Orgueil et Préjugé

Pride and Prejudice

de Jane Austen

by Jane Austen
Traduction de Eloïse Perks
(trad. 1822 — republiée 1966)
(1817)
 

Chapitre 15

Chapter 15

M. Colins était né sans esprit, il n’avait reçu qu’une éducation très imparfaite, ayant passé la plus grande partie de sa vie sous la tutelle d’un père avare et ignorant ; toutes ses études s’étaient bornées à suivre simplement les cours de l’université, sans y contracter de liaisons qui pussent contribuer à le former. La dépendance dans laquelle son père l’avait tenu lui donna de bonne heure des manières fort humbles accompagnées de beaucoup de vanité, que lui inspiraient dans la retraite le défaut de comparaison de lui-même avec d’autres et le prompt avancement qu’il avait obtenu. Il eut le bonheur d’être recommandé à lady Catherine de Brough lors de la vacance de la cure d’Hunsford, et le respect que lui inspirait le rang de cette dame, sa vénération pour elle, se mêlant à l’idée favorable qu’il avait de son propre mérite, de son autorité comme ecclésiastique et comme chef de paroisse, en faisaient un étrange assemblage d’orgueil et de soumission, de suffisance et d’humilité.

Mr. Collins was not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature had been but little assisted by education or society; the greatest part of his life having been spent under the guidance of an illiterate and miserly father; and though he belonged to one of the universities, he had merely kept the necessary terms, without forming at it any useful acquaintance. The subjection in which his father had brought him up had given him originally great humility of manner; but it was now a good deal counteracted by the self-conceit of a weak head, living in retirement, and the consequential feelings of early and unexpected prosperity. A fortunate chance had recommended him to Lady Catherine de Bourgh when the living of Hunsford was vacant; and the respect which he felt for her high rank, and his veneration for her as his patroness, mingling with a very good opinion of himself, of his authority as a clergyman, and his right as a rector, made him altogether a mixture of pride and obsequiousness, self-importance and humility.

Se voyant une bonne maison, une fortune aisée, il voulut se marier, et ce motif entra pour beaucoup dans ses vues de réconciliation avec la famille Bennet ; il comptait épouser une des demoiselles, si toutefois il les trouvait aussi belles, aussi aimables, aussi parfaites qu’on le disait.

Having now a good house and a very sufficient income, he intended to marry; and in seeking a reconciliation with the Longbourn family he had a wife in view, as he meant to chuse one of the daughters, if he found them as handsome and amiable as they were represented by common report.

Voilà quels étaient ses accommodants projets. Il crut n’en pouvoir proposer de plus convenables, et en cela il s’imaginait faire preuve de désintéressement et d’une générosité rare.

This was his plan of amends—of atonement—for inheriting their father's estate; and he thought it an excellent one, full of eligibility and suitableness, and excessively generous and disinterested on his own part.

La vue de ses cousines ne changea rien à ses résolutions, mais la jolie figure de Mlle Bennet fixa entièrement ses idées sur le droit de primogéniture. Le premier soir son choix fut fait, mais le lendemain amena quelque changement. Dans un quart d’heure de tête à tête avec Mme Bennet, la conversation, commençant par des détails sur son presbytère d’Hunsford, l’amena naturellement à dire que son espoir était de trouver à Longbourn une compagne qui voulût en partager la possession. Un sourire de Mme Bennet répondait à chaque mot de cette déclaration ; elle crut aussi lui devoir un avertissement au sujet de cette même Hélen, l’objet de sa préférence. C’était que, quant à ses autres filles, elle les croyait libres : « Mais je me trouve, ajouta-t-elle, obligée de vous prévenir que l’aînée pourrait bien ne pas l’être longtemps. »

His plan did not vary on seeing them.—Miss Bennet's lovely face confirmed his views, and established all his strictest notions of what was due to seniority; and for the first evening she was his settled choice. The next morning, however, made an alteration; for in a quarter of an hour's tête-à-tête with Mrs. Bennet before breakfast, a conversation beginning with his parsonage-house, and leading naturally to the avowal of his hopes, that a mistress for it might be found at Longbourn, produced from her, amid very complaisant smiles and general encouragement, a caution against the very Jane he had fixed on.—"As to her younger daughters she could not take upon her to say—she could not positively answer—but she did not know of any prepossession;—her eldest daughter, she must just mention—she felt it incumbent on her to hint, was likely to be very soon engaged."

