Chapter 2

by Jane Austen

　　Mr. Bennet was among the earliest of those who waited on Mr.Bingley. He had always intended to visit him, though to the lastalways assuring his wife that he should not go; and till theevening after the visit was paid she had no knowledge of it. Itwas then disclosed in the following manner: --Observing hissecond daughter employed in trimming a hat, he suddenlyaddressed her with:"I hope Mr. Bingley will like it, Lizzy.""We are not in a way to know what Mr. Bingley likes," saidher mother resentfully, "since we are not to visit.""But you forget, mamma," said Elizabeth, "that we shall meethim at the assemblies, and that Mrs. Long promised to introducehim.""I do not believe Mrs. Long will do any such thing. She has twonieces of her own. She is a selfish, hypocritical woman, and Ihave no opinion of her.""No more have I," said Mr. Bennet; "and I am glad to find thatyou do not depend on her serving you."Mrs. Bennet deigned not to make any reply, but, unable tocontain herself, began scolding one of her daughters."Don't keep coughing so, Kitty, for Heaven's sake! Have a littlecompassion on my nerves. You tear them to pieces.""Kitty has no discretion in her coughs," said her father; "shetimes them ill.""I do not cough for my own amusement," replied Kitty fretfully."When is your next ball to be, Lizzy?""To-morrow fortnight.""Aye, so it is," cried her mother, "and Mrs. Long does not comeback till the day before; so it will be impossible for her tointroduce him, for she will not know him herself.""Then, my dear, you may have the advantage of your friend, andintroduce Mr. Bingley to her.""Impossible, Mr. Bennet, impossible, when I am not acquaintedwith him myself; how can you be so teasing?""I honour your circumspection. A fortnight's acquaintance iscertainly very little. One cannot know what a man really is bythe end of a fortnight. But if we do not venture somebody elsewill; and after all, Mrs. Long and her daughters must stand theirchance; and, therefore, as she will think it an act of kindness, ifyou decline the office, I will take it on myself."The girls stared at their father. Mrs. Bennet said only,"Nonsense, nonsense!""What can be the meaning of that emphatic exclamation?" criedhe. "Do you consider the forms of introduction, and the stressthat is laid on them, as nonsense? I cannot quite agree with youthere. What say you, Mary? For you are a young lady ofdeep reflection, I know, and read great books and makeextracts."Mary wished to say something sensible, but knew not how."While Mary is adjusting her ideas," he continued, "let us returnto Mr. Bingley.""I am sick of Mr. Bingley," cried his wife."I am sorry to hear that; but why did not you tell me thatbefore? If I had known as much this morning I certainly wouldnot have called on him. It is very unlucky; but as I have actuallypaid the visit; we cannot escape the acquaintance now."The astonishment of the ladies was just what he wished; that ofMrs. Bennet perhaps surpassing the rest; though, when the firsttumult of joy was over, she began to declare that it was what shehad expected all the while."How good it was in you, my dear Mr. Bennet! But I knew Ishouldpersuade you at last. I was sure you loved your girls too well toneglect such an acquaintance. Well, how pleased I am! and it issuch a good joke, too, that you should have gone this morningand never said a word about it till now.""Now, Kitty, you may cough as much as you choose," said Mr.Bennet; and, as he spoke, he left the room, fatigued with theraptures of his wife.What an excellent father you have, girls!" said she, when thedoor was shut. "I do not know how you will ever make himamends for his kindness; or me, either, for that matter. At ourtime of life it is not so pleasant, I can tell you, to be making newacquaintances every day; but for your sakes, we would doanything. Lydia, my love, though you are the youngest, I daresay Mr. Bingley will dance with you at the next ball.""Oh!" said Lydia stoutly, "I am not afraid; for though I am theyoungest, I'm the tallest."The rest of the evening was spent in conjecturing how soon hewould return Mr. Bennet's visit, and determining when theyshould ask him to dinner.