傲慢与偏见12 A Young Lady Goes to Brighton
CHAPTER TWELVE
A Young Lady Goes to Brighton
A fortnight later, Elizabeth left Hunsford. Afterfour hours from Kent, she reached Mr. Gardiner'shouse. She was to remain a few days there beforetraveling home with Jane. Jane looked very well, andElizabeth decided not to tell her sister of Mr. Darcy'sproposal of marriage to her. She was afraid that hisname would remind her sister of Bingley.
Finally, the two young ladies left GracechurchStreet and arrived home at last to Longbourn.
Their sisters were very delighted to see them afterso long a time; Mrs. Bennet was quite happy to seethat Jane had not lost her beauty. Mr. Bennet said,more than once during dinner, "I am glad you are back,Lizzy."
After they had returned home for two weeks, thefamily was gathered together when Mr. Bennetappeared, a letter in his hand. The letter was aninvitation from a Mrs. Forster. She was the wife of thecolonel of the army which had been stationed atMeryton. Mrs. Forster had written to ask Lydia to joinher for a month at Brighton. This friend was a veryyoung woman, and her good humor had made Lydiawarm and friendly towards her.
Lydia was filled with joy and flew about the housein restless happiness. But Kitty was very sad.
"I don't know why Mrs. Forster did not ask me aswell, " complained Kitty.
Elizabeth tried, without success to make Kittysee that this was not a great opportunity. Jane alsotried to make her feel better. The invitation did notexcite Elizabeth as much as it did her mother. Shebelieved it to be the death of all common sense inLydia.
"She is an extremely silly girl, Papa, and she flirtshorribly with men. lf she goes to Brighton Camp, sheis likely to make both herself and her family appearquite ridiculous. Mrs. Forster is not much better - shehas no more sense of good manners than Lydia - andLydia will follow wherever she goes. "
"Do not trouble yourself. my love," replied Mr.Bennet. "If Lydia does not go to Brighton, we willhave no peace. Let her go then. Colonel Forster is asensible man. He will keep her out of any real trouble. "
Elizabeth had to be content with this answer. HadLydia known that this was the way Elizabeth felt, shewould have forever been angry with her. A visit toBrighton offered Lydia every chance at happiness. Inher mind she imagined the streets filled withhandsome, young officers from the army. She imaginedherself to be the center of attention there.
On the day she left for Brighton, Kitty was theonly one who cried. But she cried out of jealousy ratherthan Lydia's absence. Mrs. Bennet told her daughter toenjoy herself as much as possible. There was everyreason to believe this advice would be followed. Thegentler goodbyes of her older sisters went unheard.
For a week or so, both Mrs. Bennet and Kittycomplained about how boring everything around themwas. This threw a darkness over the house. Elizabethsoon began to look forward to her tour to the Lakes.This was her best medicine against all theuncomfortable hours listening to the unhappiness ofKitty and her mother.
Finally, after the first fortnight of Lydia'sabsence , good humor was again at Longbourn . Familieswho had been away for the winter came back again,and summer visits again became common. Mrs. Bennetwas again quite peaceful and Kitty felt so much betterthat she only talked about officers once a day.
Elizabeth's northern tour of the Lakes was fastapproaching. But one day a letter arrived from Mrs.Gardiner. She wrote that her husband, because ofbusiness, could not leave until July. This was becausehe had to be in London again within a month. As thiswas too short a time for them to go so far, they couldonly go as far north as Derbyshire. This was whereMrs. Gardiner had grown up, near the town ofLambton .
Elizabeth was disappointed. She had really wantedto see the lakes, but it was her way to be satisfied withwhat she had , - and all was soon right again.
But the name of Derbyshire brought many ideas toher. It was impossible for her to see the word withoutthinking of Pemberley and its owner, Mr. Darcy.
Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner finally appeared atLongbourn, where they stayed overnight. The nextmorning, they set off with Elizabeth towardDerbyshire .
When they had spent some time in thecountryside, they decided to go towards the little townof Lambton. Elizabeth discovered from her aunt thatPemberley was located only five miles from Lambton.Mrs. Gardiner also said that she wished to see theplace .
Elizabeth was upset. She did not want to go toPemberley, but could not say so without giving anexplanation. The chance of meeting Mr. Darcy whilethey were looking at the place filled her with fear.
Before she went to bed that night. she asked themaid at their inn if the family at Pemberley were therefor the summer. The answer "No" brought her relief.She stopped feeling nervous, and she felt very curiousto see the house for herself. When they rose the nextmorning, she could truthfully answer that she washappy to go.
To Pemberley, therefore, they went.
