Chapter 44
CAPITULO XLIV
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Elizabeth had settled it that Mr. Darcy would bring his sister to visit her the very day after her reaching Pemberley; and was consequently resolved not to be out of sight of the inn the whole of that morning. But her conclusion was false; for on the very morning after their arrival at Lambton, these visitors came. They had been walking about the place with some of their new friends, and were just returning to the inn to dress themselves for dining with the same family, when the sound of a carriage drew them to a window, and they saw a gentleman and a lady in a curricle driving up the street. Elizabeth immediately recognizing the livery, guessed what it meant, and imparted no small degree of her surprise to her relations by acquainting them with the honour which she expected. Her uncle and aunt were all amazement; and the embarrassment of her manner as she spoke, joined to the circumstance itself, and many of the circumstances of the preceding day, opened to them a new idea on the business. Nothing had ever suggested it before, but they felt that there was no other way of accounting for such attentions from such a quarter than by supposing a partiality for their niece. While these newly-born notions were passing in their heads, the perturbation of Elizabeth′s feelings was at every moment increasing. She was quite amazed at her own discomposure; but amongst other causes of disquiet, she dreaded lest the partiality of the brother should have said too much in her favour; and, more than commonly anxious to please, she naturally suspected that every power of pleasing would fail her.
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Elizabeth había calculado que Darcy llevaría a su hermana a visitarla al día siguiente de su llegada a Pemberley, y en consecuencia, resolvió no perder de vista la fonda en toda aquella mañana. Pero se equivocó, pues recibió la visita el mismo día que llegaron. Los Gardiner y Elizabeth habían estado paseando por el pueblo con algunos de los nuevos amigos, y regresaban en aquel momento a la fonda para vestirse e ir a comer con ellos, cuando el ruido de un carruaje les hizo asomarse a la ventana y vieron a un caballero y a una señorita en un cabriolé que subía por la calle. Elizabeth reconoció al instante la librea de los lacayos, adivinó lo que aquello significaba y dejó a sus tíos atónitos al comunicarles el honor que les esperaba. Estaban asustados; aquella visita, lo desconcertada que estaba Elizabeth y las circunstancias del día anterior les hicieron formar una nueva idea del asunto. No había habido nada que lo sugiriese anteriormente, pero ahora se daban cuenta que no había otro modo de explicar las atenciones de Darcy más que suponiéndole interesado por su sobrina. Mientras ellos pensaban en todo esto, la turbación de Elizabeth aumentaba por momentos. Le alarmaba su propio desconcierto, y entre las otras causas de su desasosiego figuraba la idea de que Darcy, en su entusiasmo, le hubiese hablado de ella a su hermana con demasiado elogio. Deseaba agradar más que nunca, pero sospechaba que no iba a poder conseguirlo.
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She retreated from the window, fearful of being seen; and as she walked up and down the room, endeavouring to compose herself, saw such looks of inquiring surprise in her uncle and aunt as made everything worse.
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Se retiró de la ventana por temor a que la viesen, y, mientras paseaba de un lado a otro de la habitación, las miradas interrogantes de sus tíos la ponían aún más nerviosa.
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Miss Darcy and her brother appeared, and this formidable introduction took place. With astonishment did Elizabeth see that her new acquaintance was at least as much embarrassed as herself. Since her being at Lambton, she had heard that Miss Darcy was exceedingly proud; but the observation of a very few minutes convinced her that she was only exceedingly shy. She found it difficult to obtain even a word from her beyond a monosyllable.
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Por fin aparecieron la señorita Darcy y su hermano y la gran presentación tuvo lugar. Elizabeth notó con asombro que su nueva conocida estaba, al menos, tan turbada como ella. Desde que llegó a Lambton había oído decir que la señorita Darcy era extremadamente orgullosa pero, después de haberla observado unos minutos, se convenció de que sólo era extremadamente tímida. Difícilmente consiguió arrancarle una palabra, a no ser unos cuantos monosílabos.
