Pride and Prejudice / Гордость и предубеждение. Джейн Остин

saw arrogance in their treatment of everybody, and could not like them; though their kindness to Jane arose in all probability from the influence of their brother's admiration. It was generally evident whenever they met, that he did admire her and to her it was equally evident that Jane would soon be very much in love. But she considered with pleasure that it was not likely to be discovered by everyone, since Jane combined, with great strength of feeling, a composure of temper and a cheerfulness of manner which would guard her from the suspicions of the impudent. She mentioned this to her friend Miss Lucas.

      “It may perhaps be pleasant,” replied Charlotte, “to be able to deceive the public in such a case; but it is sometimes a disadvantage to be so very guarded. If a woman conceals her affection with the same skill from the object of it, she may lose the opportunity of fixing him. In nine cases out of ten a woman had better show more affection than she feels. Bingley likes your sister undoubtedly; but he may never do more than like her, if she does not help him on.”

      “But she does help him on, as much as her nature allows. If I can perceive her regard for him,[23] he must be a simpleton, indeed, not to discover it too.”

      “Remember, Eliza, that he does not know Jane's disposition as you do. Though Bingley and Jane meet tolerably often, it is never for many hours together; and, as they always see each other in large mixed parties, it is impossible that every moment should be employed in conversing together. Jane should therefore make the most of[24] every half-hour in which she can command his attention. When she is secure of him,[25] there will be more leisure for falling in love as much as she chooses.”

      “Your plan is a good one,” replied Elizabeth, “where nothing is in question but the desire of being well married, and if I were determined to get a rich husband, or any husband, I would adopt it. But these are not Jane's feelings; she is not acting by design. As yet,[26] she cannot even be certain of the degree of her own regard nor of its reasonableness. She has known him only a fortnight. She danced four dances with him at Meryton; she saw him one morning at his own house, and has since dined with him in company four times. This is not quite enough to make her understand his character.”

      “Not as you represent it. Had she merely dined with him, she might only have discovered whether he had a good appetite; but you must remember that four evenings have also been spent together – and four evenings may do a lot. I believe happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance; and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life.”

      “You make me laugh, Charlotte; but it is not sound. You know it is not sound, and that you would never act in this way yourself.”

      Occupied in observing Mr. Bingley's attentions to her sister, Elizabeth was far from suspecting that she was herself becoming an object of some interest in the eyes of his friend. At first, Mr. Darcy had looked at her without admiration. But soon he began to find that her face was uncommonly intelligent through the beautiful expression of her dark eyes. He was also forced to acknowledge her figure to be light and pleasing. Of this she was perfectly unaware; to her he was only the man who made himself agreeable nowhere, and who had not thought her handsome enough to dance with.

      He began to wish to know more of her, and as a step towards conversing with her himself, attended to her conversation with others. His doing so drew her notice. It was at Sir William Lucas's, where a large party were assembled.

      “What does Mr. Darcy mean,” said she to Charlotte, “by listening to my conversation with Colonel Forster?”

      “That is a question which Mr. Darcy only can answer.”

      “But if he does it any more I will certainly let him know that I see what he is about. He has a very satirical eye,[27] and if I do not begin by being impudent myself, I will soon grow afraid of him.”

      On his approaching them soon afterwards, though without seeming to have any intention of speaking, Elizabeth turned to him and said:

      “Did you not think, Mr. Darcy, that I expressed myself uncommonly well just now, when I was teasing Colonel Forster to give us a ball at Meryton?”

      “With great energy; but it is always a subject which makes a lady energetic.”

      “You are severe on us.”

      “It will be her turn soon to be teased,” said Miss Lucas. “I am going to open the instrument, Eliza, and you know what follows.”

      Before she could reply, her sister Mary, who was always impatient for display, started playing on the pianoforte[28].

      Mary had neither genius nor taste; but she had a pedantic air and conceited manner, which would have been good for a higher degree of excellence than she had reached. At the end of a long concerto, Mary was glad to purchase praise by Scotch and Irish airs[29], at the request of her younger sisters, who, with some of the Lucases, and two or three officers, joined eagerly in dancing at one end of the room.

      Mr. Darcy stood near them in silent indignation at such a way of passing the evening, and was too much engrossed by his thoughts to perceive that Sir William Lucas was his neighbour, till Sir William thus began:

      “What a charming amusement for young people this is, Mr. Darcy! There is nothing like dancing after all. I consider it as one of the first refinements of polished society.”[30]

      “Certainly, sir; and it is also in vogue amongst the less polished societies of the world. Every savage can dance.”

      Sir William only smiled. “Your friend performs delightfully,” he continued after a pause, seeing Bingley join the group; “and I doubt not that you are an adept[31] in the science yourself, Mr. Darcy.”

      “You saw me dance at Meryton, I believe, sir.”

      “Yes, indeed, and received no inconsiderable pleasure from the sight.”

      At that instant Elizabeth was moving towards them, and Sir William called out to her:

      “My dear Miss Eliza, why are you not dancing? Mr. Darcy, you must allow me to present this young lady to you as a very desirable partner. You cannot refuse to dance, I am sure when so much beauty is before you.” And, taking her hand, he was going to give it to Mr. Darcy who, though extremely surprised, was not unwilling to receive it, when she instantly drew back, and said with some discontent to Sir William:

      “Indeed, sir, I have not the least intention of dancing. I entreat you not to suppose that I moved this way in order to beg for a partner.”

      Mr. Darcy, with grave propriety,[32] requested to be allowed the honour of her hand, but in vain. Elizabeth was determined.

      She looked playfully, and turned away. Her resistance had not injured her with the gentleman,[33] and he was thinking of her with some contentment, when thus approached by Miss Bingley:

      “I can guess the subject of your thought.”

      “I do not think you can.”

      “You are considering how insupportable it would be to pass many evenings in this manner – in such society; and indeed I am quite of your opinion. I was never more annoyed! The boredom, and yet the noise – the nothingness, and yet the self-importance of all those people! What would I give to hear your criticisms of them!”

      “Your supposition is totally wrong, I assure you. My mind was more agreeably engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can give.”

      Miss Bingley immediately fixed her eyes on his face, and desired he would tell her what lady had the credit of inspiring such reflections.

23

Если её расположение к нему очевидно мне

24

использовать наилучшим образом

25

Когда она будет уверена в его чувствах

26

Пока что

27

У него очень насмешливые глаза

28

(уст.) фортепиано

29

шотландские и ирландские мелодии

30

Я считаю, это одно из лучших достижений цивилизованного общества.

31

мастер

32

с серьёзной учтивостью

33

Её сопротивление не повредило ей в глазах джентльмена