pride and prejudice(傲慢与偏见)-第61章
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a letter from Jane； with such dreadful news。 It cannot be
concealed from any one。 My youngest sister has left all her
friends—has eloped；—has thrown herself into the power of—of
Mr。 Wickham。 They are gone off together from Brighton。 You
know him too well to doubt the rest。 She has no money； no
connections； nothing that can tempt him to—she is lost for ever。’
Darcy was fixed in astonishment。 ‘When I consider；’ she added；
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in a yet more agitated voice； ‘that I might have prevented it！—I
who knew what he was。 Had I but explained some part of it only—
some part of what I learnt； to my own family！ Had his character
been known； this could not have happened。 But it is all； all too late
now。’
‘I am grieved； indeed；’ cried Darcy； ‘grieved—shocked。 But is it
certain； absolutely certain？’
‘Oh yes！—They left Brighton together on Sunday night； and
were traced almost to London； but not beyond； they are certainly
not gone to Scotland。’
‘And what has been done； what has been attempted； to recover
her？’
‘My father is gone to London； and Jane has written to beg my
uncle’s immediate assistance； and we shall be off； I hope； in half an
hour。 But nothing can be done； I know very well that nothing can
be done。 How is such a man to be worked on？ How are they even
to be discovered？ I have not the smallest hope。 It is every way
horrible！’
Darcy shook his head in silent acquiesence。
‘When my eyes were opened to his real character。—Oh！ had I
known what I ought； what I dared； to do！ But I knew not—I was
afraid of doing too much。 Wretched； wretched； mistake！’
Darcy made no answer。 He seemed scarcely to hear her； and
was walking up and down the room in earnest meditation； his
brow contracted； his air gloomy。 Elizabeth soon observed； and
instantly understood it。 Her power was sinking； every thing must
sink under such a proof of family weakness； such an assurance of
the deepest disgrace。 She could neither wonder nor condemn； but
the belief of his self…conquest brought nothing consolatory to her
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bosom； afforded no palliation of her distress。 It was； on the
contrary； exactly calculated to make her understand her own
wishes； and never had she so honestly felt that she could have
loved him； as now； when all love must be vain。
But self； though it would intrude； could not engross her。
Lydia—the humiliation； the misery； she was bringing on them all；
soon swallowed up every private care； and covering her face with
her handkerchief； Elizabeth was soon lost to every thing else； and；
after a pause of several minutes； was only recalled to a sense of her
situation by the voice of her companion； who； in a manner； which
though it spoke compassion； spoke likewise restraint； said； ‘I am
afraid you have been long desiring my absence； nor have I any
thing to plead in excuse of my stay； but real； though unavailing；
concern。 Would to heaven that any thing could be either said or
done on my part； that might offer consolation to such distress。 But
I will not torment you with vain wishes； which may seem
purposely to ask for your thanks。 This unfortunate affair will； I
fear； prevent my sister’s having the pleasure of seeing you at
Pemberley to…day。’
‘Oh； yes。 Be so kind as to apologize for us to Miss Darcy。 Say
that urgent business calls us home immediately。 Conceal the
unhappy truth as long as it is possible。—I know it cannot be long。’
He readily assured her of his secrecy—again expressed his
sorrow for her distress； wished it a happier conclusion than there
was at present reason to hope； and leaving his compliments for
her relations； with only one serious； parting； look； went away。
As he quitted the room； Elizabeth felt how improbable it was
that they should ever see each other again on such terms of
cordiality as had marked their several meetings in Derbyshire；
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and as she threw a retrospective glance over the whole of their
acquaintance； so full of contradictions and varieties； sighed at the
perverseness of those feelings which would now have promoted its
continuance； and would formerly have rejoiced in its termination。
If gratitude and esteem are good foundations of affection；
Elizabeth’s change of sentiment will be neither improbable nor
faulty。 But if otherwise； if the regard springing from such sources
is unreasonable or unnatural； in comparison of what is so often
described as arising on a first interview with its object； and even
before two words have been exchanged； nothing can be said in her
defence； except that she had given somewhat of a trial to the latter
method； in her partiality for Wickham； and that its ill…success
might perhaps authorise her to seek the other less interesting
mode of attachment。 Be that as it may； she saw him go with regret；
and in this early example of what Lydia’s infamy must produce；
found additional anguish as she reflected on that wretched
business。 Never； since reading Jane’s second letter； had she
entertained a hope of Wickham’s meaning to marry her。 No one
but Jane； she thought； could flatter herself with such an
expectation。 Surprise was the least of her feelings on this
developement。 While the contents of the first letter remained on
her mind； she was all surprise—all astonishment that Wickham
should marry a girl； whom it was impossible he could marry for
money； and how Lydia could ever have attached him； had
appeared incomprehensible。 But now it was all too natural。 For
such an attachment as this； she might have sufficient charms； and
though she did not suppose Lydia to be deliberately engaging in
an elopement； without the intention of marriage； she had no
difficulty in believing that neither her virtue nor her
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understanding would preserve her from falling an easy prey。
She had never perceived； while the regiment was in
Hertfordshire； that Lydia had any partiality for him； but she was
convinced that Lydia had wanted only encouragement to attach
herself to any body。 Sometimes one officer； sometimes another
had been her favourite； as their attentions raised them in her
opinion。 Her affections had been continually fluctuating； but never
without an object。 The mischief of neglect and mistaken
indulgence towards such a girl。—Oh！ how acutely did she now feel
it。
She was wild to be at home—to hear； to see； to be upon the
spot； to share with Jane in the cares that must now fall wholly
upon her； in a family so deranged； a father absent； a mother
incapable of exertion； and requiring constant attendance； and
though almost persuaded that nothing could be done for Lydia；
her uncle’s interference seemed of the utmost importance； and till
he entered the room； the misery of her impatience was severe。 Mr。
and Mrs。 Gardiner had hurried back in alarm； supposing； by the
servant’s account； that their niece was taken suddenly ill；—but
satisfying them instantly on that head； she eagerly communicated
the cause of their summons； reading the two letters aloud； and
dwelling on the postscript of the last； with trembling energy。—
Though Lydia had never been a favourite with them； Mr。 and Mrs。
Gardiner could not but be deeply affected。 Not Lydia only； but all
were concerned in it； and after the first exclamations of surprise
and horror； Mr。 Gardiner readily promised every assistance in his
power。—Elizabeth； though expecting no less； thanked him with
tears of gratitude； and all three being actuated by one spirit； every
thing relating to their journey was speedily settled。 They were to
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be off as soon as possible。 ‘But what is to be done about
Pemberley？’ cried Mrs。 Gardiner。 ‘John told us Mr。 Darcy was
here when you sent for us；—was it so？’
‘Yes； and I told him we should not be able to keep our
engagement。 That is all settled。’
‘That is all settled；’ repeated the other； as she ran into her room
to prepare。 ‘And are they upon such terms as for her to disclose
the real truth！ Oh； that I knew how it was！’
But wishes were vain； or at best could serve only to amuse her
in the hurry and confusion of the following hour。 Had Elizabeth
been at leisure to be idle； she would have remained certain that all
employment was imp
