"I have been thinking it over again, Elizabeth," said her uncle as they drove from the town; "and really, upon serious consideration, I am much more inclined than I was to judge as your eldest sister does of the matter. It appears to me so very unlikely that any young man should form such a design against a girl who is by no means unprotected or friendless, and who was actually staying in his colonel's family, that I am strongly inclined to hope the best. Could he expect that her friends would not step forward? Could he expect to be noticed again by the regiment, after such an affront to Colonel Forster? His temptation is not adequate to the risk."?

"Do you really think so?" cried Elizabeth, brightening up for a moment.?

"Upon my word," said Mrs. Gardiner, "I begin to be of your uncle's opinion. It is really too great a violation of decency, honour, and interest, for him to be guilty of it. I cannot think so very ill of Wickham. Can you, yourself, Lizzy, so wholly give him up as to believe him capable of it?"

"Not perhaps of neglecting his own interest. But of every other neglect I can believe him capable. If, indeed, it should be so! But I dare not hope it. Why should they not go on to Scotland, if that had been the case?"

"In the first place," replied Mr. Gardiner, "there is no absolute proof that they are not gone to Scotland."

"Oh! but their removing from the chaise into an hackney coach is such a presumption! And, besides, no traces of them were to be found on the Barnet road."

"Well, then -- supposing them to be in London. They may be there, though, for the purpose of concealment, for no more exceptionable purpose. It is not likely that money should be very abundant on either side; and it might strike them that they could be more economically, though less expeditiously, married in London, than in Scotland."

"But why all this secrecy? Why any fear of detection? Why must their marriage be private? Oh! no, no, this is not likely. His most particular friend, you see by Jane's account, was persuaded of his never intending to marry her. Wickham will never marry a woman without some money. He cannot afford it. And what claims has Lydia, what attractions has she beyond youth, health, and good humour, that could make him, for her sake, forgo every chance of benefiting himself by marrying well? As to what restraint the apprehension of disgrace in the corps might throw on a dishonourable elopement with her, I am not able to judge; for I know nothing of the effects that such a step might produce. But as to your other objection, I am afraid it will hardly hold good. Lydia has no brothers to step forward; and he might imagine, from my father's behaviour, from his indolence and the little attention he has ever seemed to give to what was going forward in his family, that he would do as little, and think as little about it, as any father could do in such a matter."

"But can you think that Lydia is so lost to every thing but love of him, as to consent to live with him on any other terms than marriage?"

"It does seem, and it is most shocking indeed," replied Elizabeth, with tears in her eyes, "that a sister's sense of decency and virtue in such a point should admit of doubt. But, really, I know not what to say. Perhaps I am not doing her justice. But she is very young; she has never been taught to think on serious subjects; and for the last half year, nay, for a twelvemonth, she has been given up to nothing but amusement and vanity. She has been allowed to dispose of her time in the most idle and frivolous manner, and to adopt any opinions that came in her way. Since the ----shire were first quartered in Meryton, nothing but love, flirtation, and officers have been in her head. She has been doing every thing in her power, by thinking and talking on the subject, to give greater -- what shall I call it? -- susceptibility to her feelings, which are naturally lively enough. And we all know that Wickham has every charm of person and address that can captivate a woman."

"But you see that Jane," said her aunt, "does not think so ill of Wickham as to believe him capable of the attempt."

"Of whom does Jane ever think ill? And who is there, whatever might be their former conduct, that she would believe capable of such an attempt, till it were proved against them? But Jane knows, as well as I do, what Wickham really is. We both know that he has been profligate in every sense of the word. That he has neither integrity nor honour. That he is as false and deceitful, as he is insinuating."

"And do you really know all this?" cried Mrs. Gardiner, whose curiosity as to the mode of her intelligence was all alive.

"I do, indeed," replied Elizabeth, colouring. "I told you the other day, of his infamous behaviour to Mr. Darcy; and you, yourself, when last at Longbourn, heard in what manner he spoke of the man who had behaved with such forbearance and liberality towards him. And there are other circumstances which I am not at liberty -- which it is not worth while to relate; but his lies about the whole Pemberley family are endless. From what he said of Miss Darcy, I was thoroughly prepared to see a proud, reserved, disagreeable girl. Yet he knew to the contrary himself. He must know that she was amiable and unpretending as we have found her."

"But does Lydia know nothing of this? Can she be ignorant of what you and Jane seem so well to understand?"

"Oh, yes! -- that, that is the worst of all. Till I was in Kent, and saw so much both of Mr. Darcy and his relation, Colonel Fitzwilliam, I was ignorant of the truth myself. And when I returned home, the ----shire was to leave Meryton in a week or fortnight's time. As that was the case, neither Jane, to whom I related the whole, nor I, thought it necessary to make our knowledge public; for of what use could it apparently be to any one that the good opinion which all the neighbourhood had of him should then be overthrown? And even when it was settled that Lydia should go with Mrs. Forster, the necessity of opening her eyes to his character never occurred to me. That she could be in any danger from the deception never entered my head. That such a consequence as this should ensue, you may easily believe was far enough from my thoughts."

"When they all removed to Brighton, therefore, you had no reason, I suppose, to believe them fond of each other."

"Not the slightest. I can remember no symptom of affection on either side; and had any thing of the kind been perceptible, you must be aware that ours is not a family on which it could be thrown away. When first he entered the corps, she was ready enough to admire him; but so we all were. Every girl in or near Meryton was out of her senses about him for the first two months; but he never distinguished her by any particular attention, and consequently, after a moderate period of extravagant and wild admiration, her fancy for him gave way, and others of the regiment who treated her with more distinction again became her favourites."

