WHEN the ladies removed after dinner, Elizabeth ran up to her sister, and, seeing her well guarded from cold, attended her into the drawing-room; where she was welcomed by her two friends with many professions of pleasure; and Elizabeth had never seen them so agreeable as they were during the hour which passed before the gentlemen appeared. Their powers of conversation were considerable. They could describe an entertainment with accuracy, relate an anecdote with humour, and laugh at their acquaintance with spirit.
娘兒們吃過晚飯以后,伊麗莎白就上樓到她姐姐那兒去,看她穿戴得妥妥貼貼,不會(huì)著涼,便陪著她上客廳去。她的女朋友們見到她,都表示歡迎,一個(gè)個(gè)都說非常高興。在男客們沒有來的那一個(gè)鐘頭里,她們是那么和藹可親,伊麗莎白從來不曾看到過。她們的健談本領(lǐng)真是嚇人,描述起宴會(huì)來纖毫入微,說起故事來風(fēng)趣橫溢,譏笑起一個(gè)朋友來也是有聲有色。
But when the gentlemen entered, Jane was no longer the first object. Miss Bingley's eyes were instantly turned towards Darcy, and she had something to say to him before he had advanced many steps. He addressed himself directly to Miss Bennet, with a polite congratulation; Mr. Hurst also made her a slight bow, and said he was "very glad;" but diffuseness and warmth remained for Bingley's salutation. He was full of joy and attention. The first half hour was spent in piling up the fire, lest she should suffer from the change of room; and she removed at his desire to the other side of the fireplace, that she might be farther from the door. He then sat down by her, and talked scarcely to any one else. Elizabeth, at work in the opposite corner, saw it all with great delight.
可是男客們一走進(jìn)來,吉英就不怎么引人注目了。達(dá)西一進(jìn)門,彬格萊小姐的眼睛就立刻轉(zhuǎn)到他身上去,要跟他說話。達(dá)西首先向班納特小姐問好,客客氣氣地祝賀她病休復(fù)元;赫斯脫先生也對(duì)她微微一鞠躬,說是見到她“非常高興”;但是說到詞氣周到,情意懇切,可就比不上彬格萊先生那幾聲問候。彬格萊先生才算得上情深意切,滿懷歡欣。開頭半小時(shí)完全消磨在添煤上面,生怕屋子里冷起來會(huì)叫病人受不了。吉英依照彬格萊的話,移坐到火爐的另一邊去,那樣她就離開門口遠(yuǎn)一些,免得受涼。接著他自己在她身旁坐下,一心跟她說話,簡直不理睬別人。伊麗莎白正在對(duì)面角落里做活計(jì),把這全部情景都看在眼里,感到無限高興。