the avenue».

But Elizabeth, who had not the least wish to remain with them, laughingly answered:

«No, no, stay where you are. You are charmingly grouped. The picture would be spoilt by admitting a fourth. Good-bye».

She then ran merrily off. She hoped to be at home again in a day or two. Jane was much better already.

Chapter 11

After dinner Elizabeth ran up to her sister and led her down to the drawing-room. Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley expressed great pleasure at seeing her and were pleasant to her before the gentlemen appeared. But when the gentlemen entered, Jane was no longer the first object. Miss Bingley's eyes were instantly turned toward Darcy, and she had something to say to him at once. He addressed himself to Miss Bennet, with a polite congratulation on her recovery. Bingley was full of joy and attention. He made Jane sit at the fireplace, that she might be further from the door. He then sat down by her, and talked mostly to her. Elizabeth, at work in the opposite corner, saw it all with great pleasure.

When tea was over, Darcy took up a book; Miss Bingley did the same. But Miss Bingley wasn't interested in her own book; she was watching Mr. Darcy's progress through his book. All the time she was asking him questions or looking at his page. However, he just answered her question, and read on. At last, she yawned and said, «How pleasant it is to spend an evening in this way! There is no enjoyment like reading!»

No one said anything. She yawned again, put aside her book, and looked round the room. As she heard her brother mentioning a ball to Miss Bennet, she turned towards him and said:

«Charles, if are you really serious about a dance at Netherfield, I would advise you to consult the wishes of the present party; I think there are some among us to whom a ball would be rather a punishment than a pleasure».

«If you mean Darcy», cried her brother, «he may go to bed, if he chooses, before it begins. The ball is quite a settled thing».

«I think», she replied, «balls would be much better if conversation instead of dancing were made the order of the day».

«My dear Caroline, it would not be near so much like a ball».

Miss Bingley didn't say anything to that, but got up and walked about the room. Her figure was elegant, and she walked well; but Darcy, whom she wanted to attract, was still reading on. She was desperate and decided to make one effort more. She turned to Elizabeth and said:

«Miss Eliza Bennet, let me persuade you to follow my example, and take a turn about the room. I assure you it is very refreshing after sitting so long».

Elizabeth was surprised, but agreed to it immediately. Miss Bingley succeeded at last: Mr. Darcy looked up. He was also surprised by Miss Bingley's attention to Elizabeth, and involuntarily closed his book. Miss Bingley invited him to join their party, but he said that his joining them would interfere with two motives for their choosing to walk up and down the room together.

«What could he mean?» Miss Bingley asked Elizabeth.

«I don't know», was her answer, «but I think he means to be severe on us, and the best way to disappoint him will be to ask nothing about it».

Miss Bingley, however, was incapable of disappointing Mr. Darcy in anything, and asked him to explain what he had meant by two motives.

«I'm ready to explain them», said he. «You either have secret affairs to discuss, or you know that your figures are shown to the greatest advantage in walking; if the first, I would be completely in your way, and if the second, I can admire you much better as I sit by the fire».

«Oh! Shocking!» cried Miss Bingley. «I never heard anything so abominable. How shall we punish him for such a speech?»

«Nothing so easy», said Elizabeth. «Tease him, laugh at him. You know him well; you must know how it is to be done».

«But I don't know how. Tease calmness of manner and presence of mind! No, no; I feel he may disregard us there. And as to laughter, Mr. Darcy can't be a subject to laughter».

«Mr. Darcy is not to be laughed at!» cried Elizabeth. «That is an uncommon advantage. I wouldn't like to have many such acquaintances. I dearly love a laugh».

«The wisest and best actions of men», said Mr. Darcy «may be shown ridiculous by a person whose first object in life is a joke».

«Certainly» replied Elizabeth- «there are such people, but I hope I never ridicule what is wise and good. Follies and nonsense amuse me and I laugh at them whenever I can. But I suppose, they are not your traits».