It may be easily believed that, however little of novelty could be added to their fears, hopes, and conjectures, on this interesting subject by its repeated discussion, no other could detain them from it long, during the whole of the journey. From Elizabeth's thoughts it was never absent. Fixed there by the keenest of all anguish, self-reproach, she could find no interval of ease or forgetfulness.

They travelled as expeditiously as possible; and, sleeping one night on the road, reached Longbourn by dinner-time the next day. It was a comfort to Elizabeth to consider that Jane could not have been wearied by long expectations.

The little Gardiners, attracted by the sight of a chaise, were standing on the steps of the house as they entered the paddock; and when the carriage drove up to the door, the joyful surprise that lighted up their faces, and displayed itself over their whole bodies in a variety of capers and frisks, was the first pleasing earnest of their welcome.

Elizabeth jumped out; and, after giving each of them an hasty kiss, hurried into the vestibule, where Jane, who came running down stairs from her mother's apartment, immediately met her.

Elizabeth, as she affectionately embraced her, whilst tears filled the eyes of both, lost not a moment in asking whether any thing had been heard of the fugitives.

"Not yet," replied Jane. "But now that my dear uncle is come, I hope every thing will be well."

"Is my father in town?"

"Yes, he went on Tuesday, as I wrote you word."

"And have you heard from him often?"

"We have heard only once. He wrote me a few lines on Wednesday, to say that he had arrived in safety, and to give me his directions, which I particularly begged him to do. He merely added that he should not write again till he had something of importance to mention."

"And my mother -- How is she? How are you all?"

"My mother is tolerably well, I trust; though her spirits are greatly shaken. She is up stairs, and will have great satisfaction in seeing you all. She does not yet leave her dressing-room. Mary and Kitty, thank Heaven! are quite well."

"But you -- How are you?" cried Elizabeth. "You look pale. How much you must have gone through!"

Her sister, however, assured her of her being perfectly well; and their conversation, which had been passing while Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were engaged with their children, was now put an end to by the approach of the whole party. Jane ran to her uncle and aunt, and welcomed and thanked them both, with alternate smiles and tears.

When they were all in the drawing room, the questions which Elizabeth had already asked were of course repeated by the others, and they soon found that Jane had no intelligence to give. The sanguine hope of good, however, which the benevolence of her heart suggested, had not yet deserted her; she still expected that it would all end well, and that every morning would bring some letter, either from Lydia or her father, to explain their proceedings, and perhaps announce the marriage.

Mrs. Bennet, to whose apartment they all repaired, after a few minutes conversation together, received them exactly as might be expected; with tears and lamentations of regret, invectives against the villainous conduct of Wickham, and complaints of her own sufferings and ill usage; blaming every body but the person to whose ill-judging indulgence the errors of her daughter must be principally owing.

"If I had been able," said she, "to carry my point of going to Brighton, with all my family, this would not have happened; but poor dear Lydia had nobody to take care of her. Why did the Forsters ever let her go out of their sight? I am sure there was some great neglect or other on their side, for she is not the kind of girl to do such a thing, if she had been well looked after. I always thought they were very unfit to have the charge of her; but I was over-ruled, as I always am. Poor dear child! And now here's Mr. Bennet gone away, and I know he will fight Wickham wherever he meets him, and then he will be killed, and what is to become of us all? The Collinses will turn us out, before he is cold in his grave; and if you are not kind to us, brother, I do not know what we shall do."

They all exclaimed against such terrific ideas; and Mr. Gardiner, after general assurances of his affection for her and all her family, told her that he meant to be in London the very next day, and would assist Mr. Bennet in every endeavour for recovering Lydia.

"Do not give way to useless alarm," added he; "though it is right to be prepared for the worst, there is no occasion to look on it as certain. It is not quite a week since they left Brighton. In a few days more, we may gain some news of them, and till we know that they are not married, and have no design of marrying, do not let us give the matter over as lost. As soon as I get to town, I shall go to my brother and make him come home with me to Gracechurch Street, and then we may consult together as to what is to be done."

"Oh! my dear brother," replied Mrs. Bennet, "that is exactly what I could most wish for. And now do, when you get to town, find them out, wherever they may be; and if they are not married already, make them marry. And as for wedding clothes, do not let them wait for that, but tell Lydia she shall have as much money as she chuses to buy them, after they are married. And, above all things, keep Mr. Bennet from fighting. Tell him what a dreadful state I am in, -- that I am frightened out of my wits; and have such tremblings, such flutterings all over me such spasms in my side, and pains in my head, and such beatings at heart, that I can get no rest by night nor by day. And tell my dear Lydia, not to give any directions about her clothes till she has seen me, for she does not know which are the best warehouses. Oh, brother, how kind you are! I know you will contrive it all."

But Mr. Gardiner, though he assured her again of his earnest endeavours in the cause, could not avoid recommending moderation to her, as well in her hopes as her fears; and, after talking with her in this manner till dinner was on table, they left her to vent all her feelings on the housekeeper, who attended in the absence of her daughters.

Though her brother and sister were persuaded that there was no real occasion for such a seclusion from the family, they did not attempt to oppose it, for they knew that she had not prudence enough to hold her tongue before the servants while they waited at table, and judged it better that one only of the household, and the one whom they could most trust, should comprehend all her fears and solicitude on the subject.

In the dining-room they were soon joined by Mary and Kitty, who had been too busily engaged in their separate apartments, to make their appearance before. One came from her books, and the other from her toilette. The faces of both, however, were tolerably calm; and no change was visible in either, except that the loss of her favourite sister, or the anger which she had herself incurred in the business, had given something more of fretfulness than usual to the accents of Kitty. As for Mary, she was mistress enough of herself to whisper to Elizabeth, with a countenance of grave reflection, soon after they were seated at table,

"This is a most unfortunate affair; and will probably be much talked of. But we must stem the tide of malice, and pour into the wounded bosoms of each other the balm of sisterly consolation."

