Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Colonel Fitzwilliam's manners were very much admired at the Parsonage, and the ladies all felt that he must add considerably to the pleasures of their engagements at Rosings. It was some days, however, before they received any invitation thither—for while there were visitors in the house, they could not be necessary; and it was not till Easter-day, almost a week after the gentlemen's arrival, that they were honoured by such an attention, and then they were merely asked on leaving church to come there in the evening. For the last week they had seen very little of Lady Catherine or her daughter. Colonel Fitzwilliam had called at the Parsonage more than once during the time, but Mr. Darcy they had seen only at church.

The invitation was accepted of course, and at a proper hour they joined the party in Lady Catherine's drawing-room. Her ladyship received them civilly, but it was plain that their company was by no means so acceptable as when she could get nobody else; and she was, in fact, almost engrossed by her nephews, speaking to them, especially to Darcy, much more than to any other person in the room.

Colonel Fitzwilliam seemed really glad to see them; anything was a welcome relief to him at Rosings; and Mrs. Collins's pretty friend had moreover caught his fancy very much. He now seated himself by her, and talked so agreeably of Kent and Hertfordshire, of travelling and staying at home, of new books and music, that Elizabeth had never been half so well entertained in that room before; and they conversed with so much spirit and flow, as to draw the attention of Lady Catherine herself, as well as of Mr. Darcy. _His_ eyes had been soon and repeatedly turned towards them with a look of curiosity; and that her ladyship, after a while, shared the feeling, was more openly acknowledged, for she did not scruple to call out:

“What is that you are saying, Fitzwilliam? What is it you are talking of? What are you telling Miss Bennet? Let me hear what it is.”

“We are speaking of music, madam,” said he, when no longer able to avoid a reply.

“Of music! Then pray speak aloud. It is of all subjects my delight. I must have my share in the conversation if you are speaking of music. There are few people in England, I suppose, who have more true enjoyment of music than myself, or a better natural taste. If I had ever learnt, I should have been a great proficient. And so would Anne, if her health had allowed her to apply. I am confident that she would have performed delightfully. How does Georgiana get on, Darcy?”

Mr. Darcy spoke with affectionate praise of his sister's proficiency. “I am very glad to hear such a good account of her,” said Lady Catherine; “and pray tell her from me, that she cannot expect to excel if she does not practice a good deal.”

“I assure you, madam,” he replied, “that she does not need such advice. She practises very constantly.”

“So much the better. It cannot be done too much; and when I next write to her, I shall charge her not to neglect it on any account. I often tell young ladies that no excellence in music is to be acquired without constant practice. I have told Miss Bennet several times, that she will never play really well unless she practises more; and though Mrs. Collins has no instrument, she is very welcome, as I have often told her, to come to Rosings every day, and play on the pianoforte in Mrs. Jenkinson's room. She would be in nobody's way, you know, in that part of the house.” Mr. Darcy looked a little ashamed of his aunt's ill-breeding, and made no answer. When coffee was over, Colonel Fitzwilliam reminded Elizabeth of having promised to play to him; and she sat down directly to the instrument. He drew a chair near her. Lady Catherine listened to half a song, and then talked, as before, to her other nephew; till the latter walked away from her, and making with his usual deliberation towards the pianoforte stationed himself so as to command a full view of the fair performer's countenance. Elizabeth saw what he was doing, and at the first convenient pause, turned to him with an arch smile, and said:

“You mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy, by coming in all this state to hear me? I will not be alarmed though your sister _does_ play so well. There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.”

Elizabeth laughed heartily at this picture of herself, and said to Colonel Fitzwilliam, “Your cousin will give you a very pretty notion of me, and teach you not to believe a word I say. I am particularly unlucky in meeting with a person so able to expose my real character, in a part of the world where I had hoped to pass myself off with some degree of credit. Indeed, Mr. Darcy, it is very ungenerous in you to mention all that you knew to my disadvantage in Hertfordshire—and, give me leave to say, very impolitic too—for it is provoking me to retaliate, and such things may come out as will shock your relations to hear.”

“I am not afraid of you,” said he, smilingly.

“Pray let me hear what you have to accuse him of,” cried Colonel Fitzwilliam. “I should like to know how he behaves among strangers.”

“You shall hear then—but prepare yourself for something very dreadful. The first time of my ever seeing him in Hertfordshire, you must know, was at a ball—and at this ball, what do you think he did? He danced only four dances, though gentlemen were scarce; and, to my certain knowledge, more than one young lady was sitting down in want of a partner. Mr. Darcy, you cannot deny the fact.”

