Гордость и предубеждение

           Hercharacterwillbefixed,andshewill,atsixteen,bethemostdeterminedflirtthatevermadeherselforherfamilyridiculous; aflirt,too,intheworstandmeanestdegreeofflirtation;withoutanyattractionbeyondyouthandatolerableperson; and,fromtheignoranceandemptinessofhermind,whollyunabletowardoffanyportionofthatuniversalcontemptwhichherrageforadmirationwillexcite. InthisdangerKittyalsoiscomprehended. ShewillfollowwhereverLydialeads. Vain,ignorant,idle,andabsolutelyuncontrolled! Oh!mydearfather,canyousupposeitpossiblethattheywillnotbecensuredanddespisedwherevertheyareknown,andthattheirsisterswillnotbeofteninvolvedinthedisgrace?" 

           Mr.Bennetsawthatherwholeheartwasinthesubject,andaffectionatelytakingherhandsaidinreply: 

           "Donotmakeyourselfuneasy,mylove. WhereveryouandJaneareknownyoumustberespectedandvalued; andyouwillnotappeartolessadvantageforhavingacoupleof—orImaysay,three—verysillysisters. WeshallhavenopeaceatLongbournifLydiadoesnotgotoBrighton. Lethergo,then. ColonelForsterisasensibleman,andwillkeepheroutofanyrealmischief; andsheisluckilytoopoortobeanobjectofpreytoanybody. AtBrightonshewillbeoflessimportanceevenasacommonflirtthanshehasbeenhere. Theofficerswillfindwomenbetterworththeirnotice. Letushope,therefore,thatherbeingtheremayteachherherowninsignificance. Atanyrate,shecannotgrowmanydegreesworse,withoutauthorisingustolockherupfortherestofherlife." 

           WiththisanswerElizabethwasforcedtobecontent; butherownopinioncontinuedthesame,andshelefthimdisappointedandsorry. Itwasnotinhernature,however,toincreasehervexationsbydwellingonthem. Shewasconfidentofhavingperformedherduty,andtofretoverunavoidableevils,oraugmentthembyanxiety,wasnopartofherdisposition.