Then, perceiving in Elizabeth no inclination of replying, she added, "Unhappy as the event must be for Lydia, we may draw from it this useful lesson: that loss of virtue in a female is irretrievable -- that one false step involves her in endless ruin -- that her reputation is no less brittle than it is beautiful, -- and that she cannot be too much guarded in her behaviour towards the undeserving of the other sex."

Elizabeth lifted up her eyes in amazement, but was too much oppressed to make any reply. Mary, however, continued to console herself with such kind of moral extractions from the evil before them.

In the afternoon, the two elder Miss Bennets were able to be for half an hour by themselves; and Elizabeth instantly availed herself of the opportunity of making many enquiries, which Jane was equally eager to satisfy. After joining in general lamentations over the dreadful sequel of this event, which Elizabeth considered as all but certain, and Miss Bennet could not assert to be wholly impossible, the former continued the subject by saying, "But tell me all and every thing about it which I have not already heard. Give me farther particulars. What did Colonel Forster say? Had they no apprehension of any thing before the elopement took place? They must have seen them together for ever."

"Colonel Forster did own that he had often suspected some partiality, especially on Lydia's side, but nothing to give him any alarm. I am so grieved for him. His behaviour was attentive and kind to the utmost. He was coming to us, in order to assure us of his concern, before he had any idea of their not being gone to Scotland; when that apprehension first got abroad, it hastened his journey."

"And was Denny convinced that Wickham would not marry? Did he know of their intending to go off? Had Colonel Forster seen Denny himself?"

"Yes; but when questioned by him, Denny denied knowing any thing of their plan, and would not give his real opinion about it. He did not repeat his persuasion of their not marrying -- and from that, I am inclined to hope, he might have been misunderstood before."

"And till Colonel Forster came himself, not one of you entertained a doubt, I suppose, of their being really married?"

"How was it possible that such an idea should enter our brains! I felt a little uneasy -- a little fearful of my sister's happiness with him in marriage, because I knew that his conduct had not been always quite right. My father and mother knew nothing of that, they only felt how imprudent a match it must be. Kitty then owned, with a very natural triumph on knowing more than the rest of us, that in Lydia's last letter she had prepared her for such a step. She had known, it seems, of their being in love with each other many weeks."

"But not before they went to Brighton?"

"No, I believe not."

"And did Colonel Forster appear to think ill of Wickham himself? Does he know his real character?"

"I must confess that he did not speak so well of Wickham as he formerly did. He believed him to be imprudent and extravagant. And since this sad affair has taken place, it is said that he left Meryton greatly in debt; but I hope this may be false."

"Oh, Jane, had we been less secret, had we told what we knew of him, this could not have happened!"

"Perhaps it would have been better," replied her sister. "But to expose the former faults of any person, without knowing what their present feelings were, seemed unjustifiable. We acted with the best intentions."

"Could Colonel Forster repeat the particulars of Lydia's note to his wife?"

"He brought it with him for us to see."

Jane then took it from her pocket-book, and gave it to Elizabeth. These were the contents:

"MY DEAR HARRIET,

You will laugh when you know where I am gone, and I cannot help laughing myself at your surprise to-morrow morning, as soon as I am missed. I am going to Gretna Green, and if you cannot guess with who, I shall think you a simpleton, for there is but one man in the world I love, and he is an angel. I should never be happy without him, so think it no harm to be off. You need not send them word at Longbourn of my going, if you do not like it, for it will make the surprise the greater when I write to them and sign my name Lydia Wickham. What a good joke it will be! I can hardly write for laughing. Pray make my excuses to Pratt, for not keeping my engagement and dancing with him to night. Tell him I hope he will excuse me when he knows all, and tell him I will dance with him at the next ball we meet, with great pleasure. I shall send for my clothes when I get to Longbourn; but I wish you would tell Sally to mend a great slit in my worked muslin gown before they are packed up. Good bye. Give my love to Colonel Forster. I hope you will drink to our good journey.

Your affectionate friend,

LYDIA BENNET."

"Oh! thoughtless, thoughtless Lydia!" cried Elizabeth when she had finished it. "What a letter is this, to be written at such a moment. But at least it shews that she was serious in the object of her journey. Whatever he might afterwards persuade her to, it was not on her side a scheme of infamy. My poor father! how he must have felt it!"

"I never saw any one so shocked. He could not speak a word for full ten minutes. My mother was taken ill immediately, and the whole house in such confusion!"

"Oh! Jane!" cried Elizabeth, "was there a servant belonging to it, who did not know the whole story before the end of the day?"

"I do not know. -- I hope there was. -- But to be guarded at such a time, is very difficult. My mother was in hysterics, and though I endeavoured to give her every assistance in my power, I am afraid I did not do so much as I might have done! But the horror of what might possibly happen, almost took from me my faculties."

"Your attendance upon her has been too much for you. You do not look well. Oh! that I had been with you, you have had every care and anxiety upon yourself alone."

"Mary and Kitty have been very kind, and would have shared in every fatigue, I am sure, but I did not think it right for either of them. Kitty is slight and delicate, and Mary studies so much, that her hours of repose should not be broken in on. My aunt Phillips came to Longbourn on Tuesday, after my father went away; and was so good as to stay till Thursday with me. She was of great use and comfort to us all, and Lady Lucas has been very kind; she walked here on Wednesday morning to condole with us, and offered her services, or any of her daughters, if they could be of use to us."

