Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 69

The uneasiness of mind which this unusual visit had caused Elizabeth was not so easily overcome; for many hours she could not think of it.It seemed that Catherine had come here from Rosings this time with the sole purpose of breaking up her only imaginary marriage with Mr. Darcy.There is no doubt that Lady Catherine's move cannot be said to be unwise!But whence came the rumors of their engagement, Elizabeth could not imagine; and it occurred to her only later that Darcy was Bingley's dear friend, Jane's sister, and now that a marriage was in prospect. Success, of course, people also look forward to another one after another.Didn't she think that after her sister got married, she would have more chances to meet Darcy?Her neighbors, the Lucas family (through their correspondence with Mrs. and Mrs. Collins, she thought the news had reached Lady Catherine) took it for granted, while she herself only thought that it might be possible in the future. There is some hope.

However, while thinking over and over of Lady Catherine's words, Elizabeth could not help feeling a little uneasy about the consequences of her meddling.From what she had said that she would be determined to prevent the marriage, Elizabeth thought that she must be planning how to persuade her aunt and nephew; as to whether Darcy would regard the disadvantages of her marriage as his aunt did. , she didn't dare to make a judgment.Elizabeth did not know how much he liked his aunt, or how much he was subject to her judgment, but it was naturally certain that he must value Lady Catherine's opinion more than her own; In the midst of all the misfortunes of marrying a woman whose next of kin was of a much lower family than himself, his aunt would no doubt hit him at a weak spot.He had so much sense of decency and dignity that the absurd remarks that seemed to Elizabeth unworthy of refutation were, in his opinion, probably well-reasoned and reasonable admonitions.

If before he had often seemed to waver on this subject, the persuasion and entreaties of this dear kinsman might dispel all doubts in him, and fix him up to the cheerful pursuit of his dignity. defiled.If so, he would never come back here again.Lady Catherine was likely to see him in the city; and his promise to Bingley to return to Netherfield again would, I fear, be broken.

"So, if within a few days there is an excuse that he won't come to keep the promise," she thought again, "I'll know what's going on. Then I should give up all expectations, give up He will go on loving me with all hope. If he is content to feel sorry for me when he can have my affections and myself, soon even the regret for him will pass away."

Besides, the people in her family were very surprised when they heard who came to visit; but they only used Mrs. Bennet's hypothesis to satisfy their curiosity; interrogation.

As she was coming down the next morning she met her father coming out of his study with a letter.

"Lizzy," said he, "I'm going to see you. Come into my room."

She followed him into the study, and her curiosity to know what he was about to tell was intensified by her guess that it must have something to do with the letter in his hand.It occurred to her that the letter might be from Lady Catherine; and she was troubled by all the explanations which she anticipated she would have to give for it.

She went with her father to the fireplace, and they sat down together.When the father came, he said:
"I received a letter this morning which took me by surprise. Since it is mainly about you, you should know what it is about. Before this, I really didn't know that I had two Daughter is about to be married. Let me congratulate you on such a momentous victory."

Elizabeth flushed instantly when she concluded that the letter was from Darcy and not from her aunt; and she did not know whether to be glad that Darcy had at last confessed his own feelings, or whether to believe him. Annoyed when it was sent directly to her, her father spoke:
"You seem to have a presentiment, young girls always see clearly in such matters; but I fancy you, though clever, cannot guess who your admirers are. This letter is from Mr. Collins. here."

"Mr. Collins! What can he say?"

"Some very important words, of course. He began his letter by expressing his congratulations on my eldest daughter's imminent marriage, which seems to have been brought to him by some good-hearted, meddling Lucas family. Nor did I intend to tell him. Nor did I intend to read this passage of his congratulations to make you more anxious. The content concerning yourself is written as follows: "After congratulating you in this way Mrs. Collins and After my own sincere wishes for this marriage, I would now like to mention a few words about another matter; which we also heard from the Lucas family.Your daughter Elizabeth, it is said, will marry soon after her sister, and her husband will be one of the richest and most famous in the world. "

"Can you guess, Lizzy, who he is referring to?"

"This young man is blessed with all the treasures that the world could wish for--great wealth, a great hereditary family, and many estates that are sheltered by it. So powerful is the temptation of it all, but I still Tell my cousin Elizabeth and yourself that when this gentleman proposes to the family, you must not be jealous and agree suddenly, otherwise you will bring all kinds of disasters."

"Lizzy, do you know who this gentleman is? I'll mention it next."

"I warn you because we have reason to believe that his aunt, Madame Catherine de Bourgh, had a good opinion of the marriage."

"Now you see, it's Mr Darcy! Lizzy, I think I've surprised you. Mr. Collins, or the Lucass, could have found a better one among our acquaintances." Is this man any more proof of their nonsense? Mr. Darcy sees flaws in any woman, and he may never have looked at you once in his life! Their imaginations are astonishing. People envy!"

Elizabeth tried her best to share the jokes with her father, but could only manage to force a most unnatural laugh.Never before had her father's wit and humor been so out of her taste.

"Don't you think it's funny?"

"Oh! Very interesting. Please read on."

"When we mentioned this possible marriage to her last evening, Lady Catherine immediately expressed her opinion on the matter; and it is evident that, owing to the defects of my cousin's family, she was firmly opposed to the proposal, which she said It is a dishonorable marriage. So I think it is my duty to tell my cousin about this situation as soon as possible, so as to arouse the vigilance of her and the nobles who admire her, so as not to marry hastily without the consent of the next of kin." —Mr. Collins also said: "I am really happy to know that my cousin Lydia's infidelity has been quietly resolved. I am just worried that they will live together without being married. I know. However, I am very perplexed to hear that you invited them to live with them after they were just married, and my position and my duty require me to say a few words about it. You It is an incitement to wickedness; and if I were a priest of Longbourne I would fight against it. As a Christian you should of course condone their conduct, but never See them again, or allow their names to be mentioned in front of you again."

"That's his idea of ​​Christians being forgiving!" said Elizabeth's father. "The rest of this letter is about Carlotta's situation, and their imminent birth of a baby. Say, Lizzy." , you don't seem to be happy to hear it. I don't think you can become serious too, and pretend to be offended when you hear such gossip. Aren't we living as a neighbor's joke, and vice versa Make fun of them?"

"Oh!" exclaimed Elizabeth, "I'm delighted to hear it. Still, it's so queer!"

(End of this chapter)