按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
always been disposed to like him； she could not think without
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 157…
Jane Austen： Pride and Prejudice 157
anger； hardly without contempt； on that easiness of temper； that
want of proper resolution which now made him the slave of his
designing friends； and led him to sacrifice his own happiness to
the caprice of their inclinations。 Had his own happiness； however；
been the only sacrifice； he might have been allowed to sport with it
in what ever manner he thought best； but her sister’s was involved
in it； as she thought he must be sensible himself。 It was a subject；
in short； on which reflection would be long indulged； and must be
unavailing。 She could think of nothing else； and yet whether
Bingley’s regard had really died away； or were suppressed by his
friends’ interference； whether he had been aware of Jane’s
attachment； or whether it had escaped his observation； whichever
were the case； though her opinion of him must be materially
affected by the difference； her sister’s situation remained the
same； her peace equally wounded。
A day or two passed before Jane had courage to speak of her
feelings to Elizabeth； but at last on Mrs。 Bennet’s leaving them
together； after a longer irritation than usual about Netherfield and
its master； she could not help saying；
‘Oh！ that my dear mother had more command over herself； she
can have no idea of the pain she gives me by her continual
reflections on him。 But I will not repine。 It cannot last long。 He will
be forgot； and we shall all be as we were before。’
Elizabeth looked at her sister with incredulous solicitude； but
said nothing。
‘You doubt me；’ cried Jane； slightly colouring； ‘indeed you have
no reason。 He may live in my memory as the most amiable man of
my acquaintance； but that is all。 I have nothing either to hope or
fear； and nothing to reproach him with。 Thank God！ I have not
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 158…
Jane Austen： Pride and Prejudice 158
that pain。 A little time therefore。—I shall certainly try to get the
better。’
With a stronger voice she soon added； ‘I have this comfort
immediately； that it has not been more than an error of fancy on
my side； and that it has done no harm to any one but myself。’
‘My dear Jane！’ exclaimed Elizabeth； ‘you are too good。 Your
sweetness and disinterestedness are really angelic； I do not know
what to say to you。 I feel as if I had never done you justice； or loved
you as you deserve。’
Miss Bennet eagerly disclaimed all extraordinary merit； and
threw back the praise on her sister’s warm affection。
‘Nay；’ said Elizabeth； ‘this is not fair。 You wish to think all the
world respectable； and are hurt if I speak ill of any body。 I only
want to think you perfect； and you set yourself against it。 Do not
be afraid of my running into any excess； of my encroaching on
your privilege of universal good will。 You need not。 There are few
people whom I really love； and still fewer of whom I think well。
The more I see of the world； the more am I dissatisfied with it； and
every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human
characters； and of the little dependence that can be placed on the
appearance of either merit or sense。 I have met with two instances
lately； one I will not mention； the other is Charlotte’s marriage。 It
is unaccountable！ in every view it is unaccountable！’
‘My dear Lizzy； do not give way to such feelings as these。 They
will ruin your happiness。 You do not make allowance enough for
difference of situation and temper。 Consider Mr。 Collins’s
respectability； and Charlotte’s prudent； steady character。
Remember that she is one of a large family； that as to fortune； it is
a most eligible match； and be ready to believe； for every body’s
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 159…
Jane Austen： Pride and Prejudice 159
sake； that she may feel something like regard and esteem for our
cousin。
‘To oblige you； I would try to believe almost any thing； but no
one else could be benefited by such a belief as this； for were I
persuaded that Charlotte had any regard for him； I should only
think worse of her understanding； than I now do of her heart。 My
dear Jane； Mr。 Collins is a conceited； pompous； narrow…minded；
silly man； you know he is； as well as I do； and you must feel； as
well as I do； that the woman who marries him； cannot have a
proper way of thinking。 You shall not defend her； though it is
Charlotte Lucas。 You shall not； for the sake of one individual；
change the meaning of principle and integrity； nor endeavour to
persuade yourself or me； that selfishness is prudence； and
insensibility of danger； security for happiness。’
‘I must think your language too strong in speaking of both；’
replied Jane； ‘and I hope you will be convinced of it； by seeing
them happy together。 But enough of this。 You alluded to
something else。 You mentioned two instances。 I cannot
misunderstand you； but I intreat you； dear Lizzy； not to pain me
by thinking that person to blame； and saying your opinion of him is
sunk。 We must not be so ready to fancy ourselves intentionally
injured。 We must not expect a lively young man to be always so
guarded and circumspect。 It is very often nothing but our own
vanity that deceives us。 Women fancy admiration means more
than it does。’
‘And men take care that they should。’
‘If it is designedly done； they cannot be justified； but I have no
idea of there being so much design in the world as some persons
imagine。’
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen