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[Assistant] And I got out of bed to assure myself that there were no red marks about.


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[Assistant] Then opened the door to look out into the passages and cheer myself with the companionship of a distant light near which I knew the Chamberlain to be dozing.


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[Assistant] Hi, this is Rich. Chapter 21 of The Little Prince.


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[Assistant] This is the longest chapter of this book, and one of the best. I'm sure you will like it. It was then that the fox appeared. Good morning, said the fox.


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[Assistant] Good morning. The little prince responded politely. Although he turned around, he saw nothing.


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[Assistant] I am right here, the voice said under the apple tree.


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[Assistant] Who are you? asked the little prince, and added. You are very pretty to look at. I am a fox, the fox said. Come and play with me, proposed the little prince. I am so unhappy.


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[Assistant] I cannot play with you, the fox said. I am not tamed. Ah, please excuse me, said the little prince. But after some thought, he added. What does that mean, tame? You do not live here, said the fox. What is it that you are looking for? I am looking for men, said the little prince. What does that mean, tame?


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[Assistant] Man, said the fox. They have guns. And they hunt. It is very disturbing. They also raise chickens. These are their only interests. Are you looking for chickens? Now, said the little prince. I'm looking for friends. What does that mean, time?


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[Assistant] It is an act too often neglected, said the fox. It means to establish ties. To establish ties. Just that, said the fox.


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[Assistant] To me, you're still nothing more than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no need of me. To you, I am nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world. I am beginning to understand, said the little prince. There is a flower.


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[Assistant] It is possible, said the fox, on the earth, one sees all sorts of things,


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[Assistant] Oh, but this is not on the earth, said the little prince. The fox seemed perplexed and very curious. On another planet? Yes. Are there hunters on that planet? No. Ah, that is interesting. Are there chickens? No. Nothing is perfect, said the fox. But he came back to his idea.


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[Assistant] My life is very monotonous. The Vox said, I hunt chickens, men hunt me. All the chickens are just alike and all the men are just alike. And in consequence I am a little bored.


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[Assistant] But if you tame me, it will be as if the sun came to shine on my life.


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[Assistant] You see the grain fields down yonder. I do not eat bread. Wheat is of no use to me. The wheat fields have nothing to say to me. And that is sad. But you have hair that is the color of gold.


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[Assistant] Think how wonderful that will be when you have tamed me. The grain, which is also golden, will bring me back the thought of you. And I shall love to listen to the wind in the wheat.


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[Assistant] The fox gazed at the little prince for a long time. Please, pay me, he said. I want to, very much, the little prince replied. But I have not much time. I have friends to discover and a great many things to understand.


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[Assistant] One only understands the things that one tames, say the fox. Men have no more time to understand anything.


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[Assistant] They buy things already made at the shops, but there is no shop anywhere where one can buy friendship. And so, men have no friends anymore. If you want a friend, tame me. What must I do to tame you? asked the little prince. You must be very patient, replied the fox.


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[Assistant] First, you will sit down at a little distance from me, like that, in the grass. I shall look at you out of the corner of my eye.


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[Assistant] And you will say nothing, words of a source of misunderstandings, but you will sit a little closer to me, every day.


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[Assistant] Would you say that false personality is sometimes built up by other people? For instance when people say in front of a child that they hate strangers? Quite right.


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[Assistant] If we find out our chief features, can we correct them? You said we cannot change anything.


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[Assistant] Oh treasure of our heart, forgive us for partying with you.


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[Assistant] Harua, you'll lose your heads if you get mixed up with him.


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[Assistant] Very well, we were born to hang, we might as well do it together.


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[Assistant] You're... I'm Bill Seacroft. Come right in.


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[Assistant] Well, uh, this is kind of tough to explain, right?


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[Assistant] Miss Murphy? Oh yea, she was. So were the others.


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[Assistant] Uh, I realize the odds against me are twenty to one. Fifty to one. Yeah, well to be serious- I am serious. Yeah, well, uh, I'm gonna try to win, uh, not because I want political office, uh, but because I, uh, feel so seriously about the issues involved. One of them is, uh, well I, I guess I better save that for the rally.


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[Assistant] Well, I like airports as well as the next fella. Maybe a little better.


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[Assistant] A hundred and forty houses will have to be torn down to make way for an airport. Now that's not merely a statistic. It means that since the town is already overcrowded, a hundred and forty families will be homeless. Now I know some of these people, and so do you. For one, Sam Donovan, delivers mail on the north side.


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[Assistant] Very clever girl, Miss Murphy. What do you mean by that?


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[Assistant] And of course, you two never quarrel about politics, huh, Judge?


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[Assistant] She is. Oh, that's swell. Congratulations, Kate.


