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牛津書蟲系列 傲慢與偏見 2 Jane's illness

所屬教程:書蟲6級(jí) 傲慢與偏見

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2016年05月04日

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2 Jane's illness

2 簡生病了

Mr Bennet had a comfortable income of two thousand a year, and a pleasant house in Longbourn. But, unfortu- nately for his daughters, after his death all his property would pass to a distant male relation.Mrs Bennet's father had been a lawyer,and had only left his daughter a small amount of money. She had a brother who owned shops in London, and she also had a sister, married to a Mr Philips. He had been her fa- ther's clerk,and now carried on his late employer's business.

班納特先生年收入兩千英鎊,而且在浪搏恩有一處宜人的宅子,生活堪稱小康??墒牵钆畠簜兏械竭z憾的是,他死后,所有的財(cái)產(chǎn)都要由一位遠(yuǎn)房的男性親戚來繼承。班納特夫人的父親曾做過律師,他只給女兒留下很少一筆錢。班納特夫人有一個(gè)弟弟在倫敦開商店,還有一個(gè)妹妹,嫁給了菲力普斯先生。菲力普斯曾做過她父親的職員,現(xiàn)在繼承了已故老板的事業(yè)。

Mr and Mrs Philips lived in Meryton, which was only a kilo- metre or so from the village of Longbourn.It was a most con- venient distance for the Bennet girls, who were usually tempted there three or four times a week,to visit their aunt or a dress- maker who lived opposite.The youngest daughters, Kitty and Lydia,were particularly regular visitors.Their minds were more vacant than their sisters,’and if no better entertainment was available,a walk to Meryton always provided some amuse- ment, as well as interesting local news from their aunt.

菲力普斯夫婦住在麥里屯,離浪搏恩村只有大約一公里。這個(gè)距離對(duì)于班納特家的幾位姑娘來說再方便不過了,她們常常禁不住每周上那兒去三四次,去看姨媽或者住在對(duì)面專做女式服裝的裁縫。最小的兩位姑娘,吉蒂和麗迪亞,尤其常去。她們的精神比幾個(gè)姐姐更空虛,如果沒有更好的娛樂方式,到麥里屯走一走總是會(huì)給她們帶來一些樂趣,她們還會(huì)從姨媽那里聽到當(dāng)?shù)匾恍┯腥さ男侣劇?/p>

The latest news, which delighted Kitty and Lydia, was that the regiment which had recently arrived in Meryton was to stay there for the whole winter.The two girls now visited their aunt every day, and as Mr Philips knew all the officers,Kitty and Lydia were soon introduced to them.At home they could talk of nothing but officers and their handsome uniforms:even Mr Bingley's fortune now seemed hardly worth considering.

最新的消息是,最近到達(dá)麥里屯的一個(gè)兵團(tuán)要在那里呆整整一個(gè)冬天。這個(gè)消息使得吉蒂和麗迪亞欣喜異常。這兩個(gè)姑娘現(xiàn)在每天到姨媽家去。菲力普斯先生認(rèn)識(shí)所有的軍官,所以很快就把吉蒂和麗迪亞介紹給了他們。在家里,她們可以什么也不談,只談軍官和他們漂亮的制服,連彬格萊先生的大筆財(cái)產(chǎn)似乎也不值一提。

After listening to their praise of the officers one morning, Mr Bennet said coolly,‘From what I can see,you must be two of the silliest girls in the country.I've suspected it for some time,but now I'm convinced.’

一天早上,班納特先生聽了她們對(duì)軍官的稱贊以后冷冷地說:“依我看,你們倆肯定是全英國最傻的女孩。過去,我還一直懷疑這個(gè),現(xiàn)在我徹底相信了。”

Kitty was embarrassed and did not reply,but Lydia,the youngest, continued to express her admiration for a certain Captain Carter, with perfect indifference.

吉蒂感到害臊,沒有吱聲。可是最小的麗迪亞毫不在意,繼續(xù)表達(dá)她對(duì)一個(gè)什么卡特爾上尉的愛慕之情。

‘I am very surprised,my dear,’said Mrs Bennet,‘that you should be so ready to think your own children silly.As it hap- pens, they are all very clever.’

“我真感到奇怪,親愛的,”班納特夫人說,“你為什么總是愛把自己的孩子想得那么傻。巧得很,她們都很聰明。”

‘That is the only point,I think, on which we do not agree.I am afraid I must say that I consider our two youngest daugh- ters unusually foolish.’

“我想,只有這一點(diǎn)我們倆意見不一致??峙挛业谜f,我們的兩個(gè)小女兒還不是一般的愚蠢。”

‘My dear Mr Bennet, you mustn't expect such young girls to have the common sense of their father or mother.I remem- ber when I used to like a red coat myself, and indeed I still do.If a good-looking officer with five or six thousand a year want- ed to marry one of my girls, I wouldn't turn him down.And I thought Colonel Forster looked very handsome last night at Sir William's,in his regimental uniform.’

“我親愛的班納特先生,她們還小呢,你不能指望她們有父母一樣的見識(shí)。我記得自己過去就很喜歡紅色的外套,確實(shí),我現(xiàn)在還喜歡。如果哪一位年收入五六千英鎊的漂亮軍官想娶我們的哪個(gè)姑娘,我是不會(huì)拒絕他的。我覺得福斯特上校昨天晚上在威廉爵士家身穿兵團(tuán)制服看起來很英浚”

Just then a servant entered with a note for Jane, which had come from Netherfield.Mrs Bennet's eyes shone with pleasure and she called out eagerly, while her daughter was reading it,‘Well,Jane, who is it from? What does he say?Tell us, tell us quickly,my love!’

這時(shí),一位仆人拿著給簡的一張便條走了進(jìn)來,便條是從尼日斐送來的。班納特太太喜出望外,眼睛為之一亮,女兒還沒看完,她就急切地叫道:“哎呀,簡,是誰來的?上面寫的什么?告訴我們,快告訴我們,我的乖!”

‘It's from Miss Bingley,’said Jane.‘She invites me to din- ner at Netherfield,as she and her sister are alone.It seems her brother and the gentlemen are having dinner with the officers,in Meryton.’

“是彬格萊小姐來的,”簡說,“她邀請(qǐng)我到尼日斐吃飯,因?yàn)橹挥兴退憬阍诩?。好像她哥哥和幾位先生正在麥里屯和軍官們吃飯呢?rdquo;

‘With the officers!’cried Lydia.‘I wonder why aunt Philips didn't tell us that!’

“軍官們!”麗迪亞大喊一聲。“不知道菲力普斯姨媽為什么不把這事兒告訴我們!”

‘Having dinner in Meryton,’repeated Mrs Bennet, shaking her head.‘That's very unlucky.’

“在麥里屯吃飯,”班納特夫人搖了搖頭,重復(fù)道,“這太不巧了。”

‘May I take the carriage?’asked Jane.

“我可以坐馬車去嗎?”簡問道。

‘No, my dear, you'd better ride over there, because it looks likely to rain,and then you’ll have to stay the night.’

“不能,親愛的。你最好騎馬過去,因?yàn)榭雌饋硪掠炅耍菢拥脑?,你就得在那兒過夜。”

‘That would be a good plan,’said Elizabeth to her mother,‘if you were sure they wouldn't offer to send her home in their carriage.’

“如果你敢肯定他們不主動(dòng)提出用他們自己的馬車送她回家的話,”伊麗莎白對(duì)她媽媽說,“那么,這個(gè)計(jì)劃就很好。”

‘Oh, but they can't!The gentlemen must have taken Mr Bingley's carriage to go to Meryton.’

“哦!可是他們送不了!那幾位先生一定坐彬格萊先生的馬車到麥里屯去了。”

‘I'd much rather go in the carriage,’Jane said.

