Chapter 16 Capítulo 16 Capitolo 16 Capítulo 16 Глава 16 第 16 章

As no objection was made to the young people's engagement with their aunt, and all Mr. Collins's scruples of leaving Mr. and Mrs. Bennet for a single evening during his visit were most steadily resisted, the coach conveyed him and his five cousins at a suitable hour to Meryton; and the girls had the pleasure of hearing, as they entered the drawing-room, that Mr. Wickham had accepted their uncle's invitation, and was then in the house. Como nenhuma objeção foi feita ao noivado dos jovens com sua tia, e todos os escrúpulos do Sr. Collins de deixar o Sr. hora adequada para Meryton; e as meninas tiveram o prazer de ouvir, ao entrarem na sala de estar, que o Sr. Wickham aceitara o convite do tio e estava em casa. When this information was given, and they had all taken their seats, Mr. Collins was at leisure to look around him and admire, and he was so much struck with the size and furniture of the apartment, that he declared he might almost have supposed himself in the small summer breakfast parlour at Rosings; a comparison that did not at first convey much gratification; but when Mrs. Phillips understood from him what Rosings was, and who was its proprietor—when she had listened to the description of only one of Lady Catherine's drawing-rooms, and found that the chimney-piece alone had cost eight hundred pounds, she felt all the force of the compliment, and would hardly have resented a comparison with the housekeeper's room. Quando esta informação foi dada, e todos eles haviam tomado seus lugares, o Sr. Collins estava à vontade para olhar ao seu redor e admirar, e ele ficou tão impressionado com o tamanho e a mobília do apartamento, que declarou que quase poderia ter suposto ele mesmo na pequena sala de café da manhã de verão em Rosings; uma comparação que a princípio não transmitiu muita gratificação; mas quando a Sra. sentiu toda a força do elogio e dificilmente se ressentiria de uma comparação com o quarto da governanta. In describing to her all the grandeur of Lady Catherine and her mansion, with occasional digressions in praise of his own humble abode, and the improvements it was receiving, he was happily employed until the gentlemen joined them; and he found in Mrs. Phillips a very attentive listener, whose opinion of his consequence increased with what she heard, and who was resolving to retail it all among her neighbours as soon as she could. Ao descrever para ela toda a grandeza de Lady Catherine e sua mansão, com digressões ocasionais em elogios à sua própria e humilde morada e às melhorias que estava recebendo, ele foi felizmente empregado até que os cavalheiros se juntassem a eles; e ele encontrou na Sra. Phillips uma ouvinte muito atenta, cuja opinião sobre sua importância aumentava com o que ela ouvia, e que estava decidida a contar tudo para seus vizinhos assim que pudesse. To the girls, who could not listen to their cousin, and who had nothing to do but to wish for an instrument, and examine their own indifferent imitations of china on the mantelpiece, the interval of waiting appeared very long. Para as moças, que não podiam ouvir a prima e nada tinham a fazer senão desejar um instrumento e examinar suas próprias imitações indiferentes de porcelana sobre a lareira, o intervalo de espera pareceu muito longo. It was over at last, however. Finalmente acabou, no entanto. The gentlemen did approach, and when Mr. Wickham walked into the room, Elizabeth felt that she had neither been seeing him before, nor thinking of him since, with the smallest degree of unreasonable admiration. Os cavalheiros se aproximaram, e quando o Sr. Wickham entrou na sala, Elizabeth sentiu que não o via antes, nem pensava nele desde então, com o menor grau de admiração irracional. The officers of the ——shire were in general a very creditable, gentlemanlike set, and the best of them were of the present party; but Mr. Wickham was as far beyond them all in person, countenance, air, and walk, as _they_ were superior to the broad-faced, stuffy uncle Phillips, breathing port wine, who followed them into the room.

Mr. Wickham was the happy man towards whom almost every female eye was turned, and Elizabeth was the happy woman by whom he finally seated himself; and the agreeable manner in which he immediately fell into conversation, though it was only on its being a wet night, made her feel that the commonest, dullest, most threadbare topic might be rendered interesting by the skill of the speaker. Mr. Wickham war der glückliche Mann, dem sich fast alle weiblichen Blicke zuwandten, und Elizabeth war die glückliche Frau, neben der er sich schließlich niederließ; und die angenehme Art, in der er sich sofort in ein Gespräch vertiefte, wenn auch nur, weil es eine feuchte Nacht war, gab ihr das Gefühl, daß das gewöhnlichste, langweiligste, fadenscheinigste Thema durch das Geschick des Sprechers interessant gemacht werden konnte.

