Гордость и предубеждение / Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 8

At five o’clock the two ladies retired to dress, and at half-past six Elizabeth was called to dinner.

Jane was not better. The sisters, on hearing this, repeated three or four times how much they were grieved, how shocking it was to have a bad cold, and how they disliked being ill themselves.

When dinner was over, she returned directly to Jane, and Miss Bingley began to abuse Elizabeth as soon as she was out of the room. Her manners were considered very bad indeed, a mixture of pride and impertinence; she had no conversation[17 - she had no conversation – она не умеет вести беседу], no style, no beauty.

“She has nothing, in short, to recommend her. Of course, she is an excellent walker. I shall never forget her appearance this morning.”

“Why did she come here, because her sister had a cold? Her hair, so untidy!”

“I thought Miss Elizabeth Bennet looked remarkably well, Louisa,” said Bingley; “when she came into the room this morning.

“To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, above her ankles in dirt, and alone, quite alone! What could she mean by it?”

A short pause followed this speech, and the sisters began again:

“I like Miss Jane Bennet very much, she is really a very sweet girl. But with such a father and mother, and such low connections, I am afraid there is no chance for her in the life.”

To this speech Bingley made no answer.

Jane was still very poorly, and Elizabeth would not quit her at all, till late in the evening. On entering the drawing-room she found the whole party playing cards, and was immediately invited to join them. But she declined it, and said she would read a book instead.

“Do you prefer reading to cards? That is very strange.”

“Miss Eliza Bennet,” said Miss Bingley, “despises cards. She is a great reader.”

“Not at all, I am not a great reader,” cried Elizabeth; “and I have pleasure in many things.

Elizabeth walked towards the table where a few books were lying. “I am astonished,” said Miss Bingley, “that my father has such a small collection of books. What a delightful library you have, Mr. Darcy!”

“It is good,” he replied, “I am always buying books.”

“It is amazing to me,” said Bingley, “how young ladies can have patience to be so educated as they all are.