傲慢與偏見16 Two Young Happy Couples

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Two Young Happy Couples

Two days later, Mrs. Bennet had left for Merytonthat morning when both Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcycalled at Longbourn.

Jane and Elizabeth were sitting on the sofa whenthey entered the room. Jane turned red as Mr. Bingleycame towards her. He looked both happy andembarrassed to see her. Elizabeth looked at Darcy, andsaw he looked as serious as usual.

"Miss Bennet." said Bingley, to Jane, "I - I -this is a great pleasure for me. Are you well?"

"Indeed, sir, " replied Jane. looking into his eyes,"I am very well. "

"Miss Elizabeth," said Darcy, "I hope you alsooffer me a good welcome. "

" Mr. Darcy. believe me that I am very glad to seeyou, " Elizabeth replied.

"Did you enjoy your recent stay in town, Mr.Bingley?" asked Jane.

"Quite simply, no. " he replied. "In these pastmonths I have decided that I prefer the countryside tothe town. "

"In fact," put in Mr. Darcy, "after muchdiscussion we realize that we both prefer the country. "

"Miss Bennet, " said Bingley to Jane, "it is such abeautiful country day that I find it impossible to beinside. Will you walk with me in the park?" Jane stoodto go at once. "I should be most happy, sir. Will youcome with us too, Elizabeth?"

"Gladly." said Elizabeth, and she stood up to go.

"Please , Miss Elizabeth! " said Darcy. "I would bemost grateful if you could stay. " He waved Bingleytoward the door. "I have to speak to you - privately."

Elizabeth sat down again and lowered eyes. Therewas a short silence. Mr. Darcy began to walk up anddown. Elizabeth looked at him.

"Mr. Darcy, " she said, a little nervous, "I - Ihave to thank you for your kindness to Lydia. I reallyam grateful. "

"You know about that?" asked Darcy, surprised."I'm sorry. I didn't want you to be told. I did notthink that your uncle would tell you. "

"You're mistaken, Mr. Darcy. My uncle did notsay anything. It was Lydia, who was beingthoughtless. let me thank you again and again,especially for my family "

"Please," he replied, coming towards her, "letyour thanks be for yourself alone. I only wished to giveyou happiness.

Elizabeth was too embarrassed to say anything.Her companion added, "I know you are too honest tolie to me. Are your feelings still the same as they werelast April? "

Elizabeth shook her head. "No. Since the - thattime - my feelings have completely changed," shesaid.

He took her hands and made her stand. Seeingthat he felt great delight. Elizabeth knew that she,too, was full of happiness.

"My feelings and wishes have not changed," hesaid quietly. "Elizabeth, will you marry me?"

"Oh, yes," she cried. "Can you forgive me forhurting you?"

"There is nothing to forgive, " he replied. "I wastaught a lesson; you properly humbled me. "

"I'm sure you hated me after that evening. "

"Hated you! It's true I was angry at first, but myanger soon made me see that my decision to stopBingley's marriage was wrong. Before we left London,I told him that I was wrong in believing that your sisterhad no feelings for him. I told him that she had been intown all last winter and that I had known it butpurposely kept it from him. He was very angry withme. I convinced him that your sister still had feelingsfor him, which made him less angry with me. He hasforgiven me now. "

Elizabeth was just about to say that Mr. Bingleywas a most delightful friend when the door opened andJane entered .

"Elizabeth! "she cried happily. "My dearest Lizzy!I am now the happiest creature in the world! Charleshas asked me to marry him - we are engaged ! "

They hugged each other warmly.

"Jane, I know you will be very happy. "

"Miss Bennet, I too am sure you two will findgreat happiness together." said Darcy. "But - whereis Charles?"

"He has already gone into the library to speak withmy father. "

"In the library? Good! I must also ask for Mr.Bennet's permission and best wishes. "

Jane was amazed as she watched Darcy leavetowards the library. She looked at Elizabeth, wide-eyed. Elizabeth only smiled and nodded. "We too areengaged, " she said. "I am also the happiest creature inthe world. "

"Are you joking, Lizzy? This cannot be - it'simpossible!"

"Oh, this is a bit of a sad beginning, isn't it?"replied Elizabeth. still smiling. "I am sure nobody elsewill believe me, if you do not. I speak the truth when Isay that he loves me and we are engaged to bemarried . "

Jane still looked at her as if she did not believeher. "Can it really be true? My dear Lizzy, then Icongratulate you, but - are you certain that you willbe happy together?"

"It is already agreed between us that we are to bethe happiest couple in the world. "

"Oh, Lizzy!" cried Jane, holding her sister."Nothing could give either Bingley or me more delightthan this news. It was Mr. Darcy who brought Charlesback here. Oh, how is it possible to have so muchhappiness? "

They both turned as Bingley stepped joyfully intothe room.

"Jane, my dear," he said. "your father has givenhis permission for our engagement. "

"How could he say no?" asked Elizabeth,laughing. "Mr. Bingley, I am happy to welcome youas a brother. "

"And I am happy to have the good wishes of asister, " replied Bingley, warmly shaking her hand.

