第 50 章
班納特先生遠在好久以前，就希望每年的進款不要全部花光，能夠積蓄一部分，讓兒女往後不至於衣食匱乏；如果太太比他命長，衣食便也有了著落。拿目前來說，他這個希望比以往來得更迫切。要是他在這方面早就安排好了，那麼這次麗迪雅挽回面子名譽的事，自然就不必要她舅舅為她花錢；也不必讓舅舅去說服全英國最下流的一個青年給她確定夫婦的名份。
這事情對任何人都沒有好處，如今卻得由他舅爺獨自拿出錢來成其好事，這實在叫他太過意不去；他決定要竭力打聽出舅爺究竟幫了多大的忙，以便儘快報答這筆人情。
班納特先生剛結婚的時候，完全不必省吃儉用，因為他們夫婦自然會生兒子，等到兒子成了年，外人繼承產權的這樁事就可以取消，寡婦孤女也就衣食無慮了。可是五個女兒接接連連地出世，兒子還不知道在哪里；麗迪雅出世多少年以後，班納特太太還一直以為會生兒子。這個指望落了空，如今省吃儉用已經太遲了。班納特太太不慣于節省，好在丈夫自有主張，才算沒有入不敷出。
當年老夫婦的婚約上規定了班納特太太和子女們一共應享有五千磅遺產。至於子女們究竟怎樣分享，得由父母在遺囑上解決，班納特先生毫不猶豫地同意了擺在他面前的那個建議。他回信給舅爺，多謝他一片好心。他的措辭極其簡潔，只說他對一切既成事實都表示贊同，而且舅爺所提出的各項條件，他都願意照辦。原來這次說服韋翰跟他女兒結婚一事，竟安排得這樣好，簡直沒有帶給他什麼麻煩，這實在是他所意料不到的。雖說他每年要付給他們倆一百鎊，可是事實上他每年還損失不了十鎊，因為麗迪雅在家裏也要吃用開銷，外加她母親還要貼錢給她花，計算起來每年幾乎也不下於一百鎊。
還有一件可喜的意外，那就是辦起這件事來，他自己簡直可以不費什麼力氣，他目前最希望麻煩越少越好。他開頭也曾因為一時衝動，親自去找女兒，如今他已經氣平怒消，自然又變得象往常一樣懶散。他把那封回信立刻寄出去；雖然做事喜歡拖延，可是只要他肯動手，倒也完成得很快。他在信上請他舅爺把一切代勞之處詳詳細細告訴他，可是說起麗迪雅，實在使他太氣惱，因此連問候也沒有問候她一聲。
好消息立刻在全家傳開了，而且很快便傳到鄰舍們耳朵裏去。四鄰八舍對這件事都抱著相當超然的態度。當然，如果麗迪雅班納特小姐親自上這兒來了，或者說，如果她恰恰相反，遠隔塵囂，住到一個偏僻的農村裏去，那就可以給人家增加許多談話的資料。不過她的出嫁問題畢竟還是使人家議論紛紛。麥裏屯那些惡毒的老太婆，原先總是一番好心腸，祝她嫁個如意夫君，如今雖然眼看著情境變了，也是在起勁地談個不休，因為大家看到她嫁了這麼一個丈夫，都認為必定會遭到悲慘的下場。
班納特太太已經有兩個星期沒有下樓，遇到今天這麼快樂的日子，她歡欣若狂，又坐上了首席。她並沒有覺得羞恥，自然也不會掃興。遠從吉英十六歲那年起，她的第一個心願就是嫁女兒，現在她快要如願以償了。她的思想言論都完全離不了婚嫁的漂亮排場；上好的細說紗，新的馬車，以及男女傭僕之類的事情。她並且在附近一帶到處奔波，要給女兒找一所適當的住宅；她根本不知道他們有多少收入，也從來沒有考慮到這一點。她看了多少處房子都看不中，不是為了開間太小，就是嫌不夠氣派。
她說：”要是戈丁家能遷走，海夜花園倒還合適；斯托克那幢大房子，要是會客室大一些，也還可以，可是阿西渥斯離這兒太遠！我不忍心讓她同我隔開十英里路；講到柏衛別業，那所假三層實在太糟了。”
每當有傭人在跟前的時候，她丈夫總是讓她講下去，不去岔斷她的話。可是傭人一出去，他可老實不客氣地跟她說了：”我的好太太，你要為你的女兒和女婿租房子，不管你要租一幢也好，或是把所有的房子都租下來也好，都得讓我們事先把問題談談清楚。鄰近的房子，一幢也不許他們來住。他們不要夢想，認為我會在浪搏恩招待他們！”
這話一出口，兩人便爭吵不休；可是班納特先生說一不二，於是又吵了起來；後來班納特太太又發覺丈夫不肯拿出一文錢來給女兒添置一些衣服，不禁大為驚駭。班納特先生堅決聲明，麗迪雅這一次休想得到他半點疼愛，這實在叫他太太弄不懂。他竟會氣憤到這樣深惡痛絕的地步，連女兒出嫁都不肯優待她一番，簡直要把婚禮弄得不成體統，這確實太出乎她的意料。她只知道女兒出嫁而沒有嫁妝是件丟臉的事情，至於她的私奔，她沒有結婚以前就跟韋翰同居了兩個星期，她倒絲毫不放在心上。
