Chapter 49
CAPITULO XLIX
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Two days after Mr. Bennet′s return, as Jane and Elizabeth were walking together in the shrubbery behind the house, they saw the housekeeper coming towards them, and, concluding that she came to call them to their mother, went forward to meet her; but, instead of the expected summons, when they approached her, she said to Miss Bennet, "I beg your pardon, madam, for interrupting you, but I was in hopes you might have got some good news from town, so I took the liberty of coming to ask."
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Dos días después de la vuelta del señor Bennet, mientras Jane y Elizabeth paseaban juntas por el plantío de arbustos de detrás de la casa, vieron al ama de llaves que venía hacia ellas. Creyeron que iba a llamarlas de parte de su madre y corrieron a su encuentro; pero la mujer le dijo a Jane: Dispense que la interrumpa, señorita; pero he supuesto que tendría usted alguna buena noticia de la capital y por eso me he tomado la libertad de venir a preguntárselo.
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"What do you mean, Hill? We have heard nothing from town."
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¿Qué dice usted, Hill? No he sabido nada.
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"Dear madam," cried Mrs. Hill, in great astonishment, "don′t you know there is an express come for master from Mr. Gardiner? He has been here this half-hour, and master has had a letter."
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¡Querida señorita! exclamó la señora Hill con gran asombro . ¿Ignora que ha llegado un propio para el amo, enviado por el señor Gardiner? Ha estado aquí media hora y el amo ha tenido una carta.
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Away ran the girls, too eager to get in to have time for speech. They ran through the vestibule into the breakfast-room; from thence to the library; their father was in neither; and they were on the point of seeking him upstairs with their mother, when they were met by the butler, who said:
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Las dos muchachas se precipitaron hacia la casa, demasiado ansiosas para poder seguir conversando. Pasaron del vestíbulo al comedor de allí a la biblioteca, pero su padre no estaba en ninguno de esos sitios; iban a ver si estaba arriba con su madre, cuando se encontraron con el mayordomo que les dijo:
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"If you are looking for my master, ma′am, he is walking towards the little copse."
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Si buscan ustedes a mi amo, señoritas, lo encontrarán paseando por el sotillo.
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Upon this information, they instantly passed through the hall once more, and ran across the lawn after their father, who was deliberately pursuing his way towards a small wood on one side of the paddock.
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Jane y Elizabeth volvieron a atravesar el vestíbulo y, cruzando el césped, corrieron detrás de su padre que se encaminaba hacia un bosquecillo de al lado de la cerca.
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Jane, who was not so light nor so much in the habit of running as Elizabeth, soon lagged behind, while her sister, panting for breath, came up with him, and eagerly cried out:
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Jane, que no era tan ligera ni tenía la costumbre de correr de Elizabeth, se quedó atrás, mientras su hermana llegaba jadeante hasta su padre y exclamó:
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"Oh, papa, what news--what news? Have you heard from my uncle?"
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¿Qué noticias hay, papá? ¿Qué noticias hay? ¿Has sabido algo de mi tío?
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"Yes I have had a letter from him by express."
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Sí, me ha mandado una carta por un propio.
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"Well, and what news does it bring--good or bad?"
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¿Y qué nuevas trae, buenas o malas?
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"What is there of good to be expected?" said he, taking the letter from his pocket. "But perhaps you would like to read it."
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¿Qué se puede esperar de bueno? dijo el padre sacando la carta del bolsillo . Tomad, leed si queréis.
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Elizabeth impatiently caught it from his hand. Jane now came up.
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Elizabeth cogió la carta con impaciencia. Jane llegaba entonces.
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"Read it aloud," said their father, "for I hardly know myself what it is about."
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Léela en voz alta pidió el señor Bennet , porque todavía no sé de qué se trata.
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"Gracechurch Street, Monday, August 2.
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«Gracechurch Street, lunes 2 de agosto.
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"MY DEAR BROTHER,
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»Mi querido hermano:
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"At last I am able to send you some tidings of my niece, and such as, upon the whole, I hope it will give you satisfaction. Soon after you left me on Saturday, I was fortunate enough to find out in what part of London they were. The particulars I reserve till we meet; it is enough to know they are discovered. I have seen them both--"
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Por fin puedo enviarte noticias de mi sobrina, y tales, en conjunto, que espero te satisfagan. Poco después de haberte marchado tú el sábado, tuve la suerte de averiguar en qué parte de Londres se encontraban. Los detalles me los reservo para cuando nos veamos; bástete saber que ya están descubiertos; les he visto a los dos.»
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"Then it is as I always hoped," cried Jane; "they are married!"