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[Assistant] Well, uhm, say, could I stay at your place for a while?


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[Assistant] Oh, I thought you knew I'm quitting the bank. Going to work for the shopping news. Business manager.


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[Assistant] Oh, uh, Ruth, uh, you've met Miss Murphy? Tommy Murphy?


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[Assistant] It's seven o'clock in the morning. Are you out of your mind?


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[Assistant] That's too long a time to put up with thulking and quick temper. Bad manners. I simply won't have it.


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[Assistant] Large tract of marshes about here, I believe," said Drummle. Yes, what of that? said I. Mr. Drummle looked at me, and then at my boots, and then said, Oh, and laughed. Are you amused, Mr. Drummle? No, said he, not particularly. I'm going out for a ride in the saddle.


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[Assistant] I mean to explore those marshes for amusement, out of the way villages there, they tell me, curious little public houses, and Smithies, and that. Waiter? Yes, sir. Is that horse of mine ready? Rock round to the door, sir. I say, look here you, sir. The lady won't ride to-day, the weather won't do. Very good, sir.


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[Assistant] And I don't dine because I'm going to dine at the ladies. Very good, sir.


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[Assistant] Then Drummle glanced at me with an insolent triumph on his great jowled face that cut me to the heart, dull as he was, and so exasperated me that I felt inclined to take him in my arms, as the robber in the storybook is said to have taken the old lady and seat him on the fire.


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[Assistant] One thing was manifest to both of us, and that was that until relief came, neither of us could relinquish the fire.


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[Assistant] Right there we stood, well squared up before it, shoulder to shoulder and foot to foot, with our hands behind us, not budging an inch.


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[Assistant] The horse was visible outside in the drizzle at the door. My breakfast was put on table. Drummle's was cleared away. The waiter invited me to begin. I nodded. We both stood our ground. Have you been to the Grove since? said Drummle. No, said I. I had quite enough of the finches the last time I was there. Was that when we had a difference of opinion? Yes, I replied very shortly. Come, come. They let you off easily enough, sneered Drummle. You shouldn't have lost your temper.


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[Assistant] Mr. Drummle, said I, you are not competent to give advice on that subject.


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[Assistant] When I lose my temper, not that I admit having done so on that occasion, I don't throw glasses. I do, said Rommel.


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[Assistant] After glancing at him once or twice in an increased state of smoldering ferocity, I


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[Assistant] Mr. Drummond, I did not seek this conversation and I don't think it's an agreeable one.


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[Assistant] I am sure it's not, said he superciliously over his shoulder. I don't think anything about it.


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[Assistant] And therefore, I went on with your leave, I will suggest that we hold no kind of communication in future. Quite my opinion, said Drummle.


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[Assistant] And what I should have suggested myself, or done more likely without suggesting, but don't lose your temper. Haven't you lost enough without that?


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[Assistant] Grey, so grey is sort of the opposite of red, you know, it's a very neutral color, it's a little bit more passive. Uhm, I like to wear grey, like for example, if I'm coming on and we're talking about a serious topic, I'll often wear grey so that we focus more on what I'm saying as opposed to like, grabbing attention. Lawyers, it's a great color for lawyers to wear because it's a little bit more passive, neutral.


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[Assistant] It's dependable, honest, trustworthy, and very wise. So when you wear blue, it's a great color to show that you're an expert, that you're calm, you know what you're doing, and that you're very loyal and dependable. So this is a great color for a man to wear on a first date. Oh really? So women should wear red if she wants to grab attention, and men can wear blue. It's a great color.


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[Assistant] Oh, it's 2012, it's this year. 2012, so success, uhm, and high energy, so great color to wear to the gym. Uh, sports teams that have orange and black uniforms or orange in their uniform, that's actually really good because it's a successful high energy color. So I always encourage- How are the Beaver's doing this year?


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[Assistant] Le buddy prince. The little prince. Part 26.


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[Assistant] Beside the whale, there was the ruin of an old stone wall. When I came back from at work the next evening, I saw from some distance away my little prince sitting on top of a wall with his feet dangling, and I heard him say,


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[Assistant] Another voice must have answered him, for he replied to him, Yes, yes, it is the right day, but this is not the place. I continued my walk toward the wall. At no time did I see or hear anyone.


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[Assistant] After a silence, the little prince spoke again. You have good poison. Be sure that it will not make me suffer too long.


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[Assistant] I stopped in my tracks, my heart tone of thunder, but still I did not understand.


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[Assistant] Now go away, said the little prince. I want to get down from the wall.


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[Assistant] I dropped my eyes then to the foot of the wall, and I leaped into the air.


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[Assistant] There before me, facing the little prince, was one of those yellow snakes that take just 30 seconds to bring your life to an end. Even as I was digging into my pocket to get out my revolver, I made a running step back.