“I had not at that time the honour of knowing any lady in the assembly beyond my own party.”

“True; and nobody can ever be introduced in a ball-room. Well, Colonel Fitzwilliam, what do I play next? My fingers wait your orders.”

“Perhaps,” said Darcy, “I should have judged better, had I sought an introduction; but I am ill-qualified to recommend myself to strangers.”

“Shall we ask your cousin the reason of this?” said Elizabeth, still addressing Colonel Fitzwilliam. “Shall we ask him why a man of sense and education, and who has lived in the world, is ill qualified to recommend himself to strangers?”

“I can answer your question,” said Fitzwilliam, “without applying to him. It is because he will not give himself the trouble.”

“I certainly have not the talent which some people possess,” said Darcy, “of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done.”

“My fingers,” said Elizabeth, “do not move over this instrument in the masterly manner which I see so many women's do. They have not the same force or rapidity, and do not produce the same expression. But then I have always supposed it to be my own fault—because I will not take the trouble of practising. It is not that I do not believe _my_ fingers as capable as any other woman's of superior execution.” Darcy smiled and said, “You are perfectly right. You have employed your time much better. No one admitted to the privilege of hearing you can think anything wanting. We neither of us perform to strangers.”

Here they were interrupted by Lady Catherine, who called out to know what they were talking of. Elizabeth immediately began playing again. Lady Catherine approached, and, after listening for a few minutes, said to Darcy:

“Miss Bennet would not play at all amiss if she practised more, and could have the advantage of a London master. She has a very good notion of fingering, though her taste is not equal to Anne's. Anne would have been a delightful performer, had her health allowed her to learn.”

Chapter 31 Kapitel 31 Capítulo 31 Chapitre 31 Capitolo 31 31장 Capítulo 31 Глава 31 第31章

Colonel Fitzwilliam's manners were very much admired at the Parsonage, and the ladies all felt that he must add considerably to the pleasures of their engagements at Rosings. |Colonel Fitzwilliam||||||||||||||||||greatly|||||||| Манеры полковника Фицуильяма вызывали восхищение в Парсонедже, и все дамы чувствовали, что он должен значительно дополнить удовольствия от их встреч в Розингсе. It was some days, however, before they received any invitation thither—for while there were visitors in the house, they could not be necessary; and it was not till Easter-day, almost a week after the gentlemen's arrival, that they were honoured by such an attention, and then they were merely asked on leaving church to come there in the evening. ||||||||||to that place|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Однако прошло несколько дней, прежде чем они получили приглашение - ведь пока в доме были гости, они не могли быть нужными; и только на Пасху, почти через неделю после приезда джентльменов, они были удостоены такого внимания, а потом их просто попросили при выходе из церкви зайти туда вечером. For the last week they had seen very little of Lady Catherine or her daughter. Colonel Fitzwilliam had called at the Parsonage more than once during the time, but Mr. Darcy they had seen only at church.

The invitation was accepted of course, and at a proper hour they joined the party in Lady Catherine's drawing-room. Приглашение, конечно же, было принято, и в положенный час они присоединились к вечеринке в гостиной леди Кэтрин. Her ladyship received them civilly, but it was plain that their company was by no means so acceptable as when she could get nobody else; and she was, in fact, almost engrossed by her nephews, speaking to them, especially to Darcy, much more than to any other person in the room. ||||||||obvious|||||||||||||||||||||||Fully absorbed in||||||||||||||||||| Ее светлость приняла их вежливо, но было очевидно, что их общество отнюдь не так приемлемо, как когда она не могла пригласить никого другого; к тому же она была почти поглощена своими племянниками, разговаривая с ними, особенно с Дарси, гораздо больше, чем с любым другим человеком в комнате.

Colonel Fitzwilliam seemed really glad to see them; anything was a welcome relief to him at Rosings; and Mrs. Collins's pretty friend had moreover caught his fancy very much. Полковник Фицуильям, казалось, был очень рад их видеть; в Розингсе для него все было желанным облегчением; к тому же хорошенькая подруга миссис Коллинз очень понравилась ему. He now seated himself by her, and talked so agreeably of Kent and Hertfordshire, of travelling and staying at home, of new books and music, that Elizabeth had never been half so well entertained in that room before; and they conversed with so much spirit and flow, as to draw the attention of Lady Catherine herself, as well as of Mr. Darcy. Он уселся рядом с ней и завел такую приятную беседу о Кенте и Хартфордшире, о путешествиях и пребывании дома, о новых книгах и музыке, что Элизабет еще никогда не была так хорошо развлечена в этой комнате; они беседовали с таким духом и оживлением, что привлекли внимание как самой леди Кэтрин, так и мистера Дарси. _His_ eyes had been soon and repeatedly turned towards them with a look of curiosity; and that her ladyship, after a while, shared the feeling, was more openly acknowledged, for she did not scruple to call out: |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||hesitate||| Его глаза то и дело обращались к ним с любопытством, и то, что ее светлость через некоторое время разделяла это чувство, было признано более открыто, поскольку она не побрезговала окликнуть его:

