It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in

possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. “But it is,” returned she; “for Mrs. Long has just been here,
and she told me all about it.”
However little known the feelings or views of such a man
may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is Mr. Bennet made no answer.
so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that
he is considered the rightful property of some one or other “Do you not want to know who has taken it?” cried his wife
of their daughters. impatiently.

“My dear Mr. Bennet,” said his lady to him one day, “have “You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.”
you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?”
This was invitation enough.
Mr. Bennet replied that he had not.

“Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Neth-
erfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from the “Oh! Single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large for-
north of England; that he came down on Monday in a chaise tune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our
and four to see the place, and was so much delighted with girls!”
it, that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately; that he is
to take possession before Michaelmas, and some of his ser- “How so? How can it affect them?”
vants are to be in the house by the end of next week.”
“My dear Mr. Bennet,” replied his wife, “how can you be so
“What is his name?” tiresome! You must know that I am thinking of his marrying
one of them.”
“Bingley.”
“Is that his design in settling here?”
“Is he married or single?”
“Design! Nonsense, how can you talk so! But it is very likely
that he may fall in love with one of them, and therefore you “In such cases, a woman has not often much beauty to think
must visit him as soon as he comes.” of.”

“I see no occasion for that. You and the girls may go, or you “But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr. Bingley
may send them by themselves, which perhaps will be still when he comes into the neighbourhood.”
better, for as you are as handsome as any of them, Mr. Bing-
ley may like you the best of the party.” “It is more than I engage for, I assure you.”

“My dear, you flatter me. I certainly have had my share of “But consider your daughters. Only think what an establish-
beauty, but I do not pretend to be anything extraordinary ment it would be for one of them. Sir William and Lady Lu-
now. When a woman has five grown-up daughters, she cas are determined to go, merely on that account, for in gen-
ought to give over thinking of her own beauty.” eral, you know, they visit no newcomers. Indeed you must

go, for it will be impossible for us to visit him if you do not.” “They have none of them much to recommend them,” re-
plied he; “they are all silly and ignorant like other girls; but
“You are over-scrupulous, surely. I dare say Mr. Bingley will Lizzy has something more of quickness than her sisters.”
be very glad to see you; and I will send a few lines by you to
assure him of my hearty consent to his marrying whichever “Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse your own children in such
he chooses of the girls; though I must throw in a good word a way? You take delight in vexing me. You have no compas-
for my little Lizzy.” sion for my poor nerves.”

“I desire you will do no such thing. Lizzy is not a bit better “You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your
than the others; and I am sure she is not half so handsome nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention
as Jane, nor half so good-humoured as Lydia. But you are them with consideration these last twenty years at least.”
always giving her the preference.”
“Ah, you do not know what I suffer.”
 understand his character. Her mind was less difficult to de-
“But I hope you will get over it, and live to see many young velop. She was a woman of mean understanding, little infor-
men of four thousand a year come into the neighbourhood.” mation, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented,
she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to
“It will be no use to us, if twenty such should come, since get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news.
you will not visit them.”

“Depend upon it, my dear, that when there are twenty, I will
visit them all.”

Mr. Bennet was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic

Chapter 2
Mr. Bennet was among the earliest of those who waited on “But you forget, mamma,” said Elizabeth, “that we shall
Mr. Bingley. He had always intended to visit him, though to meet him at the assemblies, and that Mrs. Long promised
the last always assuring his wife that he should not go; and to introduce him.”
till the evening after the visit was paid she had no knowl-
edge of it. It was then disclosed in the following manner. “I do not believe Mrs. Long will do any such thing. She has
Observing his second daughter employed in trimming a hat, two nieces of her own. She is a selfish, hypocritical woman,
he suddenly addressed her with: and I have no opinion of her.”

“I hope Mr. Bingley will like it, Lizzy.” “No more have I,” said Mr. Bennet; “and I am glad to find
that you do not depend on her serving you.”
“We are not in a way to know what Mr. Bingley likes,” said
her mother resentfully, “since we are not to visit.”