Chapter 8
“My reasons for marrying are, firstly,
I believe it is the right thing for a man of high position in the church (like myself) to set the example for marriage in his community.
Secondly, I am convinced (确信的) that it will add very greatly to my happiness.
And thirdly, it is the advice and recommendation of Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
You will find her impressive beyond anything I can describe, and your wit (机智) and intelligence, I think, must be acceptable to her.
I must also explain why I chose a wife from Longbourn instead of my own neighborhood, where I can assure (确保) you there are many attractive young women.
Since I am to inherit (继承) this estate (房产) after the death of your honored father, I decided to choose a wife from among his daughters, so that they might lose as little as possible.
And now nothing remains for me but to assure (相信) of the strength of my love.
I do not care at all about money, and will demand nothing of that kind from your father.
I can promise you that I will never mention the issue again once we are married.”
It was absolutely necessary to interrupt him now.
“You assume too much, sir,” she cried. “You forget that I have not yet given you an answer.
Let me do so without wasting any more time. Please accept my thanks for the compliment (恭维) you are giving me.
I am very honored by your proposal (求婚) , but I am afraid I cannot accept it.”
“I have heard before,” replied Mr. Collins, “that young ladies often reject a man at first whom they secretly plan to accept.
I am therefore not at all discouraged by what you have just said.”
“Indeed, Mr. Collins, I am completely serious.
I hope you will be very happy and very rich, and by refusing your proposal (求婚) , I am doing all that I can to prevent your unhappiness.
I:: do not know if there are indeed （真正的）young ladies who risk their whole life’s happiness on the chance that the man who loves them will propose a second time,::
but if there are, I am certainly not one of them.
In making me the offer of marriage, you have fulfilled (履行) your obligation (义务) to my family, and may take possession of Longbourn estate (房产) without blaming yourself in any way.
I think that there is now no more to be said.” And rising as she spoke, she left the room.
Mr. Collins was not left to think silently of his love for long.
The moment Elizabeth opened the door, Mrs. Bennet entered to happily congratulate both Mr. Collins and herself.
Mr. Collins returned these good wishes with equal pleasure, and then proceeded to explain what had just occurred.
He assured (确保) Mrs. Bennet he was certain Elizabeth meant to accept him eventually, and that her refusal showed her modesty and the elegance of her character.
This information, however, startled (使...受到惊吓) Mrs. Bennet. She did not dare to believe that her daughter had meant to encourage him by refusing his proposals (求婚) , and could not help saying so.
“But, you can trust me, Mr. Collins,” she added, “that Lizzy will be made to see reason. I will speak to her about it directly.
She is a very stubborn（顽固）, foolish girl, and does not know what is best for her, but I will make her know it.”
“If she is indeed as stubborn and foolish as you say,” said Mr. Collins,
“perhaps it would be better not to force her to accept me, both for her happiness and for mine.”
Realizing her mistake, Mrs. Bennet hurried instantly to her husband, calling out as she entered the library,
“Oh! Mr. Bennet, you are needed immediately! You must come and make Lizzy marry Mr. Collins, for she says she will not accept him.
If you do not hurry, he will change his mind and not accept her.”
“And what should I do?” replied Mr. Bennet, “It seems there is nothing to be done about it.”
“Speak to Lizzy about it yourself. Tell her that you insist upon her marrying him.”
“Let her be called down. She will hear my opinion.”
Mrs. Bennet rang the bell, and Elizabeth was summoned (召唤) to the library.
“Come here, child,” cried her father as she appeared. “I understand that Mr. Collins has made you an offer of marriage. Is it true?”
Elizabeth replied that it was. “Very well—and you have refused his offer?”
“I have, sir.”
“Very well. Now we come to the main issue. Your mother insists upon your accepting it. ::Is that not true, Mrs. Bennet?::”
“Yes, or I will never see her again.”
“An unhappy choice is in front of you, Elizabeth.
Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do.”
Elizabeth could not help but smile, but Mrs. Bennet was extremely disappointed.
She tried to persuade Elizabeth again and again, sometimes gently, sometimes with loud words and threats.
She also asked Jane to try to persuade her sister, but Jane politely refused to get involved. Elizabeth would not be persuaded.
While the family were in this confusion, Charlotte Lucas came to spend the day with them.
She was met in the doorway (门口) by Lydia, who said to her in a half whisper, “I am glad you have come, because there is such fun here!
Mr. Collins has made an offer of marriage to Lizzy, and she will not accept him.”
Mrs. Bennet now tried to persuade Charlotte to talk to Elizabeth and try to get her to change her mind.
Charlotte’s was saved from having to reply by the entrance of Jane and Elizabeth.
“Yes, here she comes,” continued Mrs. Bennet, “looking as if she does not care at all.
But let me tell you, Miss Lizzy, if you continue to refuse every offer of marriage in this way,
you will never get a husband at all. I do not know who will support you when your father is dead.”
She talked on in this way, without any interruption from any of them, until Mr. Collins returned.
When Mrs. Bennet saw who it was, she said to the girls, “Now, be quiet all of you, and let me and Mr. Collins have a little conversation together.”
Elizabeth quietly left the room, and Jane and Kitty followed, but Lydia was determined to listen and refused to leave.
Charlotte was curious as well, and looked to the window while pretending not to hear. In a distressed (忧愁的) voice Mrs. Bennet began the conversation: “Oh! Mr. Collins!”
“My dear madam,” replied he, “let us be forever silent on this subject.
We all have to resign ourselves to disappointment, and that is made easier when what one thought one wanted has already started to lose some of its attraction.
I could never bring myself,” he presently continued, in a voice that marked his displeasure, “to resent (怨恨) your daughter for her behavior.
I hope you will not consider me as disrespectful for thus** withdrawing my proposal (求婚) for your daughter’s hand** in marriage.
If my manner has been at all impolite, then please allow me to ask for your forgiveness.”
- resign oneself to sth.：to make yourself accept something that you do not like because you cannot change it（让自己去接受不喜欢，但却无法改变的事）
- **resent sth/being done ** 对...感到愤恨
- **sb be summoned to sp. ** :被传唤去某地
- **persuade sb to do sth. ** :劝某人做某事
- persuade sb of sth.:（使）某人相信某事