“What is that you are saying, Fitzwilliam? What is it you are talking of? What are you telling Miss Bennet? Let me hear what it is.”

“We are speaking of music, madam,” said he, when no longer able to avoid a reply.

“Of music! Then pray speak aloud. It is of all subjects my delight. I must have my share in the conversation if you are speaking of music. There are few people in England, I suppose, who have more true enjoyment of music than myself, or a better natural taste. If I had ever learnt, I should have been a great proficient. |||||||||||highly skilled expert And so would Anne, if her health had allowed her to apply. |||||||||||put in effort I am confident that she would have performed delightfully. How does Georgiana get on, Darcy?”

Mr. Darcy spoke with affectionate praise of his sister's proficiency. |||||||||skill or ability “I am very glad to hear such a good account of her,” said Lady Catherine; “and pray tell her from me, that she cannot expect to excel if she does not practice a good deal.” "Я очень рада слышать такой хороший отзыв о ней, - сказала леди Кэтрин, - и передайте ей от меня, что она не может рассчитывать на успех, если не будет много практиковаться".

“I assure you, madam,” he replied, “that she does not need such advice. She practises very constantly.” |engages in||

“So much the better. It cannot be done too much; and when I next write to her, I shall charge her not to neglect it on any account. Этого нельзя делать слишком много, и когда я буду писать ей в следующий раз, я попрошу ее не пренебрегать этим ни в коем случае. I often tell young ladies that no excellence in music is to be acquired without constant practice. Я часто говорю молодым девушкам, что без постоянной практики невозможно достичь совершенства в музыке. I have told Miss Bennet several times, that she will never play really well unless she practises more; and though Mrs. Collins has no instrument, she is very welcome, as I have often told her, to come to Rosings every day, and play on the pianoforte in Mrs. Jenkinson's room. ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||Jenkinson's room| Я не раз говорила мисс Беннет, что она никогда не будет играть по-настоящему хорошо, если не будет больше практиковаться; и хотя у миссис Коллинз нет инструмента, она, как я ей часто говорила, может приходить в Розингс каждый день и играть на фортепиано в комнате миссис Дженкинсон. She would be in nobody's way, you know, in that part of the house.” В этой части дома она никому не будет мешать". Mr. Darcy looked a little ashamed of his aunt's ill-breeding, and made no answer. |||||honteux||||||||| Мистеру Дарси было немного стыдно за то, что его тетя так плохо воспитана, но он ничего не ответил. When coffee was over, Colonel Fitzwilliam reminded Elizabeth of having promised to play to him; and she sat down directly to the instrument. ||||||||||||||||elle|||||| Когда кофе закончился, полковник Фицуильям напомнил Элизабет, что обещал сыграть ему, и она села прямо к инструменту. He drew a chair near her. Lady Catherine listened to half a song, and then talked, as before, to her other nephew; till the latter walked away from her, and making with his usual deliberation towards the pianoforte stationed himself so as to command a full view of the fair performer's countenance. ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||表演者| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||careful consideration||||||||||||||||female musician's| Леди Кэтрин прослушала полпесни, а затем, как и прежде, разговаривала с другим своим племянником, пока тот не отошел от нее и не направился со свойственной ему неторопливостью к фортепиано, расположившись так, чтобы иметь полный обзор лица прекрасной исполнительницы. Elizabeth saw what he was doing, and at the first convenient pause, turned to him with an arch smile, and said: |||||||||||||||||playfully mischievous||| Элизабет увидела, что он делает, и при первой же удобной паузе повернулась к нему с улыбкой и сказала:

“You mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy, by coming in all this state to hear me? |||effrayer|||||||||||| |||scare|||||||||||| I will not be alarmed though your sister _does_ play so well. There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. Во мне есть упрямство, которое никогда не позволит испугаться чужой воли. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.” ||||||||intimidate| Мое мужество всегда поднимается при любой попытке запугать меня".

