Name: Pride & Prejudice | Chapter 1-5 (Audiobook)
Uploaded: 2023-10-12T05:03:35.000Z
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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 

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?"

"But it is," returned she; "for Mrs.  Long has just been here, and she 

"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."

"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."

"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!"

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

must know that I am thinking  of marrying one of them."

"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 

"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 does not  often have much beauty to think of."

"But, my dear, you must indeed go and  see Mr. Bingley when he comes into 

"It is more than I engage in, 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 

"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 hope 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 quicker 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 

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,  

"Depend upon it, my dear,  that when there are twenty,  

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.

Mr. Bennet was among the earliest of  those who waited on Mr. Bingley. He 

had always intended to visit him,  though to the last always assuring 

and till the evening after the visit was paid she had no knowledge of it.  

It was then disclosed in the following manner. Observing his second daughter  

employed in trimming a hat, he suddenly addressed her with:

"I hope Mr. Bingley will like it, Lizzy."

"We are not in a way to know _what_  Mr. Bingley likes," said her mother 

resentfully, "since we are not to visit."

"But you forget, mamma," said Elizabeth,  "that we shall meet him at the 

assemblies, and that Mrs. Long  promised to introduce him."

"I do not believe Mrs. Long will do  any such thing. She has two nieces 

of her own. She is a selfish, hypocritical woman,  

"No more have I," said Mr. Bennet;  "and I am glad to find that you do 

Mrs. Bennet deigned not to make  any reply, but, unable to contain 

herself, began scolding one of her daughters.

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Pride & Prejudice | Chapter 1-5 (Audiobook)

intimate

character

compassion

general