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[Assistant] I reached the wall just in time to catch my little man in my arms. His face was white as snow.


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[Assistant] What does this mean, I demanded? Why are you talking with snakes?


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[Assistant] I had loosened the golden muffler that he always wore. I'd moistened his tent poles and had given him some water to drink.


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[Assistant] I felt his heart beating like the heart of a dying bird, shot with someone's rifle.


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[Assistant] I'm glad that you have found what was the matter with your engine. He said, now you can go back home. How do you know about that?


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[Assistant] I was just coming to tell him that my work had been successful, beyond anything that I had dared to hope. He made no answer to my question, but he added, I too am going back home today. Then sadly, it is much farther, it is much more difficult.


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[Assistant] I was holding him close in my arms, as if he were a little child, and yet it seemed to me that he was rushing headlong toward the nabyss from which I could do nothing to restrain him.


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[Assistant] His look was very serious, like someone lost far away.


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[Assistant] I have your sheep, and I have the sheep's box, and I have the muzzle, and he gave me a sad smile. I waited a long time, I could see that he was reviving little by little. Dear little man, I said to him, you are afraid. He was afraid.


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[Assistant] There was no doubt about that, but he laughed lightly. I shall be much more afraid this evening.


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[Assistant] Once again, I felt myself frozen by the sense of something irreparable.


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[Assistant] Tonight, it will be a year. My star, then, can be found right above the place where I came to the earth, a year ago.


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[Assistant] He said to me instead, the thing that is important is the thing that is not seen. Yes and no.


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[Assistant] And at night, you will look up at the stars. Where I live, everything is so small that I cannot show you where my star is to be found.


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[Assistant] Ah, little prince, dear little prince, I love to hear your laughter.


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[Assistant] All men have the stars, he answered, but they are not the same things for different people. For some, we are travelers, the stars are guides. For others, there are no more than legal lights in the sky. For others, we are scholars, there are problems. For my businessmen, there are wealth.


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[Assistant] But all these stars are silent. You, you alone, will have the stars as no one else has them. What are you trying to say? In one of the stars I shall be living, in one of them I shall be laughing.


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[Assistant] And so, it would be as if all the stars were laughing when you look at the sky at night. You, only you, will have stars that can laugh. And he laughed again.


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[Assistant] And when your sorrow is comforted, time soothes all sorrows. You will be content that you have known me. You will always be my friend.


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[Assistant] And your friends will be properly astonished to see you laughing as you look up at the sky.


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[Assistant] Then you will say to them, yes, the stars always make me laugh. And they will think you're crazy.


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[Assistant] It will be a very shabby trick that I shall have played on you." And he laughed again.


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[Assistant] It will be as if, in place of the stars, I'd given you a great number of little bails that knew how to laugh. And he laughed again. Then he quickly became serious. Tonight, you know, do not come. I shall not leave you, I said. I shall look as if I were suffering. I shall look a little as if I were dying. It is like that. Do not come to see that. It is not worth the trouble. I shall not leave you.


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[Assistant] I tell you, it's also because of the snake. He must not bite you. Snakes, you are malicious creatures. This one might bite you just for fun.


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[Assistant] I shall not leave you. But a thought came to reassure him. It is true that they have no more poison for a second bite.


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[Assistant] That night, I did not see him set out on his way. He got away from me without making a sound. When I succeeded in catching up with him, he was walking along with a quick and resolute step. He said to me merely, Ah, you are there. And he took me by the hand. But he was still worrying. It was wrong for you to come. You will suffer. I should look as if I were dead. And that would not be true. I said nothing.


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[Assistant] You understand? It is too far. You cannot carry this body with me. It is too heavy. I said nothing.


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[Assistant] But it would be like an old abandoned shell. There is nothing sad about old shells. I say nothing. It was a little discouraged, but it made no more effort.


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[Assistant] You know, it will be very nice. I, too, shall look at the stars. All the stars will be wells with a rusty pulley.


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[Assistant] All the stars will pour out fresh water for me to drink. I said nothing. That would be so amusing.


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[Assistant] Here it is. Let me go on by myself.


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[Assistant] And he sat down, because he was afraid. Then he said, again, You know, my flower, I am responsible for her. And she is so weak. She is so naive. She has four thorns of no use at all to protect herself against all the world.


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[Assistant] I too sat down, because I was not able to stand up any longer. There now, that is all.


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[Assistant] He still hesitated a little. Then he got up. He took one step. I cannot move.


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[Assistant] This is part 26 of Le Bloody Prince, The Little Prince. Read for you by Rich.


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[Assistant] You are still on friendly terms with Mr. Jaggers? Quite. I dined with him yesterday.