With such rivals for the notice of the fair as Mr. Wickham and the officers, Mr. Collins seemed to sink into insignificance; to the young ladies he certainly was nothing; but he had still at intervals a kind listener in Mrs. Phillips, and was by her watchfulness, most abundantly supplied with coffee and muffin. When the card-tables were placed, he had the opportunity of obliging her in turn, by sitting down to whist.

“I know little of the game at present,” said he, “but I shall be glad to improve myself, for in my situation in life—” Mrs. Phillips was very glad for his compliance, but could not wait for his reason.

Mr. Wickham did not play at whist, and with ready delight was he received at the other table between Elizabeth and Lydia. At first there seemed danger of Lydia's engrossing him entirely, for she was a most determined talker; but being likewise extremely fond of lottery tickets, she soon grew too much interested in the game, too eager in making bets and exclaiming after prizes to have attention for anyone in particular. Allowing for the common demands of the game, Mr. Wickham was therefore at leisure to talk to Elizabeth, and she was very willing to hear him, though what she chiefly wished to hear she could not hope to be told—the history of his acquaintance with Mr. Darcy. She dared not even mention that gentleman. Her curiosity, however, was unexpectedly relieved. Mr. Wickham began the subject himself. He inquired how far Netherfield was from Meryton; and, after receiving her answer, asked in a hesitating manner how long Mr. Darcy had been staying there.

“About a month,” said Elizabeth; and then, unwilling to let the subject drop, added, “He is a man of very large property in Derbyshire, I understand.”

“Yes,” replied Mr. Wickham; “his estate there is a noble one. A clear ten thousand per annum. You could not have met with a person more capable of giving you certain information on that head than myself, for I have been connected with his family in a particular manner from my infancy.”

Elizabeth could not but look surprised.

“You may well be surprised, Miss Bennet, at such an assertion, after seeing, as you probably might, the very cold manner of our meeting yesterday. Are you much acquainted with Mr. Darcy?”

“As much as I ever wish to be,” cried Elizabeth very warmly. “I have spent four days in the same house with him, and I think him very disagreeable.”

“I have no right to give _my_ opinion,” said Wickham, “as to his being agreeable or otherwise. I am not qualified to form one. I have known him too long and too well to be a fair judge. It is impossible for _me_ to be impartial. But I believe your opinion of him would in general astonish—and perhaps you would not express it quite so strongly anywhere else. Here you are in your own family.”

“Upon my word, I say no more _here_ than I might say in any house in the neighbourhood, except Netherfield. He is not at all liked in Hertfordshire. Everybody is disgusted with his pride. You will not find him more favourably spoken of by anyone.”

“I cannot pretend to be sorry,” said Wickham, after a short interruption, “that he or that any man should not be estimated beyond their deserts; but with _him_ I believe it does not often happen. The world is blinded by his fortune and consequence, or frightened by his high and imposing manners, and sees him only as he chooses to be seen.”

“I should take him, even on _my_ slight acquaintance, to be an ill-tempered man.” Wickham only shook his head.

“I wonder,” said he, at the next opportunity of speaking, “whether he is likely to be in this country much longer.”

“I do not at all know; but I _heard_ nothing of his going away when I was at Netherfield. I hope your plans in favour of the ——shire will not be affected by his being in the neighbourhood.”

“Oh! no—it is not for _me_ to be driven away by Mr. Darcy. If _he_ wishes to avoid seeing _me_, he must go. We are not on friendly terms, and it always gives me pain to meet him, but I have no reason for avoiding _him_ but what I might proclaim before all the world, a sense of very great ill-usage, and most painful regrets at his being what he is. His father, Miss Bennet, the late Mr. Darcy, was one of the best men that ever breathed, and the truest friend I ever had; and I can never be in company with this Mr. Darcy without being grieved to the soul by a thousand tender recollections. His behaviour to myself has been scandalous; but I verily believe I could forgive him anything and everything, rather than his disappointing the hopes and disgracing the memory of his father.”

