IT is a truth universally acknowledged,that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
However little known the feelings or viewsof such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is sowell fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered asthe rightful property of some one or other of their daughters.
"My dear Mr. Bennet," said hislady to him one day, "have you heard that Netherfield park is let atlast?"
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 not you want to know who has takenit?" cried his wife impatiently.
"You want to tell me, and I have noobjection 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 thenorth of England; that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four to see theplace, 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 areto 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! Asingle man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thingfor our girls!"
"How so? how can it affect them?"
"My dear Mr. Bennet," replied hiswife, "how can you be so tiresome! You must know that I am thinking of hismarrying one of them."
"Is that his design in settlinghere?"
"Design! nonsense, how can you talkso! But it is very likely that he may fall in love with one of them, andtherefore you must visit him as soon as he comes."
"I see no occasion for that. You andthe girls may go, or you may send them by themselves, which perhaps will bestill better; for, as you are as handsome as any of them, Mr. Bingley mightlike you the best of the party."
"My dear, you flatter me. I certainlyhave had my share of beauty, but I do not pretend to be any thing extraordinarynow. When a woman has five grown up daughters, she ought to give over thinkingof her own beauty."
"In such cases, a woman has not oftenmuch beauty to think of."
"But, my dear, you must indeed go andsee Mr. Bingley when he comes into the neighbourhood."
"It is more than I engage for, Iassure you."
"But consider your daughters. Onlythink what an establishment it would be for one of them. Sir William and LadyLucas are determined to go, merely on that account, for in general, you knowthey visit no new comers. Indeed you must go, for it will be impossible for usto visit him, if you do not."
"You are over-scrupulous, surely. Idare say Mr. Bingley will be very glad to see you; and I will send a few linesby you to assure him of my hearty consent to his marrying which ever he chusesof 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 sohandsome as Jane, nor half so good humoured as Lydia. But you are always givingher the preference."
"They have none of them much torecommend them," replied he; "they are all silly and ignorant likeother girls; but Lizzy has something more of quickness than her sisters."
"Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse yourown children in such way? You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassionon my poor nerves."
"You mistake me, my dear. I have ahigh respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mentionthem with consideration these twenty years at least."
"Ah! you do not know what Isuffer."
"But I hope you will get over it, andlive to see many young men of four thousand a year come into theneighbourhood."
"It will be no use to us if twentysuch should come, since you will not visit them."
"Depend upon it, my dear, that whenthere are twenty I will visit them all."
Mr. Bennet was so odd a mixture of quickparts, sarcastic humour, reserve, and caprice, that the experience of three andtwenty years had been insufficient to make his wife understand his character.Her mind was less difficult to develope. She was a woman of mean understanding,little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented, shefancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughtersmarried; its solace was visiting and news.
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