"Listen! There's mother's carriage!" cried Jane."I must go and tell her. Charles, you must come withme."

"Of course! " cried Bingley. "Of course! "

"Will you also tell her my news, Jane?" askedElizabeth. She was worried.

Jane happily agreed. Elizabeth walked to thewindow. She did not know how her father and motherwould handle the news of her engagement. She doubtedthat even Darcy's wealth would change her mother'sdislike of him. And she wasn't sure about her father'swishes. . . She turned. as the door opened and herfather entered the room, looking serious.

"Lizzy," he said. "I have asked Mr. Darcy towait in the library." He sat down on the sofa andbegan, "Are you out of your mind to accept this man'soffer? I always thought you greatly disliked him. "

"Papa," she said embarrassed. "I did dislike himat first. This is true. But I always had a respect forhim, I think. I - I don't know how to explain when itbegan - "

"So you have decided to have him as a husband,then? He is very rich! Will all the fine clothes andcarriages make you happy?"

"Is there any other reason why you do not agree?"said Elizabeth anxiously, "other than your believing Ido not care for him?"

"No other. We all know him as being proud andunpleasant, but this is nothing if you really like him. "

"I do - I do like him," she replied. "I love him.Please do not pain me by talking about him in such away .

"Lizzy," said her father, "I have already givenhim my permission. After hearing your side, I nowgive it to you, if you have decided to make him yourhusband. "

"Oh, yes. Papa, his feelings for me have stoodthe test of many months. He has qualities you do notknow - indeed, we owe him very much, as I will beable to show you some day. "

Mr. Bennet took her hands in his. "Well, mydear , I can say no more. If this is true then he deservesyou. I could not have let you have, my dear Lizzy,anyone of less character. "

As he kissed her, Mrs. Bennet entered the room.She was too excited to think clearly.

"Good heaven!" she exclaimed. "Mr. Bingley!Lord bless me! Mr. Darcy! Only think! Dear me! Mr.Darcy! "

"This is a day for wonders, my dear," said herhusband. "Two rich young men have asked me tomarry Jane and Elizabeth at the earliest opportunity. "

Mrs. Bennet hugged her daughter. "Goodgracious! Who would have thought it! Oh, my dearestLizzy, how rich you are going to be! What jewels,what carriages and nice things you will have! Now,Bingley is alright, but Jane's is nothing to it - nothingat all! I am so pleased, so happy. Such a charmingman! - So handsome! - So tall! - Oh, my dearLizzy; please forgive me for disliking him so muchbefore. Dear, dear Lizzy! A house in town! Threedaughters married ! Ten thousand a year! Oh, Lord,shall go crazy ! "

"I have to go to the library." said Elizabeth,moving to the door. "He is waiting in there for me. "

"Please ask him to stay to dinner," said Mrs.Bennet. "Find out what his favorite dish is so that Imay send out for it at once. "

The day went much better for Elizabeth than sheexpected. Mrs. Bennet was so nervous about her futureson-in-law that she hardly spoke to him. She only gavehim her attention, or agreed with whatever he said.

Elizabeth also saw that her father was making aneffort to know Darcy better. Soon Mr. Bennet let it beknown to her that Darcy was a fine man.

It was a happy day for Mrs. Bennet when shemarried off her two most deserving daughters. Shespent a great deal of time boasting about theirsuccesses. As for Mr. Bennet, he missed his seconddaughter greatly. He often went to visit her at theirhouse in Pemberley. He did this very often, as hisfeelings for Elizabeth were strong.

Mr. Bingley and Jane remained at Netherfield foronly twelve months. Despite Bingley's easy characterand caring heart, it was too difficult to live so close toJane's mother. He bought a house in a nearby area toPemberley, and Jane and Elizabeth, were only thirtymiles from each other.

Kitty began to spend most of her time with hertwo elder sisters. Here she had a chance to meet manyhigh and educated people. Her improvement was great.

Mary was the only daughter to remain at home.But, she no longer had to worry about being comparedin beauty to her sisters'. She became more and morehappy.

Wickham and Lydia still continued to haveproblems. They were always moving from place toplace, and always spending more than they had. Theirunsettled life often made them have too many bills , andwhenever they had to move, either Jane or Elizabethwas sure of being asked for some help to pay their bills.Though Darcy would not receive Wickham atPemberley, he did what he could to help him in hisarmy job.

Pemberley was now also Georgiana's home. Sheheld the highest thoughts in the world for Elizabeth. Atfirst, she was often surprised at Elizabeth's livelymanner of talking to her brother. However, she soonbegan to understand that a woman may be more free intalk with her husband than with her brother.

Lady Catherine was extremely upset with hernephew's marriage to Elizabeth. She wrote him such arude letter that for a long time they did not see oneanother. Finally, his aunt's hatefulness ended, eitherbecause of her feelings for him, or her curiosity to seehis wife again. She finally lowered herself to visit themat Pemberley.

Elizabeth and her husband were always on thefriendliest terms with the Gadiners. They thought ofthem as the reason why they were brought togetheragain. They were ever looking for ways to show theirgratitude .