c17-第1章

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Chapter　XVII　of　Volume　III　（Chap。　59）
　‘‘MY　dear　Lizzy；　where　can　you　have　been　walking　to？''　was　a　question　which　Elizabeth　received　from　Jane　as　soon　as　she　entered　their　room；　and　from　all　the　others　when　they　sat　down　to　table。　She　had　only　to　say　in　reply；　that　they　had　wandered　about；　till　she　was　beyond　her　own　knowledge。　She　coloured　as　she　spoke；　but　neither　that；　nor　any　thing　else；　awakened　a　suspicion　of　the　truth。
The　evening　passed　quietly；　unmarked　by　any　thing　extraordinary。　The　acknowledged　lovers　talked　and　laughed；　the　unacknowledged　were　silent。　Darcy　was　not　of　a　disposition　in　which　happiness　overflows　in　mirth；　and　Elizabeth；　agitated　and　confused；　rather　knew　that　she　was　happy　than　felt　herself　to　be　so；　for；　besides　the　immediate　embarrassment；　there　were　other　evils　before　her。　She　anticipated　what　would　be　felt　in　the　family　when　her　situation　became　known；　she　was　aware　that　no　one　liked　him　but　Jane；　and　even　feared　that　with　the　others　it　was　a　dislike　which　not　all　his　fortune　and　consequence　might　do　away。
At　night　she　opened　her　heart　to　Jane。　Though　suspicion　was　very　far　from　Miss　Bennet's　general　habits；　she　was　absolutely　incredulous　here。
‘‘You　are　joking；　Lizzy。　This　cannot　be！　　engaged　to　Mr。　Darcy！　No；　no；　you　shall　not　deceive　me。　I　know　it　to　be　impossible。''
‘‘This　is　a　wretched　beginning　indeed！　My　sole　dependence　was　on　you；　and　I　am　sure　nobody　else　will　believe　me；　if　you　do　not。　Yet；　indeed；　I　am　in　earnest。　I　speak　nothing　but　the　truth。　He　still　loves　me；　and　we　are　engaged。''
Jane　looked　at　her　doubtingly。　‘‘Oh；　Lizzy！　it　cannot　be。　I　know　how　much　you　dislike　him。''
‘‘You　know　nothing　of　the　matter。　That　is　all　to　be　forgot。　Perhaps　I　did　not　always　love　him　so　well　as　I　do　now。　But　in　such　cases　as　these；　a　good　memory　is　unpardonable。　This　is　the　last　time　I　shall　ever　remember　it　myself。''
Miss　Bennet　still　looked　all　amazement。　Elizabeth　again；　and　more　seriously　assured　her　of　its　truth。
‘‘Good　Heaven！　can　it　be　really　so！　Yet　now　I　must　believe　you；''　cried　Jane。　‘‘My　dear；　dear　Lizzy；　I　would　　I　do　congratulate　you　　but　are　you　certain？　forgive　the　question　　are　you　quite　certain　that　you　can　be　happy　with　him？''
‘‘There　can　be　no　doubt　of　that。　It　is　settled　between　us　already；　that　we　are　to　be　the　happiest　couple　in　the　world。　But　are　you　pleased；　Jane？　Shall　you　like　to　have　such　a　brother？''
‘‘Very；　very　much。　Nothing　could　give　either　Bingley　or　myself　more　delight。　But　we　considered　it；　we　talked　of　it　as　impossible。　And　do　you　really　love　him　quite　well　enough？　Oh；　Lizzy！　do　any　thing　rather　than　marry　without　affection。　Are　you　quite　sure　that　you　feel　what　you　ought　to　do？''
‘‘Oh；　yes！　You　will　only　think　I　feel　more　than　I　ought　to　do；　when　I　tell　you　all。''
‘‘What　do　you　mean？''
‘‘Why；　I　must　confess　that　I　love　him　better　than　I　do　Bingley。　I　am　afraid　you　will　be　angry。''
‘‘My　dearest　sister；　now　be　serious。　I　want　to　talk　very　seriously。　Let　me　know　every　thing　that　I　am　to　know；　without　delay。　Will　you　tell　me　how　long　you　have　loved　him？''
‘‘It　has　been　coming　on　so　gradually；　that　I　hardly　know　when　it　began。　But　I　believe　I　must　date　it　from　my　first　seeing　his　beautiful　grounds　at　Pemberley。''
Another　intreaty　that　she　would　be　serious；　however；　produced　the　desired　effect；　and　she　soon　satisfied　Jane　by　her　solemn　assurances　of　attachment。　When　convinced　on　that　article；　Miss　Bennet　had　nothing　farther　to　wish。
‘‘Now　I　am　quite　happy；''　said　she；　‘‘for　you　will　be　as　happy　as　myself。　I　always　had　a　value　for　him。　Were　it　for　nothing　but　his　love　of　you；　I　must　always　have　esteemed　him；　but　now；　as　Bingley's　friend　and　your　husband；　there　can　be　only　Bingley　and　yourself　more　dear　to　me。　But　Lizzy；　you　have　been　very　sly；　very　reserved　with　me。　How　little　did　you　tell　me　of　what　passed　at　Pemberley　and　Lambton！　I　owe　all　that　I　know　of　it　to　another；　not　to　you。''
