Imagine our surprise. To Kitty, however, it does not seem so wholly unexpected. I am very, very sorry. So imprudent a match on both sides! -- But I am willing to hope the best, and that his character has been misunderstood. Thoughtless and indiscreet I can easily believe him, but this step (and let us rejoice over it) marks nothing bad at heart. His choice is disinterested at least, for he must know my father can give her nothing. Our poor mother is sadly grieved. My father bears it better. How thankful am I, that we never let them know what has been said against him; we must forget it ourselves. They were off Saturday night about twelve, as is conjectured, but were not missed till yesterday morning at eight. The express was sent off directly. My dear Lizzy, they must have passed within ten miles of us. Colonel Forster gives us reason to expect him here soon. Lydia left a few lines for his wife, informing her of their intention. I must conclude, for I cannot be long from my poor mother. I am afraid you will not be able to make it out, but I hardly know what I have written."
你想象我们当时多么惊奇。不过吉蒂却以为这件事并非完全出人意料。我真难受。这两个男女就这样冒冒失失地配成了一对！可是我还是愿意从最好的方面去着想，希望别人都是误解了他的人品。我固然认为他为人轻率冒昧，不过他这次的举动未必就是存心不良（让我们但愿如此吧）。至少他选中这个对象不是为了有利可图，因为他一定知道父亲没有一个钱给她。可怜的母亲伤心得要命。父亲总算还支持得住。谢天谢地，好在我们从来没有让他们老人家知道外界对他的议论。我们自己也不必把它放在心上。据大家猜想，他们大概是星期六晚上十二点钟走的，但是一直到昨天早上八点钟，才发现这两个失了踪。于是弗斯脱上校连忙写信告诉我们。亲爱的丽萃，他们所经过的地方离开我们一定不满十英里。弗斯脱上校说，他一定立刻就到我们这里来。丽迪雅留了一封短信给弗斯脱太太，把他们两人的意图告诉了她。我不得不停笔了，因为我不能离开母亲太久。我怕你一定觉得莫明其妙吧，我自己也简直不知道在写些什么。
Without allowing herself time for consideration, and scarcely knowing what she felt, Elizabeth, on finishing this letter, instantly seized the other, and opening it with the utmost impatience, read as follows -- it had been written a day later than the conclusion of the first:
伊丽莎白读完了这封信以后，几乎说不出自己是怎样的感觉，想也没有想一下，便连忙抓起另一封信，迫不及待一拆开就看。这封信比第一封信迟写一天。
