Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 59

Mr. Bennet used to wish that he could save a certain sum every year so that his daughters and his wife (if she could outlive him) could live well in the future, instead of saving money every year. Eat up.Now, his desire is even more urgent.If he had been better at it in the past, Lydia would not have had to ask her uncle to subsidize it in order to buy back reputation or face.Nor did my uncle bother to persuade the worst young man in England to be her husband.

He was very disturbed: in order to accomplish this thing that hardly benefited anyone, his brother-in-law had to pay for it alone and made such a big sacrifice. He decided to find out as much as possible how much money he had paid in advance In order to repay this debt of favor as soon as possible.

At the time of Mr. Bennet's first marriage, thrift was considered quite unnecessary; for the couple would naturally have a son.Once the son reaches the age of majority, the inheritance of property rights by outsiders can be cancelled.Widows and children can also have no worries about food and clothing.Five daughters came into the world in succession, but a son was yet to be born; and for many years after Lydia's birth, Mrs. Bennet believed that a son would be born.In the end, the son's dream finally came to naught, but it was too late to save money.Mrs. Bennet doesn't know how to save. Fortunately, her husband likes to be thrifty, so he can't make ends meet.

Their marriage treaty stipulated that Mrs. Bennet and her children shared an inheritance of five thousand pounds.As for how this inheritance will be distributed to the children, it is up to the parents to stipulate in the will.But now, at least that part concerning Lydia must be settled at once, and Mr. Bennet did not hesitate to agree to Mr. Gardiner's proposed construction.In the letter, he expresses his sincere thanks to his brother-in-law for his help, although the wording is quite concise; he fully agrees with all the facts that have been done, and he is very happy to complete what is asked him to do.It never occurred to him, in any case, that he would be hardly inconvenienced on his part in persuading Wickham to marry his daughter, as it was now arranged.Although he gave them a hundred pounds a year, he actually lost less than ten pounds a year.Because that was Lydia's food expenses plus the pocket money her mother used to slip her when Lydia was at home.It's almost that amount.

"He was surprised and delighted that the matter should require no effort on his part; for his greatest desire now was to get as quiet as possible in this matter. That inspired him to seek his daughter. After a bout of rage and impulsiveness, he is now back to his former sluggishness. His letters are posted quickly. Although he likes to procrastinate before he does things, he is quick to do them once. The letter begged my brother-in-law to tell him in detail what he had done for him; but she was so angry with Lydia that she wrote nothing to her.

The good news immediately spread throughout the family, and soon to the neighbors as well.The neighbors took the matter with a decent philosophic attitude.Of course, if Miss Lydaya Bennet had been a prostitute, the content of their gossip in the streets and lanes would be much richer.Or she is far away from the world and lives in a place far away from home, and it will be very interesting to chat with.Even now, however, that she was to be married, there was much to talk about; and the fact that those malicious Meryton wives had falsely wished her no ill luck, did not change the situation now. It can reduce their interest, because after finding such a husband, her future suffering is certain.

It had been two weeks since Mrs. Bennet had gone downstairs to eat, but on such a happy day like today, she sat at the head of the table again, looking very bright.There was no shadow of shame in her triumphant expression.Since Ji Ying grew up to be 16 years old, her biggest wish is to marry her daughter.Now that wish was about to come true, all she could think about was the splendor of the wedding, the fine muslin, the brand-new car, the multitude of servants and maids, and so on.She was running around in the vicinity to find a house for her daughter, regardless of their income, either seeing that the size of this house was small, or that house was not grand enough.

"If the Goldings could move," said Mrs. Bennet, "Hayleaf Gardens would be all right; or the great house at Stoke, if the drawing-room were bigger; but Assi Worth is a bit far away!I wouldn't want her to be ten miles away; and as for the Parvis house, its top floor was abysmal. "

Mr. Bennet did not interrupt his wife's conversation while the servant was present.But when the servant was gone, he said to her, "My old woman, before you find a house for your daughter and son-in-law, let us make this clear. They must not live in any part of the neighbourhood." house. They can't expect me to entertain them at Longbourne."

As soon as this point was made clear, a dispute arose; but Mr. Bennet refused to yield an inch, which soon led to another dispute; Mrs. Bennet found her husband unwilling to give a cent I couldn't help being horrified when I bought clothes for my daughter.Mr. Bennet declared that Lydia could expect nothing from him in the matter.Mrs. Bennet simply could not understand this.His anger and resentment towards his daughter had reached such an unreasonable level; he even refused to take care of her daughter's marriage, and without this etiquette, how decent her daughter's wedding would be was really beyond her expectations.The humiliation of her daughter's marriage without a new dress was more intolerable to her than the shame of her daughter's elopement and cohabitation with Wickham a fortnight before.

