По всем вопросам обращайтесь на: info@litportal.ru
(©) 2003-2024.
✖
Pride and Prejudice, a play founded on Jane Austen's novel
Настройки чтения
Размер шрифта
Высота строк
Поля
I am delighted to hear that Miss de Bourg is better, Lady Catherine.
Lady Catherine
Yes, thank you. She is very greatly improved. [After a slight pause, with impatience.] Well, Miss Bennet takes her time!
Charlotte
[Anxiously.] I am sure she will be here in a moment. [Elizabeth enters.] Oh, here she is. [Presenting Elizabeth.] Lady Catherine, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. [Elizabeth curtsies.]
Lady Catherine
[Without leaving her seat, looks Elizabeth over from head to foot.] Oh, how do you do, Miss Bennet. You are younger than I thought!
Elizabeth
[Smiling.] Indeed?
Lady Catherine
You know my nephew, Mr. Darcy?
Elizabeth
Yes, I met him in Hertfordshire.
Lady Catherine
Humph! And you know Colonel Fitzwilliam?
Elizabeth
I have only met Colonel Fitzwilliam since coming here.
Lady Catherine
Humph! Has your governess left you?
Elizabeth
[Half laughs.] My sisters and I have never had a governess, Madam.
Lady Catherine
No governess! I never heard of such a thing! Your mother must have been quite a slave to your education.
Elizabeth
[Smiling.] I assure you she was not, Lady Catherine.
Lady Catherine
Then who taught you? Without a governess you must have been neglected.
Elizabeth
Such of us as wished to learn, never wanted the means, Madam.
Lady Catherine
Well, if I had known your mother, I should have advised her most strenuously to engage a governess. I should have seen to it myself. [To Charlotte.] Go on with your work, Mrs. Collins. A clergyman's wife should set an example of industry. [Looking at Charlotte's embroidery with disapproval.] I will send you some more of the parish petticoats to hem, Mrs. Collins. [To Elizabeth.] Go on with your work, Miss Bennet. Young ladies should never be idle. [Both Elizabeth and Charlotte go on with their embroidery. Looking hard at Elizabeth.] Pray what is your age, Miss Bennet?
Elizabeth
I am not one and twenty.
Lady Catherine
You have sisters, have not you?
Elizabeth
Yes, Madam.
Lady Catherine
Are any of them out?
Elizabeth
All, Madam.
Lady Catherine
What! All out at once? Very odd! Out before the oldest is married!
Elizabeth
Really, Madam, I think it would be very hard on the younger sisters not to have their share of society because the eldest one does not happen to be married. That would hardly be likely to promote sisterly affection, or delicacy of mind.
Lady Catherine
Upon my word, you give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person! Your sisters may be married before you. You must not be too ambitious. A good many young girls have lost their chances through being too ambitious. [Looking at a large picture on the wall and then pointing to it.] Mrs. Collins, I suppose you have shown Miss Bennet this print of Pemberley – Mr. Darcy's place?
Charlotte
Yes, Lady Catherine.
Lady Catherine
Другие электронные книги автора Джейн Остин
Другие аудиокниги автора Джейн Остин
Последний отзыв
книга нужная