“I shall not say you are mistaken,” he replied, “because you could not really believe me to entertain any design of alarming you; and I have had the pleasure of your acquaintance long enough to know that you find great enjoyment in occasionally professing opinions which in fact are not your own.” |||||||||||||||||||||causing fear||||||||||||||||||||||pretending to hold|||||||| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||ismeretség|||||||||||||||||||| "Я не скажу, что вы заблуждаетесь, - ответил он, - потому что вы не могли поверить, что я действительно имею намерение вас встревожить; и я достаточно долго имел удовольствие с вами познакомиться, чтобы понять, что вы находите большое удовольствие в том, чтобы время от времени исповедовать мнения, которые на самом деле вам не принадлежат". “我不会说你错了，”他回答说，“因为你不可能真的相信我会有任何让你惊慌的意图；而且我和你的交情已经足够长，知道你偶尔会乐意表述一些实际上并不是你自己观点的意见。”

Elizabeth laughed heartily at this picture of herself, and said to Colonel Fitzwilliam, “Your cousin will give you a very pretty notion of me, and teach you not to believe a word I say. |||||||||||||||||||||impression|||||||||||| Элизабет от души посмеялась над этой своей картиной и сказала полковнику Фицуильяму: "Ваша кузина даст вам очень красивое представление обо мне и научит вас не верить ни одному моему слову. 伊丽莎白对自己这个形象哈哈大笑，并对费茨威廉上校说：“你的堂兄会给你一个非常美好的我印象，并教你不要相信我说的任何话。” I am particularly unlucky in meeting with a person so able to expose my real character, in a part of the world where I had hoped to pass myself off with some degree of credit. Мне особенно не повезло, что я встретился с человеком, способным раскрыть мой настоящий характер, в той части света, где я надеялся выдать себя с некоторой долей достоинства. 我在遇到一个如此能够揭露我真实性格的人时特别倒霉，而我本希望在这个地方能以某种程度的信誉打发自己。 Indeed, Mr. Darcy, it is very ungenerous in you to mention all that you knew to my disadvantage in Hertfordshire—and, give me leave to say, very impolitic too—for it is provoking me to retaliate, and such things may come out as will shock your relations to hear.” |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||se venger||||||||||||| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||unwise||||||||strike back||||||||||||| В самом деле, мистер Дарси, с вашей стороны очень неблагородно упоминать обо всем, что вы знали в Хартфордшире, и, позвольте заметить, очень невежливо - ведь это провоцирует меня на ответные действия, и в результате могут всплыть такие вещи, которые шокируют ваших родственников".

“I am not afraid of you,” said he, smilingly. ||||||||with a smile

“Pray let me hear what you have to accuse him of,” cried Colonel Fitzwilliam. "Позвольте мне услышать, в чем вы его обвиняете, - воскликнул полковник Фицуильям. “I should like to know how he behaves among strangers.” |||||||acts||

“You shall hear then—but prepare yourself for something very dreadful. ||||||||||very bad news The first time of my ever seeing him in Hertfordshire, you must know, was at a ball—and at this ball, what do you think he did? He danced only four dances, though gentlemen were scarce; and, to my certain knowledge, more than one young lady was sitting down in want of a partner. ||||||||in short supply|||||||||||||||||| Он танцевал всего четыре танца, хотя кавалеров было мало; и, насколько мне известно, не одна молодая леди сидела без партнера. Mr. Darcy, you cannot deny the fact.”

“I had not at that time the honour of knowing any lady in the assembly beyond my own party.” "В то время я не имела чести знать ни одну даму в ассамблее, кроме своей собственной партии".

“True; and nobody can ever be introduced in a ball-room. "Верно; и никто никогда не может быть представлен в бальном зале. Well, Colonel Fitzwilliam, what do I play next? Ну, полковник Фицуильям, что мне играть дальше? My fingers wait your orders.”

“Perhaps,” said Darcy, “I should have judged better, had I sought an introduction; but I am ill-qualified to recommend myself to strangers.” "Возможно, - сказал Дарси, - мне следовало бы судить лучше, если бы я попросил представить меня; но у меня нет достаточной квалификации, чтобы рекомендовать себя незнакомцам".

