9 Elizabeth in Derbyshire
9 伊麗莎白在德比郡
During the week before the regiment's departure, all the young ladies in the Meryton area became extremely de-pressed.Only the two elder Miss Bennets were still able to eat,drink, sleep and lead a normal life.They were often scolded by Kitty and Lydia, who could not understand such hard-heartedness.
兵團(tuán)離開前一周,麥里屯地區(qū)所有的年輕小姐都變得極為沮喪。只有班納特家兩個(gè)大女兒還能吃、能喝、能睡,過(guò)著正常的生活。吉蒂和麗迪亞時(shí)常責(zé)怪她們,說(shuō)不理解她們的鐵石心腸。
‘How shall we manage without the officers!’ they cried miserably.‘How can you smile like that,Lizzy?’
“軍官們走了我們?cè)趺椿钛?”她們悲切地嚷道。“麗萃,你怎么還笑得出來(lái)?”
Their affectionate mother shared all their sadness.‘I re-member when Colonel Millar's regiment went away, twenty-five years ago,’she said,‘I thought my heart was broken.’
她們慈愛(ài)的母親和她們一樣悲傷。“我記得25年前米勒上校的兵團(tuán)離開時(shí),我的心都碎了。”她說(shuō)。
‘I'm sure mine will be broken,’said Lydia.
“我的心也快碎了,”麗迪亞說(shuō)。
‘If we could only go to Brighton!’said Mrs Bennet.‘I'm certain a little sea-bathing would be good for me.’
“我們要能去布賴頓就好了!”班納特太太說(shuō),“我肯定,洗洗海水浴對(duì)我是大有好處的。”
‘Oh yes! But Papa is so disagreeable about it.’
“噢,是的!可是爸爸太反對(duì)了。”
Elizabeth tried not to listen, but could not help seeing the justice of Darcy's objections to her family.
伊麗莎白試圖充耳不聞,但是,禁不住想到達(dá)西對(duì)她家的反對(duì)是正當(dāng)?shù)摹?/p>
But soon Lydia's bitterness changed to absolute delight,when she received an invitation from Colonel Forster's wife, to accompany her to Brighton with the regiment. Mrs Forster was a very young woman, only recently married, and as cheerful and sociable as Lydia, witn whom she had been friendly for two months. Poor Kitty was very upset at not being included in the invitation, but Lydia cared nothing for her sister's feelings. She ran wildly through the house, calling for everyone's congratulations, and laughing and talking more loudly than ever.
但是,不久,麗迪亞的滿臉愁苦就變成了喜笑顏開,因?yàn)樗艿搅烁K固厣闲F拮拥难?qǐng),要她同兵團(tuán)一道,陪她到布賴頓去。福斯特太太十分年輕,最近剛剛結(jié)婚,和麗迪亞一樣快活合群,她們的友誼已有兩個(gè)月了??蓱z的吉蒂因?yàn)椴辉谑苎?,感到坐臥不安,可是麗迪亞對(duì)姐姐的感情不管不問(wèn)。她在家里東奔西跑,要大家向她道喜,談笑聲比以往任何時(shí)候都高。
Elizabeth could not share her sister's happiness, and felt it was her duty to advise her father secretly to refuse permission for Lydia to go.But she could not convince him that Lydia would be in any real danger, and so all the arrangements were made for her sister's departure. Elizabeth thought her father was wrong,however, and was still worried about how Lydia would behave in an atmosphere of greater freedom, and among the temptations of a fashionable seaside town like Brighton.
伊麗莎白不能和妹妹分享快樂(lè),還認(rèn)為她有責(zé)任偷偷建議父親不允許麗迪亞去。但她說(shuō)服不了父親麗迪亞會(huì)有什么真正的危險(xiǎn),于是,麗迪亞出發(fā)的一切安排都作好了。不過(guò),伊麗莎白認(rèn)為父親錯(cuò)了,一旦享有更大自由,又到了布賴頓這樣追求時(shí)尚的海濱城市,麗迪亞會(huì)變成什么樣呢?伊麗莎白仍然為此擔(dān)憂。
Elizabeth had seen Mr Wickham regularly since her return from Kent, at family parties and visits. She no longer thought him so agreeable. As the rich Miss King had left Meryton to stay with her uncle, Mr Wickham appeared eager to transfer his affections back to Elizabeth. His confidence in his own charm and ability to please annoyed Elizabeth very much, so that when she met him for the last time before the regiment’ s departure, she spoke quite coldly to him. In reply to a polite question of his about her Hunsford visit, she could not stop herself mentioning her frequent meetings with Mr Darcy, and her favourable opinion of that gentleman's character. Wickham looked a little embarrassed,and made no further attempt to charm Elizabeth.They separated at last with mutual politeness, and possibly a mutual desire never to meet again.
自從伊麗莎白從肯特郡回來(lái)以后,她常常在家庭聚會(huì)或互訪中碰到韋翰先生。她不再認(rèn)為這個(gè)人很隨和。因?yàn)楦挥械慕鹦〗阋呀?jīng)離開麥里屯到叔叔那兒去了,韋翰先生似乎急于將他的感情轉(zhuǎn)回到伊麗莎白身上。他對(duì)自己取悅?cè)说镊攘湍芰π判氖?,這使伊麗莎白十分惱火,因此,在兵團(tuán)離開之前他們最后見面時(shí),她對(duì)他說(shuō)話時(shí)相當(dāng)冷淡。在回答他有關(guān)漢斯福之行有何感受的客套話時(shí),她禁不住提起她經(jīng)常與達(dá)西先生見面,并且說(shuō)對(duì)這位先生的品行印象不錯(cuò)。韋翰看上去有點(diǎn)窘迫,也就不再試圖吸引伊麗莎白了。最后,他們分手時(shí)彼此都很客氣,也許彼此都不希望再次見面。
When Lydia left for Brighton, Elizabeth had to put up with Mrs Bennet's and Kitty's constant complaints that Longbourn had become very dull. Fortunately, she was able to look for-ward to a trip which she would soon be taking with Mr and Mrs Gardiner.They had planned to visit the Lake District,but Mrs Gardiner had recently written to say that as her husband's business made it necessary to shorten their holiday to three weeks, they would not have time to visit the whole of the Lake District comfortably.Instead,she suggested visiting Derbyshire, an area with a particularly strong attraction for her, as she had spent a large part of her early life there.Eliza-beth was disappointed, but accepted the new plan at once.Al-though it was impossible to hear of Derbyshire without think-ing of Pemberley and its owner, she felt sure she could avoid meeting Mr Darcy there.
