作者﹕簡．奧斯汀
第七章
班納特先生的全部家當幾乎都在一宗產業上，每年可以借此獲得兩千磅的收入。說起這宗產業，真是他女兒們的不幸。他因為沒有兒子，產業得由一個遠親來繼承，至於她們母親的家私，在這樣的人家本來也算得上一筆大數目，事實上卻還不夠補他的損失。班納特太太的父親曾經在麥裏屯當過律師，給了她四千英鎊的遺產。她有過妹妹，嫁給了她爸爸的書記腓力普，妹夫接下來就承繼了她爸爸的行業；她還有兄弟，住在倫敦，生意做得很得法。
浪博恩這個村子和麥裏屯相隔只有一英里路，這麼一段距離對於那幾位年輕的小姐們是再便利不過的了，她們每星期總得上那兒在三四次，看看她們的姨母，還可以順便看看那邊一家賣女人帽子的商店。兩個最小的妹妹咖苔琳和麗迪雅特別傾心於這方面，她們比姐姐們心事要少得多，每當沒有更好的消遣辦法時，就必定到麥裏屯走一遭，消遣消遣美好的晨光，並且晚上也就有了談助。儘管這村子裏通常沒有什麼新聞可以打聽，她們還老是千方百計地從她們姨媽那兒打聽到一些。附近地方最近開到了一團民兵，她們的消息來源當然從此就豐富了，真叫她們高興非凡。這一團人要在這兒駐紮整個冬天，麥裏屯就是司令部的所在地。
從此她們每次拜訪腓力普太太都獲得了最有趣的消息。她們每天都會打聽到幾個軍官的名字和他們的社會關係。軍官們的住宅不久就讓大家知道了，再後來小姐們就直接跟他們搞熟了，腓力普先生一一拜訪了那些軍官，這真是替她的姨侄女們開闢了一道意想不到的幸福源泉。她們現在開口閉口都離不開那些軍官。在這以前，只要提到彬格萊先生的偌大財產，她們的母親就會眉飛色舞，如今跟軍官們的制服對比起來，她們就覺得偌大的財產簡直一錢不值了。
一天早晨，班納特先生聽到她們滔滔不絕地談到這個問題，他不禁冷言冷語地說：看你們談話的神氣，我覺得你們真是些再蠢不過的女孩子。以前我不過半信半疑，現在我可完全相信了。"
咖苔琳一聽此話，頗感不安，可是並沒有回答。麗迪雅卻完全沒有把爸爸的話當一回事，還是接著說下去，說她自己多麼愛慕卡特上尉，還希望當天能夠跟他見面，因為他明天上午就要到倫敦去。
班納特太太對她丈夫說："我真奇怪，親愛的，你總喜歡說你自己的孩子蠢。要是我呀，什麼人的孩子我都可以看不起，可是我決不會看不起自己的孩子。"要是我自己的孩子果真蠢，我決不願意沒有自知之明。"你說得不錯，可是事實上，她們卻一個個都很聰明。"我們兩個人總算只有在這一點上看法不同。我本來希望你我在任何方面的意見都能融洽一致，可是說起我們的兩個小女兒，的確非常蠢；關於這一點，到目前為止，我不得不跟你抱著兩樣的見解。"我的好老爺，你可不能指望這些女孩都跟她們爹媽一樣的見識呀。等她們到了我們這麼大年紀，她們也許就會跟我們一樣，不會再想到什麼軍官們了。我刻從前有個時期，我也很喜愛'紅制服'――當然，到現在我心裏頭還喜愛'紅制服'呢；要是有位漂亮的年輕上校，每年有五六千磅的收入，隨便向我的哪一個女兒求婚，我決不會拒絕他的；有天晚上在威廉爵士家裏，看見弗斯脫上校全副軍裝，真是一表人材！"媽媽，"麗迪雅嚷道，"姨媽說，弗斯脫上校跟卡特爾上尉上琴小姐家裏去的次數，不象初來的時候那麼勤了；她近來常常看到他們站在'克拉克借書處'等人。"
班納特太太正要答話，不料一個小廝走了進來，拿來一封信給班納特小姐。這是尼是斐花園送來的一封信，小廝等著取回信。班納特太太高興得眼睛也閃亮起來。吉英讀信的時候，她心急地叫道："嘿，吉英，誰來的信？信上說些什麼？是怎麼說的？喂，吉英，趕快看完說給聽吧；快點兒呀，寶寶！"是彬格萊小姐寫來的，"吉英說，一面把信讀出來：
我親愛的的朋友，──要是你不肯發發慈悲，今天光臨捨下跟露薏莎和我一同吃飯，我和她兩個人就要結下終生的怨仇了。兩個女人成天在一塊兒談心，到頭來沒有不吵架的。接信後希即儘快前來。我的哥和他的幾位朋友們都要上軍官們那兒去吃飯。
