Pride and Prejudice / Chapter 18 / 5
Гордость и предубеждение / Глава 18 / 5
It was an animating subject,
and Mrs. Bennet seemed incapable of fatigue while enumerating the advantages of the match.
His being such a charming young man,
and so rich,
and living but three miles from them,
were the first points of self-gratulation;
and then it was such a comfort to think how fond the two sisters were of Jane,
and to be certain that they must desire the connection as much as she could do.
It was,
moreover,
such a promising thing for her younger daughters,
as Jane’s marrying so greatly must throw them in the way of other rich men;
and lastly,
it was so pleasant at her time of life to be able to consign her single daughters to the care of their sister,
that she might not be obliged to go into company more than she liked.
It was necessary to make this circumstance a matter of pleasure,
because on such occasions it is the etiquette;
but no one was less likely than Mrs. Bennet to find comfort in staying home at any period of her life.
She concluded with many good wishes that Lady Lucas might soon be equally fortunate,
though evidently and triumphantly believing there was no chance of it.
In vain did Elizabeth endeavour to check the rapidity of her mother’s words,
or persuade her to describe her felicity in a less audible whisper;
for,
to her inexpressible vexation,
she could perceive that the chief of it was overheard by Mr. Darcy,
who sat opposite to them.
Her mother only scolded her for being nonsensical.
“What is Mr. Darcy to me,
pray,
that I should be afraid of him?
I am sure we owe him no such particular civility as to be obliged to say nothing he may not like to hear.”
“For heaven’s sake,
madam,
speak lower.
What advantage can it be for you to offend Mr. Darcy?
You will never recommend yourself to his friend by so doing!”
Nothing that she could say,
however,
had any influence.
Her mother would talk of her views in the same intelligible tone.
Elizabeth blushed and blushed again with shame and vexation.
She could not help frequently glancing her eye at Mr. Darcy,
though every glance convinced her of what she dreaded;
for though he was not always looking at her mother,
she was convinced that his attention was invariably fixed by her.
The expression of his face changed gradually from indignant contempt to a composed and steady gravity.
At length,
however,
Mrs. Bennet had no more to say;
and Lady Lucas,
who had been long yawning at the repetition of delights which she saw no likelihood of sharing,
was left to the comforts of cold ham and chicken.
Elizabeth now began to revive.
But not long was the interval of tranquillity;
for,
when supper was over,
singing was talked of,
and she had the mortification of seeing Mary,
after very little entreaty,
preparing to oblige the company.
By many significant looks and silent entreaties,
did she endeavour to prevent such a proof of complaisance,
but in vain;
Mary would not understand them;
such an opportunity of exhibiting was delightful to her,
and she began her song.
Elizabeth’s eyes were fixed on her with most painful sensations,
and she watched her progress through the several stanzas with an impatience which was very ill rewarded at their close;
for Mary,
on receiving,
amongst the thanks of the table,
the hint of a hope that she might be prevailed on to favour them again,
after the pause of half a minute began another.
Mary’s powers were by no means fitted for such a display;
her voice was weak,
and her manner affected.
Elizabeth was in agonies.
She looked at Jane,
to see how she bore it;
but Jane was very composedly talking to Bingley.
She looked at his two sisters,
and saw them making signs of derision at each other,
and at Darcy,
who continued,
however,
imperturbably grave.
She looked at her father to entreat his interference,
lest Mary should be singing all night.
He took the hint,
and when Mary had finished her second song,
said aloud,
“That will do extremely well,
child.
You have delighted us long enough.
Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit.”
Mary,
though pretending not to hear,
was somewhat disconcerted;
and Elizabeth,
sorry for her,
and sorry for her father’s speech,
was afraid her anxiety had done no good.
Others of the party were now applied to.
“If I,”
said Mr. Collins,
“were so fortunate as to be able to sing,
I should have great pleasure,
I am sure,
in obliging the company with an air;
for I consider music as a very innocent diversion,
and perfectly compatible with the profession of a clergyman.
I do not mean,
however,
to assert that we can be justified in devoting too much of our time to music,
for there are certainly other things to be attended to.
The rector of a parish has much to do.
In the first place,
he must make such an agreement for tithes as may be beneficial to himself and not offensive to his patron.