Tout le changement qu’avait à faire M. Colins, c’était de transporter son affection d’Hélen à Élisabeth ; et l’affaire fut bientôt faite. Cette résolution s’opéra pendant que Mme Bennet arrangeait le feu de la cheminée.

Mr. Collins had only to change from Jane to Elizabeth—and it was soon done—done while Mrs. Bennet was stirring the fire.—Elizabeth, equally next to Jane in birth and beauty, succeeded her of course.

Mrs. Bennet treasured up the hint, and trusted that she might soon have two daughters married; and the man whom she could not bear to speak of the day before was now high in her good graces.

Le projet de Lydia d’aller à Meryton n’était point oublié : toutes les sœurs, excepté Mary, consentaient à l’accompagner, et M. Colins devait les escorter, à la prière de M. Bennet, qui trouva ce moyen de s’en débarrasser et d’être enfin seul dans son cabinet. M. Colins l’y avait suivi aussitôt après le déjeuner et s’y était établi, comme pour lire un des in-folios de la bibliothèque, mais bien plus occupé de la description détaillée qu’il faisait de sa maison et de son jardin d’Hunsford.

Lydia's intention of walking to Meryton was not forgotten; every sister except Mary agreed to go with her; and Mr. Collins was to attend them, at the request of Mr. Bennet, who was most anxious to get rid of him, and have his library to himself; for thither Mr. Collins had followed him after breakfast; and there he would continue, nominally engaged with one of the largest folios in the collection, but really talking to Mr. Bennet, with little cessation, of his house and garden at Hunsford.

M. Bennet perdait patience. « Dans mon cabinet je trouve le repos, avait-il coutume de dire à Élisabeth ; et, habitué à ne voir que folie et vanité dans le reste de la maison, là du moins rien ne me blesse… »

Il fut donc très pressant dans son invitation à M. Colins d’accompagner ses filles ; et lui, à qui la promenade convenait mieux que la lecture, fut fort aise d’y aller et de fermer son gros livre.

Such doings discomposed Mr. Bennet exceedingly. In his library he had been always sure of leisure and tranquillity; and though prepared, as he told Elizabeth, to meet with folly and conceit in every other room of the house, he was used to be free from them there; his civility, therefore, was most prompt in inviting Mr. Collins to join his daughters in their walk; and Mr. Collins, being in fact much better fitted for a walker than a reader, was extremely pleased to close his large book, and go.

Fades compliments de son côté, réponses polies de la part des demoiselles formèrent toute leur conversation jusqu’à Meryton. Là cessa le peu d’attention que lui prêtaient les deux plus jeunes ; uniquement occupées des officiers, leurs yeux les cherchaient avec impatience : une mousseline d’un nouveau goût, le magasin de modes le mieux assorti purent à peine les distraire un moment.

In pompous nothings on his side, and civil assents on that of his cousins, their time passed till they entered Meryton. The attention of the younger ones was then no longer to be gained by him. Their eyes were immediately wandering up in the street in quest of the officers, and nothing less than a very smart bonnet indeed, or a really new muslin in a shop window, could recal them.

Mais bientôt un jeune homme de l’air le plus distingué attira l’attention de toutes ces dames, qui le voyaient pour la première fois ; il paraissait se promener de l’autre côté de la rue avec un officier.

But the attention of every lady was soon caught by a young man, whom they had never seen before, of most gentlemanlike appearance, walking with another officer on the other side of the way.

L’officier n’était autre que ce M. Denny dont Lydia avait parlé la veille ; il les reconnut aussitôt et, s’approchant d’elles, demanda la permission de leur présenter son ami M. Wickham, avec lui arrivé nouvellement de Londres, et nouveau sous-lieutenant dans le même régiment ; circonstance fort heureuse, car il ne manquait au jeune homme que des épaulettes pour être tout à fait charmant… grand, bien fait, d’une jolie figure et se présentant avec grâce. Après les premiers compliments, il leur adressa la parole d’une manière aisée ; une conversation s’engagea, qui fut interrompue par des pas de chevaux, et l’on vit arriver Darcy et Bingley ; ceux-ci, reconnaissant ces dames, descendirent et s’approchèrent d’elles. Dès ce moment, Bingley fit presque tous les frais de la conversation, et Mlle Bennet en fut le principal objet. Il était, dit-il, en chemin pour se rendre à Longbourn et savoir de ses nouvelles. M. Darcy appuya ce dire de son ami, et ses yeux, qui semblaient éviter ceux d’Élisabeth, tombèrent tout à coup sur l’étranger. Élisabeth, au même moment, non sans une extrême surprise, aperçut l’effet de ce regard, différent sur tous deux, mais également prompt… L’un pâlit, l’autre rougit, M. Wickham fit un commencement de salut, que l’autre à peine daigna apercevoir.

