6 Elizabeth visits Mr. and Mrs. Collins （6-1）
DAY 19
The following Monday Mrs. Bennet had the pleasure of receiving her brother and his wife, who came as usual to spend Christmas at Longbourn. Mr. Gardiner was a sensible, gentlemanlike man. The Netherfield ladies would have had difficulty in believing that a man who lived by buying and selling could be so well-mannered and agreeable. Mrs. Gardiner, who was several years younger than Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Philips, was a pleasant, intelligent, elegant woman, and a great favourite with her Longbourn nieces, especially the two eldest, who often stayed with her in London.
When Mrs. Gardiner had given the presents she had brought with her, and described the newest fashions, she was obliged to listen to Mrs. Bennet's complaints.
‘I've suffered greatly since your last visit. Sister!’ cried Mrs. Bennet. ‘Just imagine! Two of my daughters were very close to marriage--and then--nothing! I do not blame Jane, who would have got Mr. Bingley if she could, but Lizzy! Oh, sister! It is hard to think she might have been Mrs. Collins by now, if she hadn't been so obstinate! The result is that Lady Lucas will have a daughter married before me. It makes me quite ill, to have such a disobedient daughter and such selfish neighbours. But your coming just now is a great comfort to me, and I am very glad to hear what you tell us, about long sleeves.’
Mrs. Gardiner made a suitably sympathetic reply to her sister-in-law (嫂子,大姑子) , and later that day found the opportunity to discuss the matter in more detail with Elizabeth, alone.
‘I am sorry for Jane, ’ she said kindly, ‘but, Lizzy, these things happen often! A young man like Mr. Bingley frequently falls in love with a pretty girl, and when chance separates them, he forgets her very quickly.’
‘Yes, aunt,’ said Elizabeth, ‘but in this case it was not chance, but the young man's interfering friends, who separated Jane and Mr. Bingley. I'm sure he was violently in love with her.’
‘Poor Jane! She's so sensitive. I'm afraid she may not get over it for some time. Now, if it had been you, Lizzy, you would have recovered more quickly, by finding humour in the situation. But do you think I could persuade Jane to come back with us to London? Perhaps a change of air （换个环境）would make her feel better.’
Elizabeth was extremely grateful to her aunt for this kind suggestion, and felt sure Jane would gladly agree.
‘I hope,’ added Mrs. Gardiner, ‘that she will not be influenced by the hope of seeing the young man. We live in such a different part of town that it is very unlikely they will meet, unless he actually comes to see her.’
‘And that is quite impossible, because his friend Mr. Darcy would not allow him to visit so unfashionable an address!’ But despite her protest, Elizabeth secretly thought that Jane might see Bingley in London and that a meeting would probably reawaken his affection for her.
The Gardiners stayed at Longbourn for a week, and Mrs. Bennet made sure there was always some entertainment for her brother and sister-in-law. Whenever there was a dinner party at Longbourn House, some of the officers were always invited. Mrs. Gardiner, who had noticed that Mr. Wickham was a very frequent visitor (常客) and that Elizabeth spoke admiringly of him, took care to observe them both. She saw enough to make her a little anxious, and decided to speak to Elizabeth about him when they were alone.
‘Lizzy,’ she began, ‘I can see that you and Mr. Wickham like each other. But I must warn you not to get seriously involved with him. I admit he's a most interesting young man, but sadly he has no fortune (没钱/财产). You are a sensible girl, and must realize that you would disappoint your father by agreeing to marry a penniless young man.’
‘My dear aunt, do not worry. I’ll take care of myself, and Mr. Wickham too. He won't be in love with me, if I can prevent it.’
‘Elizabeth, be serious.’
‘I'm sorry, aunt, I’ll try again. At present I'm certainly not in love with him. But he is by far the most agreeable (随和的) man I've ever met, and if he really loved me… But I would hate to disappoint my father or make any of you unhappy. I cannot promise what I will do, but I will really try to do what I think is wisest. I hope you are satisfied with that.’
Her aunt replied that she was, and received Elizabeth's thanks for her kind advice. Several days after this, the Gardiners returned to London, taking Jane with them.
Task for Pride and Prejudice 19
NOTES:
had the pleasure of:有...的荣幸
as usual:像往常一样；照例
receive sb:接待某人
gentleman-like:adj. 绅士的；举止高雅的
have difficulty in:对…有困难；在某方面有困难,方面
live by:以…为生
well-mannered: adj. 举止得体的；有礼貌的
stay with sb:和某人呆在一起; 与某人呆在一起; 和某人待在一起
obliged to:不得不（做）；感激
disobedient: adj. 不顺从的，不服从的，违抗的
sleeves:n. [服装] 袖子（sleeve的复数形式）；[机] 套筒v. 给……装袖子（sleeve的单三形式）
sister-in-law: n. 法律上的姐姐/妹妹； 即丈夫[妻子]的姊妹；姑子；姨子 | 兄长[弟弟]的妻子；嫂子；弟媳 | 配偶的兄弟之妻；妯娌；舅嫂; 其他用法：mother-in-law丈母娘/婆婆； daughter-in-law媳妇；等
in more detail:更详细地
discuss with:商洽；与…谈论
be sorry for:为…感到抱歉；为…感到难过
in this case:既然这样，假若这样
interfering:adj. 干涉的；多管闲事的v. 妨碍（interfere的ing形式）
get over:克服；恢复；熬过；原谅
in the situation:在这种情况下
persuade sb to do:说服某人做某事
come back with sb to:跟谁一起回来
a change of air:改变环境
make sb feel sth:使某人觉得
grateful to sb for sth:感谢某人 ； grateful to:感激，感谢
be influenced by:受…的影响
the hope of doing:希望能做
a part of:一部分
live in:住进
come to see sb:来看某人
allow sb to do:允许某人去做……
unfashionable: adj. 不流行的；不时髦的，过时的
despite: prep. 尽管，虽然，任凭 |despite yourself 不由自主，不禁
reawaken:vt. 使想起，使回忆；再次唤醒
affection for:对……的感情;对……的喜爱
stay at:暂住在…；保留
make sure:确信；证实
dinner party: n. 家宴，家中宴会
speak of:谈到；论及
admiringly:adv. 钦佩地；羡慕地
take care:注意，小心
speak to sb about: 向某人谈论