"She had better have stayed at home," cried Elizabeth; "perhaps she meant well, but under such a misfortune as this, one cannot see too little of one's neighbours. Assistance is impossible; condolence, insufferable. Let them triumph over us at a distance, and be satisfied."

She then proceeded to enquire into the measures which her father had intended to pursue, while in town, for the recovery of his daughter.

"He meant, I believe," replied Jane, "to go to Epsom, the place where they last changed horses, see the postilions, and try if any thing could be made out from them. His principal object must be to discover the number of the hackney coach which took them from Clapham. It had come with a fare from London; and as he thought the circumstance of a gentleman and lady's removing from one carriage into another might be remarked, he meant to make enquiries at Clapham. If he could any how discover at what house the coachman had before set down his fare, he determined to make enquiries there, and hoped it might not be impossible to find out the stand and number of the coach. I do not know of any other designs that he had formed: but he was in such a hurry to be gone, and his spirits so greatly discomposed, that I had difficulty in finding out even so much as this."

--正文

“伊麗莎白媳维，這件事情我又想了一遍，”駛離鎮(zhèn)子的時(shí)候，伊麗莎白的叔叔說，：“而且說真的，我更傾向于覺得你姐說的事情不太可能苫耸。在我看來，任何年輕人都不會(huì)這樣故意設(shè)計(jì)騙一個(gè)有家人的女孩，而且這個(gè)女孩還住在他上校的家里陷谱，因此我更覺得事情會(huì)往好的方向發(fā)展。難道他真的以為她的朋友不會(huì)過問瑟蜈？難道他真的以為這樣冒犯了福斯特上校叭首，民兵團(tuán)還會(huì)要他？相比誘惑而言踪栋，他的風(fēng)險(xiǎn)太大了焙格。”

“你真的這么想么夷都？”伊麗莎白高叫一聲眷唉，氣氛熱烈了一點(diǎn)。

“我發(fā)誓我也開始相信你叔叔的說法囤官《簦”加德納夫人說，“因?yàn)檫@件事實(shí)在太不得體党饮，太不光彩肝陪，而且太無利可圖了，他肯定會(huì)后悔的刑顺。我沒法把維克漢姆想那么壞氯窍。利茲，你自己覺得他能做出這種事么蹲堂？”

“也許他不會(huì)忘記自己的利益狼讨。但是其他事情他是肆無忌憚的。而且如果實(shí)在必要柒竞，他肯定會(huì)這么做政供。但是我希望不會(huì)這樣。如果他們真的私奔了，他們會(huì)不會(huì)逃去蘇格蘭了布隔？”

“首先离陶，”加德納先生說，“現(xiàn)在還不能完全確定他們沒去蘇格蘭衅檀≌泶牛”

“但是他們換了馬車，這還不能說明什么嗎术吝？而且计济，在巴內(nèi)路上也沒有發(fā)現(xiàn)他們的車轍∨挪裕”

“嗯沦寂，說不定他們?nèi)チ藗惗亍Ｋ麄內(nèi)ツ莾嚎赡苤皇窍攵闫饋硖匝茫豢赡苡袆e的原因传藏。他們兩個(gè)手頭都不寬裕，因此他們可能覺得去倫敦結(jié)婚彤守，比去蘇格蘭便宜一些毯侦，盡管速度上要慢一些【叩妫”

“那他們?yōu)槭裁赐低得某蘩耄繛槭裁磁氯苏宜麄儯繛槭裁幢仨毻低到Y(jié)婚筝蚕？不可能的卦碾，不存在的。維克漢姆的一個(gè)特別朋友相信維克漢姆是永遠(yuǎn)不打算娶她的起宽，你們看簡(jiǎn)也是這么說得洲胖。維克漢姆是不會(huì)娶一個(gè)沒錢的姑娘的。他沒那么多錢坯沪。而且莉迪亞有什么財(cái)產(chǎn)绿映，除了年輕、健康腐晾、脾氣好點(diǎn)外叉弦，還有什么能讓維克漢姆放棄更好的結(jié)婚機(jī)會(huì)？至于維克漢姆這么不要臉跟我妹妹私奔赴魁，軍營(yíng)里面會(huì)因?yàn)楹ε嘛L(fēng)評(píng)而怎么處分他卸奉，這個(gè)我不知道钝诚。因?yàn)槲也恢浪@一步會(huì)產(chǎn)生什么后果颖御。至于你們其它的考慮，恐怕也不成立。莉迪亞沒有兄弟能過問這事潘拱。而且維克漢姆可能想疹鳄，從我父親的懶惰行為和對(duì)家事的冷漠程度來看，他可能想也不想芦岂，做也不做這事瘪弓。”

“但是你覺得莉迪亞眼里就只剩愛情禽最，其他的都不管不顧了嗎腺怯？她就能滿足一窮二白的跟他過日子？”

“這事說起來確實(shí)挺嚇人的川无，”伊麗莎白眼里含著淚呛占，說，“我這個(gè)妹妹的品德和名聲要遭到質(zhì)疑了懦趋。但是我也不知道該說點(diǎn)啥晾虑。也許我一直對(duì)她不公平。她太年輕了仅叫，一直也沒跟我們聊過嚴(yán)肅的話題帜篇。過去上半年，不對(duì)诫咱，是過去一年笙隙，她每天除了玩就是無所事事。家里人就這么放縱她浪費(fèi)時(shí)間坎缭，接觸些三教九流的人逃沿。自從民兵團(tuán)到梅屯來了以后，她的腦子里就只想些談情說愛幻锁，到處調(diào)情凯亮，軍官們了。她想的是這些事哄尔，聊的是這些事假消，一直我行我素，這該怎么說岭接，最后就導(dǎo)致她變得敏感起來富拗，而這已經(jīng)足夠了。我們都知道維克漢姆長(zhǎng)得帥鸣戴，談吐又吸引人啃沪，對(duì)女人有致命的吸引力≌”