你的永遠的朋友珈羅琳?彬格萊上軍官們那兒去吃飯！"麗迪雅嚷道，"這件事怎麼姨媽沒告訴我們呢。"上別人家去吃飯，"班納特太太說："這真是晦氣。"我可以乘著車子去嗎？"吉英部。不行，親愛的，你最好騎著馬去。天好象要下雨的樣子，下了雨你就可以在那兒過夜。"這倒是個好辦法，"伊莉莎白說。"只要你拿得准他們不會送她回來。"噢，彬格萊先生的馬車要送他的朋友到麥裏屯去，赫斯脫夫婦又是有車無馬。"我倒還是願意乘著馬車去。"可是，乖孩子，我包管你爸爸勻不出拖車子的馬來。──農莊上正要馬用，我的好老爺，是不是？"農莊上常常要馬用，可惜到我手裏的時候並不多。"
伊莉莎白說："可是，如果今天到得你的手裏，就如了媽媽的願了。"
她終於逼得父親不得不承認──那兒匹拉車子的馬已經有了別的用處。於是吉英只得騎著另外一匹馬去，母親送她到門口，高高興興地說了許多預祝天氣會變壞的話。她果真如願了；吉英走了不久，就下起大雨來。妹妹們都替她擔憂，只有她老人家反而高興。大雨整個黃昏沒有停住。吉英當然無法回來了。
班納特太太一遍又一遍地說："真虧我想出了這個好辦法！"好象天下雨老師她一手造成的。不過，她的神機妙算究竟造成了多大幸福，她一直到第二天早上才知道。早飯還沒吃完，尼日斐花園就打發了人送來一封信給伊莉莎白：
我親愛的麗萃，──今晨我覺得很不舒服，我想這可能是昨天淋了雨的緣故。承蒙這兒好朋友們的關切，要我等到身體舒適一些才回家來。朋友們再三要請釧斯醫生來替我看病，因此，要是你們他上我這兒來過，可別驚訝。我只不過有點兒喉嚨痛和頭痛，並沒有什麼大不了的毛病。───姐字。
伊莉莎白讀信的時候，班納特先生對他太太說："唔，好太太，要是你的女兒得了重病──萬一她一病不起──倒也值得安慰呀，因為她是奉了你命令去追求彬格萊先生的。"噢！她難道這麼一下子就會送命！哪有小傷風就會送命的道理。人家自會把她等候得好好的。只要她待在那兒，包管無事。倘使有車子的話，我也想去看看她。"真正著急的倒是伊莉莎白，她才不管有車無車，決定非去一趟不可。她既然不會騎馬，唯一的辦法便只有步行。她把自己的打算說了出來。
她媽媽叫道："你怎麼這樣蠢！路上這麼泥濘，虧你想得出來！等你走到那兒，你那副樣子怎麼見人。"我只要見到吉英就成。"麗萃，"她的父親說，"你的意思是叫我替你弄幾匹馬來駕馬車嗎？"當然不是這個意思。我不怕步行，只要存心去，這點兒路算得上什麼。才不過三英里路。我可以趕回來吃晚飯。"
這時曼麗說道："你完全是出於一片手足之情，我很佩服，可是你千萬不能感情用事，你得有理智一點，而且我覺得盡力也不要盡得過分。"
珈苔琳和麗迪雅同聲說道："我們陪你到麥裏屯。"伊麗莎表示贊成，於是三位年輕的小姐就一塊兒出發了。要是我們趕得快些，"麗迪雅邊走邊這麼說，"或許我們還來得及趕在卡特爾上尉臨走以前看看他。"
三姐妹到了麥裏屯便分了手；兩位妹妹上一個軍官太太的家裏去，留下伊莉莎白獨個兒繼續往前走，急急忙忙地大踏步走過了一片片田野，跨過了一道道圍柵，跳過了一個個水窪，終於看見了那所屋子。她這時候已經雙腳乏力，襪子上沾滿了泥汙，臉上也累得通紅。
她被領進了餐廳，只見他們全家人都在那兒，只有吉英不在場。她一走進門就引起全場人的驚奇。赫斯脫太太和彬格萊小姐心想，這麼一大早，路上又這麼泥濘，她竟從三英里路開外趕到這兒來，而且是獨個兒趕來的，這事情簡直叫人無法相信。伊莉莎白料定她們瞧不起她這種舉動。不過事實上她們倒很客氣地接待了她，特別是她們的兄弟，不僅是客客氣氣接待她，而且非常殷勤多禮。達西先生說話不多，赫斯脫先生完全一言不發。達西先生的心裏被兩種情感弄得七上八下：一方面愛慕她那步行之後的鮮豔的臉色，另方面又懷疑她是否值得為了這麼點兒事情獨個兒打那麼遠趕來。至於赫斯脫先生，他一心一意只想要吃早飯。
她問起姐姐的病情如何，可沒有得到滿意的回答。據說班納特小姐晚上睡不好，現在雖然已經起床，熱度卻很高，不能出房門。使伊莉莎白高興的是，他們馬上就把她領到她姐姐那兒去。吉英看到她來，非常高興，原來她為了不願意讓家裏人著急和麻煩，所以信裏並沒有說明她極其盼望有個親人來看看她。可是她沒有力氣多說話，因此，當彬格萊小姐走開以後，剩下她們姐妹倆在一塊兒的時候，她只說到她們這兒待她太好了，使她非常感激――除了這些話以外，就沒有再說什麼。伊莉莎白靜悄悄地等候著她。早飯吃過以後，彬格萊家的姐妹也來陪伴她們，伊莉莎白看到她們對吉英那麼親切和祥，便不禁對她們有了好感。醫生來檢查了病人的症狀，說她是重傷風（其實這也是可想而知的），他囑咐她們要盡力當心，又勸吉英上床去睡覺，並且給她開了幾樣藥。醫生的囑呼立刻照辦了，因為病人熱度又高了一些，而且頭痛得很厲害。伊莉莎白片刻也沒有離開她的房間，另外兩位小姐也不大走開；男客們都不在家裏，其實他們在家裏也幫不了什麼忙。
