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Pride and Prejudice
by Jane Austen
Chapter 15
Mr. Collins was not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature had been but little assisted by education or society; the greatest part of his life having been spent under the guidance of an illiterate1 and miserly father; and though he belonged to one of the universities, he had merely kept the necessary terms, without forming at it any useful acquaintance. The subjection in which his father had brought him up had given him originally great humility2 of manner; but it was now a good deal counteracted3 by the self-conceit4 of a weak head, living in retirement5, and the consequential6 feelings of early and unexpected prosperity. A fortunate chance had recommended him to Lady Catherine de Bourgh when the living of Hunsford was vacant; and the respect which he felt for her high rank, and his veneration7 for her as his patroness, mingling8 with a very good opinion of himself, of his authority as a clergyman, and his right as a rector, made him altogether a mixture of pride and obsequiousness9, self-importance and humility.
Having now a good house and a very sufficient income, he intended to marry; and in seeking a reconciliation10 with the Longbourn family he had a wife in view, as he meant to choose one of the daughters, if he found them as handsome and amiable11 as they were represented by common report. This was his plan of amends—of atonement—for inheriting their father's estate; and he thought it an excellent one, full of eligibility12 and suitableness, and excessively generous and disinterested13 on his own part.
His plan did not vary on seeing them. Miss Bennet's lovely face confirmed his views, and established all his strictest notions of what was due to seniority; and for the first evening she was his settled choice. The next morning, however, made an alteration14; for in a quarter of an hour's tete-a-tete with Mrs. Bennet before breakfast, a conversation beginning with his parsonage-house, and leading naturally to the avowal15 of his hopes, that a mistress might be found for it at Longbourn, produced from her, amid very complaisant16 smiles and general encouragement, a caution against the very Jane he had fixed17 on. "As to her younger daughters, she could not take upon her to say—she could not positively18 answer—but she did not know of any prepossession; her eldest19 daughter, she must just mention—she felt it incumbent20 on her to hint, was likely to be very soon engaged."
Mr. Collins had only to change from Jane to Elizabeth—and it was soon done—done while Mrs. Bennet was stirring the fire. Elizabeth, equally next to Jane in birth and beauty, succeeded her of course.
Mrs. Bennet treasured up the hint, and trusted that she might soon have two daughters married; and the man whom she could not bear to speak of the day before was now high in her good graces.
Lydia's intention of walking to Meryton was not forgotten; every sister except Mary agreed to go with her; and Mr. Collins was to attend them, at the request of Mr. Bennet, who was most anxious to get rid of him, and have his library to himself; for thither21 Mr. Collins had followed him after breakfast; and there he would continue, nominally22 engaged with one of the largest folios in the collection, but really talking to Mr. Bennet, with little cessation, of his house and garden at Hunsford. Such doings discomposed Mr. Bennet exceedingly. In his library he had been always sure of leisure and tranquillity23; and though prepared, as he told Elizabeth, to meet with folly24 and conceit in every other room of the house, he was used to be free from them there; his civility, therefore, was most prompt in inviting25 Mr. Collins to join his daughters in their walk; and Mr. Collins, being in fact much better fitted for a walker than a reader, was extremely pleased to close his large book, and go.
In pompous26 nothings on his side, and civil assents27 on that of his cousins, their time passed till they entered Meryton. The attention of the younger ones was then no longer to be gained by him. Their eyes were immediately wandering up in the street in quest of the officers, and nothing less than a very smart bonnet28 indeed, or a really new muslin in a shop window, could recall them.
But the attention of every lady was soon caught by a young man, whom they had never seen before, of most gentlemanlike appearance, walking with another officer on the other side of the way. The officer was the very Mr. Denny concerning whose return from London Lydia came to inquire, and he bowed as they passed. All were struck with the stranger's air, all wondered who he could be; and Kitty and Lydia, determined29 if possible to find out, led the way across the street, under pretense30 of wanting something in an opposite shop, and fortunately had just gained the pavement when the two gentlemen, turning back, had reached the same spot. Mr. Denny addressed them directly, and entreated31 permission to introduce his friend, Mr. Wickham, who had returned with him the day before from town, and he was happy to say had accepted a commission in their corps32. This was exactly as it should be; for the young man wanted only regimentals to make him completely charming. His appearance was greatly in his favour; he had all the best part of beauty, a fine countenance33, a good figure, and very pleasing address. The introduction was followed up on his side by a happy readiness of conversation—a readiness at the same time perfectly34 correct and unassuming; and the whole party were still standing35 and talking together very agreeably, when the sound of horses drew their notice, and Darcy and Bingley were seen riding down the street. On distinguishing the ladies of the group, the two gentlemen came directly towards them, and began the usual civilities. Bingley was the principal spokesman, and Miss Bennet the principal object. He was then, he said, on his way to Longbourn on purpose to inquire after her. Mr. Darcy corroborated36 it with a bow, and was beginning to determine not to fix his eyes on Elizabeth, when they were suddenly arrested by the sight of the stranger, and Elizabeth happening to see the countenance of both as they looked at each other, was all astonishment37 at the effect of the meeting. Both changed colour, one looked white, the other red. Mr. Wickham, after a few moments, touched his hat—a salutation which Mr. Darcy just deigned38 to return. What could be the meaning of it? It was impossible to imagine; it was impossible not to long to know.
