It is a truth universally acknowledged,that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. Howeverlittle known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering aneighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surroundingfamilies, that he is considered the rightful property of some one or other oftheir daughters.
“My dear Mr. Bennet,” said his lady to him one day, “have you heard that Netherfield Park islet at last?” Mr. Bennet replied that he had not.
“But it is,” returned she; “for Mrs. Long has just been here, andshe told me all about it.”
Mr. Bennetmade no answer.
“Do you not want to know who has takenit?” cried his wife impatiently.
“You want to tell me, and I have no objection tohearing it.”
This wasinvitation enough.
“Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Longsays that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from the northof 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 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 his wife, “how can you be so tiresome! You mustknow 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, andtherefore you must visit him as soon as he comes.”
“I see no occasion for that. You and thegirls may go, or you may send them by themselves, which perhaps will be stillbetter, for as you are as handsome as any of them, Mr. Bingley may like you thebest of the party.”
“My dear, you flatter me. I certainly have had my share of beauty, but I do not pretend to be anything 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, I assureyou.”
“But consider your daughters. Only thinkwhat an establishment it would be for one of them. Sir William and Lady Lucasare determined to go, merely on that account, for in general, you know, theyvisit no newcomers. Indeed you must go, for it will be impossible for us tovisit him if you do not.”
“You are over-scrupulous, surely. I daresay Mr. Bingley will be very glad to see you; and I will send a few lines byyou to assure him of my hearty consent to his marrying whichever he chooses
of the girls; thoughI 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 giving her the preference.”
“They have none of them much torecommend them,” replied he; “theyare all silly and ignorant like other girls; but Lizzy has something more ofquickness than her sisters.”
“Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse your ownchildren in such a way? You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassionfor my poor nerves.”
“You mistake me, my dear. I have a highrespect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention themwith consideration these last twenty years at least.”
“Ah, you do not know what I suffer.”
“But I hope you will get over it, andlive to see many young men of four thousand a year come into the neighbourhood.”
“It will be no use to us, if twenty suchshould 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 mixtureof quick parts, sarcastic humour, reserve, and caprice, that the experience ofthree and-twenty years had been insufficient to make his wife understand hischaracter.
Her mind was less difficult to develop. She was awoman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. When shewas discontented, she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was toget her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news.