Читать книгу Pride and Prejudice. Адаптированная книга для чтения на английском языке. Intermediate - Джейн Остин, Сет Грэм-Смит - Страница 9

In the morning Jane felt better, but Elizabeth asked to send a note to Longbourn, desiring her mother to visit Jane, and form her own judgement of her condition. Mrs. Bennet, accompanied by her two youngest girls, reached Netherfield soon after the family breakfast.

Had she found Jane in any real danger, Mrs. Bennet would have been very unhappy. But she saw that her illness was not very serious; however, she didn't want Jane to leave Netherfield so soon. The doctor, who arrived about the same time, also thought that it wasn't at all advisable. After sitting a little while with Jane, on Miss Bingley's invitation, the mother and three daughters all followed her into the breakfast room. Bingley met them with hopes that Mrs. Bennet had not found Miss Bennet worse than she expected.

«Indeed I have, sir», she answered. «She is a great deal too ill to be moved. The doctor says we must not think of moving her. We must trespass a little longer on your kindness».

Bingley assured her that Jane would stay at Netherfield until she was fit to travel. Miss Bingley, with cold politeness, also said that Miss Bennet would receive every possible attention while she stayed with them.

Mrs. Bennet expressed her gratitude in many words.

«I am sure», she added, «without such good friends I do not know what would become of her, for she is very ill indeed, and suffers so much, though with the greatest patience in the world. She has, without exception, the sweetest temper I have ever met with. You have a sweet room here, Mr. Bingley, and a charming view from the windows. No place in the neighborhood is equal to Netherfield. I hope, you will not think of leaving it in a hurry».

«I do everything in a hurry», replied he; «I might leave Netherfield in five minutes. At present, however, I consider myself as quite fixed here».

«That is just what I've supposed about you», said Elizabeth.

«You begin to understand me, don't you?» cried he, turning towards her.

«Oh! Yes. I understand you perfectly».

«I wish I might take this for a compliment, but to be so easily seen through I am afraid isn't flattering».

«But it does not mean that your character is less admirable than a deep, complex one».

«Lizzy», cried her mother, «remember where you are, and do not run on in the wild manner that we suffer from you at home».

«The study of character must be amusing», Bingley said.

«Yes, but complex characters are the most amusing. They have at least that advantage».

«In a country neighborhood», said Darcy, «there are not many subjects for such study».

«But people themselves change so much, that there is always something new to be observed in them».

Mrs. Bennet got offended by Darcy's words and said that in the country there was as varied society as that in town.

Darcy didn't say anything to that, and Mrs. Bennet, feeling triumphant, continued.

«London has no great advantage over the country except the shops and public places. The country is a great deal pleasanter, is it not, Mr. Bingley?»

«When l am in the country», he replied, «I never wish to leave it; and when I am in town it is pretty much the same. They have each their advantages, and I can be equally happy in either».

«That is because your nature is so good. But that gentleman», looking at Darcy, «seemed to think the country was nothing at all».

«Indeed, Mamma, you are mistaken», said Elizabeth, blushing for her mother. «You've quite misunderstood Mr. Darcy. He only meant that you cannot meet such variety of people in the country as in the town, and you know it to be true».

«Certainly, my dear, but there are few neighborhoods larger than ours. I know we dine with four-and-twenty families».

For the sake of Elizabeth, Bingley kept himself from smiling. His sister was less delicate, and directed her eyes towards Mr. Darcy with a very expressive smile. To turn her mother's thoughts, Elizabeth asked her if Charlotte Lucas had been at Longbourn since her coming away.

«Yes, she called yesterday with her father. What an agreeable man Sir William is, Mr. Bingley, isn't he? So gentle and easy! He has always something to say to everybody. That is my idea of good breeding; and those persons who imagine themselves very important, and never open their mouths, quite mistake the matter».

«Did Charlotte dine with you?»

«No, she would go home. I think she was wanted about the mince-pies. For my part, Mr. Bingley, I always keep servants that can do their own work; my daughters are brought up very differently. But the Lucases are a very good sort of girls, I assure you. It is a pity they are not handsome! Not that I think Charlotte so very plain, but then she is our particular friend».

«She seems a very pleasant young woman».

«Oh, dear, yes; but one must admit she is very plain. Lady Lucas herself has often said so, and envied me Jane's beauty. Everybody says one does not often see anybody better looking. When she was only fifteen, there was a man at my brother Gardiner's in town so much in love with her that my sister-in-law was sure he would make her an offer before we came away. But, however, he did not. Perhaps he thought her too young. However, he wrote some very pretty verses on her».

«And so put an end to his affection», said Elizabeth impatiently. «I think there have been many cases of affection overcome in the same way. I wonder who first discovered the effectiveness of poetry in driving away love!»

«I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love», said Darcy.

«Of a fine, thick, healthy love it may. Everything nourishes what is strong already. But if it is only a slight, thin sort of fondness, I am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it entirely away».

Darcy only smiled. And a general pause followed. Elizabeth was afraid that her mother would say something stupid again. Though the lady wished to speak very much, she was unable to find anything to say. So after a short silence Mrs. Bennet repeated her thanks to Mr. Bingley for his kindness to Jane, with an apology for troubling him also with Lizzy, and ordered her carriage. Upon this signal, the youngest of her daughters put herself forward. The two girls had been whispering to each other during the whole visit, and the result of it was, that the youngest reminded Mr. Bingley of his promise to give a ball at Netherfield.

Lydia was a strong, well-grown girl of fifteen, with a fine complexion and good-humored face. She was a favourite with her mother, whose affection had brought her into society at an early age. She had high animal spirits, and a sort of natural self-importance, which the attention of the officers, to whom her uncle's good dinners, and her own easy manners recommended her, had increased into confidence. She was not afraid, therefore, to address Mr. Bingley on the subject of the ball, and not only to remind him of his promise, but to add also, that it would be the most shameful thing in the world if he did not keep it. His answer to this sudden attack was delightful to their mother's ear:

«I am perfectly ready, I assure you, to keep my promise; and when your sister is well again, you can name the day of the ball. But you would not wish to be dancing when she is ill».

Lydia was satisfied. «Oh! Yes, it would be much better to wait till Jane was well, and by that time most likely Captain Carter would be at Meryton again. And when you have given your ball», she added, «I'll insist on the regiment's giving one also. I'll tell Colonel Forster it'll be quite a shame if he does not».

Mrs. Bennet and her daughters then left, and Elizabeth returned instantly to Jane, leaving her own behaviour and that of her relatives to the remarks of the two ladies and Mr. Darcy. But, in spite of all Miss Bingley's witticisms on fine eyes, Elizabeth was unable to make him join in their critical remarks about her.