伊莉莎白目前非常後悔，當初實在不應該因為一時痛苦，竟讓達西先生知道了她自己家裏為她妹妹擔憂的經過，因為妹妹既然馬上就可以名正言順地結婚，了卻那一段私奔的風流孽債，那麼，開頭那一段不體面的事情，她們當然希望最好不要讓局外人知道。
她並不是擔心達西會把這事情向外界傳開。講到保守秘密，簡直就沒有第二個人比他更能使她信任；不過，這一次如果是別的人知道了她妹妹的醜行，她決不會象現在這樣難受。這倒不是生怕對她本身有任何不利，因為她和達西之間反正隔著一條跨不過的鴻溝。即使麗迪雅能夠體體面面地結了婚，達西先生也決不會跟這樣一家人家攀親，因為這家人家本來已經缺陷夠多，如今又添上了一個一向為他所不齒的人做他的至親，那當然一切都不必談了。
她當然不怪他對這門親事望而卻步。她在德比郡的時候就看出他想要博得她的歡心，可是他遭受了這一次打擊以後，當然不會不改變初衷。她覺得丟臉，她覺得傷心；她後悔了，可是她又幾乎不知道在後悔些什麼。如今她已經不想攀附他的身份地位，卻又忌恨他的身份地位；如今她已經沒有機會再聽到他的消息，她可又偏偏希望能夠聽到他的消息；如今他們倆已經再不可能見面，她可又認為，如果他們倆能夠朝夕聚首，那會多麼幸福。她常常想，才不過四個月以前，她那麼高傲地拒絕了他的求婚，如今可又心悅誠服地盼望他再來求婚，這要是讓他知道了，他會感到怎樣的得意！她完全相信他是個極其寬宏大量的男人。不過，他既然是人，當然免不了要得意。
她開始理解到，他無論在個性方面和才能方面，都百分之百是一個最適合她的男人。縱使他的見解，他的脾氣，和她自己不是一模一樣，可是一定能夠叫她稱心如意。這個結合對雙方都有好處：女方從容活潑，可以把男方陶治得心境柔和，作風優雅；男方精明通達，閱歷頗深，也一定會使女方得到莫大的裨益。
可惜這件幸福的婚姻已經不可能實現，天下千千萬萬想要締結真正幸福婚姻的情人，從此也錯過了一個借鑒的榜樣。她家裏立刻就要締結一門另一種意味的親事，也就是那門親事破壞了這門親事。
她無從想像韋翰和麗迪雅究竟怎麼樣獨立維持生活。可是她倒很容易想像到另一方面：這種只顧情欲不顧道德的結合，實在很難得到久遠的幸福。
嘉丁納先生馬上又寫了封信給他姐夫。他先對班納特先生信上那些感激的話簡捷地應酬了幾句，再說到他極其盼望班納特府上的男女老幼都能過得舒舒服服，末了還要求班納特先生再也不要提起這件事。他寫這封信的主要目的是，要把韋翰先生已經決定脫離民兵團的消息告訴他們。
他這封信接下去是這樣寫的：
我非常希望他婚事一定奪之後就這樣辦。我認為無論為他自己著想，為外甥女兒著想離開民兵團確是一個非常高明的措施，我想你一定會同意我的看法。韋翰先生想參加正規軍，他從前的幾個朋友都願意協助他，也能夠協助他。駐紮在北方的某將軍麾下的一個團，已經答應讓他當旗手。他離開這一帶遠些，只會有利於他自己。他前途頗有希望，但願他們到了人地生疏的地方能夠爭點面子，行為稍加檢點一些。我已經寫了信給弗斯脫上校，把我們目前的安排告訴了他，又請他在白利屯一帶通知一下韋翰先生所有債主，就說我一定信守諾言，馬上就償還他們的債務。是否也可以麻煩你就近向麥裏屯的債主們通知一聲？隨信附上債主名單一份，這都是他自己說出來的。他把全部債務都講了出來；我希望他至少沒有欺騙我們。我們已經委託哈斯東在一周以內將所有的事統統辦好。那時候你如果不願意請他們上浪搏恩來，他們就可以直接到軍隊裏去，聽見內人說，外甥女兒很希望在離開南方之前跟你們見見面。她近況很好，還請我代她向你和她母親請安。
愛嘉丁納
班納特先生和他的女兒們都和嘉丁納先生同樣地看得明明白白，認為韋翰離開某某郡有許多好處。只有班納特太太不甚樂意。她正在盼望著要跟麗迪雅痛痛快快、得意非凡地過一陣，不料她卻要住到北方去，這真叫她太失望。到現在為止，她還是決計要讓女兒和女婿住到哈德福郡來。再說麗迪雅剛剛在這個民兵團裏和大家處熟了，又有那麼多人喜歡她，如今遠去他方，未免太可惜。
她說：”她那麼喜歡弗斯脫太太，把她送走可太糟了！而且還有好幾個年輕小夥子，她也很喜歡。某某將軍那個團裏的軍官們未必能夠這樣討她喜歡呢。”
