英文名著精選閱讀：《傲慢與偏見》第二章 第1節
MR. Bennet was among the earliest of those who waited on Mr. Bingley. He had always intended to visit him, though to the last always assuring his wife that he should not go; and till the evening after the visit was paid, she had no knowledge of it. It was then disclosed in the following manner. Observing his second daughter employed in trimming a hat, he suddenly addressed her with,
班納特先生儘管在自己太太面前自始至終都說是不想去拜訪彬格萊先生，事實上一直都打算去拜訪他，而且還是跟第一批人一起去拜訪他的。等到他去拜訪過以後，當天晚上太太才知道實情。這消息透露出來的經過是這樣的--他看到第二個女兒在裝飾帽子，就突然對她說：
"I hope Mr. Bingley will like it, Lizzy."
「我希望彬格萊先生會喜歡你這頂帽子，麗萃。」
"We are not in a way to know what Mr. Bingley likes," said her mother resentfully, "since we are not to visit."
她母親氣憤憤地說：「我們既然不預備去看彬格萊先生，當然就無從知道他喜歡什麼。」
"But you forget, mama," said Elizabeth, "that we shall meet him at the assemblies, and that Mrs. Long has promised to introduce him."
「可是你忘啦，媽媽，」伊莉莎白說，「我們將來可以在跳舞會上碰到他的，郎格太太不是答應過把他介紹給我們嗎?」
"I do not believe Mrs. Long will do any such thing. She has two nieces of her own. She is a selfish, hypocriticalwoman, and I have no opinion of her."
「我不相信郎格太太肯這麼做。她自己有兩個親侄女。她是個自私自利、假仁假義的女人，我瞧不起她。」
"No more have I," said Mr. Bennet; "and I am glad to find that you do not depend on her serving you."
「我也瞧不起她，」班納特先生說;「你倒不指望她來替你效勞，這叫我聽到高興。」
Mrs. Bennet deigned not to make any reply; but unable to contain herself, began scolding one of her daughters.
班納特太太沒有理睬他，可是忍不住氣，便罵起女兒來。
"Don't keep coughing so, Kitty, for heaven's sake! Have a little compassion on my nerves. You tear them to pieces."
「別那麼咳個不停，吉蒂，看老天爺份上吧!稍許體諒一下我的神經吧。你簡直叫我的神經要脹裂啦。」
"Kitty has no discretion in her coughs," said her father; "she times them ill."
「吉蒂真不知趣，」她的父親說;「咳嗽也不知道揀個時候。」
"I do not cough for my own amusement," replied Kitty fretfully.
「我又不是故意咳著玩兒。」吉蒂氣惱地回答道。
"When is your next ball to be, Lizzy?"
「你們的跳舞會定在那一天開，麗萃?」
"To-morrow fortnight."
「從明天算起，還得再過兩個星期。」
"Aye, so it is," cried her mother, "and Mrs. Long does not come back till the day before; so it will be impossible for her to introduce him, for she will not know him herself."
「唔，原來如此，」她的母親嚷道，「郎格太太可要挨到開跳舞會的前一天才能趕回來;那麼，她可來不及把他介紹給你們啦，她自己也還不認識他呢。」
"Then, my dear, you may have the advantage of your friend, and introduce Mr. Bingley to her."
「那麼，好太太，你正可以佔你朋友的上風，反過來替她介紹這位貴人啦。」
"Impossible, Mr. Bennet, impossible, when I am not acquainted with him myself; how can you be so teazing?"
「辦不到，我的好老爺，辦不到，我自己還不認識他呢;你怎麼可以這樣嘲笑人?」