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Гордость и предубеждение
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Глава 6
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Слушаем и читаем
Pride and Prejudice
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Mr. Darcy stood near them in silent indignation at such a mode of passing the evening,
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to the exclusion of all conversation,
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and was too much engrossed by his thoughts to perceive that Sir William Lucas was his neighbour,
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till Sir William thus began:
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“What a charming amusement for young people this is,
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Mr. Darcy!
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There is nothing like dancing after all.
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I consider it as one of the first refinements of polished society.”
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“Certainly,
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sir;
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and it has the advantage also of being in vogue amongst the less polished societies of the world.
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Every savage can dance.”
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Sir William only smiled.
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“Your friend performs delightfully,”
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he continued after a pause,
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on seeing Bingley join the group;
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“and I doubt not that you are an adept in the science yourself,
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Mr. Darcy.”
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“You saw me dance at Meryton,
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I believe,
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sir.”
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“Yes,
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indeed,
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and received no inconsiderable pleasure from the sight.
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Do you often dance at St.
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James’s?”
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“Never,
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sir.”
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“Do you not think it would be a proper compliment to the place?”
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“It is a compliment which I never pay to any place if I can avoid it.”
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“You have a house in town,
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I conclude?”
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Mr. Darcy bowed.
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“I had once had some thought of fixing in town myself—for I am fond of superior society;
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but I did not feel quite certain that the air of London would agree with Lady Lucas.”
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He paused in hopes of an answer;
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but his companion was not disposed to make any;
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and Elizabeth at that instant moving towards them,
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he was struck with the action of doing a very gallant thing,
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and called out to her:
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“My dear Miss Eliza,
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why are you not dancing?
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Mr. Darcy,
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you must allow me to present this young lady to you as a very desirable partner.
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You cannot refuse to dance,
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I am sure when so much beauty is before you.”
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And,
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taking her hand,
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he would have given it to Mr. Darcy who,
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though extremely surprised,
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was not unwilling to receive it,
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when she instantly drew back,
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and said with some discomposure to Sir William:
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“Indeed,
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sir,
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I have not the least intention of dancing.
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I entreat you not to suppose that I moved this way in order to beg for a partner.”
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Mr. Darcy,
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with grave propriety,
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requested to be allowed the honour of her hand,
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but in vain.
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Elizabeth was determined;
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nor did Sir William at all shake her purpose by his attempt at persuasion.
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“You excel so much in the dance,
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Miss Eliza,
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that it is cruel to deny me the happiness of seeing you;
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and though this gentleman dislikes the amusement in general,
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he can have no objection,
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I am sure,
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to oblige us for one half-hour.”
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“Mr. Darcy is all politeness,”
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said Elizabeth,
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smiling.
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“He is,
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indeed;
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but,
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considering the inducement,
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my dear Miss Eliza,
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we cannot wonder at his complaisance—for who would object to such a partner?”
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Elizabeth looked archly,
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and turned away.
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Her resistance had not injured her with the gentleman,
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and he was thinking of her with some complacency,
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when thus accosted by Miss Bingley:
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“I can guess the subject of your reverie.”
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“I should imagine not.”
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“You are considering how insupportable it would be to pass many evenings in this manner—in such society;
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and indeed I am quite of your opinion.
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I was never more annoyed!
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The insipidity,
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and yet the noise—the nothingness,
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and yet the self-importance of all those people!
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What would I give to hear your strictures on them!”
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“Your conjecture is totally wrong,
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I assure you.
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My mind was more agreeably engaged.
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I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow.”
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Miss Bingley immediately fixed her eyes on his face,
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and desired he would tell her what lady had the credit of inspiring such reflections.
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Mr. Darcy replied with great intrepidity:
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“Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
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“Miss Elizabeth Bennet!”
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repeated Miss Bingley.
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“I am all astonishment.
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How long has she been such a favourite?—
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and pray,
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when am I to wish you joy?”
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“That is exactly the question which I expected you to ask.
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A lady’s imagination is very rapid;
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it jumps from admiration to love,
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from love to matrimony,
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in a moment.
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I knew you would be wishing me joy.”
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“Nay,
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if you are serious about it,
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I shall consider the matter is absolutely settled.
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You will be having a charming mother-in-law,
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indeed;
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and,
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of course,
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she will always be at Pemberley with you.”
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He listened to her with perfect indifference while she chose to entertain herself in this manner;
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and as his composure convinced her that all was safe,
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her wit flowed long.
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End of chapter 6.
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