Chapter 1
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in
possession of a large fortune must be in want of a wife. However
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 the
rightful property of someone or other of their daughters. "My dear
Mr. Bennet," said his lady to him one day, "have you heard that
Netherfield Park is let at last?" Mr. Bennet replied that he had
not. "But it is, returned she; "for Mrs. Long has just been here,
and she told me all about it. Mr. Bennet made no answer. "Do you
not want to know who has taken it?" cried his wife impatiently.
"You want
to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it."
This was invitation enough. "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." "What is his name?" "Bingley." "Is he
married or single?" "Oh! Single, my dear, to be sure! A single man
of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing
for our girls!" "How so? How can it affect them?" "My dear Mr.
Bennet," replied his wife, "how can you be so tiresome! You must
know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them." "Is that his
design in settling here?"
"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 must visit him as soon
as he comes."
"I see no occasion for that. You 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 may like you the
best of the party."
"My dear, you flatter me. I
certainly have had my share of beauty, but
I do not pretend to be anything extraordinary now. When a woman has
five grown-up daughters, she ought to give over thinking of her own
beauty."
"In such cases, a woman has not often much beauty to think of."
"But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr. Bingley when he comes
into the neighbourhood." "It is more than I engage for, I assure
you." "But consider your daughters. Only think what an
establishment it would be for one of them. Sir William and Lady
Lucas are determined to go, merely on that account, for in general,
you know, they visit no newcomers. Indeed you must go, for it will
be impossible for US to visit him if you do not." "You are
over-scrupulous, surely. I 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."
"I desire you will do no such
thing. Lizzy 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. But you are always giving her the
preference."
"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."
"Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse your own children in such a way? You
take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion for my poor
nerves."
"You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves.
They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with
consideration these last twenty years at least."
Mr. 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. her mind
was less difficult to develop. She was a woman of mean
understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. When she
was discontented, she fancied herself nervous. The business of her
life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and
news.