Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 8

The ladies of Longborn soon visited the ladies of Netherfield.The latter also made a return visit according to the ceremony.Miss Bennet's lovable manners won Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley; and though their mother was intolerable, their little sisters Not worth talking to, the two Miss Bingley still expressed their desire to further associate with the two older Miss Bennet.Jane accepted this kindness with great pleasure; but Elizabeth still felt their haughtiness, almost even towards her sister, and could not like them; their friendliness to Jane, though there were some The meaning of condescension, but because of the influence of their brother's love, the possibility of great growth.His admiration for Jane was perceptible whenever they were together; and Elizabeth knew that it was the same on her sister's side, that Jane's affection for him had been from the first, and was growing, It may be said that she fell in love with him; but Elizabeth thought, not without joy, that her sister's love was unlikely to be discovered by the world, because in Jane, there was great emotional strength, tranquility of temperament and demeanor. Joy is a perfect combination, which allows her to avoid people's suspicion that she fell in love with someone so quickly.Elizabeth once mentioned this to her girlfriend, Miss Lucas.

"It may be a good thing," replied Carlotti, "to give a false appearance to the public on such occasions; but to hide love deeply is sometimes unavoidable. If a woman loves the object of her love Showing no emotion at all, she might lose his chance; it would be too pitiful if she still consoled herself with the idea that the world is still in the dark. , Gratitude and vanity are common in almost every lover. If you don’t rely on these and let things take their course, it’s hard to succeed. It’s easy to talk about love at the beginning—it’s natural to have a preference for someone ; but to be able to truly love, if not encouraged by the other party, very few people have such courage. In such occasions, it is best for women to feel that a seven-point love shows that he is very There is no doubt that Bingley likes your sister, but if she doesn't offer to give him a push, he may never end up liking her."

"But she is doing her best to help him in that direction. If I can sense her affection for him and he can't, he must be a complete fool."

"Remember, Eliza, he doesn't know Jane's temperament so well as you do."

"But if a woman takes a liking to him and doesn't try to hide it, he'll find it out."

"Perhaps he would, if he knew her well enough. But, you know, though Bingley and Jane were not infrequently together, they were not long at any one time; And since they always meet in large groups, it's unlikely that the two of them will spend every minute of their private conversation. Therefore, Jane should make the most of her ability to have him by her side. Every chance. As long as she can always attract him to her side, there will be a time when he doesn't fall in love."

"That's a good idea of ​​yours," said Elizabeth, "if I don't think of a good and happy marriage; and if I've made up my mind to find a rich man, or any man at all, I dare say I should Do as you say. But they do not suit Jane's disposition; No. She had known him only a fortnight. She had danced with him four times at Meryton; seen him at his house one morning, and dined with him four times since. Enough to give her an idea of ​​his character."

"The truth is not what you say, and if she had only dined with him a few times, she might have only found out whether he had a good appetite; but you must remember that the four nights after the meal They both stay together - four nights can't be underestimated."

"Yes; the four evenings at least assured them of one thing, that they both liked to play blackjack and dislike 'comes' (comes: a French card game.); but as far as character On the one hand, I think they know very little about each other."

"Well," said Carlotti, "anyway, I do wish Jane success with all my heart; and if she were to marry him to-morrow, I shall think that she has no more chance of happiness by doing so than she does if she earnestly There is little opportunity to study his character for twelve months. If both parties understand each other's temperament very well, or if they are born very similar, then there will be no happiness at all for the two. Afterwards, Two people are always trying to find ways to make them different and agonizing over it; it's better to learn as little as possible about the character flaws of the person you're partnering with."

"I am delighted to hear what you say, Carlotti; but it makes no sense. You know it, and you would never do it yourself."

Thus devoted all her attention to Mr. Bingley's attention to her sister, Elizabeth had no suspicion that she herself was becoming an interesting object of attention to his friend.Mr. Darcy hardly thought her pretty at first; when he saw her at the ball, he did not admire her; when they met the second time, he looked at her only to find her Shortcomings.But just when he had shown to himself and his friends that there was hardly anything attractive about her face, he was beginning to notice that her beautiful, animated black eyes The whole face is set off with incomparable intelligence.Immediately afterwards, he discovered several other places that also touched his heart.Though he had already found, with a critical eye, the imperfections of her figure in graceful symmetry, he was obliged to admit that she was light and charming; But he was moved by her liveliness, humor and lack of pretentiousness.Elizabeth knew nothing of all this; he seemed to her merely a persona non grata, and he did not think her pretty enough to have her as his partner.

Mr. Darcy began to wish to know more about her, and in order to get to the point where he could talk to her himself, he listened attentively to what she had to say to others.What he did caught her attention.It was at the residence of Sir William Lucas, and there was a great party going on.

"Mr. Darcy is listening to my conversation with Colonel Forster. I don't know what that means?" Elizabeth said to Carlotti.

"That question only Mr. Darcy can answer."

"If he does it again next time, I'll have to let him know how good I am. He's very sarcastic, and if I don't show him some flair myself, I'll soon become afraid of him."

In a short while Mr. Darcy came up to them again, though he did not appear to have any intention of making conversation, and Miss Lucas, seeing this, urged her friend to raise the subject with him. , this provocation really worked, I saw Elizabeth turned to him and said:

"Don't you think, Mr. Darcy, that I spoke rather tactfully and persuasively when I pestered Colonel Forster to give us a yearly ball at Meryton?"

