PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

Chapter 53	CAPITULO LIII
Mr. Wickham was so perfectly satisfied with this conversation that he never again distressed himself, or provoked his dear sister Elizabeth, by introducing the subject of it; and she was pleased to find that she had said enough to keep him quiet.	Wickham quedó tan escarmentado con aquella conversación que nunca volvió a exponerse, ni a provocar a su querida hermana Elizabeth a reanudarla. Y ella se alegró de haber dicho lo suficiente para que no mencionase el tema más.
The day of his and Lydia′s departure soon came, and Mrs. Bennet was forced to submit to a separation, which, as her husband by no means entered into her scheme of their all going to Newcastle, was likely to continue at least a twelvemonth.	Llegó el día de la partida del joven matrimonio, y la señora Bennet se vio forzada a una separación que al parecer iba a durar un año, por lo menos, ya que de ningún modo entraba en los cálculos del señor Bennet el que fuesen todos a Newcastle.
"Oh! my dear Lydia," she cried, "when shall we meet again?"
"Oh, lord! I don′t know. Not these two or three years, perhaps."	–– ¡Oh, señor! ¡No lo sé! ¡Acaso tardaremos dos o tres años!
"Write to me very often, my dear."	–– Escríbeme muy a menudo, querida.
"As often as I can. But you know married women have never much time for writing. My sisters may write to me . They will have nothing else to do."	–– Tan a menudo como pueda. Pero ya sabes que las mujeres casadas no disponemos de mucho tiempo para escribir. Mis hermanas sí podrán escribirme; no tendrán otra cosa que hacer.
Mr. Wickham′s adieus were much more affectionate than his wife′s. He smiled, looked handsome, and said many pretty things.	El adiós de Wickham fue mucho más cariñoso que el de su mujer. Sonrió, estuvo muy agradable y dijo cosas encantadoras.
"He is as fine a fellow," said Mr. Bennet, as soon as they were out of the house, "as ever I saw. He simpers, and smirks, and makes love to us all. I am prodigiously proud of him. I defy even Sir William Lucas himself to produce a more valuable son-in-law."	–– Es un joven muy fino –– dijo el señor Bennet en cuanto se habían ido –– ; no he visto nunca otro igual. Es una máquina de sonrisas y nos hace la pelota a todos. Estoy orgullosísimo de él. Desafío al mismo sir William Lucas a que consiga un yerno más valioso.
The loss of her daughter made Mrs. Bennet very dull for several days.	La pérdida de su hija sumió en la tristeza a la señora Bennet por varios días.
"I often think," said she, "that there is nothing so bad as parting with one′s friends. One seems so forlorn without them."	–– Muchas veces pienso –– decía –– que no hay nada peor que separarse de las personas queridas. ¡Se queda una tan desamparada sin ellas!
"This is the consequence, you see, Madam, of marrying a daughter," said Elizabeth. "It must make you better satisfied that your other four are single."	–– Pues ya ves, ésa es una consecuencia de casar a las hijas –– observó Elizabeth –– . Te hará más feliz que las otras cuatro sigamos solteras.
"It is no such thing. Lydia does not leave me because she is married, but only because her husband′s regiment happens to be so far off. If that had been nearer, she would not have gone so soon."	No es eso. Lydia no me abandona porque se haya casado, sino porque el regimiento de su marido está lejos. Si hubiera estado más cerca, no se habría marchado tan pronto.
But the spiritless condition which this event threw her into was shortly relieved, and her mind opened again to the agitation of hope, by an article of news which then began to be in circulation. The housekeeper at Netherfield had received orders to prepare for the arrival of her master, who was coming down in a day or two, to shoot there for several weeks. Mrs. Bennet was quite in the fidgets. She looked at Jane, and smiled and shook her head by turns.	Pero el desaliento que este suceso le causó se alivió en seguida y su mente empezó a funcionar de nuevo con gran agitación ante la serie de noticias que circulaban por aquel entonces. El ama de llaves de Netherfield había recibido órdenes de preparar la llegada de su amo que iba a tener lugar dentro de dos o tres días, para dedicarse a la caza durante unas semanas. La señora Bennet estaba nerviosísima. Miraba a Jane y sonreía y sacudía la cabeza alternativamente.
