1IT is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession
of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
2However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his
first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds
of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful
property of some one or other of their daughters.
3“My dear Mr. Bennet,” said his lady to him one day, “have you heard that
Netherfield Park is let at last?”
4Mr. Bennet replied that he had not.
5“But it is,” returned she; “for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she
told me all about it.”
6Mr. Bennet made no answer.
7“Do not you want to know who has taken it?” cried his wife, impatiently.
8“You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.”
9This was invitation enough.
10“Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken
by a young man of large fortune from the north of England; that he came
down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place, and was so much
delighted with it that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately; that he is
to take possession before Michaelmas, and some of his servants are to be
in the house by the end of next week.”
11“What is his name?”
12“Bingley.”
13“Is he married or single?”
14“Oh, single, my dear, to be sure! 15A single man of large fortune; four or
five thousand a year. 16What a fine thing for our girls!”
17“How so? 18how can it affect them?”
19“My dear Mr. Bennet,” replied his wife, “how can you be so tiresome? 20You
must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them.”
21“Is that his design in settling here?”
22“Design? 23Nonsense, how can you talk so! 24But it is very likely that he
may fall in love with one of them, and therefore you must visit him as
soon as he comes.”
25“I see no occasion for that. 26You and the girls may go—or you may send
them by themselves, which perhaps will be still better; for as you are
as handsome as any of them, Mr. Bingley might like you the best of the
party.”
27“My dear, you flatter me. 28I certainly have had my share of beauty, but
I do not pretend to be anything extraordinary now. 29When a woman has five
grown-up daughters, she ought to give over thinking of her own beauty.”
30“In such cases, a woman has not often much beauty to think of.”
31“But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr. Bingley when he comes into
the neighbourhood.”
32“It is more than I engage for, I assure you.”
33“But consider your daughters. 34Only think what an establishment it would
be for one of them. 35Sir William and Lady Lucas are determined to go,
merely on that account; for in general, you know, they visit no new
comers. 36Indeed you must go, for it will be impossible for us to visit
him, if you do not.”
37“You are over scrupulous, surely. 38I dare say Mr. Bingley will 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 he chooses of the girls—though
I must throw in a good word for my little Lizzy.”
39“I desire you will do no such thing. 40Lizzy is not a bit better than the
others: and I am sure she is not half so handsome as Jane, nor half so
good-humoured as Lydia. 41But you are always giving her the preference.”
42“They have none of them much to recommend them,” replied he: “they are
all silly and ignorant like other girls; but Lizzy has something more of
quickness than her sisters.”
43“Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse your own children in such a way? 44You take
delight in vexing me. 45You have no compassion on my poor nerves.”
46“You mistake me, my dear. 47I have a high respect for your nerves. 48They
are my old friends. 49I have heard you mention them with consideration
these twenty years at least.”
50“Ah, you do not know what I suffer.”
51“But I hope you will get over it, and live to see many young men of four
thousand a year come into the neighbourhood.”
52“It will be no use to us, if twenty such should come, since you will not
visit them.”
53“Depend upon it, my dear, that when there are twenty, I will visit them
all.”
54Mr. Bennet was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour,
reserve, and caprice, that the experience of three-and-twenty years had
been insufficient to make his wife understand his character. 55Her mind
was less difficult to develope. 56She was a woman of mean understanding,
little information, and uncertain temper. 57When she was discontented, she
fancied herself nervous. 58The business of her life was to get her
daughters married: its solace was visiting and news.