10 Lydia and Wickham
10 麗迪亞和韋翰
On the third morning of her visit to Lambton, Elizabeth received two letters from Jane.The first had been bad-ly addressed and sent elsewhere, then redirected.Her aunt and uncle were out walking,so she sat down to read them at once.The first had been written five days before,and started just as expected, with a description of Longbourn dinner parties and visits, but the second half of this letter was dated a day later,and was evidently written in a great hurry.This is what it said:
伊麗莎白在參觀藍(lán)白屯的第三天早上收到了兩封簡(jiǎn)的來(lái)信。第一封因地址不清而投往別處,然后又轉(zhuǎn)投過(guò)來(lái)。她舅父舅母都出去散步了,因此,她馬上坐下來(lái)讀信。第一封是五天前寫的,不出所料,開頭描述了浪搏恩的晚會(huì)和互訪情況,但信的后半截所署的日期晚一天,顯然是匆匆寫成的,內(nèi)容是:
Since writing the above,dear Lizzy,something most unex-pected and serious has happened But do not wish to alarm you, we are all well.It concerns poor Lydia.An express letter came at midnight last night, when we were all in bed, from Colonel Forster, to inform us that she had run away to Scot-land with one of his officers,with Wickham, in fact!There,of course, she can marry without her parents’approval.Imagine our surprise.What a foolish marriage for both of them!But at least he is not interested in her money, as he must know my father can give her almost nothing.Kitty admits that she knew about Lydia's attachment to Wickham,from Lydia's letters.Our poor mother is very upset.I must finish now,as I cannot stay away from her for long.I hope you can read this.I hardly know what I have written.
親愛的麗萃,上半封信寫完之后,發(fā)生了一件出人意料、極其嚴(yán)重的事情。但我不想嚇唬你,我們身體都很好。是關(guān)于麗迪亞的。昨天晚上,我們都已睡下,半夜時(shí)分福斯特先生給我們來(lái)了封急件,通知我們,她同一個(gè)軍官,實(shí)際上就是韋翰,跑往蘇格蘭了!當(dāng)然,在那里她可以不征得父母同意就結(jié)婚。想一想我們是多么吃驚。對(duì)他們兩人來(lái)說(shuō),這是多么愚蠢的結(jié)合呀!不過(guò)至少他對(duì)她的錢財(cái)不感興趣,因?yàn)樗欢ㄖ栏赣H幾乎不會(huì)給她任何陪嫁。吉蒂承認(rèn),從麗迪亞的信中,她知道麗迪亞愛上了韋翰。可憐的母親十分不安。我不得不就此擱筆,因?yàn)槲也荒馨涯赣H丟下太久。我希望你能讀到。我簡(jiǎn)直不知道自己寫了些什么。
Without allowing herself time to think, Elizabeth opened the second letter, dated a day later, and read impatiently:
伊麗莎白來(lái)不及思考,便拆開了第二封信,這是過(guò)晚一天寫的。她迫不及待地讀了起來(lái):
My dearest sister,
我最親愛的妹妹,
I am so confused I cannot write properly.I have bad news for you.Foolish though a marriage between Mr Wickham and our poor Lydia might be,we are now only too anxious to hear that it has taken place. There is reason to fear they have not gone to Scotland.Colonel Forster arrived here yesterday.He tells us that one of the Officers, a close friend of Wickham,believes that Wickham never intended to go to Scotland,or to marry Lydia at all.The colonel followed the couple as far as London, but they have not been seen leaving the capital.Our anxiety, my dear Lizzy,is very great.My father and mother believe the worst, and the colonel fears Wickham is not a man to be trusted,but I cannot believe him to be so wicked.And is Lydia so completely lacking in morals,that she could live with a man without being married?Impossible.Now my poor mother is really ill,my father is angry, for perhaps the first time in his life, and Kitty is being scolded for keeping the attachment a secret.While I am glad,dearest Lizzy, that you have been spared some of the confusion and worry we have been experiencing, I cannot help begging you all to come home as soon as possible.My father is going to London with the colonel to try to find Lydia.I think he is too upset to achieve results in the best and safest way,and my uncle's advice and help would be everything in the world.I rely on his goodness.
我心亂如麻,書不成行。又是壞消息。雖然韋翰和可憐的麗迪亞結(jié)婚可能荒唐之極,但我們現(xiàn)在卻急于聽到他們完婚的消息。有理由擔(dān)心,他們并沒有去蘇格蘭。福斯特上校昨天到這兒來(lái)了。他告訴我們說(shuō),有一位軍官,是韋翰的好友,他認(rèn)為韋翰從來(lái)不曾打算去蘇格蘭,也不曾打算和麗迪亞結(jié)婚。上校跟蹤兩人一直到倫敦,但還沒有看到他們離開倫敦。親愛的麗萃,我們焦慮異常。父親和母親盡往壞處想,而上校擔(dān)心韋翰是不可信賴之人,可是我無(wú)法相信他會(huì)如此奸詐。麗迪亞會(huì)不會(huì)沒有半點(diǎn)羞恥之心,不舉行結(jié)婚儀式就和那個(gè)人住在一起?不可能?,F(xiàn)在可憐的媽媽真地病了,爸爸很生氣,這也許是他有生以來(lái)第一次生氣。他們痛斥吉蒂為他們的戀情保密之舉。最親愛的麗萃,我一方面為你感到高興,因?yàn)槟阈颐庥谖覀冋诮?jīng)歷的混亂和擔(dān)憂,另一方面,我不由得要求你們都盡快回家。父親要和上校一起去倫敦找麗迪亞。我想,他由于過(guò)分不安,可能不會(huì)用最好最安全的辦法達(dá)到預(yù)期目的,因此舅舅的建議和幫助將是最重要的。我拜托他了。
‘Oh!Where,where is my uncle?’cried Elizabeth,running to the door.But just as she reached it, Mr Darcy came in.Her pale face and strange manner prevented him from speaking, and she, who could think of nothing except Lydia, said hurriedly,‘Excuse me,but I must leave you.I must find Mr Gardiner immediately.There is not a moment to lose.’
“噢!舅舅在哪兒,他在哪兒?”伊麗莎白叫道,跑到了門口。可是,她剛到門口,達(dá)西先生就進(jìn)來(lái)了。她蒼白的臉色和奇怪的舉止讓他沒說(shuō)出話來(lái)。她腦子中除了麗迪亞之外一片空白,她匆忙地說(shuō):“對(duì)不起,可我必須離開你。我必須馬上找到嘉丁納先生。一會(huì)兒都不能耽誤。”
‘Good God! What is the matter?’he cried,then added,‘Let me, or let the servant,go to find Mr and Mrs Gardiner.You are not well enough.You cannot go yourself.’
“天啊!怎么回事?”他叫了一聲,又補(bǔ)充道,“讓我,或者讓仆人去找嘉丁納夫婦。你不舒服,自己不能去。”
Elizabeth hesitated, but her legs were trembling, and she re-alized he was right. After giving the servant her message, she sat down,looking so ill that Darcy could not leave her,or stop himself saying gently,‘Let me call someone to look after you.Shall I get you a glass of wine?You are very ill.’
