c8-第2章
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portance。 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 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 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 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。班纳特先生远在好久以前，就希望每年的进款不要全部花光，能够积蓄一部分，让儿女 往后不至于衣食匮乏；如果太太比他命长，衣食便也有了着落。拿目前来说，他这个希望比 以往来得更迫切。要是他在这方面早就安排好了，那么这次丽迪雅挽回面子名誉的事，自然 就不必要她舅舅为她花钱；也不必让舅舅去说服全英国最下流的一个青年给她确定夫妇的名 份。
这事情对任何人都没有好处，如今却得由他舅爷独自拿出钱来成其好事，这实在叫他太 过意不去；他决定要竭力打听出舅爷究竟帮了多大的忙，以便尽快报答这笔人情。
班纳特先生刚结婚的时候，完全不必省吃俭用，因为他们夫妇自然会生儿子，等到儿子 成了年，外人继承产权的这桩事就可以取消，寡妇孤女也就衣食无虑了。可是五个女儿接接 连连地出世，儿子还不知道在哪里；丽迪雅出世多少年以后，班纳特太太还一直以为会生儿 子。这个指望落了空，如今省吃俭用已经太迟了。班纳特太太不惯于节省，好在丈夫自有主 张，才算没有入不敷出。
当年老夫妇的婚约上规定了班纳特太太和子女们一共应享有五千磅遗产。至于子女们究 竟怎样分享，得由父母在遗嘱上解决，班纳特先生毫不犹豫地同意了摆在他面前的那个建 议。他回信给舅爷，多谢他一片好心。他的措辞极其简洁，只说他对一切既成事实都表示赞 同，而且舅爷所提出的各项条件，他都愿意照办。原来这次说服韦翰跟他女儿结婚一事，竟 安排得这样好，简直没有带给他什么麻烦，这实在是他所意料不到的。虽说他每年要付给他 们俩一百镑，可是事实上他每年还损失不了十镑，因为丽迪雅在家里也要吃用开销，外加她 母亲还要贴钱给她花，计算起来每年几乎也不下于一百镑。
还有一件可喜的意外，那就是办起这件事来，他自己简直可以不费什么力气，他目前最 希望麻烦越少越好。他开头也曾因为一时冲动，亲自去找女儿，如今他已经气平怒消，自然 又变得象往常一样懒散。他把那封回信立刻寄出去；虽然做事喜欢拖延，可是只要他肯动 手，倒也完成得很快。他在信上请他舅爷把一切代劳之处详详细细告诉他，可是说起丽迪 雅，实在使他太气恼，因此连问候也没有问候她一声。
好消息立刻在全家传开了，而且很快便传到邻舍们耳朵里去。四邻八舍对这件事都抱着 相当超然的态度。当然，如果丽迪雅·班纳特小姐亲自上这儿来了，或者说，如果她恰恰相 反，远隔尘嚣，住到一个偏僻的农村里去，那就可以给人家增加许多谈话的资料。不过她的 出嫁问题毕竟还是使人家议论纷纷。麦里屯那些恶毒的老太婆，原先总是一番好心肠，祝她 嫁个如意夫君，如今虽然眼看着情境变了，也是在起劲地谈个不休，因为大家看到她嫁了这 么一个丈夫，都认为必定会遭到悲惨的下场。
班纳特太太已经有两个星期没有下楼，遇到今天这么快乐的日子，她欢欣若狂，又坐上 了首席。她并没有觉得羞耻，自然也不会扫兴。远从吉英十六岁那年起，她的第一个心愿就 是嫁女儿，现在她快要如愿以偿了。她的思想言论都完全离不了婚嫁的漂亮排场；上好的细 说纱，新的马车，以及男女佣仆之类的事情。她并且在附近一带到处奔波，要给女儿找一所 适当的住宅；她根本不知道他们有多少收入，也从来没有考虑到这一点。她看了多少处房子 都看不中，不是为了开间太小，就是嫌不够气派。
她说：“要是戈丁家能迁走，海夜花园倒还合适；斯托克那幢大房子，要是会客室大一 些，也还可以，可是阿西渥斯离这儿太远！我不忍心让她同我隔开十英里路；讲到柏卫别 业，那所假三层实在太糟了。”
每当有佣人在跟前的时候，她丈夫总是让她讲下去，不去岔断她的话。可是佣人一出 去，他可老实不客气地跟她说了：“我的好太太，你要为你的女儿和女婿租房子，不管你要 租一幢也好，或是把所有的房子都租下来也好，都得让我们事先把问题谈谈清楚。邻近的房 子，一幢也不许他们来住。他们不要梦想，认为我会在浪搏恩招待他们！”
这话一出口，两人便争吵不休；可是班纳特先生说一不二，于是又吵了起来；后来班纳 特太太又发觉丈夫不肯拿出一文钱来给女儿添置一些衣服，不禁大为惊骇。班纳特先生坚决 声明，丽迪雅这一次休想得到他半点疼爱，这实在叫他太太弄不懂。他竟会气愤到这样深恶 痛绝的地步，连女儿出嫁都不肯优待她一番，简直要把婚礼弄得不成体统，这确实太出乎她 的意料。她只知道女儿出嫁而没有嫁妆是件丢脸的事情，至于她的私奔，她没有结婚以前就 跟韦翰同居了两个星期，她倒丝毫不放在心上。
伊丽莎白目前非常后悔，当初实在不应该因为一时痛苦，竟让达西先生知道了她自己家 里为她妹妹担忧的经过，因为妹妹既然马上就可以名正言顺地结婚，了却那一段私奔的风流 孽债，那么，开头那一段不体面的事情，她们当然希望最好不要让局外人知道。
她并不是担心达西会把这事情向外界传开。讲到保守秘密，简直就没有第二个人比他更 能使她信任；不过，这一次如果是别的人知道了她妹妹的丑行，她决不会象现在这样难受。 这倒不是生怕对她本身有任何不利，因为她和达西之间反正隔着一条跨不过的鸿沟。即使丽 迪雅能够体体面面地结了婚，达西先生�
