|
| |
| |
| "Mr. Darcy is all politeness," said Elizabeth, smiling. | |
| |
| "He is, indeed; but, considering the inducement, my dear Miss Eliza, we cannot wonder at his complaisance—for who would object to such a partner?" | |
| |
| |
| Elizabeth looked archly, and turned away. Her resistance had not injured her with the gentleman, and he was thinking of her with some complacency, when thus accosted by Miss Bingley: | |
| |
| "I can guess the subject of your reverie." | |
| |
| "I should imagine not." | |
| |
| "You are considering how insupportable it would be to pass many evenings in this manner—in such society; and indeed I am quite of you opinion. I was never more annoyed! The insipidity, and yet the noise—the nothingness, and yet the self-importance of all those people! What would I give to hear your strictures on them!" | |
| |
| |
| |
| "You conjecture 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 bestow." | |
| |
| Miss Bingley immediately fixed her eyes on his face, and desired he would tell her what lady had the credit of inspiring such reflections. Mr. Darcy replied with great intrepidity: | |
| |
| "Miss Elizabeth Bennet." | |
| |
| "Miss Elizabeth Bennet!" repeated Miss Bingley. "I am all astonishment. How long has she been such a favourite?—and pray, when am I to wish you joy?" | |
| |
| |
| "That is exactly the question which I expected you to ask. A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment. I knew you would be wishing me joy." | |
| |
| |
| "Nay, if you are serious about it, I shall consider the matter is absolutely settled. You will be having a charming mother-in-law, indeed; and, of course, she will always be at Pemberley with you." | |
| |
| He listened to her with perfect indifference while she chose to entertain herself in this manner; and as his composure convinced her that all was safe, her wit flowed long. | |
| |
| |
| Chapter 7 | Глава 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. | Почти вся собственность мистера Беннета заключалась в имении, приносившем две тысячи фунтов годового дохода. На беду его дочерей, имение это наследовалось по мужской линии и, так как в семье не было ребенка мужского пола, переходило после смерти мистера Беннета к дальнему родственнику. Средства миссис Беннет, достаточные при ее теперешнем положении, ни в коей мере не могли восполнить возможную утрату имения в будущем. Отец ее при жизни был стряпчим в Меритоне, оставив ей всего четыре тысячи фунтов. |