Chapter 1

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 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."

"Ah, you do not know what I suffer." "But I hope you will get over it, and live

to see many young men of four thousand a year come into the neighbourhood."

"It will be no use to us, if twenty such should come, since you will not visit them."

"Depend upon it, my dear, that when there are twenty, I will visit them all."

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.

Pride and Prejudice - Chapter 1 - British Accent Reading - Jane Austen - British Pronunciation