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Entonces es lo que siempre he esperado exclamó Jane . ¡Están casados!
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Elizabeth read on:
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Elizabeth siguió leyendo:
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"I have seen them both. They are not married, nor can I find there was any intention of being so; but if you are willing to perform the engagements which I have ventured to make on your side, I hope it will not be long before they are. All that is required of you is, to assure to your daughter, by settlement, her equal share of the five thousand pounds secured among your children after the decease of yourself and my sister; and, moreover, to enter into an engagement of allowing her, during your life, one hundred pounds per annum. These are conditions which, considering everything, I had no hesitation in complying with, as far as I thought myself privileged, for you. I shall send this by express, that no time may be lost in bringing me your answer. You will easily comprehend, from these particulars, that Mr. Wickham′s circumstances are not so hopeless as they are generally believed to be. The world has been deceived in that respect; and I am happy to say there will be some little money, even when all his debts are discharged, to settle on my niece, in addition to her own fortune. If, as I conclude will be the case, you send me full powers to act in your name throughout the whole of this business, I will immediately give directions to Haggerston for preparing a proper settlement. There will not be the smallest occasion for your coming to town again; therefore stay quiet at Longbourn, and depend on my diligence and care. Send back your answer as fast as you can, and be careful to write explicitly. We have judged it best that my niece should be married from this house, of which I hope you will approve. She comes to us to-day. I shall write again as soon as anything more is determined on. Yours, etc.,
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«No están casados ni creo que tengan intención de estarlo, pero si quieres cumplir los compromisos que me he permitido contraer en tu nombre, no pasará mucho sin que lo estén. Todo lo que tienes que hacer es asegurar a tu hija como dote su parte igual en las cinco mil libras que recibirán tus hijas a tu muerte y a la de tu esposa, y prometer que le pasarás, mientras vivas, cien libras anuales. Estas son las condiciones que, bien mirado, no he vacilado en aceptar por ti, pues me creía autorizado para ello. Te mando la presente por un propio, pues no hay tiempo que perder para que me des una contestación. Comprenderás fácilmente por todos los detalles que la situación del señor Wickham no es tan desesperada como se ha creído. La gente se ha equivocado y me complazco en afirmar que después de pagadas todas las deudas todavía quedará algún dinerillo para dotar a mi sobrina como adición a su propia fortuna. Si, como espero, me envías plenos poderes para actuar en tu nombre en todo este asunto, daré órdenes enseguida a Haggerston para que redacte el oportuno documento. No hay ninguna necesidad de que vuelvas a la capital; por consiguiente, quédate tranquilo en Longbourn y confía en mi diligencia y cuidado. Contéstame cuanto antes y procura escribir con claridad. Hemos creído lo mejor que mi sobrina salga de mi casa para ir a casarse, cosa que no dudo aprobarás. Hoy va a venir. Volveré a escribirte tan pronto como haya algo nuevo. »Tuyo,
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"EDW. GARDINER."
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E. Gardiner.»
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"Is it possible?" cried Elizabeth, when she had finished. "Can it be possible that he will marry her?"
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¿Es posible? exclamó Elizabeth al terminar la carta . ¿Será posible que se case con ella?
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"Wickham is not so undeserving, then, as we thought him," said her sister. "My dear father, I congratulate you."
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Entonces Wickham no es tan despreciable como creíamos observó Jane . Querido papá, te doy la enhorabuena.
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"And have you answered the letter?" cried Elizabeth.
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¿Ya has contestado la carta?
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"No; but it must be done soon."
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No, pero hay que hacerlo en seguida.
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Most earnestly did she then entreaty him to lose no more time before he wrote.
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Elizabeth le rogó vehementemente que no lo demorase.
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"Oh! my dear father," she cried, "come back and write immediately. Consider how important every moment is in such a case."
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Querido papá, vuelve a casa y ponte a escribir inmediatamente. Piensa lo importante que son los minutos en estos momentos.
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"Let me write for you," said Jane, "if you dislike the trouble yourself."
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Deja que yo escriba por ti dijo Jane , si no quieres molestarte.
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"I dislike it very much," he replied; "but it must be done."
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Mucho me molesta repuso él , pero no hay más remedio.
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And so saying, he turned back with them, and walked towards the house.
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Y regresó con ellas a la casa.
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"And may I ask--" said Elizabeth; "but the terms, I suppose, must be complied with."
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Supongo que aceptarás añadió Elizabeth.
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"Complied with! I am only ashamed of his asking so little."
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¡Aceptar! ¡Si estoy avergonzado de que pida tan poco!
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"And they must marry! Yet he is such a man!"