"Well, well, and so Mr. Bingley is coming down, sister," (for Mrs. Phillips first brought her the news). "Well, so much the better. Not that I care about it, though. He is nothing to us, you know, and I am sure I never want to see him again. But, however, he is very welcome to come to Netherfield, if he likes it. And who knows what may happen? But that is nothing to us. You know, sister, we agreed long ago never to mention a word about it. And so, is it quite certain he is coming?"	–– Bueno, bueno, ¿conque viene el señor Bingley, hermana? –– pues fue la señora Philips la primera en darle la noticia –– . Pues mejor. Aunque no me importa. Tú sabes que nada tenemos que ver con él y que no quiero volver a verlo. Si quiere venir a Netherfield, que venga. ¿Y quién sabe lo que puede pasar? Pero no nos importa. Ya sabes que hace tiempo acordamos no volver a decir palabra de esto. ¿Es cierto que viene?
"You may depend on it," replied the other, "for Mrs. Nicholls was in Meryton last night; I saw her passing by, and went out myself on purpose to know the truth of it; and she told me that it was certain true. He comes down on Thursday at the latest, very likely on Wednesday. She was going to the butcher′s, she told me, on purpose to order in some meat on Wednesday, and she has got three couple of ducks just fit to be killed."	–– Puedes estar segura –– respondió la otra –– , porque la señora Nicholls estuvo en Meryton ayer tarde; la vi pasar y salí dispuesta a saber la verdad; ella me dijo que sí, que su amo llegaba. Vendrá el jueves a más tardar; puede que llegue el miércoles. La señora Nicholls me dijo que iba a la carnicería a encargar carne para el miércoles y llevaba tres pares de patos listos para matar.
Miss Bennet had not been able to hear of his coming without changing colour. It was many months since she had mentioned his name to Elizabeth; but now, as soon as they were alone together, she said:	Al saber la noticia, Jane mudó de color. Hacía meses que entre ella y Elizabeth no se hablaba de Bingley, pero ahora en cuanto estuvieron solas le dijo:
"I saw you look at me to-day, Lizzy, when my aunt told us of the present report; and I know I appeared distressed. But don′t imagine it was from any silly cause. I was only confused for the moment, because I felt that I should be looked at. I do assure you that the news does not affect me either with pleasure or pain. I am glad of one thing, that he comes alone; because we shall see the less of him. Not that I am afraid of myself ; but I dread other people′s remarks."	–– He notado, Elizabeth, que cuando mi tía comentaba la noticia del día, me estabas mirando. Ya sé que pareció que me dio apuro, pero no te figures que era por alguna tontería. Me quedé confusa un momento porque me di cuenta de que me estaríais observando. Te aseguro que la noticia no me da tristeza ni gusto. De una cosa me alegro: de que viene solo, porque así lo veremos menos. No es que tenga miedo por mí, pero temo los comentarios de la gente.
Elizabeth did not know what to make of it. Had she not seen him in Derbyshire, she might have supposed him capable of coming there with no other view than what was acknowledged; but she still thought him partial to Jane, and she wavered as to the greater probability of his coming there with his friend′s permission, or being bold enough to come without it.	Elizabeth no sabía qué pensar. Si no le hubiera visto en Derbyshire, habría podido creer que venía tan sólo por el citado motivo, pero no dudaba de que aún amaba a Jane, y hasta se arriesgaba a pensar que venía con la aprobación de su amigo o que se había atrevido incluso a venir sin ella.
"Yet it is hard," she sometimes thought, "that this poor man cannot come to a house which he has legally hired, without raising all this speculation! I will leave him to himself."	«Es duro –– pensaba a veces –– que este pobre hombre no pueda venir a una casa que ha alquilado legalmente sin levantar todas estas cábalas. Yo le dejaré en paz.»
In spite of what her sister declared, and really believed to be her feelings in the expectation of his arrival, Elizabeth could easily perceive that her spirits were affected by it. They were more disturbed, more unequal, than she had often seen them.	A pesar de lo que su hermana decía y creía de buena fe, Elizabeth pudo notar que la expectativa de la llegada de Bingley le afectaba. Estaba distinta y más turbada que de costumbre.