"Very well expressed—but such a subject always excites ladies."

"You're mocking us again."

"It's her turn (referring to Elizabeth——Translator's Note) to be stalked soon," said Miss Lucas. What."

"You are a very strange friend! Always want me to play the piano and sing in front of people, no matter who! If I really have a talent for music, I will be very grateful to you, but since it is not It’s not true, I really don’t want to make a fool of myself in front of these people who are used to first-class performers.” Helpless, unable to withstand Miss Lucas’s insistence, she had no choice but to say, “Well, if this is the case, I’d rather be respectful than obedient. Lah." At the same time she said with a serious glance at Mr. Darcy, "there is a proverb familiar to all present--'Keep your breath, and blow your porridge cool' (here means playing her Don't be picky.)—and I will sing my song with my breath."

Although her performance is not wonderful, it is also pleasant.After she had sung a song or two, she was asked by several persons to sing a few more, and before she could answer, her sister Mary, eager to take her place, sat down at the piano.Mary was the only plain-looking girl in their family, so she had to study hard and practice her talent, and she always wanted to show off her abilities when she showed her face.

Mary had neither talent nor taste; and though vanity urged her to study, it also gave her a pedantry and a pompous air which injures even the higher attainments, let alone the does she.Though Elizabeth played not half as well as Mary, it was more pleasant to listen to because of her simplicity and lack of affectation; Mary, after playing a long concerto, answered her sisters She played Scottish and Irish ditties for her request, and she was delighted to be admired and admired, while her sisters were eagerly on the other side of the ballroom with the Lucas ladies and two or three officers. danced.

Mr. Darcy was standing near them at this moment, sulking at having passed an evening without any chance of conversation, and being so preoccupied with himself that he did not realize that Sir William Lucas was standing beside him. and he did not look up until Sir William spoke to him.

"Dancing is a charming pastime for young people, Mr. Darcy! There is nothing quite like dancing, after all. I think it is one of the most elegant pursuits in society."

"It is true, jazz—but there is more to dancing than that, and it is now popular in unrefined societies—every savage can dance."

Sir William only smiled. "Your friend dances well," said he, seeing Mr. Bingley spring up, "and I have no doubt, Mr. Darcy, that you yourself are an excellent player in the field."

"I think you saw me dance at Meryton, ser."

"Yes, that's true, and I'm rather glad I had a good time. Do you often dance at court?"

"Never, ser."

"Don't you think it's an honor both to yourself and to the court to dance there?"

"It's an honor I don't give to any place as long as I can avoid it."

"You have a house in London, don't you?"

Mr. Darcy nodded his approval.

"I've had the idea of ​​making my home in the city--because I'm fond of society; it's just that I'm afraid the weather in London won't suit Mrs Lucas."

He paused for an answer; but the other party had no intention of answering; and just as Elizabeth was coming towards them, a brilliant idea occurred to him, and he called out to her.

"Dear Miss Elizabeth, why don't you dance? Mr. Darcy, allow me to introduce you to this young lady who is a very desirable partner. I am sure there is such a beauty before you." , you will not refuse to dance." Then he took her hand and wanted to pass it to Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy was surprised, but he was not unwilling to hold Elizabeth's hand. At this moment, she suddenly withdrew her hand, and said to Sir William with a slightly unnatural expression:
"Oh, sir, I don't want to dance at all—I hope you don't think I've come this way just to beg for a partner."

Mr. Darcy asked her favor with the utmost decorum, but in vain.Elizabeth had made up her mind: not even Sir William's persuasion could shake her in the slightest.

"You dance so well, Miss Elizabeth, and it would be a pity if I should not be allowed to see you; and though this gentleman does not usually enjoy the entertainment, I am sure he would not object to dancing for us. Last half an hour."

"Mr. Darcy is very kind," said Elizabeth, laughing.

"Indeed it is--but considering the allure of your beauty, we should be quite surprised at Mr. Darcy's present attentions; for who would give up such a partner?"

Elizabeth gave him a mischievous look, turned away, and Darcy was not troubled by her refusal, when Miss Bingley approached, while he was thinking of her somewhat gratifyingly.

"I can guess what you're thinking about."

"I forgive you for not being able to guess."

"You are thinking how unbearable it is to pass so many evenings in such a society in this way; indeed, I think the same. I have never been so bored! It is dull, it is noisy. The noise of human beings; these people are nothing, but they all think they are great! What I am happiest now is to hear you criticize them heartily!"

"I can assure you that you are quite wrong. I have had far more pleasant things in my mind than this. I have been thinking about a pretty woman's face and her powerful eyes, so The joy that can give people."

Miss Bingley's eyes were at once fixed on his face, evidently expecting him to tell her what kind of beauty was capable of arousing such emotions in him, and Mr. Darcy replied without hesitation:

"Miss Elizabeth Bennet."

"Miss Elizabeth Bennet!" repeated Miss Bingley, "that astonishes me so much. How long has she been your favourite? When can I congratulate you, please?"

"I expected you to ask me this question. The woman's imagination is so rapid; it leaps from admiration to love, and from love to marriage. I knew you would congratulate me."

"Well, if you're being so serious about it, I think it's all settled. You're going to get an interesting mother-in-law who, of course, will always be with you. Lives in Pemberley."

He listened impassively while she continued in this manner, and then his composure relieved her of her concern, and she continued to talk more and more.

(End of this chapter)