正三點的時候，伊莉莎白覺得應該走了，於是勉強向主人家告別。彬格萊小姐要她乘著馬車回去，她正打算稍許推辭一下就接受主人的盛意，不料吉英說是捨不得讓她走，於是彬格萊小姐便不得不改變了請她坐馬車回去的主意，請她在尼日斐花園小住一陣。伊莉莎白感激不盡地答應了。接下來就是差人上浪博恩去，把她在這兒暫住的事情告訴她家裏一聲，同時叫她家裏給她帶些衣服
Chapter 7
MR. BENNET'S property consisted almost entirely in an estate of two thousand a year, which, unfortunately for his daughters, was entailed, in default of heirs male, on a distant relation; and their mother's fortune, though ample for her situation in life, could but ill supply the deficiency of his. Her father had been an attorney in Meryton, and had left her four thousand pounds.
She had a sister married to a Mr. Phillips, who had been a clerk to their father, and succeeded him in the business, and a brother settled in London in a respectable line of trade.
The village of Longbourn was only one mile from Meryton; a most convenient distance for the young ladies, who were usually tempted thither three or four times a week, to pay their duty to their aunt, and to a milliner's shop just over the way. The two youngest of the family, Catherine and Lydia, were particularly frequent in these attentions; their minds were more vacant than their sisters', and when nothing better offered, a walk to Meryton was necessary to amuse their morning hours and furnish conversation for the evening; and however bare of news the country in general might be, they always contrived to learn some from their aunt. At present, indeed, they were well supplied both with news and happiness by the recent arrival of a militia regiment in the neighbourhood; it was to remain the whole winter, and Meryton was the head quarters.
