《傲慢与偏见》第10集|Letters Received, Hopes Ended

Aunt Gardiner warns Elizabeth againstfalling in love with George Wickham, while Jane receives news that appears toend all hopes of a renewal of her relationship with Bingley.

加德纳姨妈警告伊丽莎白不要与乔治·威克姆坠入爱河，而简收到的消息似乎终结了她与宾利先生重修旧好的所有希望。

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Their conversation – from chapter 26 – willbe our first reading today.

(READING)

Mrs. Gardiner's caution to Elizabeth waspunctually and kindly given on the first favourable opportunity of speaking toher alone; after honestly telling her what she thought, she thus went on:

"You are too sensible a girl, Lizzy,to fall in love merely because you are warned against it; and, therefore, I amnot afraid of speaking openly. Seriously, I would have you be on your guard. Donot involve yourself or endeavour to involve him in an affection which the wantof fortune would make so very imprudent. I have nothing to sayagainst him; he is a most interesting young man; and if he had the fortunehe ought to have, I should think you could not do better. But as it is, youmust not let your fancy run away with you. You have sense, and we all expectyou to use it. Your father would depend on your resolution and goodconduct, I am sure. You must not disappoint your father."

"My dear aunt, this is being seriousindeed."

"Yes, and I hope to engage you to beserious likewise."

"Well, then, you need not be under anyalarm. I will take care of myself, and of Mr. Wickham too. He shall not be inlove with me, if I can prevent it."

"Elizabeth, you are not seriousnow."

"I beg your pardon, I will try again.At present I am not in love with Mr. Wickham; no, I certainly am not. But heis, beyond all comparison, the most agreeable man I ever saw—and if he becomesreally attached to me—I believe it will be better that he should not. I see theimprudence of it. Oh! that abominable Mr. Darcy! My father's opinionof me does me the greatest honour, and I should be miserable to forfeit it. Myfather, however, is partial to Mr. Wickham. In short, my dear aunt, I should bevery sorry to be the means of making any of you unhappy; but since we see everyday that where there is affection, young people are seldom withheld byimmediate want of fortune from entering into engagements with each other, howcan I promise to be wiser than so many of my fellow-creatures if I am tempted,or how am I even to know that it would be wisdom to resist? All that I canpromise you, therefore, is not to be in a hurry. I will not be in a hurry tobelieve myself his first object. When I am in company with him, I will not bewishing. In short, I will do my best."

"Perhaps it will be as well if youdiscourage his coming here so very often. At least, you shouldnot remind your mother of inviting him."

"As I did the other day," saidElizabeth with a conscious smile: "very true, it will be wise in me torefrain from that. But do not imagine that he is always here so often. Itis on your account that he has been so frequently invited this week. You knowmy mother's ideas as to the necessity of constant company for her friends. Butreally, and upon my honour, I will try to do what I think to be the wisest; andnow I hope you are satisfied."

Her aunt assured her that she was, andElizabeth having thanked her for the kindness of her hints, they parted; awonderful instance of advice being given on such a point, without beingresented.

(END READING)

These letters – from chapter 26 - will beour second reading today.

 (READING)

Jane had already written a few lines to hersister to announce their safe arrival in London; and when she wrote again,Elizabeth hoped it would be in her power to say something of the Bingleys.

Her impatience for this second letter wasas well rewarded as impatience generally is. Jane had been a week in townwithout either seeing or hearing from Caroline. She accounted for it, however,by supposing that her last letter to her friend from Longbourn had by someaccident been lost.

"My aunt," she continued,"is going to-morrow into that part of the town, and I shall take theopportunity of calling in Grosvenor Street."

She wrote again when the visit was paid,and she had seen Miss Bingley. "I did not think Caroline in spirits,"were her words, "but she was very glad to see me, and reproached me forgiving her no notice of my coming to London. I was right, therefore, my lastletter had never reached her. I inquired after their brother, of course. He waswell, but so much engaged with Mr. Darcy that they scarcely ever saw him. Ifound that Miss Darcy was expected to dinner. I wish I could see her. My visitwas not long, as Caroline and Mrs. Hurst were going out. I dare say I shall seethem soon here."

Elizabeth shook her head over this letter.It convinced her that accident only could discover to Mr. Bingley her sister'sbeing in town.

Four weeks passed away, and Jane sawnothing of him. She endeavoured to persuade herself that she did not regret it;but she could no longer be blind to Miss Bingley's inattention. After waitingat home every morning for a fortnight, and inventing every evening a freshexcuse for her, the visitor did at last appear; but the shortness of her stay,and yet more, the alteration of her manner would allow Jane to deceive herselfno longer. The letter which she wrote on this occasion to her sister will provewhat she felt.

"My dearest Lizzy will, I am sure, beincapable of triumphing in her better judgement, at my expense, when I confessmyself to have been entirely deceived in Miss Bingley's regard for me. But, mydear sister, though the event has proved you right, do not think me obstinateif I still assert that, considering what her behaviour was, my confidence wasas natural as your suspicion. I do not at all comprehend her reason for wishingto be intimate with me; but if the same circumstances were to happen again, Iam sure I should be deceived again. Caroline did not return my visit tillyesterday; and not a note, not a line, did I receive in the meantime. When shedid come, it was very evident that she had no pleasure in it; she made aslight, formal apology, for not calling before, said not a word of wishing tosee me again, and was in every respect so altered a creature, that when shewent away I was perfectly resolved to continue the acquaintance no longer. Ipity, though I cannot help blaming her. She was very wrong in singling me outas she did; I can safely say that every advance to intimacy began on her side.But I pity her, because she must feel that she has been acting wrong, andbecause I am very sure that anxiety for her brother is the cause of it. I neednot explain myself farther; and though we know this anxiety to bequite needless, yet if she feels it, it will easily account for her behaviourto me; and so deservedly dear as he is to his sister, whatever anxiety she mustfeel on his behalf is natural and amiable. I cannot but wonder, however, at herhaving any such fears now, because, if he had at all cared about me, we musthave met, long ago. He knows of my being in town, I am certain, from somethingshe said herself; and yet it would seem, by her manner of talking, as if shewanted to persuade herself that he is really partial to Miss Darcy. I cannotunderstand it. If I were not afraid of judging harshly, I should be almosttempted to say that there is a strong appearance of duplicity in all this. ButI will endeavour to banish every painful thought, and think only of what willmake me happy—your affection, and the invariable kindness of my dear uncle andaunt. Let me hear from you very soon. Miss Bingley said something of his neverreturning to Netherfield again, of giving up the house, but not with anycertainty. We had better not mention it. I am extremely glad that you have suchpleasant accounts from our friends at Hunsford. Pray go to see them, with SirWilliam and Maria. I am sure you will be very comfortable there.—Yours,etc."

This letter gave Elizabeth some pain; buther spirits returned as she considered that Jane would no longer be duped, bythe sister at least. All expectation from the brother was now absolutely over.She would not even wish for a renewal of his attentions. His character sunk onevery review of it; and as a punishment for him, as well as a possibleadvantage to Jane, she seriously hoped he might really soon marry Mr. Darcy'ssister, as by Wickham's account, she would make him abundantly regret what hehad thrown away.

(END READING)