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¡Deben casarse! Aunque él sea como es.
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"Yes, yes, they must marry. There is nothing else to be done. But there are two things that I want very much to know; one is, how much money your uncle has laid down to bring it about; and the other, how am I ever to pay him."
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Sí, sí, deben casarse. No se puede hacer otra cosa. Pero hay dos puntos que quiero aclarar: primero, cuánto dinero ha adelantado tu tío para resolver eso, y segundo, cómo voy a pagárselo.
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"Money! My uncle!" cried Jane, "what do you mean, sir?"
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¿Dinero, mi tío? preguntó Jane . ¿Qué quieres decir?
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"I mean, that no man in his senses would marry Lydia on so slight a temptation as one hundred a year during my life, and fifty after I am gone."
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Digo que no hay hombre en su sano juicio que se case con Lydia por tan leve tentación como son cien libras anuales durante mi vida y cincuenta cuando yo me muera.
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"That is very true," said Elizabeth; "though it had not occurred to me before. His debts to be discharged, and something still to remain! Oh! it must be my uncle′s doings! Generous, good man, I am afraid he has distressed himself. A small sum could not do all this."
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Es muy cierto dijo Elizabeth ; no se me había ocurrido. ¡Pagadas sus deudas y que todavía quede algo! Eso debe de ser obra de mi tío. ¡Qué hombre tan bueno y generoso! Temo que esté pasando apuros, pues con una pequeña cantidad no se hace todo eso.
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"No," said her father; "Wickham′s a fool if he takes her with a farthing less than ten thousand pounds. I should be sorry to think so ill of him, in the very beginning of our relationship."
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No dijo el señor Bennet , Wickham es un loco si acepta a Lydia por menos de diez mil libras. Sentiría juzgarle tan mal cuando vamos a empezar a ser parientes.
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"Ten thousand pounds! Heaven forbid! How is half such a sum to be repaid?"
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¡Diez mil libras! ¡No lo quiera Dios! ¿Cuándo podríamos pagar la mitad de esa suma?
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Mr. Bennet made no answer, and each of them, deep in thought, continued silent till they reached the house. Their father then went on to the library to write, and the girls walked into the breakfast-room.
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El señor Bennet no contestó, y, ensimismados todos en sus pensamientos, continuaron en silencio hasta llegar a la casa. El padre se metió en la biblioteca para escribir, y las muchachas se fueron al comedor.
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"And they are really to be married!" cried Elizabeth, as soon as they were by themselves. "How strange this is! And for this we are to be thankful. That they should marry, small as is their chance of happiness, and wretched as is his character, we are forced to rejoice. Oh, Lydia!"
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¿Se irán a casar, de veras? exclamó Elizabeth en cuanto estuvieron solas .¡Qué raro! Y habremos de dar gracias aún. A pesar de las pocas probabilidades de felicidad de ese matrimonio y de la perfidia de Wickham, todavía tendremos que alegrarnos. ¡Oh, Lydia!
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"I comfort myself with thinking," replied Jane, "that he certainly would not marry Lydia if he had not a real regard for her. Though our kind uncle has done something towards clearing him, I cannot believe that ten thousand pounds, or anything like it, has been advanced. He has children of his own, and may have more. How could he spare half ten thousand pounds?"
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Me consuelo pensando replicó Jane que seguramente no se casaría con Lydia si no la quisiera. Aunque nuestro bondadoso tío haya hecho algo por salvarlo, no puedo creer que haya adelantado diez mil libras ni nada parecido. Tiene hijos y puede tener más. No alcanzaría a ahorrar ni la mitad de esa suma.
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"If he were ever able to learn what Wickham′s debts have been," said Elizabeth, "and how much is settled on his side on our sister, we shall exactly know what Mr. Gardiner has done for them, because Wickham has not sixpence of his own. The kindness of my uncle and aunt can never be requited. Their taking her home, and affording her their personal protection and countenance, is such a sacrifice to her advantage as years of gratitude cannot enough acknowledge. By this time she is actually with them! If such goodness does not make her miserable now, she will never deserve to be happy! What a meeting for her, when she first sees my aunt!"
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Si pudiéramos averiguar a cuánto ascienden las deudas de Wickham dijo Elizabeth y cuál es la dote que el tío Gardiner da a nuestra hermana, sabríamos exactamente lo que ha hecho por ellos, pues Wickham no tiene ni medio chelín. Jamás podremos pagar la bondad del tío. El llevarla a su casa y ponerla bajo su dirección y amparo personal es un sacrificio que nunca podremos agradecer bastante. Ahora debe de estar con ellos. Si tanta bondad no le hace sentirse miserable, nunca merecerá ser feliz. ¡Qué vergÜenza para ella encontrarse cara a cara con nuestra tía!
