WHEN the ladies removed after dinner, Elizabeth ran up to her sister, and, seeing her well guarded from cold, attended her into the drawing-room; where she was welcomed by her two friends with many professions of pleasure; and Elizabeth had never seen them so agreeable as they were during the hour which passed before the gentlemen appeared. Their powers of conversation were considerable. They could describe an entertainment with accuracy, relate an anecdote with humour, and laugh at their acquaintance with spirit.
娘儿们吃过晚饭以后,伊丽莎白就上楼到她姐姐那儿去,看她穿戴得妥妥贴贴,不会着凉,便陪着她上客厅去。她的女朋友们见到她,都表示欢迎,一个个都说非常高兴。在男客们没有来的那一个钟头里,她们是那么和蔼可亲,伊丽莎白从来不曾看到过。她们的健谈本领真是吓人,描述起宴会来纤毫入微,说起故事来风趣横溢,讥笑起一个朋友来也是有声有色。
But when the gentlemen entered, Jane was no longer the first object. Miss Bingley's eyes were instantly turned towards Darcy, and she had something to say to him before he had advanced many steps. He addressed himself directly to Miss Bennet, with a polite congratulation; Mr. Hurst also made her a slight bow, and said he was "very glad;" but diffuseness and warmth remained for Bingley's salutation. He was full of joy and attention. The first half hour was spent in piling up the fire, lest she should suffer from the change of room; and she removed at his desire to the other side of the fireplace, that she might be farther from the door. He then sat down by her, and talked scarcely to any one else. Elizabeth, at work in the opposite corner, saw it all with great delight.
可是男客们一走进来,吉英就不怎么引人注目了。达西一进门,彬格莱小姐的眼睛就立刻转到他身上去,要跟他说话。达西首先向班纳特小姐问好,客客气气地祝贺她病休复元;赫斯脱先生也对她微微一鞠躬,说是见到她“非常高兴”;但是说到词气周到,情意恳切,可就比不上彬格莱先生那几声问候。彬格莱先生才算得上情深意切,满怀欢欣。开头半小时完全消磨在添煤上面,生怕屋子里冷起来会叫病人受不了。吉英依照彬格莱的话,移坐到火炉的另一边去,那样她就离开门口远一些,免得受凉。接着他自己在她身旁坐下,一心跟她说话,简直不理睬别人。伊丽莎白正在对面角落里做活计,把这全部情景都看在眼里,感到无限高兴。