登陆注册
5409300000026

第26章

‘I can much more easily believe Mr Bingley's being imposed on,than that Mr Wickham should invent such a history of himself as he gave me last night;names,facts,every thing mentioned without ceremony.-If it be not so,let Mr Darcy contradict it.Besides,there was truth in his looks.’

‘It is difficult indeed-it is distressing.-One does not know what to think.’

‘I beg your pardon;-one knows exactly what to think.’

But Jane could think with certainty on only one point,-that Mr Bingley,if he had been imposed on,would have much to suffer when the affair became public.

The two young ladies were summoned from the shrubbery where this conversation passed,by the arrival of some of the very persons of whom they had been speaking;Mr Bingley and his sisters came to give their personal invitation for the long expected ball at Netherfield,which was fixed for the following Tuesday.The two ladies were delighted to see their dear friend again,called it an age since they had met,and repeatedly asked what she had been doing with herself since their separation.To the rest of the family they paid little attention;avoiding Mrs Bennet as much as possible,saying not much to Elizabeth,and nothing at all to the others.They were soon gone again,rising from their seats with an activity which took their brother by surprize,and hurrying off as if eager to escape from Mrs Bennet's civilities.

The prospect of the Netherfield ball was extremely agreeable to every female of the family.Mrs Bennet chose to consider it as given in compliment to her eldest daughter,and was particularly flattered by receiving the invitation from Mr Bingley himself,instead of a ceremonious card.Jane pictured to herself a happy evening in the society of her two friends,and the attention of their brother;and Elizabeth thought with pleasure of dancing a great deal with Mr Wickham,and of seeing a confirmation of every thing in Mr Darcy's looks and behaviour.The happiness anticipated by Catherine and Lydia depended less on any single event,or any particular person,for though they each,like Elizabeth,meant to dance half the evening with Mr Wickham,he was by no means the only partner who could satisfy them,and a ball was,at any rate,a ball.And even Mary could assure her family that she had no disinclination for it.

‘While I can have my mornings to myself,’said she,‘it is enough-I think it no sacrifice to join occasionally in evening engagements.Society has claims on us all;and I profess myself one of those who consider intervals of recreation and amusement as desirable for every body.’

Elizabeth's spirits were so high on the occasion that,though she did not often speak unnecessarily to Mr Collins,she could not help asking him whether he intended to accept Mr Bingley's invitation,and,if he did,whether he would think it proper to join in the evening's amusement;and she was rather surprized to find that he entertained no scruple whatever on that head,and was very far from dreading a rebuke either from the Archbishop,or Lady Catherine de Bourgh,by venturing to dance.

‘I am by no means of opinion,I assure you,’said he,‘that a ball of this kind,given by a young man of character to respectable people,can have any evil tendency;and I am so far from objecting to dancing myself,that I shall hope to be honoured with the hands of all my fair cousins in the course of the evening,and I take this opportunity of soliciting yours,Miss Elizabeth,for the two first dances especially,-a preference which I trust my cousin Jane will attribute to the right cause,and not to any disrespect for her.’

Elizabeth felt herself completely taken in.She had fully proposed being engaged by Wickham for those very dances:-and to have Mr Collins instead!her liveliness had been never worse timed.There was no help for it however.Mr Wickham's happiness and her own was perforce delayed a little longer,and Mr Collins's proposal accepted with as good a grace as she could.She was not the better pleased with his gallantry from the idea it suggested of something more.-It now first struck her that she was selected from among her sisters as worthy of being the mistress of Hunsford Parsonage,and of assisting to form a quadrille table at Rosings,in the absence of more eligible visitors.The idea soon reached to conviction,as she observed his increasing civilities towards herself,and heard his frequent attempt at a compliment on her wit and vivacity;and though more astonished than gratified herself by this effect of her charms,it was not long before her mother gave her to understand that the probability of their marriage was exceedingly agreeable to her.Elizabeth,however,did not chuse to take the hint,being well aware that a serious dispute must be the consequence of any reply.Mr Collins might never make the offer,and till he did,it was useless to quarrel about him.