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Miss Darcy was tall, and on a larger scale than Elizabeth; and, though little more than sixteen, her figure was formed, and her appearance womanly and graceful. She was less handsome than her brother; but there was sense and good humour in her face, and her manners were perfectly unassuming and gentle. Elizabeth, who had expected to find in her as acute and unembarrassed an observer as ever Mr. Darcy had been, was much relieved by discerning such different feelings.
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La señorita Darcy era más alta que Elizabeth y, aunque no tenía más que dieciséis años, su cuerpo estaba ya formado y su aspecto era muy femenino y grácil. No era tan guapa como su hermano, pero su rostro revelaba inteligencia y buen carácter, y sus modales eran sencillísimos y gentiles. Elizabeth, que había temido que fuese una observadora tan aguda y desenvuelta como Darcy, experimentó un gran alivio al ver lo distinta que era.
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They had not long been together before Mr. Darcy told her that Bingley was also coming to wait on her; and she had barely time to express her satisfaction, and prepare for such a visitor, when Bingley′s quick step was heard on the stairs, and in a moment he entered the room. All Elizabeth′s anger against him had been long done away; but had she still felt any, it could hardly have stood its ground against the unaffected cordiality with which he expressed himself on seeing her again. He inquired in a friendly, though general way, after her family, and looked and spoke with the same good-humoured ease that he had ever done.
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Poco rato llevaban de conversación, cuando Darcy le dijo a Elizabeth que Bingley vendría también a visitarla, y apenas había tenido tiempo la joven de expresar su satisfacción y prepararse para recibirle cuando oyeron los precipitados pasos de Bingley en la escalera, y en seguida entró en la habitación. Toda la indignación de Elizabeth contra él había desaparecido desde hacía tiempo, pero si todavía le hubiese quedado algún rencor, no habría podido resistirse a la franca cordialidad que Bingley le demostró al verla de nuevo. Le preguntó por su familia de manera cariñosa, aunque en general, y se comportó y habló con su acostumbrado buen humor.
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To Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner he was scarcely a less interesting personage than to herself. They had long wished to see him. The whole party before them, indeed, excited a lively attention. The suspicions which had just arisen of Mr. Darcy and their niece directed their observation towards each with an earnest though guarded inquiry; and they soon drew from those inquiries the full conviction that one of them at least knew what it was to love. Of the lady′s sensations they remained a little in doubt; but that the gentleman was overflowing with admiration was evident enough.
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Los señores Gardiner acogieron a Bingley con el mismo interés que Elizabeth. Hacía tiempo que tenían ganas de conocerle. A decir verdad, todos los presentes les inspiraban la más viva curiosidad. Las sospechas que acababan de concebir sobre Darcy y su sobrina les llevaron a concentrar su atención en ellos examinándolos detenidamente, aunque con disimulo, y muy pronto se dieron cuenta de que al menos uno de ellos estaba muy enamorado. Los sentimientos de Elizabeth eran algo dudosos, pero era evidente que Darcy rebosaba admiración a todas luces.
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Elizabeth, on her side, had much to do. She wanted to ascertain the feelings of each of her visitors; she wanted to compose her own, and to make herself agreeable to all; and in the latter object, where she feared most to fail, she was most sure of success, for those to whom she endeavoured to give pleasure were prepossessed in her favour. Bingley was ready, Georgiana was eager, and Darcy determined, to be pleased.
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Elizabeth, por su parte, tenía mucho que hacer. Debía adivinar los sentimientos de cada uno de sus visitantes y al mismo tiempo tenía que contener los suyos y hacerse agradable a todos. Bien es verdad que lo último, que era lo que más miedo le daba, era lo que con más seguridad podía conseguir, pues los interesados estaban ya muy predispuestos en su favor. Bingley estaba listo, Georgiana lo deseaba y Darcy estaba completamente decidido.