伊麗莎白遲疑了,可是她的腿在打戰(zhàn),她認(rèn)識(shí)到他說(shuō)得對(duì)。向仆人吩咐完后,她坐了下來(lái),樣子十分難看,達(dá)西先生不能離開她,也不能用柔聲細(xì)語(yǔ)使她安靜下來(lái):“我叫人來(lái)照料你吧。來(lái)杯葡萄酒好嗎?你病得很重。”
‘No,thank you,’she replied.‘I am quite well.I am only upset by some dreadful news I've just received form Long-bourn.’She burst into tears, and for a few minutes could not speak another word.Darcy watched her miserably, in sympa-thetic silence. At last, she spoke again.‘It cannot be hidden from anyone. My youngest sister has eloped, with——with Mr Wickham. You know him too well to doubt what will happen.She has no money, no connections, nothing that can tempt him to marry her.She is lost for ever. And I could have prevented it! I knew how bad his character was.If only I had told my family what I knew about him! But it is all too late now.’
“不,謝謝,”她回答道。“我很好。不過(guò)是剛從浪搏恩得到的可怕消息使我感到不安。”她哭了起來(lái),好一會(huì)兒說(shuō)不出話來(lái)。達(dá)西難過(guò)地望著她,滿心同情地保持著沉默。最后,她又說(shuō)話了。“這件事誰(shuí)也瞞不了。我最小的妹妹私奔了,跟——跟韋翰先生。你對(duì)他太了解了,清楚會(huì)發(fā)生什么事。妹妹沒有錢,沒有社會(huì)關(guān)系,她的一切都不會(huì)吸引他與她結(jié)婚。她永遠(yuǎn)回不來(lái)了。我本來(lái)可以防止這件事發(fā)生的!我知道他的人品多么壞。我要是早點(diǎn)把他的底細(xì)告訴家里就好了!一切都太晚了。”
Darcy looked at her in astonishment.‘I am shocked,’he said,‘and sad, very sad.What has been done to find her and bring her back?’
達(dá)西吃驚地看著她。“我感到震驚,”他說(shuō),“而且難過(guò),很難過(guò)?,F(xiàn)在已經(jīng)采取了什么措施去把她找回來(lái)?”
‘My father has gone to London, and I hope my uncle will go too.We shall leave Lambton,I hope, in half an hour.But I know very well that nothing can be done.How can such a man be persuaded? How can we even find them? I have not the smallest hope.It is horrible!’
“我父親已去了倫敦,我希望舅舅也去。我希望半小時(shí)后離開藍(lán)白屯??墒俏曳浅G宄?,我們什么辦法也沒有。怎么能說(shuō)服這樣一個(gè)人呢?甚至,我們?cè)趺凑业剿麄兡?我一點(diǎn)希望都不抱。太可怕了!”
Darcy made no answer.He was walking up and down with a serious, thoughtful expression on his face. Elizabeth soon ob-served and instantly understood it.She was losing her influence over him.This proof of moral weakness in her family was driv-ing him away from her.Never before had she so honestly be-lieved she could have loved him, as now, when mutual affection must be impossible.
達(dá)西沒有回答。他表情嚴(yán)肅,若有所思地踱來(lái)踱去。伊麗莎白不久就發(fā)現(xiàn)并明白了這表情的意思。她對(duì)他的吸引力正在減退。這一家庭道德缺陷的有力證據(jù)正在把他從她身邊推開。她從來(lái)沒有像現(xiàn)在這樣真誠(chéng)地感到,她可能早已愛上了他,像現(xiàn)在這樣,但現(xiàn)在,兩廂情愿似乎已是不可能的了。
But she could not think for long of herself, when Lydia's situation was so desperate.Mr Darcy left almost immediately,politely regretting that Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle would not,in the circumstances, be able to come to dinner at Pember-ley that day, and again expressing his sympathy.When Mr and Mrs Gardiner entered the room,Elizabeth hurriedly explained everything to them, and was greatly relieved when they agreed to leave at once,to return to Longbourn.
但她不能總想自己的事,麗迪亞面臨的形勢(shì)是如此嚴(yán)峻。達(dá)西先生幾乎馬上就離開了,臨走時(shí),他很客氣地說(shuō),鑒于這種情況,伊麗莎白及其舅父母將不能參加當(dāng)天在彭伯里舉行的晚宴了,他為此感到遺憾,并再次表示同情。嘉丁納夫婦進(jìn)屋以后,伊麗莎白急忙向他們解釋了發(fā)生的一切,他們同意馬上離開,一起返回浪搏恩,她這才長(zhǎng)長(zhǎng)舒了一口氣。
Their packing was done at great speed,and soon they were in the carriage, driving south.
他們以極快的速度打點(diǎn)好行裝,一會(huì)兒就坐上了馬車,向南驅(qū)車而去。
‘Lizzy, ’began Mrs Gardiner, ‘I cannot believe that Wick-ham's character is so bad that he would run away with Lydia,and not marry her.Do you really think he is capable of that?’
“麗萃,”嘉丁納太太開口說(shuō),“我無(wú)法相信韋翰的人品會(huì)差到這種地步,竟然把麗迪亞拐走而又不與她結(jié)婚。你真地覺得他會(huì)做出那種事嗎?”
‘My dear aunt,Jane and I both know that he has neither honesty nor honour.He has falsely accused Mr Darcy, and has lied wickedly about the whole Darcy family.You saw what a shy,gentle girl Miss Darcy.is,but he had described her as proud,disagreeable and disdainful.’
“我親愛的舅媽,我和簡(jiǎn)都知道這個(gè)人既不誠(chéng)實(shí)又無(wú)信譽(yù)。他誣陷達(dá)西先生,還惡毒地編造有關(guān)達(dá)西全家的謊言。你們看到了,達(dá)西小姐多么靦腆、溫柔,可他硬說(shuō)人家傲慢、難以相處、目中無(wú)人。”
‘But does Lydia know nothing of this?’
“可是麗迪亞對(duì)此一無(wú)所知嗎?”
‘Oh,no!That is the worst of all.I didn't know the truth myself until my visit to Kent, and when I returned, and told Jane, she and I decided not to make our knowledge public. Now I know that was a mistake. I never thought that Lydia could be in any danger from him.’
“噢,一點(diǎn)兒也不知道!這才是最糟糕的。我也是到肯特郡去過(guò)以后才知道事實(shí)真相的,我回來(lái)以后,和簡(jiǎn)講了,我們倆決定不把我們了解的情況公開?,F(xiàn)在我認(rèn)識(shí)到我犯了一個(gè)錯(cuò)誤。我從未想到過(guò)麗迪亞會(huì)受到他的威脅。”
When they arrived at Longbourn,Elizabeth and her aunt were able to help Jane in looking after the children.They also attempted to calm Mrs Bennet,who,however,refused to be calmed, and blamed everyone except herself for the disaster.
到了浪搏恩后,伊麗莎白和舅母幫著簡(jiǎn)照看孩子們。她們也努力安慰班納特太太,而她拒絕接受安慰,把釀成災(zāi)禍的過(guò)錯(cuò)都推到了別人身上,覺得就她一個(gè)人沒錯(cuò)。
‘If only I had been allowed to take the family to Brighton,this would not have happened.Poor dear Lydia had no one to take care of her.Why did those Forsters ever let her go out of their sight? I am sure they neglected her.Of course, I did not want her to go to Brighton, but nobody took any notice of me,as usual.And now Mr Bennet has gone to London,and I'm sure he’ll fight Wickham,and then he’ll be killed,and then the Collinses will turn us out of the house,before he's cold in his grave!’
“要是允許我把孩子們都帶到布賴頓就好了,也不至于會(huì)發(fā)生這種事??蓱z的麗迪亞,沒有一個(gè)人照顧她。那些福斯特上校們?yōu)槭裁床豢淳o她?他們肯定是沒把她放在心上。當(dāng)然,我不想讓她去布賴頓,可是,沒有人理我,就像平時(shí)那樣?,F(xiàn)在,班納特先生也去倫敦了,他肯定會(huì)跟韋翰拼命的,然后會(huì)被人家活活打死,他尸骨未寒,柯林斯一家就會(huì)把我們趕出去!”
