Pride and Prejudice / Гордость и предубеждение

“I have no reason, I assure you,” said he, “to be dissatisfied with my reception. Mr. Darcy seemed much pleased with the attention.”

As Elizabeth had no longer any interest of her own to pursue, she turned her attention almost entirely on her sister and Mr. Bingley. She saw her in idea[95] settled in that very house, in all the felicity which a marriage of true affection could give. Her mother's thoughts she plainly saw were bent the same way. When they sat down to supper, she was vexed to find that her mother was talking to Lady Lucas freely, openly, and of nothing else but her expectation that Jane would soon be married to Mr. Bingley. Mrs. Bennet seemed incapable of fatigue while enumerating the advantages of the match. His being such a charming young man, and so rich, and living but three miles from them, were the first points of self-conceit; and then it was such a comfort to think how fond the two sisters were of Jane, and to be certain that they must desire the connection as much as she could do. It was, moreover, such a promising thing for her younger daughters, as Jane's marrying so greatly must throw them in the way of other rich men. She concluded with many good wishes that Lady Lucas might soon be equally fortunate, though evidently and triumphantly believing there was no chance of it.

In vain did Elizabeth endeavour to persuade her mother to describe her felicity in a less audible whisper; for, to her inexpressible annoyance, she could notice that the chief of it was overheard by Mr. Darcy, who sat opposite to them. Her mother only scolded her for being nonsensical.

“What is Mr. Darcy to me, pray, that I should be afraid of him?”

“For heaven's sake, madam, speak lower. What advantage can it be for you to offend Mr. Darcy? You will never recommend yourself to his friend by so doing!”

Nothing that she could say, however, had any influence. Her mother would talk of her views in the same tone. Elizabeth blushed and blushed again with shame and vexation. The expression of Mr. Darcy's face changed gradually from indignant contempt to a composed and steady gravity.

At length, however, Mrs. Bennet had no more to say; and Lady Lucas, who had been long yawning at the repetition of delights which she saw no likelihood of sharing, was left to the comforts of cold ham and chicken. Elizabeth now began to revive. But not long was the interval of tranquillity; for, when supper was over, singing was talked of, and she had the mortification of seeing Mary preparing to oblige the company. Such an opportunity of exhibiting was delightful to her, and she began her song. Mary's powers were by no means fitted for such a display; her voice was weak, and her manner affected. Elizabeth was in agonies. She looked at Jane, to see how she bore it; but Jane was very composedly talking to Bingley. She looked at his two sisters, and saw them making signs of scorn at each other, and at Darcy, who continued, however, imperturbably grave. She looked at her father to entreat his interference, to prevent Mary from singing all night. He took the hint, and when Mary had finished her second song, said aloud, “You have delighted us long enough, child. Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit.”

Mary, though pretending not to hear, was somewhat disconcerted; and Elizabeth, sorry for her, and sorry for her father's speech, was afraid her anxiety had done no good.

To Elizabeth it appeared that, if her family had made an agreement to expose themselves as much as they could during the evening, it would have been impossible for them to play their parts with more spirit or finer success. She could not determine whether the silent contempt of Mr. Darcy, or the impudent smiles of Mr. Bingley's sisters, were more intolerable.

The rest of the evening brought her little amusement. She was teased by Mr. Collins, who continued most perseveringly by her side. In vain did she entreat him to stand up with somebody else, and offer to introduce him to any young lady in the room. He assured her, that as to dancing, he was perfectly indifferent to it; that his chief object was by delicate attentions to recommend himself to her and that he should remain close to her the whole evening. There was no arguing upon such a project. She owed her greatest relief to her friend Miss Lucas, who often joined them, and good-naturedly engaged Mr. Collins's conversation to herself.

The Longbourn party were the last of all the company to depart, and, by a manoeuvre of Mrs. Bennet, had to wait for their carriage a quarter of an hour after everybody else was gone, which gave them time to see how heartily they were wished away by some of the family. Mrs. Hurst and her sister scarcely opened their mouths, except to complain of fatigue, and were evidently impatient to have the house to themselves. Darcy said nothing at all. Mr. Bingley and Jane were standing together, a little detached from the rest, and talked only to each other. Elizabeth preserved as steady a silence as either Mrs. Hurst or Miss Bingley; and even Lydia was too much fatigued to utter more than the occasional exclamation of “Lord, how tired I am!” accompanied by a violent yawn.

When at length they arose to take leave, Mrs. Bennet addressed herself especially to Mr. Bingley, to assure him how happy he would make them by eating a family dinner with them at any time, without the ceremony of a formal invitation. Bingley was all grateful pleasure, and he readily promised to take the earliest opportunity of visiting her, after his return from London, where he was obliged to go the next day for a short time.

Mrs. Bennet was perfectly satisfied, and quitted the house under the delightful persuasion that she would undoubtedly see her daughter settled at Netherfield in the course of three or four months. Of having another daughter married to Mr. Collins, she thought with equal certainty, and with considerable, though not equal, pleasure. Elizabeth was the least dear to her of all her children; and though the man and the match were quite good enough for her, the worth of each was eclipsed by Mr. Bingley and Netherfield.