Elizabeth found the interest of the subject increase, and listened with all her heart; but the delicacy of it prevented further inquiry.

Mr. Wickham began to speak on more general topics, Meryton, the neighbourhood, the society, appearing highly pleased with all that he had yet seen, and speaking of the latter with gentle but very intelligible gallantry.

“It was the prospect of constant society, and good society,” he added, “which was my chief inducement to enter the ——shire. I knew it to be a most respectable, agreeable corps, and my friend Denny tempted me further by his account of their present quarters, and the very great attentions and excellent acquaintances Meryton had procured them. Society, I own, is necessary to me. Ich gebe zu, dass die Gesellschaft für mich notwendig ist. I have been a disappointed man, and my spirits will not bear solitude. I _must_ have employment and society. A military life is not what I was intended for, but circumstances have now made it eligible. The church _ought_ to have been my profession—I was brought up for the church, and I should at this time have been in possession of a most valuable living, had it pleased the gentleman we were speaking of just now.” Церковь должна была стать моей профессией - я был воспитан для церкви, и в данный момент я должен был бы обладать самым ценным жильем, если бы это было угодно джентльмену, о котором мы только что говорили".

“Indeed!”

“Yes—the late Mr. Darcy bequeathed me the next presentation of the best living in his gift. "Да, покойный мистер Дарси завещал мне следующую презентацию лучшего из того, что было в его распоряжении. He was my godfather, and excessively attached to me. Он был моим крестным отцом и чрезмерно привязан ко мне. I cannot do justice to his kindness. He meant to provide for me amply, and thought he had done it; but when the living fell, it was given elsewhere.” Он хотел обеспечить меня всем необходимым и думал, что сделал это; но когда живые пали, они были отданы другим".

“Good heavens!” cried Elizabeth; “but how could _that_ be? How could his will be disregarded? Как можно было пренебречь его волей? Why did you not seek legal redress?” Почему вы не обратились в суд?"

“There was just such an informality in the terms of the bequest as to give me no hope from law. "В условиях завещания была такая неформальность, что я не надеялся на закон. A man of honour could not have doubted the intention, but Mr. Darcy chose to doubt it—or to treat it as a merely conditional recommendation, and to assert that I had forfeited all claim to it by extravagance, imprudence—in short anything or nothing. Человек чести не мог бы сомневаться в намерении, но мистер Дарси предпочел усомниться в нем - или рассматривать его как условную рекомендацию и утверждать, что я лишилась всех прав на нее из-за экстравагантности, неосмотрительности - словом, всего или ничего. Certain it is, that the living became vacant two years ago, exactly as I was of an age to hold it, and that it was given to another man; and no less certain is it, that I cannot accuse myself of having really done anything to deserve to lose it. Совершенно точно, что жилплощадь освободилась два года назад, как раз когда я достиг возраста, позволяющего ее занимать, и что она досталась другому человеку; и не менее точно, что я не могу обвинить себя в том, что действительно сделал что-то, чтобы заслужить ее потерю. I have a warm, unguarded temper, and I may have spoken my opinion _of_ him, and _to_ him, too freely. У меня горячий, несдержанный нрав, и, возможно, я слишком свободно высказала свое мнение о нем и в его адрес. I can recall nothing worse. Я не могу вспомнить ничего хуже. But the fact is, that we are very different sort of men, and that he hates me.”

“This is quite shocking! He deserves to be publicly disgraced.” Он заслуживает публичного позора".

“Some time or other he _will_ be—but it shall not be by _me_. Till I can forget his father, I can never defy or expose _him_.” Пока я не забуду его отца, я никогда не смогу бросить вызов или разоблачить его".

Elizabeth honoured him for such feelings, and thought him handsomer than ever as he expressed them.

“But what,” said she, after a pause, “can have been his motive? What can have induced him to behave so cruelly?”

“A thorough, determined dislike of me—a dislike which I cannot but attribute in some measure to jealousy. "Глубокая, решительная неприязнь ко мне - неприязнь, которую я не могу не отнести в какой-то степени к ревности. Had the late Mr. Darcy liked me less, his son might have borne with me better; but his father's uncommon attachment to me irritated him, I believe, very early in life. Если бы покойный мистер Дарси любил меня меньше, его сын мог бы переносить меня лучше; но необычная привязанность отца ко мне раздражала его, я полагаю, с самого начала жизни. He had not a temper to bear the sort of competition in which we stood—the sort of preference which was often given me.”