‘Do not worry,sister,’said Mr Gardiner kindly.‘I'm go- ing to London tomorrow,to help my brother-in-law.’
“不要擔(dān)心,姐姐,”嘉丁納先生溫和地說(shuō),“我明天就去倫敦,幫我姐夫一把。”
‘Oh,thank you,my dear brother,’replied Mrs Bennet.‘Make sure you find Lydia and Wickham,and if they are not married yet,make them marry.And tell Lydia,they mustn’ t wait for wedding clothes,but she shall have as much money as she wants to buy them,after they are married.And keep Mr Bennet from fighting—tell him what a dreadful state I am in, so ill that I can get no rest by night or by day.And tell Lydia not to buy any clothes until she's seen me,because she doesn't know the best shops.Oh,brother,how kind you are!I hope you will manage everything.’
“噢,謝謝你,好兄弟,”班納特太太回答道。“你一定要找到麗迪亞和韋翰,要是他們還沒有成婚,就強(qiáng)迫他們成婚。告訴麗迪亞,他們不必等結(jié)婚禮服,但是,結(jié)過(guò)婚以后,再想買衣服的話,要多少錢給她多少錢。別讓班納特先生拼命——告訴他我的狀況多么糟糕,我病得很重,日夜合不了眼。告訴麗迪亞不見到我不要買衣服,因?yàn)樗恢滥膬河凶詈玫纳痰?。噢,好兄弟,你太善良?我希望你會(huì)把一切都處理好。”
The next day Mr Gardiner travelled to London,as he had promised.Now began a painful period of waiting for those left at Longbourn.They became even more anxious,as news came from Meryton of Wickham's lies,debts,and secret attach- ments to most of the servant girls in the town.Everybody de- clared that he was the wickedest young man in the world,and protested that they had always distrusted his great charm and appearance of goodness.Although Elizabeth did not believe half of these stories,she believed enough to feel sure that her sister's reputation was already lost,and even Jane almost despaired of receiving good news.
第二天,嘉丁納就履行諾言,前往倫敦?,F(xiàn)在,留在浪搏恩的人開始了痛苦難熬的等待時(shí)期。從麥里屯不斷傳來(lái)韋翰的消息:撒謊、欠債以及與鎮(zhèn)上大多數(shù)年輕女仆之間的秘密戀情,這使他們更加焦慮。大家都說(shuō),他是世界上最邪惡的年輕人,并且宣稱,他們一貫懷疑他的巨大魅力和堂堂儀表。雖然伊麗莎白認(rèn)為這些傳聞不能全信,但相信其中的一部分就足以使她認(rèn)定妹妹的名聲已經(jīng)喪失殆盡,甚至簡(jiǎn)都不指望聽到什么好消息了。
In a few day's time they were relieved to receive a letter from Mr Gardiner,but unfortunately it only informed them that Wickham and Lydia had not yet been found.Apparently Wickham had left gambling debts of over a thousand pounds behind him in Brighton.Mr Bennet was returning home the following day,leaving his brother-in-law in London to continue the search.When she heard this,Mrs Bennet did not show as much satisfaction as her children expected,considering the anxiety she had previously expressed for her husband's safety.
過(guò)了幾天,他們收到嘉丁納先生的來(lái)信,舒了口氣,但不幸的是,信中只說(shuō)韋翰和麗迪亞還沒有找到。很顯然,韋翰在布賴頓欠下了一千多英鎊的賭債。班納特先生第二天要回家,留下內(nèi)弟在倫敦繼續(xù)搜尋。班納特太太聽說(shuō)丈夫要回來(lái),并不像孩子們所期待的那樣滿意,而前幾天她還在為丈夫的安全焦慮不安呢。
‘What,is he coming home without poor Lydia?’she cried. ‘And who will fight Wickham,and make him marry her?’
“什么?他沒找到可憐的麗迪亞就回來(lái)了?”她嚷道。“那誰(shuí)還會(huì)跟韋翰拼命,強(qiáng)迫他和麗迪亞成婚?”
Mrs Gardiner took the opportunity of Mr Bennet's return to go back to London herself,with her children.She was still longing to know how Flizabeth's relationship with Darcy had developed,but Elizabeth had not once mentioned his name,so her aunt did not dare to ask any direct questions.
嘉丁納太太趁著班納特先生回來(lái),帶著孩子們回到了倫敦。她還是希望知道伊麗莎白與達(dá)西的關(guān)系發(fā)展得怎么樣了,但伊麗莎白一次都沒提過(guò)他的名字,所以,舅母也不敢直接問(wèn)。
When Mr Bennet arrived home,he appeared as calm as ever, but in a conversation with Elizabeth he admitted that he felt to blame for Lydia's elopement.
班納特先生回到家以后,看樣子同以前一樣平靜,但在與伊麗莎白的談話中,他承認(rèn)自己對(duì)麗迪亞的私奔負(fù)有責(zé)任。
‘I know I should have had more control over her,’he said. ‘And,Lizzy,you were right.I should never have let her go to Brighton.’
“我知道我應(yīng)當(dāng)多管管她,”他說(shuō)。“麗萃,你說(shuō)得對(duì)。我根本就不應(yīng)該放她去布賴頓。”
Kitty,who was listening,said,‘Papa,if I ever went to Brighton,I'd behave much better than Lydia has done.’
吉蒂也在聽,聽罷她說(shuō):“爸爸,我要是去了布賴頓,會(huì)比麗迪亞規(guī)矩得多。”
‘You go to Brighton!’cried her father.‘I would not trust you within twenty kilometres of the place,for fifty pounds! No,Kitty,I have at last learnt to be cautious,and you will feel the effects of it.No officer may ever enter the house again,or even pass through the village.And balls will be absolutely for- bidden,unless you dance only with your sisters.’
“你去布賴頓!”她爸爸高聲叫道。“離那個(gè)地方還有20公里我都不放心,哪怕給我50英鎊的押金!不,吉蒂,我終于學(xué)會(huì)了小心謹(jǐn)慎,你會(huì)有新體會(huì)的。任何軍官以后別想再進(jìn)這個(gè)家門,甚至別想從村里通過(guò)。一切舞會(huì)全部禁止,除非你與姐姐們跳舞。”
Kitty,taking these threats seriously,began to cry.
吉蒂當(dāng)真了,哭了起來(lái)。
‘Well,well,’said he,‘don't make yourself unhappy.If you are a good girl for the next ten years,I’ll take you to the the- atre at the end of that time.’
“好啦,好啦,”他說(shuō),“別不高興了。如果你未來(lái)十年規(guī)規(guī)矩矩,十年結(jié)束后我會(huì)帶你去看戲的。”
Two days later,the news for which they had all been wait- ing so anxiously arrived.Mr Gardiner's letter informed them that Wickham and Lydia had been found,but that they were not married.However,certain financial arrangements had been made with Wickham.Mr Bennet was asked to pay Lydia one hundred pounds a year,as well as arranging for her to inherit her equal share of the five thousand pounds which the Bennet girls would inherit after their parents'death.If these reason- able conditions were agreed,Wickham had promised to marry Lydia.