The subject which had been so warmly canvassed between their parents, about a twelvemonth ago, was now brought forward again.	El tema del que habían discutido sus padres acaloradamente hacía un año, surgió ahora de nuevo.
"As soon as ever Mr. Bingley comes, my dear," said Mrs. Bennet, "you will wait on him of course."	–– Querido mío, supongo que en cuanto llegue el señor Bingley irás a visitarle.
"No, no. You forced me into visiting him last year, and promised, if I went to see him, he should marry one of my daughters. But it ended in nothing, and I will not be sent on a fool′s errand again."	–– No y no. Me obligaste a hacerlo el año pasado, prometiéndome que se iba a casar con una de mis hijas. Pero todo acabó en agua de borrajas, y no quiero volver a hacer semejante paripé como un tonto.
His wife represented to him how absolutely necessary such an attention would be from all the neighbouring gentlemen, on his returning to Netherfield.	Su mujer le observó lo absolutamente necesaria que sería aquella atención por parte de todos los señores de la vecindad en cuanto Bingley llegase a Netherfield.
"′Tis an etiquette I despise," said he. "If he wants our society, let him seek it. He knows where we live. I will not spend my hours in running after my neighbours every time they go away and come back again."	–– Es una etiqueta que me revienta –– repuso el señor Bennet –– . Si quiere nuestra compañía, que la busque; ya sabe dónde vivimos. No puedo perder el tiempo corriendo detrás de los vecinos cada vez que se van y vuelven.
"Well, all I know is, that it will be abominably rude if you do not wait on him. But, however, that shan′t prevent my asking him to dine here, I am determined. We must have Mrs. Long and the Gouldings soon. That will make thirteen with ourselves, so there will be just room at table for him."	–– Bueno, será muy feo que no le visites; pero eso no me impedirá invitarle a comer. Vamos a tener en breve a la mesa a la señora Long y a los Goulding, y como contándonos a nosotros seremos trece, habrá justamente un lugar para él.
Consoled by this resolution, she was the better able to bear her husband′s incivility; though it was very mortifying to know that her neighbours might all see Mr. Bingley, in consequence of it, before they did. As the day of his arrival drew near:	Consolada con esta decisión, quedó perfectamente dispuesta a soportar la descortesía de su esposo, aunque le molestara enormemente que, con tal motivo, todos los vecinos viesen a Bingley antes que ellos. Al acercarse el día de la llegada, Jane dijo:
"I begin to be sorry that he comes at all," said Jane to her sister. "It would be nothing; I could see him with perfect indifference, but I can hardly bear to hear it thus perpetually talked of. My mother means well; but she does not know, no one can know, how much I suffer from what she says. Happy shall I be, when his stay at Netherfield is over!"	–– A pesar de todo, empiezo a sentir que venga. No me importaría nada y le veré con la mayor indiferencia, pero no puedo resistir oír hablar de él perpetuamente. Mi madre lo hace con la mejor intención, pero no sabe, ni sabe nadie, el sufrimiento que me causa. No seré feliz hasta que Bingley se haya ido de Netherfield.
"I wish I could say anything to comfort you," replied Elizabeth; "but it is wholly out of my power. You must feel it; and the usual satisfaction of preaching patience to a sufferer is denied me, because you have always so much."	–– Querría decirte algo para consolarte –– contestó Elizabeth –– , pero no puedo. Debes comprenderlo. Y la normal satisfacción de recomendar paciencia a los que sufren me está vedada porque a ti nunca te falta.
Mr. Bingley arrived. Mrs. Bennet, through the assistance of servants, contrived to have the earliest tidings of it, that the period of anxiety and fretfulness on her side might be as long as it could. She counted the days that must intervene before their invitation could be sent; hopeless of seeing him before. But on the third morning after his arrival in Hertfordshire, she saw him, from her dressing-room window, enter the paddock and ride towards the house.	Bingley llegó. La señora Bennet trató de obtener con ayuda de las criadas las primeras noticias, para aumentar la ansiedad y el mal humor que la consumían. Contaba los días que debían transcurrir para invitarle, ya que no abrigaba esperanzas de verlo antes. Pero a la tercera mañana de la llegada de Bingley al condado, desde la ventana de su vestidor le vio que entraba por la verja a caballo y se dirigía hacia la casa.