“I had not thought Mr. Darcy so bad as this—though I have never liked him. "Я не думала, что мистер Дарси настолько плох, хотя он мне никогда не нравился. I had not thought so very ill of him. Я не думал о нем так плохо. I had supposed him to be despising his fellow-creatures in general, but did not suspect him of descending to such malicious revenge, such injustice, such inhumanity as this.” Ich hatte angenommen, dass er seine Mitmenschen im Allgemeinen verachtet, aber ich hätte nicht vermutet, dass er sich zu solch bösartiger Rache, solch einer Ungerechtigkeit, solch einer Unmenschlichkeit herablässt."

After a few minutes' reflection, however, she continued, “I _do_ remember his boasting one day, at Netherfield, of the implacability of his resentments, of his having an unforgiving temper. His disposition must be dreadful.”

“I will not trust myself on the subject,” replied Wickham; “_I_ can hardly be just to him.” "Я не буду доверять себе в этом вопросе, - ответил Уикхем, - вряд ли я смогу быть к нему справедливым".

Elizabeth was again deep in thought, and after a time exclaimed, “To treat in such a manner the godson, the friend, the favourite of his father!” She could have added, “A young man, too, like _you_, whose very countenance may vouch for your being amiable”—but she contented herself with, “and one, too, who had probably been his companion from childhood, connected together, as I think you said, in the closest manner!” Элизабет снова погрузилась в раздумья и через некоторое время воскликнула: "Так обращаться с крестником, другом, любимцем своего отца!" Она могла бы добавить: "Да еще с таким молодым человеком, как вы, сам облик которого может свидетельствовать о вашей приветливости", но довольствовалась словами: "Да еще с тем, кто, вероятно, был его товарищем с детства, связанным, как вы сказали, самым тесным образом!"

“We were born in the same parish, within the same park; the greatest part of our youth was passed together; inmates of the same house, sharing the same amusements, objects of the same parental care. "Мы родились в одном приходе, в одном парке; большая часть нашей юности прошла вместе; мы жили в одном доме, разделяли одни и те же развлечения, были объектами одной и той же родительской заботы. _My_ father began life in the profession which your uncle, Mr. Phillips, appears to do so much credit to—but he gave up everything to be of use to the late Mr. Darcy and devoted all his time to the care of the Pemberley property. Мой отец начал жизнь с той профессии, которой так дорожит ваш дядя, мистер Филлипс, но он отказался от всего, чтобы быть полезным покойному мистеру Дарси, и посвятил все свое время заботам о поместье Пемберли. He was most highly esteemed by Mr. Darcy, a most intimate, confidential friend. Его очень высоко ценил мистер Дарси, он был его самым близким и доверительным другом. Mr. Darcy often acknowledged himself to be under the greatest obligations to my father's active superintendence, and when, immediately before my father's death, Mr. Darcy gave him a voluntary promise of providing for me, I am convinced that he felt it to be as much a debt of gratitude to _him_, as of his affection to myself.” Мистер Дарси часто признавал, что находится в величайшем долгу перед активным руководством моего отца, и когда, непосредственно перед смертью отца, мистер Дарси дал ему добровольное обещание обеспечивать меня, я убежден, что он считал это таким же долгом благодарности _ему_, как и свою привязанность ко мне". “How strange!” cried Elizabeth. “How abominable! I wonder that the very pride of this Mr. Darcy has not made him just to you! Удивительно, что гордость этого мистера Дарси не сделала его справедливым по отношению к вам! If from no better motive, that he should not have been too proud to be dishonest—for dishonesty I must call it.” Если не из лучших побуждений, то чтобы он не был слишком горд, чтобы быть нечестным - а нечестность я должен назвать именно так".

“It _is_ wonderful,” replied Wickham, “for almost all his actions may be traced to pride; and pride had often been his best friend. It has connected him nearer with virtue than with any other feeling. Оно связывало его с добродетелью ближе, чем любое другое чувство. But we are none of us consistent, and in his behaviour to me there were stronger impulses even than pride.” Но мы не последовательны, и в его поведении по отношению ко мне были импульсы даже сильнее, чем гордость".