兩天以后,他們都在熱切期待的消息來(lái)了。嘉丁納先生的信告訴他們,韋翰和麗迪亞已經(jīng)找到,但他們還未成婚。但是,已與韋翰達(dá)成了某種財(cái)務(wù)方面的安排。請(qǐng)班納特先生每年支付麗迪亞一百英鎊,并安排她在父母下世后平等地參與繼承留給班納特家女兒的五千英鎊。如果答應(yīng)這些合理的條件,韋翰便答應(yīng)娶麗迪亞為妻。
At first Elizabeth and Jane were delighted that their sister's reputation would be saved through marriage,even to such a man as Wickham.But then their father explained that Wick- ham would never have agreed to marry Lydia,unless he had been paid a considerable amount of money immediately.They began to worry that it would be difficult to repay Mr Gardiner,who must have bribed Wickham in this way.Mrs Bennet,however,had no such worries.
開始時(shí),伊麗莎白和簡(jiǎn)都很高興,認(rèn)為妹妹的名聲可以通過(guò)婚姻得以保全,哪怕是嫁給韋翰這樣一位男人。可是,接著父親解釋說(shuō),除非已經(jīng)付給了韋翰一大筆錢,否則他是決不會(huì)同意娶麗迪亞的。她們開始擔(dān)心,要償還嘉丁納先生預(yù)付的這筆錢,可能會(huì)有困難。嘉丁納先生一定是以這種方式賄賂了韋翰。但是,班納特太太并沒有這種擔(dān)憂。
‘He is her own uncle,after all!’she cried happily.‘Why shouldn't he pay?My dear,dear Lydia!Married at sixteen! How I long to see her,and dear Wickham too!But the wed- ding clothes!I’ll write to my sister-in-law about them at once!I'm so happy.In a short time I’ll have a daughter mar- ried.Mrs Wickham!How well it sounds!’
“他是當(dāng)舅舅的嘛!”她高興地叫道。“為什么不該出點(diǎn)錢?我親愛的麗迪亞!16歲就結(jié)婚!我多么盼望見到她呀!還有親愛的韋翰!可是結(jié)婚禮服呢?我馬上給她舅媽寫封信!我太幸福了!這么短的時(shí)間,就嫁出一個(gè)女兒。韋翰太太!聽起來(lái)多順耳呀!”
Now that Lydia was going to be married,Elizabeth greatly regretted telling Darcy of her fears for her sister.But even if Lydia had been married in the most honourable way,it was ex- tremely unlikely that Mr Darcy would wish to connect himself with a family in which there was a close relationship with Wickham,the man he most justly disliked.She could not ex- pect him to go on caring for her,as she felt certain he had done when they met in Derbyshire.But now that she was sure he could not love her,she was convinced they could have been happy together.He seemed to be exactly the man who would have suited her.They could have usefully influenced each other.His mind might have been softened and his manners im- proved by her sociability,and she might have learnt from his greater judgement and knowledge of the world.But no such re- lationship could now teach an admiring world what happiness in marriage was really like.Instead,Wickham would marry Lydia,with little chance of happiness for either of them.
既然而迪亞要結(jié)婚了,伊麗莎白便十分后悔告訴了達(dá)西自己對(duì)妹妹的擔(dān)憂。但是,即使麗迪亞以最體面的方式結(jié)婚,達(dá)西先生也極不可能愿意把自己同一個(gè)與韋翰有密切關(guān)系的家庭聯(lián)系起來(lái),因?yàn)轫f翰是他最討厭的人,當(dāng)然他也理應(yīng)遭到討厭。她不能再指望他向她獻(xiàn)殷勤,像他們?cè)诘卤瓤は嘤鰰r(shí)她肯定地感覺到的那樣了??墒牵F(xiàn)在既然她肯定他不可能再愛她了,她反而確信,倘若他們?cè)谝黄?,可能?huì)很幸福。他配她似乎正好合適,他們可以相互積極地影響。她善于社交,可以幫助他軟化思想,改善態(tài)度;他更長(zhǎng)于判斷,還有豐富的知識(shí),可以使她從中受益。但這種關(guān)系已不復(fù)存在,他們?cè)俨荒転檠瞿剿麄兊氖廊俗龀霭駱樱屗麄兛纯葱腋5幕橐龅降资鞘裁礃幼恿?。相反,韋翰要和麗迪亞結(jié)婚了,這給他們兩人幾乎都帶不來(lái)一點(diǎn)幸福的機(jī)會(huì)。
Mr and Mrs Gardiner had arranged for Lydia to be married quietly in London,from their house.At first Mr Bennet had refused to allow his youngest daughter ever to enter his house again,but eventually Jane and Elizabeth persuaded him to re- ceive Lydia and her husband after the wedding.It would only be a short visit,as almost immediately she and Wickham would be moving north to Newcastle,where he had accepted a new army post.
嘉丁納夫婦已安排好麗迪亞在倫敦不聲張地悄悄結(jié)婚,就從他們家出嫁。開頭時(shí),班納特先生曾拒絕讓小女兒再踏進(jìn)這個(gè)家門,但最后,簡(jiǎn)和伊麗莎白說(shuō)服了他婚禮過(guò)后允許麗迪亞和他丈夫過(guò)來(lái)。探親時(shí)間將會(huì)很短,因?yàn)樗晚f翰幾乎立刻就要到北方的紐卡斯?fàn)柸?,在那里,他接受了一個(gè)新的軍職。
When the carriage containing the young couple arrived at Longbourn House,the two elder Bennet sisters were shocked to see how unashamed Lydia was.She entered the house,laughing and joking,and asked all her sisters to congratulate her.Wick- ham was no more embarrassed than she was,and spoke to ev- eryone in his usual flattering,agreeable manner.They seemed to have no idea of the anxiety they had caused by their shame- less and wicked behaviour.
當(dāng)載著一對(duì)新人的馬車到達(dá)浪搏恩府時(shí),班納特姐妹中兩個(gè)大的對(duì)麗迪亞的厚顏無(wú)恥感到震驚。她進(jìn)了屋子,又是笑又是逗樂(lè),還要所有的姐姐向她道喜。韋翰也比她好不到哪兒去,跟每個(gè)人說(shuō)話都還是往常那種阿謏奉承、隨隨便便的方式。他們對(duì)于自己的無(wú)恥和行為不端所引起的焦慮似乎根本沒有意識(shí)到。
Elizabeth was quite disgusted by their relaxed,confident ap- pearance,and determined not to show any interest when Lydia insisted on describing every detail of her wedding day.She could not help reacting with astonishment,however,when Ly- dia let slip the name of Mr Darcy.He had apparently been pre- sent at the ceremony.Why would Mr Darcy,Elizabeth won- dered,attend the wedding of two people he must hold in the greatest contempt?She could not discover the reason from Ly- dia,who suddenly remembered it was supposed to be a secret, and she could not rest without knowing the truth,so she hur- riedly sent a note to her aunt in London,asking urgently for an explanation.
