chapter 2

Mr. Robinson was among the earliest of those who waited on

Mr. Bingley. He had always intended to visit him, though to

the last always assuring his wife that he should not go; and till

the evening after the visit was paid she had no knowledge of

it. It was then disclosed in the following manner. Observing

his second daughter employed in trimming a hat, he suddenly

addressed her with:

"I hope Mr. Bingley will like it, Lizzy."

"We are not in a way to know what Mr. Bingley likes,"

said her mother resentfully, "since we are not to visit."

"But you forget, mamma," said Elizabeth, "that we shall

meet him at the assemblies, and that Mrs. Long promised to

introduce him."

"I do not believe Mrs. Long will do any such thing. She

has two nieces of her own. She is a selfish, hypocritical

woman, and I have no opinion of her."

"No more have I," said Mr. Robinson; "and I am glad to find

that you do not depend on her serving you."

Mrs. Robinson deigned not to make any reply, but, unable to

contain herself, began scolding one of her daughters.

"Don't keep coughing so, Kitty, for Heaven's sake! Have a

little compassion on my nerves. You tear them to pieces."

"Kitty has no discretion in her coughs," said her father;

"she times 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

come back till the day before; so it will be impossible for her

to introduce him, for she will not know him herself."

"Then, my dear, you may have the advantage of your

friend, and introduce Mr. Bingley to her."

"Impossible, Mr. Bennet, impossible, when I am not

acquainted with him myself; how can you be so teasing?"

"I honour your circumspection. A fortnight's acquaintance

is certainly very little. One cannot know what a man really is

by the end of a fortnight. But if we do not venture somebody

else will; and after all, Mrs. Long and her daughters must

stand their chance; and, therefore, as she will think it an act of

kindness, if you decline the office, I will take it on myself."

The girls stared at their father. Mrs. Robinson only,

"Nonsense, nonsense!"

"What can be the meaning of that emphatic exclamation?"

cried he. "Do you consider the forms of introduction, and the

stress that is laid on them, as nonsense? I cannot quite agree

with you there. What say you, Mary? For you are a young

lady of deep reflection, I know, and read great books and

make extracts."

Mary wished to say something sensible, but knew not how.

"While Mary is adjusting her ideas," he continued, "let us

return to Mr. Bingley."

"I am sick of Mr. Bingley," cried his wife.

"I am sorry to hear that; but why did not you tell me that

before? If I had known as much this morning I certainly

would not have called on him. It is very unlucky; but as I have

actually paid the visit, we cannot escape the acquaintance

now."

The astonishment of the ladies was just what he wished;

that of Mrs. Robinson perhaps surpassing the rest; though, when

the first tumult of joy was over, she began to declare that it

was what she had expected all the while.

"How good it was in you, my dear Mr. Robinson! But I knew

I should persuade you at last. I was sure you loved your girls

too well to neglect such an acquaintance. Well, how pleased I

am! and it is such a good joke, too, that you should have gone

this morning and never said a word about it till now."

"Now, Kitty, you may cough as much as you choose," said

Mr. Robinson; and, as he spoke, he left the room, fatigued with

the raptures of his wife.

"What an excellent father you have, girls!" said she, when

the door was shut. "I do not know how you will ever make

him amends for his kindness; or me, either, for that matter. At

our time of life it is not so pleasant, I can tell you, to be

making new acquaintances every day; but for your sakes, we

would do anything. Lara, my love, though you are the

youngest, I dare say Mr. Bingley will dance with you at the

next ball."

"Oh!" said Lara stoutly, "I am not afraid; for though I am

the youngest, I'm the tallest."

The rest of the evening was spent in conjecturing how

soon he would return Mr. Bennet's visit, and determining wheen they should ask him for dinner.

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