The officer was the very Mr. Denny concerning whose return from London Lydia came to inquire, and he bowed as they passed. All were struck with the stranger's air, all wondered who he could be; and Kitty and Lydia, determined if possible to find out, led the way across the street, under pretense of wanting something in an opposite shop, and fortunately had just gained the pavement when the two gentlemen, turning back, had reached the same spot. Mr. Denny addressed them directly, and entreated permission to introduce his friend, Mr. Wickham, who had returned with him the day before from town, and he was happy to say had accepted a commission in their corps. This was exactly as it should be; for the young man wanted only regimentals to make him completely charming. His appearance was greatly in his favour; he had all the best part of beauty, a fine countenance, a good figure, and very pleasing address. The introduction was followed up on his side by a happy readiness of conversation—a readiness at the same time perfectly correct and unassuming; and the whole party were still standing and talking together very agreeably, when the sound of horses drew their notice, and Darcy and Bingley were seen riding down the street. On distinguishing the ladies of the group, the two gentlemen came directly towards them, and began the usual civilities. Bingley was the principal spokesman, and Miss Bennet the principal object. He was then, he said, on his way to Longbourn on purpose to inquire after her. Mr. Darcy corroborated it with a bow, and was beginning to determine not to fix his eyes on Elizabeth, they were suddenly arrested by the sight of the stranger, and Elizabeth happening to see the countenance of both as they looked at each other, was all astonishment at the effect of the meeting. Both changed colour, one looked white, the other red. Mr. Wickham, after a few moments, touched his hat—a salutation which Mr. Darcy just deigned to return.

Que voulait dire cela ? Il était impossible de le deviner, et plus impossible encore de ne pas désirer le savoir.

What could be the meaning of it?—It was impossible to imagine; it was impossible not to long to know.

L’instant d’après, M. Bingley, sans paraître avoir remarqué ce qui venait de se passer, prit congé d’elles et s’éloigna avec son ami.

In another minute, Mr. Bingley, but without seeming to have noticed what passed, took leave and rode on with his friend.

M. Denny et M. Wickham accompagnèrent ces demoiselles jusqu’à la porte de Mme Philips, et là firent leur révérence. Lydia les pria d’entrer, et sa tante, ouvrant la fenêtre du parloir, secondait à haute voix cette invitation, mais le tout inutilement.

Mr. Denny and Mr. Wickham walked with the young ladies to the door of Mr. Philip's house, and then made their bows, in spite of Miss Lydia's pressing entreaties that they should come in, and even in spite of Mrs. Philips's throwing up the parlour window and loudly seconding the invitation.

Mme Philips était toujours fort aise de voir ses nièces ; les deux aînées surtout, absentes depuis quelques jours, furent reçues à merveille : elle leur exprimait sa surprise de leur prompt retour à Longbourn, qu’elle n’aurait même pas su (car ce n’était pas leur voiture qui les avait reconduites), si M. Jones, par hasard la rencontrant, ne lui eût dit qu’il n’envoyait plus de drogues à Netherfield parce que les demoiselles Bennet étaient retournées chez elles.

Elle fut interrompue par Hélen, qui lui présenta M. Colins. Pour le recevoir, elle se mit en frais de politesse, qu’il lui rendit avec usure, demandant mille pardons de s’être ainsi présenté sans la connaître. Il espérait, il se flattait que sa conduite serait justifiée par sa parenté avec ces demoiselles, qui lui avaient fait la grâce de lui permettre de les accompagner.

