《傲慢与偏见》1TheBennets'newneighbour1班纳特家的新邻居Itisatruthwellknowntoalltheworldthatanunmarriedmaninpossessionofalargefortunemustbeinneedofawife.Andwhensuchamanmovesintoaneighbourhood,evenifnothingisknownabouthisfeelingsoropinions,thistruthissocleartothesurroundingfamilies,thattheythinkofhimimmediatelyasthefuturehusbandofoneorotheroftheirdaughters.家产万贯而又尚未婚配的男人一定需要一个贤内助,这是一条世界上尽人皆知的真理。当这样一位男人搬到了附近时,这条真理在邻居们心中就显得更加清楚,他们哪怕对他的感情或意见一无所知,也会马上把他当作他们哪个女儿未来的丈夫。‘MydearMrBennet,’saidMrsBennettoherhusbandoneday,‘haveyouheardthatsomeoneisgoingtorentNetherfieldParkatlast?’“亲爱的班纳特先生,”一天,班纳特夫人对她丈夫说,“你听说了吗?尼日斐庄园到底还是租出去了。”‘No,MrsBennet,Ihaven't,’saidherhusband.“我还没听说,班纳特太太,”她丈夫说。‘Don'tyouwanttoknowwhoisrentingit?’criedMrsBennetimpatiently.“难道你不想知道是谁要租吗?”班纳特太太不耐烦地嚷了起来。‘Youwanttotellme,andIdon'tmindlistening.’“你要想告诉我,我也不妨听听。”MrsBennetneedednofurtherencouragement.‘Well,mydear,Ihearthathe'saveryrichyoungmanfromthenorthofEngland.ItseemshecametoseeNetherfieldonMondayandwassodelightedwithitthathearrangedtorentitatonce.Ofcourse,itisthefinesthouseinthearea,withthelargestgar-dens.Hisservantswillbeherebytheendoftheweek,andhewillbearrivingsoonafterwards!’班纳特夫人不需要更多的鼓励就开腔了。“啊,亲爱的,我听说他是个阔少爷,英格兰北部人。好像是星期一来看了看尼日斐,十分喜欢,马上安排把它租了下来。当然,连宅子的花园都那么大,那确实是这一片最好的庄园。他的仆人周末到,他本人随后就到!”‘Whatishisname?’askedMrBennet.“他叫什么名字?”班纳特先生问道。‘Bingley.’“彬格莱。”‘Ishemarriedorsingle?’“结婚了还是单身?”‘Oh,single,mydear,ofcourse!Asinglemanoflargefor-tune—hehasanincomeoffourorfivethousandpoundsayear.Howwonderdulforourgirls!’“啊,亲爱的,当然是单身!家产万贯的单身汉——他每年收入四五千镑呢。对咱家姑娘们来说真是再好不过了!”‘Why?Howcanitaffectthem?’MrBennetasked.“为什么?这跟姑娘们有什么关系?”班纳特先生问道。‘MydearMrBennet,’shereplied,‘howcanyoubesoan-noying!YoumustrealizeI'mthinkingofhismarryingoneofourdaughters.’“我亲爱的班纳特先生,”她回答道,“你怎么那么讨厌!你应该想到,我是在考虑他跟我们哪个姑娘结婚。”‘Isthathispurposeincomingtothearea?’“他搬到这儿住就是为了这个吗?”‘Hispurpose?No,ofcoursenot.Butit'sverylikelythathe’llfallinlovewithoneofthem.AndIwanthimtoseethegirlsassoonaspossible,beforeourotherneighboursintroducethemselves.Soyoumustvisithimassoonashearrives.’“为这个?当然不是。可是真说不准他会爱上我们哪个姑娘。我想尽早让他见见姑娘们,要赶在其他邻居自我介绍之前。所以,他一来你就得去拜访他一下。”‘Ireallydon'tseewhyIshould,’saidMrBennet.‘Youandthegirlscanvisithim,orperhapsyoushouldsendthembythemselves.Yes,thatmightbebetter,asyou'reasattractiveasanyofthem,andMrBingleymightlikeyoubest.’“我真是不明白为什么要去拜访他,”班纳特先生说,“你可以和姑娘们去,或者你让她们自己去。对,还是让她们自己去好,你长得那么迷人,比她们哪个都不逊色,说不定彬格莱先生会看上你呢。”‘Mydear,youflatterme,’repliedhiswife,‘Icertainlyhavebeencalledbeautifulinthepast,butIthinkawomanwithfiveadultdaughtersshouldstopthinkingofherownbeauty.MrBennet,Ibegyoutovisithim.Youknowit'scor-rectfor...