pride and prejudice(傲慢与偏见)-第60章
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Jane Austen： Pride and Prejudice 312
CHAPTER IV
lizabeth had been a good deal disappointed in not finding
a letter from Jane； on their first arrival at Lambton； and
E
this disappointment had been renewed on each of the
mornings that had now been spent there； but on the third； her
repining was over； and her sister justified by the receipt of two
letters from her at once； on one of which was marked that it had
been missent elsewhere。 Elizabeth was not surprised at it； as Jane
had written the direction remarkably ill。
They had just been preparing to walk as the letters came in；
and her uncle and aunt； leaving her to enjoy them in quiet； set off
by themselves。 The one missent must be first attended to； it had
been written five days ago。 The beginning contained an account of
all their little parties and engagements； with such news as the
country afforded； but the latter half； which was dated a day later；
and written in evident agitation； gave more important intelligence。
It was to this effect：
‘Since writing the above； dearest Lizzy； something has occurred
of a most unexpected and serious nature； but I am afraid of
alarming you—be assured that we are all well。 What I have to say
relates to poor Lydia。 An express came at twelve last night； just as
we were all gone to bed； from Colonel Forster； to inform us that
she was gone off to Scotland with one of his officers； to own the
truth； with Wickham！—Imagine our surprise。 To Kitty； however； it
does not seem so wholly unexpected。 I am very； very sorry。 So
imprudent a match on both sides！—But I am willing to hope the
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best； and that his character has been misunderstood。 Thoughtless
and indiscreet I can easily believe him； but this step （and let us
rejoice over it） marks nothing bad at heart。 His choice is
disinterested at least； for he must know my father can give her
nothing。 Our poor mother is sadly grieved。 My father bears it
better。 How thankful am I； that we never let them know what has
been said against him； we must forget it ourselves。 They were off
Saturday night about twelve； as is conjectured； but were not
missed till yesterday morning at eight。 The express was sent off
directly。 My dear Lizzy； they must have passed within ten miles of
us。 Colonel Forster gives us reason to expect him here soon。 Lydia
left a few lines for his wife； informing her of their intention。 I must
conclude； for I cannot be long from my poor mother。 I am afraid
you will not be able to make it out； but I hardly know what I have
written。’
Without allowing herself time for consideration； and scarcely
knowing what she felt； Elizabeth on finishing this letter； instantly
seized the other； and opening it with the utmost impatience； read
as follows： it had been written a day later than the conclusion of
the first。
‘By this time； my dearest sister； you have received my hurried
letter； I wish this may be more intelligible； but though not
confined for time； my head is so bewildered that I cannot answer
for being coherent。 Dearest Lizzy； I hardly know what I would
write； but I have bad news for you； and it cannot be delayed。
Imprudent as a marriage between Mr。 Wickham and our poor
Lydia would be； we are now anxious to be assured it has taken
place； for there is but too much reason to fear they are not gone to
Scotland。 Colonel Forster came yesterday； having left Brighton
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the day before； not many hours after the express。 Though Lydia’s
short letter to Mrs。 F。 gave them to understand that they were
going to Gretna Green； something was dropped by Denny
expressing his belief that W。 never intended to go there； or to
marry Lydia at all； which was repeated to Colonel F。 who instantly
taking the alarm； set off from B。 intending to trace their route。 He
did trace them easily to Clapham； but no farther； for on entering
that place they removed into a hackney…coach and dismissed the
chaise that brought them from Epsom。 All that is known after this
is； that they were seen to continue the London road。 I know not
what to think。 After making every possible enquiry on that side
London； Colonel F。 came on into Hertfordshire； anxiously
renewing them at all the turnpikes； and at the inns in Barnet and
Hatfield； but without any success； no such people had been seen to
pass through。 With the kindest concern he came on to Longbourn；
and broke his apprehensions to us in a manner most creditable to
his heart。 I am sincerely grieved for him and Mrs。 F。 but no one
can throw any blame on them。 Our distress； my dear Lizzy； is very
great。 My father and mother believe the worst； but I cannot think
so ill of him。 Many circumstances might make it more eligible for
them to be married privately in town than to pursue their first
plan； and even if he could form such a design against a young
woman of Lydia’s connections； which is not likely； can I suppose
her so lost to every thing？—Impossible。 I grieve to find； however；
that Colonel F。 is not disposed to depend upon their marriage； he
shook his head when I expressed my hopes； and said he feared W。
was not a man to be trusted。 My poor mother is really ill and keeps
her room。 Could she exert herself it would be better； but this is not
to be expected； and as to my father； I never in my life saw him so
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affected。 Poor Kitty has anger for having concealed their
attachment； but as it was a matter of confidence one cannot
wonder。 I am truly glad； dearest Lizzy； that you have been spared
something of these distressing scenes； but now as the first shock is
over； shall I own that I long for your return？ I am not so selfish；
however； as to press for it； if inconvenient。 Adieu。 I take up my pen
again to do； what I have just told you I would not； but
circumstances are such； that I cannot help earnestly begging you
all to come here； as soon as possible。 I know my dear uncle and
aunt so well； that I am not afraid of requesting it； though I have
still something more to ask of the former。 My father is going to
London with Colonel Forster instantly； to try to discover her。 What
he means to do； I am sure I know not； but his excessive distress
will not allow him to pursue any measure in the best and safest
way； and Colonel Forster is obliged to be at Brighton again to…
morrow evening。 In such an exigence my uncle’s advice and
assistance would be every thing in the world； he will immediately
comprehend what I must feel； and I rely upon his goodness。’
‘Oh！ where； where is my uncle？’ cried Elizabeth； darting from
her seat as she finished the letter； in eagerness to follow him；
without losing a moment of the time so precious； but as she
reached the door； it was opened by a servant； and Mr。 Darcy
appeared。 Her pale face and impetuous manner made him start；
and before he could recover himself enough to speak； she； in
whose mind every idea was superseded by Lydia’s situation；
hastily exclaimed； ‘I beg your pardon； but I must leave you。 I must
find Mr。 Gardiner this moment； on business that cannot be
delayed； I have not an instant to lose。’
‘Good God！ what is the matter？’ cried he； with more feeling
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than politeness； then recollecting himself； ‘I will not detain you a
minute； but let me； or let the servant； go after Mr。 and Mrs。
Gardiner。 You are not well enough；—you cannot go yourself。’
Elizabeth hesitated； but her knees trembled under her； and she
felt how little would be gained by her attempting to pursue them。
Calling back the servant； therefore； she commissioned him； though
in so breathless an accent as made her almost unintelligible； to
fetch his master and mistress home； instantly。
On his quitting the room； she sat down； unable to support
herself； and looking so miserably ill； that it was impossible for
Darcy to leave her； or to refrain from saying； in a tone of
gentleness and commiseration； ‘Let me call your maid。 Is there
nothing you could take； to give you present relief？—A glass of
wine；—shall I get you one？—You are very ill。’
‘No； I thank you；’ she replied； endeavouring to recover herself。
‘There is nothing the matter with me。 I am quite well。 I am only
distressed by some dreadful news which I have just received from
Longbourn。’
She burst into tears as she alluded to it； and for a few minutes
could not speak another word。 Darcy； in wretched suspense； could
only say something indistinctly of his concern； and observe her in
compassionate silence。 At length； she spoke again。 ‘I have just had
a letter from Jane； with such dread