“Can such abominable pride as his have ever done him good?”

“Yes. It has often led him to be liberal and generous, to give his money freely, to display hospitality, to assist his tenants, and relieve the poor. Это часто заставляло его быть либеральным и щедрым, безвозмездно раздавать деньги, проявлять гостеприимство, помогать своим арендаторам и бедным. Family pride, and _filial_ pride—for he is very proud of what his father was—have done this. Not to appear to disgrace his family, to degenerate from the popular qualities, or lose the influence of the Pemberley House, is a powerful motive. Не желать опозорить свою семью, отступить от популярных качеств или потерять влияние дома Пемберли - вот мощный мотив. He has also _brotherly_ pride, which, with _some_ brotherly affection, makes him a very kind and careful guardian of his sister, and you will hear him generally cried up as the most attentive and best of brothers.”

“What sort of girl is Miss Darcy?”

He shook his head. Он покачал головой. “I wish I could call her amiable. "Я бы хотел назвать ее приветливой. It gives me pain to speak ill of a Darcy. But she is too much like her brother—very, very proud. As a child, she was affectionate and pleasing, and extremely fond of me; and I have devoted hours and hours to her amusement. But she is nothing to me now. She is a handsome girl, about fifteen or sixteen, and, I understand, highly accomplished. Since her father's death, her home has been London, where a lady lives with her, and superintends her education.” After many pauses and many trials of other subjects, Elizabeth could not help reverting once more to the first, and saying: После долгих пауз и перебора других тем Элизабет не могла не вернуться к первой и сказала:

“I am astonished at his intimacy with Mr. Bingley! How can Mr. Bingley, who seems good humour itself, and is, I really believe, truly amiable, be in friendship with such a man? How can they suit each other? Do you know Mr. Bingley?”

“Not at all.”

“He is a sweet-tempered, amiable, charming man. He cannot know what Mr. Darcy is.”

“Probably not; but Mr. Darcy can please where he chooses. "Вероятно, нет; но мистер Дарси может угодить куда пожелает. He does not want abilities. Ему не нужны способности. He can be a conversible companion if he thinks it worth his while. Он может стать компаньоном, если сочтет это нужным. Among those who are at all his equals in consequence, he is a very different man from what he is to the less prosperous. Среди тех, кто равен ему по статусу, он совсем другой человек, чем среди менее преуспевающих. His pride never deserts him; but with the rich he is liberal-minded, just, sincere, rational, honourable, and perhaps agreeable—allowing something for fortune and figure.” Его гордость никогда не покидает его; но с богатыми он либерален, справедлив, искренен, рассудителен, благороден и, возможно, приятен - оставляя кое-что для удачи и фигуры".

The whist party soon afterwards breaking up, the players gathered round the other table and Mr. Collins took his station between his cousin Elizabeth and Mrs. Phillips. Вскоре после этого партия в вист распалась, игроки собрались за другим столом, и мистер Коллинз занял место между своей кузиной Элизабет и миссис Филлипс. The usual inquiries as to his success were made by the latter. Последние, как обычно, навели справки о его успехах. It had not been very great; he had lost every point; but when Mrs. Phillips began to express her concern thereupon, he assured her with much earnest gravity that it was not of the least importance, that he considered the money as a mere trifle, and begged that she would not make herself uneasy. Он проиграл все пункты, но когда миссис Филлипс начала выражать свое беспокойство по этому поводу, он с искренней серьезностью заверил ее, что это не имеет ни малейшего значения, что он считает деньги пустяком, и попросил, чтобы она не беспокоилась.

“I know very well, madam,” said he, “that when persons sit down to a card-table, they must take their chances of these things, and happily I am not in such circumstances as to make five shillings any object. There are undoubtedly many who could not say the same, but thanks to Lady Catherine de Bourgh, I am removed far beyond the necessity of regarding little matters.” Несомненно, многие могли бы сказать то же самое, но благодаря леди Кэтрин де Бург я избавлен от необходимости вникать в мелочи".

