pride and prejudice(傲慢与偏见)-第85章
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affection for her drew him oftener from home than any thing else
could do。 He delighted in going to Pemberley； especially when he
was least expected。
Mr。 Bingley and Jane remained at Netherfield only a
twelvemonth。 So near a vicinity to her mother and Meryton
relations was not desirable even to his easy temper； or her
affectionate heart。 The darling wish of his sisters was then
gratified； he bought an estate in a neighbouring county to
Derbyshire； and Jane and Elizabeth； in addition to every other
source of happiness； were within thirty miles of each other。
Kitty； to her very material advantage； spent the chief of her
time with her two elder sisters。 In society so superior to what she
had generally known； her improvement was great。 She was not of
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so ungovernable a temper as Lydia； and； removed from the
influence of Lydia’s example； she became； by proper attention and
management； less irritable； less ignorant； and less insipid。 From
the farther disadvantage of Lydia’s society she was of course
carefully kept； and though Mrs。 Wickham frequently invited her to
come and stay with her； with the promise of balls and young men；
her father would never consent to her going。
Mary was the only daughter who remained at home； and she
was necessarily drawn from the pursuit of accomplishments by
Mrs。 Bennet’s being quite unable to sit alone。 Mary was obliged to
mix more with the world； but she could still moralize over every
morning visit； and as she was no longer mortified by comparisons
between her sisters’ beauty and her own； it was suspected by her
father that she submitted to the change without much reluctance。
As for Wickham and Lydia； their characters suffered no
revolution from the marriage of her sisters。 He bore with
philosophy the conviction that Elizabeth must now become
acquainted with whatever of his ingratitude and falsehood had
before been unknown to her； and in spite of every thing； was not
wholly without hope that Darcy might yet be prevailed on to make
his fortune。 The congratulatory letter which Elizabeth received
from Lydia on her marriage； explained to her that； by his wife at
least； if not by himself； such a hope was cherished。 The letter was
to this effect：
‘My Dear Lizzy；
‘I wish you joy。 If you love Mr。 Darcy half as well as I do my
dear Wickham； you must be very happy。 It is a great comfort to
have you so rich； and when you have nothing else to do； I hope you
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will think of us。 I am sure Wickham would like a place at court
very much； and I do not think we shall have quite money enough
to live upon without some help。 Any place would do； of about three
or four hundred a year； but； however； do not speak to Mr。 Darcy
about it； if you had rather not。
‘Your’s； &c。’
As it happened that Elizabeth had much rather not； she
endeavoured in her answer to put an end to every intreaty and
expectation of the kind。 Such relief； however； as it was in her
power to afford； by the practice of what might be called economy
in her own private expences； she frequently sent them。 It had
always been evident to her that such an income as theirs； under
the direction of two persons so extravagant in their wants； and
heedless of the future； must be very insufficient to their support；
and whenever they changed their quarters； either Jane or herself
were sure of being applied to； for some little assistance towards
discharging their bills。 Their manner of living； even when the
restoration of peace dismissed them to a home； was unsettled in
the extreme。 They were always moving from place to place in
quest of a cheap situation； and always spending more than they
ought。 His affection for her soon sunk into indifference； her’s
lasted a little longer； and in spite of her youth and her manners；
she retained all the claims to reputation which her marriage had
given her。
Though Darcy could never receive him at Pemberley； yet； for
Elizabeth’s sake； he assisted him farther in his profession。 Lydia
was occasionally a visitor there； when her husband was gone to
enjoy himself in London or Bath； and with the Bingleys they both
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of them frequently staid so long； that even Bingley’s good humour
was overcome； and he proceeded so far as to talk of giving them a
hint to be gone。
Miss Bingley was very deeply mortified by Darcy’s marriage；
but as she thought it advisable to retain the right of visiting at
Pemberley； she dropt all her resentment； was fonder than ever of
Georgiana； almost as attentive to Darcy as heretofore； and paid off
every arrear of civility to Elizabeth。
Pemberley was now Georgiana’s home； and the attachment of
the sisters was exactly what Darcy had hoped to see。
They were able to love each other； even as well as they
intended。 Georgiana had the highest opinion in the world of
Elizabeth； though at first she often listened with an astonishment
bordering on alarm； at her lively； sportive； manner of talking to
her brother。 He； who had always inspired in herself a respect
which almost overcame her affection； she now saw the object of
open pleasantry。 Her mind received knowledge which had never
before fallen in her way。 By Elizabeth’s instructions she began to
comprehend that a woman may take liberties with her husband；
which a brother will not always allow in a sister more than ten
years younger than himself。
Lady Catherine was extremely indignant on the marriage of her
nephew； and as she gave way to all the genuine frankness of her
character； in her reply to the letter which announced its
arrangement； she sent him language so very abusive； especially of
Elizabeth； that for some time all intercourse was at an end。 But at
length； by Elizabeth’s persuasion； he was prevailed on to overlook
the offence； and seek a reconciliation； and； after a little farther
resistance on the part of his aunt； her resentment gave way； either
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to her affection for him； or her curiosity to see how his wife
conducted herself； and she condescended to wait on them at
Pemberley； in spite of that pollution which its woods had received；
not merely from the presence of such a mistress； but the visits of
her uncle and aunt from the city。
With the Gardiners； they were always on the most intimate
terms。 Darcy； as well as Elizabeth； really loved them； and they
were both ever sensible of the warmest gratitude towards the
persons who； by bringing her into Derbyshire； had been the means
of uniting them。
FINIS
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