麗迪亞前往布賴頓以后,伊麗莎白就不得不忍受班納特太太和吉蒂嘮嘮叨叨的抱怨,說(shuō)什么浪搏恩現(xiàn)在太死氣沉沉了。幸運(yùn)的是,她可以期望著不久和嘉丁納夫婦一塊去旅行。他們?cè)?jì)劃參觀大湖區(qū),但是,嘉丁納太太最近寫信說(shuō),由于丈夫的工作需要,必須把假期縮短為三周,這樣就沒(méi)有時(shí)間暢游大湖區(qū)的全部風(fēng)景了。因此,她提議參觀德比郡,這個(gè)地方對(duì)她有特殊的吸引力,因?yàn)樗缒甏蟛糠謺r(shí)間都在那里度過(guò)。伊麗莎白感到失望,但是馬上接受了新計(jì)劃。雖然一聽到德比郡不可能不想起彭伯里和它的主人,但她肯定地認(rèn)為她可以避免在那里與達(dá)西先生相見。
Four weeks later, Mr and Mrs Gardiner arrived at Long-bourn,where they had arranged to leave their children in Jane's care.The next day they set out with Elizabeth on their journey.The three of them made excellent travelling compan-ions,sharing an intelligent interest in the people and places they saw on their way, and a strong affection for each other.After visiting Oxford, Blenheim, Warwick, Kenilworth and Birmingham, they arrived in Derbyshire, and decided to stay in the small town of Lambton, where Mrs Gardiner had lived be-fore her marriage. Elizabeth discovered that Mr Darcy's house,Pemberley,was only eight kilometres away from Lambton.
四周以后,嘉丁納夫婦到達(dá)了浪搏恩,他們安排好把孩子們留在那里,讓簡(jiǎn)照料。第二天,他們就帶上伊麗莎白踏上了旅途。他們?nèi)耸菢O好的旅伴,對(duì)路上的所見所聞?dòng)兄餐母哐排d趣,彼此之間又有著強(qiáng)大的情感聯(lián)系。他們參觀了牛津、布楞恩、沃里克、凱尼爾沃思和伯明翰以后,便來(lái)到了德比郡,決定呆在藍(lán)白屯小鎮(zhèn),嘉丁納太太結(jié)婚以前就住在那里。伊麗莎白發(fā)現(xiàn),達(dá)西先生的住宅彭伯里離藍(lán)白屯僅有八公里之遙。
‘I often used to go to Pemberley when I was younger,’said Mrs Gardiner.‘Wouldn't you like to see it,Lizzy? We could go tomorrow.It's a beautiful place.Wickham spent his youth there, you know.’
“我年輕時(shí)經(jīng)常到彭伯里去,”嘉丁納太太說(shuō)。“你不想看看那里嗎,麗萃?我們明天就去。那地方很漂亮。韋翰年輕時(shí)就在那里度過(guò),你也知道。”
‘I—I am rather tired of large country houses,aunt,’said Elizabeth,forced to pretend.How dreadful it would be to meet Mr Darcy, while viewing his house!But when she asked a servant at the hotel one or two careful questions that evening, she was told that Mr Darcy was not at home at the moment.Greatly relieved, she felt able to agree to her aunt's sugges-tion, when it was repeated the next morning, and Mr Gardiner ordered a carriage immediately.
“我——我有點(diǎn)膩味大的鄉(xiāng)村莊園了,舅媽,”伊麗莎白說(shuō),竭力裝出這個(gè)樣子??催_(dá)西先生家的住宅時(shí),再碰到達(dá)西先生,那該多糟糕呀!可是,那天晚上她詳細(xì)詢問(wèn)了旅店仆人一兩個(gè)問(wèn)題后,便得知達(dá)西先生當(dāng)時(shí)不在家。她大大松了一口氣,第二天舅媽再問(wèn)起同樣的問(wèn)題時(shí),她便同意了舅媽的建議。嘉丁納先生馬上叫了一輛馬車。
In a short time they entered the gates of Pemberley park,and drove through an extensive and beautiful wood.At the top of a hill they had their first view of Pemberley House,situated on the other side of a valley, with a line of high, wooded hills behind. The house was a large,handsome, stone building,which appeared to fit naturally into the scenery.Mr and Mrs Gardiner were warm in their admiration, and Elizabeth was de-lighted.At that moment she felt that to be mistress of Pember-ley might be worthwhile!
不一會(huì)兒,他們就進(jìn)入了彭伯里莊園的大門,穿過(guò)一大片漂亮的林地,來(lái)到小山之巔。從這兒,他們第一次看到了彭伯里府第,它坐落于山谷另一側(cè),后面是一片林木覆蓋的山陵。房子是巨大的、漂亮的石頭建筑,與自然景觀融為一體。嘉丁納夫婦贊賞不已,伊麗莎白也感到興奮。這時(shí),她覺(jué)得,在彭伯里做主婦也許不錯(cuò)!
They drove up to the front door, and asked to be allowed to visit the house.The Pemberley housekeeper,a respectable,el-derly woman,showed them round.All the rooms were of a good size, and elegantly yet sensibly furnished.From every window there was an attractive view.Elizabeth began to admire the owner's taste in everything she saw.
他們驅(qū)車到了前門,請(qǐng)求參觀房子內(nèi)部。彭伯里的管家是一位受人尊敬的老婦人,她帶領(lǐng)著他們參觀。每個(gè)房間都很寬敞,家具陳設(shè)也風(fēng)雅有致。從每扇窗戶都能看到迷人的風(fēng)景。從所見的一切中,伊麗莎白開始欣賞主人的志趣。
‘And I might have been mistress of this place!’she thought.‘Instead of viewing these rooms as a stranger, I might be welcoming my uncle and aunt as visitors.But no,’she sud-denly remembered, ‘that could never be.I wouldn't have been able to invite my uncle and aunt,or any other of my vulgar family connections.’This was a lucky thought, which saved her from something like regret.
“我差點(diǎn)兒就做了這兒的主婦呢!”她想。“我不但不必以一個(gè)陌生人的身份前來(lái)參觀,而且還可以把舅父母當(dāng)作貴客歡迎??墒遣恍?。”她忽然想起來(lái),“永遠(yuǎn)做不到。我無(wú)法邀請(qǐng)舅父母或者其他卑賤的親戚。”她幸虧想到了這一點(diǎn),才沒(méi)有為當(dāng)初的事后悔。
She longed to enquire of the housekeeper whether her mas-ter were really absent, but luckily her uncle asked the question instead.It was quite alarming to hear that Mr Darcy was ex-pected to arrive the next day, with a large group of friends.How glad Elizabeth was that their own journey had not been delayed a day!
她真想問(wèn)問(wèn)這位管家,主人是否真的不在家,不過(guò),她舅舅正好替她問(wèn)了這個(gè)問(wèn)題。聽說(shuō)達(dá)西先生預(yù)計(jì)明天到家,還要帶許多朋友來(lái),她感到很吃驚。她慶幸他們自己的旅行沒(méi)有向后推遲一天!
Mr and Mrs Gardiner were enjoying their conversation with the housekeeper, who seemed content to talk about her master.
嘉丁納夫婦很樂(lè)意與管家談話,管家似乎很高興談自己的主人。
‘Mr Darcy is a very handsome gentleman, as you will see from the painting upstairs.His sister is most attractive too,and so accomplished!She plays and sings the whole day.My master has just sent a new piano from London for her. He's such a kind brother,he’ll do anything for Miss Georgiana.’
“達(dá)西先生很英俊,從樓上的畫像中你們可以看到。他妹妹也很有魅力,非常多才多藝!她整天彈啊唱啊的。我的主人剛讓人從倫敦給她運(yùn)來(lái)一架新鋼琴。他這個(gè)哥哥非常善良,他為喬治安娜小姐不惜一切。”
‘Does Mr Darcy spend much time at Pemberley?’asked Mr Gardiner.
