Chapter 9 chapter eight

At five o'clock the two sisters of the host family went out to change; at half past six Elizabeth was invited to dinner.Everyone was polite and thoughtful, and came to inquire about Jane's condition, especially Mr. Bingley's questioning, which made Elizabeth very happy, but it was a pity that Jane's condition did not improve, so she could not give them a satisfactory answer.When the sister heard this, she repeated several times how worried they were, how terrible a bad cold was, and how much they themselves hated being sick, and after having said these things, they didn't take it seriously.

Elizabeth saw their indifference to Jane when she was not in their presence, and her original dislike for them was now revived.Her brother, indeed, was the only one of their family who could have gratified her, and you could see at a glance that he was really worried about Jane, and besides, he was the most attentive and pleasant to Elizabeth.Elizabeth had expected that she would be regarded as an unexpected visitor, but this attention prevented her from thinking so.Nobody paid much attention to her except him.Miss Bingley's heart was in Mr. Darcy, and Mrs. Hurst was almost the same; and as for Mr. Hurst, who sat beside Elizabeth, he was born to be lazy, and he lived to eat, Drinking, playing cards, and hearing that Elizabeth would rather eat a common dish than ragout, he had nothing to do with her.

Elizabeth went back to Jane's as soon as she had supper.As soon as she came out of the dining-room, Miss Bingley began to speak badly of her, and made the worst of her manners, saying that she was haughty, rude, incapable of conversation, ill-looking, witless, and long-sighted. ugly.Mrs. Hurst thought in the same way, and added that, after all, she had no other merit than her ability to run.I'll never forget the way she looked this morning, like a madman. She does look like a madman, Louisa.I couldn't help but laugh out loud.Her trip was boring; my sister had a cold, why should she make such a fuss all over the village?The hair is so disheveled and unkempt!

Yes, and her petticoat, too bad you didn't see her petticoat.I'm absolutely not kidding, there was a full six inches of mud on it, and she lowered the outer skirt a little bit to cover it up, but it couldn't. Mr. Bingley said: You don't go too far, Louisa, but I don't think so.I think Elizabeth.Miss Bennet looked very well when she came into the room this morning.I didn't see her dirty petticoat. You must have seen it, Mr. Darcy, said Miss Bingley, and I think you would not like to see your own sister in such dismay. Of course not. Three miles, five miles, who knows how many miles, ankle-bones covered in mud and all alone!What on earth does she mean?I think she showed a wild attitude without a tutor, and she is completely frivolous and impolite of country people.

Mr. Bingley said: That just speaks of her fraternity, which is wonderful. Miss Bingley said strangely: "I'm afraid, Mr. Darcy, that her rash behavior this time will affect your admiration for her beautiful eyes?" Darcy replied, "It doesn't matter at all, her eyes are brighter after running this way." After saying this, there was a little silence in the room, and then Mrs. Hurst spoke again: I am very concerned about Jane.Bennet is a lovely girl indeed, and I sincerely hope she makes a good marriage.It's a pity to meet such parents and have so many dirty relatives, I'm afraid she has nothing to look forward to.

Didn't I hear you say that she had an uncle who was a solicitor in Meryton? Yes; they have an uncle who lives near Cheapside. That was wonderful, her sister added, and they both laughed heartily. At this, Bingley cried out: "Even if they had uncles beyond count, which would fill the whole of Cheapside, they would not detract from their loveliness." But if they wanted to marry a man of status, their chances were greatly reduced, Darcy replied. Mr. Bingley paid no heed to this remark; his sisters listened with great satisfaction, and continued to make fun of Miss Bennet's humble relation with increasing insolence.

But as soon as they had left the dining-room, they resumed all their tenderness and consideration, and went to Jane's room, where they sat with her till coffee-time.Jane's illness was still not getting better, and Elizabeth watched her closely until evening, and when she saw her asleep, she was relieved to think that she should go downstairs (though she didn't like to go downstairs).Walking into the living room, she found that everyone was playing cards, and everyone immediately invited her to play, but she was afraid that they would win a lot, so she declined, and she only said that she was worried about her sister, and she had to go upstairs in a while, so she could get a book. Come for entertainment.Mr. Hurst looked at her in surprise.

Would you rather read a book than play cards?He said.This is really rare. Miss Bingley said: Eliza.Miss Bennet despised card games, she was a great reader, and took no pleasure in anything else. Elizabeth shouted: I don't dare to take such a compliment, and I don't dare to take such a blame. I am not a great scholar, and I am interested in many things. Mr. Bingley said: I am sure to take care of your own sister, and I hope she recovers soon, and you will be happier. Elizabeth thanked him from the bottom of her heart, and went to a table where some books lay.He immediately wanted to bring some more books for her and bring her all the books in his study.I wish I had more books, both for your good and my own; but I am a lazy man, and have not many books, and have read even fewer.Elizabeth told him that the few books in the room were enough for her to read.

