pride

— Для меня невыносима мысль, что наше имение достанется этим людям. Если бы оно далось им не по праву наследования по мужской линии, я бы еще могла согласиться... — С чем именно вы могли бы согласиться? — Я бы могла согласиться с чем угодно! Mr. Collins's return into Hertfordshire was no longer a matter of pleasure to Mrs. Bennet. On the contrary, she was as much disposed to complain of it as her husband. It was very strange that he should come to Longbourn instead of to Lucas Lodge; it was also very inconvenient and exceedingly troublesome. She hated having visitors in the house while her health was so indifferent, and lovers were of all people the most disagreeable. Such were the gentle murmurs of Mrs. Bennet, and they gave way only to the greater distress of Mr. Bingley's continued absence. — Возблагодарим же небо за то, что вы спасены от подобного состояния полной неопределенности. — Я, мистер Беннет, никогда не смогу почувствовать благодарность за что-то, имеющее отношение к наследованию по мужской линии. Не могу понять, как только у людей хватает совести отнимать поместье у родных дочерей его владельца. И чтобы это делалось ради какого-то мистера Коллинза! Разве он чем-нибудь это заслужил? — Предоставляю вам ответить на этот вопрос без моей помощи, - сказал мистер Беннет. Neither Jane nor Elizabeth were comfortable on this subject. Day after day passed away without bringing any other tidings of him than the report which shortly prevailed in Meryton of his coming no more to Netherfield the whole winter; a report which highly incensed Mrs. Bennet, and which she never failed to contradict as a most scandalous falsehood. Even Elizabeth began to fear—not that Bingley was indifferent—but that his sisters would be successful in keeping him away. Unwilling as she was to admit an idea so destructive of Jane's happiness, and so dishonorable to the stability of her lover, she could not prevent its frequently occurring. The united efforts of his two unfeeling sisters and of his overpowering friend, assisted by the attractions of Miss Darcy and the amusements of London might be too much, she feared, for the strength of his attachment. As for Jane, HER anxiety under this suspense was, of course, more painful than Elizabeth's, but whatever she felt she was desirous of concealing, and between herself and Elizabeth, therefore, the subject was never alluded to. But as no such delicacy restrained her mother, an hour seldom passed in which she did not talk of Bingley, express her impatience for his arrival, or even require Jane to confess that if he did not come back she would think herself very ill used. It needed all Jane's steady mildness to bear these attacks with tolerable tranquillity. Mr. Collins returned most punctually on Monday fortnight, but his reception at Longbourn was not quite so gracious as it had been on his first introduction. He was too happy, however, to need much attention; and luckily for the others, the business of love-making relieved them from a great deal of his company. The chief of every day was spent by him at Lucas Lodge, and he sometimes returned to Longbourn only in time to make an apology for his absence before the family went to bed. Mrs. Bennet was really in a most pitiable state. The very mention of anything concerning the match threw her into an agony of ill-humour, and wherever she went she was sure of hearing it talked of. The sight of Miss Lucas was odious to her. As her successor in that house, she regarded her with jealous abhorrence. Whenever Charlotte came to see them, she concluded her to be anticipating the hour of possession; and whenever she spoke in a low voice to Mr. Collins, was convinced that they were talking of the Longbourn estate, and resolving to turn herself and her daughters out of the house, as soon as Mr. Bennet were dead. She complained bitterly of all this to her husband. "Indeed, Mr. Bennet," said she, "it is very hard to think that Charlotte Lucas should ever be mistress of this house, that I should be forced to make way for HER, and live to see her take her place in it!" "My dear, do not give way to such gloomy thoughts. Let us hope for better things. Let us flatter ourselves that I may be the survivor." This was not very consoling to Mrs. Bennet, and therefore, instead of making any answer, she went on as before. "I cannot bear to think that they should have all this estate. If it was not for the entail, I should not mind it." "What should not you mind?" "I should not mind anything at all." "Let us be thankful that you are preserved from a state of such insensibility." "I never can be thankful, Mr. Bennet, for anything about the entail. How anyone could have the conscience to entail away an estate from one's own daughters, I cannot understand; and all for the sake of Mr. Collins too! Why should HE have it more than anybody else?" "I leave it to yourself to determine," said Mr. Bennet. Chapter 24 Глава 24 Miss Bingley's letter arrived, and put an end to doubt. The very first sentence conveyed the assurance of their being all settled in London for the winter, and concluded with her brother's regret at not having had time to pay his respects to his friends in Hertfordshire before he left the country. От мисс Бингли было получено письмо, рассеявшее всякие сомнения. В первой же фразе сообщалось, что Бингли и его сестры обосновались в Лондоне на всю зиму. Их брат, говорилось далее, весьма сожалел, что перед отъездом ему не удалось засвидетельствовать свое почтение хартфордширским друзьям. Никаких, решительно никаких надежд больше не оставалось. И когда Джейн смогла вникнуть в окончание письма, она не нашла ничего, что могло бы ее порадовать, кроме вымученных выражений дружеской привязанности. В остальном письмо почти целиком было посвящено прославлению мисс Дарси. Снова подробнейшим образом перечислялись ее многочисленные достоинства. Кэролайн хвалилась возросшей близостью между ними и выражала надежду на осуществление своих чаяний, о которых упоминала раньше. Она также с удовольствием сообщала, что брат ее стал в доме мистера Дарси своим человеком, и добавляла несколько восторженных слов о намерении хозяина дома приобрести новую обстановку. Hope was over, entirely over; and when Jane could attend to the rest of the letter, she found little, except the professed affection of the writer, that could give her any comfort. Miss Darcy's praise occupied the chief of it. Her many attractions were again dwelt on, and Caroline boasted joyfully of their increasing intimacy, and ventured to predict the accomplishment of the wishes which had been unfolded in her former letter. She wrote also with great pleasure of her brother's being an inmate of Mr. Darcy's house, and mentioned with raptures some plans of the latter with regard to new furniture. Элизабет, которой Джейн сразу же пересказала суть письма, выслушала сестру с молчаливым негодованием. Она в равной мере сочувствовала Джейн и сердилась на всех, кто был упомянут в этом письме. Сообщению Кэролайн, что ее брат неравнодушен к мисс Дарси, она не верила. Его чувство к Джейн казалось ей, как и раньше, несомненным. Но хотя ей хотелось относиться к мистеру Бингли по-прежнему благожелательно, она не могла без гнева и даже без некоторого презрения думать о его безволии и нерешительности, превративших его в игрушку коварных друзей. В угоду их прихотям его заставляли жертвовать своим счастьем. Если бы речь шла только о его собственной судьбе, он имел бы право распоряжаться ею как ему заблагорассудится. Но ведь одновременно - и он должен был это сознавать - решалась и судьба ее сестры! Подобные мысли не выходили у нее из головы, не давая никакого успокоения. И сколько бы Элизабет ни думала о том, действительно ли Бингли охладел к Джейн или он поступается своей привязанностью под влиянием близких ему людей, сознает ли он, как глубоко Джейн его полюбила, или ее чувство осталось от него скрытым, - все это могло лишь изменить ее мнение о Бингли, но не смягчало участи бедной Джейн, сердцу которой в любом случае наносилась тяжелая рана. Читать дальше