pride and prejudice(傲慢与偏见)-第31章
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Jane’s marrying so greatly must throw them in the way of other
rich men； and lastly； it was so pleasant at her time of life to be able
to consign her single daughters to the care of their sister； that she
might not be obliged to go into company more than she liked。 It
was necessary to make this circumstance a matter of pleasure；
because on such occasions it is the etiquette； but no one was less
likely than Mrs。 Bennet to find comfort in staying at home at any
period of her life。 She concluded with many good wishes that Lady
Lucas might soon be equally fortunate； though evidently and
triumphantly believing there was no chance of it。
In vain did Elizabeth endeavour to check the rapidity of her
mother’s words； or persuade her to describe her felicity in a less
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audible whisper； for to her inexpressible vexation； she could
perceive that the chief of it was overheard by Mr。 Darcy； who sat
opposite to them。 Her mother only scolded her for being
nonsensical。
‘What is Mr。 Darcy to me； pray； that I should be afraid of him？ I
am sure we owe him no such particular civility as to be obliged to
say nothing he may not like to hear。’
‘For heaven’s sake； madam； speak lower。 What advantage can it
be to you to offend Mr。 Darcy？—You will never recommend
yourself to his friend by so doing。’
Nothing that she could say； however； had any influence。 Her
mother would talk of her views in the same intelligible tone。
Elizabeth blushed and blushed again with shame and vexation。
She could not help frequently glancing her eye at Mr。 Darcy；
though every glance convinced her of what she dreaded； for
though he was not always looking at her mother； she was
convinced that his attention was invariably fixed by her。 The
expression of his face changed gradually from indignant contempt
to a composed and steady gravity。
At length however Mrs。 Bennet had no more to say； and Lady
Lucas； who had been long yawning at the repetition of delights
which she saw no likelihood of sharing； was left to the comforts of
cold ham and chicken。 Elizabeth now began to revive。 But not long
was the interval of tranquillity； for when supper was over； singing
was talked of； and she had the mortification of seeing Mary； after
very little entreaty； preparing to oblige the company。 By many
significant looks and silent entreaties； did she endeavour to
prevent such a proof of complaisance；—but in vain； Mary would
not understand them； such an opportunity of exhibiting was
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delightful to her； and she began her song。 Elizabeth’s eyes were
fixed on her with most painful sensations； and she watched her
progress through the several stanzas with an impatience which
was very ill rewarded at their close； for Mary； on receiving amongst
the thanks of the table； the hint of a hope that she might be pre…
vailed on to favour them again； after the pause of half a minute
began another。 Mary’s powers were by no means fitted for such a
display； her voice was weak； and her manner affected。—Elizabeth
was in agonies。 She looked at Jane； to see how she bore it； but Jane
was very composedly talking to Bingley。 She looked at his two
sisters； and saw them making signs of derision at each other； and
at Darcy； who continued however impenetrably grave。 She looked
at her father to entreat his interference； lest Mary should be
singing all night。 He took the hint； and when Mary had finished her
second song； said aloud；
‘That will do extremely well； child。 You have delighted us long
enough。 Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit。’
Mary； though pretending not to hear； was somewhat
disconcerted； and Elizabeth sorry for her； and sorry for her father’s
speech； was afraid her anxiety had done no good。—Others of the
party were now applied to。
‘If I；’ said Mr。 Collins； ‘were so fortunate as to be able to sing； I
should have great pleasure； I am sure； in obliging the company
with an air； for I consider music as a very innocent diversion； and
perfectly compatible with the profession of a clergyman。—I do not
mean however to assert that we can be justified in devoting too
much of our time to music； for there are certainly other things to
be attended to。 The rector of a parish has much to do。—In the first
place； he must make such an agreement for tythes as may be
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beneficial to himself and not offensive to his patron。 He must write
his own sermons； and the time that remains will not be too much
for his parish duties； and the care and improvement of his
dwelling； which he cannot be excused from making as comfortable
as possible。 And I do not think it of light importance that he should
have attentive and conciliatory manners towards every body；
especially towards those to whom he owes his preferment。 I cannot
acquit him of that duty； nor could I think well of the man who
should omit an occasion of testifying his respect towards any body
connected with the family。’ And with a bow to Mr Darcy； he
concluded his speech； which had been spoken so loud as to be
heard by half the room。—Many stared。—Many smiled； but no one
looked more amused than Mr。 Bennet himself； while his wife
seriously commended Mr。 Collins for having spoken so sensibly；
and observed in a half…whisper to Lady Lucas； that he was a
remarkably clever； good kind of young man。
To Elizabeth it appeared； that had her family made an
agreement to expose themselves as much as they could during the
evening； it would have been impossible for them to play their parts
with more spirit； or finer success； and happy did she think it for
Bingley and her sister that some of the exhibition had escaped his
notice； and that his feelings were not of a sort to be much
distressed by the folly which he must have witnessed。 That his two
sisters and Mr。 Darcy； however； should have such an opportunity
of ridiculing her relations was bad enough； and she could not
determine whether the silent contempt of the gentleman； or the
insolent smiles of the ladies； were more intolerable。
The rest of the evening brought her little amusement。 She was
teazed by Mr。 Collins； who continued most perseveringly by her
Classics in Literature： Jane