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"We must endeavour to forget all that has passed on either side," said Jane: "I hope and trust they will yet be happy. His consenting to marry her is a proof, I will believe, that he is come to a right way of thinking. Their mutual affection will steady them; and I flatter myself they will settle so quietly, and live in so rational a manner, as may in time make their past imprudence forgotten."
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Unos y otros hemos de procurar olvidar lo sucedido dijo Jane : Espero que todavía sean dichosos. A mi modo de ver, el hecho de que Wickham haya accedido a casarse es prueba de que ha entrado por el buen camino. Su mutuo afecto les hará sentar la cabeza y confío que les volverá tan razonables que con el tiempo nos harán olvidar su pasada imprudencia:
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"Their conduct has been such," replied Elizabeth, "as neither you, nor I, nor anybody can ever forget. It is useless to talk of it."
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Se han portado de tal forma replicó Elizabeth que ni tú; ni yo, ni nadie podrá olvidarla nunca. Es inútil hablar de eso.
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It now occurred to the girls that their mother was in all likelihood perfectly ignorant of what had happened. They went to the library, therefore, and asked their father whether he would not wish them to make it known to her. He was writing and, without raising his head, coolly replied:
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Se les ocurrió entonces a las muchachas que su madre ignoraba por completo todo aquello. Fueron a la biblioteca y le preguntaron a su padre si quería que se lo dijeran. El señor Bennet estaba escribiendo y sin levantar la cabeza contestó fríamente:
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"Just as you please."
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Como gustéis.
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"May we take my uncle′s letter to read to her?"
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¿Podemos enseñarle la carta de tío Gardiner?
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"Take whatever you like, and get away."
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Enseñadle lo que queráis y largaos.
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Elizabeth took the letter from his writing-table, and they went upstairs together. Mary and Kitty were both with Mrs. Bennet: one communication would, therefore, do for all. After a slight preparation for good news, the letter was read aloud. Mrs. Bennet could hardly contain herself. As soon as Jane had read Mr. Gardiner′s hope of Lydia′s being soon married, her joy burst forth, and every following sentence added to its exuberance. She was now in an irritation as violent from delight, as she had ever been fidgety from alarm and vexation. To know that her daughter would be married was enough. She was disturbed by no fear for her felicity, nor humbled by any remembrance of her misconduct.
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Elizabeth cogió la carta de encima del escritorio y las dos hermanas subieron a la habitación de su madre. Mary y Catherine estaban con la señora Bennet, y, por lo tanto, tenían que enterarse también. Después de una ligera preparación para las buenas nuevas, se leyó la carta en voz alta. La señora Bennet apenas pudo contenerse, y en cuanto Jane llegó a las esperanzas del señor Gardiner de que Lydia estaría pronto casada, estalló su gozo, y todas las frases siguientes lo aumentaron. El júbilo le producía ahora una exaltación que la angustia y el pesar no le habían ocasionado. Lo principal era que su hija se casase; el temor de que no fuera feliz no le preocupó lo más mínimo, no la humilló el pensar en su mal proceder.
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"My dear, dear Lydia!" she cried. "This is delightful indeed! She will be married! I shall see her again! She will be married at sixteen! My good, kind brother! I knew how it would be. I knew he would manage everything! How I long to see her! and to see dear Wickham too! But the clothes, the wedding clothes! I will write to my sister Gardiner about them directly. Lizzy, my dear, run down to your father, and ask him how much he will give her. Stay, stay, I will go myself. Ring the bell, Kitty, for Hill. I will put on my things in a moment. My dear, dear Lydia! How merry we shall be together when we meet!"
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¡Mi querida, mi adorada Lydia! exclamó . ¡Es estupendo! ¡Se casará! ¡La volveré a ver! ¡Casada a los dieciséis años! ¡Oh, qué bueno y cariñoso eres, hermano mío! ¡Ya sabía yo que había de ser así, que todo se arreglaría! ¡Qué ganas tengo de verla, y también al querido Wickham! ¿Pero, y los vestidos? ¿Y el traje de novia? Voy a escribirle ahora mismo a mi cuñada para eso. Lizzy, querida mía, corre a ver a tu padre y pregúntale cuánto va a darle. Espera, espera, iré yo misma. Toca la campanilla, Catherine, para que venga Hill. Me vestiré en un momento. ¡Mi querida, mi Lydia de mi alma! ¡Qué contentas nos pondremos las dos al vernos!