“達(dá)西先生在彭伯里呆的時(shí)間長(zhǎng)嗎?”嘉丁納先生問(wèn)。
‘Not as much as I'd like, sir.’
“我倒希望他能多呆些日子,先生。”
‘If your master married,he might spend more time here!’
“主人結(jié)婚以后,可能會(huì)在這里呆的時(shí)間長(zhǎng)些!”
‘Yes,sir, but I don't know when that’ll be. I don't know who is good enough for him.’Mr and Mrs Gardiner smiled,and Elizabeth listened with increasing astonishment as the housekeeper continued.‘It's no more than the truth.Every-body who knows him says the same. He's never spoken a cross word to me, and I've known him since he was a baby. Some people call him proud, but I've never seen any of that. He's the best master that ever lived.’
“是的,先生。可是我不知道他什么時(shí)候結(jié)婚。我不知道誰(shuí)能配得上他。”嘉丁納夫婦笑了。管家繼續(xù)講;伊麗莎白越聽越驚奇。“我說(shuō)的全是實(shí)話。認(rèn)識(shí)他的人都這么說(shuō)。他從來(lái)沒(méi)有對(duì)我說(shuō)過(guò)一句生氣的話,我是從小把他看大的。有的人說(shuō)他傲慢,可是我一點(diǎn)也看不出來(lái)。他是世界上最好的主人。”
Elizabeth almost stared at her.‘Can this be Mr Darcy?’she wondered.This was the most extraordinary praise for the man she had always thought so disagreeable and proud, especially with people he considered inferior to himself.She longed to hear more, but now the housekeeper was leading them upstairs.Soon Elizabeth found herself in front of the painting of Mr Darcy.He was smiling at her, just as she remembered him smiling sometimes when he looked at her. She looked at the picture silently for several minutes before going downstairs with the others.At that moment Elizabeth certainly felt more warmly towards Mr Darcy than at any time since their first meeting.She was beginning to realize that she had underestimated his character. His housekeeper's opinion of him was totally favourable, and what praise is more valuable than the praise of an intelligent servant? As she stood in front of his picture, she gratefully remembered the warmth of his feelings for her, and began to forget the way in which he had expressed them.
伊麗莎白幾乎目瞪口呆。“這可能是達(dá)西先生嗎?”她疑惑不解。她一貫認(rèn)為這個(gè)人與別人格格不入,傲慢無(wú)比,特別是對(duì)那些他認(rèn)為地位低的人,現(xiàn)在卻聽到了對(duì)他最為不平凡的贊美。她渴望多聽一些,可是管家?guī)麄兩狭藰?。不一?huì)兒,伊麗莎白就發(fā)現(xiàn)自己站到了達(dá)西先生的畫像前。他正沖著她微笑,正是那種有時(shí)候他看她時(shí)所帶的笑容。她默默地看了一會(huì)兒畫像,便隨其他人下樓去了。這時(shí),伊麗莎白對(duì)達(dá)西先生產(chǎn)生了自第一次見面以來(lái)從未有過(guò)的親切感。她開始認(rèn)識(shí)到她低估了他的品格。管家對(duì)他的看法是完全肯定的,再說(shuō),有什么樣的贊美比聰明的仆人的贊美更難得呢?她站在畫像前那會(huì)兒,感激地回憶起他對(duì)她的溫暖感情,而開始忘掉他表達(dá)感情的方式。
As they had now seen all the rooms which were open to the public, the housekeeper called the gardener, who was going to show them the park and gardens.They were just walking away from the house, when Elizabeth turned to have one last look,and saw the owner of Pemberley come suddenly forward from behind the house.
現(xiàn)在,他們已看完所有向公眾開放的房屋,管家就把園丁叫過(guò)來(lái),園丁要領(lǐng)著他們參觀莊園和花園。他們正要離開房子,這時(shí)伊麗莎白又回頭看了最后一眼,看到莊園的主人突然從房子后面走了過(guò)來(lái)。
They were within twenty metres of each other, and Eliza-beth could not avoid his seeing her.Their eyes instantly met,and they both blushed. He appeared very surprised, but, recov-ering quickly,approached and spoke to Elizabeth,if not calmly, at least with perfect politeness. Astonished and con-fused,she received his greetings with embarrassment.Soon he could find no more to say, and left her to return to the house.Mr and Mrs Gardiner, who had been watching from a distance, expressed their admiration of his appearance, but Eliz-abeth could only think of her feelings. How unfortunate that she had come!She blushed again.It might seem as if she had planned this meeting with him.And his behaviour was so different! Never before had she heard him speak so politely and so gently.What could it mean?
他們相距不到二十米,伊麗莎白根本來(lái)不及躲閃。頃刻間,四目相對(duì),兩人都漲紅了臉。達(dá)西顯得十分驚奇,但很快恢復(fù)過(guò)來(lái),走上前去,與伊麗莎白說(shuō)話。他談不上鎮(zhèn)定自若,但至少可以說(shuō)十分客氣。伊麗莎白感到既驚訝又心慌意亂,很尷尬地接受了他的問(wèn)候。一會(huì)兒,他就覺(jué)得沒(méi)什么可說(shuō)的了,便離開她回到了屋里。嘉丁納夫婦一直在遠(yuǎn)處觀看,他們對(duì)他的外貌大加稱贊,但伊麗莎白心中只有自己的感情。她來(lái)得多不是時(shí)候!她臉又紅了。好像是她特意來(lái)見他似的。而他的態(tài)度也和以前完全不同!她從來(lái)沒(méi)有聽到過(guò)他說(shuō)話這么彬彬有禮,這么溫柔。這是什么意思呢?
Her head full of these thoughts, she joined her uncle and aunt in their walk through the gardens.They were walking slowly beside an attractive stream, when they noticed Mr Dar-cy coming towards them. This time Elizabeth was able to con-trol herself better, and she returned his greetings politely. She hid a smile when he asked her to do him the honour of intro-ducing him to her friends, as she felt sure he was not expecting the well-mannered Gardiners to be some of her low-born rela-tions.He certainly seemed surprised when she introduced her uncle and aunt, but took care to talk for some time to Mr Gar-diner, with every appearance of interest.Elizabeth was delight-ed that these relations,at least,could not be criticized for their poor behaviour or lack of intelligence.On their way back to the house,Mr Darcy walked beside Elizabeth.There was a short si-lence before she spoke.
她滿腦子胡思亂想,加入了舅父舅母的行列,步行穿越花園。他們正沿一條引人注目的小溪緩行,這時(shí),他們注意到達(dá)西先生朝他們走來(lái)。這一次,伊麗莎白控制得比較好,很有禮貌地回了他的問(wèn)候。達(dá)西要她賞光,并且介紹一下她的朋友,她掩住了笑容,因?yàn)樗铱隙ǎ_(dá)西不會(huì)想到溫文爾雅的嘉丁納夫婦會(huì)是她出身低下的親戚。她介紹完舅父舅母后,他自然感到奇怪,但竟然跟嘉丁納先生攀談了一會(huì)兒,似乎很感興趣。至少這兩位親戚不會(huì)被人指責(zé)為舉止欠妥或智力貧乏,伊麗莎白對(duì)此感到欣慰。在返回住宅的路上,達(dá)西先生和伊麗莎白并肩走著。稍微沉默了片刻,伊麗莎白說(shuō):
‘Your housekeeper informed us you would not arrive until tomorrow,so I had not expected to find you here.’
