《傲慢与偏见》第19集|Bingley Returns to Netherfield

Newlyweds Lydia and Wickham visit Longborne, where the youngest Bennetlets slip some news that throws Elizabeth into confusion. Bingleyunexpectantly returns to Netherfield - and old affections are aroused.

新婚夫妇莉迪亚和威克姆拜访了朗伯恩，在那里，最年轻的班纳特无意中透露了一些消息，让伊丽莎白感到很是困惑。宾利出人意料地回到了尼日斐，旧情复燃了。

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(READING – CHAPTER 51)

One morning, soon after their arrival, as shewas sitting with her two elder sisters, she said to Elizabeth:

"Lizzy, I never gave you an account of my wedding, I believe. You were notby, when I told mamma and the others all about it. Are not you curious to hearhow it was managed?"

"No really," replied Elizabeth;"I think there cannot be too little said on the subject."

"La! You are so strange! But I must tellyou how it went off. We were married, you know, at St. Clement's, becauseWickham's lodgings were in that parish. And it was settled that we should allbe there by eleven o'clock. My uncle and aunt and I were to go together; andthe others were to meet us at the church. Well, Monday morning came, and I wasin such a fuss! I was so afraid, you know, that something would happen to putit off, and then I should have gone quite distracted. And there was my aunt,all the time I was dressing, preaching and talking away just as if she wasreading a sermon. However, I did not hear above one word in ten, for I wasthinking, you may suppose, of my dear Wickham. I longed to know whether hewould be married in his blue coat."

“Well, and so we breakfasted at ten as usual;I thought it would never be over; for, by the bye, you are to understand, thatmy uncle and aunt were horrid unpleasant all the time I was with them. Ifyou'll believe me, I did not once put my foot out of doors, though I was therea fortnight. Not one party, or scheme, or anything. To be sure London wasrather thin, but, however, the Little Theatre was open. Well, and so just asthe carriage came to the door, my uncle was called away upon business to thathorrid man Mr. Stone. And then, you know, when once they get together, there isno end of it. Well, I was so frightened I did not know what to do, for my unclewas to give me away; and if we were beyond the hour, we could not be marriedall day. But, luckily, he came back again in ten minutes' time, and then we allset out. However, I recollected afterwards that if he had been prevented going,the wedding need not be put off, for Mr. Darcy might have done as well."

"Mr. Darcy!" repeated Elizabeth, inutter amazement.

"Oh, yes!—he was to come there withWickham, you know. But gracious me! I quite forgot! I ought not to have said aword about it. I promised them so faithfully! What will Wickham say? It was tobe such a secret!"

"If it was to be secret," saidJane, "say not another word on the subject. You may depend upon my seekingno further."

"Oh! certainly," said Elizabeth,though burning with curiosity; "we will ask you no questions."

"Thank you," said Lydia, "forif you did, I should certainly tell you all, and then Wickham would beangry."

On such encouragement to ask, Elizabeth wasforced to put it out of her power, by running away.

But to live in ignorance on such a point wasimpossible; or at least it was impossible not to try for information. Mr. Darcyhad been at her sister's wedding. It was exactly a scene, and exactly amongpeople, where he had apparently least to do, and least temptation to go.Conjectures as to the meaning of it, rapid and wild, hurried into her brain;but she was satisfied with none. Those that best pleased her, as placing hisconduct in the noblest light, seemed most improbable. She could not bear suchsuspense; and hastily seizing a sheet of paper, wrote a short letter to heraunt, to request an explanation of what Lydia had dropt, if it were compatiblewith the secrecy which had been intended.

"You may readily comprehend," sheadded, "what my curiosity must be to know how a person unconnected withany of us, and (comparatively speaking) a stranger to our family, should havebeen amongst you at such a time. Pray write instantly, and let me understandit—unless it is, for very cogent reasons, to remain in the secrecy which Lydiaseems to think necessary; and then I must endeavour to be satisfied withignorance."

"Not that I shall,though," she added to herself, as she finished the letter; "and mydear aunt, if you do not tell me in an honourable manner, I shall certainly bereduced to tricks and stratagems to find it out."

