Pride and Prejudice - Chapter 11
Stolz und Vorurteil - Kapitel 11
Mrs. Bennet was furious with Elizabeth for refusing Mr. Collins. She could not understand why her daughter would throw away such an opportunity.
Mr. Collins, obwohl von Elizabeths Ablehnung enttäuscht, war nicht untröstlich. Er wandte seine Aufmerksamkeit schnell Charlotte Lucas zu, Elizabeths bester Freundin.
"He is a clergyman!" she cried. "He will inherit this estate! You will be secure for the rest of your life!"
Charlotte, die praktisch und unsentimental war, sah in Mr. Collins eine Gelegenheit für ein sicheres Zuhause. Sie ermutigte seine Aufmerksamkeiten, und innerhalb weniger Tage machte er ihr einen Antrag.
Elizabeth tried to explain her feelings, but her mother would not listen. She insisted that Elizabeth should accept Mr. Collins, and she told Mr. Bennet to force her.
Charlotte nahm an.
But Mr. Bennet would not intervene. He thought it was ridiculous to expect Elizabeth to marry a man she did not love.
Als Elizabeth die Neuigkeiten hörte, war sie fassungslos. "Du heiratest Mr. Collins?", rief sie aus. "Aber Charlotte, er ist lächerlich!"
"If your daughter should die," he said to his wife, "it would be a comfort to know that she left your house with an affection for you."
"Ich weiß", sagte Charlotte ruhig. "Aber er ist ein guter Mann, und er kann mir ein komfortables Zuhause bieten. Ich bin nicht wie du, Lizzy. Ich brauche keine Liebe, um glücklich zu sein."
This only made Mrs. Bennet angrier. She threatened to never speak to Elizabeth again, though of course she did not carry out this threat.
Elizabeth war traurig über die Wahl ihrer Freundin, aber sie respektierte Charlottes Entscheidung. Sie wusste, dass Charlotte nur versuchte, ihre Zukunft zu sichern.
Mr. Collins, for his part, was embarrassed by Elizabeth's refusal. He believed that she was just being coy, that women always said no at first.
Die Hochzeit fand kurz darauf statt, und Charlotte zog mit Mr. Collins nach Hunsford, um in der Nähe von Rosings Park zu leben.
"Do not worry, Mrs. Bennet," he said. "Miss Elizabeth will change her mind. She is just playing hard to get."
Elizabeth versprach, sie zu besuchen, obwohl es ihr graute, Mr. Collins wiederzusehen.
He decided to stay for a few more days, hoping that Elizabeth would come to her senses. But Elizabeth remained firm.
In der Zwischenzeit hatte Bingley Netherfield verlassen und war nach London zurückgekehrt. Jane war untröstlich und wartete auf einen Brief oder einen Besuch von ihm, aber nichts kam.
Meanwhile, Mr. Collins turned his attention to Charlotte Lucas. Charlotte was Elizabeth's friend, and she was practical about marriage. She knew that at twenty-seven, she was not likely to receive many more proposals.
"Er hat mich vergessen", sagte sie traurig zu Elizabeth.
When Mr. Collins proposed to Charlotte, she accepted him immediately. Elizabeth was shocked when she heard the news.
Elizabeth war sicher, dass die Bingley-Schwestern und Darcy dahintersteckten. Sie glaubten, dass Jane nicht gut genug für Bingley war, und sie taten alles in ihrer Macht Stehende, um sie getrennt zu halten.
"How could you?" she asked her friend. "You do not love him."
Elizabeth war wütend auf sie alle. Sie hasste ihren Stolz und ihre Einmischung, und sie schwor, ihnen niemals zu vergeben.
Charlotte was calm. "I am not romantic, you know. I never was. I ask only for a comfortable home, and I shall be provided for. Mr. Collins will be able to give me that."
Elizabeth could not understand her friend's decision. But she knew that Charlotte had made her choice, and she must respect it.
The wedding was set for November, and Mr. Collins left to prepare for his marriage. Mrs. Bennet was disappointed that Elizabeth had refused, but she was at least pleased that Charlotte would be well provided for.