Mrs. Philips was always glad to see her nieces; and the two eldest, from their recent absence, were particularly welcome, and she was eagerly expressing her surprise at their sudden return home, which, as their own carriage had not fetched them, she should have known nothing about, if she had not happened to see Mr. Jones's shop-boy in the street, who told her that they were not to send any more draughts to Netherfield because the Miss Bennets were come away, when her civility was claimed towards Mr. Collins by Jane's introduction of him. She received him with her very best politeness, which he returned with as much more, apologising for his intrusion, without any previous acquaintance with her, which he could not help flattering himself, however, might be justified by his relationship to the young ladies who introduced him to her notice.

Cette profusion de civilités mit en extase Mme Philips, mais son attention fut bientôt détournée par les remarques, les questions et les exclamations de ses nièces sur l’étranger qui les quittait ; elle ne put leur en dire que ce qu’elles savaient déjà ; qu’il venait de Londres, et qu’il était sous-lieutenant dans le… régiment.

Mrs. Philips was quite awed by such an excess of good breeding; but her contemplation of one stranger was soon put to an end by exclamations and inquiries about the other, of whom, however, she could only tell her nieces what they already knew, that Mr. Denny had brought him from London, and that he was to have a lieutenant's commission in the ————————shire.

Elle était restée plus d’une heure, ajouta-t-elle, à le regarder quand il se promenait dans la rue. Kitty et Lydia en eussent fait autant si M. Wickham eût reparu ; mais, par malheur, il ne passa sous les fenêtres que quelques officiers qui, comparés à l’étranger, n’étaient alors que des hommes si communs, si insupportables, si ennuyeux… Plusieurs d’entre eux devaient dîner le lendemain chez Mme Philips, et elle promit à ses nièces que, si elles voulaient y venir passer la soirée, son mari rendrait une visite à M. Wickham dans le dessein de l’inviter. Cette proposition acceptée, leur tante assura qu’elle prendrait soin d’arranger un joli loto, bien bruyant et bien agréable ; après quoi viendrait impromptu un bon petit souper chaud. L’assurance de plaisirs aussi délicieux répandit la joie ; on se sépara en se disant : « À demain. » M. Colins, au moment du départ, voulut renouveler ses excuses. Mais on lui protesta, avec une politesse égale, qu’elles n’étaient nullement nécessaires.

She had been watching him the last hour, she said, as he walked up and down the street, and had Mr. Wickham appeared, Kitty and Lydia would certainly have continued the occupation, but unluckily no one passed windows now except a few of the officers, who, in comparison with the stranger, were become "stupid, disagreeable fellows." Some of them were to dine with the Philipses the next day, and their aunt promised to make her husband call on Mr. Wickham, and give him an invitation also, if the family from Longbourn would come in the evening. This was agreed to, and Mrs. Philips protested that they would have a nice comfortable noisy game of lottery tickets, and a little bit of hot supper afterwards. The prospect of such delights was very cheering, and they parted in mutual good spirits. Mr. Collins repeated his apologies in quitting the room, and was assured with unwearying civility that they were perfectly needless.

Pendant la route, Élisabeth apprit à Hélen ce qui s’était passé entre les deux messieurs. Hélen, toute disposée qu’elle était à défendre celui qui aurait pu avoir tort, ou même tous les deux, si on les avait blâmés, ne sut trouver à cet incident nulle explication raisonnable.

As they walked home, Elizabeth related to Jane what she had seen pass between the two gentlemen; but though Jane would have defended either or both, had they appeared to be in the wrong, she could no more explain such behaviour than her sister.

M. Colins, à son retour à Longbourn, enchanta Mme Bennet par l’éloge pompeux qu’il fit de la politesse et des manières de Mme Philips ; il assura que, excepté lady Catherine et sa fille, il ne connaissait point de dame qui eût des formes si gracieuses. Elle l’avait reçu avec une honnêteté incomparable, et de plus avait daigné le comprendre dans ses invitations pour le lendemain, faveur d’autant plus distinguée qu’elle le connaissait à peine : il pouvait attribuer une partie de ces civilités à des liaisons de famille ; cependant il n’avait rencontré, dans nulle circonstance de sa vie, des prévenances aussi flatteuses.

Mr. Collins on his return highly gratified Mrs. Bennet by admiring Mrs. Philips's manners and politeness. He protested that, except Lady Catherine and her daughter, he had never seen a more elegant woman; for she had not only received him with the utmost civility, but even pointedly included him in her invitation for the next evening, although utterly unknown to her before. Something, he supposed, might be attributed to his connection with them, but yet he had never met with so much attention in the whole course of his life.