“你的管家告訴我們你到明天才回來(lái),所以,我沒(méi)想到會(huì)在這兒碰上你。”
‘It is true.I came early on business.The rest of the party will be here tomorrow.Among them are Mr Bingley and his sisters, whom you know.’He continued after a pause,‘And there is one other person who particularly wishes to meet you.Will you allow me,or do I ask too much, to introduce my sister to you?’
“是這樣。我提前回來(lái)是有公務(wù)在身。剩下的人明天到。其中有彬格萊先生和他的姐妹,你都認(rèn)識(shí)。”頓了一下,他繼續(xù)說(shuō):“還有另外一個(gè)人特別希望見到你。你能否賞光,允許我向你介紹一下我的妹妹?你是否認(rèn)為這樣太冒昧了?”
Surprised but flattered by this great compliment,Elizabeth gave her permission. When they arrived at the house, Mr Darcy offered them some refreshment,but they politely refused.Mr Darcy helped the ladies into the carriage,and as it drove away from Pemberley,Elizabeth watched him walking slowly back towards the house.Mr and Mrs Gardiner were loud in their praise of him, but Elizabeth said very little.
伊麗莎白感到奇怪,但因?yàn)槭艿竭@種恭維而受寵若驚,便答允了他。他們到了宅第前,達(dá)西先生請(qǐng)他們進(jìn)去吃點(diǎn)小點(diǎn)心,但他們客氣地謝絕了。達(dá)西先生扶著兩位女客上了馬車,馬車駛離彭伯里時(shí),伊麗莎白看著他慢慢地走回了房子。嘉丁納夫婦大聲稱贊他,但伊麗莎白幾乎什么也沒(méi)說(shuō)。
The very next morning Mr Darcy brought his sister to visit Elizabeth and the Gardiners at the hotel in Lambton.Mr and Mrs Gardiner were astonished by the honour they were receiving, but Elizabeth's obvious embarrassment, and Darcy's haste in making the visit so immediately, soon provided them with an explanation.They observed their niece and Darcy care-fully during the visit, and could not doubt that the gentleman was in love, although they were not certain of the lady's feel-ings.
就在第二天上午,達(dá)西先生就帶著他妹妹來(lái)到了藍(lán)白屯的旅館,拜訪伊麗莎白和嘉丁納夫婦。嘉丁納夫婦對(duì)這種殊榮甚感吃驚,但伊麗莎白明顯的尷尬神色加上達(dá)西匆忙地安排如此緊迫的拜訪,不久就給他們倆提供了解釋。在拜訪中他們倆密切地觀察外甥女和達(dá)西的行為,結(jié)論是,毫無(wú)疑問(wèn),這位先生已經(jīng)愛(ài)上了小姐,但小姐的感情還不敢確定。
Elizabeth was delighted to discover that Georgiana Darcy,far from being proud,as Wickham had said,was just very shy,with quiet,gentle manners.It was clear that she greatly ad-mired her brother,and had every intention of liking Miss Ben-net,as Darcy had spoken of her so favourably.Elizabeth was al-so satisfied to see that Bingley,who was with the Darcys,did not seem particularly interested in Georgiana, in spite of Caro-line Bingley's wishes.And she had to admit that she had never seen Mr Darcy behaving so sociably and pleasantly,not only to herself, but also to the relations to whom he had referred with such disdain during that last conversation in Hunsford Rectory.Elizabeth herself was more than usually anxious to make herself agreeable to everybody, and she succeeded, be-cause Bingley was ready, Georgiana was eager, and Darcy de-termined,to be pleased.
伊麗莎白喜悅地發(fā)現(xiàn)喬治安娜·達(dá)西不像韋翰所說(shuō)的那樣,根本談不上高傲,只是十分羞怯,舉止十分恬靜、溫柔。很明顯,她很欽佩哥哥,并極欲同班納特小姐結(jié)交,因?yàn)檫_(dá)西盡說(shuō)她的好話。伊麗莎白還高興地看到,和達(dá)西兄妹同行的彬格萊似乎對(duì)喬治安娜小姐不是特別感興趣,這一點(diǎn)就由不得卡羅琳·彬格萊了。她還不得不承認(rèn),她還從來(lái)沒(méi)有見過(guò)達(dá)西先生的舉止這樣隨和,這樣令人高興,不但對(duì)她如此,而且對(duì)自己的親戚也如此。然而,最后一次在漢斯福教區(qū)長(zhǎng)住宅談話時(shí),他曾如此鄙夷地說(shuō)到她的親戚。伊麗莎白本人也比往常更加急于使自己的形象在所有人面前顯得和藹可親。她成功地做到了這一點(diǎn),因?yàn)楸蚋袢R時(shí)刻準(zhǔn)備著接受她這種形象,喬治安娜渴望著接受她這種形象,達(dá)西下決心接受她這種形象。
Miss Darcy, encouraged by her brother, invited Elizabeth and the Gardiners to dinner at Pemberley in two days'time,and when this invitation had been accepted, the Darcys and Mr Bingley left, with many warm expressions of politeness on both sides.Mr and Mrs Gardiner were very curious about their niece's feelings for Mr Darcy, but were careful not to question her.
達(dá)西小姐在哥哥的鼓勵(lì)下,邀請(qǐng)伊麗莎白和嘉丁納夫婦兩天后到彭伯里赴宴。他們接受了邀請(qǐng)之后,達(dá)西兄妹和彬格萊先生就離開了,雙方都說(shuō)了很多暖烘烘的客氣話。嘉丁納夫婦對(duì)于外甥女對(duì)達(dá)西先生的感情感到十分好奇,但他們很小心,沒(méi)有問(wèn)她。
That evening Elizabeth lay awake for two whole hours,try-ing to understand how she felt about him.She now thought of him with respect and a certain admiration, and was deeply grateful to him, not only for having once loved her, but for still loving her enough to forgive her bitter rejection of him, as well as all her unjust accusations. The change she had noticed, in a man who was once so proud,must be caused by his love for her.Now, since she was almost sure that if she wanted,she could encourage him to propose to her again, she only had to decide how far she wished to be involved in his future happi-ness,in which she already felt a real interest.
那天晚上,伊麗莎白翻來(lái)覆去整整兩個(gè)小時(shí)未能入睡,她在努力弄清她對(duì)達(dá)西到底是什么感覺(jué)。她現(xiàn)在對(duì)他感到尊敬,和一定程度的愛(ài)慕,并且懷有深深的感激之情,不但是因?yàn)樗郧皭?ài)過(guò)她,而且還因?yàn)樗F(xiàn)在還愛(ài)她,愛(ài)得足以能夠原諒她對(duì)他的斷然拒絕,原諒她對(duì)他不公正的指責(zé)。在一個(gè)曾如此傲慢的人身上,她所注意到的這些變化,一定是因?yàn)樗麑?duì)自己的愛(ài)所致。既然她幾乎可以肯定,如果她愿意的話,她可以鼓勵(lì)他再次向自己求婚,那么,現(xiàn)在她只需決定在多大程度上她愿意涉足他未來(lái)的幸福,在這一點(diǎn)上,她現(xiàn)在已感到有了真正的興趣。
9 Elizabeth in Derbyshire
During the week before the regiment's departure, all the young ladies in the Meryton area became extremely de-pressed.Only the two elder Miss Bennets were still able to eat,drink, sleep and lead a normal life.They were often scolded by Kitty and Lydia, who could not understand such hard-heartedness.
