“I am astonished at his intimacy with Mr. Bingley!” said Elizabeth. “How can Mr. Bingley, who is, I really believe, truly amiable, be in friendship with such a man? How can they suit each other? Do you know Mr. Bingley?”

“Not at all.”

“He is a sweet-tempered, amiable, charming man. He cannot know what Mr. Darcy is.”

“Probably not; but Mr. Darcy can please where he chooses. His pride never deserts him; but with the rich he is liberal-minded, just, sincere, rational, honourable, and perhaps agreeable. By the way, you know of course that Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Lady Anne Darcy were sisters; consequently that she is aunt to the present Mr. Darcy?”

“No, indeed, I did not. I knew nothing at all of Lady Catherine’s connections. I never heard of her existence till the day before yesterday.”

“Her daughter, Miss de Bourgh, will have a very large fortune[40], and they say that she and her cousin will unite the two estates.”

This information made Elizabeth smile, as she thought of poor Miss Bingley.

“Mr. Collins,” said she, “speaks highly both of Lady Catherine and her daughter.”

“I have not seen her for many years,” replied Wickham; “but I very well remember that I never liked her, and that her manners were dictatorial and insolent.”

Elizabeth smiled. Mr. Wickham’s manners recommended him to everybody. Whatever he said, was said well; and whatever he did, done gracefully. Elizabeth could think of nothing but of Mr. Wickham, and of what he had told her, all the way home.

Chapter 17

Elizabeth related to Jane the next day what had passed between Mr. Wickham and herself. Jane listened with astonishment and concern; she did not know how to believe that Mr. Darcy could be so unworthy of Mr. Bingley’s regard.

The two young ladies were thinking about the long-expected ball at Netherfield, which was fixed for the following Tuesday. They were delighted to see their dear friend again. To the rest of the family they paid little attention; avoiding Mrs. Bennet as much as possible, saying not much to Elizabeth, and nothing at all to the others.

The prospect of the Netherfield ball was extremely agreeable to every female of the family. Mrs. Bennet was particularly flattered by receiving the invitation from Mr. Bingley himself. Jane pictured to herself a happy evening in the society of her two friends, and Elizabeth thought with pleasure of dancing with Mr. Wickham.

Elizabeth was in a very good mood. And though she did not often speak to Mr. Collins, she could not help asking him whether he intended to accept Mr. Bingley’s invitation.

“I do not think, I assure you,” said he, “that a ball of this kind, given by a young man of character, to respectable people, can have any evil tendency. And I take this opportunity of inviting you, Miss Elizabeth, for the two first dances.”

Elizabeth accepted Mr. Collins’s proposal with as good a grace as she could[41].

Chapter 18

Till Elizabeth entered the drawing-room at Netherfield, and looked in vain for Mr. Wickham, a doubt of his coming had never occurred to her. But his friend Denny, to whom Lydia eagerly applied, said that Wickham had been obliged to go to town on business the day before.

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Примечания

in possession of a good fortune – располагающий средствами

Netherfield Park – в Англии особнякам дают названия. Дом, сданный г-ну Бингли, назывался Незерфилд-Парк. «Парк» часто входит в названия домов, особенно загородных, окружённых парком.

to be sure – конечно же

woman of mean understanding – невежественная женщина

uncertain temper – неустойчивое настроение

to get her daughters married – выдать своих дочерей замуж

lady of deep reflection – рассудительная девушка

to be fond of dancing – любить танцы

character was decided – характер все осудили

upon my honour – клянусь честью

Elizabeth felt Jane’s pleasure. – Элизабет радовалась за Джейн.

You have liked many a stupider person. – Тебе не раз нравился кое-кто и поглупее.

as to Miss Bennet – что касается мисс Беннет

and the younger sisters not worth speaking to – а c младшими сёстрами не стоило и говорить

Mr. Darcy is all politeness. – Мистер Дарси – сама любезность.

was entailed, in default of heirs male, on a distant relation – должно было перейти – при отсутствии наследника мужского пола – к дальнему родственнику

she had no conversation – она не умеет вести беседу

I am very far from agreeing with you in your estimation – Я совершенно не могу согласиться с вашей оценкой

a certain something in her air – определённое своеобразие во внешности

I consider myself as quite fixed here. – Мне кажется, что я устроился здесь основательно.

envied me Jane’s beauty – завидовала красоте моей Джейн

he wrote some verses on her – он посвятил ей стихи

by your desire – по вашему желанию

it is not for me to determine – не мне судить

as for a ball, it is quite a settled thing – что каcается бала, это дело решённое

if they were carried on – если бы они проводились

take a turn about the room – немного пройтись по комнате

My good opinion once lost, is lost forever. – Если уж моё хорошее мнение утеряно, то навсегда.