她女兒要求（其實應該算作她自己的要求）在去北方之前，再回家來看一次，不料開頭就遭到她父親的斷然拒絕。幸虧吉英和伊莉莎白顧全到妹妹的心緒和身份，一致希望她的婚姻會受到父母的重視，再三要求父親，讓妹妹和妹婿一結婚之後，就到浪搏恩來。她們要求得那麼懇切，那麼合理，又那麼婉轉，終於把父親說動了心，同意了她們的想法，願意照著她們的意思去辦。母親這一下可真得意：她可以趁著這個嫁出去的女兒沒有充軍到北方去之前，把她當作寶貝似的顯給街坊四鄰看看。於是班納特寫回信給他舅爺的時候，便提到讓他們回來一次，講定讓他們行過婚禮就立刻到浪搏恩來。不過伊莉莎白倒冷不防地想到韋翰會不會同意這樣的做法；如果單是為她自己著想，那麼，跟韋翰見面實在是萬不得已的事。
Chapter 50
MR. BENNET had very often wished, before this period of his life, that, instead of spending his whole income, he had laid by an annual sum for the better provision of his children, and of his wife, if she survived him. He now wished it more than ever. Had he done his duty in that respect, Lydia need not have been indebted to her uncle for whatever of honour or credit could now be purchased for her. The satisfaction of prevailing on one of the most worthless young men in Great Britain to be her husband might then have rested in its proper place.
He was seriously concerned that a cause of so little advantage to any one should be forwarded at the sole expence of his brother-in-law, and he was determined, if possible, to find out the extent of his assistance, and to discharge the obligation as soon as he could.
When first Mr. Bennet had married, economy was held to be perfectly useless; for, of course, they were to have a son. This son was to join in cutting off the entail, as soon as he should be of age, and the widow and younger children would by that means be provided for. Five daughters successively entered the world, but yet the son was to come; and Mrs. Bennet, for many years after Lydia’s birth, had been certain that he would. This event had at last been despaired of, but it was then too late to be saving. Mrs. Bennet had no turn for economy, and her husband’s love of independence had alone prevented their exceeding their income.