“我還是想坐馬車去,”簡說。

‘But,my dear,your father can't spare the horses, I'm sure.They're needed on the farm, aren't they, Mr Bennet?’

“可是,我親愛的,你爸爸必須用那幾匹馬,騰不出空來,肯定不行。班納特先生,田里還需要它們,是吧?”

Mr Bennet finally agreed that they were in fact being used that day in the fields.So Jane set out on her horse,while her mother called cheerfully after her,‘I do hope it’ll rain heavily,my love!’And Jane had not been gone for long before it rained hard.Elizabeth was a little worried about her sister,but Mrs Bennet was delighted.‘What a good idea of mine that was!’she said more than once, extremely pleased with herself.

班納特先生不得已,最后終于同意說,是啊,實(shí)際上那天田里還在用著牲口呢。于是簡騎著自己的馬出發(fā)了,而她媽媽在后面興高采烈地喊道:“我真希望雨能下大點(diǎn)兒,乖!”果真,簡還沒走多大會(huì)兒,雨就下大了。伊麗莎白有點(diǎn)擔(dān)心姐姐,可是,班納特太太感到慶幸。“我這個(gè)主意多妙啊!”她不止一次地這樣說,對(duì)自己感到極為滿意。

Not until the next morning,however,did she realize the full extent of her success.After breakfast a servant from Nether- field arrived with a note from Jane to Elizabeth,explaining that Jane had caught cold on her wet ride, and had been invited to stay at Netherfield until she recovered.

可是,直到第二天早上,她才認(rèn)識(shí)到自己的如意算盤大獲成功了。早飯過后,尼日斐來了一位仆人,他從簡那里給伊麗莎白帶來一張便條,說簡雨天騎馬感冒了,并且應(yīng)邀在尼日斐住下,直到康復(fù)。

‘Well,my dear,’said Mr Bennet,‘if your daughter should become seriously ill and die, it would be a comfort to know that she died in a good cause, and in obedience to your orders.’

“啊,親愛的,”班納特先生說,“如果你女兒病重死去,那么,得知她的死因這樣美妙,又是服從了你的命令,也會(huì)是一種安慰埃”

‘Oh, I'm not afraid of her dying.People don't die of colds.She’ll be looked after well at Netherfield.As long as she stays there, everything will be all right.’

“哦,我不擔(dān)心她會(huì)死去。得感冒是不會(huì)死人的。她在尼日斐會(huì)得到悉心照料的。只要她呆在那兒,一切都會(huì)好的。”

But Elizabeth felt really anxious,and was determined to go to her sister.As the carriage was not available, and she was not keen on riding, she decided to walk the five kilometres to Netherfield.Kitty and Lydia accompanied her as far as Mery- ton, where they went to visit one of the officers’wives.Eliza- beth continued alone, crossing field after field and jumping im- patiently over streams, in her anxiety to see her sister.

但是,伊麗莎白真正感到焦急,決心去看看姐姐。因?yàn)闆]有馬車,她又不熱心騎馬,所以,她決定步行五公里到尼日斐去。吉蒂和麗迪亞一直把她送到麥里屯,在那里,她們?nèi)フ乙晃卉姽俚钠拮?。伊麗莎白接著就一個(gè)人走下去,穿過一片片田地,跨越一條條小溪,心情煩躁,急切地要見到姐姐。

When she arrived at Netherfield,with tired feet,muddy stockings and a face healthily pink with exercise, she was shown straight into the sitting-room. The two sisters, Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst,could hardly believe that she had come so far alone and on foot in such bad weather, but they received her politely. Their brother, however, was more than polite: he was kind and considerate towards her.Mr Darcy said very little,hesitating between admiration of her healthy good looks and doubt whether she should have come such a distance alone.Mr Hurst said nothing at all,as he was thinking only of his breakfast.

她到達(dá)尼日斐以后,兩腳乏力,滿襪爛泥,由于運(yùn)動(dòng),雙頰透著健康的粉紅色。她被直接領(lǐng)到了起居室。彬格萊小姐和赫斯特夫人姐妹倆幾乎不敢相信,路這么遠(yuǎn),天這么壞,她會(huì)一個(gè)人步行過來,不過她們還是彬彬有禮地接待了她。然而,彬格萊先生可不僅僅是彬彬有禮:他對(duì)她和藹而體貼。達(dá)西先生很少說話,既喜愛她健康的模樣,又懷疑她該不該這么大老遠(yuǎn)地過來,心里猶豫不決。赫斯特先生一言不發(fā),只想著吃早飯。

Elizabeth was glad to be taken almost immediately to her sister's room, where she found Jane delighted to see her, but very feverish and unwell.The doctor came, and after examining his patient, advised that she should stay in bed and take some medicine.Elizabeth stayed with her all day,looking after her,and the Bingley sisters also spent some time in the patient's room.However,in the afternoon, when it was time for Eliza- beth to leave,Jane seemed so upset that Miss Bingley was obliged to invite Elizabeth to stay at Netherfield for the present,and a servant was sent to Longbourn to inform the Bennet family and bring back some clothes.

伊麗莎白幾乎馬上被帶到了姐姐的臥室,對(duì)此她很滿意。在那里,她發(fā)現(xiàn)簡見到她很愉快,可是發(fā)著高燒,情況很糟糕。醫(yī)生來了,給病人檢查過之后,建議她臥床休息,吃點(diǎn)藥。伊麗莎白全天和她呆在一起,照料她,彬格萊姐妹倆也在病房里呆了一段時(shí)間??墒?,到了下午,伊麗莎白該走的時(shí)候,簡似乎感到十分焦躁不安,彬格萊小姐就不得不邀請(qǐng)伊麗莎白先呆在尼日斐并派一個(gè)仆人到浪搏恩通知班納特家,再帶回些衣服。

That evening Elizabeth went down to dinner,leaving Jane in bed in her room.She noticed the Bingley sisters’apparent con- cern for Jane change to indifference in a few moments, and knew she had been right to dislike them at first sight. Mr Bingley, indeed, was the only one of the group whose behaviour she was satisfied with. His anxiety for Jane was evident, and his politeness towards herself most pleasing. But the others, she felt, treated her as an unwelcome guest. Miss Bingley was con- centrating all her attention on Mr Darcy, and Mrs Hurst also joined in their conversation,while Mr Hurst was only interest- ed in eating, drinking and playing cards.

那天晚上,伊麗莎白下去吃飯,留簡一個(gè)人在屋里躺在床上。她注意到彬格萊姐妹對(duì)簡明顯的關(guān)懷之情不一會(huì)兒就變成一片漠然,這時(shí)她認(rèn)識(shí)到第一次見面就討厭她們的感覺是正確的。說實(shí)在的,這幾個(gè)人中只有彬格萊先生一個(gè)人的表現(xiàn)使她感到滿意。他為簡感到焦慮是很顯然的,對(duì)自己的禮貌也是很令人滿意的。但是,她感到其他的人把她當(dāng)成不受歡迎的客人。彬格萊小姐整個(gè)心思都在達(dá)西身上,赫斯特夫人也參加到他們的談話里去,赫斯特先生只對(duì)吃飯、喝酒、打牌感興趣。

When Elizabeth left the room after dinner to see if Jane needed anything,Miss Bingley at once began to criticize her.

伊麗莎白吃過飯離開房間,去看簡是不是需要什么。這時(shí),彬格萊小姐馬上開始說她的壞話。

‘What bad manners she has!She's both proud, and lacking in politeness to her superiors!She has no conversation, no ele- gance and no beauty!’

“她多沒教養(yǎng)啊!又傲慢又不知道尊重上等人!她不跟人攀談,不愛打扮,相貌平平!”

Mrs Hurst agreed, and added,‘She has no good qualities,ex- cept that she's an excellent walker. I’ll never forget her ap- pearance this morning.She really looked almost wild.’