If there had not been a Netherfield ball to prepare for and talk of,the younger Miss Bennets would have been in a pitiable state at this time,for from the day of the invitation to the day of the ball,there was such a succession of rain as prevented their walking to Meryton once.No aunt,no officers,no news could be sought after;-the very shoe roses for Netherfield were got by proxy.Even Elizabeth might have found some trial of her patience in weather which totally suspended the improvement of her acquaintance with Mr Wickham;and nothing less than a dance on Tuesday could have made such a Friday,Saturday,Sunday,and Monday endurable to Kitty and Lydia.

同类推荐
  • 用胸膛行走西藏:英文

    用胸膛行走西藏:英文

    《用胸膛行走西藏》是一部反映武警交通部队官兵在西藏生活的作品,由一个又一个鲜为人知的故事的构成。电影《拯救大兵瑞恩》的故事,在阿里无人区演绎了一个真实的版本。
  • 英语常用短语大全集

    英语常用短语大全集

    创想外语研发团队编著的《英语常用短语大全集》不是要讲述英语短语高深的语法,也不是对其进行深入细致的研究,而是从学习、记忆和运用的目的出发,让学习者能准确记忆每一个短语,能准确运用每一短语,这就是编写本书的初衷。本书精选日常学习生活中常见的短语,剔除了那些比较生僻的内容,在一定程度上减轻了学习者的负担,而且更具有针对性。
  • 流行名人篇(老外最想和你聊的101个英语话题)

    流行名人篇(老外最想和你聊的101个英语话题)

    阅读本书,让你了解当下最流行的欧美文化名人。本书从世界范围内挑选出议论范围最广、影响力最大的名人,覆盖政治、经济、娱乐、商业、艺术等多方面,每个话题都包括背景介绍、常用句子、重点词汇以及一段情景对话。对话涵盖生活的方方面面,语言通俗易懂,所介绍的人物生动而不失深刻。《老外最想和你聊的101个英语话题:流行名人篇》以对话为主,注重口语,让读者不必死记硬背、死啃书本,最后导致“哑巴英语”,在遇到外国人时仍旧张不开嘴。这本书每节都有大量地道的、原汁原味的句子,读者可以在与外国人的日常交流中直接运用。
  • 在哈佛听演讲

    在哈佛听演讲

    哈佛大学是美国最早的私立大学之一。迄今为止,哈佛大学的毕业生中共有8位曾当选为美国总统。哈佛大学的教授团中总共产生了34名诺贝尔奖得主。此外,还出了一大批知名的学术创始人、世界级的学术带头人、文学家、思想家。我国近代,也有许多科学家、作家和学者曾就读于哈佛大学。这个被莘莘学子所向往的教育殿堂也吸引·了众多有声望的名人前去演讲。对这些社会未来的栋梁之才一吐肺腑之言。本书精选了16篇各界名流在哈佛经典、励志的演讲,中英双语,让你体验双重震撼!
  • 那些温暖而美好的小事

    那些温暖而美好的小事

    或许你在经历一段美好的感情,或许你有好多珍藏的回忆。或许无关爱情无关友情无关亲情,只是来自陌生的霎时温柔。但那些事情,都曾触动你的心弦,在流年碎影里,让你嘴角上扬,相信美好。生活是一场又一场对美好事物的追逐。趁着年轻,制造比夏天还要温暖的事。本书汇集大量经典感人故事、哲理小文,感情纯真,内容温暖动人。用中英文对照的形式,呈现出人类最柔美的情感、最深刻的思考。内容积极健康,很适合青少年学习阅读。
热门推荐
  • 足疗足浴治病大全

    足疗足浴治病大全

    足与人体健康息息相关,人体的五脏六腑都与脚上相应的部位有内在的联系,一旦有病就能从脚上反映出来。我们便可以通过足部按摩、足浴、敷贴等疗法使人体气血运行,颐养五脏六腑,达到祛病健身的功能。
  • 邪王帝妃:极品逆天驯兽师

    邪王帝妃:极品逆天驯兽师

    【已完结】花痴纨绔是表面,精明腹黑是本质,坑蒙拐骗是本能!某狂女曰:“天下灵兽尽在我手,谁与争锋?干死算逑!”神器=断刀一把?死蛋一枚?烂书一本?兽宠=吃货懒猪?嗜财色蛇?傲娇丑怪?抢她兽宠?靠之,灭掉!夺她神器,嗯哼,干掉!毁她灵药,嗯哼,砍掉!娶她当妾,嗯哼,阉掉!噬魂鞭一挥,灵兽排排站;逆天鼎一出,谁与争锋?肆意张狂,我本轻狂!某帝君曰:“冷酷寡言是包装,闷骚邪恶有内涵,横批:来睡我吧!”“……滚粗!”新文:【控鬼小天师:妖孽鬼王掉下坑】希望多多支持……
  • 无宠弃后金灿灿