Five thousand pounds was settled by marriage articles on Mrs. Bennet and the children. But in what proportions it should be divided amongst the latter depended on the will of the parents. This was one point, with regard to Lydia at least, which was now to be settled, and Mr. Bennet could have no hesitation in acceding to the proposal before him. In terms of grateful acknowledgment for the kindness of his brother, though expressed most concisely, he then delivered on paper his perfect approbation of all that was done, and his willingness to fulfil the engagements that had been made for him. He had never before supposed that, could Wickham be prevailed on to marry his daughter, it would be done with so little inconvenience to himself as by the present arrangement. He would scarcely be ten pounds a year the loser, by the hundred that was to be paid them; for, what with her board and pocket allowance, and the continual presents in money which passed to her through her mother’s hands, Lydia’s expences had been very little within that sum.
That it would be done with such trifling exertion on his side, too, was another very welcome surprise; for his chief wish at present was to have as little trouble in the business as possible. When the first transports of rage which had produced his activity in seeking her were over, he naturally returned to all his former indolence. His letter was soon dispatched; for though dilatory in undertaking business, he was quick in its execution. He begged to know farther particulars of what he was indebted to his brother; but was too angry with Lydia to send any message to her.
The good news quickly spread through the house; and with proportionate speed through the neighbourhood. It was borne in the latter with decent philosophy. To be sure, it would have been more for the advantage of conversation, had Miss Lydia Bennet come upon the town; or, as the happiest alternative, been secluded from the world in some distant farm house. But there was much to be talked of in marrying her; and the good-natured wishes for her well-doing, which had proceeded before from all the spiteful old ladies in Meryton, lost but little of their spirit in this change of circumstances, because with such an husband, her misery was considered certain.
It was a fortnight since Mrs. Bennet had been down stairs, but on this happy day she again took her seat at the head of her table, and in spirits oppressively high. No sentiment of shame gave a damp to her triumph. The marriage of a daughter, which had been the first object of her wishes since Jane was sixteen, was now on the point of accomplishment, and her thoughts and her words ran wholly on those attendants of elegant nuptials, fine muslins, new carriages, and servants. She was busily searching through the neighbourhood for a “proper situation” for her daughter, and, without knowing or considering what their income might be, rejected many as deficient in size and importance.
“Haye-Park might do,” said she, “if the Gouldings would quit it, or the great house at Stoke, if the drawing-room were larger; but Ashworth is too far off! I could not bear to have her ten miles from me; and as for Purvis Lodge, the attics are dreadful.”
Her husband allowed her to talk on without interruption while the servants remained. But when they had withdrawn, he said to her, “Mrs. Bennet, before you take any or all of these houses for your son and daughter, let us come to a right understanding. Into one house in this neighbourhood, they shall never have admittance. I will not encourage the impudence of either by receiving them at Longbourn.”
A long dispute followed this declaration, but Mr. Bennet was firm; it soon led to another, and Mrs. Bennet found, with amazement and horror, that her husband would not advance a guinea to buy clothes for his daughter. He protested that she should receive from him no mark of affection whatever on the occasion. Mrs. Bennet could hardly comprehend it. That his anger could be carried to such a point of inconceivable resentment, as to refuse his daughter a privilege without which her marriage would scarcely seem valid, exceeded all that she could believe possible. She was more alive to the disgrace which the want of new clothes must reflect on her daughter’s nuptials, than to any sense of shame at her eloping and living with Wickham a fortnight before they took place.
Elizabeth was now most heartily sorry that she had, from the distress of the moment, been led to make Mr. Darcy acquainted with their fears for her sister; for since her marriage would so shortly give the proper termination to the elopement, they might hope to conceal its unfavourable beginning from all those who were not immediately on the spot.
She had no fear of its spreading farther through his means. There were few people on whose secrecy she would have more confidently depended; but at the same time, there was no one whose knowledge of a sister’s frailty would have mortified her so much. Not, however, from any fear of disadvantage from it individually to herself; for at any rate, there seemed a gulf impassable between them. Had Lydia’s marriage been concluded on the most honourable terms, it was not to be supposed that Mr. Darcy would connect himself with a family where, to every other objection would now be added an alliance and relationship of the nearest kind with the man whom he so justly scorned.