Her daughters were eagerly called to partake of her joy. Jane resolutely kept her place at the table; but Elizabeth, to satisfy her mother, went to the window--she looked,--she saw Mr. Darcy with him, and sat down again by her sister.	Llamó al punto a sus hijas para que compartieran su gozo. Jane se negó a dejar su lugar junto a la mesa. Pero Elizabeth, para complacer a su madre, se acercó a la ventana, miró y vio que Bingley entraba con Darcy, y se volvió a sentar al lado de su hermana.
"There is a gentleman with him, mamma," said Kitty; "who can it be?"	–– Mamá, viene otro caballero con él –– dijo Catherine –– . ¿Quién será?
"Some acquaintance or other, my dear, I suppose; I am sure I do not know."	–– Supongo que algún conocido suyo, querida; no le conozco.
"La!" replied Kitty, "it looks just like that man that used to be with him before. Mr. what′s-his-name. That tall, proud man."	–– ¡Oh! –– exclamó Catherine –– . Parece aquel señor que antes estaba con él. El señor... ¿cómo se llama? Aquel señor alto y orgulloso.
"Good gracious! Mr. Darcy!--and so it does, I vow. Well, any friend of Mr. Bingley′s will always be welcome here, to be sure; but else I must say that I hate the very sight of him."	–– ¡Santo Dios! ¿El señor Darcy? Pues sí, es él. Bueno; cualquier amigo del señor Bingley será siempre bienvenido a esta casa; si no fuera por eso... No puedo verle ni en pintura.
Jane looked at Elizabeth with surprise and concern. She knew but little of their meeting in Derbyshire, and therefore felt for the awkwardness which must attend her sister, in seeing him almost for the first time after receiving his explanatory letter. Both sisters were uncomfortable enough. Each felt for the other, and of course for themselves; and their mother talked on, of her dislike of Mr. Darcy, and her resolution to be civil to him only as Mr. Bingley′s friend, without being heard by either of them. But Elizabeth had sources of uneasiness which could not be suspected by Jane, to whom she had never yet had courage to shew Mrs. Gardiner′s letter, or to relate her own change of sentiment towards him. To Jane, he could be only a man whose proposals she had refused, and whose merit she had undervalued; but to her own more extensive information, he was the person to whom the whole family were indebted for the first of benefits, and whom she regarded herself with an interest, if not quite so tender, at least as reasonable and just as what Jane felt for Bingley. Her astonishment at his coming--at his coming to Netherfield, to Longbourn, and voluntarily seeking her again, was almost equal to what she had known on first witnessing his altered behaviour in Derbyshire.	Jane miró a Elizabeth con asombro e interés. Sabía muy poco de su encuentro en Derbyshire y, por consiguiente, comprendía el horror que había de causarle a su hermana ver a Darcy casi por primera vez después de la carta aclaratoria. Las dos hermanas estaban bastante intranquilas; cada una sufría por la otra, y como es natural, por sí misma. Entretanto la madre seguía perorando sobre su odio a Darcy y sobre su decisión de estar cortés con él sólo por consideración a Bingley. Ninguna de las chicas la escuchaba. Elizabeth estaba inquieta por algo que Jane no podía sospechar, pues nunca se había atrevido a mostrarle la carta de la señora Gardiner, ni a revelarle el cambio de sus sentimientos por Darcy. Para Jane, Darcy no era más que el hombre cuyas proposiciones había rechazado Elizabeth y cuyos méritos menospreciaba. Pero para Elizabeth, Darcy era el hombre a quien su familia debía el mayor de los favores, y a quien ella miraba con un interés, si no tan tierno, por lo menos tan razonable y justo como el que Jane sentía por Bingley. Su asombro ante la venida de Darcy a Netherfield, a Longbourn, buscándola de nuevo voluntariamente, era casi igual al que experimentó al verlo tan cambiado en Derbyshire.
The colour which had been driven from her face, returned for half a minute with an additional glow, and a smile of delight added lustre to her eyes, as she thought for that space of time that his affection and wishes must still be unshaken. But she would not be secure.	El color, que había desaparecido de su semblante, acudió en seguida violentamente a sus mejillas, y una sonrisa de placer dio brillo a sus ojos al pensar que el cariño y los deseos de Darcy seguían siendo los mismos. Pero no quería darlo por seguro.
