LibriVox · Pride and Prejudice (Full Cast)
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Austen's drawing-room fencing matches with every character voiced — irony, wit, and social maneuvering in dialogue. The pinnacle of conversational listening practice at the advanced level.
From "Pride and Prejudice (Full Cast)" by Jane Austen, performed by a LibriVox full cast — every character voiced by a different reader. Real back-and-forth dialogue at natural speed, in the public domain.
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01CHAPTER II.
02Mr.
03Bennet was among the earliest of those who waited on Mr.
04Bingley.
05He 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.
06It was then disclosed in the following manner.
07Observing his second daughter employed in trimming a hat, he suddenly addressed her with, I hope Mr.
08Bingley will like it, Lizzy.
09We are not in a way to know what Mr.
10Bingley likes, said her mother resentfully, since we are not to visit.
11But you forget, Mama, said Elizabeth, that we shall meet him at the assemblies, and that Mrs.
12Long promised to introduce him.
13I do not believe Mrs.
14Long will do any such thing.
15She has two nieces of her own.
16She is a selfish, hypocritical woman, and I have no opinion of her.
17No more have I, said Mr.
18Bennet, and I am glad to find that you do not depend on her serving you.
19Mrs.
20Bennet deigned not to make any reply, but, unable to contain herself, began scolding one of her daughters.
21Don't keep coughing so, Kitty, for heaven's sake.
22Have a little compassion on my nerves.
23You tear them to pieces.
24Kitty has no discretion in her coughs.
25Said her father.
26She dimes them ill.
27I do not cough my own amusement, replied Kitty fretfully.
28When is your next ball to be, Lizzy?
29Tomorrow fortnight.
30Aye, so it is, cried her mother.
31And Mrs.
32Long 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.
33Then, my dear, you may have the advantage of your friend, and introduce Mr.
34Bingley to her.
35Impossible, Mr.
36Bennet, impossible!
37When I am not acquainted with him myself, how can you be so teasing?
38I honour your circumspection.
39A fortnight's acquaintance is certainly very little.
40One cannot know what a man really is by the end of a fortnight.
41But if we do not venture, somebody else will, and after all, Mrs.
42Long and her daughters must stand their chance.
43And therefore, as she will think it an act of kindness, if you decline the office, I will take it on myself.
44The girls stared at their father.
45Mrs.
46Bennet said only, Nonsense!
47Nonsense!
48What can be the meaning of that emphatic exclamation?
49Cried he.
50Do you consider the forms of introduction and the stress that is laid on them as nonsense?
51I cannot quite agree with you there.
52What say you, Mary?
53For you are a young lady of deep reflection, I know, and read great books and make extracts.
54Mary wished to say something sensible.
55But knew not how.
56While Mary is adjusting her ideas, he continued, Let us return to Mr.
57Bingley.
58I am sick of Mr.
59Bingley, cried his wife.
60I am sorry to hear that.
61But why did you not tell me that before?
62If I had known as much this morning, I certainly would not have called on him.
63It is very unlucky.
64But as I have actually paid the visit, we cannot escape the acquaintance now.
65The astonishment of the ladies was just what he wished, that of Mrs.
66Bennet perhaps surpassing the rest.
67Though, when the first tumult of joy was over, she began to declare that it was what she had expected all the while.
68How good it was in you, my dear Mr.
69Bennet!
70But I knew I should persuade you at last.
71I was sure you loved your girls too well to neglect such an acquaintance.
72Well, how pleased I am!
73And it is such a good joke, too, that you should have gone this morning and never said a word about it till now.
74Now, Kitty, you may cough as much as you choose, said Mr.
75Bennet, and as he spoke he left the room, fatigued with the raptures of his wife.
76What an excellent father you have, girls, said she, when the door was shut.
77I do not know how you will ever make him amends for his kindness, or me either, for that matter.
78At our time of life it is not so pleasant, I can tell you, to be making new acquaintances every day.
79But for your sakes we would do anything.
80Lydia, my love, though you are the youngest, I dare say Mr.
81Bingley will dance with you at the next ball.
82Oh!
83said Lydia stoutly.
84I am not afraid, for though I am the youngest, I am the tallest.
85The rest of the evening was spent in conjecturing how soon he would return Mr.
86Bennet's visit, and determining when they should ask him to dinner.
87End of chapter 2
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