pride and prejudice(傲慢与偏见)-第57章
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stating it to be such as might be relied on。
Mrs。 Gardiner was surprised and concerned； but as they were
now approaching the scene of her former pleasures； every idea
gave way to the charm of recollection； and she was too much
engaged in pointing out to her husband all the interesting spots in
its environs； to think of any thing else。 Fatigued as she had been
by the morning’s walk； they had no sooner dined than she set off
again in quest of her former acquaintance； and the evening was
spent in the satisfactions of an intercourse renewed after many
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years discontinuance。
The occurrences of the day were too full of interest to leave
Elizabeth much attention for any of these new friends； and she
could do nothing but think； and think with wonder； of Mr。 Darcy’s
civility； and above all； of his wishing her to be acquainted with his
sister。
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CHAPTER II
lizabeth had settled it that Mr。 Darcy would bring his
sister to visit her； the very day after her reaching
E
Pemberley； and was consequently resolved not to be out
of sight of the inn the whole of that morning。 But her conclusion
was false； for on the very morning after their own arrival at
Lambton； these visitors came。 They had been walking about the
place with some of their new friends； and were just returned to the
inn to dress themselves for dining with the same family； when the
sound of a carriage drew them to a window； and they saw a
gentleman and lady in a curricle； driving up the street。 Elizabeth
immediately recognising the livery； guessed what it meant； and
imparted no small degree of surprise to her relations； by
acquainting them with the honour which she expected。 Her uncle
and aunt were all amazement； and the embarrassment of her
manner as she spoke； joined to the circumstance itself； and many
of the circumstances of the preceding day； opened to them a new
idea on the business。 Nothing had ever suggested it before； but
they now felt that there was no other way of accounting for such
attentions from such a quarter； than by supposing a partiality for
their niece。 While these newly…born notions were passing in their
heads； the perturbation of Elizabeth’s feelings was every moment
increasing。 She was quite amazed at her own discomposure； but
amongst other causes of disquiet； she dreaded lest the partiality of
the brother should have said too much in her favour； and more
than commonly anxious to please； she naturally suspected that
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every power of pleasing would fail her。
She retreated from the window； fearful of being seen and as she
walked up and down the room； endeavouring to compose herself；
saw such looks of enquiring surprise in her uncle and aunt； as
made every thing worse。
Miss Darcy and her brother appeared； and this formidable
introduction took place。 With astonishment did Elizabeth see； that
her new acquaintance was at least as much embarrassed as
herself。 Since her being at Lambton； she had heard that Miss
Darcy was exceedingly proud； but the observation of a very few
minutes convinced her； that she was only exceedingly shy。 She
found it difficult to obtain even a word from her beyond a
monosyllable。
Miss Darcy was tall； and on a larger scale than Elizabeth； and；
though little more than sixteen； her figure was formed； and her
appearance womanly and graceful。 She was less handsome than
her brother； but there was sense and good humour in her face；
and her manners were perfectly unassuming and gentle。
Elizabeth； who had expected to find in her as acute and
unembarrassed an observer as ever Mr。 Darcy had been； was
much relieved by discerning such different feelings。
They had not been long together； before Darcy told her that
Bingley was also coming to wait on her； and she had barely time to
express her satisfaction； and prepare for such a visitor； when
Bingley’s quick step was heard on the stairs； and in a moment he
entered the room。 All Elizabeth’s anger against him had been long
done away； but； had she still felt any； it could hardly have stood its
ground against the unaffected cordiality with which he expressed
himself； on seeing her again。 He enquired in a friendly； though
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general way； after her family； and looked and spoke with the same
good…humoured ease that he had ever done。
To Mr。 and Mrs。 Gardiner he was scarcely a less interesting
personage than to herself。 They had long wished to see him。 The
whole party before them； indeed； excited a lively attention。 The
suspicions which had just arisen of Mr。 Darcy and their niece；
directed their observation towards each with an earnest； though
guarded； enquiry； and they soon drew from those enquiries the
full conviction that one of them at least knew what it was to love。
Of the lady’s sensations they remained a little in doubt； but that
the gentleman was overflowing with admiration was evident
enough。
Elizabeth； on her side； had much to do。 She wanted to ascertain
the feelings of each of her visitors； she wanted to compose her
own； and to make herself agreeable to all； and in the latter object；
where she feared most to fail； she was most sure of success； for
those to whom she endeavoured to give pleasure were
prepossessed in her favour。 Bingley was ready； Georgiana was
eager； and Darcy determined； to be pleased。
In seeing Bingley； her thoughts naturally flew to her sister； and
oh！ how ardently did she long to know； whether any of his were
directed in a like manner。 Sometimes she could fancy； that he
talked less than on former occasions； and once or twice pleased
herself with the notion that as he looked at her； he was trying to
trace a resemblance。 But； though this might be imaginary； she
could not be deceived as to his behaviour to Miss Darcy； who had
been set up as a rival of Jane。 No look appeared on either side that
spoke particular regard。 Nothing occurred between them that
could justify the hopes of his sister。 On this point she was soon
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satisfied： and two or three little circumstances occurred ere they
parted； which； in her anxious interpretation； denoted a
recollection of Jane； not untinctured by tenderness； and a wish of
saying more that might lead to the mention of her； had he dared。
He observed to her； at a moment when the others were talking
together； and in a tone which had something of real regret； that it
‘was a very long time since he had had the pleasure of seeing her；’
and； before she could reply； he added； ‘It is above eight months。
We have not met since the 26th of November； when we were all
dancing together at Netherfield。’
Elizabeth was pleased to find his memory so exact； and he
afterwards took occasion to ask her； when unattended to by any of
the rest； whether all her sisters were at Longbourn。 There was not
much in the question； nor in the preceding remark； but there was
a look and a manner which gave them meaning。
It was not often that she could turn her eyes on Mr。 Darcy
himself； but； whenever she did catch a glimpse； she saw an
expression of general complaisance； and in all that he said； she
heard an accent so far removed from hauteur or disdain of his
companions； as convinced her that the improvement of manners
which she had yesterday witnessed； however temporary its
existence might prove； had at least outlived one day。 When she
saw him thus seeking the acquaintance； and courting the good
opinion of people with whom any intercourse a few months ago
would have been a disgrace； when she saw him thus civil； not only
to herself； but to the very relations whom he had openly disdained；
and recollected their last lively scene in Hunsford Parsonage； the
difference； the change was so great； and struck so forcibly on her
mind； that she could hardly restrain her astonishment from being
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visible。 Never； even in the company of his dear friends at
Netherfield； or his dignified relations at Rosings； had she seen him
so desirous to please； so free from self…consequence； or unbending
reserve as now； when no importance could result from the success
of his endeavours； and when even the acquaintance of those to
