Pride and Prejudice

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 the owner on the spot; and it is said that he is to be in possession before Michaelmas." "What is his name?" "Bingley." "Is he married or single?" "Oh! single, my dear, to be sure! A bachelor 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 might like you the best of the party." "My dear, you flatter me. I certainly have something about me that interests Mr. Bingley. Besides, I have no objection to being admired, for I am sure you know that I am very handsome; I will go to bed and think over the affair." And Mr. Bennet, with an air of great good humour, replied, "You are mistaken, my dear. I have no doubt of your being handsome, but I have not much confidence in your power of charming Mr. Bingley, unless he possesses the charm of being handsome. I have not the happiness of thinking that he is in the least degree more estimable than any other man." "Oh! Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse your children! You are not serious in that. Pray, tell me, what is the most you can get by the bargain?" "I am not sure that I ever saw any of them when they were not dirty and grubby; and I am sure that I have never seen any of them when they were not dirty and grubby." "Well, you are a funny man, Mr. Bennet. I am sure I have had great luck in marrying you. I have had great luck in marrying you. I do not see how I could have had better luck. I do not see how I could have had better luck. I do not see how I could have had better luck. I do not see how I could have had better luck. I do not see how I could have had better luck. I do not see how I could have had better luck. I do not see how I could have had better luck. I do not see how I could have had better luck. I do not see how I could have had better luck. I do not see how I could have had better luck. I do not see how I could have had better luck."