In another minute, Mr. Bingley, but without seeming to have noticed what passed, took leave and rode on with his friend.
Mr. Denny and Mr. Wickham walked with the young ladies to the door of Mr. Phillip's house, and then made their bows, in spite of Miss Lydia's pressing entreaties39 that they should come in, and even in spite of Mrs. Phillips's throwing up the parlour window and loudly seconding the invitation.
Mrs. Phillips was always glad to see her nieces; and the two eldest, from their recent absence, were particularly welcome, and she was eagerly expressing her surprise at their sudden return home, which, as their own carriage had not fetched them, she should have known nothing about, if she had not happened to see Mr. Jones's shop-boy in the street, who had told her that they were not to send any more draughts40 to Netherfield because the Miss Bennets were come away, when her civility was claimed towards Mr. Collins by Jane's introduction of him. She received him with her very best politeness, which he returned with as much more, apologising for his intrusion, without any previous acquaintance with her, which he could not help flattering himself, however, might be justified41 by his relationship to the young ladies who introduced him to her notice. Mrs. Phillips was quite awed42 by such an excess of good breeding; but her contemplation of one stranger was soon put to an end by exclamations43 and inquiries44 about the other; of whom, however, she could only tell her nieces what they already knew, that Mr. Denny had brought him from London, and that he was to have a lieutenant's commission in the ——shire. She had been watching him the last hour, she said, as he walked up and down the street, and had Mr. Wickham appeared, Kitty and Lydia would certainly have continued the occupation, but unluckily no one passed windows now except a few of the officers, who, in comparison with the stranger, were become "stupid, disagreeable fellows." Some of them were to dine with the Phillipses the next day, and their aunt promised to make her husband call on Mr. Wickham, and give him an invitation also, if the family from Longbourn would come in the evening. This was agreed to, and Mrs. Phillips protested that they would have a nice comfortable noisy game of lottery45 tickets, and a little bit of hot supper afterwards. The prospect46 of such delights was very cheering, and they parted in mutual47 good spirits. Mr. Collins repeated his apologies in quitting the room, and was assured with unwearying civility that they were perfectly needless.
As they walked home, Elizabeth related to Jane what she had seen pass between the two gentlemen; but though Jane would have defended either or both, had they appeared to be in the wrong, she could no more explain such behaviour than her sister.
Mr. Collins on his return highly gratified Mrs. Bennet by admiring Mrs. Phillips's manners and politeness. He protested that, except Lady Catherine and her daughter, he had never seen a more elegant woman; for she had not only received him with the utmost civility, but even pointedly48 included him in her invitation for the next evening, although utterly49 unknown to her before. Something, he supposed, might be attributed to his connection with them, but yet he had never met with so much attention in the whole course of his life.
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1
illiterate
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| adj.文盲的；无知的；n.文盲 | |
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2
humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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counteracted
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| 对抗，抵消( counteract的过去式 ) | |
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conceit
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| n.自负，自高自大 | |
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retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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consequential
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| adj.作为结果的，间接的；重要的 | |
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veneration
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| n.尊敬，崇拜 | |
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8
mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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9
obsequiousness
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| 媚骨 | |
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reconciliation
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| n.和解，和谐，一致 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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eligibility
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| n.合格，资格 | |
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disinterested
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| adj.不关心的，不感兴趣的 | |
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14
alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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15
avowal
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| n.公开宣称，坦白承认 | |
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complaisant
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| adj.顺从的，讨好的 | |
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17
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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18
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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19
eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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20
incumbent
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| adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的 | |
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21
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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22
nominally
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| 在名义上，表面地； 应名儿 | |
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23
tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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24
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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pompous
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的；夸大的；豪华的 | |
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27
assents
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| 同意，赞同( assent的名词复数 ) | |
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bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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pretense
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| n.矫饰，做作，借口 | |
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31
entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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32
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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33
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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35
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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36
corroborated
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| v.证实，支持（某种说法、信仰、理论等）( corroborate的过去式 ) | |
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37
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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38
deigned
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| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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39
entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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40
draughts
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| n. <英>国际跳棋 | |
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41
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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42
awed
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| adj.充满敬畏的，表示敬畏的v.使敬畏，使惊惧( awe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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43
exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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44
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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45
lottery
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| n.抽彩；碰运气的事，难于算计的事 | |
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46
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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47
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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48
pointedly
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| adv.尖地，明显地 | |
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49
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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