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 some one or other of their

daughters.

"My dear Mr. Robinson" said his lady to him one day, "have

you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?"

Mr. Robinson 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. Robinson 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

Northland 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. Robinson," 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

Janaya , nor half so good-humoured as Lara.. 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. Robinson, 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."

Mr. Robinson 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.

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