pride and prejudice(傲慢与偏见)-第21章
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not otherwise have failed of； as I am informed by the lady who
superintended her education； and who still resides with them。 But
she is perfectly amiable； and often condescends to drive by my
humble abode in her little phaeton and ponies。’
‘Has she been presented？ I do not remember her name among
the ladies at court。’
‘Her indifferent state of health unhappily prevents her being in
town； and by that means； as I told Lady Catherine myself one day；
has deprived the British court of its brightest ornament。 Her
ladyship seemed pleased with the idea； and you may imagine that I
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am happy on every occasion to offer those little delicate
compliments which are always acceptable to ladies。 I have more
than once observed to Lady Catherine； that her charming daughter
seemed born to be a duchess； and that the most elevated rank；
instead of giving her consequence； would be adorned by her。—
These are the kind of little things which please her ladyship； and it
is a sort of attention which I conceive myself peculiarly bound to
pay。’
‘You judge very properly；’ said Mr。 Bennet； ‘and it is happy for
you that you possess the talent of flattering with delicacy。 May I
ask whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of
the moment； or are the result of previous study？’
‘They arise chiefly from what is passing at the time； and though
I sometimes amuse myself with suggesting and arranging such
little elegant compliments as may be adapted to ordinary
occasions； I always wish to give them as unstudied an air as
possible。’
Mr。 Bennet’s expectations were fully answered。 His cousin was
as absurd as he had hoped； and he listened to him with the keenest
enjoyment； maintaining at the same time the most resolute
composure of countenance； and except in an occasional glance at
Elizabeth； requiring no partner in his pleasure。
By tea…time however the dose had been enough； and Mr。 Bennet
was glad to take his guest into the drawing…room again； and when
tea was over； glad to invite him to read aloud to the ladies。 Mr。
Collins readily assented； and a book was produced； but on
beholding it； （for every thing announced it to be from a circulating
library；） he started back； and begging pardon； protested that he
never read novels。—Kitty stared at him； and Lydia exclaimed。—
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Other books were produced； and after some deliberation he chose
Fordyce’s Sermons。 Lydia gaped as he opened the volume； and
before he had； with very monotonous solemnity； read three pages；
she interrupted him with；
‘Do you know； mama； that my uncle Philips talks of turning
away Richard； and if he does； Colonel Forster will hire him。 My
aunt told me so herself on Saturday。 I shall walk to Meryton to…
morrow to hear more about it； and to ask when Mr。 Denny comes
back from town。’
Lydia was bid by her two eldest sisters to hold her tongue； but
Mr。 Collins； much offended； laid aside his book； and said；
‘I have often observed how little young ladies are interested by
books of a serious stamp； though written solely for their benefit。 It
amazes me； I confess；—for certainly； there can be nothing so
advantageous to them as instruction。 But I will no longer
importune my young cousin。’
Then turning to Mr。 Bennet； he offered himself as his antagonist
at backgammon。 Mr。 Bennet accepted the challenge； observing
that he acted very wisely in leaving the girls to their own trifling
amusements。 Mrs。 Bennet and her daughters apologised most
civilly for Lydia’s interruption； and promised that it should not
occur again； if he would resume his book； but Mr。 Collins； after
assuring them that he bore his young cousin no ill will； and should
never resent her behaviour as any affront； seated himself at
another table with Mr。 Bennet； and prepared for backgammon。
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CHAPTER XV
r。 Collins was not a sensible man； and the deficiency of
nature had been but little assisted by education or
M
society； the greatest part of his life having been spent
under the guidance of an illiterate and miserly father； and though
he belonged to one of the universities； he had merely kept the
necessary terms； without forming at it any useful acquaintance。
The subjection in which his father had brought him up； had given
him originally great humility of manner； but it was now a good
deal counteracted by the self…conceit of a weak head； living in
retirement； and the consequential feelings of early and
unexpected prosperity。 A fortunate chance had recommended him
to Lady Catherine de Bourgh when the living of Hunsford was
vacant； and the respect which he felt for her high rank； and his
veneration for her as his patroness； mingling with a very good
opinion of himself； of his authority as a clergyman； and his rights
as a rector； made him altogether a mixture of pride and
obsequiousness； self…importance and humility。
Having now a good house and very sufficient income； he
intended to marry； and in seeking a reconciliation with the
Longbourn family he had a wife in view； as he meant to chuse one
of the daughters； if he found them as handsome and amiable as
they were represented by common report。 This was his plan of
amends—of atonement—for inheriting their father’s estate； and he
thought it an excellent one； full of eligibility and suitableness； and
excessively generous and disinterested on his own part。
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His plan did not vary on seeing them。—Miss Bennet’s lovely
face confirmed his views； and established all his strictest notions of
what was due to seniority； and for the first evening she was his
settled choice。 The next morning； however； made an alteration； for
in a quarter of an hour’s tête…à…tête with Mrs。 Bennet before
breakfast； a conversation beginning with his parsonage…house； and
leading naturally to the avowal of his hopes； that a mistress for it
might be found at Longbourn； produced from her； amid very
complaisant smiles and general encouragement； a ca
