Читать книгу Pride and Prejudice / Гордость и предубеждение - Джейн Остин, Сет Грэм-Смит - Страница 23

The next morning Mr. Collins was also in the state of angry pride. After breakfast, the girls walked to Meryton to inquire if Mr. Wickham were returned. He joined them on their entering the town.

“I found,” said he, “that I had better not meet Mr. Darcy.”

Elizabeth highly approved his forbearance, and they talked a lot. Soon after their return, a letter was delivered to Miss Bennet; it came from Netherfield. The envelope contained a sheet of elegant, little paper. Elizabeth saw her sister’s face change as she read it. Jane said:

“This is from Caroline Bingley. The whole party have left Netherfield by this time, and are on their way to town – and without any intention of coming back again.”

Elizabeth saw nothing in it really to lament.

“It is unlucky,” said she, after a short pause, “that you should not be able to see your friends before they leave the country.”

“Caroline decidedly says that nobody will return into Hertfordshire this winter. I will read it to you. It is evident that her brother comes back no more this winter.”

“Why do you think so? He is his own master.”

“What do you think of this, my dear Lizzy?” said Jane.

“Is it not clear enough? Miss Bingley sees that her brother is in love with you, and wants him to marry Miss Darcy. She follows him to town in hope of keeping him there, and tries to persuade you that he does not care about you.”

Jane shook her head.

“Indeed, Jane, you ought to believe me. Miss Bingley, I am sure, is more anxious to get Miss Darcy for her brother.”

“But if he returns no more this winter… A thousand things may arise in six months!”