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[Assistant] This is an authority to him to pay you that money.


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[Assistant] She read me what she had written and it was direct and clear and evidently intended to absolve me from any suspicion of profiting by the receipt of the money. I took the tablet from her hand and it trembled again.


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[Assistant] Whoever so long after my broken heart is dust, pray do it. Oh, Miss Havisham, said I, I can do it now.


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[Assistant] There have been sore mistakes, and my life has been a blind and thankless one, and I want forgiveness and direction far too much to be bitter with you.


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[Assistant] She turned her face to me for the first time since she had averted it.


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[Assistant] And to my amazement, I may even add to my terror, dropped on her knees at my feet with her folded hands raised to me in the manner in which, when her poor heart was young and fresh and whole, they must often have been raised to heaven from her mother's side.


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[Assistant] To see her with her white hair and her worn face kneeling at my feet gave me a shock through all my frames.


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[Assistant] If you mean Miss Havisham, what have you done to injure me? Let me answer. Very little. I should have loved her under any circumstances. Is she married? Yes.


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[Assistant] It was a needless question for a new desolation in the desolate house had told me so.


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[Assistant] But that in shutting out the light of day she had shut out infinitely more, that in seclusion she had secluded herself from a thousand natural and healing influences, that her mind, brooding, solitary, had grown diseased as all minds do, and must, and will, that reversed the appointed order of their Maker, I knew equally well


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[Assistant] Prospero had found his knowledge of magic very useful. Before he had arrived, a witch named Sycorax had put a spell on the island.


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[Assistant] She died a short time before Prospero's arrival. Sycorax had imprisoned many good fairies or spirits in the trees. Prospero was able to release these spirits.


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[Assistant] These gentle creatures were obedient to Prospero from that time on. A spirit named Ariel was their leader. Ariel was not really a bad spirit.


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[Assistant] He loved to tease an ugly monster called Caliban who lived on the island. Ariel did not like Caliban.


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[Assistant] Because Caliban was the witch Sycorax's son. Fortunately for Caliban, Prospero met him in the forest one day. He kindly took Caliban home and taught him how to speak. Unfortunately, Caliban was very bad, like his mother. So Prospero made him into a servant.


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[Assistant] And Ariel had the job of watching the monster carefully Ariel enjoyed this job


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[Assistant] Prospero commanded the spirits to make a terrible storm on the ocean. Prospero called to Miranda and showed her a large ship in the distance. The ship was in danger of sinking.


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[Assistant] Prospero told Miranda that the ship was filled with people like themselves. Miranda was very upset. Father, she said, if your magic has caused this terrible storm, then please don't hurt the people. Look, the ship is almost sinking.


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[Assistant] I think so, said Miranda. It almost seems like a dream. I think I remember four or five women who took care of me.


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[Assistant] asked Prospero, I don't remember anything else, said Miranda.


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[Assistant] And Prospero didn't want her to see him talking to the empty air.


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[Assistant] He followed Ariel to where Prospero and Miranda waited.


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[Assistant] She watched Ferdinand as he walked towards them. Oh father! She cried. Is that a spirit? It is so beautiful.


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[Assistant] He only said it to test Miranda's love for Ferdinand. His daughter was true. She said firmly, I have no wish to see another man father. Prospero was pleased with his daughter.


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[Assistant] Prospero didn't keep Ferdinand in the cave for long. Soon he gave him a hard job to perform.


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[Assistant] Sit down, and I'll carry your wood for a while," said Miranda. But Ferdinand wouldn't agree to this. Instead of helping him, Miranda was making trouble. They started talking, which made Ferdinand work very slowly. Meanwhile, Prospero was watching the two. He was actually standing right next to them, but he was invisible to them.


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[Assistant] Then Ferdinand told Miranda that he would be king of Naples one day. Then he asked her to marry him. Oh sir, I am a fool to cry when I am so happy, cried Miranda. I am your wife, if you will marry me. Just then, Prospero appeared before the two lovers.


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[Assistant] Prospero told the happy couple to sit and rest for a while, while he did other things. Prospero called Ariel to him.


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[Assistant] Ariel told Prospero that he felt sure the men's feelings were true.


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[Assistant] Said Prospero. Ariel soon returned with the King of Naples, Antonio and Gonzalo, who had also been on the ship. Gonzalo had been Prospero's good friend. When they saw Prospero, Antonio begged his brother to forgive him for stealing his position as the Duke of Milan.


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[Assistant] The King of Naples also apologized for helping Antonio. Prospero forgave them.


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[Assistant] He showed the men to where Ferdinand and Miranda were sitting together happily. Clearly, they were very much in love.


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[Assistant] Prospero gave Ariel and the other spirits their freedom. Ariel was very happy. He had always wanted to be free, although Prospero was a good master.