伊麗莎白對(duì)他們那種輕松、自信的形象深惡痛絕,因此,當(dāng)麗迪亞執(zhí)意要描述結(jié)婚當(dāng)天的每個(gè)細(xì)節(jié)時(shí),她下決心不露出任何興趣。但是,麗迪亞不小心說(shuō)出達(dá)西先生的名字時(shí),她禁不住作出吃驚的反應(yīng)。他顯然參加了婚禮。伊麗莎白感到奇怪,達(dá)西先生為什么會(huì)參加這兩位他理應(yīng)最為鄙夷的人的婚禮?她從麗迪亞那里發(fā)現(xiàn)不了原因,因?yàn)辂惖蟻喭蝗幌肫疬@事應(yīng)當(dāng)保密;伊麗莎白不明白真相又寢食不安,于是便匆忙給倫敦的舅媽寫了封信,請(qǐng)求迅速作出解釋。
10 Lydia and Wickham
On the third morning of her visit to Lambton, Elizabeth received two letters from Jane.The first had been bad-ly addressed and sent elsewhere, then redirected.Her aunt and uncle were out walking,so she sat down to read them at once.The first had been written five days before,and started just as expected, with a description of Longbourn dinner parties and visits, but the second half of this letter was dated a day later,and was evidently written in a great hurry.This is what it said:
Since writing the above,dear Lizzy,something most unex-pected and serious has happened But do not wish to alarm you, we are all well.It concerns poor Lydia.An express letter came at midnight last night, when we were all in bed, from Colonel Forster, to inform us that she had run away to Scot-land with one of his officers,with Wickham, in fact!There,of course, she can marry without her parents’approval.Imagine our surprise.What a foolish marriage for both of them!But at least he is not interested in her money, as he must know my father can give her almost nothing.Kitty admits that she knew about Lydia's attachment to Wickham,from Lydia's letters.Our poor mother is very upset.I must finish now,as I cannot stay away from her for long.I hope you can read this.I hardly know what I have written.
Without allowing herself time to think, Elizabeth opened the second letter, dated a day later, and read impatiently:
My dearest sister,
I am so confused I cannot write properly.I have bad news for you.Foolish though a marriage between Mr Wickham and our poor Lydia might be,we are now only too anxious to hear that it has taken place. There is reason to fear they have not gone to Scotland.Colonel Forster arrived here yesterday.He tells us that one of the Officers, a close friend of Wickham,believes that Wickham never intended to go to Scotland,or to marry Lydia at all.The colonel followed the couple as far as London, but they have not been seen leaving the capital.Our anxiety, my dear Lizzy,is very great.My father and mother believe the worst, and the colonel fears Wickham is not a man to be trusted,but I cannot believe him to be so wicked.And is Lydia so completely lacking in morals,that she could live with a man without being married?Impossible.Now my poor mother is really ill,my father is angry, for perhaps the first time in his life, and Kitty is being scolded for keeping the attachment a secret.While I am glad,dearest Lizzy, that you have been spared some of the confusion and worry we have been experiencing, I cannot help begging you all to come home as soon as possible.My father is going to London with the colonel to try to find Lydia.I think he is too upset to achieve results in the best and safest way,and my uncle's advice and help would be everything in the world.I rely on his goodness.
‘Oh!Where,where is my uncle?’cried Elizabeth,running to the door.But just as she reached it, Mr Darcy came in.Her pale face and strange manner prevented him from speaking, and she, who could think of nothing except Lydia, said hurriedly,‘Excuse me,but I must leave you.I must find Mr Gardiner immediately.There is not a moment to lose.’
‘Good God! What is the matter?’he cried,then added,‘Let me, or let the servant,go to find Mr and Mrs Gardiner.You are not well enough.You cannot go yourself.’
Elizabeth hesitated, but her legs were trembling, and she re-alized he was right. After giving the servant her message, she sat down,looking so ill that Darcy could not leave her,or stop himself saying gently,‘Let me call someone to look after you.Shall I get you a glass of wine?You are very ill.’
‘No,thank you,’she replied.‘I am quite well.I am only upset by some dreadful news I've just received form Long-bourn.’She burst into tears, and for a few minutes could not speak another word.Darcy watched her miserably, in sympa-thetic silence. At last, she spoke again.‘It cannot be hidden from anyone. My youngest sister has eloped, with——with Mr Wickham. You know him too well to doubt what will happen.She has no money, no connections, nothing that can tempt him to marry her.She is lost for ever. And I could have prevented it! I knew how bad his character was.If only I had told my family what I knew about him! But it is all too late now.’
Darcy looked at her in astonishment.‘I am shocked,’he said,‘and sad, very sad.What has been done to find her and bring her back?’
‘My father has gone to London, and I hope my uncle will go too.We shall leave Lambton,I hope, in half an hour.But I know very well that nothing can be done.How can such a man be persuaded? How can we even find them? I have not the smallest hope.It is horrible!’
Darcy made no answer.He was walking up and down with a serious, thoughtful expression on his face. Elizabeth soon ob-served and instantly understood it.She was losing her influence over him.This proof of moral weakness in her family was driv-ing him away from her.Never before had she so honestly be-lieved she could have loved him, as now, when mutual affection must be impossible.
But she could not think for long of herself, when Lydia's situation was so desperate.Mr Darcy left almost immediately,politely regretting that Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle would not,in the circumstances, be able to come to dinner at Pember-ley that day, and again expressing his sympathy.When Mr and Mrs Gardiner entered the room,Elizabeth hurriedly explained everything to them, and was greatly relieved when they agreed to leave at once,to return to Longbourn.
Their packing was done at great speed,and soon they were in the carriage, driving south.
‘Lizzy, ’began Mrs Gardiner, ‘I cannot believe that Wick-ham's character is so bad that he would run away with Lydia,and not marry her.Do you really think he is capable of that?’
‘My dear aunt,Jane and I both know that he has neither honesty nor honour.He has falsely accused Mr Darcy, and has lied wickedly about the whole Darcy family.You saw what a shy,gentle girl Miss Darcy.is,but he had described her as proud,disagreeable and disdainful.’
‘But does Lydia know nothing of this?’
‘Oh,no!That is the worst of all.I didn't know the truth myself until my visit to Kent, and when I returned, and told Jane, she and I decided not to make our knowledge public. Now I know that was a mistake. I never thought that Lydia could be in any danger from him.’
When they arrived at Longbourn,Elizabeth and her aunt were able to help Jane in looking after the children.They also attempted to calm Mrs Bennet,who,however,refused to be calmed, and blamed everyone except herself for the disaster.
‘If only I had been allowed to take the family to Brighton,this would not have happened.Poor dear Lydia had no one to take care of her.Why did those Forsters ever let her go out of their sight? I am sure they neglected her.Of course, I did not want her to go to Brighton, but nobody took any notice of me,as usual.And now Mr Bennet has gone to London,and I'm sure he’ll fight Wickham,and then he’ll be killed,and then the Collinses will turn us out of the house,before he's cold in his grave!’
‘Do not worry,sister,’said Mr Gardiner kindly.‘I'm go- ing to London tomorrow,to help my brother-in-law.’
‘Oh,thank you,my dear brother,’replied Mrs Bennet.‘Make sure you find Lydia and Wickham,and if they are not married yet,make them marry.And tell Lydia,they mustn’ t wait for wedding clothes,but she shall have as much money as she wants to buy them,after they are married.And keep Mr Bennet from fighting—tell him what a dreadful state I am in, so ill that I can get no rest by night or by day.And tell Lydia not to buy any clothes until she's seen me,because she doesn't know the best shops.Oh,brother,how kind you are!I hope you will manage everything.’
The next day Mr Gardiner travelled to London,as he had promised.Now began a painful period of waiting for those left at Longbourn.They became even more anxious,as news came from Meryton of Wickham's lies,debts,and secret attach- ments to most of the servant girls in the town.Everybody de- clared that he was the wickedest young man in the world,and protested that they had always distrusted his great charm and appearance of goodness.Although Elizabeth did not believe half of these stories,she believed enough to feel sure that her sister's reputation was already lost,and even Jane almost despaired of receiving good news.
In a few day's time they were relieved to receive a letter from Mr Gardiner,but unfortunately it only informed them that Wickham and Lydia had not yet been found.Apparently Wickham had left gambling debts of over a thousand pounds behind him in Brighton.Mr Bennet was returning home the following day,leaving his brother-in-law in London to continue the search.When she heard this,Mrs Bennet did not show as much satisfaction as her children expected,considering the anxiety she had previously expressed for her husband's safety.
