Гордість і упередження

           Ithoughtitmydutytogivethespeediestintelligenceofthistomycousin,thatsheandhernobleadmirermaybeawareofwhattheyareabout,andnotrunhastilyintoamarriagewhichhasnotbeenproperlysanctioned.’ Mr.Collinsmoreoveradds, ‘IamtrulyrejoicedthatmycousinLydia’ssadbusinesshasbeensowellhushedup,andamonlyconcernedthattheirlivingtogetherbeforethemarriagetookplaceshouldbesogenerallyknown. Imustnot,however,neglectthedutiesofmystation,orrefrainfromdeclaringmyamazementathearingthatyoureceivedtheyoungcoupleintoyourhouseassoonastheyweremarried. Itwasanencouragementofvice; andhadIbeentherectorofLongbourn,Ishouldverystrenuouslyhaveopposedit. Yououghtcertainlytoforgivethem,asaChristian,butnevertoadmittheminyoursight,orallowtheirnamestobementionedinyourhearing.’ ThatishisnotionofChristianforgiveness! TherestofhisletterisonlyabouthisdearCharlotte’ssituation,andhisexpectationofayoungolive-branch. But,Lizzy,youlookasifyoudidnotenjoyit. Youarenotgoingtobemissish,Ihope,andpretendtobeaffrontedatanidlereport. Forwhatdowelive,buttomakesportforourneighbours,andlaughattheminourturn?" 

           "Oh!"criedElizabeth,"Iamexcessivelydiverted.Butitissostrange!" 

           "Yes—thatiswhatmakesitamusing. Hadtheyfixedonanyothermanitwouldhavebeennothing; buthisperfectindifference,andyourpointeddislike,makeitsodelightfullyabsurd! MuchasIabominatewriting,IwouldnotgiveupMr.Collins’scorrespondenceforanyconsideration. Nay,whenIreadaletterofhis,IcannothelpgivinghimthepreferenceevenoverWickham,muchasIvaluetheimpudenceandhypocrisyofmyson-in-law. Andpray,Lizzy,whatsaidLadyCatherineaboutthisreport? Didshecalltorefuseherconsent?"