pride and prejudice(傲慢与偏见)-第40章
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married； and she called at Longbourn rather oftener than usual to
say how happy she was； though Mrs。 Bennet’s sour looks and ill…
natured remarks might have been enough to drive happiness
away。
Between Elizabeth and Charlotte there was a restraint which
kept them mutually silent on the subject； and Elizabeth felt
persuaded that no real confidence could ever subsist between
them again。 Her disappointment in Charlotte made her turn with
fonder regard to her sister； of whose rectitude and delicacy she
was sure her opinion could never be shaken； and for whose
happiness she grew daily more anxious； as Bingley had now been
gone a week； and nothing was heard of his return。
Jane had sent Caroline an early answer to her letter； and was
counting the days till she might reasonably hope to hear again。
The promised letter of thanks from Mr。 Collins arrived on
Tuesday； addressed to their father； and written with all the
solemnity of gratitude which a twelvemonth’s abode in the family
might have prompted。 After discharging his conscience on that
head； he proceeded to inform them； with many rapturous
expressions； of his happiness in having obtained the affection of
their amiable neighbour； Miss Lucas； and then explained that it
was merely with the view of enjoying her society that he had been
so ready to close with their kind wish of seeing him again at
Longbourn； whither he hoped to be able to return on Monday
fortnight； for Lady Catherine； he added； so heartily approved his
marriage； that she wished it to take place as soon as possible；
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which he trusted would be an unanswerable argument with his
amiable Charlotte to name an early day for making him the
happiest of men。
Mr。 Collins’s return into Hertfordshire was no longer a matter
of pleasure to Mrs。 Bennet。 On the contrary she was as much
disposed to complain of it as her husband。—It was very strange
that he should come to Longbourn instead of to Lucas Lodge； it
was also very inconvenient and exceedingly troublesome。—She
hated having visitors in the house while her health was so
indifferent； and lovers were of all people the most disagreeable。
Such were the gentle murmurs of Mrs。 Bennet； and they gave way
only to the greater distress of Mr。 Bingley’s continued absence。
Neither Jane nor Elizabeth were comfortable on this subject。
Day after day passed away without bringing any other tidings of
him than the report which shortly prevailed in Meryton of his
coming no more to Netherfield the whole winter； a report which
highly incensed Mrs。 Bennet； and which she never failed to
contradict as a most scandalous falsehood。
Even Elizabeth began to fear—not that Bingley was in…
different—but that his sisters would be successful in keeping him
away。 Unwilling as she was to admit an idea so destructive of
Jane’s happiness； and so dishonourable to the stability of her
lover； she could not prevent its frequently recurring。 The united
efforts of his two unfeeling sisters and of his overpowering friend；
assisted by the attractions of Miss Darcy and the amusements of
London； might be too much； she feared； for the strength of his
attachment。
As for Jane； her anxiety under this suspence was； of course；
more painful than Elizabeth’s； but whatever she felt she was
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desirous of concealing； and between herself and Elizabeth；
therefore； the subject was never alluded to。 But as no such
delicacy restrained her mother； an hour seldom passed in which
she did not talk of Bingley； express her impatience for his arrival；
or even require Jane to confess that if he did not come back； she
should think herself very ill used。 It needed all Jane’s steady
mildness to bear these attacks with tolerable tranquillity。
Mr。 Collins returned most punctually on the Monday fortnight；
but his reception at Longbourn was not quite so gracious as it had
been on his first introduction。 He was too happy； however； to need
much attention； and luckily for the others； the business of love…
making relieved them from a great deal of his company。 The chief
of every day was spent by him at Lucas Lodge； and he sometimes
returned to Longbourn only in time to make an apology for his
absence before the family went to bed。
Mrs。 Bennet was really in a most pitiable state。 The very
mention of any thing concerning the match threw her into an
agony of ill humour； and wherever she went she was sure of
hearing it talked of。 The sight of Miss Lucas was odious to her。 As
her successor in that house； she regarded her with jealous
abhorrence。 Whenever Charlotte came to see them she concluded
her to be anticipating the hour of possession； and whenever she
spoke in a low voice to Mr。 Collins； was convinced that they were
talking of the Longbourn estate； and resolving to turn herself and
her daughters out of the house； as soon as Mr。 Bennet were dead。
She complained bitterly of all this to her husband。
‘Indeed； Mr。 Bennet；’ said she； ‘it is very hard to think that
Charlotte Lucas should ever be mistress of this house； that I
should be forced to make way for her； and live to see her take my
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place in it！’
‘My dear； do not give way to such gloomy thoughts。 Let us hope
for better things。 Let us flatter ourselves that I may be the
survivor。’
This was not very consoling to Mrs。 Bennet； and； therefore；
instead of making any answer； she went on as before；
‘I cannot bear to think that they should have all this estate。 If it
was not for the entail I should not mind it。’
‘What should not you mind？’
‘I should not mind any thing at all。’
‘Let us be thankful that you are preserved from a state of such
insensibility。’
‘I never can be thankful； Mr。 Bennet； for any thing about the
entail。 How any one could have the conscience to entail away an
estate from one’s own daughters I cannot understand； and all for
the sake of Mr。 Collins too！—Why should he have it more than
anybody else？’
‘I leave it to yourself to determine；’ said Mr。 Bennet。
END OF VOLUME ONE
