Pride and Prejudice / Гордость и предубеждение. Джейн Остин

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.

      Elizabeth was glad to be taken to Jane immediately; and Jane was delighted at her entrance. She was not able, however, to talk much, and when Miss Bingley left them together, could attempt little besides 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 they showed for Jane. The apothecary[40] came, and having examined his patient, said that she had caught a violent cold; advised her to return to bed, and promised her some draughts[41]. 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.

      When the clock struck three, Elizabeth felt that she must go, and very unwillingly said so. Miss Bingley offered her the carriage, but Jane showed such concern in parting with her sister, that Miss Bingley was obliged to convert the offer of the chaise to an invitation to remain at Netherfield for the present. Elizabeth most thankfully consented, and a servant was sent to Longbourn to inform the family about her stay and bring back a supply of clothes.

      Chapter 8

      At five o'clock the two ladies retired to dress, and at half-past six Elizabeth was summoned to dinner. To the polite inquiries, she could not make a very favourable answer. Jane was by no means[42] better. The sisters, on hearing this, repeated three or four times how much they were grieved, how shocking it was to have a bad cold, and how excessively they disliked being ill themselves; and then thought no more of the matter: and their indifference towards Jane restored Elizabeth to her former dislike.

      Their brother, indeed, was the only one of the party whom she could regard with any complacency. His anxiety for Jane was evident, and his attentions to herself most pleasing. She had very little notice from any but him.

      When dinner was over, she returned directly to Jane, and Miss Bingley began abusing her as soon as she was out of the room. Her manners were pronounced to be very bad indeed, a mixture of pride and impudence; she had no conversation, no style, no beauty. Mrs. Hurst thought the same, and added:

      “She has nothing, in short, to recommend her, but being an excellent walker. I will never forget her appearance this morning. She really looked almost wild.”

      “She did, indeed, Louisa. Very nonsensical to come at all! Why must she be running about the country, because her sister had a cold? Her hair, so untidy!”

      “Yes, and her petticoat; I hope you saw her petticoat, six inches deep in mud, I am absolutely certain.”

      “Your picture may be very exact, Louisa,” said Bingley; “but I thought Miss Elizabeth Bennet looked remarkably well when she came into the room this morning. Her dirty petticoat quite escaped my notice.”

      “You observed it, Mr. Darcy, I am sure,” said Miss Bingley; “and I am inclined to think that you would not wish to see your sister make such an exhibition.”

      “Certainly not.”

      “To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, or whatever it is, above her ankles in dirt, and alone, quite alone! What could she mean by it? It seems to me to show an offensive sort of arrogant independence, a most country-town indifference to decorum.”

      “It shows an affection for her sister that is very pleasing,” said Bingley.

      “I am afraid, Mr. Darcy,” observed Miss Bingley in a half whisper, “that this adventure has rather affected your admiration of her fine eyes.”

      “Not at all,” he replied; “they were brightened by the exercise.” A short pause followed this speech, and Mrs. Hurst began again:

      “I have an excessive regard for Miss Jane Bennet, she is really a very sweet girl, and I wish with all my heart she were well settled. But with such a father and mother, and such low connections, I am afraid there is no chance of it.”

      To this Bingley made no answer.

      Soon, however, the sisters returned to Jane's room, and sat with her till summoned to coffee. She was still very poorly, and Elizabeth did not quit her at all, till late in the evening, when she saw her sleep, and when it seemed to her rather right than pleasant that she should go downstairs herself. On entering the drawing-room she found the whole party at loo[43], and was immediately invited to join them; but suspecting them to be playing high[44] she declined it, and making her sister the excuse,[45] said she would amuse herself for the short time she could stay below, with a book. Mr. Hurst looked at her with astonishment.

      “Do you prefer reading to cards?” said he; “that is rather singular.”

      “Miss Eliza Bennet,” said Miss Bingley, “despises cards. She is a great reader, and has no pleasure in anything else.”

      “I deserve neither such praise nor such censure,” cried Elizabeth; “I am not a great reader, and I have pleasure in many things.”

      “In nursing your sister I am sure you have pleasure,” said Bingley; “and I hope it will be soon increased by seeing her quite well.”

      Elizabeth thanked him from her heart, and then walked towards the table where a few books were lying. He immediately offered to fetch her others – all that his library afforded.

      Elizabeth assured him that she could suit herself perfectly with those in the room.

      “I am astonished,” said Miss Bingley, “that my father has left such a small collection of books. What a delightful library you have at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy!”

      “It ought to be good,” he replied, “it has been the work of many generations.”

      “And then you have added so much to it yourself, you are always buying books.”

      “I cannot comprehend the neglect of a family library in such days as these.”

      “Neglect! I am sure you neglect nothing that can add to the beauties of that noble place. Charles, when you build your house, I wish it may be half as delightful as Pemberley.”

      “I wish it may.”

      “But I would really advise you to make your purchase in that neighbourhood, and take Pemberley for a kind of model. There is not a finer county in England than Derbyshire.”

      Elizabeth was so much caught with what passed, that she laid her book aside, drew near the card-table, and stood between Mr. Bingley and his eldest sister, to observe the game.

      “Is Miss Darcy much grown since the spring?” said Miss Bingley; “will she be as tall as I am?”

      “I think she will. She is now about Miss Elizabeth Bennet's height, or rather taller.”

      “How I long to see her again! I never met with anybody who delighted me so much. Such manners! And so extremely accomplished for her age! Her performance on the pianoforte is exquisite.”

      “It is amazing to me,” said Bingley, “how young ladies can have patience to be so very accomplished as they all are.”

      “All young ladies accomplished! My dear Charles, what do you mean?”

      “Yes, all of them, I think. They all paint and net purses[46].”

      “Your list of the common extent of accomplishments,” said Darcy, “has too much truth. The word is applied to many a woman who deserves it no otherwise than by netting a purse. But I am very far from agreeing with you in your estimation of ladies in general. I cannot boast of knowing more than half-a-dozen,

40

(уст.) Аптекарь – медик, практикующий в сельской местности.

41

(зд.) микстура

42

никоим образом

43

Мушка – карточная игра.

44

но предполагая, что их ставки высоки

45

сославшись на болезнь сестры

46

вяжут кошельки