pride and prejudice(傲慢与偏见)-第65节
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with them； and loving them。
The Gardiners staid only one night at Longbourn； and set off
the next morning with Elizabeth in pursuit of novelty and
amusement。 One enjoyment was certain—that of suitableness as
companions； a suitableness which comprehended health and
temper to bear inconveniences—cheerfulness to enhance every
pleasure—and affection and intelligence； which might supply it
among themselves if there were disappointments abroad。
It is not the object of this work to give a description of
Derbyshire； nor of any of the remarkable places through which
their route thither lay； Oxford； Blenheim； Warwick； Kenelworth；
Birmingham； &c。 are sufficiently known。 A small part of
Derbyshire is all the present concern。 To the little town of
Lambton； the scene of Mrs。 Gardiner’s former residence； and
where she had lately learned that some acquaintance still
remained； they bent their steps； after having seen all the principal
wonders of the country； and within five miles of Lambton；
Elizabeth found from her aunt； that Pemberley was situated。 It
was not in their direct road； nor more than a mile or two out of it。
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In talking over their route the evening before； Mrs。 Gardiner
expressed an inclination to see the place again。 Mr。 Gardiner
declared his willingness； and Elizabeth was applied to for her
approbation。
‘My love； should not you like to see a place of which you have
heard so much？’ said her aunt。 ‘A place too； with which so many of
your acquaintance are connected。 Wickham passed all his youth
there； you know。’
Elizabeth was distressed。 She felt that she had no business at
Pemberley； and was obliged to assume a disinclination for seeing
it。 She must own that she was tired of great houses； after going
over so many； she really had no pleasure in fine carpets or satin
curtains。
Mrs。 Gardiner abused her stupidity。 ‘If it were merely a fine
house richly furnished；’ said she； ‘I should not care about it myself；
but the grounds are delightful。 They have some of the finest woods
in the country。’
Elizabeth said no more—but her mind could not acquiesce。 The
possibility of meeting Mr。 Darcy； while viewing the place； instantly
occurred。 It would be dreadful！ She blushed at the very idea； and
thought it would be better to speak openly to her aunt； than to run
such a risk。 But against this； there were objections； and she finally
resolved that it could be the last resource； if her private enquiries
as to the absence of the family； were unfavourably answered。
Accordingly； when she retired at night； she asked the
chambermaid whether Pemberley were not a very fine place； what
was the name of its proprietor； and with no little alarm； whether
the family were down for the summer。 A most welcome negative
followed the last question—and her alarms being now removed；
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she was at leisure to feel a great deal of curiosity to see the house
herself； and when the subject was revived the next morning； and
she was again applied to； could readily answer； and with a proper
air of indifference； that she had not really any dislike to the
scheme。
To Pemberley； therefore； they were to go。
END OF VOLUME TWO
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VOLUME III
CHAPTER I
lizabeth； as they drove along； watched for the first
appearance of Pemberley Woods with some perturbation；
E
and when at length they turned in at the lodge； her spirits
were in a high flutter。
The park was very large； and contained great variety of ground。
They entered it in one of its lowest points； and drove for some time
through a beautiful wood； stretching over a wide extent。
Elizabeth’s mind was too full for conversation； but she saw and
admired every remarkable spot and point of view。 They gradually
ascended for half a mile； and then found themselves at the top of a
considerable eminence； where the wood ceased； and the eye was
instantly caught by Pemberley House； situated on the opposite
side of a valley； into which the road with some abruptness wound。
It was a large； handsome； stone building； standing well on rising
ground； and backed by a ridge of high woody hills；—and in front； a
stream of some natural importance was swelled into greater； but
without any artificial appearance。 Its banks were neither formal；
nor falsely adorned。 Elizabeth was delighted。 She had never seen a
place for which nature had done more； or where natural beauty
had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste。 They were all
of them warm in their admiration； and at that moment she felt；
that to be mistress of Pemberley might be something！
They descended the hill； crossed the bridge； and drove to the
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door； and； while examining the nearer aspect of the house； all her
apprehensions of meeting its owner returned。 She dreaded lest
the chambermaid had been mistaken。 On applying to see the
place； they were admitted into the hall； and Elizabeth； as they
waited for the housekeeper； had leisure to wonder at her being
where she was。
The housekeeper came： a respectable…looking； elderly woman；
much less fine； and more civil； than she had any notion of finding
her。 They followed her into the dining…parlour。 It was a large； well…
proportioned room； handsomely fitted up。 Elizabeth； after slightly
surveying it； went to a window to enjoy its prospect。 The hill；
crowned with wood； from which they had descended； receiving
increased abruptness from the distance； was a beautiful object。
Every disposition of the ground was good； and she looked on the
whole scene； the river； the trees scattered on its banks； and the
winding of the valley； as far as she could trace it； with delight。 As
they passed into other rooms； these objects were taking different
positions； but from every window there were beauties to be seen。
The rooms were lofty and handsome； and their furniture suitable
to the fortune of their proprietor； but Elizabeth saw with
admiration of his taste； that it was neither gaudy nor uselessly
fine； with less of splendour； and more real elegance； than the
furniture of Rosings。
‘And of this place；’ thought she； ‘I might have been mistress！
With these rooms I might now have been familiarly acquainted！
Instead of viewing them as a stranger； I might have rejoiced in
them as my own； and welcomed to them as visitors my uncle and
aunt。—But no；’ recollecting herself； ‘that could never be： my uncle
and aunt would have been lost to me； I should not have been
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allowed to invite them。’
This was a lucky recollection—it saved her from something like
regret。
She longed to enquire of the housekeeper； whether her master
were really absent； but had not courage for it。 At length； however；
the question was asked by her uncle；