赫斯特夫人也這么看,并補(bǔ)充說:“她沒有什么好品質(zhì),只有一樣,就是能走路。我永遠(yuǎn)忘不了她今天早上的模樣。就跟瘋了差不多。”

‘She did indeed,Louisa.How silly of her to come at all!Why must she run around the countryside,just because her sis- ter has a cold? Her hair looked so untidy! And her dress!Simply covereb in mud!’

“她確實(shí)如此,露易莎。她到這兒來真是太傻了,在野地里來回跑什么,就因?yàn)樗憬阒c(diǎn)兒涼嗎?看她的頭發(fā),亂糟糟的,不堪入目!她的衣服,簡直是用泥抹了一遍!”

‘I must say,’said Bingley,‘I didn't notice any of that.I thought she looked remarkably attractive when she arrived this morning.

“我說句話,”彬格萊先生說,“你們所說的我都沒有看見。我覺得她今天早上來到的時(shí)候,看起來很有魅力。”

‘You observed her wild appearance,I'm sure,Mr Darcy,’said Miss Bingley,‘and I imagine you wouldn't wish your sis- ter to make such a show of herself.’

“達(dá)西先生,你肯定看到她今天早上的瘋癲勁了,”彬格萊小姐說,“我想你不會(huì)希望你的妹妹這樣丟人現(xiàn)眼吧。”

‘Certainly not.’

“當(dāng)然不會(huì)。”

‘Walking four or five kilometres,whatever it was,up to her ankles in mud, and alone, quite alone!It seems to me to show a dreadful sort of independence, a country girl's indifference to what is acceptable.’

“不管怎么說,走了四五公里,爛泥沒到了腳脖子,又是一個(gè)人,沒有一個(gè)人做伴!我似乎看到一種可怕的獨(dú)立性,一種鄉(xiāng)下女孩對(duì)什么該做、什么不該做的漠視。”

‘I think it shows a very pleasing affection for her sister,’said Bingley.

“我想這表現(xiàn)出對(duì)姐姐的手足之情,是難能可貴的。”彬格萊說。

‘I'm afraid, Mr Darcy,’whispered Miss Bingley,‘that this adventure has rather lessened your admiration of her fine eyes.’

“達(dá)西先生,”彬格萊小姐小聲說,“恐怕她這次冒險(xiǎn)削弱了你對(duì)她眼睛的喜愛吧。”

‘Not at all,’he replied.‘They were brightened by the ex- ercise.’

“一點(diǎn)沒有,”他回答說,“一運(yùn)動(dòng)眼睛反而更加明亮了。”

After a short pause, Mrs Hurst began again.‘I have a great liking for Jane Bennet.She is really a very sweet girl, and I wish with all my heart she were well married.But with such a father and mother, and with such vulgar relations, I'm afraid there's no chance of it.’

稍作停頓之后,赫斯特夫人又開始了。“我很喜歡簡·班納特,她真是個(gè)很可愛的女孩,我真心希望她能找個(gè)好男人??墒?,父母是那樣,親戚又那么粗俗,我想她是不會(huì)有這樣的機(jī)會(huì)的。”

‘I think the Bennet girls have an uncle who's a lawyer in Meryton.’

“我想班納特家的姑娘有個(gè)姨父在麥里屯做律師。”

‘Yes,and they have another who owns shops in Cheapside!Such a nice part of London!’Both the sisters laughed.

“是的,她們還有個(gè)舅舅在齊普賽開店呢。倫敦的這個(gè)地方真不錯(cuò)!”姐妹倆縱聲大笑。

‘If they had enough uncles to fill Cheapside,’cried Bing- ley,‘it wouldn't make them any less charming!’

“假使她們父母的兄弟多得能把齊普賽塞滿,”彬格萊大聲說,“那也不會(huì)使她們的魅力有任何減少!”

‘But it must considerably lessen their chances of marrying men of any position in the world,’replied Darcy.

“可是這必將大大減少她們同世界上任何有地位的男人結(jié)婚的機(jī)會(huì),”達(dá)西回答道。

Bingley did not answer,but his sisters agreed enthusiastically, and continued mocking their dear friend's vul- gar relations for some time.

彬格萊沒有回答,可是他的姐妹們興高采烈地表示同意,并繼續(xù)嘲笑了一會(huì)兒親愛的朋友的下賤親戚。

Late in the evening, when Elizabeth was satisfied that Jane was asleep, she felt she ought to go downstairs again.She found the party in the sitting-room, playing cards, but although they invited her to join in their game, she refused politely, and picked up a book to read.

深夜,伊麗莎白看到簡睡著了,心里很高興,她覺得應(yīng)該再到樓下去。她發(fā)現(xiàn)那些人在客廳打牌,雖然他們邀請(qǐng)她一起玩,可是她有禮貌地拒絕了,并拿起一本書讀了起來。

‘I can fetch you more books to read,if you wish,’offered Bingley,‘but I'm afraid I haven't got a large library.Unlike you,I'm too lazy to spend much time reading.’

“如果你愿意讀,我可以給你多拿幾本來,”彬格萊提出,“不過,恐怕我沒有個(gè)大圖書館。不像你,我太懶,不讀什么書。”

‘What a delightful library you have at Pemberley,Mr Darcy!’said Miss Bingley.‘And what a beautiful house it is!Charles,when you buy your house,I hope it will be even half as lovely as Pemberley.’

“達(dá)西先生,你在彭伯里的圖書館多么令人賞心悅目啊!”彬格萊小姐說。“那幢房子多漂亮啊!查爾斯,你買房子時(shí),我希望有彭伯里的一半那么可愛就行了。”

‘I hope so too,’agreed Bingley.

“我也希望如此,”彬格萊附和道。

‘And your dear sister, Mr Darcy? I expect she's grown since the spring. I want so much to see her again!I've never met anyone who delighted me so much!Such an appearance,such manners!And so extremely accomplished for her age!’

“還有,你那可愛的小妹怎么樣了,達(dá)西先生?我估計(jì)春天以來她又長高了吧!我多想再見到她呀!我見過的人還沒有哪個(gè)像她那樣使我感到快活!她的相貌,她的風(fēng)度!還有小小年紀(jì)就多才多藝!”

‘I'm always surprised,’said Bingley,‘to find how very ac- complished all young ladies are. How do they have the time and patience to learn all these skills?’

“我總覺得奇怪,”彬格萊說,“我發(fā)現(xiàn)如今的年輕小姐們都是多才多藝。她們哪兒來的時(shí)間,哪兒有耐心來學(xué)習(xí)這些技藝呢?”

‘Certainly people use the word“accomplished”too loosely,’said Darcy,‘but I am far from agreeing with you about ladies in general.I cannot boast of knowing more than six who are really accomplished.’

“當(dāng)然是人們把‘多才多藝’這個(gè)詞用濫了,”達(dá)西說,“不過,你把小姐們都稱為多才多藝,我則完全不敢茍同。真正多才多藝的據(jù)我所知不過五六個(gè)人。”

‘Then,’said Elizabeth,‘your idea of an accomplished woman must include a great many qualities.’

“那樣的話,”伊麗莎白說,“你所謂的多才多藝一定要具備多種優(yōu)良品質(zhì)才行啦。”

‘Yes, a great many.’

“是的,要有多種優(yōu)良品質(zhì)。”

‘Oh!Certainly,’cried his faithful assistant,Miss Bingley,‘an accomplished woman must have a thorough knowledge of music,singing, drawing, dancing and modern languages, and besides this, a certain something in her manner of walking, in her voice and in her behaviour.’

“啊!當(dāng)然啦,”他忠實(shí)的幫腔者彬格萊小姐大聲說道,“多才多藝的人必須通曉音樂、演唱、繪畫、舞蹈和現(xiàn)代語言,除此之外,還要注意行姿、嗓音和舉止。”

‘All this she must possess,’added Darcy,‘and something more solid,the improvement of her mind by wide reading.’