Elizabeth　told　her　the　motives　of　her　secrecy。　She　had　been　unwilling　to　mention　Bingley；　and　the　unsettled　state　of　her　own　feelings　had　made　her　equally　avoid　the　name　of　his　friend。　But　now　she　would　no　longer　conceal　from　her　his　share　in　Lydia's　marriage。　All　was　acknowledged；　and　half　the　night　spent　in　conversation。
‘‘Good　gracious！''　cried　Mrs。　Bennet；　as　she　stood　at　a　window　the　next　morning；　‘‘if　that　disagreeable　Mr。　Darcy　is　not　coming　here　again　with　our　dear　Bingley！　What　can　he　mean　by　being　so　tiresome　as　to　be　always　coming　here？　I　had　no　notion　but　he　would　go　a…shooting；　or　something　or　other；　and　not　disturb　us　with　his　company。　What　shall　we　do　with　him？　Lizzy；　you　must　walk　out　with　him　again；　that　he　may　not　be　in　Bingley's　way。''
Elizabeth　could　hardly　help　laughing　at　so　convenient　a　proposal；　yet　was　really　vexed　that　her　mother　should　be　always　giving　him　such　an　epithet。
As　soon　as　they　entered；　Bingley　looked　at　her　so　expressively；　and　shook　hands　with　such　warmth；　as　left　no　doubt　of　his　good　information；　and　he　soon　afterwards　said　aloud；　‘‘Mrs。　Bennet；　have　you　no　more　lanes　hereabouts　in　which　Lizzy　may　lose　her　way　again　to…day？''
‘‘I　advise　Mr。　Darcy；　and　Lizzy；　and　Kitty；''　said　Mrs。　Bennet；　‘‘to　walk　to　Oakham　Mount　this　morning。　It　is　a　nice　long　walk；　and　Mr。　Darcy　has　never　seen　the　view。''
‘‘It　may　do　very　well　for　the　others；''　replied　Mr。　Bingley；　‘‘but　I　am　sure　it　will　be　too　much　for　Kitty。　Won't　it；　Kitty？''　Kitty　owned　that　she　had　rather　stay　at　home。　Darcy　professed　a　great　curiosity　to　see　the　view　from　the　Mount；　and　Elizabeth　silently　consented。　As　she　went　up　stairs　to　get　ready；　Mrs。　Bennet　followed　her；　saying；
‘‘I　am　quite　sorry；　Lizzy；　that　you　should　be　forced　to　have　that　disagreeable　man　all　to　yourself。　But　I　hope　you　will　not　mind　it：　it　is　all　for　Jane's　sake；　you　know；　and　there　is　no　occasion　for　talking　to　him；　except　just　now　and　then。　So；　do　not　put　yourself　to　inconvenience。''
During　their　walk；　it　was　resolved　that　Mr。　Bennet's　consent　should　be　asked　in　the　course　of　the　evening。　Elizabeth　reserved　to　herself　the　application　for　her　mother's。　She　could　not　determine　how　her　mother　would　take　it；　sometimes　doubting　whether　all　his　wealth　and　grandeur　would　be　enough　to　overcome　her　abhorrence　of　the　man。　But　whether　she　were　violently　set　against　the　match；　or　violently　delighted　with　it；　it　was　certain　that　her　manner　would　be　equally　ill　adapted　to　do　credit　to　her　sense；　and　she　could　no　more　bear　that　Mr。　Darcy　should　hear　the　first　raptures　of　her　joy；　than　the　first　vehemence　of　her　disapprobation。
In　the　evening；　soon　after　Mr。　Bennet　withdrew　to　the　library；　she　saw　Mr。　Darcy　rise　also　and　follow　him；　and　her　agitation　on　seeing　it　was　extreme。　She　did　not　fear　her　father's　opposition；　but　he　was　going　to　be　made　unhappy；　and　that　it　should　be　through　her　means　　that　she；　his　favourite　child；　should　be　distressing　him　by　her　choice；　should　be　filling　him　with　fears　and　regrets　in　disposing　of　her　　was　a　wretched　reflection；　and　she　sat　in　misery　till　Mr。　Darcy　appeared　again；　when；　looking　at　him；　she　was　a　little　relieved　by　his　smile。　In　a　few　minutes　he　approached　the　table　where　she　was　sitting　with　Kitty；　and；　while　pretending　to　admire　her　work　said　in　a　whisper；　‘‘Go　to　your　father；　he　wants　you　in　the　library。''　She　was　gone　directly。
Her　father　was　walking　about　the　room；　looking　grave　and　anxious。　‘‘Lizzy；''　said　he；　‘‘what　are　you　doing？　Are　you　out　of　your　senses；　to　be　accepting　this　man？　Have　not　you　always　hated　him？''