“但是你看簡(jiǎn)并不這么看維克漢姆创千，她覺得他不會(huì)做這種事。”姑媽說追驴。

“簡(jiǎn)會(huì)覺得誰是壞人械哟？而且不管一個(gè)人前面的行為如何，直到被證實(shí)以前殿雪，簡(jiǎn)是不會(huì)覺得他會(huì)做出這種事的暇咆。但是簡(jiǎn)跟我一樣，其實(shí)是直到維克漢姆的本性的丙曙。我們都知道這人大手大腳爸业，既不正直也沒有榮譽(yù)感。他這個(gè)人既虛偽又迷惑人亏镰，而且說話總是含沙射影的沃呢。”

“你確定說得這些都是真的嗎拆挥？”加德納夫人大聲說薄霜，她的好奇心，跟她的聰慧一起上線了。

“是的，我確定塔鳍，”伊麗莎白說，臉紅著崎坊，“我之前有天跟你說過他對(duì)達(dá)西做過的那些無恥事情。而且你上次在蘑菇屯的時(shí)候洲拇，也聽到他怎么說一個(gè)對(duì)他寬容禮讓的男人奈揍。還有一些其它事情我就不提了，也不值得提赋续。但是他只會(huì)一直說在彭伯里的假話男翰。聽他說的達(dá)西小姐，我都徹底準(zhǔn)備好見一個(gè)高傲纽乱，冷漠的女孩了蛾绎。但是事實(shí)完全相反。他肯定知道達(dá)西小姐就跟我們發(fā)現(xiàn)的一樣可愛鸦列，而不造作租冠。”

“難道莉迪亞就完全不知道這件事嗎薯嗤？難道她就那么無知顽爹，看不到你和簡(jiǎn)了解的那么清楚的事情嗎？”

“是的骆姐，這就是最糟的一點(diǎn)镜粤。直到我到肯特郡捏题，親自接觸過達(dá)西先生和他的親戚——菲茨威廉姆上校之后，我才明白自己也被蒙在鼓里繁仁。然后我趕回家才發(fā)現(xiàn)涉馅，民兵團(tuán)會(huì)在一兩周內(nèi)離開梅屯归园。既然是這樣黄虱，我跟簡(jiǎn)說完整件事情后，我們兩人都覺得這事沒必要公開庸诱。因?yàn)闉槭裁匆呀址秽従訉?duì)維克漢姆的好印象給推翻了呢捻浦？而且直到后來莉迪亞確定要和福斯特太太一起過去玩，我都沒想起來跟莉迪亞說明維克漢姆的本性桥爽。我當(dāng)時(shí)都沒想到她可能會(huì)上當(dāng)受騙朱灿。你應(yīng)該能夠猜到，這樣的情況跟我的想法相差甚遠(yuǎn)钠四〉涟牵”

“他們一起去布萊屯之后，我估計(jì)你更沒有理由相信他們兩人互相愛慕了缀去÷略睿”

“一點(diǎn)也不相信。我一點(diǎn)也沒看出來他們互相喜歡缕碎。一點(diǎn)互相愛慕的痕跡都沒有褥影，你一定知道我們這家人不可能看不出來的。一開始維克漢姆到民兵團(tuán)里來咏雌，莉迪亞就迫不及待想喜歡她了凡怎。但是我們姑娘都是這樣。一開始的兩個(gè)月里赊抖，梅屯里的和附近的姑娘都愛她愛的發(fā)瘋统倒。（翻譯官：是的，我故意翻成瓊瑤風(fēng)格的氛雪。）但是維克漢姆并沒有對(duì)她有特別的關(guān)注檐薯，因此過了段夸張而狂野的愛慕期后，莉迪亞也就喜歡他了注暗。然后兵團(tuán)里其它愿意正眼看她的軍官就又成了她的最愛坛缕。”

很明顯捆昏，經(jīng)過不停的討論赚楚，他們害怕著，希望著骗卜，推測(cè)著宠页，但旅途漫長(zhǎng)左胞，新奇感越來越低。伊麗莎白從沒有放棄想這件事情举户。她滿腦焦慮自責(zé)烤宙，根本無法放松片刻，遺忘片刻俭嘁。

他們盡力地往回干涸躺枕，在路上過了一夜，然后在第二天晚飯前到了蘑菇屯供填。伊麗莎白想到簡(jiǎn)不用再盼著她回來拐云，心里就舒服多了。

加德納的小家伙們近她，看到馬車都被吸引過來叉瘩，伊麗莎白她們剛走到圍欄，就看到她們站到門口的樓梯上粘捎。馬車駛進(jìn)門前薇缅，小家伙們臉上滿是驚喜，手舞足蹈起來攒磨，歡迎著她們回來泳桦。

伊麗莎白跳出馬車，匆忙親了每個(gè)小家伙一下咧纠，然后趕進(jìn)客廳蓬痒，剛好碰到簡(jiǎn)從母親的房里出來。

伊麗莎白激動(dòng)地?fù)肀Я怂岣幔瑑扇硕际菬釡I盈眶梧奢，然后立刻問了有沒有莉迪亞的消息。

“還沒有”簡(jiǎn)回復(fù)說演痒，“但是現(xiàn)在叔叔回來了亲轨，我希望事情都會(huì)好起來∧袼常”

“父親在倫敦嗎惦蚊？”

“是的，他周二就去了讯嫂，我在信里跟你說了蹦锋。”