‘What,is he coming home without poor Lydia?’she cried. ‘And who will fight Wickham,and make him marry her?’
Mrs Gardiner took the opportunity of Mr Bennet's return to go back to London herself,with her children.She was still longing to know how Flizabeth's relationship with Darcy had developed,but Elizabeth had not once mentioned his name,so her aunt did not dare to ask any direct questions.
When Mr Bennet arrived home,he appeared as calm as ever, but in a conversation with Elizabeth he admitted that he felt to blame for Lydia's elopement.
‘I know I should have had more control over her,’he said. ‘And,Lizzy,you were right.I should never have let her go to Brighton.’
Kitty,who was listening,said,‘Papa,if I ever went to Brighton,I'd behave much better than Lydia has done.’
‘You go to Brighton!’cried her father.‘I would not trust you within twenty kilometres of the place,for fifty pounds! No,Kitty,I have at last learnt to be cautious,and you will feel the effects of it.No officer may ever enter the house again,or even pass through the village.And balls will be absolutely for- bidden,unless you dance only with your sisters.’
Kitty,taking these threats seriously,began to cry.
‘Well,well,’said he,‘don't make yourself unhappy.If you are a good girl for the next ten years,I’ll take you to the the- atre at the end of that time.’
Two days later,the news for which they had all been wait- ing so anxiously arrived.Mr Gardiner's letter informed them that Wickham and Lydia had been found,but that they were not married.However,certain financial arrangements had been made with Wickham.Mr Bennet was asked to pay Lydia one hundred pounds a year,as well as arranging for her to inherit her equal share of the five thousand pounds which the Bennet girls would inherit after their parents'death.If these reason- able conditions were agreed,Wickham had promised to marry Lydia.
At first Elizabeth and Jane were delighted that their sister's reputation would be saved through marriage,even to such a man as Wickham.But then their father explained that Wick- ham would never have agreed to marry Lydia,unless he had been paid a considerable amount of money immediately.They began to worry that it would be difficult to repay Mr Gardiner,who must have bribed Wickham in this way.Mrs Bennet,however,had no such worries.
‘He is her own uncle,after all!’she cried happily.‘Why shouldn't he pay?My dear,dear Lydia!Married at sixteen! How I long to see her,and dear Wickham too!But the wed- ding clothes!I’ll write to my sister-in-law about them at once!I'm so happy.In a short time I’ll have a daughter mar- ried.Mrs Wickham!How well it sounds!’
Now that Lydia was going to be married,Elizabeth greatly regretted telling Darcy of her fears for her sister.But even if Lydia had been married in the most honourable way,it was ex- tremely unlikely that Mr Darcy would wish to connect himself with a family in which there was a close relationship with Wickham,the man he most justly disliked.She could not ex- pect him to go on caring for her,as she felt certain he had done when they met in Derbyshire.But now that she was sure he could not love her,she was convinced they could have been happy together.He seemed to be exactly the man who would have suited her.They could have usefully influenced each other.His mind might have been softened and his manners im- proved by her sociability,and she might have learnt from his greater judgement and knowledge of the world.But no such re- lationship could now teach an admiring world what happiness in marriage was really like.Instead,Wickham would marry Lydia,with little chance of happiness for either of them.
Mr and Mrs Gardiner had arranged for Lydia to be married quietly in London,from their house.At first Mr Bennet had refused to allow his youngest daughter ever to enter his house again,but eventually Jane and Elizabeth persuaded him to re- ceive Lydia and her husband after the wedding.It would only be a short visit,as almost immediately she and Wickham would be moving north to Newcastle,where he had accepted a new army post.
When the carriage containing the young couple arrived at Longbourn House,the two elder Bennet sisters were shocked to see how unashamed Lydia was.She entered the house,laughing and joking,and asked all her sisters to congratulate her.Wick- ham was no more embarrassed than she was,and spoke to ev- eryone in his usual flattering,agreeable manner.They seemed to have no idea of the anxiety they had caused by their shame- less and wicked behaviour.