“所有這些都必須具備,”達(dá)西補(bǔ)充道,“除此之外,還有更實(shí)在的,那就是要博覽群書,擴(kuò)大視野。”

‘I'm no longer surprised at your knowing only six accom- plished women,’said Elizabeth.‘I rather wonder at your knowing any.I've never seen such elegance, and intelligence,and knowledge, as you describe, in one woman.’

“這么說來,你只知道五六個(gè)多才多藝的人,就不足為怪了,”伊麗莎白說。“你竟然還知道有這樣的人存在,我感到相當(dāng)驚訝。我還從來沒有見過你所謂的集優(yōu)雅、智慧和知識(shí)于一身的女人呢。”

Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley were both protesting loudly that they knew many women like this, when Mr Hurst called their attention back to the card game.As this meant an end to the conversation, Elizabeth soon afterwards left the room.

赫斯特太太和彬格萊小姐大聲抗議說,她們認(rèn)識(shí)很多這樣的婦女。這時(shí),赫斯特先生叫她們不要分心,注意玩牌。因?yàn)檫@就意味著談話的結(jié)束,所以,伊麗莎白不久就離開了房間。

‘Miss Elizabeth Bennet,’said Miss Bingley to Darcy,‘is one of those women who try to appear attractive to men by un- dervaluing other women. I think that's a mean trick.’

“伊麗莎白·班納特小姐,”彬格萊小姐對(duì)達(dá)西說,“是那種貶低別人抬高自己以吸引男人的女人。我以為這是很卑鄙的。”

‘It is true,’said Darcy,‘that there is meanness in all the tricks used by ladies to attract men.’

“你說得對(duì),”達(dá)西說,“女人用來吸引男人的所有花招都是卑鄙的。”

Miss Bingley was not satisfied enough with this answer to continue the conversation.

彬格萊小姐對(duì)這個(gè)回答不夠滿意,談話就此中斷了。

The next morning Elizabeth was glad to be able to inform Mr Bingley and his sisters that Jane was very much better.

第二天早晨,伊麗莎白很高興地通知彬格萊先生和她的姐妹說,簡的狀況大為改善。

In spite of this improvement, however, she asked for her mother to be sent for, as she wanted Mrs Bennet's opinion of Jane's state of health.Soon after breakfast, therefore, Mrs Bennet, accompanied by her two youngest daughters, reached Netherfield.

不過,雖然病情大為好轉(zhuǎn),伊麗莎白還是想讓人叫母親過來,聽聽她對(duì)于簡的健康狀況的意見。于是,早飯過后不久,班納特太太在兩個(gè)小女兒的陪同下,到達(dá)了尼日斐。

Elizabeth, although relieved to hear that her mother did not think Jane's illness serious,began to regret asking her to come, when she saw the Bingley sisters smiling at Mrs Bennet's remarks.Elizabeth blushed for her mother, who could not help showing her lack of intelligence and common sense in every- thing she said.

聽到母親說簡的病不要緊,伊麗莎白松了口氣。盡管如此,當(dāng)她看到彬格萊姐妹取笑她母親說的話時(shí),她開始后悔不該叫母親過來。伊麗莎白為母親感到臉紅,因?yàn)槟赣H所說的每句話都不自覺地表現(xiàn)出她缺乏頭腦和起碼的見識(shí)。

Kitty and Lydia made an equally had impression.They had been whispering together, when suddenly Lydia,who was an attractive, confident, well-grown girl of fifteen, pushed herself rudely forward.She begged Mr Bingley to hold a ball at Netherfield. With his usual politeness, Mr Bingley promised he would,but Elizabeth saw his sisters exchanging meaningful glances.She was quite glad when her mother and sisters left.She and Jane were to stay another night at Netherfield, to allow Jane to recover completely.

吉蒂和麗迪亞給人的印象也一樣壞。她們倆一直在竊竊私語,可是突然那個(gè)迷人的、充滿自信的、15歲就發(fā)育成熟的麗迪亞十分無禮地出了一下風(fēng)頭。她懇求彬格萊先生在尼日斐舉行一次舞會(huì)。彬格萊先生像往常一樣,彬彬有禮地答應(yīng)說他會(huì)舉辦的,不過伊麗莎白看到他的姐妹別有用心地交換了一下眼色。母親和妹妹走了以后,她感到很高興。她和簡要在尼日斐再呆一個(gè)晚上,等到簡完全恢復(fù)后再走。

That evening Elizabeth appeared again in the sitting-room.She could not avoid noticing how frequently Mr Darcy's eyes were fixed on her, but as she felt sure that so great a man could not possibly admire her,she assumed that when he looked at her, he was criticizing her in some way.This thought did not cause her any pain, as she liked him too little to care for his ap- proval.

那天晚上,伊麗莎白再次來到起居室。她不可避免地注意到達(dá)西先生的目光頻繁地落在自己身上。不過,她覺得,這樣一位大人物是不可能愛慕她的,所以,她就假定他注視她時(shí),是在挑她的毛玻這種想法并沒有使她感到痛苦,因?yàn)樗粣鬯?,所以并不在乎他心里怎么想?/p>

In the conversations she had with him, she spoke in her usual slightly mocking manner, rather expecting to offend him,but was surprised by the quiet politeness of his replies.Darcy had never before been so charmed by any woman.He really be- lieved that if she did not have such vulgar relations, he might be in danger of falling in love with her. Miss Bingley saw or suspected enough to be jealous, and her great anxiety for the recovery of her dear friend Jane was increased by her wish to get rid of Elizabeth.

她與他交談時(shí),總是帶點(diǎn)兒譏諷的口吻,有點(diǎn)期望能惹他生氣,但他的回答卻出人意料地心平氣和和彬彬有禮。達(dá)西以前還從來沒有被哪個(gè)女人這樣迷住過。他真心認(rèn)為,要不是她出身這么卑微,他還真有愛上她的危險(xiǎn)。彬格萊小姐的所見所疑足以使她醋性大發(fā),由于希望擺脫掉伊麗莎白,她盼望好友簡早日康復(fù)的焦慮心情更是與日俱增。

Fortunately perhaps, for almost everyone at Netherfield,Elizabeth and her sister, who was now quite recovered, were returning home the next day. Only Mr Bingley showed real sorrow at this, and was concerned that Jane might not be fit enough to travel. Mr Darcy was quite relieved, and determined that no sign of admiration for Elizabeth should escape him now. Miss Bingley's politeness to Elizabeth, as well as her af- fection for Jane, increased rapidly as the moment of departure approached,and she was able to say goodbye to them with many warm expressions of friendliness and a promise to visit them very soon.

伊麗莎白和她姐姐(現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)基本康復(fù))第二天就要回家了,這對(duì)于尼日斐幾乎所有人來講,也許都是求之不得的。只有彬格萊先生對(duì)她們的離別感到真正的難過,并且擔(dān)心簡還沒有完全康復(fù),不宜出門。達(dá)西先生松了口氣,并決定此時(shí)此刻不能流露出對(duì)伊麗莎白有半點(diǎn)愛慕之情。隨著離別時(shí)刻的到來,彬格萊小姐對(duì)伊麗莎白的客氣程度以及對(duì)簡的感情迅速增加,到與她們道別時(shí),竟能說出許多令人心里暖烘烘的友好之辭來,她還許諾不久將對(duì)她們進(jìn)行一次拜訪。

Mr Bennet was glad to welcome his eldest daughters home again,as he had felt their absence from the family circle,but Mrs Bennet, who had hoped they would stay much longer, was quite disappointed to see them come back in such a short time.