“他經(jīng)常來信嗎欧芽？”

“只收到一次莉掂。他周四給我寫了幾句話，說是安全抵達(dá)了千扔，然后告訴我該怎么做憎妙，這也是我之前這么懇求他的库正。他只是說了除了有重要的事情，不然不會(huì)寫信來了厘唾∪旆”

“母親呢，她怎么樣了抚垃？還有你還好吧喷楣？”

“我覺得母親狀況相當(dāng)好，盡管精神不太振作讯柔。她現(xiàn)在樓上抡蛙，看到你們過來肯定會(huì)很開心护昧。她還沒離開過臥室魂迄。感謝老天，瑪麗和凱蒂精神十分不錯(cuò)惋耙〉肪妫”

“但是你呢，你怎么樣绽榛？”伊麗莎白說湿酸，“你看起來很蒼白，你真是糟了不少罪啊灭美⊥评＃”

但是簡(jiǎn)說自己十分健康。加德納夫婦見過孩子們后届腐，走了過來铁坎，兩人也就沒有再說話。簡(jiǎn)跑過去抱了叔叔嬸嬸犁苏，喜極而泣硬萍，輪流歡迎又感謝了他們。

然后大家一起到了客廳围详，他們又問了簡(jiǎn)一遍伊麗莎白問過的問題朴乖，很快他們就發(fā)現(xiàn)簡(jiǎn)啥都不知道。但是她博愛的心滋生的希望助赞，還沒有讓她放棄买羞。她仍然期待這件事會(huì)有個(gè)好結(jié)果，每天早上她都會(huì)帶些信過來雹食，既不是莉迪亞畜普，也不是她父親寫的，信里解釋了下進(jìn)度婉徘，也可能說得是莉迪亞的婚事漠嵌。

他們一起來到本內(nèi)特太太的房間咐汞，聊了幾分鐘后，本內(nèi)特太太就跟預(yù)想中的一樣儒鹿，淚流滿面化撕，遺憾而悲痛，咒罵著維克漢姆的惡意行為约炎，然后又開始自怨自艾植阴。怪罪每個(gè)人，就是不怪她自己縱然莉迪亞導(dǎo)致今天的局面圾浅。

“要是之前讓我跟著去布萊頓掠手，這種事就不會(huì)發(fā)生了。但是可憐的小莉迪亞根本就沒人照顧她狸捕。為什么福斯特夫婦就這么不負(fù)責(zé)任喷鸽？我肯定他們兩人有個(gè)疏忽了，因?yàn)橐怯腥苏湛春美虻蟻喚呐模刹粫?huì)跟人私奔的做祝。我一直覺得他們兩人照看不好莉迪亞〖Ω冢可我還是受人家擺布混槐。我可憐的孩子。現(xiàn)在本內(nèi)特老爺又走了轩性，我知道他一碰到維克漢姆就會(huì)打上一架声登，但是本內(nèi)特老爺肯定會(huì)被殺掉的，到時(shí)候我們幾個(gè)女人家可怎么辦揣苏？到時(shí)候老爺尸骨未寒悯嗓，柯林斯一家子就會(huì)趕我們走。要是兄弟你對(duì)我們也不好舒岸，那我真不知道該怎么辦好了绅作。”

屋里的一群人聽到這些話都大呼小叫蛾派。加德納先生反復(fù)跟本內(nèi)特太太說自己不會(huì)拋棄她和她的家人俄认，還說自己明天就會(huì)到倫敦，竭盡所能協(xié)助本內(nèi)特老爺尋找莉迪亞洪乍。

“你不要胡思亂想眯杏，”他接著說，”盡管確實(shí)需要準(zhǔn)備好應(yīng)付壞情況壳澳，但是這也不是肯定發(fā)生的岂贩。他們離開布萊頓不到一個(gè)星期。這幾天我們可能就能聽到些消息了巷波，直到我們知道他們沒結(jié)婚之前萎津，而且沒有結(jié)婚的打算卸伞，我們千萬別放棄希望。我一到城里就去找我兄弟锉屈，讓他跟我一起去慈祥教堂大街荤傲，然后我們就一起討論該怎么做【痹ǎ“

”哎呀遂黍，我的親兄弟！“本內(nèi)特太太說俊嗽，”我正希望你能這么做雾家。到了倫敦后，不管莉迪亞他們?cè)谀膬荷芑恚?qǐng)你務(wù)必找到他們芯咧。如果他們還沒結(jié)婚，就逼著他們結(jié)婚妹田。沒有婚紗也沒事唬党，別讓他們等著這事鹃共，告訴莉迪亞她結(jié)了婚之后鬼佣，她想買什么衣服我們就給她買什么。對(duì)了霜浴，最重要的事情就是別讓本內(nèi)特老爺大家晶衷。告訴他我是多么擔(dān)驚受怕，我現(xiàn)在是渾身顫抖阴孟，身體抽出晌纫，腦袋也很疼，而且心臟跳的很厲害永丝，白天也不能休息锹漱，晚上也不能休息。告訴我的小莉迪亞慕嚷，見到我之前不要買什么衣服哥牍，她不知道哪家店好。我的好兄弟喝检，你真是個(gè)大好人嗅辣。我知道你都能辦到的∧铀担“

但是盡管再次向本內(nèi)特太太確認(rèn)一定會(huì)盡力協(xié)助澡谭，加德納先生還是建議她不要過分憂慮，但是也別抱太大期望损俭。然后他們就這樣跟本內(nèi)特太太聊到了吃晚飯蛙奖，然后就留下她跟仆人聊天了潘酗，女兒不再的時(shí)候都是仆人負(fù)責(zé)照看她。