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In seeing Bingley, her thoughts naturally flew to her sister; and, oh! how ardently did she long to know whether any of his were directed in a like manner. Sometimes she could fancy that he talked less than on former occasions, and once or twice pleased herself with the notion that, as he looked at her, he was trying to trace a resemblance. But, though this might be imaginary, she could not be deceived as to his behaviour to Miss Darcy, who had been set up as a rival to Jane. No look appeared on either side that spoke particular regard. Nothing occurred between them that could justify the hopes of his sister. On this point she was soon satisfied; and two or three little circumstances occurred ere they parted, which, in her anxious interpretation, denoted a recollection of Jane not untinctured by tenderness, and a wish of saying more that might lead to the mention of her, had he dared. He observed to her, at a moment when the others were talking together, and in a tone which had something of real regret, that it "was a very long time since he had had the pleasure of seeing her;" and, before she could reply, he added, "It is above eight months. We have not met since the 26th of November, when we were all dancing together at Netherfield."
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Al ver a Bingley, los pensamientos de Elizabeth volaron, como es natural, hacia su hermana, y se dedicó afanosamente a observar si alguno de los pensamientos de aquél iban en la misma dirección. Se hacía ilusiones pensando que hablaba menos que en otras ocasiones, y una o dos veces se complació en la idea de que, al mirarla, Bingley trataba de buscar un parecido. Pero, aunque todo eso no fuesen más que fantasías suyas, no podía equivocarse en cuanto a su conducta con la señorita Darcy, de la que le habían hablado como presunta rival de Jane. No notó ni una mirada por parte del uno ni por parte del otro que pudiese justificar las esperanzas de la hermana de Bingley. En lo referente a este tema se quedó plenamente satisfecha. Antes de que se fueran, todavía notó por dos o tres pequeños detalles que Bingley se acordaba de Jane con ternura y parecía que quería decir algo más y que no se atrevía. En un momento en que los demás conversaban, lo dijo en un tono pesaroso: ¡Cuánto tiempo hacía que no tenía el gusto de verla! Y, antes de que Elizabeth tuviese tiempo de responder, añadió: Hace cerca de ocho meses. No nos habíamos visto desde el veintiséis de noviembre cuando bailamos todos juntos en Netherfield.
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Elizabeth was pleased to find his memory so exact; and he afterwards took occasion to ask her, when unattended to by any of the rest, whether all her sisters were at Longbourn. There was not much in the question, nor in the preceding remark; but there was a look and a manner which gave them meaning.
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Elizabeth se alegró de ver que no le fallaba la memoria. Después, aprovechando que los demás estaban distraídos, le preguntó si todas sus hermanas estaban en Longbourn. Ni la pregunta ni el recuerdo anterior eran importantes, pero la mirada y el gesto de Bingley fueron muy significativos.
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It was not often that she could turn her eyes on Mr. Darcy himself; but, whenever she did catch a glimpse, she saw an expression of general complaisance, and in all that he said she heard an accent so removed from hauteur or disdain of his companions, as convinced her that the improvement of manners which she had yesterday witnessed however temporary its existence might prove, had at least outlived one day. When she saw him thus seeking the acquaintance and courting the good opinion of people with whom any intercourse a few months ago would have been a disgrace--when she saw him thus civil, not only to herself, but to the very relations whom he had openly disdained, and recollected their last lively scene in Hunsford Parsonage--the difference, the change was so great, and struck so forcibly on her mind, that she could hardly restrain her astonishment from being visible. Never, even in the company of his dear friends at Netherfield, or his dignified relations at Rosings, had she seen him so desirous to please, so free from self-consequence or unbending reserve, as now, when no importance could result from the success of his endeavours, and when even the acquaintance of those to whom his attentions were addressed would draw down the ridicule and censure of the ladies both of Netherfield and Rosings.