‘How shall we manage without the officers!’ they cried miserably.‘How can you smile like that,Lizzy?’
Their affectionate mother shared all their sadness.‘I re-member when Colonel Millar's regiment went away, twenty-five years ago,’she said,‘I thought my heart was broken.’
‘I'm sure mine will be broken,’said Lydia.
‘If we could only go to Brighton!’said Mrs Bennet.‘I'm certain a little sea-bathing would be good for me.’
‘Oh yes! But Papa is so disagreeable about it.’
Elizabeth tried not to listen, but could not help seeing the justice of Darcy's objections to her family.
But soon Lydia's bitterness changed to absolute delight,when she received an invitation from Colonel Forster's wife, to accompany her to Brighton with the regiment. Mrs Forster was a very young woman, only recently married, and as cheerful and sociable as Lydia, witn whom she had been friendly for two months. Poor Kitty was very upset at not being included in the invitation, but Lydia cared nothing for her sister's feelings. She ran wildly through the house, calling for everyone's congratulations, and laughing and talking more loudly than ever.
Elizabeth could not share her sister's happiness, and felt it was her duty to advise her father secretly to refuse permission for Lydia to go.But she could not convince him that Lydia would be in any real danger, and so all the arrangements were made for her sister's departure. Elizabeth thought her father was wrong,however, and was still worried about how Lydia would behave in an atmosphere of greater freedom, and among the temptations of a fashionable seaside town like Brighton.
Elizabeth had seen Mr Wickham regularly since her return from Kent, at family parties and visits. She no longer thought him so agreeable. As the rich Miss King had left Meryton to stay with her uncle, Mr Wickham appeared eager to transfer his affections back to Elizabeth. His confidence in his own charm and ability to please annoyed Elizabeth very much, so that when she met him for the last time before the regiment’ s departure, she spoke quite coldly to him. In reply to a polite question of his about her Hunsford visit, she could not stop herself mentioning her frequent meetings with Mr Darcy, and her favourable opinion of that gentleman's character. Wickham looked a little embarrassed,and made no further attempt to charm Elizabeth.They separated at last with mutual politeness, and possibly a mutual desire never to meet again.
When Lydia left for Brighton, Elizabeth had to put up with Mrs Bennet's and Kitty's constant complaints that Longbourn had become very dull. Fortunately, she was able to look for-ward to a trip which she would soon be taking with Mr and Mrs Gardiner.They had planned to visit the Lake District,but Mrs Gardiner had recently written to say that as her husband's business made it necessary to shorten their holiday to three weeks, they would not have time to visit the whole of the Lake District comfortably.Instead,she suggested visiting Derbyshire, an area with a particularly strong attraction for her, as she had spent a large part of her early life there.Eliza-beth was disappointed, but accepted the new plan at once.Al-though it was impossible to hear of Derbyshire without think-ing of Pemberley and its owner, she felt sure she could avoid meeting Mr Darcy there.
Four weeks later, Mr and Mrs Gardiner arrived at Long-bourn,where they had arranged to leave their children in Jane's care.The next day they set out with Elizabeth on their journey.The three of them made excellent travelling compan-ions,sharing an intelligent interest in the people and places they saw on their way, and a strong affection for each other.After visiting Oxford, Blenheim, Warwick, Kenilworth and Birmingham, they arrived in Derbyshire, and decided to stay in the small town of Lambton, where Mrs Gardiner had lived be-fore her marriage. Elizabeth discovered that Mr Darcy's house,Pemberley,was only eight kilometres away from Lambton.
‘I often used to go to Pemberley when I was younger,’said Mrs Gardiner.‘Wouldn't you like to see it,Lizzy? We could go tomorrow.It's a beautiful place.Wickham spent his youth there, you know.’
‘I—I am rather tired of large country houses,aunt,’said Elizabeth,forced to pretend.How dreadful it would be to meet Mr Darcy, while viewing his house!But when she asked a servant at the hotel one or two careful questions that evening, she was told that Mr Darcy was not at home at the moment.Greatly relieved, she felt able to agree to her aunt's sugges-tion, when it was repeated the next morning, and Mr Gardiner ordered a carriage immediately.
In a short time they entered the gates of Pemberley park,and drove through an extensive and beautiful wood.At the top of a hill they had their first view of Pemberley House,situated on the other side of a valley, with a line of high, wooded hills behind. The house was a large,handsome, stone building,which appeared to fit naturally into the scenery.Mr and Mrs Gardiner were warm in their admiration, and Elizabeth was de-lighted.At that moment she felt that to be mistress of Pember-ley might be worthwhile!
They drove up to the front door, and asked to be allowed to visit the house.The Pemberley housekeeper,a respectable,el-derly woman,showed them round.All the rooms were of a good size, and elegantly yet sensibly furnished.From every window there was an attractive view.Elizabeth began to admire the owner's taste in everything she saw.
‘And I might have been mistress of this place!’she thought.‘Instead of viewing these rooms as a stranger, I might be welcoming my uncle and aunt as visitors.But no,’she sud-denly remembered, ‘that could never be.I wouldn't have been able to invite my uncle and aunt,or any other of my vulgar family connections.’This was a lucky thought, which saved her from something like regret.
She longed to enquire of the housekeeper whether her mas-ter were really absent, but luckily her uncle asked the question instead.It was quite alarming to hear that Mr Darcy was ex-pected to arrive the next day, with a large group of friends.How glad Elizabeth was that their own journey had not been delayed a day!
Mr and Mrs Gardiner were enjoying their conversation with the housekeeper, who seemed content to talk about her master.
‘Mr Darcy is a very handsome gentleman, as you will see from the painting upstairs.His sister is most attractive too,and so accomplished!She plays and sings the whole day.My master has just sent a new piano from London for her. He's such a kind brother,he’ll do anything for Miss Georgiana.’
‘Does Mr Darcy spend much time at Pemberley?’asked Mr Gardiner.
‘Not as much as I'd like, sir.’
‘If your master married,he might spend more time here!’
‘Yes,sir, but I don't know when that’ll be. I don't know who is good enough for him.’Mr and Mrs Gardiner smiled,and Elizabeth listened with increasing astonishment as the housekeeper continued.‘It's no more than the truth.Every-body who knows him says the same. He's never spoken a cross word to me, and I've known him since he was a baby. Some people call him proud, but I've never seen any of that. He's the best master that ever lived.’
Elizabeth almost stared at her.‘Can this be Mr Darcy?’she wondered.This was the most extraordinary praise for the man she had always thought so disagreeable and proud, especially with people he considered inferior to himself.She longed to hear more, but now the housekeeper was leading them upstairs.Soon Elizabeth found herself in front of the painting of Mr Darcy.He was smiling at her, just as she remembered him smiling sometimes when he looked at her. She looked at the picture silently for several minutes before going downstairs with the others.At that moment Elizabeth certainly felt more warmly towards Mr Darcy than at any time since their first meeting.She was beginning to realize that she had underestimated his character. His housekeeper's opinion of him was totally favourable, and what praise is more valuable than the praise of an intelligent servant? As she stood in front of his picture, she gratefully remembered the warmth of his feelings for her, and began to forget the way in which he had expressed them.
