Pride and Prejudice - Chapter 3
Kiêu hãnh và Định kiến - Chương 3
The news that a wealthy young man had taken Netherfield Park spread quickly through the neighbourhood. Everyone wanted to know more about Mr. Bingley, and the Bennet family was particularly interested.
Đêm vũ hội đã đến. Ông Bingley có mặt cùng với hai người chị em, chồng của người chị cả, và một người bạn, ông Darcy.
They learned that Bingley had about five thousand pounds a year, which made him a very eligible bachelor. He was to bring his sisters and his brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst, to live with him at Netherfield.
Bingley ngay lập tức được mọi người yêu mến. Ông ấy hòa nhã, khiêu vũ với tất cả các cô gái và có vẻ rất vui vẻ. Ngược lại, ông Darcy bị coi là kiêu ngạo và khó gần. Ông từ chối khiêu vũ với Elizabeth, nói rằng cô ấy "không đủ xinh đẹp để cám dỗ ông".
"He must be a very agreeable man," said Mrs. Bennet, "if he is willing to bring his sisters to live with him. Shows he is a kind and considerate brother."
Elizabeth nghe thấy nhận xét này, nhưng thay vì bị tổn thương, cô cười nhạo sự kiêu ngạo của ông. Cô quyết định rằng ông là một người đàn ông không thể chịu đựng được. Tuy nhiên, Jane đã thu hút sự chú ý của ông Bingley, và họ khiêu vũ cùng nhau hai lần.
"Or perhaps they insisted on coming," observed Elizabeth dryly.
Her mother ignored her. "And his friend Mr. Darcy! What a fine figure of a man! Ten thousand a year! And from one of the oldest families in Derbyshire! Such a fine match for any of our girls!"
Elizabeth said nothing, but she remembered how Darcy had refused to dance with her at the ball, how he had looked at her with such evident disdain.
The days passed, and the Bennet sisters found themselves thinking often of the gentlemen at Netherfield. Jane, always gentle and hopeful, believed that Bingley might truly care for her.
"He looked at me so kindly during the dances," she told Elizabeth. "And he asked so many questions about our family. I think he really wanted to know me better."
Elizabeth smiled at her sister's optimism. "I hope you are right, Jane. But do not get your hopes too high. We do not really know him yet."
Meanwhile, Mrs. Bennet was making plans for their next visit to Netherfield. She was determined that Jane should spend more time with Bingley, and she was already imagining their wedding.
The winter passed slowly, with no news from Netherfield. But when spring came, an invitation arrived: the Bingleys were to host a ball, and the Bennets were invited.
Mrs. Bennet was beside herself with excitement. "This is it!" she declared. "Jane will win his heart at the ball, and he will propose!"