按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
then； what do you think we did？ We dressed up Chamberlayne in
woman’s clothes； on purpose to pass for a lady；—only think what
fun！ Not a soul knew of it； but Col。 and Mrs。 Forster； and Kitty and
me； except my aunt； for we were forced to borrow one of her
gowns and you cannot imagine how well he looked！ When Denny；
and Wickham； and Pratt； and two or three more of the men came
in； they did not know him in the least。 Lord！ how I laughed！ and so
did Mrs。 Forster。 I thought I should have died。 And that made the
men suspect something； and then they soon found out what was
the matter。
With such kind of histories of their parties and good jokes； did
Lydia； assisted by Kitty’s hints and additions； endeavour to amuse
her companions all the way to Longbourn。 Elizabeth listened as
little as she could； but there was no escaping the frequent mention
of Wickham’s name。
Their reception at home was most kind。 Mrs。 Bennet rejoiced to
see Jane in undiminished beauty； and more than once during
dinner did Mr。 Bennet say voluntarily to Elizabeth；
‘I am glad you are come back； Lizzy。’
Their party in the dining…room was large； for almost all the
Lucases came to meet Maria and hear the news； and various were
the subjects which occupied them； Lady Lucas was enquiring of
Maria across the table； after the welfare and poultry of her eldest
daughter； Mrs。 Bennet was doubly engaged； on one hand
collecting an account of the present fashions from Jane； who sat
some way below her； and on the other； retailing them all to the
younger Miss Lucases； and Lydia； in a voice rather louder than
any other person’s； was enumerating the various pleasures of the
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 258…
Jane Austen： Pride and Prejudice 258
morning to any body who would hear her。
‘Oh！ Mary；’ said she； ‘I wish you had gone with us； for we had
such fun！ as we went along； Kitty and me drew up all the blinds；
and pretended there was nobody in the coach； and I should have
gone so all the way； if Kitty had not been sick； and when we got to
the George； I do think we behaved very handsomely； for we
treated the other three with the nicest cold luncheon in the world；
and if you would have gone； we would have treated you too。 And
then when we came away it was such fun！ I thought we never
should have got into the coach。 I was ready to die of laughter。 And
then we were so merry all the way home！ we talked and laughed
so loud； that any body might have heard us ten miles off！’
To this； Mary very gravely replied； ‘Far be it from me； my dear
sister； to depreciate such pleasures。 They would doubtless be
congenial with the generality of female minds。 But I confess they
would have no charms for me。 I should infinitely prefer a book。’
But of this answer Lydia heard not a word。 She seldom listened
to any body for more than half a minute； and never attended to
Mary at all。
In the afternoon Lydia was urgent with the rest of the girls to
walk to Meryton and see how every body went on； but Elizabeth
steadily opposed the scheme。 It should not be said； that the Miss
Bennets could not be at home half a day before they were in
pursuit of the officers。 There was another reason too for her
opposition。 She dreaded seeing Wickham again； and was resolved
to avoid it as long as possible。 The comfort to her； of the regiment’s
approaching removal； was indeed beyond expression。 In a
fortnight they were to go； and once gone； she hoped there could be
nothing more to plague her on his account。
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 259…
Jane Austen： Pride and Prejudice 259
She had not been many hours at home； before she found that
the Brighton scheme； of which Lydia had given them a hint at the
inn； was under frequent discussion between her parents。
Elizabeth saw directly that her father had not the smallest
intention of yielding； but his answers were at the same time so
vague and equivocal； that her mother； though often disheartened；
had never yet despaired of succeeding at last。
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 260…
Jane Austen： Pride and Prejudice 260
CHAPTER XVII
lizabeth’s impatience to acquaint Jane with what had
happened could no longer be overcome； and at length
E
resolving to suppress every particular in which her sister
was concerned； and preparing her to be surprised； she related to
her the next morning the chief of the scene between Mr。 Darcy
and herself。
Miss Bennet’s astonishment was soon lessened by the strong
sisterly partiality which made any admiration of Elizabeth appear
perfectly natural； and all surprise was shortly lost in other
feelings。 She was sorry that Mr。 Darcy should have delivered his
sentiments in a manner so little suited to recommend them； but
still more was she grieved for the unhappiness which her sister’s
refusal must have given him。
‘His being so sure of succeeding； was wrong；’ said she； ‘and
certainly ought not to have appeared； but consider how much it
must increase his disappointment。’
‘Indeed；’ replied Elizabeth； ‘I am heartily sorry for him； but he
has other feelings which will probably soon drive away his regard
for me。 You do not blame me； however； for refusing him？’
‘Blame you！ Oh； no。’
‘But you blame me for having spoken so warmly of Wickham。’
‘No—I do not know that you were wrong in saying what you
did。’
‘But you will know it； when I have told you what happened the
very next day。’
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 261…
Jane Austen： Pride and Prejudice 261
She then spoke of the letter； repeating the whole of its contents
as far as they concerned George Wickham。 What a stroke was this
for poor Jane！ who would willingly have gone through the world
without believing that so much wickedness existed in the whole
race of mankind； as was here collected in one individual。 Nor was
Darcy’s vindication； though grateful to her feelings； capable of
consoling her for such discovery。 Most earnestly did she labour to
prove the probability of error； and seek to clear one； without
involving the other。
‘This will not do；’ said Elizabeth。 ‘You never will be able to
make both of them good for any thing。 Take your choice； but you
must be satisfied with only one。 There is but such a quantity of
merit between them； just enough to make one good sort of man；
and of late it has been shifting about pretty much。 For my part； I
am inclined to believe it all Mr。 Darcy’s； but you shall do as you
chuse。’
It was some time； however； before a smile could be extorted
from Jane。
‘I do not know when I have been more shocked；’ said she。
‘Wickham so very bad！ It is almost past belief。 And poor Mr。
Darcy！ dear Lizzy； only consider what he must have suffered。
Such a disappointment！ and with the knowledge of your ill opinion
too！ and having to relate such a thing of his sister！ It is really too
distressing。 I am sure you must feel it so。’
‘Oh！ no； my regret and compassion are all done away by seeing
you so full of both。 I know you will do him such ample justice； that
I am growing every moment more unconcerned and indifferent。
Your profusion makes me saving； and if you lament over him
much longer； my heart will be as light as a feather。’
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 262…