Pride and Prejudice - Chapter 18
Orgueil et Préjugés - Chapitre 18
Lydia went to Brighton with the regiment, and for a time, all was quiet at Longbourn. Elizabeth and Jane spent their days reading and walking together, and their younger sisters seemed to be on their best behaviour.
Elizabeth part en voyage avec son oncle et sa tante, les Gardiner. Ils visitent le Derbyshire et font un tour à Pemberley, le domaine de Darcy.
In July, Elizabeth received an invitation from her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. They invited her to join them on a tour of the Peak District in Derbyshire.
Elizabeth est enchantée par la beauté de Pemberley et entend de la gouvernante que Darcy est un maître bon et généreux. Darcy arrive à l'improviste et est incroyablement poli et accueillant envers Elizabeth et les Gardiner. Il veut même lui présenter sa sœur.
Elizabeth accepted eagerly. She had never travelled much, and she was curious to see more of England.
As they travelled through Derbyshire, Elizabeth learned that they were near Pemberley, Mr. Darcy's estate. She was curious to see it, despite her complicated feelings about Darcy.
"Let us visit Pemberley," her aunt suggested. "I have heard it is a beautiful estate."
Elizabeth hesitated. "I am not sure that is a good idea."
But in the end, curiosity won. They drove to Pemberley and were shown the grounds by the housekeeper, who spoke warmly of Mr. Darcy.
"He is the best of masters," she said. "He is so generous to his tenants, so kind to the poor. And so good to his sister, Miss Darcy, who lives with him."
Elizabeth was surprised to hear Darcy spoken of so highly. The housekeeper also showed her a portrait of Darcy, painted when he was younger.
"He was very handsome as a young man," she said.
Elizabeth looked at the portrait and felt a sudden rush of affection. The Darcy in the portrait was not the proud man she had known, but someone gentler, kinder.
As they were leaving the house, they saw Darcy approaching. Elizabeth was startled, but she composed herself and greeted him politely.
Darcy was surprised to see her, but he was also pleased. He greeted her with unusual warmth and introduced her to his sister, Georgiana.
Miss Darcy was shy but sweet, and Elizabeth immediately liked her. She could see that Darcy was very protective of his sister, and she was touched by his tenderness toward her.
Darcy invited them to dine at Pemberley the next day, and Elizabeth accepted. She wanted to see more of this new Darcy, this man who was so different from the proud man she had thought him to be.