pride and prejudice(傲慢与偏见)-第94章
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nearest kind with the man whom he so justly scorned。
From such a connection she could not wonder that he should
shrink。 The wish of procuring her regard； which she had assured
herself of his feeling in Derbyshire； could not in rational
expectation survive such a blow as this。 She was humbled； she was
grieved； she repented； though she hardly knew of what。 She
became jealous of his esteem； when she could no longer hope to be
benefited by it。 She wanted to hear of him； when there seemed the
least chance of gaining intelligence。 She was convinced that she
could have been happy with him； when it was no longer likely they
should meet。
What a triumph for him； as she often thought； could he know
that the proposals which she had proudly spurned only four
months ago； would now have been gladly and gratefully received！
He was as generous； she doubted not； as the most generous of his
sex。 But while he was mortal； there must be a triumph。
She began now to comprehend that he was exactly the man；
who； in disposition and talents； would most suit her。 His
understanding and temper； though unlike her own； would have
answered all her wishes。 It was an union that must have been to
the advantage of both； by her ease and liveliness； his mind might
have been softened； his manners improved； and from his
judgment； information； and knowledge of the world； she must
have received benefit of greater importance。
But no such happy marriage could now teach the admiring
multitude what connubial felicity really was。 An union of a
different tendency； and precluding the possibility of the other； was
soon to be formed in their family。
How Wickham and Lydia were to be supported in tolerable
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independence； she could not imagine。 But how little of permanent
happiness could belong to a couple who were only brought
together because their passions were stronger than their virtue；
she could easily conjecture。
——————
Mr。 Gardiner soon wrote again to his brother。 To Mr。 Bennet’s
acknowledgments he briefly replied； with assurances of his
eagerness to promote the welfare of any of his family； and
concluded with intreaties that the subject might never be
mentioned to him again。 The principal purport of his letter was to
inform them； that Mr。 Wickham had resolved on quitting the
Militia。
‘It was greatly my wish that he should do so；’ he added； ‘as soon
as his marriage was fixed on。 And I think you will agree with me；
in considering a removal from that corps as highly advisable； both
on his account and my niece’s。 It is Mr。 Wickham’s intention to go
into the regulars； and； among his former friends； there are still
some who are able and willing to assist him in the army。 He has
the promise of an ensigncy in General —’s regiment； now
quartered in the North。 It is an advantage to have it so far from
this part of the kingdom。 He promises fairly； and I hope among
different people； where they may each have a character to
preserve； they will both be more prudent。 I have written to Colonel
Forster； to inform him of our present arrangements； and to
request that he will satisfy the various creditors of Mr。 Wickham in
and near Brighton； with assurances of speedy payment； for which
I have pledged myself。 And will you give yourself the trouble of
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carrying similar assurances to his creditors in Meryton； of whom I
shall subjoin a list； according to his information。 He has given in
all his debts； I hope at least he has not deceived us。 Haggerston
has our directions； and all will be completed in a week。 They will
then join his regiment； unless they are first invited to Longbourn；
and I understand from Mrs。 Gardiner； that my niece is very
desirous of seeing you all； before she leaves the South。 She is well；
and begs to be dutifully remembered to you and her mother。—
Your’s； &c。
‘E。 Gardiner。’
Mr。 Bennet and his daughters saw all the advantages of
Wickham’s removal from the —shire； as clearly as Mr。 Gardiner
could do。 But Mrs。 Bennet； was not so well pleased with it。 Lydia’s
being settled in the North； just when she had expected most
pleasure and pride in her company； for she had by no means given
up her plan of their residing in Hertfordshire； was a severe
disappointment； and besides； it was such a pity that Lydia should
be taken from a regiment where she was acquainted with every
body； and had so many favourites。
‘She is so fond of Mrs。 Forster；’ said she； ‘it will be quite
shocking to send her away！ And there are several of the young
men； too； that she likes very much。 The officers may not be so
pleasant in General —’s regiment。’
His daughter’s request； for such it might be considered； of
being admitted into her family again； before she set off for the
North； received at first an absolute negative。 But Jane and
Elizabeth； who agreed in wishing； for the sake of their sister’s
feelings and consequence； that she should be noticed on her
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marriage by her parents； urged him so earnestly； yet so rationally
and so mildly； to receive her and her husband at Longbourn； as
soon as they were married； that he was prevailed on to think as
they thought； and act as they wished。 And their mother had the
satisfaction of knowing； that she should be able to shew her
married daughter in the neighbourhood； before she was banished
to the North。 When Mr。 Bennet wrote again to his brother；
therefore； he sent his permission for them to come； and it was
settled； that as soon as the ceremony was over； they should
proceed to Longbourn。 Elizabeth was surprised； however； that
Wickham should consent to such a scheme； and； had she consulted
only her own inclination； any meeting with him would have been
the last object of her wishes。
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