«Perhaps that is not possible for anyone. But all my life I tried to avoid those weaknesses which don't protect a strong intelligence from ridicule».

«Such as vanity and pride».

«Yes, vanity is a weakness indeed. But as to pride, where there is a real superiority of mind, pride will be always under good control».

Elizabeth turned away to hide a smile.

«So, your examination of Mr. Darcy is over», said Miss Bingley; «and what is the result?»

«I am perfectly convinced that Mr. Darcy has no defect. He thinks so himself».

«No», said Darcy, «I have made no such pretension. I have defects enough, but I hope they are not the defects of intelligence. I'm afraid I can't vouch for my temper. I very seldom yield. I cannot forget the follies and vices of others as soon as I ought to, nor their offenses against myself. My good opinion once lost, is lost forever».

«That is a defect indeed!» cried Elizabeth. «Unforgettable resentment is a shade in a character. But you have chosen your defect well. I really cannot laugh at it. You are safe from me».

«There is, I think, in every character a tendency to some defect, which not even the best education can overcome».

«And your defect is to hate everybody».

«And yours», he replied with a smile, «is stubbornly to misunderstand them».

Miss Bingley, tired of a conversation in which she had no share, asked Mrs. Hurst to play the pianoforte.

Darcy also didn't object. He began to feel the danger of paying Elizabeth too much attention.

As Jane felt much better, the sisters decided it was time for them to go home. Elizabeth wrote the next morning to their mother asking to send the carriage for them in the course of the day. But Mrs. Bennet wanted her daughters to stay at Netherfield till the following Tuesday, which would exactly finish Jane's week. Therefore, she sent them word that they could not possibly have the carriage before Tuesday. Elizabeth didn't want to stay there any longer and felt that their presence at Netherfield was not very much desirable to some of its inhabitants. She asked Jane to borrow Mr. Bingley's carriage immediately. Mr. Bingley tried to persuade Miss Bennet that it would not be safe for her, that she was not well enough. But Jane was firm where she felt herself to be right.

Mr. Darcy was pleased that the sisters were leaving. Elizabeth had been at Netherfield long enough. She attracted him more than he liked. He decided to show no sign of admiration. True to his decision, he scarcely spoke ten words to her through the whole of Saturday, and though they were at onetime left by themselves for half-an-hour, he just read his book, and would not even look at her.

On Sunday Jane and Elizabeth returned home. Mrs. Bennet was not pleased. She was sure Jane would have caught cold again. But Mr. Bennet was really glad to see them: he had missed their lively conversation in the evenings.

Chapter 12

«I hope, my dear», said Mr. Bennet to his wife, as they were at breakfast the next morning, «that you have ordered a good dinner to-day, because I have reason to expect an addition to our family party».

Mrs. Bennet's eyes sparkled. «It is Mr. Bingley, I am sure! Well, I am sure I shall be extremely glad to see Mr. Bingley».

«No», said her husband, «it is a person whom I never saw in my whole life».

There followed an astonished chorus of questions from his wife and all his five daughters at once. Mr. Bennet showed them a letter.

«It is from my cousin, Mr. Collins, who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases».

Mrs. Bennet started complaining angrily about the cruelty of settling an estate away from a family of five daughters, in favour of a man whom nobody cared anything about.

«I think it is the hardest thing in the world, that your estate should be entailed away from your own children; and I am sure, if I had been you, I would have tried long ago to do something or other about it».

«It certainly is a most immoral affair», said Mr. Bennet, «and nothing can clear Mr. Collins from the guilt of inheriting Longbourn. But after listening to his letter, you may perhaps be a little softened by his manner of expressing himself».

«I think it is very impertinent of him to write to you at all, and very hypocritical. I hate such false friends. Why could he not keep on quarreling with you, as his father did before him?»

«Why, indeed; it seems he has had some doubts concerning that, as you will hear».

«Hunsford, near Westerham, Kent, 15th October.