Pride and Prejudice; Sense and Sensibility

Chapter 57 The truth turns out to be so
Sure enough, Elizabeth got her wish, and soon received a reply.As soon as she got the letter, she ran to the quiet grove, sat down on a bench, and was going to read it happily, because she saw that the letter was so long, she decided that her aunt did not refuse her request. .

Tennji Street
September [-]
Dear niece:

I just received your letter, so I decided to spend the whole morning writing to you, because I don't think a few words can explain what I want to tell you clearly.

I must admit that I am very surprised by your request, I did not expect it to be you who made it.Please don't think that I'm angry. I just want to say that I really can't imagine that you still want to ask.If you must pretend that you don't understand me, then please forgive me for being rude.Your uncle was as surprised as I was, and we both agreed that it was entirely on your account that Darcy did what he did.If you really don't know anything, then I have no choice but to let me explain it to you.

On the very day I came home from Longburn, an unexpected visitor came to see your uncle.That man was Mr. Darcy, and he and your uncle had shut themselves up for hours in secret conversation.By the time I got home it was over, and I wasn't as curious as you are now.He came here to tell Mr. Gardiner because he had discovered the whereabouts of your sister and Wickham.He said he had seen them and talked to them--several times with Wickham and once with Lydia.It seems to me that Darcy set out for them the day after we left Derbyshire.

He said it was his fault that the matter had come to such a height, that he had not exposed Wickham's indecent character sooner, or no decent girl would have thought him a confidant and loved him.He took the blame and blamed himself, thinking that he was too arrogant for what happened this time, because he used to think that Wickham's character would naturally be seen through by others, and there was no need to expose all his private behaviors, lest he I am in disgrace.He believed that this was the crime he had caused by himself, so it was his duty to mediate this time and try to make amends.Such was his motive, by his own admission, for his intervention.If he really has ulterior motives, it won't embarrass him.

He spent several days in the city before finding them.But he has clues, we don't.It is also because of his self-confidence that he has this certainty that he made up his mind to follow us.There seems to be a Mrs Younge, who used to be Miss Darcy's governess, and was dismissed for some fault (he didn't say) and bought a big house in Edward Street, which she sublets.Darcy knew that this Mrs Younge was an intimate acquaintance with Wickham, and, as soon as he was in town, went to her for news of him.It took him two or three days to get it out of her.I think Mrs Younge knew where Wickham was, but she wouldn't tell it without a bribe.They did come to her when they came to London, and if she could have kept them they would have lived with her.

Our good friend at last found out their address in such-and-so Street, so he went first to Wickham, and then he insisted on seeing Lydia.According to him, the first thing he did was to persuade Lydia to change her ways and go back as soon as she had made sense with her family. He also promised to help her to the end, but he found that Lydia was determined to do so. None of them were on her mind.She didn't want his help, she couldn't lose Wickham for anything.She decided that sooner or later the two of them were going to get married, and that it didn't matter if it was sooner or later.

Therefore, when he talked to Wickham for the first time, he clearly found that the other party had no intention of marrying. Now that Lydia had such an idea, of course he could only get them married as soon as possible.Wickham once admitted that he was forced to escape from the militia by gambling debts. As for the adverse consequences of Lydia's elopement, he did not hesitate to attribute it entirely to Her own stupidity.He said that he was going to resign soon, and when it came to his career prospects, he couldn't imagine it.He was supposed to look for an errand somewhere, but he didn't know where, and he knew he was going to have no money to live on.

Mr. Darcy asked him why he did not marry your sister at once, and though Mr. Bennet was not a rich man, he could do him a favor, and he would be better off when married.But he found that when Wickham answered this, he was still expecting to make some solid money by going elsewhere and making other friends.However, since his current situation is like this, if there is an emergency solution, he may not be unmoved.They met several times, because there are many things that have to be discussed in person.Wickham, of course, demanded extravagant prices, but finally reduced them to a reasonable amount.

Everything was settled between them, and Mr. Darcy's next step was to tell your uncle the matter, and he made his first visit to Tin Temple Street the evening before my return.Mr. Gardner was not at home at the time, and Mr. Darcy found out that your father was staying there that day, but was leaving next morning.He thinks that your father is not as negotiable as your uncle, so he decided to wait until your father is gone before visiting your uncle.He did not give his name at that time, and until the next day we only knew that a gentleman had been here on business, and he was here again on Saturday.Your father had already left that day, and your uncle was at home. As I said just now, the two of them talked for a long time together.They met again on Sunday, when I saw him too.Things were not fully settled until Monday.

