傲慢與偏見8 A Clergyman at Home
CHAPTER EIGHT
A Clergyman at Home
Mr. Collins spent a week making plans ofmarriage and love. Then he returned to his house atHunsford, in Kent, to prepare the house to welcomehis bride. Their wedding day had been fixed.
The following Monday, Mrs. Bennet received herbrother and his wife. They had come from London tospend Christmas at Longbourn. Mr. Gardiner was agentle man, quite above his sister in nature as well as ineducation. Mrs. Gardiner, who was several yearsyounger than Mrs. Bennet, was an intelligent and well-mannered woman. She was a great favorite with all hernieces. Between Jane and Elizabeth and her, there wasa very strong regard.
Mrs. Gardiner began their visit by giving out herpresents. Then she began to describe the newestfashions in London. Soon Mrs. Bennet began to tellher of her problems. She explained that they had beenwronged since she last saw her sister. Two of her girlshad been on the point of marriage, and both plans hadfallen through.
"I do not blame Jane for being disappointed,"Mrs. Bennet said. "But Lizzy! Oh, sister! I don'tagree that she should not be Mr. Collins's wife. I'mquite sad that she refused him. Now Lady Lucas'sdaughter will be married before I have any of mydaughters married. Also, the future of our property isstill in danger. However, I'm glad that you have come.It is a great comfort to me.
Mrs. Gardiner already knew of the situation fromJane and Elizabeth's letters to her. She gave her sister aquiet answer and decided to turn the conversation toother things.
When she was afterwards alone with Elizabeth.she said, "It seems that Jane would have had a verygood match. l am sorry that it went wrong. Maybe wecan convince her to go back to London with us? Achange of place might do her a world of good. "
Elizabeth was quite pleased with this idea. andJane happily accepted her aunt's invitation.
No sooner had the Gardiners left with Jane thanMr. Collins returned. But he decided to stay with theLucases .
The wedding day was set for Thursday, and onWednesday Miss Lucas came for her goodbye visit.When she stood up to go, Elizabeth accompanied herout of the room.
"Promise me you will come and see me atHunsford. " Charlotte asked. "My father and sister arecoming in March. Will you think about joining them?"
Elizabeth could not refuse, though she did not seemuch pleasure in the visit.
The wedding took place as planned. Then thecouple set off for Kent from the church door.
Elizabeth soon received a letter from her friend.Charlotte was living comfortably. She liked thefurniture, the house and neighborhood very much, andLady Catherine's behavior was most friendly.
Jane had also written to say that she had arrivedsafely in London. She had also written to Miss CarolineBingley to tell her that she was there.
Four weeks passed, and Jane wrote that she stillhad seen nothing of Mr. Bingley or his sister. Aftertwo more weeks, Miss Bingley finally appeared. But itwas clear that she did not even want to make the visit.She apologized for not calling before, but she did notsay that she wished to see Jane again. She said that herbrother knew that Jane was in town, but he was sovery busy with Mr. Darcy that they hardly ever sawhim. Then she added that it was not likely that Mr.Darcy would ever return to Netherfield. He planned togive up the house he had rented there.
This letter hurt Elizabeth, but she felt betterknowing that Jane would no longer be fooled byCaroline, at least. As for Bingley, she decided thatsince his character was so weak, it was best for Janenot to see him anymore.
In March, Elizabeth was set to accompany SirWilliam and his second daughter, Maria, to Hunsford.She began to look forward to the journey. She would beable to see Jane, as she was going to spend a night atthe Gardiners' house in Gracechurch Street in London.
The journey to London was only twenty-fourmiles, and they began early so as to arrive by noon.Elizabeth was pleased to see that Jane was looking ashealthy and lovely as ever. The day passed mostpleasantly, the afternoon was spent shopping. and theevening at the theatre.
Later that night, Elizabeth's uncle and auntinvited her to accompany them to the Lake District inthe summer. She readily and gratefully accepted.
The next day, when they left the main road forthe road to Hunsford, they came upon the home ofLady Catherine de Bourgh.
The church's house also soon came into sight. Thehouse had green windows and rows of bushes along thegarden. Mr. Collins and Charlotte appeared at thedoor. Soon they were all out in the garden, celebratingthe sight of one another. Mrs. Collins welcomedElizabeth warmly, and Elizabeth was glad at havingcome. She noted immediately that her cousin's mannerswere not changed, even after his marriage. When hetalked about the good build of his house, all its historyand its furniture, she felt that he spoke particularly toher. It appeared that he wished to make her feel shehad lost much in refusing his offer. She wondered howit was possible that her friend could be so cheerful withsuch a proud husband.
Mr. Collins proudly pointed to Rosings, a housenear Hunsford. He told them they were very lucky tohave an invitation to dine there the next day.
Mr. Collins spent the whole day talking abouttheir planned visit to Rosings. He instructed themabout what to expect so that they would not befrightened by the richness of so many rooms, so manyservants, and so wonderful a dinner.
While they were dressing, he came two or threetimes to their different doors to tell them to hurry andbe on time. He explained that Lady Catherine did notlike to have to wait for her dinner. Mr. Collins' storiesfrightened poor little Maria Lucas and made her feelquite nervous.
As the weather was fine, they had a nice andpleasant walk across the park. But when they started towalk up the steps to Rosings. only Elizabeth was ableto be unafraid.
They were met at the entrance hall by a servant,and he led them to the room where Lady Catherine wassitting. Her Ladyship proudly stood up to receivethem. Sir William bowed very low and sat downwithout saying a word. His daughter, Maria, wasterribly frightened and sat on the edge of her chair, notknowing which way to look. Elizabeth found herselfquite prepared for the dinner. Lady Catherine was atall, large woman, with strong features. She was veryserious and harsh. Her manner of receiving her visitorsseemed for the purpose of making her guests remembertheir low position in society when compared to hers.She spoke so powerfully that it showed her self-importance .
The dinner was set very beautifully, and therewere all the servants and all the variety of dishes thatMr. Collins had talked about. He took his seat at thebottom of the table, as Lady Catherine wished for himto do. He looked as if life could not be anythinggreater. He praised every dish he ate, and Sir Williamrepeated everything his son-in-law said. Elizabethbegan to wonder how Lady Catherine could bear Mr.Collins, manner. But Lady Catherine seemed gratefulfor their strong praise, and she replied by giving warmsmiles .
When the ladies left for the living room, LadyCatherine talked without any break until the coffeearrived. She asked Elizabeth a variety of questions, asshe knew little about her. She asked how many sistersshe had, whether any of them were married, whetherthey were beautiful. what carriage her father kept, andwhat had been her mother's unmarried name. Elizabethfelt that these questions were very rude, but sheanswered them politely.
When the time came for them to leave, Mrs.Collins was offered a horse carriage. She gratefullyaccepted it. With many words of thanks and with manybows from Sir William, they left.
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