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Her eldest daughter endeavoured to give some relief to the violence of these transports, by leading her thoughts to the obligations which Mr. Gardiner′s behaviour laid them all under.
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La hermana mayor trató de moderar un poco la violencia de su exaltación y de hacer pensar a su madre en las obligaciones que el comportamiento del señor Gardiner les imponía a todos.
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"For we must attribute this happy conclusion," she added, "in a great measure to his kindness. We are persuaded that he has pledged himself to assist Mr. Wickham with money."
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Pues hemos de atribuir este feliz desenlace añadió a su generosidad. Estamos convencidos de que ha socorrido a Wickham con su dinero.
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"Well," cried her mother, "it is all very right; who should do it but her own uncle? If he had not had a family of his own, I and my children must have had all his money, you know; and it is the first time we have ever had anything from him, except a few presents. Well! I am so happy! In a short time I shall have a daughter married. Mrs. Wickham! How well it sounds! And she was only sixteen last June. My dear Jane, I am in such a flutter, that I am sure I can′t write; so I will dictate, and you write for me. We will settle with your father about the money afterwards; but the things should be ordered immediately."
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Bueno exclamó la madre , es muy natural. ¿Quién lo había de hacer, más que tu tío? Si no hubiese tenido hijos, habríamos heredado su fortuna, ya lo sabéis, y ésta es la primera vez que hace algo por nosotros, aparte de unos pocos regalos. ¡Qué feliz soy! Dentro de poco tendré una hija casada: ¡la señora Wickham! ¡Qué bien suena! Y cumplió sólo dieciséis años el pasado junio. Querida Jane, estoy tan emocionada que no podré escribir; así que yo dictaré y tú escribirás por mí. Después determinaremos con tu padre lo relativo al dinero, pero las otras cosas hay que arreglarlas ahora mismo.
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She was then proceeding to all the particulars of calico, muslin, and cambric, and would shortly have dictated some very plentiful orders, had not Jane, though with some difficulty, persuaded her to wait till her father was at leisure to be consulted. One day′s delay, she observed, would be of small importance; and her mother was too happy to be quite so obstinate as usual. Other schemes, too, came into her head.
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Se disponía a tratar de todos los particulares sobre sedas, muselinas y batistas, y al instante habría dictado algunas órdenes si Jane no la hubiese convencido, aunque con cierta dificultad, de que primero debería consultar con su marido. Le hizo comprender que un día de retraso no tendría la menor importancia, y la señora Bennet estaba muy feliz para ser tan obstinada como siempre. Además, ya se le habían ocurrido otros planes:
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"I will go to Meryton," said she, "as soon as I am dressed, and tell the good, good news to my sister Philips. And as I come back, I can call on Lady Lucas and Mrs. Long. Kitty, run down and order the carriage. An airing would do me a great deal of good, I am sure. Girls, can I do anything for you in Meryton? Oh! Here comes Hill! My dear Hill, have you heard the good news? Miss Lydia is going to be married; and you shall all have a bowl of punch to make merry at her wedding."
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Iré a Meryton en cuanto me vista, a comunicar tan excelentes noticias a mi hermana Philips. Y al regreso podré visitar a lady Lucas y a la señora Long. ¡Catherine, baja corriendo y pide el coche! Estoy segura de que me sentará muy bien tomar el aire. Niñas, ¿queréis algo para Meryton? ¡Oh!, aquí viene Hill. Querida Hill, ¿se ha enterado ya de las buenas noticias? La señorita Lydia va a casarse, y para que brinden por su boda, se beberán ustedes un ponche.
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Mrs. Hill began instantly to express her joy. Elizabeth received her congratulations amongst the rest, and then, sick of this folly, took refuge in her own room, that she might think with freedom.
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La señora Hill manifestó su satisfacción y les dio sus parabienes a todas. Elizabeth, mareada ante tanta locura, se refugió en su cuarto para dar libre curso a sus pensamientos.
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Poor Lydia′s situation must, at best, be bad enough; but that it was no worse, she had need to be thankful. She felt it so; and though, in looking forward, neither rational happiness nor worldly prosperity could be justly expected for her sister, in looking back to what they had feared, only two hours ago, she felt all the advantages of what they had gained.
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La situación de la pobre Lydia había de ser, aun poniéndose en lo mejor, bastante mala; pero no era eso lo peor; tenía que estar aún agradecida, pues aunque mirando al porvenir su hermana no podía esperar ninguna felicidad razonable ni ninguna prosperidad en el mundo, mirando hacia atrás, a lo que sólo dos horas antes Elizabeth había temido tanto, no se podía negar que todavía había tenido suerte.
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