盡管加德納夫婦覺得不必要和本內(nèi)特夫人分開吃飯雁仲，但是這么做他們也沒意見崎脉，因?yàn)樗麄冎里堊郎掀腿吮姸啵緝?nèi)特太太肯定管不住自己的嘴伯顶，所以不如讓她單獨(dú)跟一個(gè)信得過的仆人待在一起囚灼，正好也讓她有個(gè)伴。

很快瑪麗和凱蒂就一起來餐廳吃了晚飯祭衩，他們之前都待在自己的房間里沒出來見人灶体。一個(gè)忙于看書，另一個(gè)忙于梳妝打扮掐暮。但是她們兩人看起來都十分冷靜蝎抽，而且看起來也沒有什么變化，除了凱蒂因?yàn)槭チ俗钕矚g的姐妹路克，或者因?yàn)樗约阂彩盏竭@事影響樟结，讓她說話的語氣相比平時(shí)有些急躁。至于瑪麗就淑女多了精算，坐下不久就悄悄問了伊麗莎白瓢宦，然后臉上露出悲痛的神色。

”這事真是太不幸了灰羽。別人很可能會(huì)議論紛紛驮履。人心惡毒，我們必須小心防范廉嚼。姐妹之間ixu聯(lián)合起來玫镐，互相幫助〉≡耄“

然后感覺到伊麗莎白不想回應(yīng)恐似，她說：”盡管這事對(duì)莉迪亞來說很不好，但是我們可以從中學(xué)到一課：女性的名聲一丟就再也找不回來了傍念。一個(gè)錯(cuò)誤的選擇可能會(huì)讓她永遠(yuǎn)受折磨矫夷。她的名聲可以很好，也可以一下變壞捂寿。所以對(duì)于那些不好的男人口四，女人一定要時(shí)刻戒備∏芈“

伊麗莎白驚訝地抬眼看了下她蔓彩，但是無力做出任何回應(yīng)。而瑪麗呢就在她們面前，不停地進(jìn)行道德說教赤嚼，來獲得滿足感旷赖。

下午大姐二姐有了半小時(shí)的空閑。伊麗莎白立刻問了簡(jiǎn)很多問題更卒，而簡(jiǎn)也同意著急回答等孵。想到這件事情的可怕后果，兩個(gè)人都很悲傷蹂空，伊麗莎白覺得后面肯定沒有好結(jié)果俯萌，而簡(jiǎn)也覺得不是沒可能，伊麗莎白接著說：”跟我說說我沒聽過的事情上枕。我需要些細(xì)節(jié)咐熙。福斯特上校之前怎么說的？他們私奔之前辨萍，他們就沒有發(fā)現(xiàn)任何跡象么棋恼？他們肯定早就看到他們兩人膩在一起了⌒庥瘢“

”福斯特上校也承認(rèn)經(jīng)匙ζ看到些可疑的事情，尤其是在莉迪亞這邊拉背，但是他當(dāng)時(shí)覺得沒什么师崎。我覺得他也挺可憐的。他對(duì)莉迪亞也算是照顧有加了去团，十分友好抡诞。他在知道他們沒去蘇格蘭之前就準(zhǔn)備過來拜訪我們，向我們表達(dá)他的關(guān)切土陪。而等到人心惶惶的時(shí)候，他就立刻趕了過來肴熏」砣福“

”那丹尼確信維克漢姆不會(huì)娶莉迪亞么？他當(dāng)時(shí)知道他們打算私奔么蛙吏？福斯特上校見過丹尼了嗎源哩？“

”是的。但是他在詢問丹尼的時(shí)候鸦做，丹尼說自己都不知道他們的計(jì)劃励烦，也不肯說自己的看法。他沒說維克漢姆不會(huì)結(jié)婚泼诱，從這點(diǎn)上看坛掠，我傾向于他上次的話被誤解了。“

“在福斯特上校親自來之前屉栓，你們沒人懷疑過他們結(jié)過婚了嗎舷蒲？”

“我們?cè)趺磿?huì)想到這一點(diǎn)！我妹妹要跟維克漢姆結(jié)婚友多，我覺得還是有點(diǎn)不輕松牲平，不知道妹妹跟她在一起會(huì)不會(huì)幸福，因?yàn)槲抑浪男惺虏皇且恢蹦敲凑庇蚶摹Ｎ腋赣H母親還不知道他的為人纵柿，他們只是感覺這兩人不搭。凱蒂因?yàn)樽约褐赖谋冉忝脗兌嗥舸拢秃苊黠@地想顯擺下藐窄，她說在莉迪亞的最后一封信里面就猜到莉迪亞會(huì)這么做。似乎她知道莉迪亞和維克漢姆墜入愛河很久了酬土【Ｈ蹋”

“但是他們?nèi)ゲ既R頓之前沒有這樣？”

“沒有撤缴，應(yīng)該沒有刹枉。”

“那福斯特上星唬看起來討厭維克漢姆嗎微宝？他了解維克漢姆的本性嗎？”

“我得承認(rèn)他不像之前那樣說維克漢姆的好話虎眨。他覺得這人太過魯莽蟋软，而且揮霍無度。自從私奔這事發(fā)生后嗽桩，很多人都說他在梅屯欠了很多債岳守。但我希望這是假話÷狄保”

“唉湿痢，簡(jiǎn)，假如我們沒有這么保密扑庞，假如我們說了他的真實(shí)模樣譬重，這些事情就都不會(huì)發(fā)生了」薨保”

“這樣也許會(huì)好一些臀规，”她姐姐說，“但是在不顧一個(gè)人當(dāng)前感受的情況下栅隐，而去暴露一個(gè)人之前的過錯(cuò)塔嬉，這樣似乎不公平玩徊。我們這么做是為了他考慮∫囟簦”