Jane's delicate sense of honour would notallow her to speak to Elizabeth privately of what Lydia had let fall; Elizabethwas glad of it;—till it appeared whether her inquiries would receive anysatisfaction, she had rather be without a confidante. "

(END READING)

(READING – CHAPTER 55)

Jane could have no reserves from Elizabeth,where confidence would give pleasure; and instantly embracing her,acknowledged, with the liveliest emotion, that she was the happiest creature inthe world.

"'Tis too much!" she added,"by far too much. I do not deserve it. Oh! why is not everybody ashappy?"

Elizabeth's congratulations were given with asincerity, a warmth, a delight, which words could but poorly express. Everysentence of kindness was a fresh source of happiness to Jane. But she would notallow herself to stay with her sister, or say half that remained to be said forthe present.

"I must go instantly to my mother;"she cried. "I would not on any account trifle with her affectionatesolicitude; or allow her to hear it from anyone but myself. He is gone to myfather already. Oh! Lizzy, to know that what I have to relate will give suchpleasure to all my dear family! how shall I bear so much happiness!"

She then hastened away to her mother, who hadpurposely broken up the card party, and was sitting up stairs with Kitty.

Elizabeth, who was left by herself, nowsmiled at the rapidity and ease with which an affair was finally settled, thathad given them so many previous months of suspense and vexation.

"And this," said she, "is theend of all his friend's anxious circumspection! of all his sister's falsehoodand contrivance! the happiest, wisest, most reasonable end!"

In a few minutes she was joined by Bingley,whose conference with her father had been short and to the purpose.

"Where is your sister?" said hehastily, as he opened the door.

"With my mother up stairs. She will bedown in a moment, I dare say."

He then shut the door, and, coming up to her,claimed the good wishes and affection of a sister. Elizabeth honestly andheartily expressed her delight in the prospect of their relationship. Theyshook hands with great cordiality; and then, till her sister came down, she hadto listen to all he had to say of his own happiness, and of Jane's perfections;and in spite of his being a lover, Elizabeth really believed all hisexpectations of felicity to be rationally founded, because they had for basisthe excellent understanding, and super-excellent disposition of Jane, and ageneral similarity of feeling and taste between her and himself.

It was an evening of no common delight tothem all; the satisfaction of Miss Bennet's mind gave a glow of such sweetanimation to her face, as made her look handsomer than ever. Kitty simpered andsmiled, and hoped her turn was coming soon. Mrs. Bennet could not give herconsent or speak her approbation in terms warm enough to satisfy her feelings,though she talked to Bingley of nothing else for half an hour; and when Mr.Bennet joined them at supper, his voice and manner plainly showed how reallyhappy he was.

Not a word, however, passed his lips inallusion to it, till their visitor took his leave for the night; but as soon ashe was gone, he turned to his daughter, and said:

"Jane, I congratulate you. You will be avery happy woman."

Jane went to him instantly, kissed him, andthanked him for his goodness.

"You are a good girl;" he replied,"and I have great pleasure in thinking you will be so happily settled. Ihave not a doubt of your doing very well together. Your tempers are by no meansunlike. You are each of you so complying, that nothing will ever be resolvedon; so easy, that every servant will cheat you; and so generous, that you willalways exceed your income."

"I hope not so. Imprudence orthoughtlessness in money matters would be unpardonable in me."

"Exceed their income! My dear Mr.Bennet," cried his wife, "what are you talking of? Why, he has fouror five thousand a year, and very likely more." Then addressing herdaughter, "Oh! my dear, dear Jane, I am so happy! I am sure I shan't get awink of sleep all night. I knew how it would be. I always said it must be so,at last. I was sure you could not be so beautiful for nothing! I remember, as soonas ever I saw him, when he first came into Hertfordshire last year, I thoughthow likely it was that you should come together. Oh! he is the handsomest youngman that ever was seen!"

Wickham, Lydia, were all forgotten. Jane wasbeyond competition her favourite child. At that moment, she cared for no other.Her younger sisters soon began to make interest with her for objects ofhappiness which she might in future be able to dispense.

Mary petitioned for the use of the library atNetherfield; and Kitty begged very hard for a few balls there every winter.

(END READING)