"Let me first see how he behaves," said she; "it will then be early enough for expectation."	«Primero veré cómo se comporta –– se dijo –– y luego Dios dirá si puedo tener esperanzas.»
She sat intently at work, striving to be composed, and without daring to lift up her eyes, till anxious curiosity carried them to the face of her sister as the servant was approaching the door. Jane looked a little paler than usual, but more sedate than Elizabeth had expected. On the gentlemen′s appearing, her colour increased; yet she received them with tolerable ease, and with a propriety of behaviour equally free from any symptom of resentment or any unnecessary complaisance.	Se puso a trabajar atentamente y se esforzó por mantener la calma. No osaba levantar los ojos, hasta que su creciente curiosidad le hizo mirar a su hermana cuando la criada fue a abrir la puerta. Jane estaba más pálida que de costumbre, pero más sosegada de lo que Elizabeth hubiese creído. Cuando entraron los dos caballeros, enrojeció, pero los recibió con bastante tranquilidad, y sin dar ninguna muestra de resentimiento ni de innecesaria complacencia.
Elizabeth said as little to either as civility would allow, and sat down again to her work, with an eagerness which it did not often command. She had ventured only one glance at Darcy. He looked serious, as usual; and, she thought, more as he had been used to look in Hertfordshire, than as she had seen him at Pemberley. But, perhaps he could not in her mother′s presence be what he was before her uncle and aunt. It was a painful, but not an improbable, conjecture.	Elizabeth habló a los dos jóvenes lo menos que la educación permitía, y se dedicó a bordar con más aplicación que nunca. Sólo se aventuró a dirigir una mirada a Darcy. Éste estaba tan serio como siempre, y a ella se le antojó que se parecía más al Darcy que había conocido en Hertfordshire que al que había visto en Pemberley. Pero quizá en presencia de su madre no se sentía igual que en presencia de sus tíos. Era una suposición dolorosa, pero no improbable.
Bingley, she had likewise seen for an instant, and in that short period saw him looking both pleased and embarrassed. He was received by Mrs. Bennet with a degree of civility which made her two daughters ashamed, especially when contrasted with the cold and ceremonious politeness of her curtsey and address to his friend.	Miró también un instante a Bingley, y le pareció que estaba contento y cohibido a la vez. La señora Bennet le recibió con unos aspavientos que dejaron avergonzadas a sus dos hijas, especialmente por el contraste con su fría y ceremoniosa manera de saludar y tratar a Darcy.
Elizabeth, particularly, who knew that her mother owed to the latter the preservation of her favourite daughter from irremediable infamy, was hurt and distressed to a most painful degree by a distinction so ill applied.	Particularmente Elizabeth, sabiendo que su madre le debía a Darcy la salvación de su hija predilecta de tan irremediable infamia, se entristeció profundamente por aquella grosería.
Darcy, after inquiring of her how Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner did, a question which she could not answer without confusion, said scarcely anything. He was not seated by her; perhaps that was the reason of his silence; but it had not been so in Derbyshire. There he had talked to her friends, when he could not to herself. But now several minutes elapsed without bringing the sound of his voice; and when occasionally, unable to resist the impulse of curiosity, she raised he eyes to his face, she as often found him looking at Jane as at herself, and frequently on no object but the ground. More thoughtfulness and less anxiety to please, than when they last met, were plainly expressed. She was disappointed, and angry with herself for being so.	Darcy preguntó cómo estaban los señores Gardiner, y Elizabeth le contestó con cierta turbación. Después, apenas dijo nada. No estaba sentado al lado de Elizabeth, y acaso se debía a esto su silencio; pero no estaba así en Derbyshire. Allí, cuando no podía hablarle a ella hablaba con sus amigos; pero ahora pasaron varios minutos sin que se le oyera la voz, y cuando Elizabeth, incapaz de contener su curiosidad, alzaba la vista hacia él, le encontraba con más frecuencia mirando a Jane que a ella, y a menudo mirando sólo al suelo. Parecía más pensativo y menos deseoso de agradar que en su último encuentro. Elizabeth estaba decepcionada y disgustada consigo misma por ello.