Mr. Wickham's attention was caught; and after observing Mr. Collins for a few moments, he asked Elizabeth in a low voice whether her relation was very intimately acquainted with the family of de Bourgh. Внимание мистера Уикхема было привлечено, и, понаблюдав за мистером Коллинзом несколько мгновений, он негромко спросил Элизабет, не был ли ее родственник близко знаком с семьей де Бургов. “Lady Catherine de Bourgh,” she replied, “has very lately given him a living. "Леди Кэтрин де Бург, - ответила она, - совсем недавно дала ему средства к существованию. I hardly know how Mr. Collins was first introduced to her notice, but he certainly has not known her long.”

“You know of course that Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Lady Anne Darcy were sisters; consequently that she is aunt to the present Mr. Darcy.” "Вы, конечно, знаете, что леди Кэтрин де Бург и леди Энн Дарси были сестрами, а значит, она приходится теткой нынешнему мистеру Дарси".

“No, indeed, I did not. I knew nothing at all of Lady Catherine's connections. I never heard of her existence till the day before yesterday.”

“Her daughter, Miss de Bourgh, will have a very large fortune, and it is believed that she and her cousin will unite the two estates.” "Ее дочь, мисс де Бург, будет иметь очень большое состояние, и считается, что она и ее кузен объединят два поместья".

This information made Elizabeth smile, as she thought of poor Miss Bingley. Vain indeed must be all her attentions, vain and useless her affection for his sister and her praise of himself, if he were already self-destined for another. Тщетны были бы все ее ухаживания, напрасны и бесполезны ее привязанность к его сестре и похвалы в свой адрес, если бы он уже был предназначен для другой.

“Mr. Collins,” said she, “speaks highly both of Lady Catherine and her daughter; but from some particulars that he has related of her ladyship, I suspect his gratitude misleads him, and that in spite of her being his patroness, she is an arrogant, conceited woman.” Коллинз, - сказала она, - высоко отзывается и о леди Кэтрин, и о ее дочери; но по некоторым сведениям, которые он рассказал о ее светлости, я подозреваю, что его благодарность вводит его в заблуждение и что, несмотря на то, что она его покровительница, она высокомерная, тщеславная женщина".

“I believe her to be both in a great degree,” replied Wickham; “I have not seen her for many years, but I very well remember that I never liked her, and that her manners were dictatorial and insolent. "Я считаю, что она в значительной степени и то, и другое, - ответил Уикхем; я не видел ее много лет, но прекрасно помню, что она мне никогда не нравилась, а ее манеры были диктаторскими и наглыми. She has the reputation of being remarkably sensible and clever; but I rather believe she derives part of her abilities from her rank and fortune, part from her authoritative manner, and the rest from the pride for her nephew, who chooses that everyone connected with him should have an understanding of the first class.” У нее репутация необычайно рассудительной и умной особы, но я скорее верю, что ее способности частично обусловлены ее положением и состоянием, частично - ее властными манерами, а остальное - гордостью за племянника, который считает, что все, кто с ним связан, должны обладать первоклассным пониманием".

Elizabeth allowed that he had given a very rational account of it, and they continued talking together, with mutual satisfaction till supper put an end to cards, and gave the rest of the ladies their share of Mr. Wickham's attentions. Элизабет согласилась, что он очень разумно все объяснил, и они продолжали беседовать вместе, с обоюдным удовлетворением, пока ужин не положил конец картам, и остальные дамы не получили свою долю внимания мистера Уикхема. There could be no conversation in the noise of Mrs. Phillips's supper party, but his manners recommended him to everybody. Whatever he said, was said well; and whatever he did, done gracefully. Elizabeth went away with her head full of him. She could think of nothing but of Mr. Wickham, and of what he had told her, all the way home; but there was not time for her even to mention his name as they went, for neither Lydia nor Mr. Collins were once silent. Всю дорогу домой она думала только о мистере Уикхеме и о том, что он ей рассказал; но по дороге у нее не было времени даже упомянуть его имя, потому что ни Лидия, ни мистер Коллинз ни разу не замолчали. Lydia talked incessantly of lottery tickets, of the fish she had lost and the fish she had won; and Mr. Collins in describing the civility of Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, protesting that he did not in the least regard his losses at whist, enumerating all the dishes at supper, and repeatedly fearing that he crowded his cousins, had more to say than he could well manage before the carriage stopped at Longbourn House.