班納特先生見到兩個(gè)年長些的女兒回家來,自然十分高興,因?yàn)樗齻儾辉跁r(shí),他總覺得家里少了點(diǎn)兒什么??墒前嗉{特太太本希望她們多住些日子,看到她們這么早回來,心里相當(dāng)失望。


2 Jane's illness

Mr Bennet had a comfortable income of two thousand a year, and a pleasant house in Longbourn. But, unfortu- nately for his daughters, after his death all his property would pass to a distant male relation.Mrs Bennet's father had been a lawyer,and had only left his daughter a small amount of money. She had a brother who owned shops in London, and she also had a sister, married to a Mr Philips. He had been her fa- ther's clerk,and now carried on his late employer's business.

Mr and Mrs Philips lived in Meryton, which was only a kilo- metre or so from the village of Longbourn.It was a most con- venient distance for the Bennet girls, who were usually tempted there three or four times a week,to visit their aunt or a dress- maker who lived opposite.The youngest daughters, Kitty and Lydia,were particularly regular visitors.Their minds were more vacant than their sisters,’and if no better entertainment was available,a walk to Meryton always provided some amuse- ment, as well as interesting local news from their aunt.

The latest news, which delighted Kitty and Lydia, was that the regiment which had recently arrived in Meryton was to stay there for the whole winter.The two girls now visited their aunt every day, and as Mr Philips knew all the officers,Kitty and Lydia were soon introduced to them.At home they could talk of nothing but officers and their handsome uniforms:even Mr Bingley's fortune now seemed hardly worth considering.

After listening to their praise of the officers one morning, Mr Bennet said coolly,‘From what I can see,you must be two of the silliest girls in the country.I've suspected it for some time,but now I'm convinced.’

Kitty was embarrassed and did not reply,but Lydia,the youngest, continued to express her admiration for a certain Captain Carter, with perfect indifference.

‘I am very surprised,my dear,’said Mrs Bennet,‘that you should be so ready to think your own children silly.As it hap- pens, they are all very clever.’

‘That is the only point,I think, on which we do not agree.I am afraid I must say that I consider our two youngest daugh- ters unusually foolish.’

‘My dear Mr Bennet, you mustn't expect such young girls to have the common sense of their father or mother.I remem- ber when I used to like a red coat myself, and indeed I still do.If a good-looking officer with five or six thousand a year want- ed to marry one of my girls, I wouldn't turn him down.And I thought Colonel Forster looked very handsome last night at Sir William's,in his regimental uniform.’

Just then a servant entered with a note for Jane, which had come from Netherfield.Mrs Bennet's eyes shone with pleasure and she called out eagerly, while her daughter was reading it,‘Well,Jane, who is it from? What does he say?Tell us, tell us quickly,my love!’

‘It's from Miss Bingley,’said Jane.‘She invites me to din- ner at Netherfield,as she and her sister are alone.It seems her brother and the gentlemen are having dinner with the officers,in Meryton.’

‘With the officers!’cried Lydia.‘I wonder why aunt Philips didn't tell us that!’

‘Having dinner in Meryton,’repeated Mrs Bennet, shaking her head.‘That's very unlucky.’

‘May I take the carriage?’asked Jane.

‘No, my dear, you'd better ride over there, because it looks likely to rain,and then you’ll have to stay the night.’

‘That would be a good plan,’said Elizabeth to her mother,‘if you were sure they wouldn't offer to send her home in their carriage.’

‘Oh, but they can't!The gentlemen must have taken Mr Bingley's carriage to go to Meryton.’

‘I'd much rather go in the carriage,’Jane said.

‘But,my dear,your father can't spare the horses, I'm sure.They're needed on the farm, aren't they, Mr Bennet?’

Mr Bennet finally agreed that they were in fact being used that day in the fields.So Jane set out on her horse,while her mother called cheerfully after her,‘I do hope it’ll rain heavily,my love!’And Jane had not been gone for long before it rained hard.Elizabeth was a little worried about her sister,but Mrs Bennet was delighted.‘What a good idea of mine that was!’she said more than once, extremely pleased with herself.

Not until the next morning,however,did she realize the full extent of her success.After breakfast a servant from Nether- field arrived with a note from Jane to Elizabeth,explaining that Jane had caught cold on her wet ride, and had been invited to stay at Netherfield until she recovered.

‘Well,my dear,’said Mr Bennet,‘if your daughter should become seriously ill and die, it would be a comfort to know that she died in a good cause, and in obedience to your orders.’

‘Oh, I'm not afraid of her dying.People don't die of colds.She’ll be looked after well at Netherfield.As long as she stays there, everything will be all right.’

But Elizabeth felt really anxious,and was determined to go to her sister.As the carriage was not available, and she was not keen on riding, she decided to walk the five kilometres to Netherfield.Kitty and Lydia accompanied her as far as Mery- ton, where they went to visit one of the officers’wives.Eliza- beth continued alone, crossing field after field and jumping im- patiently over streams, in her anxiety to see her sister.

When she arrived at Netherfield,with tired feet,muddy stockings and a face healthily pink with exercise, she was shown straight into the sitting-room. The two sisters, Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst,could hardly believe that she had come so far alone and on foot in such bad weather, but they received her politely. Their brother, however, was more than polite: he was kind and considerate towards her.Mr Darcy said very little,hesitating between admiration of her healthy good looks and doubt whether she should have come such a distance alone.Mr Hurst said nothing at all,as he was thinking only of his breakfast.

Elizabeth was glad to be taken almost immediately to her sister's room, where she found Jane delighted to see her, but very feverish and unwell.The doctor came, and after examining his patient, advised that she should stay in bed and take some medicine.Elizabeth stayed with her all day,looking after her,and the Bingley sisters also spent some time in the patient's room.However,in the afternoon, when it was time for Eliza- beth to leave,Jane seemed so upset that Miss Bingley was obliged to invite Elizabeth to stay at Netherfield for the present,and a servant was sent to Longbourn to inform the Bennet family and bring back some clothes.

That evening Elizabeth went down to dinner,leaving Jane in bed in her room.She noticed the Bingley sisters’apparent con- cern for Jane change to indifference in a few moments, and knew she had been right to dislike them at first sight. Mr Bingley, indeed, was the only one of the group whose behaviour she was satisfied with. His anxiety for Jane was evident, and his politeness towards herself most pleasing. But the others, she felt, treated her as an unwelcome guest. Miss Bingley was con- centrating all her attention on Mr Darcy, and Mrs Hurst also joined in their conversation,while Mr Hurst was only interest- ed in eating, drinking and playing cards.

When Elizabeth left the room after dinner to see if Jane needed anything,Miss Bingley at once began to criticize her.

‘What bad manners she has!She's both proud, and lacking in politeness to her superiors!She has no conversation, no ele- gance and no beauty!’

Mrs Hurst agreed, and added,‘She has no good qualities,ex- cept that she's an excellent walker. I’ll never forget her ap- pearance this morning.She really looked almost wild.’

‘She did indeed,Louisa.How silly of her to come at all!Why must she run around the countryside,just because her sis- ter has a cold? Her hair looked so untidy! And her dress!Simply covereb in mud!’

‘I must say,’said Bingley,‘I didn't notice any of that.I thought she looked remarkably attractive when she arrived this morning.

‘You observed her wild appearance,I'm sure,Mr Darcy,’said Miss Bingley,‘and I imagine you wouldn't wish your sis- ter to make such a show of herself.’

‘Certainly not.’

‘Walking four or five kilometres,whatever it was,up to her ankles in mud, and alone, quite alone!It seems to me to show a dreadful sort of independence, a country girl's indifference to what is acceptable.’

‘I think it shows a very pleasing affection for her sister,’said Bingley.

‘I'm afraid, Mr Darcy,’whispered Miss Bingley,‘that this adventure has rather lessened your admiration of her fine eyes.’

‘Not at all,’he replied.‘They were brightened by the ex- ercise.’

After a short pause, Mrs Hurst began again.‘I have a great liking for Jane Bennet.She is really a very sweet girl, and I wish with all my heart she were well married.But with such a father and mother, and with such vulgar relations, I'm afraid there's no chance of it.’