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[Assistant] He would wander through the forests and fields and fly wherever he chose. Prospero buried all his magic books in the ground. He would not need them now that he had no enemies. Nothing stood in the way of his happiness. He would return to Milan and become the Duke once again.


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[Assistant] The King of Naples said that Ferdinand and Miranda must be married immediately upon their return. They all sailed for Italy with the happy spirit, Ariel, protecting their ship upon its way.


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[Assistant] Chapter 60 of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain.


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[Assistant] For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org


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[Assistant] Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Chapter 60.


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[Assistant] Elizabeth's spirit soon rising to playfulness again. She wanted Mr. Darcy to account for his having ever fallen in love with her.


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[Assistant] From an unwillingness to confess how much her intimacy with Mr. Darcy had been overrated,


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[Assistant] Elizabeth had never yet answered Mrs. Gardiner's long letter.


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[Assistant] But now, having that to communicate, which she knew would be most welcome,


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[Assistant] She was almost ashamed to find that her uncle and aunt had already lost three days of happiness, and immediately wrote as follows.


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[Assistant] Mr. Darcy's letter to Lady Catherine was in a different style, and still different from either was what Mr. Bennet said to Mr. Collins in reply to his last.


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[Assistant] Miss Bingley's congratulations to her brother on his approaching marriage were all that was affectionate and insincere.


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[Assistant] She wrote even to Jane on the occasion to express her delight and repeat all her former professions of regard.


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[Assistant] Jane was not deceived, but she was affected, and though feeling no reliance on her could not help writing her a much kinder answer than she knew was deserved.


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[Assistant] The joy which Miss Darcy expressed on receiving similar information was as sincere as her brothers in sending it.


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[Assistant] Four sides of paper were insufficient to contain all her delight and all her earnest desire of being loved by her sister.


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[Assistant] Before any answer could arrive from Mr. Collins, or any congratulations to Elizabeth from his wife,


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[Assistant] The long-born family heard that the Collins's were come themselves to Lucas Lodge. The reason of this sudden removal was soon evident.


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[Assistant] Lady Catherine had been rendered so exceedingly angry by the contents of her nephew's letter.


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[Assistant] That Charlotte, really rejoicing in the match, was anxious to get away till the storm was blown over.


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[Assistant] At such a moment the arrival of her friend was a sincere pleasure to Elizabeth.


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[Assistant] Though in the course of their meetings she must sometimes think the pleasure dearly bought when she saw Mr. Darcy exposed to all the parading and obsequious civility of her husband. He bore it, however, with admirable calmness.


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[Assistant] He could even listen to Sir William Lucas when he complimented him on carrying away the brightest jewel of the country.


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[Assistant] And expressed his hopes of their all meeting frequently at St. James's with very decent composure.


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[Assistant] If he did shrug his shoulders, it was not till Sir William was out of sight.


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[Assistant] Mrs. Phillips's vulgarity was another, and perhaps a greater, tax on his forbearance.


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[Assistant] And though Mrs. Phillips, as well as her sister, stood in too much awe of him to speak with the familiarity which Bingley's good humor encouraged, yet whenever she did speak she must be vulgar.


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[Assistant] Nor was her respect for him, though it made her more quiet, at all likely to make her more elegant.


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[Assistant] Elizabeth did all she could to shield him from the frequent notice of either.


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[Assistant] And was ever anxious to keep him to herself and to those of her family with whom he might converse without mortification.


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[Assistant] And though the uncomfortable feelings arriving from all this took from the season of courtship much of its pleasure, it added to the hope of the future.


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[Assistant] And she looked forward with delight to the time when they should be removed from society so little pleasing to either, to all the comfort and elegance of their family party at Pemberley.


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[Assistant] The main shack come and part us. I am determined. We might none of them, do we?


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[Assistant] As foreign steamers would leave London at about the time of high water, our plan would be to get down the river by a previous ebb tide.


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[Assistant] And lie by in some quiet spot until we can pull off to one.


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[Assistant] The time when one would be due where we lay, wherever that might be, could be calculated pretty nearly if we made inquiries beforehand.


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[Assistant] Herbert assented to all this and we went out immediately after breakfast to pursue our investigations.


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[Assistant] We found that a steamer for Hamburg was likely to suit our purpose best, and we directed our thoughts chiefly to that vessel.


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[Assistant] But we noted down what other foreign steamers would leave London with the same tide, and we satisfied ourselves that we knew the build and color of each.


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[Assistant] We then separated for a few hours, I to get at once such passports as were necessary, Herbert to see Star Top at his lodgings. We both did what we had to do without any hindrance, and when we met again at one o'clock reported it done.