Their visits to Mrs. Philips were now productive of the most interesting intelligence. Every day added something to their knowledge of the officers' names and connections. Their lodgings were not long a secret, and at length they began to know the officers themselves. Mr. Philips visited them all, and this opened to his nieces a source of felicity unknown before. They could talk of nothing but officers; and Mr. Bingley's large fortune, the mention of which gave animation to their mother, was worthless in their eyes when opposed to the regimentals of an ensign.
After listening one morning to their effusions on this subject, Mr. Bennet coolly observed,
"From all that I can collect by your manner of talking, you must be two of the silliest girls in the country. I have suspected it some time, but I am now convinced."
Catherine was disconcerted, and made no answer; but Lydia, with perfect indifference, continued to express her admiration of Captain Carter, and her hope of seeing him in the course of the day, as he was going the next morning to London.
"I am astonished, my dear," said Mrs. Bennet, "that you should be so ready to think your own children silly. If I wished to think slightingly of any body's children, it should not be of my own, however."
"If my children are silly I must hope to be always sensible of it."
"Yes -- but as it happens, they are all of them very clever."
"This is the only point, I flatter myself, on which we do not agree. I had hoped that our sentiments coincided in every particular, but I must so far differ from you as to think our two youngest daughters uncommonly foolish."
"My dear Mr. Bennet, you must not expect such girls to have the sense of their father and mother. -- When they get to our age, I dare say they will not think about officers any more than we do. I remember the time when I liked a red coat myself very well -- and indeed, so I do still at my heart; and if a smart young colonel, with five or six thousand a year, should want one of my girls, I shall not say nay to him; and I thought Colonel Forster looked very becoming the other night at Sir William's in his regimentals."
"Mama," cried Lydia, "my aunt says that Colonel Forster and Captain Carter do not go so often to Miss Watson's as they did when they first came; she sees them now very often standing in Clarke's library."
Mrs. Bennet was prevented replying by the entrance of the footman with a note for Miss Bennet; it came from Netherfield, and the servant waited for an answer. Mrs. Bennet's eyes sparkled with pleasure, and she was eagerly calling out, while her daughter read,
"Well, Jane, who is it from? what is it about? what does he say? Well, Jane, make haste and tell us; make haste, my love."
"It is from Miss Bingley," said Jane, and then read it aloud.
"My dear Friend,
IF you are not so compassionate as to dine to-day with Louisa and me, we shall be in danger of hating each other for the rest of our lives, for a whole day's te^te-a`-te^te between two women can never end without a quarrel. Come as soon as you can on the receipt of this. My brother and the gentlemen are to dine with the officers. Yours ever,
CAROLINE BINGLEY."
"With the officers!" cried Lydia. "I wonder my aunt did not tell us of that."
"Dining out," said Mrs. Bennet, "that is very unlucky."
"Can I have the carriage?" said Jane.
"No, my dear, you had better go on horseback, because it seems likely to rain; and then you must stay all night."
"That would be a good scheme," said Elizabeth, "if you were sure that they would not offer to send her home."
"Oh! but the gentlemen will have Mr. Bingley's chaise to go to Meryton; and the Hursts have no horses to theirs."
"I had much rather go in the coach."
"But, my dear, your father cannot spare the horses, I am sure. They are wanted in the farm, Mr. Bennet, are not they?"
"They are wanted in the farm much oftener than I can get them."
"But if you have got them to-day," said Elizabeth, "my mother's purpose will be answered."
She did at last extort from her father an acknowledgment that the horses were engaged. Jane was therefore obliged to go on horseback, and her mother attended her to the door with many cheerful prognostics of a bad day. Her hopes were answered; Jane had not been gone long before it rained hard. Her sisters were uneasy for her, but her mother was delighted. The rain continued the whole evening without intermission; Jane certainly could not come back.