As they had now seen all the rooms which were open to the public, the housekeeper called the gardener, who was going to show them the park and gardens.They were just walking away from the house, when Elizabeth turned to have one last look,and saw the owner of Pemberley come suddenly forward from behind the house.
They were within twenty metres of each other, and Eliza-beth could not avoid his seeing her.Their eyes instantly met,and they both blushed. He appeared very surprised, but, recov-ering quickly,approached and spoke to Elizabeth,if not calmly, at least with perfect politeness. Astonished and con-fused,she received his greetings with embarrassment.Soon he could find no more to say, and left her to return to the house.Mr and Mrs Gardiner, who had been watching from a distance, expressed their admiration of his appearance, but Eliz-abeth could only think of her feelings. How unfortunate that she had come!She blushed again.It might seem as if she had planned this meeting with him.And his behaviour was so different! Never before had she heard him speak so politely and so gently.What could it mean?
Her head full of these thoughts, she joined her uncle and aunt in their walk through the gardens.They were walking slowly beside an attractive stream, when they noticed Mr Dar-cy coming towards them. This time Elizabeth was able to con-trol herself better, and she returned his greetings politely. She hid a smile when he asked her to do him the honour of intro-ducing him to her friends, as she felt sure he was not expecting the well-mannered Gardiners to be some of her low-born rela-tions.He certainly seemed surprised when she introduced her uncle and aunt, but took care to talk for some time to Mr Gar-diner, with every appearance of interest.Elizabeth was delight-ed that these relations,at least,could not be criticized for their poor behaviour or lack of intelligence.On their way back to the house,Mr Darcy walked beside Elizabeth.There was a short si-lence before she spoke.
‘Your housekeeper informed us you would not arrive until tomorrow,so I had not expected to find you here.’
‘It is true.I came early on business.The rest of the party will be here tomorrow.Among them are Mr Bingley and his sisters, whom you know.’He continued after a pause,‘And there is one other person who particularly wishes to meet you.Will you allow me,or do I ask too much, to introduce my sister to you?’
Surprised but flattered by this great compliment,Elizabeth gave her permission. When they arrived at the house, Mr Darcy offered them some refreshment,but they politely refused.Mr Darcy helped the ladies into the carriage,and as it drove away from Pemberley,Elizabeth watched him walking slowly back towards the house.Mr and Mrs Gardiner were loud in their praise of him, but Elizabeth said very little.
The very next morning Mr Darcy brought his sister to visit Elizabeth and the Gardiners at the hotel in Lambton.Mr and Mrs Gardiner were astonished by the honour they were receiving, but Elizabeth's obvious embarrassment, and Darcy's haste in making the visit so immediately, soon provided them with an explanation.They observed their niece and Darcy care-fully during the visit, and could not doubt that the gentleman was in love, although they were not certain of the lady's feel-ings.
Elizabeth was delighted to discover that Georgiana Darcy,far from being proud,as Wickham had said,was just very shy,with quiet,gentle manners.It was clear that she greatly ad-mired her brother,and had every intention of liking Miss Ben-net,as Darcy had spoken of her so favourably.Elizabeth was al-so satisfied to see that Bingley,who was with the Darcys,did not seem particularly interested in Georgiana, in spite of Caro-line Bingley's wishes.And she had to admit that she had never seen Mr Darcy behaving so sociably and pleasantly,not only to herself, but also to the relations to whom he had referred with such disdain during that last conversation in Hunsford Rectory.Elizabeth herself was more than usually anxious to make herself agreeable to everybody, and she succeeded, be-cause Bingley was ready, Georgiana was eager, and Darcy de-termined,to be pleased.
Miss Darcy, encouraged by her brother, invited Elizabeth and the Gardiners to dinner at Pemberley in two days'time,and when this invitation had been accepted, the Darcys and Mr Bingley left, with many warm expressions of politeness on both sides.Mr and Mrs Gardiner were very curious about their niece's feelings for Mr Darcy, but were careful not to question her.
That evening Elizabeth lay awake for two whole hours,try-ing to understand how she felt about him.She now thought of him with respect and a certain admiration, and was deeply grateful to him, not only for having once loved her, but for still loving her enough to forgive her bitter rejection of him, as well as all her unjust accusations. The change she had noticed, in a man who was once so proud,must be caused by his love for her.Now, since she was almost sure that if she wanted,she could encourage him to propose to her again, she only had to decide how far she wished to be involved in his future happi-ness,in which she already felt a real interest.
9 伊麗莎白在德比郡
兵團(tuán)離開前一周,麥里屯地區(qū)所有的年輕小姐都變得極為沮喪。只有班納特家兩個(gè)大女兒還能吃、能喝、能睡,過(guò)著正常的生活。吉蒂和麗迪亞時(shí)常責(zé)怪她們,說(shuō)不理解她們的鐵石心腸。
“軍官們走了我們?cè)趺椿钛?”她們悲切地嚷道。“麗萃,你怎么還笑得出來(lái)?”
