Pride and Prejudice - Chapter 14
Orgullo y Prejuicio - Capítulo 14
To Elizabeth's surprise, Mr. Darcy and his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam arrived at Rosings Park while she was staying at Hunsford. They had come to visit their aunt, Lady Catherine.
Elizabeth estaba sola en la casa parroquial cuando Darcy vino a visitarla inesperadamente. Parecía agitado y nervioso, caminando de un lado a otro de la habitación.
Elizabeth was not pleased to see Darcy again, but she could not avoid him. The cousins dined frequently at the parsonage, and Elizabeth found herself in Darcy's company more often than she would have liked.
De repente, se detuvo frente a ella y comenzó a hablar.
During one of these visits, Elizabeth and Colonel Fitzwilliam took a walk together. The Colonel was friendly and open, and Elizabeth enjoyed talking to him.
—En vano he luchado —dijo—. No sirve de nada. Mis sentimientos no pueden ser reprimidos. Debe permitirme decirle cuánto la admiro y la amo.
"You have travelled widely, Colonel," she said. "I envy you."
Elizabeth estaba atónita. ¡Darcy le estaba proponiendo matrimonio!
"Yes, I have seen many places," he replied. "But I must say that England is still the best country in the world."
Continuó explicando que la amaba a pesar de su familia, a pesar de su inferioridad social, a pesar de su propio mejor juicio. Habló de su orgullo, de su lucha contra sus sentimientos, pero dijo que ya no podía resistirse.
He went on to talk about Darcy, and Elizabeth learned that Darcy had recently saved a friend from an imprudent marriage.
—La amo —repitió—. ¿Se casará conmigo?
"A friend of mine," the Colonel said, "was in danger of being persuaded to marry a young woman of no fortune and no connections. Darcy convinced him to leave her and save himself from such a mistake."
Elizabeth lo miró fijamente, su ira aumentando con cada palabra que él decía. ¿Cómo podía proponerle matrimonio e insultarla al mismo tiempo?
Elizabeth immediately thought of Jane and Bingley. Could this be what had happened? Had Darcy convinced Bingley to leave Jane?
—Me siento halagada —dijo fríamente—. Pero no puedo aceptar su propuesta.
She was angry at the thought. How dare Darcy interfere in his friend's life? How dare he destroy Jane's happiness?
Darcy retrocedió como si ella lo hubiera golpeado. —¿Me rechaza?
When she saw Darcy later that day, she could hardly speak to him. She was too angry to be polite.
—Sí —dijo Elizabeth—. Lo rechazo. ¿Cree que podría casarme con el hombre que ha destruido la felicidad de mi hermana? ¿Que ha privado al señor Wickham de su herencia? ¿Que es tan orgulloso y arrogante que mira a todos a su alrededor por encima del hombro?
But Darcy seemed unaware of her anger. He watched her with a look of interest that confused her. Why was he looking at her like that? What did he want from her?
Darcy palideció. —Así que esa es su opinión de mí.
The next day, Elizabeth went for a walk alone to calm her thoughts. As she walked, she saw Darcy approaching her.
—Sí —dijo Elizabeth—. Esa es mi opinión. Es el último hombre en el mundo con el que podría casarme.
She stopped, hoping he would pass by. But he stopped too, and after a moment of hesitation, he began to speak.
Darcy la miró por un momento, su rostro una máscara de dolor e ira. Luego hizo una reverencia rígida y salió de la habitación sin decir una palabra más.
"I have been very selfish," he said. "I have struggled in vain to deny my feelings. You must allow me to tell you how much I admire and love you."
Elizabeth se quedó sola, temblando de emoción. Había rechazado su propuesta, pero no sentía ningún triunfo. Solo sentía una profunda tristeza y una sensación de pérdida.
Elizabeth was shocked. Darcy was proposing to her? But how could he, when he had so clearly shown his dislike for her family?