"This was a lucky idea of mine, indeed!" said Mrs. Bennet, more than once, as if the credit of making it rain were all her own. Till the next morning, however, she was not aware of all the felicity of her contrivance. Breakfast was scarcely over when a servant from Netherfield brought the following note for Elizabeth:
"My dearest Lizzy,
I FIND myself very unwell this morning, which, I suppose, is to be imputed to my getting wet through yesterday. My kind friends will not hear of my returning home till I am better. They insist also on my seeing Mr. Jones -- therefore do not be alarmed if you should hear of his having been to me -- and excepting a sore throat and head-ache, there is not much the matter with me.
Yours, &c."
"Well, my dear," said Mr. Bennet, when Elizabeth had read the note aloud, "if your daughter should have a dangerous fit of illness, if she should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr. Bingley, and under your orders."
"Oh! I am not at all afraid of her dying. People do not die of little trifling colds. She will be taken good care of. As long is she stays there, it is all very well. I would go and see her, if I could have the carriage."
Elizabeth, feeling really anxious, was determined to go to her, though the carriage was not to be had; and as she was no horse-woman, walking was her only alternative. She declared her resolution.
"How can you be so silly," cried her mother, "as to think of such a thing, in all this dirt! You will not be fit to be seen when you get there."
"I shall be very fit to see Jane -- which is all I want."
"Is this a hint to me, Lizzy," said her father, "to send for the horses?"
"No, indeed. I do not wish to avoid the walk. The distance is nothing, when one has a motive; only three miles. I shall be back by dinner."
"I admire the activity of your benevolence," observed Mary, "but every impulse of feeling should be guided by reason; and, in my opinion, exertion should always be in proportion to what is required."
"We will go as far as Meryton with you," said Catherine and Lydia. -- Elizabeth accepted their company, and the three young ladies set off together.
"If we make haste," said Lydia, as they walked along, "perhaps we may see something of Captain Carter before he goes."
In Meryton they parted; the two youngest repaired to the lodgings of one of the officers' wives, and Elizabeth continued her walk alone, crossing field after field at a quick pace, jumping over stiles and springing over puddles with impatient activity, and finding herself at last within view of the house, with weary ancles, dirty stockings, and a face glowing with the warmth of exercise.
She was shewn into the breakfast-parlour, where all but Jane were assembled, and where her appearance created a great deal of surprise. -- That she should have walked three miles so early in the day, in such dirty weather, and by herself, was almost incredible to Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley; and Elizabeth was convinced that they held her in contempt for it. She was received, however, very politely by them; and in their brother's manners there was something better than politeness; there was good humour and kindness. -- Mr. Darcy said very little, and Mr. Hurst nothing at all. The former was divided between admiration of the brilliancy which exercise had given to her complexion, and doubt as to the occasion's justifying her coming so far alone. The latter was thinking only of his breakfast.
Her enquiries after her sister were not very favourably answered. Miss Bennet had slept ill, and though up, was very feverish and not well enough to leave her room. Elizabeth was glad to be taken to her immediately; and Jane, who had only been withheld by the fear of giving alarm or inconvenience, from expressing in her note how much she longed for such a visit, was delighted at her entrance. She was not equal, however, to much conversation, and when Miss Bingley left them together, could attempt little beside expressions of gratitude for the extraordinary kindness she was treated with. Elizabeth silently attended her.
When breakfast was over, they were joined by the sisters, and Elizabeth began to like them herself, when she saw how much affection and solicitude they shewed for Jane. The apothecary came, and having examined his patient, said, as might be supposed, that she had caught a violent cold, and that they must endeavour to get the better of it; advised her to return to bed, and promised her some draughts. The advice was followed readily, for the feverish symptoms increased, and her head ached acutely. Elizabeth did not quit her room for a moment, nor were the other ladies often absent; the gentlemen being out, they had in fact nothing to do elsewhere.
When the clock struck three, Elizabeth felt that she must go; and very unwillingly said so. Miss Bingley offered her the carriage, and she only wanted a little pressing to accept it, when Jane testified such concern in parting with her that Miss Bingley was obliged to convert the offer of the chaise into an invitation to remain at Netherfield for the present. Elizabeth most thankfully consented, and a servant was dispatched to Longbourn to acquaint the family with her stay, and bring back a supply of clothes.
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