201706016-chapter 12-《pride and prejudice 傲慢与偏见》精读
Chapter 12
Elizabeth had agreed to visit Charlotte in March. She had at first not thought very seriously about going, but Charlotte was very eager that she should do so.
She was to go along with Sir William and his second daughter Maria.
With time it was decided that they would also spend a night in London, and the plan became as perfect as could be.
The only problem was that she would have to leave her father, who would certainly miss her—so much so that he almost promised to answer her letters.
The farewell (告别) between herself and Mr. Wickham was perfectly friendly, even more so on his side than hers.Although his attentions were now focused elsewhere, nothing could make him forget that Elizabeth had been the first to excite his affection.
- '' 【even more so】……更是如此
She parted from him convinced (使信服) that, whether he were married or single, he must always be her model of what was friendly and pleasing.
The day came when Elizabeth and the Lucases were to leave for London, on the way to visit Charlotte in Kent.
The distance to London was only twenty-four miles, and they began it early so as to arrive in Gracechurch Street by noon.As they drove to Mr. Gardiner’s door, Jane was at a window waiting for their arrival.When they came in, she was there to welcome them. Elizabeth, looking eagerly in her face, was pleased to see she looked as healthy and lovely as ever.
Elizabeth then found an excuse to sit by her aunt. Their first subject to discuss was her sister.Elizabeth was more upset than surprised to hear that, although Jane always struggled to stay happy, there were still periods of sadness.
Mrs. Gardiner then comforted her niece on the topic of Mr. Wickham’s new love interest, and complimented her on dealing with it so well.
Before they were interrupted by others, she had the unexpected happiness of receiving an invitation to go with her uncle and aunt on a vacation tour,which they planned to take in the summer.“We have not decided how far we will go,” said Mrs. Gardiner, “but, perhaps, to the Lake District.”No plan could have been more agreeable to Elizabeth, and she gratefully accepted the invitation.
“Oh, my dear, dear aunt,” she joyously cried, “what joy! What happiness! ::Who can care about young men when surrounded by rocks and mountains?::”
Everything on the next day’s journey was new and interesting to Elizabeth.
She was in a particularly good mood (情绪) , because she had seen her sister, and the thought of her and the Gardiners’ tour to the north gave her constant delight.
Eventually Mr. Collins’s house came into view.Mr. Collins and Charlotte appeared at the door, and the carriage stopped at the small gate which led by a short gravel path to the house.
Mrs. Collins welcomed her friend with the warmest pleasure, and Elizabeth was happy that she had come when she found herself so affectionately greeted.
After showing her every piece of furniture in the house, Mr. Collins invited them to take a walk through the garden,which was large and well laid out, and which he took care of himself.From his garden, Mr. Collins would have led them to walk around his two meadows (草地) .The ladies, however, did not have the proper shoes for walking through the white frost which still remained, and turned back.Charlotte took her friend over to the house, and was extremely well pleased to have the opportunity of showing it.It was rather small, but well-built and convenient.There was really a sense of great comfort throughout,and Elizabeth noticed how Charlotte had cleverly arranged the house so that she and her husband hardly ever met during the day.
Elizabeth had already been told that Lady Catherine was still in the country. It was mentioned again while they were at dinner, when Mr. Collins remarked:
“Yes, Miss Elizabeth, you will have the honor of seeing Lady Catherine de Bourgh next Sunday at church.I am sure you will be delighted with her. She is very courteous and civil.”“Lady Catherine is a very respectable, sensible (明智的) woman indeed,” added Charlotte, “and quite an attentive (细心的) neighbor.”“Very true, my dear, that is exactly what I say. She is the sort of woman whom one** cannot **think of with too much respect.”
- '' 【cannot...too..】再怎么都不为过，You can never be too careful
The following morning, Mr. Collins no sooner saw the two girls than he began to congratulate them on their good fortune.
Charlotte explained that they had all been invited to dine at Rosings, Lady Catherine’s house, the next day.Mr. Collins felt very proud of this invitation. He would now be able to display the magnificence (华丽) of his patroness (女主人) to his admiring visitors,and to let them see her civility toward himself and his wife, which was exactly what he had wished for.Hardly any subject except for their visit to Rosings was discussed for the whole day.Mr. Collins carefully instructed them about what they were to expect.He warned that the sight of such rooms, so many servants, and so splendid a dinner, might completely overpower (压倒) them.
As the weather was fine, they had a pleasant walk of about half a mile across the park.When they climbed the steps to the hall, Elizabeth’s courage did not fail her.She had not heard that Lady Catherine was known for any extraordinary talents or virtue, and she would not be unduly impressed solely (单独地) by status or riches.From the entrance-hall, they followed the servants to the room where Lady Catherine and her daughter were sitting.Her ladyship (夫人) , with a look of great pride, stood to welcome them.After sitting a few minutes, they were all sent to one of the windows to admire the view.Lady Catherine kindly informed them that it was much more worth looking at in the summer.
The dinner was exceedingly (非常) splendid, and there were all the servants and all the dishes that a lady of such status might require.Every dish was praised so highly by Mr. Collins that Elizabeth wondered if even Lady Catherine might think his praise too much.But Lady Catherine seemed pleased by the excessive (极度的) admiration, and gave very courteous（客气的） smiles.
When the ladies returned to the drawing-room, there was little to be done but to hear Lady Catherine talk, which she did without stopping.She gave her opinion on every subject** in such a definite (确切的) manner**, that she was obviously not used to having her judgment challenged.
- '' 【have one’s judgment challenged】某人的意见或者判断被质疑
“Your father’s estate (产业) is to be inherited (继承) by Mr. Collins, I think,” said Lady Catherine.
“For your sake,” turning to Charlotte, “I am glad for it, but otherwise I see no reason why a woman cannot inherit (继承) estates (产业) .
It was not thought necessary in Sir Lewis de Bourgh’s family to limit inheritance (继承) so. Do you play music and sing, Miss Bennet?”“A little.”
“Oh! Well, some time or another we will be happy to hear you.
Our instrument is a splendid one, probably superior to—You may try it someday. Do your sisters play and sing?”
“One of them does.”
“Why did you not all learn? You ought to all have learned. Do you draw?”
“No, not at all.”
“What, none of you?”
“Not one.”
“That is very strange. But I suppose you had no opportunity. Your mother should have taken you to town every spring to learn from drawing instructors.”
“My mother would have made no complaint, but my father hates London.”
“Are any of your younger sisters out, Miss Bennet?”
“Yes, ma’am, all.”
- 【Coming Out】正式进入社交界
“All! What, all five out at once? Very odd (古怪的) ! The younger ones out before the elder ones are married! Your younger sisters must be very young?”
“Yes, my youngest is not yet sixteen. Perhaps she is too young to be very interested in polite company.But really, ma’am, I think it would be very hard for my younger sisters to not have their share of society and amusement,
especially if their elder sisters may not want or be able to marry early.”
- '' 【in polite company】即in formal settings, with people you do not know well正式场合，和一些不太熟悉的人一起的场合
“My goodness,” said her ladyship (夫人) , “you speak your opinion very openly for so young a person. Tell me, what is your age?”
“With three younger sisters already grown up,” replied Elizabeth, smiling, “your ladyship (夫人) can hardly expect me to admit it.”
“You cannot be more than twenty, I am sure. Therefore, you need not conceal (隐藏) your age.”
“I am not yet twenty-one.”
The party then gathered round the fire to hear Lady Catherine determine what weather they were to have the next day.
They were then summoned (召集) away by the arrival of the coach, and departed.