Chapter 1

by Jane Austen

　　It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man inpossession of a large fortune must be in want of a wife.However little known the feelings or views of such a man maybe on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so wellfixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he isconsidered the rightful property of someone or other of theirdaughters."My dear Mr. Bennet," said his lady to him one day, "have youheard 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, andshe told me all about it.Mr. Bennet made no answer."Do you not want to know who has taken it?" cried his wifeimpatiently."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 thatNetherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from thenorth of England; that he came down on Monday in a chaiseand four to see the place, and was so much delighted with it,that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately; that he is to takepossession before Michaelmas, and some of his servants are tobe 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 largefortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for ourgirls!""How so? How can it affect them?""My dear Mr. Bennet," replied his wife, "how can you be sotiresome! You must know that I am thinking of his marryingone of them.""Is that his design in settling here?""Design! Nonsense, how can you talk so! But it is very likelythat he may fall in love with one of them, and therefore youmust visit him as soon as he comes.""I see no occasion for that. You and the girls may go, or youmay send them by themselves, which perhaps will be stillbetter, for as you are as handsome as any of them, Mr. Bingleymay like you the best of the party.""My dear, you flatter me. I certainly have had my share ofbeauty, but I do not pretend to be anything extraordinary now.When a woman has five grown-up daughters, she ought to giveover thinking of her own beauty.""In such cases, a woman has not often much beauty to thinkof.""But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr. Bingley whenhe comes into the neighbourhood.""It is more than I engage for, I assure you.""But consider your daughters. Only think what anestablishment it would be for one of them. Sir William andLady Lucas are determined to go, merely on that account, forin general, you know, they visit no newcomers. Indeed youmust go, for it will be impossible for us to visit him if you donot.""You are over-scrupulous, surely. I dare say Mr. Bingley willbe very glad to see you; and I will send a few lines by you toassure him of my hearty consent to his marrying whichever hechooses of the girls; though I must throw in a good word formy little Lizzy.""I desire you will do no such thing. Lizzy is not a bit betterthan the others; and I am sure she is not half so handsome asJane, nor half so good-humoured as Lydia. But you are alwaysgiving her the preference.""They have none of them much to recommend them," repliedhe; "they are all silly and ignorant like other girls; but Lizzy hassomething more of quickness than her sisters.""Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse your own children in such away? You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassionfor my poor nerves.""You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for yournerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mentionthem with consideration these last twenty years at least."Mr. Bennet was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastichumour, reserve, and caprice, that the experience of three-and-twenty years had been insufficient to make his wife understandhis character. Her mind was less difficult to develop. She wasa woman of mean understanding, little information, anduncertain temper. When she was discontented, she fanciedherself nervous. The business of her life was to get herdaughters married; its solace was visiting and news.