How　earnestly　did　she　then　wish　that　her　former　opinions　had　been　more　reasonable；　her　expressions　more　moderate！　It　would　have　spared　her　from　explanations　and　professions　which　it　was　exceedingly　awkward　to　give；　but　they　were　now　necessary；　and　she　assured　him；　with　some　confusion；　of　her　attachment　to　Mr。　Darcy。
‘‘Or；　in　other　words；　you　are　determined　to　have　him。　He　is　rich；　to　be　sure；　and　you　may　have　more　fine　clothes　and　fine　carriages　than　Jane。　But　will　they　make　you　happy？''
‘‘Have　you　any　other　objection；''　said　Elizabeth；　‘‘than　your　belief　of　my　indifference？''
‘‘None　at　all。　We　all　know　him　to　be　a　proud；　unpleasant　sort　of　man；　but　this　would　be　nothing　if　you　really　liked　him。''
‘‘I　do；　I　do　like　him；''　she　replied；　with　tears　in　her　eyes；　‘‘I　love　him。　Indeed　he　has　no　improper　pride。　He　is　perfectly　amiable。　You　do　not　know　what　he　really　is；　then　pray　do　not　pain　me　by　speaking　of　him　in　such　terms。''
‘‘Lizzy；''　said　her　father；　‘‘I　have　given　him　my　consent。　He　is　the　kind　of　man；　indeed；　to　whom　I　should　never　dare　refuse　any　thing；　which　he　condescended　to　ask。　I　now　give　it　to　you；　if　you　are　resolved　on　having　him。　But　let　me　advise　you　to　think　better　of　it。　I　know　your　disposition；　Lizzy。　I　know　that　you　could　be　neither　happy　nor　respectable；　unless　you　truly　esteemed　your　husband；　unless　you　looked　up　to　him　as　a　superior。　Your　lively　talents　would　place　you　in　the　greatest　danger　in　an　unequal　marriage。　You　could　scarcely　escape　discredit　and　misery。　My　child；　let　me　not　have　the　grief　of　seeing　you　unable　to　respect　your　partner　in　life。　You　know　not　what　you　are　about。''
Elizabeth；　still　more　affected；　was　earnest　and　solemn　in　her　reply；　and　at　length；　by　repeated　assurances　that　Mr。　Darcy　was　really　the　object　of　her　choice；　by　explaining　the　gradual　change　which　her　estimation　of　him　had　undergone；　relating　her　absolute　certainty　that　his　affection　was　not　the　work　of　a　day；　but　had　stood　the　test　of　many　months　suspense；　and　enumerating　with　energy　all　his　good　qualities；　she　did　conquer　her　father's　incredulity；　and　reconcile　him　to　the　match。
‘‘Well；　my　dear；''　said　he；　when　she　ceased　speaking；　‘‘I　have　no　more　to　say。　If　this　be　the　case；　he　deserves　you。　I　could　not　have　parted　with　you；　my　Lizzy；　to　any　one　less　worthy。''
To　complete　the　favourable　impression；　she　then　told　him　what　Mr。　Darcy　had　voluntarily　done　for　Lydia。　He　heard　her　with　astonishment。
‘‘This　is　an　evening　of　wonders；　indeed！　And　so；　Darcy　did　every　thing：　made　up　the　match；　gave　the　money；　paid　the　fellow's　debts；　and　got　him　his　commission！　So　much　the　better。　It　will　save　me　a　world　of　trouble　and　economy。　Had　it　been　your　uncle's　doing；　I　must　and　would　have　paid　him；　but　these　violent　young　lovers　carry　every　thing　their　own　way。　I　shall　offer　to　pay　him　to…morrow；　he　will　rant　and　storm　about　his　love　for　you；　and　there　will　be　an　end　of　the　matter。''
He　then　recollected　her　embarrassment　a　few　days　before；　on　his　reading　Mr。　Collins's　letter；　and　after　laughing　at　her　some　time；　allowed　her　at　last　to　go　　saying；　as　she　quitted　the　room；　‘‘If　any　young　men　come　for　Mary　or　Kitty；　send　them　in；　for　I　am　quite　at　leisure。''
Elizabeth's　mind　was　now　relieved　from　a　very　heavy　weight；　and；　after　half　an　hour's　quiet　reflection　in　her　own　room；　she　was　able　to　join　the　others　with　tolerable　composure。　Every　thing　was　too　recent　for　gaiety；　but　the　evening　passed　tranquilly　away；　there　was　no　longer　any　thing　material　to　be　dreaded；　and　the　comfort　of　ease　and　familiarity　would　come　in　time。
When　her　mother　went　up　to　her　dressing…room　at　night；　she　followed　her；　and　made　the　important　communication。　Its　effect　was　most　extraordinary；　for　on　first　hearing　it；　Mrs。　Bennet　sat　quite　still；　and　unable　to　utter　a　syllable。　Nor　was　it　under　many；　ma