Only at this time did Elizabeth feel really annoyed: she really shouldn't have told Mr. Darcy about her sister's worry because of the momentary pain; because since her wedding was about to be held, the scene of her elopement It's coming to an end, and they naturally hope that that period of disgraceful history will be known to outsiders as little as possible.

She need not worry that the story will get out through Mr. Darcy.Mr. Darcy is the most trustworthy kind of man when it comes to keeping secrets; but at the same time, no one in the world would hurt her more than Darcy by knowing the scandal of her sister. Heart.Not from fear of doing her any harm, for there seemed to be an insurmountable gulf between her and Darcy anyhow.Even if Lydia's marriage had been honorable, Mr. Darcy could not have married a family already flawed enough, and now added someone whom he had always despised (referring to Wickham ——Translator’s Note) to be his close relative, of course he would not be willing.

She would not blame him for holding back from the marriage.At Derbyshire he had wanted to win her favor; she knew it, of course, but after such a blow, could he not change his mind?She became a little inferior, she was sad, she regretted, though she hardly knew what she was regretting.She came to envy his eminence, when she could no longer hope to benefit from it.She wanted to hear about him, when all such opportunities seemed lost.She was sure she could be happy with him, when the possibility of their encounter no longer existed.

She often thought that he would be flattered if he knew how gladly and gratefully she would now accept his proposal, which she had so proudly rejected four months before.She didn't doubt that he was the most magnanimous and open-minded man.But as long as he still has human feelings, he will of course be complacent.

She began to realize that he was, in temperament and talent, the most suitable kind of man for her.His understanding and character, though different from her own, were perfectly satisfactory to her.Such a marriage would certainly be of great benefit to both parties; her ease and vivacity would soften his mind and soften his manners; lessons learned.

However, such a beautiful thing that can tell many couples what is a happy marriage is now impossible.A marriage of a different nature would soon take place in their home, washing out another possible marriage.

She could hardly imagine that Wickham and Lydia could be independent in their lives.It is also impossible to imagine the long-term happiness that this pair of men and women who get together based on affection rather than chastity will get.

Mr. Gardiner promptly wrote back to his brother-in-law, in which he first responded to Mr. Bennet's grateful words, and stated that it was his constant desire to promote the happiness of any member of their family; I implore Mr. Bennet never to mention this matter again.The chief object of his letter was to inform them that Mr. Wickham had resolved to leave the regiment.

"I very much wish," he went on, "to do so when his marriage is certain. I think it would be very wise, both for himself and for his niece, to leave the militia, and I think you will agree with me. Mr. Wickham wants to join the regular army, and among his former friends there is someone who can and will help him. A regiment under a certain general, stationed in the north, has promised him to be a standard-bearer. It is right to leave this place. Everyone is good. There is still hope for his future. I hope they can gain some confidence when they get to an unfamiliar place, so they have to be cautious. I have written to Colonel Forster, telling them the current arrangement, and asking him Inform all the creditors in Wickham in Brighton and the neighborhood of Brighton that I will keep my word and pay all my debts as soon as possible. Please do me the same and inform him of the same promise in Merry Ton's creditors, I have enclosed a list of his creditors. He tells us all he owes; I hope he has not deceived us at least. Haggerston has accepted our instructions, and all formalities It will be done in a week. Then the two of them can go directly to his troops, if Longbourne will not send them; , Lydia would very much like to see all the family. She is very well, and please let me send her greetings to you and her mother. Faithful to you
Love Gardiner"

Mr. Bennet and his daughter knew as well as Mr. Gardiner that it was best for Wickham to leave the militia.But Mrs. Bennet had a big displeasure in her heart.While she was excitedly looking for a house for them in Hertfordshire, hoping to show off with her daughter and son-in-law, Lydia was going to live in the north, how could she not be greatly disappointed Besides, Lydia is so used to getting along with the people in the militia, and there are so many people who like her, isn't it a pity for her to leave?
"Lydia and Mrs. Forster are on good terms," ​​she said, "and it would be very painful for her to have him out of here! Several young officers in the militia also pleased her very much. The officers of General So-and-so's regiment may not be able to It's so satisfying."

Lydia's request to come home and see her before she set out for the North had at first been firmly opposed by her father.However, Jane and Elizabeth, considering their sister's mood and her face, both hoped that her marriage would be under the personal care of her parents, so they were very earnest, but they politely urged their father to invite him after their wedding. They went back to Longbourn, and my father was finally persuaded to agree to do what they wanted and wanted.Their mothers were much relieved when they learned that there was still a chance to show off their married daughters in the neighbourhood, before they were deported to the North.At last, when Mr. Bennet wrote again to his brother-in-law, he spoke of their return; and it was promised that they should return to Longbourn as soon as the wedding ceremony was over.However, Elizabeth was still surprised that Wickham had the face to agree to this arrangement. If she didn't consider other things and only asked her heart, meeting him was the last thing she wanted to do.

(End of this chapter)