‘I think the Bennet girls have an uncle who's a lawyer in Meryton.’

‘Yes,and they have another who owns shops in Cheapside!Such a nice part of London!’Both the sisters laughed.

‘If they had enough uncles to fill Cheapside,’cried Bing- ley,‘it wouldn't make them any less charming!’

‘But it must considerably lessen their chances of marrying men of any position in the world,’replied Darcy.

Bingley did not answer,but his sisters agreed enthusiastically, and continued mocking their dear friend's vul- gar relations for some time.

Late in the evening, when Elizabeth was satisfied that Jane was asleep, she felt she ought to go downstairs again.She found the party in the sitting-room, playing cards, but although they invited her to join in their game, she refused politely, and picked up a book to read.

‘I can fetch you more books to read,if you wish,’offered Bingley,‘but I'm afraid I haven't got a large library.Unlike you,I'm too lazy to spend much time reading.’

‘What a delightful library you have at Pemberley,Mr Darcy!’said Miss Bingley.‘And what a beautiful house it is!Charles,when you buy your house,I hope it will be even half as lovely as Pemberley.’

‘I hope so too,’agreed Bingley.

‘And your dear sister, Mr Darcy? I expect she's grown since the spring. I want so much to see her again!I've never met anyone who delighted me so much!Such an appearance,such manners!And so extremely accomplished for her age!’

‘I'm always surprised,’said Bingley,‘to find how very ac- complished all young ladies are. How do they have the time and patience to learn all these skills?’

‘Certainly people use the word“accomplished”too loosely,’said Darcy,‘but I am far from agreeing with you about ladies in general.I cannot boast of knowing more than six who are really accomplished.’

‘Then,’said Elizabeth,‘your idea of an accomplished woman must include a great many qualities.’

‘Yes, a great many.’

‘Oh!Certainly,’cried his faithful assistant,Miss Bingley,‘an accomplished woman must have a thorough knowledge of music,singing, drawing, dancing and modern languages, and besides this, a certain something in her manner of walking, in her voice and in her behaviour.’

‘All this she must possess,’added Darcy,‘and something more solid,the improvement of her mind by wide reading.’

‘I'm no longer surprised at your knowing only six accom- plished women,’said Elizabeth.‘I rather wonder at your knowing any.I've never seen such elegance, and intelligence,and knowledge, as you describe, in one woman.’

Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley were both protesting loudly that they knew many women like this, when Mr Hurst called their attention back to the card game.As this meant an end to the conversation, Elizabeth soon afterwards left the room.

‘Miss Elizabeth Bennet,’said Miss Bingley to Darcy,‘is one of those women who try to appear attractive to men by un- dervaluing other women. I think that's a mean trick.’

‘It is true,’said Darcy,‘that there is meanness in all the tricks used by ladies to attract men.’

Miss Bingley was not satisfied enough with this answer to continue the conversation.

The next morning Elizabeth was glad to be able to inform Mr Bingley and his sisters that Jane was very much better.

In spite of this improvement, however, she asked for her mother to be sent for, as she wanted Mrs Bennet's opinion of Jane's state of health.Soon after breakfast, therefore, Mrs Bennet, accompanied by her two youngest daughters, reached Netherfield.

Elizabeth, although relieved to hear that her mother did not think Jane's illness serious,began to regret asking her to come, when she saw the Bingley sisters smiling at Mrs Bennet's remarks.Elizabeth blushed for her mother, who could not help showing her lack of intelligence and common sense in every- thing she said.

Kitty and Lydia made an equally had impression.They had been whispering together, when suddenly Lydia,who was an attractive, confident, well-grown girl of fifteen, pushed herself rudely forward.She begged Mr Bingley to hold a ball at Netherfield. With his usual politeness, Mr Bingley promised he would,but Elizabeth saw his sisters exchanging meaningful glances.She was quite glad when her mother and sisters left.She and Jane were to stay another night at Netherfield, to allow Jane to recover completely.

That evening Elizabeth appeared again in the sitting-room.She could not avoid noticing how frequently Mr Darcy's eyes were fixed on her, but as she felt sure that so great a man could not possibly admire her,she assumed that when he looked at her, he was criticizing her in some way.This thought did not cause her any pain, as she liked him too little to care for his ap- proval.

In the conversations she had with him, she spoke in her usual slightly mocking manner, rather expecting to offend him,but was surprised by the quiet politeness of his replies.Darcy had never before been so charmed by any woman.He really be- lieved that if she did not have such vulgar relations, he might be in danger of falling in love with her. Miss Bingley saw or suspected enough to be jealous, and her great anxiety for the recovery of her dear friend Jane was increased by her wish to get rid of Elizabeth.

Fortunately perhaps, for almost everyone at Netherfield,Elizabeth and her sister, who was now quite recovered, were returning home the next day. Only Mr Bingley showed real sorrow at this, and was concerned that Jane might not be fit enough to travel. Mr Darcy was quite relieved, and determined that no sign of admiration for Elizabeth should escape him now. Miss Bingley's politeness to Elizabeth, as well as her af- fection for Jane, increased rapidly as the moment of departure approached,and she was able to say goodbye to them with many warm expressions of friendliness and a promise to visit them very soon.

Mr Bennet was glad to welcome his eldest daughters home again,as he had felt their absence from the family circle,but Mrs Bennet, who had hoped they would stay much longer, was quite disappointed to see them come back in such a short time.


2 簡生病了

班納特先生年收入兩千英鎊,而且在浪搏恩有一處宜人的宅子,生活堪稱小康??墒牵钆畠簜兏械竭z憾的是,他死后,所有的財(cái)產(chǎn)都要由一位遠(yuǎn)房的男性親戚來繼承。班納特夫人的父親曾做過律師,他只給女兒留下很少一筆錢。班納特夫人有一個(gè)弟弟在倫敦開商店,還有一個(gè)妹妹,嫁給了菲力普斯先生。菲力普斯曾做過她父親的職員,現(xiàn)在繼承了已故老板的事業(yè)。

菲力普斯夫婦住在麥里屯,離浪搏恩村只有大約一公里。這個(gè)距離對(duì)于班納特家的幾位姑娘來說再方便不過了,她們常常禁不住每周上那兒去三四次,去看姨媽或者住在對(duì)面專做女式服裝的裁縫。最小的兩位姑娘,吉蒂和麗迪亞,尤其常去。她們的精神比幾個(gè)姐姐更空虛,如果沒有更好的娛樂方式,到麥里屯走一走總是會(huì)給她們帶來一些樂趣,她們還會(huì)從姨媽那里聽到當(dāng)?shù)匾恍┯腥さ男侣劇?/p>

最新的消息是,最近到達(dá)麥里屯的一個(gè)兵團(tuán)要在那里呆整整一個(gè)冬天。這個(gè)消息使得吉蒂和麗迪亞欣喜異常。這兩個(gè)姑娘現(xiàn)在每天到姨媽家去。菲力普斯先生認(rèn)識(shí)所有的軍官,所以很快就把吉蒂和麗迪亞介紹給了他們。在家里,她們可以什么也不談,只談軍官和他們漂亮的制服,連彬格萊先生的大筆財(cái)產(chǎn)似乎也不值一提。

一天早上,班納特先生聽了她們對(duì)軍官的稱贊以后冷冷地說:“依我看,你們倆肯定是全英國最傻的女孩。過去,我還一直懷疑這個(gè),現(xiàn)在我徹底相信了。”

吉蒂感到害臊,沒有吱聲??墒亲钚〉柠惖蟻喓敛辉谝猓^續(xù)表達(dá)她對(duì)一個(gè)什么卡特爾上尉的愛慕之情。

“我真感到奇怪,親愛的,”班納特夫人說,“你為什么總是愛把自己的孩子想得那么傻。巧得很,她們都很聰明。”

“我想,只有這一點(diǎn)我們倆意見不一致??峙挛业谜f,我們的兩個(gè)小女兒還不是一般的愚蠢。”

“我親愛的班納特先生,她們還小呢,你不能指望她們有父母一樣的見識(shí)。我記得自己過去就很喜歡紅色的外套,確實(shí),我現(xiàn)在還喜歡。如果哪一位年收入五六千英鎊的漂亮軍官想娶我們的哪個(gè)姑娘,我是不會(huì)拒絕他的。我覺得福斯特上校昨天晚上在威廉爵士家身穿兵團(tuán)制服看起來很英浚”

這時(shí),一位仆人拿著給簡的一張便條走了進(jìn)來,便條是從尼日斐送來的。班納特太太喜出望外,眼睛為之一亮,女兒還沒看完,她就急切地叫道:“哎呀,簡,是誰來的?上面寫的什么?告訴我們,快告訴我們,我的乖!”

