diff --git a/PandP_ch1.txt b/PandP_ch1.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..37b65cd --- /dev/null +++ b/PandP_ch1.txt @@ -0,0 +1,109 @@ +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. Bennet," said his lady to him one day, "have you +heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?" + +Mr. Bennet 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. Bennet 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 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. 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. Bennet," 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 +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 he; +"they are all silly and ignorant like other girls; but Lizzy +has something more of quickness than her sisters." + +"Mr. Bennet, 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. Bennet 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.