It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single woman in possession of
a good fortune, must be in want of a husband.
However little known the feelings or views of such a woman may be on her
first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the
surrounding families, that she is considered the rightful property of some one
or other of their sons.
"Mama, have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?" said her daughter
one day.
Her mother replied that she had not.
"But it is," returned her, "for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told
me all about it."
Her mother made no answer.
"Do you not want to know who has taken it?" cried her daughter 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 Nether field 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 de-
lighted 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 sons!"
"How so? How can it affect them?"
"My dear Mama, how can you be so tiresome! You must know that I am
thinking of his marrying one of us."
"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 us, 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 us, 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
four 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 us. 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 me; 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 Elizabeth."
"I desire you will do no such thing. Elizabeth 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 she; "they
are all silly and ignorant like other girls; but Elizabeth has something more of
quickness than her sisters."
"Mama, 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, re-
serve, 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.