她們慈愛(ài)的母親和她們一樣悲傷。“我記得25年前米勒上校的兵團(tuán)離開時(shí),我的心都碎了。”她說(shuō)。
“我的心也快碎了,”麗迪亞說(shuō)。
“我們要能去布賴頓就好了!”班納特太太說(shuō),“我肯定,洗洗海水浴對(duì)我是大有好處的。”
“噢,是的!可是爸爸太反對(duì)了。”
伊麗莎白試圖充耳不聞,但是,禁不住想到達(dá)西對(duì)她家的反對(duì)是正當(dāng)?shù)摹?/p>
但是,不久,麗迪亞的滿臉愁苦就變成了喜笑顏開,因?yàn)樗艿搅烁K固厣闲F拮拥难?qǐng),要她同兵團(tuán)一道,陪她到布賴頓去。福斯特太太十分年輕,最近剛剛結(jié)婚,和麗迪亞一樣快活合群,她們的友誼已有兩個(gè)月了。可憐的吉蒂因?yàn)椴辉谑苎?,感到坐臥不安,可是麗迪亞對(duì)姐姐的感情不管不問(wèn)。她在家里東奔西跑,要大家向她道喜,談笑聲比以往任何時(shí)候都高。
伊麗莎白不能和妹妹分享快樂(lè),還認(rèn)為她有責(zé)任偷偷建議父親不允許麗迪亞去。但她說(shuō)服不了父親麗迪亞會(huì)有什么真正的危險(xiǎn),于是,麗迪亞出發(fā)的一切安排都作好了。不過(guò),伊麗莎白認(rèn)為父親錯(cuò)了,一旦享有更大自由,又到了布賴頓這樣追求時(shí)尚的海濱城市,麗迪亞會(huì)變成什么樣呢?伊麗莎白仍然為此擔(dān)憂。
自從伊麗莎白從肯特郡回來(lái)以后,她常常在家庭聚會(huì)或互訪中碰到韋翰先生。她不再認(rèn)為這個(gè)人很隨和。因?yàn)楦挥械慕鹦〗阋呀?jīng)離開麥里屯到叔叔那兒去了,韋翰先生似乎急于將他的感情轉(zhuǎn)回到伊麗莎白身上。他對(duì)自己取悅?cè)说镊攘湍芰π判氖悖@使伊麗莎白十分惱火,因此,在兵團(tuán)離開之前他們最后見面時(shí),她對(duì)他說(shuō)話時(shí)相當(dāng)冷淡。在回答他有關(guān)漢斯福之行有何感受的客套話時(shí),她禁不住提起她經(jīng)常與達(dá)西先生見面,并且說(shuō)對(duì)這位先生的品行印象不錯(cuò)。韋翰看上去有點(diǎn)窘迫,也就不再試圖吸引伊麗莎白了。最后,他們分手時(shí)彼此都很客氣,也許彼此都不希望再次見面。
麗迪亞前往布賴頓以后,伊麗莎白就不得不忍受班納特太太和吉蒂嘮嘮叨叨的抱怨,說(shuō)什么浪搏恩現(xiàn)在太死氣沉沉了。幸運(yùn)的是,她可以期望著不久和嘉丁納夫婦一塊去旅行。他們?cè)?jì)劃參觀大湖區(qū),但是,嘉丁納太太最近寫信說(shuō),由于丈夫的工作需要,必須把假期縮短為三周,這樣就沒(méi)有時(shí)間暢游大湖區(qū)的全部風(fēng)景了。因此,她提議參觀德比郡,這個(gè)地方對(duì)她有特殊的吸引力,因?yàn)樗缒甏蟛糠謺r(shí)間都在那里度過(guò)。伊麗莎白感到失望,但是馬上接受了新計(jì)劃。雖然一聽到德比郡不可能不想起彭伯里和它的主人,但她肯定地認(rèn)為她可以避免在那里與達(dá)西先生相見。
四周以后,嘉丁納夫婦到達(dá)了浪搏恩,他們安排好把孩子們留在那里,讓簡(jiǎn)照料。第二天,他們就帶上伊麗莎白踏上了旅途。他們?nèi)耸菢O好的旅伴,對(duì)路上的所見所聞?dòng)兄餐母哐排d趣,彼此之間又有著強(qiáng)大的情感聯(lián)系。他們參觀了牛津、布楞恩、沃里克、凱尼爾沃思和伯明翰以后,便來(lái)到了德比郡,決定呆在藍(lán)白屯小鎮(zhèn),嘉丁納太太結(jié)婚以前就住在那里。伊麗莎白發(fā)現(xiàn),達(dá)西先生的住宅彭伯里離藍(lán)白屯僅有八公里之遙。
“我年輕時(shí)經(jīng)常到彭伯里去,”嘉丁納太太說(shuō)。“你不想看看那里嗎,麗萃?我們明天就去。那地方很漂亮。韋翰年輕時(shí)就在那里度過(guò),你也知道。”
“我——我有點(diǎn)膩味大的鄉(xiāng)村莊園了,舅媽,”伊麗莎白說(shuō),竭力裝出這個(gè)樣子。看達(dá)西先生家的住宅時(shí),再碰到達(dá)西先生,那該多糟糕呀!可是,那天晚上她詳細(xì)詢問(wèn)了旅店仆人一兩個(gè)問(wèn)題后,便得知達(dá)西先生當(dāng)時(shí)不在家。她大大松了一口氣,第二天舅媽再問(wèn)起同樣的問(wèn)題時(shí),她便同意了舅媽的建議。嘉丁納先生馬上叫了一輛馬車。
不一會(huì)兒,他們就進(jìn)入了彭伯里莊園的大門,穿過(guò)一大片漂亮的林地,來(lái)到小山之巔。從這兒,他們第一次看到了彭伯里府第,它坐落于山谷另一側(cè),后面是一片林木覆蓋的山陵。房子是巨大的、漂亮的石頭建筑,與自然景觀融為一體。嘉丁納夫婦贊賞不已,伊麗莎白也感到興奮。這時(shí),她覺(jué)得,在彭伯里做主婦也許不錯(cuò)!
他們驅(qū)車到了前門,請(qǐng)求參觀房子內(nèi)部。彭伯里的管家是一位受人尊敬的老婦人,她帶領(lǐng)著他們參觀。每個(gè)房間都很寬敞,家具陳設(shè)也風(fēng)雅有致。從每扇窗戶都能看到迷人的風(fēng)景。從所見的一切中,伊麗莎白開始欣賞主人的志趣。
“我差點(diǎn)兒就做了這兒的主婦呢!”她想。“我不但不必以一個(gè)陌生人的身份前來(lái)參觀,而且還可以把舅父母當(dāng)作貴客歡迎??墒遣恍小?rdquo;她忽然想起來(lái),“永遠(yuǎn)做不到。我無(wú)法邀請(qǐng)舅父母或者其他卑賤的親戚。”她幸虧想到了這一點(diǎn),才沒(méi)有為當(dāng)初的事后悔。
她真想問(wèn)問(wèn)這位管家,主人是否真的不在家,不過(guò),她舅舅正好替她問(wèn)了這個(gè)問(wèn)題。聽說(shuō)達(dá)西先生預(yù)計(jì)明天到家,還要帶許多朋友來(lái),她感到很吃驚。她慶幸他們自己的旅行沒(méi)有向后推遲一天!
嘉丁納夫婦很樂(lè)意與管家談話,管家似乎很高興談自己的主人。
“達(dá)西先生很英俊,從樓上的畫像中你們可以看到。他妹妹也很有魅力,非常多才多藝!她整天彈啊唱啊的。我的主人剛讓人從倫敦給她運(yùn)來(lái)一架新鋼琴。他這個(gè)哥哥非常善良,他為喬治安娜小姐不惜一切。”
“達(dá)西先生在彭伯里呆的時(shí)間長(zhǎng)嗎?”嘉丁納先生問(wèn)。
“我倒希望他能多呆些日子,先生。”
“主人結(jié)婚以后,可能會(huì)在這里呆的時(shí)間長(zhǎng)些!”