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[Assistant] I for my part was prepared with passports. Herbert had seen star-top and he was more than ready to join.


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[Assistant] Those two would pull a pair of oars. We settled and I would steer. Our charge would be sitter and keep quiet. As speed was not our object, we should make our way enough.


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[Assistant] We arranged that Herbert should not come home to dinner before going to Mill Pond Bank that evening. That he should not go there at all tomorrow evening, Tuesday.


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[Assistant] That he should prepare provost to come down to some stairs hard by the house on Wednesday, when he saw us approach, and not sooner. That all the arrangements with him should be concluded that Monday night.


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[Assistant] And that he should be communicated with no more in any way until we took him on board. These precautions well understood by both of us, I went home.


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[Assistant] On opening the outer door of our chambers with my key I found a letter in the box directed to me. A very dirty letter though not ill-written.


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[Assistant] It had been delivered by hand, of course, since I left home and its contents were these.


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[Assistant] If you are not afraid to come to the old marshes tonight or tomorrow night at nine,


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[Assistant] And to come to the little sluice house by the lime kiln, you had better come.


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[Assistant] I had had load enough upon my mind before the receipt of this strange letter. What to do now I could not tell.


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[Assistant] And the worse was that I must decide quickly or I should miss the afternoon coach which would take me down in time for tonight.


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[Assistant] Tomorrow night I could not think of going, for it would be too close upon the time of the flight.


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[Assistant] And again, for anything I knew, the profit information might have some important bearing on the flight itself.


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[Assistant] If I had had ample time for consideration, I believe I should still have gone.


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[Assistant] Having hardly any time for consideration, my watch showing me that the coach started within half an hour, I resolved to go.


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[Assistant] I should certainly not have gone, but for the reference to my Uncle Provis.


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[Assistant] That's coming on Wemmick's letter in the morning's busy preparation turned the scale.


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[Assistant] It is so difficult to become clearly possessed of the contents of almost any letter in a violent hurry.


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[Assistant] That I had to read this mysterious epistle again twice before its injunction to me to be secret got mechanically into my mind.


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[Assistant] Yielding to it in the same mechanical kind of way, I left a note in pencil for Herbert telling him that as I should be so soon going away, I knew not for how long,


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[Assistant] I decided to hurry down and back to ascertain for myself how Miss Haversham was faring.


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[Assistant] I had then barely time to get my greatcoat, lock up the chambers, and make for the coach office by the short byways.


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[Assistant] Chapter 46 of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain.


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[Assistant] For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org


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[Assistant] Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Chapter 46.


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[Assistant] Elizabeth had been a good deal disappointed in not finding a letter from Jane on their first arrival at Lambton.


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[Assistant] And her sister justified by the receipt of two letters from her at once.


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[Assistant] And her uncle and aunt, leaving her to enjoy them in quiet, set off by themselves. The one miss sent must first be attended to. It had been written five days ago.


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[Assistant] The beginning contained an account of all their little parties and engagements with such news as the country afforded.


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[Assistant] But the latter half, which was dated a day later and written in evident agitation, gave more important intelligence. It was to this effect.


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[Assistant] Without allowing herself time for consideration and scarcely knowing what she felt.


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[Assistant] Elizabeth, on finishing this letter, instantly sees the other.


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[Assistant] It had been written a day later than the conclusion of the first.


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[Assistant] Darding from her seat as she finished the letter in eagerness to follow him without losing a moment of the time, so precious.


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[Assistant] She, in whose mind every idea was superseded by Lydia's situation hastily exclaimed,


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[Assistant] Cried he with more feeling than politeness, then recollecting himself.


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[Assistant] Elizabeth hesitated, but her knees trembled under her and she felt how little would be gained by her attempting to pursue them.


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[Assistant] Calling back the servant, therefore, she commissioned him


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[Assistant] or to refrain from saying in a tone of gentleness and commiseration


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[Assistant] Darcy, in wretched suspense, could only say something indistinctly of his concern, and observe her in compassionate silence. At length she spoke again.


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[Assistant] Darcy made no answer. He seemed scarcely to hear her.


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[Assistant] Everything must sink under such a proof of family weakness, such an assurance of the deepest disgrace. She could neither wonder nor condemn.


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[Assistant] But the belief of his self conquest brought nothing consolatory to her bosom, afforded no palliation of her distress. It was, on the contrary, exactly calculated to make her understand her own wishes.


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[Assistant] And never had she so honestly felt that she could have loved him as now, when all love must be vain.


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[Assistant] But self, though it would intrude, could not engross her.