“Shall we ask your cousin the reason of this?” said Elizabeth, still addressing Colonel Fitzwilliam. "Может быть, нам спросить у вашего кузена о причине этого?" - спросила Элизабет, все еще обращаясь к полковнику Фицуильяму. “Shall we ask him why a man of sense and education, and who has lived in the world, is ill qualified to recommend himself to strangers?” "Спросим его, почему человек разумный и образованный, поживший в этом мире, не имеет права рекомендовать себя незнакомцам?"

“I can answer your question,” said Fitzwilliam, “without applying to him. ||||||||referring to|| "Я могу ответить на ваш вопрос, - сказал Фицуильям, - не обращаясь к нему. It is because he will not give himself the trouble.”

“I certainly have not the talent which some people possess,” said Darcy, “of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. "Я, конечно, не обладаю тем талантом, которым обладают некоторые люди, - сказал Дарси, - легко общаться с теми, кого я никогда не видел. I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done.” Я не могу уловить тон их разговора или показаться заинтересованным в их проблемах, как это часто бывает".

“My fingers,” said Elizabeth, “do not move over this instrument in the masterly manner which I see so many women's do. |||||||||||||||||||femmes| ||||||||||||skilled|||||||women| "Мои пальцы, - сказала Элизабет, - не двигаются по этому инструменту так виртуозно, как это делают многие женщины. They have not the same force or rapidity, and do not produce the same expression. Они не обладают той же силой и стремительностью, не производят того же выражения. But then I have always supposed it to be my own fault—because I will not take the trouble of practising. Но я всегда считал, что это моя собственная вина - потому что я не хотел заниматься. It is not that I do not believe _my_ fingers as capable as any other woman's of superior execution.” Дело не в том, что я не считаю, что мои пальцы, как и пальцы любой другой женщины, способны на превосходное исполнение". Darcy smiled and said, “You are perfectly right. You have employed your time much better. Вы использовали свое время гораздо лучше. No one admitted to the privilege of hearing you can think anything wanting. Personne n'admis au privilège de vous entendre ne peut penser quoi que ce soit de manquant. Ни один человек, удостоенный привилегии слышать вас, не может думать о чем-либо плохом. We neither of us perform to strangers.” Aucun de nous ne se produit devant des étrangers. Мы не выступаем перед незнакомцами".

Here they were interrupted by Lady Catherine, who called out to know what they were talking of. Ici, ils furent interrompus par Lady Catherine, qui demanda de quoi ils parlaient. Тут их прервала леди Кэтрин, которая поинтересовалась, о чем они говорят. Elizabeth immediately began playing again. Lady Catherine approached, and, after listening for a few minutes, said to Darcy: Леди Кэтрин подошла и, послушав несколько минут, обратилась к Дарси:

“Miss Bennet would not play at all amiss if she practised more, and could have the advantage of a London master. |||||||mal||||||||||||| |||||||not badly||||||||||||| Мисс Беннет играла бы совсем не плохо, если бы больше практиковалась и имела возможность пользоваться услугами лондонского мастера". She has a very good notion of fingering, though her taste is not equal to Anne's. |||||understanding||playing technique||||||||Anne's taste Anne would have been a delightful performer, had her health allowed her to learn.” ||||||entertainer||||||| |||||elragadó||||||||

Elizabeth looked at Darcy to see how cordially he assented to his cousin's praise; but neither at that moment nor at any other could she discern any symptom of love; and from the whole of his behaviour to Miss de Bourgh she derived this comfort for Miss Bingley, that he might have been just as likely to marry _her_, had she been his relation. |||||||warmly||agreed with||||||||||||||||detect||sign|||||||||||||||gained||||||||||||||||||||| Элизабет взглянула на Дарси, чтобы убедиться, насколько искренне он согласился с похвалой кузины; но ни в тот момент, ни в какой-либо другой она не могла заметить никаких признаков любви; и из всего его поведения с мисс де Бург она сделала вывод, утешая мисс Бингли, что он мог бы с такой же вероятностью жениться на ней, если бы она была его родственницей. Lady Catherine continued her remarks on Elizabeth's performance, mixing with them many instructions on execution and taste. Леди Кэтрин продолжила свои замечания по поводу выступления Элизабет, добавив к ним множество указаний по поводу исполнения и вкуса. Elizabeth received them with all the forbearance of civility, and, at the request of the gentlemen, remained at the instrument till her ladyship's carriage was ready to take them all home. ||||||patience and restraint|||||||||||||||||||||||| ||||||türelem|||||||||||||||||||||||| Элизабет приняла их со всей возможной вежливостью и, по просьбе джентльменов, оставалась у прибора, пока карета ее светлости не была готова отвезти их всех домой.