Collins: Dear Miss Elizabeth, I am sure my attentions have
been too marked to be mistaken. Almost as soon as I entered the house, I
singled you out as the companion of
my future life. But before I am run away with my feelings, perhaps I may state
my reasons for marrying. Firstly, that it is the duty of a clergyman to set the
example of matrimony in his parish. Secondly, that I am convinced it will add
greatly to my happiness. And thirdly, that it is at the urging of my esteemed
patroness, Lady Catherine, that I select a wife. My object in coming to
Longbourn was to choose such a one from among Mr. Bennet's daughters, for I am
to inherit the estate and such an alliance will surely…suit everyone. And now
nothing remains but for me to assure you in the most animated language of the
violence of my affections.
Elizabeth: Mr. Collins!
Collins: And that no reproach on the subject of fortune will cross my lips
once we're married.
Elizabeth: You're too hasty, sir.
You forget that I have given no answer.
Collins: I must add that Lady Catherine will thoroughly approve when I speak
to her of your modesty, economy and other amiable qualities
Elizabeth: Sir, I am honored by your proposal, but I regret that I must
decline it.
Collins: I know ladies don't seek to seem too eager...
Elizabeth: Mr. Collins, I am perfectly serious. You could not make me happy.
And I'm convinced I'm the last woman in the world
who could make you happy.
Collins: I flatter myself,
cousin, that your refusal is merely a natural delicacy. Besides, you should take
into account that despite the manifold attractions, it is by no means certain
that another offer of marriage may ever be made to you... Elizabeth: Mr.
Collins!
Collins: ...I must conclude that you simply seek to increase my love by
suspense...
Elizabeth: Sir!
Collins: ...according to the usual practice of elegant females.
Elizabeth: Sir, I am not the sort of female to torment a respectable man.
Please understand me, I cannot accept you.
妙詞佳句，活學活用
1. single out
If you single sb. out
from a group, you choose them and give them special attention or treatment.
挑選 e.g. Mr. Collins singled out Jane first as his future wife at first, but
then he switched to Elizabeth. He was singled out by his teacher to take part
in the competition.
2. hasty
匆忙的，草率的 e.g. They shouldn't have made such a hasty
decision. 另外在漢語中我們的一句成語“欲速則不達”跟hasty的同根詞haste有關，英語中有兩種表達： Haste makes
waste More haste, less speed. 大家不妨在這里牢記住這個表達。
3. I'm the last woman in the world who could make you happy.
這種句型的基本結構是“the
last+名詞+定語從句”，表達最大程度的否定或者不贊成。本句話的意思是：我是這個世界上最不可能帶給你幸福的女人。 e.g. To be a
teacher is the last thing in the world that I could do. 我最不愿意干的事就是當老師。 This
city is the last place that I want to live in the world. 我最不愿意生活的地方就是這個城市。
4. flatter oneself that
If you flatter yourself that something good is
the case, you believe that it is true, although others may disagree.
自鳴得意，自以為 e.g. They flattered themselves that they would win.
他們自以為會一定獲勝。
Flatter一詞還有一些其它用法： If someone flatters you, they praise
you in an exaggerated way that is not sincere, because they want to please you
or to persuade you to do something. 奉承，諂媚 e.g. I knew she was just flattering
me, because she wanted me to buy her
scarf. 此外flattering和flattered在口語中的出現頻率也很高，flattering繼承了flatter的意思，作為形容詞的時候有“諂媚的，討好的”意思，但是也有“討人喜歡的”意思， 如：
How flattering your company is since so many other companies are after you.
你看你們公司多招人喜歡，那么多其他公司都跟在你們屁股后面轉。 但是flattered的意思有所不同， If you feel
flattered by something that has happened, you are pleased about it because it
makes you feel important or special. 表示"受寵若驚"的意思 e.g. I feel flattered by
what you said. 你的話讓我受寵若驚。
Collins: Dear Miss Elizabeth, I am sure my attentions have
been too marked to be mistaken. Almost as soon as I entered the house, I
singled you out as the companion of
my future life. But before I am run away with my feelings, perhaps I may state
my reasons for marrying. Firstly, that it is the duty of a clergyman to set the
example of matrimony in his parish. Secondly, that I am convinced it will add
greatly to my happiness. And thirdly, that it is at the urging of my esteemed
patroness, Lady Catherine, that I select a wife. My object in coming to
Longbourn was to choose such a one from among Mr. Bennet's daughters, for I am
to inherit the estate and such an alliance will surely…suit everyone. And now
nothing remains but for me to assure you in the most animated language of the
violence of my affections.
