Pride and Prejudice - Chapter 11
傲慢与偏见 - 第十一章
Mrs. Bennet was furious with Elizabeth for refusing Mr. Collins. She could not understand why her daughter would throw away such an opportunity.
贝内特太太对伊丽莎白拒绝柯林斯先生很生气。她不能理解为什么她的女儿会扔掉这样的机会。
"He is a clergyman!" she cried. "He will inherit this estate! You will be secure for the rest of your life!"
"他是牧师!"她喊,"他将继承这房产!你余生将安全!"
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.
伊丽莎白试图解释她的感情,但她母亲不听。她坚持伊丽莎白应该接受柯林斯先生,她告诉贝内特先生强迫她。
But Mr. Bennet would not intervene. He thought it was ridiculous to expect Elizabeth to marry a man she did not love.
但贝内特先生不会干预。他认为期待伊丽莎白嫁给她不爱的人很荒谬。
"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."
"如果你的女儿死,"他告诉妻子,"知道她带着对你的感情离开你家将是安慰。"
This only made Mrs. Bennet angrier. She threatened to never speak to Elizabeth again, though of course she did not carry out this threat.
这只使贝内特太太更生气。她威胁再也不和伊丽莎白说话,当然她没有实现这个威胁。
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.
柯林斯先生,就他而言,被伊丽莎白的拒绝尴尬。他相信她只是在调皮,女性开始总是说不。
"Do not worry, Mrs. Bennet," he said. "Miss Elizabeth will change her mind. She is just playing hard to get."
"不要担心,贝内特太太,"他说,"伊丽莎白小姐会改变主意。她只是难以得到。"
He decided to stay for a few more days, hoping that Elizabeth would come to her senses. But Elizabeth remained firm.
他决定再留几天,希望伊丽莎白会恢复理智。但伊丽莎白保持坚定。
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.
与此同时,柯林斯先生把注意力转向夏洛特·卢卡斯。夏洛特是伊丽莎白的朋友,她对婚姻实际。她知道在二十七岁,她不太可能收到更多求婚。
When Mr. Collins proposed to Charlotte, she accepted him immediately. Elizabeth was shocked when she heard the news.
当柯林斯先生向夏洛特求婚,她立即接受他。伊丽莎白听到消息时震惊。
"How could you?" she asked her friend. "You do not love him."
"你怎么能?"她问朋友,"你不爱他。"
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."
夏洛特冷静。"我不浪漫,你知道。我从来没有。我只要求舒适的家,我会被提供。柯林斯先生能够给我那。"
Elizabeth could not understand her friend's decision. But she knew that Charlotte had made her choice, and she must respect it.
伊丽莎白不能理解朋友的决定。但她知道夏洛特做了她的选择,她必须尊重它。
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.
婚礼定于十一月,柯林斯先生离开准备他的婚姻。贝内特太太失望伊丽莎白拒绝,但她至少高兴夏洛特将得到很好提供。