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CHAPTER I

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It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune

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must be in want of a wife.

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However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be, on his first entering

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a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families that

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he is considered the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters.

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My dear Mr. Bennet," said his lady to him one day,

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"'Have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?'

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Mr. Bennet replied that he had not.

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"'But it is,' returned she, "'for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about

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it.'

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Mr. Bennet made no answer.

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"'Do you not want to know who has taken it?'

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cried his wife impatiently.

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"'You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.'

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This was invitation enough.

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Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of

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large fortune from the north of England, that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four

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to see the place, and was so much delighted with it that he agreed with Mr. Morse immediately

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that he is to take possession before Mickelmas, and some of his servants are to be in the

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house by the end of next week.

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What is his name?

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Bingley.

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Is he married or single?'

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"'Oh, single, my dear, to be sure.

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

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What a fine thing for our girls!'

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"'How so?

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How can it affect them?'

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"'My dear Mr. Bennet,' replied his wife, "'how can you be so tiresome?

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You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them.

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Is that his design in settling here?'

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"'Design?

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Nonsense!

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How can you talk so?

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But it is very likely that he may fall in love with one of them, and therefore you must

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visit him as soon as he comes.'

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"'I see no occasion for that.

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You and the girls may go, or you may send them by themselves, which perhaps would be

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still better, for as you are as handsome as any of them, Mr. Bingley may like you the

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best of the party.'

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"'I see no occasion for that.

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You and the girls may go, or you may send them by yourself, which perhaps would be still

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better, for as you are as handsome as any of them, Mr. Bingley may like you the best

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