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[Assistant] Lydia, the humiliation, the misery she was bringing on them all, soon swallowed up every private care, and covering her face with her handkerchief


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[Assistant] Elizabeth was soon lost to everything else, and after a pause of several minutes was only recalled to a sense of her situation by the voice of her companion, who, in a manner which though it spoke compassion, spoke likewise restraint, said,


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[Assistant] He readily assured her of his secrecy, again expressed his sorrow for her distress.


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[Assistant] And leaving his compliments for her relations with only one serious parting look went away. As he quitted the room.


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[Assistant] Elizabeth felt how improbable it was that they should ever see each other again on such terms of cordiality as had marked their several meetings in Derbyshire.


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[Assistant] And as she threw a retrospective glance over the whole of their acquaintance, so full of contradictions and varieties, sighed at the perverseness of those feelings which would now have promoted its continuance and would formerly have rejoiced in its termination.


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[Assistant] If gratitude and esteem are good foundations of affection,


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[Assistant] Elizabeth's change of sentiment will be neither improbable nor faulty. But if otherwise...


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[Assistant] If regard, springing from such sources is unreasonable or unnatural,


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[Assistant] In comparison of what is so often described as arriving on a first interview with its object, and even before two words have been exchanged,


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[Assistant] Nothing can be said in her defense except that she had given somewhat of a trial to the latter method in her partiality for Wickham.


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[Assistant] And that itself success might perhaps authorize her to seek the other less interesting mode of attachment.


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[Assistant] Be that as it may, she saw him go with regret.


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[Assistant] And in this early example of what Lydia's infamy must produce,


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[Assistant] Found additional anguish as she reflected on that wretched business.


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[Assistant] Never since reading Jane's second letter had she entertained a hope of Wickham's meaning to marry her.


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[Assistant] No one but Jane, she thought, could flatter herself with such an expectation. Surprise was the least of her feelings on this development.


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[Assistant] While the contents of the first letter remained in her mind, she was all surprise, all astonishment, that Wickham should marry a girl whom it was impossible he could marry for money.


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[Assistant] And how Lydia could ever have attached him had appeared incomprehensible. But now it was all too natural.


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[Assistant] For such an attachment as this, she might have sufficient charms.


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[Assistant] She had no difficulty in believing that neither her virtue nor her understanding would preserve her from falling in easy prey.


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[Assistant] She had never perceived, while the regiment was in Hertfordshire, that Lydia had any partiality for him.


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[Assistant] But she was convinced that Lydia wanted only encouragement to attach herself to anybody.


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[Assistant] Sometimes one officer, sometimes another had been her favorite, as their attentions raised them in her opinion.


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[Assistant] The mischief of neglect and mistaken indulgence towards such a girl. Oh, how acutely did she now feel it. She was wild to be at home, to hear, to see.


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[Assistant] To be upon the spot, to share with Jane in the cares that must now fall wholly upon her in a family so deranged. A father absent.


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[Assistant] A mother incapable of exertion and requiring constant attendance.


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[Assistant] Supposing by the servant's account that their niece was taken suddenly ill. But satisfying them instantly on that head, she eagerly communicated the cause of their summons.


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[Assistant] Reading the two letters aloud and dwelling on the postscript of the last with trembling energy. Though Lydia had never been a favorite with them.


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[Assistant] Though expecting no less, thanked him with tears of gratitude. And all three being actuated by one spirit, everything relating to their journey was speedily settled. They were to be off as soon as possible.


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[Assistant] Or at least could only serve to amuse her in the hurry and confusion of the following hour.


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[Assistant] To one so wretched as herself. But she had her share of business as well as her aunt.


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[Assistant] And amongst the rest there were notes to be written to all their friends at Lambton with false excuses for their sudden departure. An hour, however, saw the whole completed.


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[Assistant] And Mr. Gardner, meanwhile having settled his account at the inn, nothing remained to be done but to go. And Elizabeth, after all the misery of the morning,


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[Assistant] Found herself in a shorter space of time than she could have supposed, seated in the carriage and on the road to Longbourn. End of chapter 46


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[Assistant] But you will know it when I tell you what happens the very next day.


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[Assistant] Take your choice, but you must be satisfied with only one.


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[Assistant] There is but such a quantity of merit between them, just enough to make one good sort of man, and of late it has been shifting about pretty much.


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[Assistant] For my part, I am inclined to believe it all Darcy's, but you shall do as you choose.


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[Assistant] Oh no, my regret and compassion are all done away by seeing you so full of both. I know you will do him such ample justice.


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[Assistant] But I'm growing every moment more unconcerned and indifferent. Your profusion makes me saving.


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[Assistant] And yet I meant to be uncommonly clever in taking so decided a dislike to him without any reason. It is such a spur to one's genius.


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[Assistant] Such an opening for wit to have a dislike of that kind.


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[Assistant] One may be continually abusive without saying anything just.


