pride and prejudice(傲慢与偏见)-第66章
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mind and one way of thinking。 There is in every thing a most
remarkable resemblance of character and ideas between us。 We
seem to have been designed for each other。’
Elizabeth could safely say that it was a great happiness where
that was the case； and with equal sincerity could add that she
firmly believed and rejoiced in his domestic comforts。 She was not
sorry； however； to have the recital of them interrupted by the
entrance of the lady from whom they sprung。 Poor Charlotte！—it
was melancholy to leave her to such society！—But she had chosen
it with her eyes open； and though evidently regretting that her
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visitors were to go； she did not seem to ask for compassion。 Her
home and her housekeeping； her parish and her poultry； and all
their dependent concerns； had not yet lost their charms。
At length the chaise arrived； the trunks were fastened on； the
parcels placed within； and it was pronounced to be ready。 After an
affectionate parting between the friends； Elizabeth was attended
to the carriage by Mr。 Collins； and as they walked down the
garden； he was commissioning her with his best respects to all her
family； not forgetting his thanks for the kindness he had received
at Longbourn in the winter； and his compliments to Mr。 and Mrs。
Gardiner； though unknown。 He then handed her in； Maria
followed； and the door was on the point of being closed； when he
suddenly reminded them； with some consternation； that they had
hitherto forgotten to leave any message for the ladies of Rosings。
‘But；’ he added； ‘you will of course wish to have your humble
respects delivered to them； with your grateful thanks for their
kindness to you while you have been here。’
Elizabeth made no objection；—the door was then allowed to be
shut； and the carriage drove off。
‘Good gracious！’ cried Maria； after a few minutes silence； ‘it
seems but a day or two since we first came！—and yet how many
things have happened！’
‘A great many indeed；’ said her companion with a sigh。
‘We have dined nine times at Rosings； besides drinking tea
there twice！—How much I shall have to tell！’
Elizabeth privately added； ‘And how much I shall have to
conceal。’
Their journey was performed without much conversation； or
any alarm； and within four hours of their leaving Hunsford； they
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reached Mr。 Gardiner’s house； where they were to remain a few
days。
Jane looked well； and Elizabeth had little opportunity of
studying her spirits； amidst the various engagements which the
kindness of her aunt had reserved for them。 But Jane was to go
home with her； and at Longbourn there would be leisure enough
for observation。
It was not without an effort meanwhile that she could wait even
for Longbourn； before she told her sister of Mr。 Darcy’s proposals。
To know that she had the power of revealing what would so
exceedingly astonish Jane； and must； at the same time； so highly
gratify whatever of her own vanity she had not yet been able to
reason away； was such a temptation to openness as nothing could
have conquered； but the state of indecision in which she remained；
as to the extent of what she should communicate； and her fear； if
she once entered on the subject； of being hurried into repeating
something of Bingley； which might only grieve her sister farther。
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CHAPTER XVI
t was the second week in May； in which the three young
ladies set out together from Gracechurch…street； for the town
I
of — in Hertfordshire； and； as they drew near the appointed
inn where Mr。 Bennet’s carriage was to meet them； they quickly
perceived； in token of the coachman’s punctuality； both Kitty and
Lydia looking out of a dining room up stairs。 These two girls had
been above an hour in the place； happily employed in visiting an
opposite milliner； watching the sentinel on guard； and dressing a
sallad and cucumber。
After welcoming their sisters； they triumphantly displayed a
table set out with such cold meat as an inn larder usually affords；
exclaiming； ‘Is not this nice？ is not this an agreeable surprise？’
‘And we mean to treat you all；’ added Lydia； ‘but you must lend
us the money； for we have just spent ours at the shop out there。’
Then shewing her purchases： ‘Look here； I have bought this
bonnet。 I do not think it is very pretty； but I thought I might as
well buy it as not。 I shall pull it to pieces as soon as I get home； and
see if I can make it up any better。’
And when her sisters abused it as ugly； she added； with perfect
unconcern； ‘Oh！ but there were two or three much uglier in the
shop； and when I have bought some prettier…coloured satin to trim
it with fresh； I think it will be very tolerable。 Besides； it will not
much signify what one wears this summer； after the —shire have
left Meryton； and they are going in a fortnight。’
‘Are they indeed？’ cried Elizabeth； with the greatest
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satisfaction。
‘They are going to be encamped near Brighton； and I do so
want papa to take us all there for the summer！ It would be such a
delicious scheme； and I dare say would hardly cost any thing at all。
Mamma would like to go too of all things！ Only think what a
miserable summer else we shall have！’
‘Yes；’ thought Elizabeth； ‘that would be a delightful scheme；
indeed； and completely do for us at once。 Good Heaven！ Brighton；
and a whole campful of soldiers； to us； who have been overset
already by one poor regiment of militia； and the monthly balls of
Meryton。’
‘Now I have got some news for you；’ said Lydia； as they sat
down to table。 ‘What do you think？ It is excellent news； capital
news； and about a certain person that we all like。’
Jane and Elizabeth looked at each other； and the waiter was
told that he need not stay。 Lydia laughed； and said；
‘Aye； that is just like your formality and discretion。 You thought
the waiter must not hear； as if he cared！ I dare say he often hears
worse things said than I am going to say。 But he is an ugly fellow！ I
am glad he is gone。 I never saw such a long chin in my life。 Well；
but now for my news： it is about dear Wickham； too good for the
waiter； is not it？ There is no danger of Wickham’s marrying Mary
King。 There�
