專四晨讀美文：Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice
Darcy: Good morning, Miss Elizabeth.
Lizzy: Good moring, Mr. Darcy.
Darcy: Mrs. Collins gave me leave to wait on you.
It's no use. I've struggled in vain.
I must tell you how much I admire and love you.
Miss Elizabath, my life and happiness are in your hands.
These last weeks since I left Netherfield
have been empty, meaningless days and nights.
I thought I could put you out of my mind.
That inclination would give way to judgment.
I walked the streets of London
reminding myself of the unsuitability of such a marriage.
Of the obstacles between us.But it won't do.
I can struggle against you no longer.
Lizzy: Mr. Darcy!
Darcy: I've reminded myself again and again
that I have obligation of family and position.
Obligation I was born to. Nothing I tell myself matters.
I love you. I love you.
Lizzy: Do you know what you're saying?
Darcy: Yes my darling. I'm asking you to marry me.
Lizzy: Do you expect me to thank you
for this extraordinary offer of marriage?
Am I supposed to feel flattered
that you have so overcome your aversion to my family
that you're ready to marry into it?
Darcy: But do you expect me to be glad
that your family is inferior to mine?
Lizzy: I suppose I should congratulate you on winning the battle
between your unwilling affection and my unworthiness.
But you see, I have never desired your good opinion.
And if you were not so lacking in perception
you might have spared yourself my refusal.
Darcy: Is this the only reply I'm to be honored with?
Am I perhaps deserved to be told
why I am rejected and with so little civility.
Lizzy: I also might deserve to know
why determined evidently to offend and insult me.
You chose to tell me that you liked me against your will.
Against your reason, against even your character.
Darcy: Well if the manner of my expression…
Lizzy: The manner of your proposal
is only one reason for my incivility, if I have been uncivil.
Even had my feelings been favorable
which they never could have been if they had,
I still have every reason in the world to think ill of you.
Do you think anything would tempt me to accept the man
who has destroyed the happiness of my sister?
The sweetest soul that has ever lived.
How could you do it?
Knowing Jane how could you hurt her so?