，最快更新傲慢与偏见最新章节！“Something very muchthe purposegins with congratulationsthe approaching nuptialsmy eldest daughter,which,seems,has been toldsomethe good-natured, gossipin not sport with your impatience,by reading whatsaystha relatesyourself,as follows: 'Having thus offered you the sincere congratulationnd myselfthis happy event, letnow adhort hintthe subjectanother;of whichhave been advertisedthe sam daughter Elizabeth,itpresumed,will not long bear the nameBe, after her elder sister has resigned it,and the chosen partnerher fate mayreasonably lookedtoonethe most illustrious personagesthis land.'
“Can you possibly guess, Lizzy, whomeantthis?”'This young gentlemanblessed,a peculiar way, with every thing the heartmortal can most desire, —splendid property,noble kindred, and extensivspiteall these temptations, letwarncousin Elizabeth, and yourself,what evils you may incura precipitate closure with this gentleman's proposals, which,course, you willinclinedtake immediate advantage of.'
“Have you any idea, Lizzy, who this gentleman is? But nowes out:
“'my motive for cautioning youa have reasonimagihat his aunt,Lady CatherineBourgh,does not lookthe match witriendly eye.'
“mr. darcy, you see,the man! Now, Lizzy, I think I have surprise he,or the Lucases,have pitchedany man within the circleour acquaintance, whose name would have given the lie more effectuallywhat they related? mr. darcy, who never looksany woman butselemish, and who probably never lookedyouhis life!Itadmirable!”
Elizabeth triedjoinher father's pleasantry,but could only force one most reluctan had his wit been directeda mannerlittle agreeableher.
“Are you not diverted?”
“oh!yes.Pray read on.”
“'After mentioning the likelihoodthis marriageher ladyship last night,she immediately,with her usual condescension,expressed what she feltthe occasion;whenbecame apparent,thatthe scoresome family objectionsthe partmy cousin,she would never give her consentwhat she termeddisgracefuldutygive the speediest intelligencethismy cousin,that she and her noble admirer mayawarewhat they are about,and not run hastily intarriage which has not been properly sanctioned.'mr.Collins moreover adds,'Itruly rejoiced thatcousin Lydia's sad business has beenwell hushed up,andonly concerned that their living together before the marriage took place shouldso generall not, however,neglect the dutiesmy station,or refrain from declaringamazementhearing that you received the young couple into your housesoonthey wer wasencouragementvice; and had I been the rectorLongbourn, I should very strenuously have opposed it.You ought certainlyfive them,a Christian, but neveradmit themyour sight,allow their namesbe mentionedyour hearing.'Thathis notionChristian fiveness!The resthis letteronly about his dear Charlotte's situation,and his expectationa youn,Lizzy,you lookif you did not enjoy it.You are not goingbe missish,I hope,and pretendbe affrontedan idl whatwe live,butmake sport for our neighbours,and laughthemour turn?”
“oh!”cried Elizabeth,“Iexcessivelisstrange!”
“Yes—thatwhat makehey fixedany other manwould have been nothing;but his perfect indifference, and your pointed dislike, makeso delightfully absurd! muchI abominate writing, I would not givemr. Collins's correspondence for an,when I reaetterhis,I cannot help giving him the preference even over wickham, muchI value the impudence and hypocrisym pray,Lizzy,what said Lady Catherine about this report?did she callrefuse her consent?”To this question his daughter replied only witaugh; andit had been asked without the least suspicion, she was not distressedhis repeating it. Elizabeth had never been morea lossmake her feelings appear what they wer was necessarylaugh,when she would rather hav father had most cruelly mortified her,whatsaidmr. darcy's indifference,and she couldnothing but wondersucantpration,or fear that perhaps,insteadhis seeing too little, she might have fancied too much.