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Elizabeth no miraba muy a menudo a Darcy; pero cuando lo hacía, veía en él una expresión de complacencia y en lo que decía percibía un acento que borraba todo desdén o altanería hacia sus acompañantes, y la convencía de que la mejoría de su carácter de la que había sido testigo el día anterior, aunque fuese pasajera, había durado, al menos, hasta la fecha. Al verle intentando ser sociable, procurando la buena opinión de los allí presentes, con los que tener algún trato hacía unos meses habría significado para él una deshonra; al verle tan cortés, no sólo con ella, sino con los mismísimos parientes que había despreciado, y recordaba la violenta escena en la casa parroquial de Hunsford, la diferencia, el cambio era tan grande, que a duras penas pudo impedir que su asombro se hiciera visible. Nunca, ni en compañía de sus queridos amigos en Netherfield, ni en la de sus encopetadas parientes de Rosings, le había hallado tan ansioso de agradar, tan ajeno a darse importancia ni a mostrarse reservado, como ahora en que ninguna vanidad podía obtener con el éxito de su empeño, y en que el trato con aquellos a quienes colmaba de atenciones habría sido censurado y ridiculizado por las señoras de Netherfield y de Rosings.
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Their visitors stayed with them above half-an-hour; and when they arose to depart, Mr. Darcy called on his sister to join him in expressing their wish of seeing Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, and Miss Bennet, to dinner at Pemberley, before they left the country. Miss Darcy, though with a diffidence which marked her little in the habit of giving invitations, readily obeyed. Mrs. Gardiner looked at her niece, desirous of knowing how she ; whom the invitation most concerned, felt disposed as to its acceptance, but Elizabeth had turned away her head. Presuming however, that this studied avoidance spoke rather a momentary embarrassment than any dislike of the proposal, and seeing in her husband, who was fond of society, a perfect willingness to accept it, she ventured to engage for her attendance, and the day after the next was fixed on.
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La visita duró una media hora, y cuando se levantaron para despedirse, Darcy pidió a su hermana que apoyase la invitación a los Gardiner y a la señorita Bennet, para que fuesen a cenar en Pemberley antes de irse de la comarca. La señorita Darcy, aunque con una timidez que descubría su poca costumbre de hacer invitaciones, obedeció al punto. La señora Gardiner miró a su sobrina para ver cómo ésta, a quien iba dirigida la invitación, la acogería; pero Elizabeth había vuelto la cabeza. Presumió, sin embargo, que su estudiada evasiva significaba más bien un momentáneo desconcierto que disgusto por la proposición, y viendo a su marido, que era muy aficionado a la vida social, deseoso de acceder, se arriesgó a aceptar en nombre de los tres; y la fecha se fijó para dos días después.
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Bingley expressed great pleasure in the certainty of seeing Elizabeth again, having still a great deal to say to her, and many inquiries to make after all their Hertfordshire friends. Elizabeth, construing all this into a wish of hearing her speak of her sister, was pleased, and on this account, as well as some others, found herself, when their visitors left them, capable of considering the last half-hour with some satisfaction, though while it was passing, the enjoyment of it had been little. Eager to be alone, and fearful of inquiries or hints from her uncle and aunt, she stayed with them only long enough to hear their favourable opinion of Bingley, and then hurried away to dress.
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Bingley se manifestó encantado de saber que iba a volver a ver a Elizabeth, pues tenía que decirle aún muchas cosas y hacerle muchas preguntas acerca de todos los amigos de Hertfordshire. Elizabeth creyó entender que deseaba oírle hablar de su hermana y se quedó muy complacida. Este y algunos otros detalles de la visita la dejaron dispuesta, en cuanto se hubieron ido sus amigos, a recordarla con agrado, aunque durante la misma se hubiese sentido un poco incómoda. Con el ansia de estar sola y temerosa de las preguntas o suposiciones de sus tíos, estuvo con ellos el tiempo suficiente para oír sus comentarios favorables acerca de Bingley, y se apresuró a vestirse.
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But she had no reason to fear Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner′s curiosity; it was not their wish to force her communication. It was evident that she was much better acquainted with Mr. Darcy than they had before any idea of; it was evident that he was very much in love with her. They saw much to interest, but nothing to justify inquiry.