Chapter 19

The next day opened a new scene at Longbourn. Mr. Collins made his declaration in form. Having resolved to do it without loss of time, as his leave of absence extended only to the following Saturday. On finding Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth, and one of the younger girls together, soon after breakfast, he addressed the mother in these words:

“May I hope, madam, for your interest with your fair daughter Elizabeth, when I ask for the honour of a private audience with her in the course of this morning?”

Before Elizabeth had time for anything but a blush of surprise, Mrs. Bennet answered instantly, “Oh, yes! Certainly. I am sure Lizzy will be very happy – I am sure she can have no objection. Come, Kitty, I want you upstairs.” And, gathering her work together, she was hastening away, when Elizabeth called out:

“Dear madam, do not go, I beg you. Mr. Collins must excuse me. He can have nothing to say to me that anybody need not hear. I am going away myself.”

“No, no, nonsense, Lizzy. I desire you to stay where you are.” And then she added: “Lizzy, I insist upon your staying and hearing Mr. Collins.”

Elizabeth sat down again and tried to conceal her feelings. Mrs. Bennet and Kitty walked off, and as soon as they were gone, Mr. Collins began.

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Примечания

1

общепризнанная истина

2

должен испытывать нужду

3

Михайлов день (29 сентября), начало очередного квартала, когда в Англии производят оплаты.

4

замолвить словечко

5

(зд.) острота ума

6

(зд.) чудачество

7

до последнего момента

8

я невысокого мнения о ней

9

Китти совершенно не учитывает, когда лучше кашлять – она выбирает для этого неподходящее время.

10

в довершение всего

11

перед всеми задирает нос

12

с удовольствием

13

Ради бога

14

играть роль хозяйки за его столом

15

которая вышла замуж, скорее, за светского льва, а не богача

16

Не прошло и двух лет с момента совершеннолетия мистера Бингли

17

(зд.) недалёкий

18

удостоился дворянского титула

19

Честное слово!

20

Мои сведения были ценнее

21

он снедаем гордостью

22

приехала на бал в наёмной карете

23

Если её расположение к нему очевидно мне

24

использовать наилучшим образом

25

Когда она будет уверена в его чувствах

26

Пока что

27

У него очень насмешливые глаза

28

(уст.) фортепиано

29

шотландские и ирландские мелодии

30

Я считаю, это одно из лучших достижений цивилизованного общества.

31

мастер

32

с серьёзной учтивостью

33

Её сопротивление не повредило ей в глазах джентльмена

34

её остроумие изливалось ещё долго

35

при отсутствии наследников мужского пола

36

модная лавка

37

Полк милиции, относящийся к территориальным войскам английской армии.

38

льщу себя надеждой

39

испытывали к ней презрение

40

(уст.) Аптекарь – медик, практикующий в сельской местности.

41

(зд.) микстура

42

никоим образом

43

Мушка – карточная игра.

44

но предполагая, что их ставки высоки

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сославшись на болезнь сестры

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вяжут кошельки

47

Нечто особенное

48

Всё, что имеет сродство с хитростью, достойно презрения.

49

чтобы продолжить эту тему

50

Придётся нам ещё некоторое время злоупотреблять вашей любезностью.

51

(зд.) удержаться от смеха

52

повернуть мысли матери в иное русло

53

Мне представляется, множество увлечений окончились подобным образом.

54

заморит

55

Пикет – карточная игра.

56

Рил – быстрый шотландский танец.

57

будь у неё более подходящие родственники

58

как полезно держать язык за зубами

59

отучите младших сестёр бегать за офицерами

60

(зд.) обуздать

61

Клянусь честью

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до завтрашнего дня

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приятная новость

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положить конец этому разладу

65

приняв духовный сан

66

должность приходского священника

67

прошу разрешения

68

злоупотреблю вашим гостеприимством

69

когда бы это ни потребовалось

70

молва преуменьшала истинные достоинства

71

но я не хочу опережать события

72

состоятельнее

73

придать им вид экспромта

74

триктрак (то же, что нарды)

75

он не питал никаких дурных чувств к своей младшей кузине

76

самодовольство недалёкого человека

77

теперь был у неё в милости

78

был зачислен в их полк

79

едва удостоил ответа

80

откланялись

81

Вист – карточная игра.

82

Принимая во внимание правила игры

83

Чистых десять тысяч годового дохода.

84

его или кого-то другого оценивают по заслугам

85

чувство причинённой мне жестокой обиды

86

(церк.) приход

87

Почему вы не стали искать защиты в суде?

88

несдержанный нрав

89

Элизабет почувствовала, что попала впросак.

90

Она не была создана для дурного расположения духа

91

вскоре смогла обратить внимание Шарлотты на мистера Коллинза

92

вскоре

93

(ид.) не сделает чести

94

которое вскоре нашло ей оправдание

95

в своём воображении