Elizabeth was quite disgusted by their relaxed,confident ap- pearance,and determined not to show any interest when Lydia insisted on describing every detail of her wedding day.She could not help reacting with astonishment,however,when Ly- dia let slip the name of Mr Darcy.He had apparently been pre- sent at the ceremony.Why would Mr Darcy,Elizabeth won- dered,attend the wedding of two people he must hold in the greatest contempt?She could not discover the reason from Ly- dia,who suddenly remembered it was supposed to be a secret, and she could not rest without knowing the truth,so she hur- riedly sent a note to her aunt in London,asking urgently for an explanation.
10 麗迪亞和韋翰
伊麗莎白在參觀藍(lán)白屯的第三天早上收到了兩封簡(jiǎn)的來(lái)信。第一封因地址不清而投往別處,然后又轉(zhuǎn)投過(guò)來(lái)。她舅父舅母都出去散步了,因此,她馬上坐下來(lái)讀信。第一封是五天前寫的,不出所料,開頭描述了浪搏恩的晚會(huì)和互訪情況,但信的后半截所署的日期晚一天,顯然是匆匆寫成的,內(nèi)容是:
親愛的麗萃,上半封信寫完之后,發(fā)生了一件出人意料、極其嚴(yán)重的事情。但我不想嚇唬你,我們身體都很好。是關(guān)于麗迪亞的。昨天晚上,我們都已睡下,半夜時(shí)分福斯特先生給我們來(lái)了封急件,通知我們,她同一個(gè)軍官,實(shí)際上就是韋翰,跑往蘇格蘭了!當(dāng)然,在那里她可以不征得父母同意就結(jié)婚。想一想我們是多么吃驚。對(duì)他們兩人來(lái)說(shuō),這是多么愚蠢的結(jié)合呀!不過(guò)至少他對(duì)她的錢財(cái)不感興趣,因?yàn)樗欢ㄖ栏赣H幾乎不會(huì)給她任何陪嫁。吉蒂承認(rèn),從麗迪亞的信中,她知道麗迪亞愛上了韋翰??蓱z的母親十分不安。我不得不就此擱筆,因?yàn)槲也荒馨涯赣H丟下太久。我希望你能讀到。我簡(jiǎn)直不知道自己寫了些什么。
伊麗莎白來(lái)不及思考,便拆開了第二封信,這是過(guò)晚一天寫的。她迫不及待地讀了起來(lái):
我最親愛的妹妹,
我心亂如麻,書不成行。又是壞消息。雖然韋翰和可憐的麗迪亞結(jié)婚可能荒唐之極,但我們現(xiàn)在卻急于聽到他們完婚的消息。有理由擔(dān)心,他們并沒有去蘇格蘭。福斯特上校昨天到這兒來(lái)了。他告訴我們說(shuō),有一位軍官,是韋翰的好友,他認(rèn)為韋翰從來(lái)不曾打算去蘇格蘭,也不曾打算和麗迪亞結(jié)婚。上校跟蹤兩人一直到倫敦,但還沒有看到他們離開倫敦。親愛的麗萃,我們焦慮異常。父親和母親盡往壞處想,而上校擔(dān)心韋翰是不可信賴之人,可是我無(wú)法相信他會(huì)如此奸詐。麗迪亞會(huì)不會(huì)沒有半點(diǎn)羞恥之心,不舉行結(jié)婚儀式就和那個(gè)人住在一起?不可能?,F(xiàn)在可憐的媽媽真地病了,爸爸很生氣,這也許是他有生以來(lái)第一次生氣。他們痛斥吉蒂為他們的戀情保密之舉。最親愛的麗萃,我一方面為你感到高興,因?yàn)槟阈颐庥谖覀冋诮?jīng)歷的混亂和擔(dān)憂,另一方面,我不由得要求你們都盡快回家。父親要和上校一起去倫敦找麗迪亞。我想,他由于過(guò)分不安,可能不會(huì)用最好最安全的辦法達(dá)到預(yù)期目的,因此舅舅的建議和幫助將是最重要的。我拜托他了。
“噢!舅舅在哪兒,他在哪兒?”伊麗莎白叫道,跑到了門口??墒?,她剛到門口,達(dá)西先生就進(jìn)來(lái)了。她蒼白的臉色和奇怪的舉止讓他沒說(shuō)出話來(lái)。她腦子中除了麗迪亞之外一片空白,她匆忙地說(shuō):“對(duì)不起,可我必須離開你。我必須馬上找到嘉丁納先生。一會(huì)兒都不能耽誤。”
“天啊!怎么回事?”他叫了一聲,又補(bǔ)充道,“讓我,或者讓仆人去找嘉丁納夫婦。你不舒服,自己不能去。”
伊麗莎白遲疑了,可是她的腿在打戰(zhàn),她認(rèn)識(shí)到他說(shuō)得對(duì)。向仆人吩咐完后,她坐了下來(lái),樣子十分難看,達(dá)西先生不能離開她,也不能用柔聲細(xì)語(yǔ)使她安靜下來(lái):“我叫人來(lái)照料你吧。來(lái)杯葡萄酒好嗎?你病得很重。”
“不,謝謝,”她回答道。“我很好。不過(guò)是剛從浪搏恩得到的可怕消息使我感到不安。”她哭了起來(lái),好一會(huì)兒說(shuō)不出話來(lái)。達(dá)西難過(guò)地望著她,滿心同情地保持著沉默。最后,她又說(shuō)話了。“這件事誰(shuí)也瞞不了。我最小的妹妹私奔了,跟——跟韋翰先生。你對(duì)他太了解了,清楚會(huì)發(fā)生什么事。妹妹沒有錢,沒有社會(huì)關(guān)系,她的一切都不會(huì)吸引他與她結(jié)婚。她永遠(yuǎn)回不來(lái)了。我本來(lái)可以防止這件事發(fā)生的!我知道他的人品多么壞。我要是早點(diǎn)把他的底細(xì)告訴家里就好了!一切都太晚了。”
達(dá)西吃驚地看著她。“我感到震驚,”他說(shuō),“而且難過(guò),很難過(guò)?,F(xiàn)在已經(jīng)采取了什么措施去把她找回來(lái)?”
“我父親已去了倫敦,我希望舅舅也去。我希望半小時(shí)后離開藍(lán)白屯??墒俏曳浅G宄?,我們什么辦法也沒有。怎么能說(shuō)服這樣一個(gè)人呢?甚至,我們?cè)趺凑业剿麄兡?我一點(diǎn)希望都不抱。太可怕了!”
達(dá)西沒有回答。他表情嚴(yán)肅,若有所思地踱來(lái)踱去。伊麗莎白不久就發(fā)現(xiàn)并明白了這表情的意思。她對(duì)他的吸引力正在減退。這一家庭道德缺陷的有力證據(jù)正在把他從她身邊推開。她從來(lái)沒有像現(xiàn)在這樣真誠(chéng)地感到,她可能早已愛上了他,像現(xiàn)在這樣,但現(xiàn)在,兩廂情愿似乎已是不可能的了。
但她不能總想自己的事,麗迪亞面臨的形勢(shì)是如此嚴(yán)峻。達(dá)西先生幾乎馬上就離開了,臨走時(shí),他很客氣地說(shuō),鑒于這種情況,伊麗莎白及其舅父母將不能參加當(dāng)天在彭伯里舉行的晚宴了,他為此感到遺憾,并再次表示同情。嘉丁納夫婦進(jìn)屋以后,伊麗莎白急忙向他們解釋了發(fā)生的一切,他們同意馬上離開,一起返回浪搏恩,她這才長(zhǎng)長(zhǎng)舒了一口氣。
他們以極快的速度打點(diǎn)好行裝,一會(huì)兒就坐上了馬車,向南驅(qū)車而去。
“麗萃,”嘉丁納太太開口說(shuō),“我無(wú)法相信韋翰的人品會(huì)差到這種地步,竟然把麗迪亞拐走而又不與她結(jié)婚。你真地覺得他會(huì)做出那種事嗎?”
“我親愛的舅媽,我和簡(jiǎn)都知道這個(gè)人既不誠(chéng)實(shí)又無(wú)信譽(yù)。他誣陷達(dá)西先生,還惡毒地編造有關(guān)達(dá)西全家的謊言。你們看到了,達(dá)西小姐多么靦腆、溫柔,可他硬說(shuō)人家傲慢、難以相處、目中無(wú)人。”
“可是麗迪亞對(duì)此一無(wú)所知嗎?”
“噢,一點(diǎn)兒也不知道!這才是最糟糕的。我也是到肯特郡去過(guò)以后才知道事實(shí)真相的,我回來(lái)以后,和簡(jiǎn)講了,我們倆決定不把我們了解的情況公開?,F(xiàn)在我認(rèn)識(shí)到我犯了一個(gè)錯(cuò)誤。我從未想到過(guò)麗迪亞會(huì)受到他的威脅。”
到了浪搏恩后,伊麗莎白和舅母幫著簡(jiǎn)照看孩子們。她們也努力安慰班納特太太,而她拒絕接受安慰,把釀成災(zāi)禍的過(guò)錯(cuò)都推到了別人身上,覺得就她一個(gè)人沒錯(cuò)。
“要是允許我把孩子們都帶到布賴頓就好了,也不至于會(huì)發(fā)生這種事??蓱z的麗迪亞,沒有一個(gè)人照顧她。那些福斯特上校們?yōu)槭裁床豢淳o她?他們肯定是沒把她放在心上。當(dāng)然,我不想讓她去布賴頓,可是,沒有人理我,就像平時(shí)那樣?,F(xiàn)在,班納特先生也去倫敦了,他肯定會(huì)跟韋翰拼命的,然后會(huì)被人家活活打死,他尸骨未寒,柯林斯一家就會(huì)把我們趕出去!”
“不要擔(dān)心,姐姐,”嘉丁納先生溫和地說(shuō),“我明天就去倫敦,幫我姐夫一把。”
“噢,謝謝你,好兄弟,”班納特太太回答道。“你一定要找到麗迪亞和韋翰,要是他們還沒有成婚,就強(qiáng)迫他們成婚。告訴麗迪亞,他們不必等結(jié)婚禮服,但是,結(jié)過(guò)婚以后,再想買衣服的話,要多少錢給她多少錢。別讓班納特先生拼命——告訴他我的狀況多么糟糕,我病得很重,日夜合不了眼。告訴麗迪亞不見到我不要買衣服,因?yàn)樗恢滥膬河凶詈玫纳痰?。噢,好兄弟,你太善良?我希望你會(huì)把一切都處理好。”
第二天,嘉丁納就履行諾言,前往倫敦?,F(xiàn)在,留在浪搏恩的人開始了痛苦難熬的等待時(shí)期。從麥里屯不斷傳來(lái)韋翰的消息:撒謊、欠債以及與鎮(zhèn)上大多數(shù)年輕女仆之間的秘密戀情,這使他們更加焦慮。大家都說(shuō),他是世界上最邪惡的年輕人,并且宣稱,他們一貫懷疑他的巨大魅力和堂堂儀表。雖然伊麗莎白認(rèn)為這些傳聞不能全信,但相信其中的一部分就足以使她認(rèn)定妹妹的名聲已經(jīng)喪失殆盡,甚至簡(jiǎn)都不指望聽到什么好消息了。
過(guò)了幾天,他們收到嘉丁納先生的來(lái)信,舒了口氣,但不幸的是,信中只說(shuō)韋翰和麗迪亞還沒有找到。很顯然,韋翰在布賴頓欠下了一千多英鎊的賭債。班納特先生第二天要回家,留下內(nèi)弟在倫敦繼續(xù)搜尋。班納特太太聽說(shuō)丈夫要回來(lái),并不像孩子們所期待的那樣滿意,而前幾天她還在為丈夫的安全焦慮不安呢。
“什么?他沒找到可憐的麗迪亞就回來(lái)了?”她嚷道。“那誰(shuí)還會(huì)跟韋翰拼命,強(qiáng)迫他和麗迪亞成婚?”