"Could I expect it to be otherwise!" said she. "Yet why did he come?"	«¿Cómo pude imaginarme que estuviese de otro modo? se decía –– . Ni siquiera sé por qué ha venido aquí.»
She was in no humour for conversation with anyone but himself; and to him she had hardly courage to speak.	No tenía humor para hablar con nadie más que con él, pero le faltaba valor para dirigirle la palabra.
She inquired after his sister, but could do no more.	Le preguntó por su hermana, pero ya no supo más qué decirle.
"It is a long time, Mr. Bingley, since you went away," said Mrs. Bennet.	–– Mucho tiempo ha pasado, señor Bingley, desde que se fue usted –– dijo la señora Bennet.
He readily agreed to it.	–– Efectivamente –– dijo Bingley.
"I began to be afraid you would never come back again. People did say you meant to quit the place entirely at Michaelmas; but, however, I hope it is not true. A great many changes have happened in the neighbourhood, since you went away. Miss Lucas is married and settled. And one of my own daughters. I suppose you have heard of it; indeed, you must have seen it in the papers. It was in The Times and The Courier, I know; though it was not put in as it ought to be. It was only said, ′Lately, George Wickham, Esq. to Miss Lydia Bennet,′ without there being a syllable said of her father, or the place where she lived, or anything. It was my brother Gardiner′s drawing up too, and I wonder how he came to make such an awkward business of it. Did you see it?"	–– Empezaba a temer –– continuó ella –– que ya no volvería. La gente dice que por San Miguel piensa usted abandonar esta comarca; pero espero que no sea cierto. Han ocurrido muchas cosas en la vecindad desde que usted se fue; la señorita Lucas se casó y está establecida en Hunsford, y también se casó una de mis hijas. Supongo que lo habrá usted sabido, seguramente lo habrá leído en los periódicos. Salió en el Times y en el Courrier, sólo que no estaba bien redactado. Decía solamente: «El caballero George Wickham contrajo matrimonio con la señorita Lydia Bennet», sin mencionar a su padre ni decir dónde vivía la novia ni nada. La gacetilla debió de ser obra de mi hermano Gardiner, y no comprendo cómo pudo hacer una cosa tan desabrida. ¿Lo vio usted?
Bingley replied that he did, and made his congratulations. Elizabeth dared not lift up her eyes. How Mr. Darcy looked, therefore, she could not tell.	Bingley respondió que sí y la felicitó. Elizabeth no se atrevía a levantar los ojos y no pudo ver qué cara ponía Darcy.
"It is a delightful thing, to be sure, to have a daughter well married," continued her mother, "but at the same time, Mr. Bingley, it is very hard to have her taken such a way from me. They are gone down to Newcastle, a place quite northward, it seems, and there they are to stay I do not know how long. His regiment is there; for I suppose you have heard of his leaving the ----shire, and of his being gone into the regulars. Thank Heaven! he has some friends, though perhaps not so many as he deserves."	–– Es delicioso tener una hija bien casada –– siguió diciendo –– , pero al mismo tiempo, señor Bingley, es muy duro que se me haya ido tan lejos. Se han trasladado a Newcastle, que cae muy al Norte, según creo, y allí estarán no sé cuánto tiempo. El regimiento de mi yerno está destinado allí, porque habrán usted oído decir que ha dejado la guarnición del condado y que se ha pasado a los regulares. Gracias a Dios tiene todavía algunos amigos, aunque quizá no tantos como merece.
Elizabeth, who knew this to be levelled at Mr. Darcy, was in such misery of shame, that she could hardly keep her seat. It drew from her, however, the exertion of speaking, which nothing else had so effectually done before; and she asked Bingley whether he meant to make any stay in the country at present. A few weeks, he believed.	Elizabeth, sabiendo que esto iba dirigido a Darcy, sintió tanta vergÜenza que apenas podía sostenerse en la silla. Sin embargo, hizo un supremo esfuerzo para hablar y preguntó a Bingley si pensaba permanecer mucho tiempo en el campo. El respondió que unas semanas.
