Chapter 01 (Pride and Prejudice)

01CHAPTER I.

02It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.

03However 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.

04"'My dear Mr.

05Bennet,' said his lady to him one day, "'have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?' Mr.

06Bennet replied that he had not.

07"'But it is,' returned she, "'for Mrs.

08Long has just been here, and she told me all about it.' Mr.

09Bennet made no answer.

10"'Do you not want to know who has taken it?' cried his wife impatiently.

11"'You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.' This was invitation enough.

12"'Why, my dear, you must know Mrs.

13Long 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.

14Morris 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!

15A single man of large fortune, four or five thousand a year!

16What a fine thing for our girls!' "'How so?

17How can it affect them?' "'My dear Mr.

18Bennet,' replied his wife, "'how can you be so tiresome?

19You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them.' "'Is that his design in settling here?' "'Design!

20Nonsense!

21How 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.

22You 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.

23Bingley may like you the best of the party.

24"'My dear, you flatter me!

25I certainly have had my share of beauty, but I do not pretend to be anything extraordinary now.

26When a woman has five grown-up daughters, she ought to give over thinking of her own beauty.

27In such cases a woman has not often much beauty to think of.' "'But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr.

28Bingley when he comes into the neighbourhood.

29It is more than I engage for, I assure you.

30"'But consider your daughters.

31Only think what an establishment it would be for one of them.

32Sir William and Lady Lucas are determined to go, merely on that account, for in general you know they visit no new-comers.

33Indeed, you must go, for it will be impossible for us to visit him if you do not.

34"'You are over-scrupulous, surely.

35I dare say Mr.

36Bingley will be very glad to see you, and I will send a few lines by you to assure him of my very hearty consent to his marrying whichever he chooses of the girls, though I must throw in a good word for my little Lizzy.

37"'I desire you will do no such thing.

38Lizzy 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.

39But you are always giving her the preference.

40They have none of them much to recommend to them,' replied he.

41"'They are all silly and ignorant, like other girls.

42But Lizzy has something more of quickness than her sister's.' "'Mr.

43Bennet!

44How can you abuse your own children in such a way?

45You take delight in vexing me.

46You have no compassion for my poor nerves.' "'You mistake me, my dear.

47I have a high respect for your nerves.

48They are my old friends.

49I have heard you mention them with consideration these last twenty years at least.

50You do not know what I suffer.

51But I hope you will get over it, and live to see many young men of four thousand a year come into the neighbourhood.

52It will be no use to us if twenty such should come, since you will not visit them.

53Depend upon it, my dear, that when there are twenty, I will visit them all.' Mr.

54Bennet 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.

55Her mind was less difficult to develop.

56She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain temper.

57When she was discontented, she fancied herself nervous.

58The business of her life was to get her daughters married.

59Its solace was visiting and news.

60End of chapter 1