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Pero estaba muy equivocada al temer la curiosidad de los señores Gardiner, que no tenían la menor intención de hacerle hablar. Era evidente que sus relaciones con Darcy eran mucho más serias de lo que ellos habían creído, y estaba más claro que el agua que él estaba enamoradísimo de ella. Habían visto muchas cosas que les interesaban, pero no justificaban su indagación.
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Of Mr. Darcy it was now a matter of anxiety to think well; and, as far as their acquaintance reached, there was no fault to find. They could not be untouched by his politeness; and had they drawn his character from their own feelings and his servant′s report, without any reference to any other account, the circle in Hertfordshire to which he was known would not have recognized it for Mr. Darcy. There was now an interest, however, in believing the housekeeper; and they soon became sensible that the authority of a servant who had known him since he was four years old, and whose own manners indicated respectability, was not to be hastily rejected. Neither had anything occurred in the intelligence of their Lambton friends that could materially lessen its weight. They had nothing to accuse him of but pride; pride he probably had, and if not, it would certainly be imputed by the inhabitants of a small market-town where the family did not visit. It was acknowledged, however, that he was a liberal man, and did much good among the poor.
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Lo importante ahora era que Darcy fuese un buen muchacho. Por lo que ellos podían haber apreciado, no tenía peros. Sus amabilidades les habían conmovido, y si hubiesen tenido que describir su carácter según su propia opinión y según los informes de su sirvienta, prescindiendo de cualquier otra referencia, lo habrían hecho de tal modo que el círculo de Hertfordshire que le conocía no lo habría reconocido. Deseaban ahora dar crédito al ama de llaves y pronto convinieron en que el testimonio de una criada que le conocía desde los cuatro años y que parecía tan respetable, no podía ser puesto en tela de juicio. Por otra parte, en lo que decían sus amigos de Lambton no había nada capaz de aminorar el peso de aquel testimonio. No le acusaban más que de orgullo; orgulloso puede que sí lo fuera, pero, aunque no lo hubiera sido, los habitantes de aquella pequeña ciudad comercial, donde nunca iba la familia de Pemberley, del mismo modo le habrían atribuido el calificativo. Pero decían que era muy generoso y que hacía mucho bien entre los pobres.
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With respect to Wickham, the travellers soon found that he was not held there in much estimation; for though the chief of his concerns with the son of his patron were imperfectly understood, it was yet a well-known fact that, on his quitting Derbyshire, he had left many debts behind him, which Mr. Darcy afterwards discharged.
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En cuanto a Wickham, los viajeros vieron pronto que no se le tenía allí en mucha estima; no se sabía lo principal de sus relaciones con el hijo de su señor, pero en cambio era notorio el hecho de que al salir de Derbyshire había dejado una multitud de deudas que Darcy había pagado.
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As for Elizabeth, her thoughts were at Pemberley this evening more than the last; and the evening, though as it passed it seemed long, was not long enough to determine her feelings towards one in that mansion; and she lay awake two whole hours endeavouring to make them out. She certainly did not hate him. No; hatred had vanished long ago, and she had almost as long been ashamed of ever feeling a dislike against him, that could be so called. The respect created by the conviction of his valuable qualities, though at first unwillingly admitted, had for some time ceased to be repugnant to her feeling; and it was now heightened into somewhat of a friendlier nature, by the testimony so highly in his favour, and bringing forward his disposition in so amiable a light, which yesterday had produced. But above all, above respect and esteem, there was a motive within her of goodwill which could not be overlooked. It was gratitude; gratitude, not merely for having once loved her, but for loving her still well enough to forgive all the petulance and acrimony of her manner in rejecting him, and all the unjust accusations accompanying her rejection. He who, she had been persuaded, would avoid her as his greatest enemy, seemed, on this accidental meeting, most eager to preserve the acquaintance, and without any indelicate display of regard, or any peculiarity of manner, where their two selves only were concerned, was soliciting the good opinion of her friends, and bent on making her known to his sister. Such a change in a man of so much pride exciting not only astonishment but gratitude--for to love, ardent love, it must be attributed; and as such its impression on her was of a sort to be encouraged, as by no means unpleasing, though it could not be exactly defined. She respected, she esteemed, she was grateful to him, she felt a real interest in his welfare; and she only wanted to know how far she wished that welfare to depend upon herself, and how far it would be for the happiness of both that she should employ the power, which her fancy told her she still possessed, of bringing on her the renewal of his addresses.