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[Assistant] But one cannot always be laughing at a man without now and then stumbling on something witty.


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[Assistant] I was uncomfortable enough, I may say unhappy, and with no one to speak to about what I felt,


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[Assistant] No Jane to comfort me and say that I had not been so very weak and vain and nonsensical as I knew I had.


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[Assistant] But the misfortune of speaking with bitterness is a most natural consequence of the prejudices I have been encouraging. There is one point on which I want your advice.


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[Assistant] I want to be told whether I ought or ought not to make our acquaintances in general understand Wickham's character.


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[Assistant] On the contrary, every particular relative to his sister was meant to be kept as much as possible to myself.


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[Assistant] The general prejudice against Mr. Darcy is so violent that it would be the death of half the good people in Meryton to attempt to place him in an amiable light. I am not equal to it. Wickham will soon be gone.


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[Assistant] And then we may laugh at their stupidity in not knowing it before. At present I will say nothing about it.


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[Assistant] If that very improbable event should ever take place, I shall merely be able to tell what Bingley may tell in a much more agreeable manner himself.


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[Assistant] The liberty of communication cannot be mined till it has lost all its value.


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[Assistant] Chapter 37 of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain.


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[Assistant] For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org.


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[Assistant] Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Chapter 37 The two gentlemen left Rosings the next morning.


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[Assistant] Was able to bring home the pleasing intelligence of their appearing in very good health and in as tolerable spirits as could be expected after the melancholy scene so lately gone through at Rosings.


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[Assistant] To Rosings he then hastened to console Lady Catherine and her daughter.


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[Assistant] And on his return brought back with great satisfaction a message from her ladyship.


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[Assistant] Elizabeth could not see Lady Catherine without recollecting that, had she chosen it, she might by this time have been presented to her as her future niece.


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[Assistant] Nor could she think, without a smile, of what her ladyship's indignation would have been. What would she have said, how would she have behaved, were questions with which she amused herself.


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[Assistant] Their first subject was the diminution of the Rosings party.


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[Assistant] Mr. Collins had a compliment and an allusion to throw in here, which were kindly smiled on by the mother and daughter.


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[Assistant] Lady Catherine had many other questions to ask respecting their journey.


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[Assistant] And as she did not answer them all herself, attention was necessary, which Elizabeth believed to be lucky for her.


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[Assistant] Or with a mind so occupied she might have forgotten where she was. Reflection must be reserved for solitary hours.


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[Assistant] Whenever she was alone she gave way to it as the greatest relief and not a day went by without a solitary walk


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[Assistant] In which she might indulge in all the delight of unpleasant recollections.


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[Assistant] Mr. Darcy's letter, she was in a fair way of soon knowing by heart.


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[Assistant] She studied every sentence, and her feelings towards its writer were at times widely different.


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[Assistant] When she remembered the style of his address she was still full of indignation.


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[Assistant] But when she considered how unjustly she had condemned and uprated him, her anger was turned against herself.


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[Assistant] Nor could she for a moment repent her refusal or feel the slightest inclination ever to see him again. In her own past behavior there was a constant source of vexation and regret.


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[Assistant] would never exert himself to restrain the wild giddiness of his youngest daughters, and her mother, with manners so far from right herself, was entirely insensible of the evil.


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[Assistant] Catherine, weak-spirited, irritable, and completely under Lydia's guidance, had been always affronted by their advice.


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[Assistant] And Lydia, self-willed and careless, would scarcely give them a hearing. They were ignorant, idle, and vain. While there was an officer in Meryton they would flirt with him, and while Meryton was within a walk of Longbourn they would be going there forever.


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[Assistant] Anxiety on Jane's behalf was another prevailing concern, and Mr. Darcy's explanation by restoring Bingley to all her former good opinion heightened the sense of what Jane had lost. His affection was proved to have been sincere, and his conduct cleared of all blame.


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[Assistant] Unless any could attach to the implicitness of his confidence in his friend. How grievous then was the thought that of a situation so desirable in every respect


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[Assistant] Jane had been deprived by the folly and indecorum of her own family.


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[Assistant] It may be easily believed that the happy spirits, which has seldom been depressed before,


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[Assistant] We're now so much affected as to make it almost impossible for her to appear tolerably cheerful.


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[Assistant] Their engagements at Rosings were as frequent during the last week of her stay as they had been at first. The very last evening was spent there.


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[Assistant] And her ladyship again inquired minutely into the particulars of their journey, gave them directions as to the best method of packing,


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[Assistant] It was so urgent on the necessity of placing gowns in the only right way that Mariah thought herself obliged on her return.


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[Assistant] And Miss de Bourgh exerted herself so far as to curtsy and hold out her hand to both. End of chapter 37