Гордість і упередження

           SheendeavouredtosecureJaneinherinterest;butJane,withallpossiblemildness,declinedinterfering; andElizabeth,sometimeswithrealearnestness,andsometimeswithplayfulgaiety,repliedtoherattacks. Thoughhermannervaried,however,herdeterminationneverdid. 

           Mr.Collins,meanwhile,wasmeditatinginsolitudeonwhathadpassed. Hethoughttoowellofhimselftocomprehendonwhatmotiveshiscousincouldrefusehim; andthoughhispridewashurt,hesufferedinnootherway. Hisregardforherwasquiteimaginary; andthepossibilityofherdeservinghermother’sreproachpreventedhisfeelinganyregret. 

           Whilethefamilywereinthisconfusion,CharlotteLucascametospendthedaywiththem. ShewasmetinthevestibulebyLydia,who,flyingtoher,criedinahalfwhisper, "Iamgladyouarecome,forthereissuchfunhere! Whatdoyouthinkhashappenedthismorning? Mr.CollinshasmadeanoffertoLizzy,andshewillnothavehim." 

           Charlottehardlyhadtimetoanswer,beforetheywerejoinedbyKitty,whocametotellthesamenews; andnosoonerhadtheyenteredthebreakfast-room,whereMrs.Bennetwasalone,thanshelikewisebeganonthesubject,callingonMissLucasforhercompassion,andentreatinghertopersuadeherfriendLizzytocomplywiththewishesofallherfamily. "Praydo,mydearMissLucas,"sheaddedinamelancholytone,"fornobodyisonmyside,nobodytakespartwithme. Iamcruellyused,nobodyfeelsformypoornerves." 

           Charlotte’sreplywassparedbytheentranceofJaneandElizabeth. 

           "Aye,thereshecomes,"continuedMrs.Bennet,"lookingasunconcernedasmaybe,andcaringnomoreforusthanifwewereatYork,providedshecanhaveherownway.