“是彬格萊小姐來的,”簡說,“她邀請(qǐng)我到尼日斐吃飯,因?yàn)橹挥兴退憬阍诩?。好像她哥哥和幾位先生正在麥里屯和軍官們吃飯呢?rdquo;

“軍官們!”麗迪亞大喊一聲。“不知道菲力普斯姨媽為什么不把這事兒告訴我們!”

“在麥里屯吃飯,”班納特夫人搖了搖頭,重復(fù)道,“這太不巧了。”

“我可以坐馬車去嗎?”簡問道。

“不能,親愛的。你最好騎馬過去,因?yàn)榭雌饋硪掠炅?,那樣的話,你就得在那兒過夜。”

“如果你敢肯定他們不主動(dòng)提出用他們自己的馬車送她回家的話,”伊麗莎白對(duì)她媽媽說,“那么,這個(gè)計(jì)劃就很好。”

“哦!可是他們送不了!那幾位先生一定坐彬格萊先生的馬車到麥里屯去了。”

“我還是想坐馬車去,”簡說。

“可是,我親愛的,你爸爸必須用那幾匹馬,騰不出空來,肯定不行。班納特先生,田里還需要它們,是吧?”

班納特先生不得已,最后終于同意說,是啊,實(shí)際上那天田里還在用著牲口呢。于是簡騎著自己的馬出發(fā)了,而她媽媽在后面興高采烈地喊道:“我真希望雨能下大點(diǎn)兒,乖!”果真,簡還沒走多大會(huì)兒,雨就下大了。伊麗莎白有點(diǎn)擔(dān)心姐姐,可是,班納特太太感到慶幸。“我這個(gè)主意多妙啊!”她不止一次地這樣說,對(duì)自己感到極為滿意。

可是,直到第二天早上,她才認(rèn)識(shí)到自己的如意算盤大獲成功了。早飯過后,尼日斐來了一位仆人,他從簡那里給伊麗莎白帶來一張便條,說簡雨天騎馬感冒了,并且應(yīng)邀在尼日斐住下,直到康復(fù)。

“啊,親愛的,”班納特先生說,“如果你女兒病重死去,那么,得知她的死因這樣美妙,又是服從了你的命令,也會(huì)是一種安慰埃”

“哦,我不擔(dān)心她會(huì)死去。得感冒是不會(huì)死人的。她在尼日斐會(huì)得到悉心照料的。只要她呆在那兒,一切都會(huì)好的。”

但是,伊麗莎白真正感到焦急,決心去看看姐姐。因?yàn)闆]有馬車,她又不熱心騎馬,所以,她決定步行五公里到尼日斐去。吉蒂和麗迪亞一直把她送到麥里屯,在那里,她們?nèi)フ乙晃卉姽俚钠拮?。伊麗莎白接著就一個(gè)人走下去,穿過一片片田地,跨越一條條小溪,心情煩躁,急切地要見到姐姐。

她到達(dá)尼日斐以后,兩腳乏力,滿襪爛泥,由于運(yùn)動(dòng),雙頰透著健康的粉紅色。她被直接領(lǐng)到了起居室。彬格萊小姐和赫斯特夫人姐妹倆幾乎不敢相信,路這么遠(yuǎn),天這么壞,她會(huì)一個(gè)人步行過來,不過她們還是彬彬有禮地接待了她。然而,彬格萊先生可不僅僅是彬彬有禮:他對(duì)她和藹而體貼。達(dá)西先生很少說話,既喜愛她健康的模樣,又懷疑她該不該這么大老遠(yuǎn)地過來,心里猶豫不決。赫斯特先生一言不發(fā),只想著吃早飯。

伊麗莎白幾乎馬上被帶到了姐姐的臥室,對(duì)此她很滿意。在那里,她發(fā)現(xiàn)簡見到她很愉快,可是發(fā)著高燒,情況很糟糕。醫(yī)生來了,給病人檢查過之后,建議她臥床休息,吃點(diǎn)藥。伊麗莎白全天和她呆在一起,照料她,彬格萊姐妹倆也在病房里呆了一段時(shí)間。可是,到了下午,伊麗莎白該走的時(shí)候,簡似乎感到十分焦躁不安,彬格萊小姐就不得不邀請(qǐng)伊麗莎白先呆在尼日斐并派一個(gè)仆人到浪搏恩通知班納特家,再帶回些衣服。

那天晚上,伊麗莎白下去吃飯,留簡一個(gè)人在屋里躺在床上。她注意到彬格萊姐妹對(duì)簡明顯的關(guān)懷之情不一會(huì)兒就變成一片漠然,這時(shí)她認(rèn)識(shí)到第一次見面就討厭她們的感覺是正確的。說實(shí)在的,這幾個(gè)人中只有彬格萊先生一個(gè)人的表現(xiàn)使她感到滿意。他為簡感到焦慮是很顯然的,對(duì)自己的禮貌也是很令人滿意的。但是,她感到其他的人把她當(dāng)成不受歡迎的客人。彬格萊小姐整個(gè)心思都在達(dá)西身上,赫斯特夫人也參加到他們的談話里去,赫斯特先生只對(duì)吃飯、喝酒、打牌感興趣。

伊麗莎白吃過飯離開房間,去看簡是不是需要什么。這時(shí),彬格萊小姐馬上開始說她的壞話。

“她多沒教養(yǎng)啊!又傲慢又不知道尊重上等人!她不跟人攀談,不愛打扮,相貌平平!”

赫斯特夫人也這么看,并補(bǔ)充說:“她沒有什么好品質(zhì),只有一樣,就是能走路。我永遠(yuǎn)忘不了她今天早上的模樣。就跟瘋了差不多。”

“她確實(shí)如此,露易莎。她到這兒來真是太傻了,在野地里來回跑什么,就因?yàn)樗憬阒c(diǎn)兒涼嗎?看她的頭發(fā),亂糟糟的,不堪入目!她的衣服,簡直是用泥抹了一遍!”

“我說句話,”彬格萊先生說,“你們所說的我都沒有看見。我覺得她今天早上來到的時(shí)候,看起來很有魅力。”

“達(dá)西先生,你肯定看到她今天早上的瘋癲勁了,”彬格萊小姐說,“我想你不會(huì)希望你的妹妹這樣丟人現(xiàn)眼吧。”

“當(dāng)然不會(huì)。”

“不管怎么說,走了四五公里,爛泥沒到了腳脖子,又是一個(gè)人,沒有一個(gè)人做伴!我似乎看到一種可怕的獨(dú)立性,一種鄉(xiāng)下女孩對(duì)什么該做、什么不該做的漠視。”

“我想這表現(xiàn)出對(duì)姐姐的手足之情,是難能可貴的。”彬格萊說。

“達(dá)西先生,”彬格萊小姐小聲說,“恐怕她這次冒險(xiǎn)削弱了你對(duì)她眼睛的喜愛吧。”

“一點(diǎn)沒有,”他回答說,“一運(yùn)動(dòng)眼睛反而更加明亮了。”

稍作停頓之后,赫斯特夫人又開始了。“我很喜歡簡·班納特,她真是個(gè)很可愛的女孩,我真心希望她能找個(gè)好男人??墒牵改甘悄菢樱H戚又那么粗俗,我想她是不會(huì)有這樣的機(jī)會(huì)的。”

“我想班納特家的姑娘有個(gè)姨父在麥里屯做律師。”

“是的,她們還有個(gè)舅舅在齊普賽開店呢。倫敦的這個(gè)地方真不錯(cuò)!”姐妹倆縱聲大笑。

“假使她們父母的兄弟多得能把齊普賽塞滿,”彬格萊大聲說,“那也不會(huì)使她們的魅力有任何減少!”

