Читать книгу Pride and Prejudice / Гордость и предубеждение - Джейн Остин, Сет Грэм-Смит - Страница 29

January and February passed away. In March Elizabeth decided to visit Hunsford. She had not at first thought very seriously of going there; but Charlotte insisted. Absence had increased her desire of seeing Charlotte again, and weakened her disgust of Mr. Collins. Moreover, the journey would give her an opportunity to see Jane.

The farewell between herself and Mr. Wickham was perfectly friendly. She left him convinced that, whether married or single, he must always be her model of the amiable and pleasing.

Sir William Lucas and Charlotte’s sister Maria were also going to visit her.

It was a journey of only twenty-four miles, and they began it so early as to be in Gracechurch Street by noon. As they drove to Mr. Gardiner’s door, Jane was at a drawing-room window watching their arrival. Elizabeth was pleased to see her healthful and lovely as ever.

The day passed most pleasantly away; the morning in shopping, and the evening at one of the theatres.

Elizabeth received an invitation to accompany her uncle and aunt in a tour which they proposed taking in the summer.

“We have not determined how far it shall carry us,” said Mrs. Gardiner, “but, perhaps, to the Lakes.”

No plan could have been more agreeable to Elizabeth, and her acceptance of the invitation was most ready and grateful. “Oh, my dear, dear aunt,” she rapturously cried, “what delight! what felicity! You give me fresh life and vigour. Good-bye to disappointment and spleen. What are young men to rocks and mountains? Oh! what happy hours we shall spend! Lakes, mountains, and rivers, I adore them!”