    无宠弃后金灿灿

    云絮会的很简单,那就是招财,敛财和散财。眨着眼睛对刺客说:“你先别杀我,你腰上的青玉翡翠卖不卖?"无辜的看着一脸黑线的皇帝道:"不好意思,你的国家我帮你卖了,比行价高了点,这是你的分红……”黄昏十分,在后宫摆了一个摊子,对妃嫔娘娘们说:“给皇上侍寝一夜三百两,有包月,团购的面谈……”无宠可以,却不能无尊。无爱可以,却不能无财………当云絮揽够大批财富的时候,皇帝还不乖乖的靠上来:“朕亲爱的皇后,借点银子救急吧?”“亲爱的夫君,你上次借的银子利息已经滚到一百倍了,这次你恐怕要拿皇位来抵了呢。”把胸前的爪子拍下去,怒道,“少来这招,色诱早就过时了……”风格轻松幽默,爱情甜蜜浪漫,小打小闹,无伤大雅。每日一更,敬请期待……
  • 六十种曲邯郸记

    六十种曲邯郸记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 小布什传

    小布什传

    年青时叛逆、放荡不羁,成家后笃信宗教、是个有责任感的好男人,就任总统后,果敢发起两场对外战争,成为21世纪美国仅次于林肯的最伟大总统,离任时却被目为美国历史上最糟糕的总统……这就是小布什,一个独特、充满争议的总统!一个一生富于戏剧化转折的总统!
  • 广宁县志

    广宁县志

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 天南剑侠传

    天南剑侠传

    康熙初年,明室遗孤李相如,肩负着反清复明的重任。经历重重磨难后练就一身奇功,本拟聚力推翻清廷,但他发现康熙是一位英明的君主,为天下苍生计,李相如决定放弃复明大志,在天南一带行侠仗义,终成令人敬仰的一代豪侠。
  • 嘉泰吴兴志

    嘉泰吴兴志

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 三国大气象师

    三国大气象师

    穿越汉末荆州一名出身低微的寒门少年,内有名门世族轻视排挤,外有天下大乱,战祸将至,生死难料。那又如何!我有超级量子气象系统在手,翻云覆雨,天崩地裂,尽在我一念之间。看我如何崛起于寒微,搅动风云,与天下群雄争锋!周瑜:阿西巴!怎么东南风变成西北风了?糟糕,特么的火船反烧回来啦!曹操:我火烧乌巢,眼看就要烧尽袁绍粮草,怎么晴空万里突降大雨,贼老天啊,你坑我的吧!刘备:这六月酷暑为何天降大雪,冻死我也,云长翼德,咱兄弟三儿快来抱团取暖啊!孔明,速去暖床!苏哲一脸茫然:我昨晚就是做了香艳的美梦而已,怎么一觉醒来,十八路反苏联军就都不见了?众红颜知己:夫君,昨夜天降大雨,他们都被冲到海里喂鱼去啦!
  • 俏皮姐妹的酷酷男友

    俏皮姐妹的酷酷男友

    “雯雯,你已经逃了这么多年了,为什么还要走?这一次,不会再有机会了!”从此她成了他的宠后。他是尊贵的皇子殿下幕辰,而她只是“身份低微”的穷丫头。一追一逃,一场场的误会让他们的感情路充满了荆棘!“小思,过来!”“不要!小思只要爸爸,乔允静是个坏人!”“小思,我们走!”她是乔允静.一个在逆镜中成长的女孩。他是帅气的英国后裔欧泽明。他却抱着她的儿子离开了她!一切的一切究竟是为何?她们是姐妹,却不是亲生的!他们是兄弟却同时陷入了姐妹花的爱情陷阱!可是她们却又同时远离了他们!她们的爱情.是否完美?她们的背景.是否神秘?详情请大家收看(俏皮姐妹的酷酷男友)喜欢推荐吧!群:163797373