Читать книгу Pride and Prejudice / Гордость и предубеждение - Джейн Остин, Сет Грэм-Смит - Страница 28

Mrs. Gardiner decided to talk to Elizabeth about Mr. Wickham.

“Elizabeth, are you in love with him?”

“Oh, do not be afraid, he shall not be in love with me, if I can prevent it.”

“Elizabeth, you are not serious now.”

“I beg your pardon. At present I am not in love with Mr. Wickham; no, I certainly am not. But he is, beyond all comparison, the most agreeable man I ever saw – and if he becomes really attached to me – I believe it will be better that he should not. Oh! that abominable Mr. Darcy! My father, however, is partial to Mr. Wickham. In short, my dear aunt, all that I can promise you, therefore, is not to be in a hurry. In short, I will do my best.”

Charlotte and Mr. Collins got married. The wedding took place; and the bride and bridegroom went to Kent from the church door. Elizabeth soon heard from her friend; and their correspondence was as regular and frequent as it had ever been. Elizabeth felt that Charlotte wrote cheerfully, seemed surrounded with comforts. The house, furniture, neighbourhood, and roads, were all to her taste, and Lady Catherine’s behaviour was most friendly.