"When you have killed all your own birds, Mr. Bingley," said her mother, "I beg you will come here, and shoot as many as you please on Mr. Bennet′s manor. I am sure he will be vastly happy to oblige you, and will save all the best of the covies for you."	–– Cuando haya matado usted todos sus pájaros, señor Bingley –– dijo la señora Bennet –– , venga y mate todos los que quiera en la propiedad de mi esposo. Estoy segura que tendrá mucho gusto en ello y de que le reservará sus mejores nidadas.
Elizabeth′s misery increased, at such unnecessary, such officious attention! Were the same fair prospect to arise at present as had flattered them a year ago, every thing, she was persuaded, would be hastening to the same vexatious conclusion. At that instant, she felt that years of happiness could not make Jane or herself amends for moments of such painful confusion.	El malestar de Elizabeth aumentó con tan innecesaria y oficiosa atención. No le cabía la menor duda de que todas aquellas ilusiones que renacían después de un año acabarían otra vez del mismo modo. Pensó que años enteros de felicidad no podrían compensarle a ella y a Jane de aquellos momentos de penosa confusión.
"The first wish of my heart," said she to herself, "is never more to be in company with either of them. Their society can afford no pleasure that will atone for such wretchedness as this! Let me never see either one or the other again!"	«No deseo más que una cosa –– se dijo –– , y es no volver a ver a ninguno de estos dos hombres. Todo el placer que pueda proporcionar su compañía no basta para compensar esta vergÜenza. ¡Ojalá no tuviera que volver a encontrármelos nunca!»
Yet the misery, for which years of happiness were to offer no compensation, received soon afterwards material relief, from observing how much the beauty of her sister re-kindled the admiration of her former lover. When first he came in, he had spoken to her but little; but every five minutes seemed to be giving her more of his attention. He found her as handsome as she had been last year; as good natured, and as unaffected, though not quite so chatty. Jane was anxious that no difference should be perceived in her at all, and was really persuaded that she talked as much as ever. But her mind was so busily engaged, that she did not always know when she was silent.	Pero aquella desdicha que no podrían compensar años enteros de felicidad, se atenuó poco después al observar que la belleza de su hermana volvía a despertar la admiración de su antiguo enamorado. Al principio Bingley habló muy poco con Jane, pero a cada instante parecía más prendado de ella. La encontraba tan hermosa como el año anterior, tan sensible y tan afable, aunque no tan habladora. Jane deseaba que no se le notase ninguna variación y creía que hablaba como siempre, pero su mente estaba tan ocupada que a veces no se daba cuenta de su silencio.
When the gentlemen rose to go away, Mrs. Bennet was mindful of her intended civility, and they were invited and engaged to dine at Longbourn in a few days time.	Cuando los caballeros se levantaron para irse, la señora Bennet no olvidó su proyectada invitación. Los dos jóvenes aceptaron y se acordó que cenarían en Longbourn dentro de pocos días.
"You are quite a visit in my debt, Mr. Bingley," she added, "for when you went to town last winter, you promised to take a family dinner with us, as soon as you returned. I have not forgot, you see; and I assure you, I was very much disappointed that you did not come back and keep your engagement."	–– Me debía una visita, señor Bingley añadió la señora Bennet –– , pues cuando se fue usted a la capital el último invierno, me prometió comer en familia con nosotros en cuanto regresara. Ya ve que no lo he olvidado. Estaba muy disgustada porque no volvió usted para cumplir su compromiso.
Bingley looked a little silly at this reflection, and said something of his concern at having been prevented by business. They then went away.	Bingley pareció un poco desconcertado por esa reflexión, y dijo que lo sentía mucho, pero que sus asuntos le habían retenido. Darcy y él se marcharon.
Mrs. Bennet had been strongly inclined to ask them to stay and dine there that day; but, though she always kept a very good table, she did not think anything less than two courses could be good enough for a man on whom she had such anxious designs, or satisfy the appetite and pride of one who had ten thousand a year.	La señora Bennet había estado a punto de invitarles a comer aquel mismo día, pero a pesar de que siempre se comía bien en su casa, no creía que dos platos fuesen de ningún modo suficientes para un hombre que le inspiraba tan ambiciosos proyectos, ni para satisfacer el apetito y el orgullo de otro que tenía diez mil libras al año de renta.

CAPITULO LIII