Pride and Prejudice. Адаптированная книга для чтения на английском языке. Intermediate

Bennet wanted her daughters to stay at Netherfield till the following Tuesday, which would exactly finish Jane's week. Therefore, she sent them word that they could not possibly have the carriage before Tuesday. Elizabeth didn't want to stay there any longer and felt that their presence at Netherfield was not very much desirable to some of its inhabitants. She asked Jane to borrow Mr. Bingley's carriage immediately. Mr. Bingley tried to persuade Miss Bennet that it would not be safe for her, that she was not well enough.

But Jane was firm where she felt herself to be right.

Mr. Darcy was pleased that the sisters were leaving. Elizabeth had been at Netherfield long enough. She attracted him more than he liked. He decided to show no sign of admiration. True to his decision, he scarcely spoke ten words to her through the whole of Saturday, and though they were at onetime left by themselves for half-an-hour, he just read his book, and would not even look at her.

On Sunday Jane and Elizabeth returned home.

Mrs. Bennet was not pleased. She was sure Jane would have caught cold again. But Mr. Bennet was really glad to see them: he had missed their lively conversation in the evenings.

Chapter 12

В«I hope, my dearВ», said Mr. Bennet to his wife, as they were at breakfast the next morning, В«that you have ordered a good dinner to-day, because I have reason to expect an addition to our family partyВ».

Mrs. Bennet's eyes sparkled. В«It is Mr. Bingley, I am sure! Well, I am sure I shall be extremely glad to see Mr.

BingleyВ».

В«NoВ», said her husband, В«it is a person whom I never saw in my whole lifeВ».

There followed an astonished chorus of questions from his wife and all his five daughters at once. Mr. Bennet showed them a letter.

В«It is from my cousin, Mr. Collins, who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleasesВ».

Mrs. Bennet started complaining angrily about the cruelty of settling an estate away from a family of five daughters, in favour of a man whom nobody cared anything about.

В«I think it is the hardest thing in the world, that your estate should be entailed away from your own children; and I am sure, if I had been you, I would have tried long ago to do something or other about itВ».

В«It certainly is a most immoral affairВ», said Mr. Bennet, В«and nothing can clear Mr. Collins from the guilt of inheriting Longbourn.