“可是這必將大大減少她們同世界上任何有地位的男人結(jié)婚的機(jī)會(huì),”達(dá)西回答道。

彬格萊沒有回答,可是他的姐妹們興高采烈地表示同意,并繼續(xù)嘲笑了一會(huì)兒親愛的朋友的下賤親戚。

深夜,伊麗莎白看到簡睡著了,心里很高興,她覺得應(yīng)該再到樓下去。她發(fā)現(xiàn)那些人在客廳打牌,雖然他們邀請(qǐng)她一起玩,可是她有禮貌地拒絕了,并拿起一本書讀了起來。

“如果你愿意讀,我可以給你多拿幾本來,”彬格萊提出,“不過,恐怕我沒有個(gè)大圖書館。不像你,我太懶,不讀什么書。”

“達(dá)西先生,你在彭伯里的圖書館多么令人賞心悅目啊!”彬格萊小姐說。“那幢房子多漂亮啊!查爾斯,你買房子時(shí),我希望有彭伯里的一半那么可愛就行了。”

“我也希望如此,”彬格萊附和道。

“還有,你那可愛的小妹怎么樣了,達(dá)西先生?我估計(jì)春天以來她又長高了吧!我多想再見到她呀!我見過的人還沒有哪個(gè)像她那樣使我感到快活!她的相貌,她的風(fēng)度!還有小小年紀(jì)就多才多藝!”

“我總覺得奇怪,”彬格萊說,“我發(fā)現(xiàn)如今的年輕小姐們都是多才多藝。她們哪兒來的時(shí)間,哪兒有耐心來學(xué)習(xí)這些技藝呢?”

“當(dāng)然是人們把‘多才多藝’這個(gè)詞用濫了,”達(dá)西說,“不過,你把小姐們都稱為多才多藝,我則完全不敢茍同。真正多才多藝的據(jù)我所知不過五六個(gè)人。”

“那樣的話,”伊麗莎白說,“你所謂的多才多藝一定要具備多種優(yōu)良品質(zhì)才行啦。”

“是的,要有多種優(yōu)良品質(zhì)。”

“啊!當(dāng)然啦,”他忠實(shí)的幫腔者彬格萊小姐大聲說道,“多才多藝的人必須通曉音樂、演唱、繪畫、舞蹈和現(xiàn)代語言,除此之外,還要注意行姿、嗓音和舉止。”

“所有這些都必須具備,”達(dá)西補(bǔ)充道,“除此之外,還有更實(shí)在的,那就是要博覽群書,擴(kuò)大視野。”

“這么說來,你只知道五六個(gè)多才多藝的人,就不足為怪了,”伊麗莎白說。“你竟然還知道有這樣的人存在,我感到相當(dāng)驚訝。我還從來沒有見過你所謂的集優(yōu)雅、智慧和知識(shí)于一身的女人呢。”

赫斯特太太和彬格萊小姐大聲抗議說,她們認(rèn)識(shí)很多這樣的婦女。這時(shí),赫斯特先生叫她們不要分心,注意玩牌。因?yàn)檫@就意味著談話的結(jié)束,所以,伊麗莎白不久就離開了房間。

“伊麗莎白·班納特小姐,”彬格萊小姐對(duì)達(dá)西說,“是那種貶低別人抬高自己以吸引男人的女人。我以為這是很卑鄙的。”

“你說得對(duì),”達(dá)西說,“女人用來吸引男人的所有花招都是卑鄙的。”

彬格萊小姐對(duì)這個(gè)回答不夠滿意,談話就此中斷了。

第二天早晨,伊麗莎白很高興地通知彬格萊先生和她的姐妹說,簡的狀況大為改善。

不過,雖然病情大為好轉(zhuǎn),伊麗莎白還是想讓人叫母親過來,聽聽她對(duì)于簡的健康狀況的意見。于是,早飯過后不久,班納特太太在兩個(gè)小女兒的陪同下,到達(dá)了尼日斐。

聽到母親說簡的病不要緊,伊麗莎白松了口氣。盡管如此,當(dāng)她看到彬格萊姐妹取笑她母親說的話時(shí),她開始后悔不該叫母親過來。伊麗莎白為母親感到臉紅,因?yàn)槟赣H所說的每句話都不自覺地表現(xiàn)出她缺乏頭腦和起碼的見識(shí)。

吉蒂和麗迪亞給人的印象也一樣壞。她們倆一直在竊竊私語,可是突然那個(gè)迷人的、充滿自信的、15歲就發(fā)育成熟的麗迪亞十分無禮地出了一下風(fēng)頭。她懇求彬格萊先生在尼日斐舉行一次舞會(huì)。彬格萊先生像往常一樣,彬彬有禮地答應(yīng)說他會(huì)舉辦的,不過伊麗莎白看到他的姐妹別有用心地交換了一下眼色。母親和妹妹走了以后,她感到很高興。她和簡要在尼日斐再呆一個(gè)晚上,等到簡完全恢復(fù)后再走。

那天晚上,伊麗莎白再次來到起居室。她不可避免地注意到達(dá)西先生的目光頻繁地落在自己身上。不過,她覺得,這樣一位大人物是不可能愛慕她的,所以,她就假定他注視她時(shí),是在挑她的毛玻這種想法并沒有使她感到痛苦,因?yàn)樗粣鬯?,所以并不在乎他心里怎么想?/p>

她與他交談時(shí),總是帶點(diǎn)兒譏諷的口吻,有點(diǎn)期望能惹他生氣,但他的回答卻出人意料地心平氣和和彬彬有禮。達(dá)西以前還從來沒有被哪個(gè)女人這樣迷住過。他真心認(rèn)為,要不是她出身這么卑微,他還真有愛上她的危險(xiǎn)。彬格萊小姐的所見所疑足以使她醋性大發(fā),由于希望擺脫掉伊麗莎白,她盼望好友簡早日康復(fù)的焦慮心情更是與日俱增。

伊麗莎白和她姐姐(現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)基本康復(fù))第二天就要回家了,這對(duì)于尼日斐幾乎所有人來講,也許都是求之不得的。只有彬格萊先生對(duì)她們的離別感到真正的難過,并且擔(dān)心簡還沒有完全康復(fù),不宜出門。達(dá)西先生松了口氣,并決定此時(shí)此刻不能流露出對(duì)伊麗莎白有半點(diǎn)愛慕之情。隨著離別時(shí)刻的到來,彬格萊小姐對(duì)伊麗莎白的客氣程度以及對(duì)簡的感情迅速增加,到與她們道別時(shí),竟能說出許多令人心里暖烘烘的友好之辭來,她還許諾不久將對(duì)她們進(jìn)行一次拜訪。

班納特先生見到兩個(gè)年長些的女兒回家來,自然十分高興,因?yàn)樗齻儾辉跁r(shí),他總覺得家里少了點(diǎn)兒什么??墒前嗉{特太太本希望她們多住些日子,看到她們這么早回來,心里相當(dāng)失望。

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