Pride and Prejudice. Адаптированная книга для чтения на английском языке. Intermediate. Джейн Остин

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her speech and expressions, or the word will be just half-deserved».

      «And to all this», added Darcy, «she must also add something more important, she must improve her mind by extensive reading».

      «I must say I've never seen such a woman. I've never seen such capacity, and taste, and elegance, so united».

      Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley both started protesting that they knew many women who answered this description, when Mr. Hurst reminded them that they were supposed to play cards. All conversation came to an end, and Elizabeth soon afterwards left the room.

      «Elizabeth Bennet», said Miss Bingley, when the door was closed on her, «is one of those young ladies who like to recommend themselves to the other sex by undervaluing their own; and with many men, I must say, it succeeds. But, in my opinion, it is a shameful manoeuvre, a very mean stratagem».

      «Undoubtedly», replied Darcy, to whom this remark was chiefly addressed, «there is meanness in all the stratagems which ladies sometimes employ in order to captivate. Whatever resembles cunning is disreputable».

      This reply didn't encourage Miss Bingley to continue the subject.

      Elizabeth came down to say that her sister was worse, and that she could not leave her. Bingley wanted to send for the doctor immediately; after some discussion it was decided that the doctor should be sent for early in the morning if Miss Bennet were not much better. Bingley felt great anxiety; his sisters announced that they were sorrowful. They consoled themselves, however, by duets after supper, while their brother's way to ease his anxiety was to give his housekeeper directions that every attention must be paid to the sick lady and her sister.

      Chapter 9

      In the morning Jane felt better, but Elizabeth asked to send a note to Longbourn, desiring her mother to visit Jane, and form her own judgement of her condition. Mrs. Bennet, accompanied by her two youngest girls, reached Netherfield soon after the family breakfast.

      Had she found Jane in any real danger, Mrs. Bennet would have been very unhappy. But she saw that her illness was not very serious; however, she didn't want Jane to leave Netherfield so soon. The doctor, who arrived about the same time, also thought that it wasn't at all advisable. After sitting a little while with Jane, on Miss Bingley's invitation, the mother and three daughters all followed her into the breakfast room. Bingley met them with hopes that Mrs. Bennet had not found Miss Bennet worse than she expected.

      «Indeed I have, sir», she answered. «She is a great deal too ill to be moved. The doctor says we must not think of moving her. We must trespass a little longer on your kindness».

      Bingley assured her that Jane would stay at Netherfield until she was fit to travel. Miss Bingley, with cold politeness, also said that Miss Bennet would receive every possible attention while she stayed with them.

      Mrs. Bennet expressed her gratitude in many words.

      «I am sure», she added, «without such good friends I do not know what would become of her, for she is very ill indeed, and suffers so much, though with the greatest patience in the world. She has, without exception, the sweetest temper I have ever met with. You have a sweet room here, Mr. Bingley, and a charming view from the windows. No place in the neighborhood is equal to Netherfield. I hope, you will not think of leaving it in a hurry».

      «I do everything in a hurry», replied he; «I might leave Netherfield in five minutes. At present, however, I consider myself as quite fixed here».

      «That is just what I've supposed about you», said Elizabeth.

      «You begin to understand me, don't you?» cried he, turning towards her.

      «Oh! Yes. I understand you perfectly».

      «I wish I might take this for a compliment, but to be so easily seen through I am afraid isn't flattering».

      «But it does not mean that your character is less admirable than a deep, complex one».

      «Lizzy», cried her mother, «remember where you are, and do not run on in the wild manner that we suffer from you at home».

      «The study of character must be amusing», Bingley said.

      «Yes, but complex characters are the most amusing. They have at least that advantage».

      «In a country neighborhood», said Darcy, «there are not many subjects for such study».

      «But people themselves change so much, that there is always something new to be observed in them».

      Mrs. Bennet got offended by Darcy's words and said that in the country there was as varied society as that in town.

      Darcy didn't say anything to that, and Mrs. Bennet, feeling triumphant, continued.

      «London has no great advantage over the country except the shops and public places. The country is a great deal pleasanter, is it not, Mr. Bingley?»

      «When l am in the country», he replied, «I never wish to leave it; and when I am in town it is pretty much the same. They have each their advantages, and I can be equally happy in either».

      «That is because your nature is so good. But that gentleman», looking at Darcy, «seemed to think the country was nothing at all».

      «Indeed, Mamma, you are mistaken», said Elizabeth, blushing for her mother. «You've quite misunderstood Mr. Darcy. He only meant that you cannot meet such variety of people in the country as in the town, and you know it to be true».

      «Certainly, my dear, but there are few neighborhoods larger than ours. I know we dine with four-and-twenty families».

      For the sake of Elizabeth, Bingley kept himself from smiling. His sister was less delicate, and directed her eyes towards Mr. Darcy with a very expressive smile. To turn her mother's thoughts, Elizabeth asked her if Charlotte Lucas had been at Longbourn since her coming away.

      «Yes, she called yesterday with her father. What an agreeable man Sir William is, Mr. Bingley, isn't he? So gentle and easy! He has always something to say to everybody. That is my idea of good breeding; and those persons who imagine themselves very important, and never open their mouths, quite mistake the matter».

      «Did Charlotte dine with you?»

      «No, she would go home. I think she was wanted about the mince-pies. For my part, Mr. Bingley, I always keep servants that can do their own work; my daughters are brought up very differently. But the Lucases are a very good sort of girls, I assure you. It is a pity they are not handsome! Not that I think Charlotte so very plain, but then she is our particular friend».

      «She seems a very pleasant young woman».

      «Oh, dear, yes; but one must admit she is very plain. Lady Lucas herself has often said so, and envied me Jane's beauty. Everybody says one does not often see anybody better looking. When she was only fifteen, there was a man at my brother Gardiner's in town so much in love with her that my sister-in-law was sure he would make her an offer before we came away. But, however, he did not. Perhaps he thought her too young. However, he wrote some very pretty verses on her».

      «And so put an end to his affection», said Elizabeth impatiently. «I think there have been many cases of affection overcome in the same way. I wonder who first discovered the effectiveness of poetry in driving away love!»

      «I СКАЧАТЬ