嘉丁納太太趁著班納特先生回來(lái),帶著孩子們回到了倫敦。她還是希望知道伊麗莎白與達(dá)西的關(guān)系發(fā)展得怎么樣了,但伊麗莎白一次都沒提過(guò)他的名字,所以,舅母也不敢直接問(wèn)。
班納特先生回到家以后,看樣子同以前一樣平靜,但在與伊麗莎白的談話中,他承認(rèn)自己對(duì)麗迪亞的私奔負(fù)有責(zé)任。
“我知道我應(yīng)當(dāng)多管管她,”他說(shuō)。“麗萃,你說(shuō)得對(duì)。我根本就不應(yīng)該放她去布賴頓。”
吉蒂也在聽,聽罷她說(shuō):“爸爸,我要是去了布賴頓,會(huì)比麗迪亞規(guī)矩得多。”
“你去布賴頓!”她爸爸高聲叫道。“離那個(gè)地方還有20公里我都不放心,哪怕給我50英鎊的押金!不,吉蒂,我終于學(xué)會(huì)了小心謹(jǐn)慎,你會(huì)有新體會(huì)的。任何軍官以后別想再進(jìn)這個(gè)家門,甚至別想從村里通過(guò)。一切舞會(huì)全部禁止,除非你與姐姐們跳舞。”
吉蒂當(dāng)真了,哭了起來(lái)。
“好啦,好啦,”他說(shuō),“別不高興了。如果你未來(lái)十年規(guī)規(guī)矩矩,十年結(jié)束后我會(huì)帶你去看戲的。”
兩天以后,他們都在熱切期待的消息來(lái)了。嘉丁納先生的信告訴他們,韋翰和麗迪亞已經(jīng)找到,但他們還未成婚。但是,已與韋翰達(dá)成了某種財(cái)務(wù)方面的安排。請(qǐng)班納特先生每年支付麗迪亞一百英鎊,并安排她在父母下世后平等地參與繼承留給班納特家女兒的五千英鎊。如果答應(yīng)這些合理的條件,韋翰便答應(yīng)娶麗迪亞為妻。
開始時(shí),伊麗莎白和簡(jiǎn)都很高興,認(rèn)為妹妹的名聲可以通過(guò)婚姻得以保全,哪怕是嫁給韋翰這樣一位男人??墒?,接著父親解釋說(shuō),除非已經(jīng)付給了韋翰一大筆錢,否則他是決不會(huì)同意娶麗迪亞的。她們開始擔(dān)心,要償還嘉丁納先生預(yù)付的這筆錢,可能會(huì)有困難。嘉丁納先生一定是以這種方式賄賂了韋翰。但是,班納特太太并沒有這種擔(dān)憂。
“他是當(dāng)舅舅的嘛!”她高興地叫道。“為什么不該出點(diǎn)錢?我親愛的麗迪亞!16歲就結(jié)婚!我多么盼望見到她呀!還有親愛的韋翰!可是結(jié)婚禮服呢?我馬上給她舅媽寫封信!我太幸福了!這么短的時(shí)間,就嫁出一個(gè)女兒。韋翰太太!聽起來(lái)多順耳呀!”
既然而迪亞要結(jié)婚了,伊麗莎白便十分后悔告訴了達(dá)西自己對(duì)妹妹的擔(dān)憂。但是,即使麗迪亞以最體面的方式結(jié)婚,達(dá)西先生也極不可能愿意把自己同一個(gè)與韋翰有密切關(guān)系的家庭聯(lián)系起來(lái),因?yàn)轫f翰是他最討厭的人,當(dāng)然他也理應(yīng)遭到討厭。她不能再指望他向她獻(xiàn)殷勤,像他們?cè)诘卤瓤は嘤鰰r(shí)她肯定地感覺到的那樣了??墒牵F(xiàn)在既然她肯定他不可能再愛她了,她反而確信,倘若他們?cè)谝黄?,可能?huì)很幸福。他配她似乎正好合適,他們可以相互積極地影響。她善于社交,可以幫助他軟化思想,改善態(tài)度;他更長(zhǎng)于判斷,還有豐富的知識(shí),可以使她從中受益。但這種關(guān)系已不復(fù)存在,他們?cè)俨荒転檠瞿剿麄兊氖廊俗龀霭駱樱屗麄兛纯葱腋5幕橐龅降资鞘裁礃幼恿?。相反,韋翰要和麗迪亞結(jié)婚了,這給他們兩人幾乎都帶不來(lái)一點(diǎn)幸福的機(jī)會(huì)。
嘉丁納夫婦已安排好麗迪亞在倫敦不聲張地悄悄結(jié)婚,就從他們家出嫁。開頭時(shí),班納特先生曾拒絕讓小女兒再踏進(jìn)這個(gè)家門,但最后,簡(jiǎn)和伊麗莎白說(shuō)服了他婚禮過(guò)后允許麗迪亞和他丈夫過(guò)來(lái)。探親時(shí)間將會(huì)很短,因?yàn)樗晚f翰幾乎立刻就要到北方的紐卡斯?fàn)柸?,在那里,他接受了一個(gè)新的軍職。
當(dāng)載著一對(duì)新人的馬車到達(dá)浪搏恩府時(shí),班納特姐妹中兩個(gè)大的對(duì)麗迪亞的厚顏無(wú)恥感到震驚。她進(jìn)了屋子,又是笑又是逗樂(lè),還要所有的姐姐向她道喜。韋翰也比她好不到哪兒去,跟每個(gè)人說(shuō)話都還是往常那種阿謏奉承、隨隨便便的方式。他們對(duì)于自己的無(wú)恥和行為不端所引起的焦慮似乎根本沒有意識(shí)到。
伊麗莎白對(duì)他們那種輕松、自信的形象深惡痛絕,因此,當(dāng)麗迪亞執(zhí)意要描述結(jié)婚當(dāng)天的每個(gè)細(xì)節(jié)時(shí),她下決心不露出任何興趣。但是,麗迪亞不小心說(shuō)出達(dá)西先生的名字時(shí),她禁不住作出吃驚的反應(yīng)。他顯然參加了婚禮。伊麗莎白感到奇怪,達(dá)西先生為什么會(huì)參加這兩位他理應(yīng)最為鄙夷的人的婚禮?她從麗迪亞那里發(fā)現(xiàn)不了原因,因?yàn)辂惖蟻喭蝗幌肫疬@事應(yīng)當(dāng)保密;伊麗莎白不明白真相又寢食不安,于是便匆忙給倫敦的舅媽寫了封信,請(qǐng)求迅速作出解釋。