【助兴帖】英文小说世界经典 Pride and Prejudice 文本第一章

yearshappy

Public Domain

Pride and Prejudice

By Jane Austen

Chapter one

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possesssion of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.
However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so welll fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters.

'My dear Mr.Bennet,' said his lady to him one day, 'have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?'
Mr Bennet replied that he had not.
'Do you not want to know who has taken it?' cried his wife impatiently.
'YOU want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.'
This was invitation enough.

'Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England; that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place, and was so much delighted with it, that he agreed with Mr Morris immediately; that he is to take possession before Michaelmas, and some of his servants are to be in the house by the end of next week.'

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'What's his name?'
'Bingley.'
'Is he married or single?'
'Oh! Single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. Whaat a fine thing for our girls!'
'How so? How can it affect them?'
'My dear Mr Bennet,' replied his wife, 'how can you be so tiresome! You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them.'
'Is that his design in settling here?'
'Design! Nonsense, how can you talk so! But it is very likely that he MAY fall in love with one of them, and therefore you must visit him as soon as he comes.'

'I see no occasion for that. You and the girls may go, or you may send them by themselves, which perhaps will be still better, for as you are as handsome as any of them, Mr Bingley may like you the best of the party.'
'My dear, you flatter me. I certainly HAVE had my share of beauty, but i do not pretend to be anything extraordinary now. When a woman has five grown-up daughters, she ought to give over thinking of her own beauty.'

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'In such cases, a woman has not often much beauty to think of.'
'But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr Bingley when he comes into the neighbourhood.'
'It is more than I engage for, I assure you.'
'But, consider your daughters. Only think what an establishment it would be for one of them. Sir William and Lady Lucas are determined to go, merely on that account, for in general, you know, they visit no newcomers. Indeed you must go, for it will be impossible for US to visit him if you do not.'

'You are over-scrupulous, surely. I dare day Mr Bingley will be very glad to see you; and I will send a few lines by you to assure him of my hearty consent to his marrying whichever he choose of the girls; though I must throw in a good word for my little Lizzy.'
'I desire you will do no such thing. Lizzy is not a bit better than the others; and I am sure she is not half so handsome as Jane, nor half so good-hunoured as Lydia. But you are always giving HER the preference.'
'They have none of them much to recommend them,' replied he; 'they are all silly and igorant like other girls; but Lizzy has something more of quickness than her sisters.'

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'Mr Bennet, how CAN you abuse your own children in such a way? You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion for my poor nerves.'
'You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these last twenty years at least.'
'Ah, you do not know what I suffer.'
'But I hope you will get over it, and live to see many young men of four thousand a year come into the neighbourhood.'
'I will be no use to us, if twenty such should come, since you will not visit them.'
'Depend upon it, my dear, that when there are twenty, I will visit them all.'

Mr Bennet was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sacastic humour, reserve, and caprice, that the experience of there-and-twenty years had been insufficient to make his wife understand his character. HER mind was less difficult to develop. She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discountented, she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news.


Chapter One ends

Happy Reading

uu

明天继续

uu

thanks for your persistence which encouraging me to learn english further.

浮云云艾米莉

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.

这句话是我小时候看这本书背下来的一句话哈哈

还有就是Mr Darcy 告白的那一段

You are too generous to trifle with me. I believe you spoke with my aunt last night, and it has taught me to hope as I'd scarcely allowed myself before. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes have not changed, but one word from you will silence me forever

小时候看的就着急啊，哪有这么告白的啊啊啊简直是逼上梁山

yearshappy

saw it on TV again the other day

MICHELLE07

才看到这个帖，经典啊
楼上艾米莉摘了求婚告白，我摘的是作者旁白：
He concluded with representing to her the strength of that attachment which, in spite of all his endeavours, he had found impossible to conquer; and with expressing his hope that it would now be rewarded by her acceptance of his hand. As he said this, she could easily see that he had no doubt of a favourable answer. He spoke of apprehension and anxiety, but his countenance expressed real security. （Chapter34）
这个让人很有共鸣，那种细微，矫情的心理，年轻而自尊心强的女孩都有过吧

MICHELLE07

最精彩还是与爵士夫人斗嘴那一段，第56章
手机复制太麻烦，就不贴过来了