“是的,先生。可是我不知道他什么時(shí)候結(jié)婚。我不知道誰(shuí)能配得上他。”嘉丁納夫婦笑了。管家繼續(xù)講;伊麗莎白越聽越驚奇。“我說(shuō)的全是實(shí)話。認(rèn)識(shí)他的人都這么說(shuō)。他從來(lái)沒(méi)有對(duì)我說(shuō)過(guò)一句生氣的話,我是從小把他看大的。有的人說(shuō)他傲慢,可是我一點(diǎn)也看不出來(lái)。他是世界上最好的主人。”
伊麗莎白幾乎目瞪口呆。“這可能是達(dá)西先生嗎?”她疑惑不解。她一貫認(rèn)為這個(gè)人與別人格格不入,傲慢無(wú)比,特別是對(duì)那些他認(rèn)為地位低的人,現(xiàn)在卻聽到了對(duì)他最為不平凡的贊美。她渴望多聽一些,可是管家?guī)麄兩狭藰?。不一?huì)兒,伊麗莎白就發(fā)現(xiàn)自己站到了達(dá)西先生的畫像前。他正沖著她微笑,正是那種有時(shí)候他看她時(shí)所帶的笑容。她默默地看了一會(huì)兒畫像,便隨其他人下樓去了。這時(shí),伊麗莎白對(duì)達(dá)西先生產(chǎn)生了自第一次見面以來(lái)從未有過(guò)的親切感。她開始認(rèn)識(shí)到她低估了他的品格。管家對(duì)他的看法是完全肯定的,再說(shuō),有什么樣的贊美比聰明的仆人的贊美更難得呢?她站在畫像前那會(huì)兒,感激地回憶起他對(duì)她的溫暖感情,而開始忘掉他表達(dá)感情的方式。
現(xiàn)在,他們已看完所有向公眾開放的房屋,管家就把園丁叫過(guò)來(lái),園丁要領(lǐng)著他們參觀莊園和花園。他們正要離開房子,這時(shí)伊麗莎白又回頭看了最后一眼,看到莊園的主人突然從房子后面走了過(guò)來(lái)。
他們相距不到二十米,伊麗莎白根本來(lái)不及躲閃。頃刻間,四目相對(duì),兩人都漲紅了臉。達(dá)西顯得十分驚奇,但很快恢復(fù)過(guò)來(lái),走上前去,與伊麗莎白說(shuō)話。他談不上鎮(zhèn)定自若,但至少可以說(shuō)十分客氣。伊麗莎白感到既驚訝又心慌意亂,很尷尬地接受了他的問(wèn)候。一會(huì)兒,他就覺(jué)得沒(méi)什么可說(shuō)的了,便離開她回到了屋里。嘉丁納夫婦一直在遠(yuǎn)處觀看,他們對(duì)他的外貌大加稱贊,但伊麗莎白心中只有自己的感情。她來(lái)得多不是時(shí)候!她臉又紅了。好像是她特意來(lái)見他似的。而他的態(tài)度也和以前完全不同!她從來(lái)沒(méi)有聽到過(guò)他說(shuō)話這么彬彬有禮,這么溫柔。這是什么意思呢?
她滿腦子胡思亂想,加入了舅父舅母的行列,步行穿越花園。他們正沿一條引人注目的小溪緩行,這時(shí),他們注意到達(dá)西先生朝他們走來(lái)。這一次,伊麗莎白控制得比較好,很有禮貌地回了他的問(wèn)候。達(dá)西要她賞光,并且介紹一下她的朋友,她掩住了笑容,因?yàn)樗铱隙?,達(dá)西不會(huì)想到溫文爾雅的嘉丁納夫婦會(huì)是她出身低下的親戚。她介紹完舅父舅母后,他自然感到奇怪,但竟然跟嘉丁納先生攀談了一會(huì)兒,似乎很感興趣。至少這兩位親戚不會(huì)被人指責(zé)為舉止欠妥或智力貧乏,伊麗莎白對(duì)此感到欣慰。在返回住宅的路上,達(dá)西先生和伊麗莎白并肩走著。稍微沉默了片刻,伊麗莎白說(shuō):
“你的管家告訴我們你到明天才回來(lái),所以,我沒(méi)想到會(huì)在這兒碰上你。”
“是這樣。我提前回來(lái)是有公務(wù)在身。剩下的人明天到。其中有彬格萊先生和他的姐妹,你都認(rèn)識(shí)。”頓了一下,他繼續(xù)說(shuō):“還有另外一個(gè)人特別希望見到你。你能否賞光,允許我向你介紹一下我的妹妹?你是否認(rèn)為這樣太冒昧了?”
伊麗莎白感到奇怪,但因?yàn)槭艿竭@種恭維而受寵若驚,便答允了他。他們到了宅第前,達(dá)西先生請(qǐng)他們進(jìn)去吃點(diǎn)小點(diǎn)心,但他們客氣地謝絕了。達(dá)西先生扶著兩位女客上了馬車,馬車駛離彭伯里時(shí),伊麗莎白看著他慢慢地走回了房子。嘉丁納夫婦大聲稱贊他,但伊麗莎白幾乎什么也沒(méi)說(shuō)。
就在第二天上午,達(dá)西先生就帶著他妹妹來(lái)到了藍(lán)白屯的旅館,拜訪伊麗莎白和嘉丁納夫婦。嘉丁納夫婦對(duì)這種殊榮甚感吃驚,但伊麗莎白明顯的尷尬神色加上達(dá)西匆忙地安排如此緊迫的拜訪,不久就給他們倆提供了解釋。在拜訪中他們倆密切地觀察外甥女和達(dá)西的行為,結(jié)論是,毫無(wú)疑問(wèn),這位先生已經(jīng)愛(ài)上了小姐,但小姐的感情還不敢確定。
伊麗莎白喜悅地發(fā)現(xiàn)喬治安娜·達(dá)西不像韋翰所說(shuō)的那樣,根本談不上高傲,只是十分羞怯,舉止十分恬靜、溫柔。很明顯,她很欽佩哥哥,并極欲同班納特小姐結(jié)交,因?yàn)檫_(dá)西盡說(shuō)她的好話。伊麗莎白還高興地看到,和達(dá)西兄妹同行的彬格萊似乎對(duì)喬治安娜小姐不是特別感興趣,這一點(diǎn)就由不得卡羅琳·彬格萊了。她還不得不承認(rèn),她還從來(lái)沒(méi)有見過(guò)達(dá)西先生的舉止這樣隨和,這樣令人高興,不但對(duì)她如此,而且對(duì)自己的親戚也如此。然而,最后一次在漢斯福教區(qū)長(zhǎng)住宅談話時(shí),他曾如此鄙夷地說(shuō)到她的親戚。伊麗莎白本人也比往常更加急于使自己的形象在所有人面前顯得和藹可親。她成功地做到了這一點(diǎn),因?yàn)楸蚋袢R時(shí)刻準(zhǔn)備著接受她這種形象,喬治安娜渴望著接受她這種形象,達(dá)西下決心接受她這種形象。
達(dá)西小姐在哥哥的鼓勵(lì)下,邀請(qǐng)伊麗莎白和嘉丁納夫婦兩天后到彭伯里赴宴。他們接受了邀請(qǐng)之后,達(dá)西兄妹和彬格萊先生就離開了,雙方都說(shuō)了很多暖烘烘的客氣話。嘉丁納夫婦對(duì)于外甥女對(duì)達(dá)西先生的感情感到十分好奇,但他們很小心,沒(méi)有問(wèn)她。
那天晚上,伊麗莎白翻來(lái)覆去整整兩個(gè)小時(shí)未能入睡,她在努力弄清她對(duì)達(dá)西到底是什么感覺(jué)。她現(xiàn)在對(duì)他感到尊敬,和一定程度的愛(ài)慕,并且懷有深深的感激之情,不但是因?yàn)樗郧皭?ài)過(guò)她,而且還因?yàn)樗F(xiàn)在還愛(ài)她,愛(ài)得足以能夠原諒她對(duì)他的斷然拒絕,原諒她對(duì)他不公正的指責(zé)。在一個(gè)曾如此傲慢的人身上,她所注意到的這些變化,一定是因?yàn)樗麑?duì)自己的愛(ài)所致。既然她幾乎可以肯定,如果她愿意的話,她可以鼓勵(lì)他再次向自己求婚,那么,現(xiàn)在她只需決定在多大程度上她愿意涉足他未來(lái)的幸福,在這一點(diǎn)上,她現(xiàn)在已感到有了真正的興趣。