From such a connection she could not wonder that he should shrink. The wish of procuring her regard, which she had assured herself of his feeling in Derbyshire, could not in rational expectation survive such a blow as this. She was humbled, she was grieved; she repented, though she hardly knew of what. She became jealous of his esteem, when she could no longer hope to be benefited by it. She wanted to hear of him, when there seemed the least chance of gaining intelligence. She was convinced that she could have been happy with him, when it was no longer likely they should meet.
What a triumph for him, as she often thought, could he know that the proposals which she had proudly spurned only four months ago, would now have been gladly and gratefully received! He was as generous, she doubted not, as the most generous of his sex. But while he was mortal, there must be a triumph.
She began now to comprehend that he was exactly the man who, in disposition and talents, would most suit her. His understanding and temper, though unlike her own, would have answered all her wishes. It was an union that must have been to the advantage of both; by her ease and liveliness, his mind might have been softened, his manners improved, and from his judgment, information, and knowledge of the world, she must have received benefit of greater importance. But no such happy marriage could now teach the admiring multitude what connubial felicity really was. An union of a different tendency, and precluding the possibility of the other, was soon to be formed in their family.
How Wickham and Lydia were to be supported in tolerable independence, she could not imagine. But how little of permanent happiness could belong to a couple who were only brought together because their passions were stronger than their virtue, she could easily conjecture.
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Mr. Gardiner soon wrote again to his brother. To Mr. Bennet’s acknowledgments he briefly replied, with assurances of his eagerness to promote the welfare of any of his family, and concluded with intreaties that the subject might never be mentioned to him again. The principal purport of his letter was to inform them that Mr. Wickham had resolved on quitting the Militia.
“It was greatly my wish that he should do so,” he added, “as soon as his marriage was fixed on. And I think you will agree with me in considering a removal from that corps as highly advisable, both on his account and my niece’s. It is Mr. Wickham’s intention to go into the regulars; and, among his former friends, there are still some who are able and willing to assist him in the army. He has the promise of an ensigncy in General —-‘s regiment, now quartered in the North. It is an advantage to have it so far from this part of the kingdom. He promises fairly; and, I hope, among different people, where they may each have a character to preserve, they will both be more prudent. I have written to Colonel Forster, to inform him of our present arrangements, and to request that he will satisfy the various creditors of Mr. Wickham in and near Brighton with assurances of speedy payment, for which I have pledged myself. And will you give yourself the trouble of carrying similar assurances to his creditors in Meryton, of whom I shall subjoin a list, according to his information. He has given in all his debts; I hope at least he has not deceived us. Haggerston has our directions, and all will be completed in a week. They will then join his regiment, unless they are first invited to Longbourn; and I understand from Mrs. Gardiner that my niece is very desirous of seeing you all, before she leaves the South. She is well, and begs to be dutifully remembered to you and her mother. — Your’s, &c.
E. GARDINER.”
Mr. Bennet and his daughters saw all the advantages of Wickham’s removal from the —-shire as clearly as Mr. Gardiner could do. But Mrs. Bennet was not so well pleased with it. Lydia’s being settled in the North, just when she had expected most pleasure and pride in her company — for she had by no means given up her plan of their residing in Hertfordshire — was a severe disappointment; and besides, it was such a pity that Lydia should be taken from a regiment where she was acquainted with every body, and had so many favourites.
“She is so fond of Mrs. Forster,” said she, “it will be quite shocking to send her away! And there are several of the young men, too, that she likes very much. The officers may not be so pleasant in General —-‘s regiment.”
His daughter’s request, for such it might be considered, of being admitted into her family again before she set off for the North, received at first an absolute negative. But Jane and Elizabeth, who agreed in wishing, for the sake of their sister’s feelings and consequence, that she should be noticed on her marriage by her parents, urged him so earnestly, yet so rationally and so mildly, to receive her and her husband at Longbourn as soon as they were married, that he was prevailed on to think as they thought, and act as they wished. And their mother had the satisfaction of knowing that she should be able to shew her married daughter in the neighbourhood, before she was banished to the North. When Mr. Bennet wrote again to his brother, therefore, he sent his permission for them to come; and it was settled that, as soon as the ceremony was over, they should proceed to Longbourn. Elizabeth was surprised, however, that Wickham should consent to such a scheme; and, had she consulted only her own inclination, any meeting with him would have been the last object of her wishes.
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