Гордость и предубеждение / Pride and Prejudice

“Indeed I have, sir,” was her answer. “She is too ill to be moved. We must use your kindness a little longer. You have a sweet room here, Mr. Bingley. I do not know a place in the country that is equal to Netherfield. You will not think of quitting it in a hurry.”

“Whatever I do is done in a hurry,” replied he; “But at present, however, I consider myself as quite fixed here.[26 - I consider myself as quite fixed here. – Мне кажется, что я устроился здесь основательно.

]”

“That is exactly what I should have supposed of you,” said Elizabeth.

“You begin to comprehend me, do you?” cried he.

“Oh! yes – I understand you perfectly.”

“Lizzy,” cried her mother, “remember where you are, and do not continue in the wild manner that you use at home.”

“I did not know before,” continued Bingley immediately, “that you were a studier of character. It must be an amusing study.”

“The country,” said Darcy, “can in general supply a few subjects for such a study.

”

“Yes, indeed,” cried Mrs. Bennet, offended by his manner of mentioning a country neighbourhood. “I cannot see that London has any great advantage over the country, except the shops and public places. The country is far more pleasant, is it not, Mr. Bingley?”

“When I am in the country,” he replied, “I never wish to leave it; and when I am in town it is the same. They have each their advantages.”

“That is because you have the right disposition.

But that gentleman,” looking at Darcy, “seemed to think the country was nothing at all.”

“Indeed, Mamma, you are mistaken,” said Elizabeth, blushing for her mother. “You quite mistook Mr. Darcy. He only meant that there was not such a variety of people to be met with in the country as in the town.”

“Certainly, my dear, but we dine with twenty-four families.”

Elizabeth asked her mother if Charlotte Lucas had been at Longbourn.

“Yes, she came yesterday with her father.

What an agreeable man Sir William is, Mr. Bingley, is not he? He has always something to say to everybody.”

“Did Charlotte dine with you?”

“No, she went home. The Lucases are a very good sort of girls, I assure you. It is a pity they are not handsome! Not that I think Charlotte so very plain – she is our friend.”

“She seems a very pleasant young woman.”

“Oh! dear, yes; but you must agree she is very plain.