Pride and Prejudice / Гордость и предубеждение. Джейн Остин

feelings of early and unexpected prosperity. A fortunate chance had recommended him to Lady Catherine de Bourgh when the living of Hunsford was vacant. The respect which he felt for her high rank, and his adoration for her as his patroness, mingling with a very good opinion of himself, of his authority as a clergyman, and his rights as a rector, made him altogether a mixture of pride and servility, selfimportance and humility.

      Having now a good house and a very sufficient income, he intended to marry; and in seeking a reconciliation with the Longbourn family he had a wife in view, as he meant to choose one of the daughters, if he found them as handsome and amiable as they were represented by common report. This was his plan of amends for inheriting their father's estate; and he thought it an excellent one, and excessively generous and disinterested on his own part.

      His plan did not vary on seeing them. Miss Bennet's lovely face confirmed his views, and for the first evening she was his settled choice. The next morning, however, made an alteration. In a quarter of an hour's tête-à-tête with Mrs. Bennet before breakfast, a conversation beginning with his house, and leading naturally to the declaration of his hopes, that a mistress might be found for it at Longbourn, produced from her, among smiles and general encouragement, a caution against the very Jane he had fixed on. “As to her younger daughters, she did not know of any prepossession; her eldest daughter, she must just mention, was likely to be very soon engaged.”

      Mr. Collins had only to change from Jane to Elizabeth – and it was soon done. Elizabeth, equally next to Jane in age and beauty, succeeded her of course.

      Mrs. Bennet trusted that she might soon have two daughters married; and the man whom she could not bear to speak of the day before was now in her good graces[77].

      Lydia's intention of walking to Meryton was not forgotten; every sister except Mary agreed to go with her. Mr. Collins was to attend them, at the request of Mr. Bennet, who was most anxious to get rid of him, and have his library to himself; for there Mr. Collins had followed him after breakfast; and there he took a large book but continued talking to Mr. Bennet of his house and garden at Hunsford. Such doings discomposed Mr. Bennet exceedingly. In his library he had been always sure of tranquillity; and though prepared, as he told Elizabeth, to meet with folly and conceit in every other room of the house, he was used to be free from them there. His politeness, therefore, was most prompt in inviting Mr. Collins to join his daughters in their walk; and Mr. Collins was extremely pleased to close his large book, and go.

      When they entered Meryton, the eyes of the younger girls were immediately wandering up in the street in quest of the officers.

      But the attention of every lady was soon caught by a young man, whom they had never seen before, of most gentlemanlike appearance, walking with another officer on the other side of the way. The officer was the very Mr. Denny concerning whose return from London Lydia came to inquire, and he bowed as they passed. All were struck with the stranger's air, all wondered who he could be; and Kitty and Lydia, determined to find out, led the way across the street, under pretense of wanting something in an opposite shop, and fortunately had just gained the pavement when the two gentlemen, turning back, had reached the same spot. Mr. Denny addressed them directly, and begged permission to introduce his friend, Mr. Wickham, who had returned with him the day before from town, and he was happy to say had accepted a commission in their corps[78]. He had a fine face, a good figure, and very pleasing manners. The introduction was followed up on his side by a happy readiness of conversation; and the whole party were still standing and talking together very agreeably, when the sound of horses drew their notice, and Darcy and Bingley were seen riding down the street. On distinguishing the ladies of the group, the two gentlemen came directly towards them. Bingley said he was on his way to Longbourn on purpose to inquire after Jane. Mr. Darcy confirmed it with a bow, and was beginning to determine not to fix his eyes on Elizabeth, when he suddenly noticed the stranger. Elizabeth happened to see the expression of both as they looked at each other, and was all astonishment at the effect of the meeting. Both changed colour, one looked white, the other red. Mr. Wickham, after a few moments, touched his hat – a salutation which Mr. Darcy just deigned to return[79]. What could be the meaning of it?

      In another minute, Mr. Bingley took leave and rode on with his friend.

      Mr. Denny and Mr. Wickham walked with the young ladies to the door of Mr. Phillip's house, and then made their bows[80], in spite of Miss Lydia's invitation.

      Mrs. Phillips was always glad to see her nieces; and she received Mr. Collins with her very best politeness, which he returned with as much more, apologising for his intrusion, without any previous acquaintance with her. Mrs. Phillips was quite impressed by such an excess of good breeding.

      She told her nieces of the stranger what they already knew, that Mr. Denny had brought him from London, and that he had a lieutenant's commission in the – shire. Some of the officers were to dine with the Phillipses the next day, and their aunt promised to make her husband invite Mr. Wickham, also. Mrs. Phillips declared that they would have a nice comfortable noisy game of lottery tickets, and a little bit of hot supper afterwards. The prospect of such delights was very cheering, and they parted in mutual good spirits.

      As they walked home, Elizabeth related to Jane what she had seen pass between the two gentlemen; but Jane could no more explain such behaviour than her sister.

      Mr. Collins on his return highly pleased Mrs. Bennet by admiring Mrs. Phillips's manners and politeness.

      He said that, except Lady Catherine and her daughter, he had never seen a more elegant woman; for she had not only received him with the utmost politeness, but even included him in her invitation for the next evening, although utterly unknown to her before.

      Chapter 16

      The next evening the coach took Mr. Collins and his five cousins to Meryton; and the girls had the pleasure of hearing, as they entered the drawing-room, that Mr. Wickham had accepted their uncle's invitation, and was then in the house.

      When this information was given, and they had all taken their seats, Mr. Collins looked around him and he was so much struck with the size and furniture of the apartment, that he declared it was like the small summer breakfast parlour at Rosings. When Mrs. Phillips understood from him what Rosings was, and who was its proprietor – when she had listened to the description of only one of Lady Catherine's drawing-rooms, and found that the chimney-piece alone had cost eight hundred pounds, she felt all the force of the compliment.

      In describing to her all the grandeur of Lady Catherine and her mansion, with occasional digressions in praise of his own humble dwelling, he was happily employed until the gentlemen joined them; and he found in Mrs. Phillips a very attentive listener, whose opinion of his consequence increased with what she heard. To the girls, who could not listen to their cousin, the interval of waiting appeared very long. It was over at last, however. The gentlemen did approach, and when Mr. Wickham walked into the room, Elizabeth felt some unreasonable admiration.

      Mr. Wickham was the happy man towards whom almost every female eye was turned, and Elizabeth was the happy woman by whom he finally seated himself. The agreeable manner in which he immediately fell into conversation, though it was only on its being a wet night, made her feel that the commonest, dullest topic might be rendered interesting by the skill of the speaker.

      When the card-tables were placed, Mr. Collins sat down to whist[81].

      Mr. Wickham did not play at whist, and with ready delight was he received at the other table between Elizabeth and Lydia. Allowing for the common demands of the game,[82] Mr. Wickham could at leisure talk to Elizabeth, and she was very willing to hear him, though what she chiefly wished to hear she could not hope to be told – the history of his acquaintance with Mr. Darcy. She dared not even mention that gentleman. Her curiosity, however, was unexpectedly relieved. Mr. Wickham began the subject himself. He inquired how far Netherfield was from Meryton; and, after receiving her answer, asked in a hesitating manner how long Mr. Darcy had been staying there.

      “About

77

теперь был у неё в милости

78

был зачислен в их полк

79

едва удостоил ответа

80

откланялись

81

Вист – карточная игра.

82

Принимая во внимание правила игры