3 A proposal

Chapter 3 A proposal Home without Jane wasn't the same. Lizzy saw Wickham often, but he now spent most of his time with a rich young heiress, Mary King. Now that Darcy had left, it became known everywhere what he had done to Wickham. Everybody spoke of their affection for Wickham, and their dislike of Mr. Darcy. Then another letter came, this time from her friend, Charlotte Lucas, who had recently married, inviting her to come and stay. Lizzy accepted with joy.

没有简的家不一样。 丽萃经常见到韦翰，但他现在大部分时间都和一位年轻富有的女继承人玛丽·金在一起。 达西走了以后，他对韦翰所做的事就到处都知道了。 大家都说喜欢韦翰，不喜欢达西先生。 接着又来了一封信，这是她的朋友夏洛特·卢卡斯写来的，她刚结婚不久，邀请她来住。 丽萃欣然接受了。

Charlotte's husband, Mr. Collins, was a vicar in Kent, living on the estate of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, whom he seemed to worship. He talked of nothing but Lady Catherine from morning until night. "Her ladyship is wonderfully kind to us," Mr. Collins told her. "You are particularly lucky, Elizabeth, for she has invited us all to dine with her tomorrow." Lizzy looked over, caught her friend's eye and had to try very hard not to laugh. "I look forward to it, Mr. Collins," she said. The more Lizzy saw of Mr. Collins, the more she wondered why her friend had married him. He was a vain, pompous man.

夏绿蒂的丈夫柯林斯先生是肯特郡的牧师，住在咖苔琳·德·包尔夫人的庄园里，他似乎很崇拜她。 他从早到晚只谈咖苔琳夫人。 “夫人待我们太好了，”柯林斯先生对她说。 “伊丽莎白，你真是特别幸运，因为她请我们大家明天到她家里去吃饭。” 丽萃朝她看了看，看到了她朋友的目光，她不得不竭力忍住不笑出来。 “我很期待，柯林斯先生，”她说。 丽萃越见到柯林斯先生，就越奇怪她的朋友为什么要嫁给他。 他是一个虚荣、自负的人。

"I see you are surprised by my choice of husband," said Charlotte, even though Lizzy had tried to hide it. "But I was never romantic, you know. I've only ever wanted a comfortable home. I'm not pretty like you, and would much rather have Mr. Collins than no one." Lizzy said nothing. She felt deeply that she could never marry without love. For the rest of that day, and the following morning, all Mr. Collins could talk of was their forthcoming dinner. As the weather was fine, they walked to Lady Catherine's grand house across a park. Servants ushered them into the drawing room and Lizzie gasped. Standing at the window, looking as proud as ever, was Mr. Darcy. She thought he started a little when he saw her. "I have my nephews staying with me," said Lady Catherine, haughtily. "Mr. Darcy and Mr. Fitzwilliam." "We have met before," said Mr. Darcy briefly, bowing at Lizzy, but making no effort to come over and talk to her.

“我看得出来，我选了这么一个丈夫，你很吃惊，”夏绿蒂说，尽管丽萃竭力掩饰。 “但你知道，我从不浪漫。 我只想要一个舒适的家。 我不像你那么漂亮，宁可要柯林斯先生，也不要别人。” 丽萃什么也没说。她深深地感到，没有爱情，她是不能结婚的。 那天和第二天上午，柯林斯先生谈的都是即将到来的晚饭。 天气很好，他们穿过一座公园走到咖苔琳夫人的大房子。 仆人把他们领进客厅，丽齐倒吸了一口气。 达西先生站在窗前，一如既往地骄傲。 她觉得他看到她时有点激动。 咖苔琳夫人傲慢地说：“我有外甥们跟我住在一起。 “达西先生和费茨威廉先生。” “我们以前见过面，”达西先生简略地说了几句，一面向丽萃鞠了一躬，却没有上前跟她说话。

Mr. Fitzwilliam, however, seemed delighted with Lizzy, and after dinner he drew her over to the piano, asking her to play as he turned the music. "You are trying to frighten me, Mr. Darcy," said Lizzy, as he came over to watch her. "I know you have high standards." "I can't believe you mean what you say," replied Darcy. "Of course I have no wish to alarm you." "Do you know," Lizzy went on, addressing herself to Mr. Fitzwilliam, "I could tell you some very shocking things about Mr. Darcy. "And what are those?" asked Darcy.

不过，费茨威廉先生似乎很喜欢丽萃，吃过晚饭后，他把她拉到钢琴跟前，请她一边弹一边弹琴。 达西先生走过来看她时，丽萃说：“你是想吓唬我吧，达西先生。 “我知道你的要求很高。” “我不相信你说的是真话，”达西回答说。 “我当然不想吓唬你。” “你知道吗，”丽萃对费茨威廉先生说下去，“关于达西先生，我可以告诉你一些非常惊人的事情。 达西问：“那是什么东西？”

"The first time I met him, at a ball, he did not dance once. Even though there was more than one lady in want of a partner." "Perhaps," said Mr. Darcy, "I should have asked, but I am not at ease with strangers." "That is because you do not make the effort. I am not talented at playing the piano, but I have always supposed that to be my fault, for not trying harder." Darcy smiled. "You are right. You have used your time better than me." "What are you talking of?" interrupted Lady Catherine, ending the discussion. "Come over here where I can hear you."

“我第一次见到他是在一个舞会上，他一次也没跳过舞。 尽管有不止一位女士需要伴侣。” 达西先生说：“也许我应该先问一声，可是我跟陌生人在一起总不自在。” “那是因为你没有努力。 我在钢琴方面没有天赋，但我一直认为这是我的错，因为我没有更加努力。” 达西笑了。“你说得对。 你比我更善于利用时间。” “你们在说些什么呀？”咖苔琳夫人打断了他们的话。 “到这儿来，我能听见你说话。”