As soon as the agreement was settled, a message was sent to Longburn, but our honored guest was too stubborn.People have accused him of his faults one after another. One day they say he has this fault, and the next day they say he has that fault, but this is his real fault.Everything has to be done by him himself, and your uncle is more than willing to do it all (I don't say this to please you, so please don't mention it to anyone else).They have been arguing about this matter for a long time. In fact, for the parties involved, neither the man nor the woman deserves such treatment.But your uncle still had to obey him in the end, so that instead of being able to do a little bit for his niece, he also had to take credit for nothing, which was completely contrary to his wishes.I'm sure your letter this morning will please him very much, for this deed of beauty will henceforth be made clear, and the praise be given to the one who deserves it.But, Lizzy, this matter should only be known to you, and at most to Jane.I think you will have a deep understanding of how much he did to that young man and woman.

I believe he paid well over a thousand pounds for him, and gave her another thousand pounds, besides the money in her own name, and bought him an office.As for why the money has to be paid by him alone, I have explained the reasons above.He said it was all his own fault, that he had not thought carefully and was too reserved at the beginning, so that people did not understand Wickham's character, and in the end they were duped into thinking him as a good man.There may be some truth in these words, but I feel that neither he nor others should be blamed for such things.

You must understand, dear Lizzy, that, though he speaks so well, your uncle would never have obeyed him, were it not for his other intentions.When all things were settled, he returned to Pemberley to entertain his friends.It was also agreed that he would have to come back to London on the day of the wedding, to carry out all the final financial formalities.Now I tell you everything.This is what you call a narrative that will surprise you.I hope at least it won't upset you.

Lydia came to live with us, and Wickham came often.He was exactly the same as the last time I saw him in Hertfordshire.Lydia's behavior while we were here really displeased me, and I didn't mean to tell you, but I didn't know until I got a letter from Jane on Wednesday that she was still going back to her old ways when she came home. It won't make you feel sad any more.I told her several times in a serious manner that she made a big mistake in this matter, causing the whole family to suffer.How did she know that she wouldn't listen to me.I was very angry a few times, but once I remembered dear Elizabeth and Jane, I put up with her for your sakes.

Mr. Darcy came punctually, and, as Lydia told you, he was at the wedding.He dined with us the next day and was going to town again on Wednesday or Thursday.Dear Lizzy, will you be angry with me if I take this opportunity to say how much I like him (I never dared to say so before)?His attitude towards us was, in every way, as lovely as it was when we were at Derby.I like his insights and his remarks very much.He has no faults whatsoever, except that he is a little less lively; he might have her teach him that, if he married carefully and married a good wife.I thought he was naughty because he hardly ever mentioned your name.But mischievousness seems to have become a fashion nowadays.If I speak too boldly, I beg you to forgive me, at least don't punish me so severely that I won't even be allowed to go to Pemberley in the future.I'd have to walk through that estate before I'd be satisfied.All I'm going to do is get a little little buggy and a pair of nice ponies.

I can't write any more, the kids have been clamoring for me for half an hour.

Your Aunt M. Gardner

Elizabeth read the letter with great excitement.Her mood made people wonder whether she was more happy than painful, or more painful than happy.She had also vaguely and dubiously thought that Mr. Darcy might do her sister's favor, but she dared not think too much about it, for fear that he could not be so kind.On the other hand, she also worried that if he really did this, it would be too affectionate to repay him, so she suffered again.Now these speculations have become true facts!
Unexpectedly, he would rush to the city with her and his uncle and parents that day.He did not hesitate to take on all the troubles and hardships to solve this matter.He had to plead for mercy with a woman whom he hated and despised so much.He had to make compromises, meet, often meet, reason with, persuade, and finally bribe him with a person whom he tried so hard to avoid, and whom he did not even want to mention by name.He is so benevolent and righteous, just for a girl that he neither likes nor values.

She said softly in her heart that he did this for her.However, thinking of some other aspects, she immediately didn't dare to keep this hope.She immediately thought again that she could have started from vanity and thought that he really loved her, but how could she have such a big vanity and expect him to fall in love with a woman who had already rejected him!He didn't want to be relatives with Wickham. This kind of emotion was extremely natural, so how could he be expected to accommodate it!Not to mention being brother-in-law with Wickham!Nobody with a modicum of self-respect could tolerate such kinship.No problem, he did a great job of it.She was ashamed to imagine how much effort he had put in.