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Elizabeth pensó aquella noche en Pemberley más aún que la anterior. Le pareció larguísima, pero no lo bastante para determinar sus sentimientos hacia uno de los habitantes de la mansión. Después de acostarse estuvo despierta durante dos horas intentando descifrarlos. No le odiaba, eso no; el odio se había desvanecido hacía mucho, y durante casi todo ese tiempo se había avergonzado de haber sentido contra aquella persona un desagrado que pudiera recibir ese nombre. El respeto debido a sus valiosas cualidades, aunque admitido al principio contra su voluntad, había contribuido a que cesara la hostilidad de sus sentimientos y éstos habían evolucionado hasta convertirse en afectuosos ante el importante testimonio en su favor que había oído y ante la buena disposición que él mismo había mostrado el día anterior. Pero por encima de todo eso, por encima del respeto y la estima, sentía Elizabeth otro impulso de benevolencia hacia Darcy que no podía pasarse por alto. Era gratitud; gratitud no sólo por haberla amado, sino por amarla todavía lo bastante para olvidar toda la petulancia y mordacidad de su rechazo y todas las injustas acusaciones que lo acompañaron. Él, que debía considerarla así lo suponía Elizabeth como a su mayor enemiga, al encontrarla casualmente parecía deseoso de conservar su amistad, y sin ninguna demostración de indelicadeza ni afectación en su trato, en un asunto que sólo a los dos interesaba, solicitaba la buena opinión de sus amigos y se decidía a presentarle a su hermana. Semejante cambio en un hombre tan orgulloso no sólo tenía que inspirar asombro, sino también gratitud, pues había que atribuirlo al amor, a un amor apasionado. Pero, aunque esta impresión era alentadora y muy contraria al desagrado, no podía definirla con exactitud. Le respetaba, le estimaba, le estaba agradecida, y deseaba vivamente que fuese feliz. No necesitaba más que saber hasta qué punto deseaba que aquella felicidad dependiera de ella, y hasta qué punto redundaría en la felicidad de ambos que emplease el poder que imaginaba poseer aún de inducirle a renovar su proposición.
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It had been settled in the evening between the aunt and the niece, that such a striking civility as Miss Darcy′s in coming to see them on the very day of her arrival at Pemberley, for she had reached it only to a late breakfast, ought to be imitated, though it could not be equalled, by some exertion of politeness on their side; and, consequently, that it would be highly expedient to wait on her at Pemberley the following morning. They were, therefore, to go. Elizabeth was pleased; though when she asked herself the reason, she had very little to say in reply.
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Por la tarde la tía y la sobrina acordaron que una atención tan extraordinaria como la de la visita de la señorita Darcy el mismo día de su llegada a Pemberley donde había llegado poco después del desayuno debía ser correspondida, si no con algo equivalente, por lo menos con alguna cortesía especial. Por lo tanto, decidieron ir a visitarla a Pemberley a la mañana siguiente. Elizabeth se sentía contenta, a pesar de que cuando se preguntaba por qué, no alcanzaba a encontrar una respuesta.
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Mr. Gardiner left them soon after breakfast. The fishing scheme had been renewed the day before, and a positive engagement made of his meeting some of the gentlemen at Pemberley before noon.
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Después del desayuno, el señor Gardiner las dejó. El ofrecimiento de la pesca había sido renovado el día anterior y le habían asegurado que a mediodía le acompañaría alguno de los caballeros de Pemberley.
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