“福斯特上校有把莉迪亞的信給他老婆看嗎佣赖？”

“他把信帶過來了〖呛校”

簡(jiǎn)然后把信從口袋里掏出來給伊麗莎白看了憎蛤。內(nèi)容如下：“

我親愛的哈莉特，

你知道我的時(shí)候肯定會(huì)大笑纪吮，但是我想到你明早驚訝的樣子就忍不住想先笑俩檬，當(dāng)時(shí)你肯定會(huì)想我的。我要去格雷特納格林碾盟，而如果你猜不到我跟誰去的棚辽，那你就是個(gè)啥子，因?yàn)檫@個(gè)世上我只愛一個(gè)男人冰肴，他是個(gè)天使呢屈藐。沒有他我是永遠(yuǎn)不會(huì)幸福的，所以我離開你也別覺得有什么不妥熙尉。你要是不樂意联逻，那也不必給我的家人寫信說我離開了，因?yàn)槲易约簩懶沤o他們落款莉迪亞.維克漢姆的話检痰，肯定會(huì)讓他們更驚訝包归。這該是都么好玩的一件事啊铅歼！我現(xiàn)在都笑得快寫不下去了公壤。請(qǐng)幫我編個(gè)理由給普拉特，因?yàn)橹案s好今晚跳舞的事情椎椰，看來是實(shí)現(xiàn)不了了厦幅。告訴他我希望他得知真相后能原諒我，而且我下次舞會(huì)上遇到他俭识，會(huì)很樂意跟他跳舞的慨削。我回到蘑菇屯之后會(huì)寫信來取衣服的。但請(qǐng)你告訴薩利在打包我的長(zhǎng)裙前先把縫都縫起來套媚。再見啦！替我向福斯特上校問好磁椒！我希望你們能向這段旅程喝酒致敬堤瘤。

你親愛的朋友

莉迪亞.本內(nèi)特

”

“蒼天！這個(gè)無腦的浆熔，無腦的莉迪亞本辐！”伊麗莎白一讀完就大叫起來。“在這種時(shí)候慎皱，寫這種信算是什么事情老虫。但是這信最起碼說明了她是真打算私奔。不管維克漢姆之后讓她做什么事情茫多，這不是單方面的哄騙祈匙。我可憐的父親！他聽說了該會(huì)是什么感覺天揖！”

“我從沒見過誰那么震驚過夺欲！他整整十分鐘都沒說過話！母親當(dāng)時(shí)就倒下了今膊，整個(gè)屋子里都不知所措些阅。”

“哦斑唬！簡(jiǎn)市埋，”伊麗莎白又說道，“家里的傭人應(yīng)該都當(dāng)天就知道這個(gè)事情了吧恕刘！”

“我不知道缤谎，但是我希望不是這樣把。但是這個(gè)時(shí)候保守秘密是很難的雪营。母親精神狀況不好弓千，盡管我盡全力照顧她，但恐怕還有照顧不周的地方献起。我很害怕會(huì)發(fā)生什么事情洋访，所以總是不知所措∏床停”

“你照顧她把自己也給搞垮了姻政。你看起來不太好。哎岂嗓，我之前要是跟你在一起汁展，你就不會(huì)自己一人承擔(dān)這些照顧和焦慮了⊙嵫常”

“瑪麗和凱蒂都很好食绿，盡力幫我照顧了，但是我覺得對(duì)她們來說可能不太公平公罕。凱蒂身體嬌弱器紧，而瑪麗又老是在學(xué)習(xí)，也不該在休息的時(shí)候打擾她楼眷。周二的時(shí)候我父親去倫敦之后铲汪，菲利普姨媽過來了熊尉，然后很好心的陪我待到周四。她幫了我們很多掌腰，讓我們送了一口氣狰住，盧卡斯太太也很好。周四的時(shí)候她走過來安慰我們齿梁，還說要幫我們忙催植，她或者她的女兒，只要是能幫上忙的士飒，盡管差遣查邢。”

“她最好還是別過來了吧酵幕，“伊麗莎白說扰藕，”但是遇到這種不幸的事情，誰還樂意見到自己的鄰居芳撒？幫忙肯定不讓他們幫邓深。過來慰問，又讓我們渾身難受笔刹。就讓他們遠(yuǎn)遠(yuǎn)地樂著去吧芥备，讓他們滿意∩嗖耍“

然后伊麗莎白又開始詢問父親在倫敦萌壳，打算用什么方法找回他的女兒。

”我覺得他應(yīng)該是想去愛普生找當(dāng)時(shí)駕馬車的人日月，“簡(jiǎn)回答說袱瓮，”因?yàn)槔虻蟻喫麄兪窃谀抢飺Q馬的，看看能不能打聽出什么消息爱咬。他的首要目標(biāo)應(yīng)該是找到他們?cè)诳死K姆坐的馬車號(hào)碼尺借。那輛馬車是帶了個(gè)客人從倫敦來的。而他的想法是一個(gè)先生和一個(gè)小姐換馬車應(yīng)該會(huì)給人留下點(diǎn)印象的精拟，他打算在克拉鉑姆打聽消息燎斩。如果他能發(fā)現(xiàn)車夫是在哪家門口卸下那些客人，他便接著去那兒打聽蜂绎，寄希望于能找到馬車的編號(hào)栅表。我不知道他是否還有其他計(jì)劃，因?yàn)樗?dāng)時(shí)走的時(shí)候很匆忙师枣，精神也很亂谨读，就我剛才說得那些都是好不容易才發(fā)現(xiàn)的√秤酰“