His reasons for wanting to intervene in the matter have been given by him, and you don't have to think much about it to be convinced.It made sense that he blamed himself for what he had done wrong; he was generous, and entitled to be generous; and though she did not want to think that it was mainly for her this time, she might be able to believe that he still failed to treat her. Forget about feelings, so he is still willing to do his best when encountering such a matter that has a lot to do with her mood.

It was pain, pain unspeakable, to think of such a man's affection for them, and their inability to repay him.Lydia was able to come back and preserve her personality, all thanks to him.When she thought of how she had hated him so much before, how she had spoken so abruptly to him, she was so sad!She was ashamed and proud of him at the same time.What is proud of him is that he has a heart of sympathy, advocating loyalty and humiliation.

So, she read and reread the part of her aunt's letter that complimented him, and felt that it was not enough, but it was enough to make her very happy.She found that her aunt and aunt believed that she and Mr. Darcy were deeply affectionate and confiding.Although she couldn't help feeling a little annoyed by this, she was also quite proud.

At this time, someone had already approached, interrupting her deep thinking.She got up from her seat, and was just about to pass by another path when Wickham came up.

He walked up to her and said, "I haven't disturbed your quiet walk, dear sister!"

She replied with a smile: "That's true, but interruption may not be unwelcome."

"I should be very sorry if that were the case. We have always been good friends, and now we are even closer."

"You mean, have they all come out?"

"I don't know. Mother and Lydia have gone to Meryton in a carriage. My dear sister, you have been to Pemberley, as my aunt and aunt tell you."

She said she really did.

"Your sight almost makes me jealous, but unfortunately I can't bear it. Otherwise, I might stop by when I go to Newcastle. I think you saw the old housekeeper? Poor Mrs. Reynolds! She She used to like me so much. But of course she won't mention my name in front of you."

"She mentioned it."

"What did she say?"

"She said that when you joined the army, she was afraid... She was afraid that your situation would not be very good. The road is so far apart, and the words from her are very unreliable."

"Of course." He replied, biting his lip.

Elizabeth thought that this would silence him, but after a while he said: "It was a surprise last month. I met Darcy in town, and we met several times. I don't know where he came from." What's going on in town?"

"Perhaps he is planning to marry de Bourgh," said Elizabeth. "He must be in town for something special at this season."

"Undoubtedly. Did you see him at Lambertton? According to Mr. and Mrs. Gardner, you did."

"Yes, he also introduced us to his sister."

"do you like her?"

"I like it very much."

"Really, I heard that she has made great progress in the past two years. When I saw him before, I really thought she was not good for her. I am very happy that you like her. I hope she can change into a human being." Sample."

"She must be. Her most troublesome age is past."

"Have you passed Jinbotun Village?"

"I don't remember ever being there."

"I'm mentioning that place because it was there where I was supposed to get a vicarage. It's a very interesting place! The vicarage is wonderful too! It suits me in every way."

"Do you enjoy preaching?"

"I like it very much. I should have regarded it as my own profession, and if it took a little effort at first, it didn't matter after a while. One should not regret it, but it is indeed a good job for me! Such a life of peace and quiet is perfectly in keeping with my idea of ​​happiness! It is a pity that times have passed. Did you hear Darcy speak of it when you were in Kent?"

"I have heard it, and I think his words are very reliable. I heard that the position is given to you with conditions, and the current benefactor can handle it freely."

"You've heard it! Yes, there's a truth to that too. I told you at the beginning, and you may remember."

"I've also heard that there was a time when you didn't enjoy preaching as much as you do now. You once solemnly announced that you would never become a pastor, and the matter was settled."

"You have! It's not entirely unfounded. You may remember that I mentioned it when we first talked about it."

They were almost at the door of the house now, for she was going too quickly to get rid of him, but for her sister's sake she didn't want to make him angry, so she just smiled amiably, and replied: "Forget it, Mr. Wickham. You know, we are brothers and sisters now. Let's stop arguing about the past. I hope there will be no conflicts in the future."

She held out her hand, and he kissed it kindly and courteously.He was a little dumbfounded at this moment.So they entered the house.

(End of this chapter)