評論
打印
班納特先生盡管在自己太太面前自始至終都說是不想去拜訪彬格萊先生，事實上一直都打算去拜訪他，而且還是跟第一批人一起去拜訪他的。
Mr. Bennet was among the earliest of those who waited on Mr. Bingley. He had always intended to visit him, though to the last always assuring his wife that he should not go; and till the evening after the visit was paid she had no knowledge of it. It was then disclosed in the following manner. Observing his second daughter employed in trimming a hat, he suddenly addressed her with:
"I hope Mr. Bingley will like it, Lizzy. "
"We are not in a way to know WHAT Mr. Bingley likes, " said her mother resentfully, "since we are not to visit. "
"But you forget, mamma, " said Elizabeth, "that we shall meet him at the assemblies, and that Mrs. Long promised to introduce him. "
"I do not believe Mrs. Long will do any such thing. She has two nieces of her own. She is a selfish, hypocritical woman, and I have no opinion of her. "
"No more have I, " said Mr. Bennet; "and I am glad to find that you do not depend on her serving you. "
Mrs. Bennet deigned not to make any reply, but, unable to contain herself, began scolding one of her daughters.
"Don't keep coughing so, Kitty, for Heaven's sake! Have a little compassion on my nerves. You tear them to pieces. "
"Kitty has no discretion in her coughs, " said her father; "she times them ill. "
"I do not cough for my own amusement, " replied Kitty fretfully. "When is your next ball to be, Lizzy?"
"To-morrow fortnight. "
"Aye, so it is, " cried her mother, "and Mrs. Long does not come back till the day before; so it will be impossible for her to introduce him, for she will not know him herself. "
"Then, my dear, you may have the advantage of your friend, and introduce Mr. Bingley to HER. "
"Impossible, Mr. Bennet, impossible, when I am not acquainted with him myself; how can you be so teasing?"
"I honour your circumspection. A fortnight's acquaintance is certainly very little. One cannot know what a man really is by the end of a fortnight. But if WE do not venture somebody else will; and after all, Mrs. Long and her daughters must stand their chance; and, therefore, as she will think it an act of kindness, if you decline the office, I will take it on myself. "
The girls stared at their father. Mrs. Bennet said only, "Nonsense, nonsense!"
"What can be the meaning of that emphatic exclamation?" cried he. "Do you consider the forms of introduction, and the stress that is laid on them, as nonsense? I cannot quite agree with you THERE. What say you, Mary? For you are a young lady of deep reflection, I know, and read great books and make extracts. "
Mary wished to say something sensible, but knew not how.
"While Mary is adjusting her ideas, " he continued, "let us return to Mr. Bingley. "
"I am sick of Mr. Bingley, " cried his wife.
"I am sorry to hear THAT; but why did not you tell me that before? If I had known as much this morning I certainly would not have called on him. It is very unlucky; but as I have actually paid the visit, we cannot escape the acquaintance now. "
