Mr. Gardiner himself did not expect any success from this measure, but as his brother was eager in it, he meant to assist him in pursuing it. He added that Mr. Bennet seemed wholly disinclined at present, to leave London, and promised to write again very soon. There was also a postscript to this effect:
嘉丁纳先生本人并没有指望这种办法会获得什么成绩;既是姐夫非要那样做不可,也只有帮助他着手进行。信上还说,班纳特先生暂时根本不想离开伦敦,他答应不久就会再写一封信来。这封信上还有这样的一段附言:
"I have written to Colonel Forster to desire him to find out, if possible, from some of the young man's intimates in the regiment, whether Wickham has any relations or connections who would be likely to know in what part of the town he has now concealed himself. If there were any one that one could apply to with a probability of gaining such a clue as that, it might be of essential consequence. At present we have nothing to guide us. Colonel Forster will, I dare say, do every thing in his power to satisfy us on this head. But, on second thoughts, perhaps Lizzy could tell us what relations he has now living better than any other person."
我已经写信给弗斯脱上校,请他尽可能在民兵团里把那个年轻小伙子的要好朋友找几个来打听一下,韦翰有没有什么亲友知道他躲藏在这个城里的哪一个区域。要是我们有这样的人可以请教,得到一些线索,那是大有用处的。目前我们还是无从捉摸。也许弗斯上校会尽量把这件事做得使我们满意。但倡我又想了一下,觉得丽萃也许比任何人都了解情况。会知道他现在还有些什么亲戚。
Elizabeth was at no loss to understand from whence this deference for her authority proceeded; but it was not in her power to give any information of so satisfactory a nature as the compliment deserved.
伊丽莎白究竟为什么会受到这样的推崇,她自己完全知道,只可惜她提供不出什么令人满意的材料,所以也就受不起这样的恭维。
She had never heard of his having had any relations, except a father and mother, both of whom had been dead many years. It was possible, however, that some of his companions in the ----shire, might be able to give more information; and, though she was not very sanguine in expecting it, the application was a something to look forward to.
她除了听到韦翰谈起过他自己的父母以外,从来不曾听到他有什么亲友,况且他父母也都去世多年。某某郡民兵团里他的一些朋友们,可能提供得出一些材料,她虽说并不能对此存着过分的奢望,但究竟不妨试一试。