Miss Bingley said: "I wonder how papa has left so few books.What a splendid library you have at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy! Darcy said: That's nothing special.That is the achievement of several generations. You bought a lot of books yourself, only to see that you are always buying books. I have a life like this, so I am naturally ashamed to neglect the library at home. negligence!I believe you have neglected nothing that would add beauty to that noble place of yours.Charles, when you build your own house, I only wish it was half as beautiful as Pemberley. I hope so. But I would also strongly advise you to buy property near there, and use Pemberley as an example.There is no better county in England than Derbyshire.

I'm more than happy to do that.I'd love to just buy Pemberley if only Darcy would sell. I'm talking about the possible, Charles. Caroline, I daresay, is more likely to buy Pemberley than to build it after Pemberley. Elizabeth was so fascinated by these words that she lost her interest in the book, which she simply put aside, and went up to the card-table, and sat between Mr. Bingley and his sister, to watch the game. At this time Miss Bingley asked Darcy again: Has Miss Darcy grown a lot taller since spring?Will she grow to my height in the future? I think so.She probably has Elizabeth now.Miss Bennet is as tall as she is, and I am afraid she will be a little taller.

I really want to see her again!I've never met anyone so lovable to me.She is so good-looking and polite, and she is very versatile at a young age. She can play the piano very well. Mr. Bingley said: It really amazes me how young girls can have such great ability and exercise themselves to be so versatile. Every young girl is versatile!What do you mean, my dear Charles? Yes, I think that's the case with all of them.They will decorate tables, decorate screens, and weave money bags.I hardly ever met anyone who wasn't good at everything, and there was never a time when I heard about a young girl without hearing that she was versatile. Darcy said: Your extremely ordinary set of so-called talents is absolutely true.How many women have won the reputation of many talents who can only weave purses and decorate screens; but I can't agree with your valuation of women in general.I dare not boast; I know a lot of women, and there are really only half a dozen who are really versatile. I don't dare to boast, indeed, said Miss Bingley. Elizabeth said: Well, in your imagination, a versatile woman should include many conditions. Yes, I think a lot of conditions should be included. Oh, of course, exclaimed his faithful assistant, if a woman can't surpass the average man, she can't be considered versatile.A woman must be proficient in music, singing, painting, dancing, and modern languages ​​to be worthy of this title; besides, her appearance and gait, her tone of voice, her conversation and expression must all be quite interesting, Otherwise she is not eligible. Darcy went on to say: In addition to these conditions, she should also read more books, gain knowledge, and have some real talents. No wonder you only know six talented women.I suspect now that you don't even know one of them. Why are you so demanding of your women, thinking that they can't meet these conditions? I have never seen such a woman.I never saw a man of such ability, taste, studiousness, and grace, as you describe. Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley exclaimed that she ought not to have doubted, as it was unjust, and they all concurred in rebutting it, that they themselves knew that there were many women who were worthy of it. condition.They waited until Mr. Hurst told them to play well, and reproached them for being so inattentive to the affairs of the game, that they fell silent, and so ended the argument, and Elizabeth soon went away. After the door was closed, Miss Bingley said that some women often make up women in front of men in order to promote themselves, Elizabeth.Bennet was such a woman, and it may work on some men, but I think it is a base ruse, a base artifice. Darcy realized that these words were intended for his own ears, and he hastily replied: "There is no doubt that girls sometimes use unscrupulous and cunning tricks in order to seduce men, which is really base.Any cunning in your approach should be despised. Miss Bingley was not quite satisfied with his answer, and therefore fell short of the conversation. Elizabeth came to them again, just to tell them that her sister was getting worse, and she could not leave.Bingley repeatedly insisted that Dr. Jones should be called immediately, but his sisters thought that a country doctor would be useless, so they suggested that one of the most famous doctors should be sent to the city as soon as possible. Elizabeth did not agree, but she could not be too disappointed The kindness of their brothers led them to negotiate a plan; if Miss Bennet was still in vain early in the morning, Dr. Jones should be sent at once.Mr. Bingley was very disturbed, and his sister and sister said they were very worried.After supper they managed to relieve some of their boredom by playing some songs together, and Mr. Bingley, being unable to think of any good way to relieve his anxiety, had nothing to do but attend to his housekeeper, who devoted herself to the sick and to her sister.