Mr. Bennet was among the earliest of those who waited on his lordship. He had been preparing this visit for several days with a great deal of composure; when, on entering the room, he found himself, to his great surprise, in the midst of a drawing-room, with a table of cards laid out for a game, and the whole party engaged in playing cards. He immediately guessed that his lordship was engaged to play at cards, and that he was to be one of the party. His surprise, however, soon subsided. He saw that his lordship was playing a game of whist, and that he was to be the fourth player. He also saw that his lordship was not alone, but that he had a lady with him, and that she was playing cards with him. The lady was no other than Miss Bingley. He bowed to his lordship, and to Miss Bingley, and to the other two gentlemen who were playing with them.
After the game was over, and as soon as they had all got up from the table, Mr. Bennet approached his lordship, and with a very polite bow, said: “I hope I am not intruding. I have been sent to pay my respects to you, my lord.”
“Not at all, Mr. Bennet,” said his lordship, “I am very glad to see you. Pray, sit down. I am delighted to have an opportunity of conversing with you.”
Mr. Bennet sat down, and Miss Bingley, who had been so much delighted with the prospect of his coming, immediately joined the conversation. She was very glad to see him, and expressed her joy in a great deal of the most lively and affectionate terms. Mr. Bennet, however, did not feel much obliged to her for her civility. He was aware that her civility was the result of her attachment to his daughter, and that her attachment was the result of her father’s fortune. He was aware that her father was a rich man, and that his fortune was very great. He was aware that she was very handsome, and that she was very agreeable, and that she was very charming. He was aware that she was very accomplished, and that she was very well educated, and that she was very accomplished. He was aware that she was very agreeable, and that she was very charming, and that she was very accomplished.
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
The conversation then turned upon the subject of Mr. Bingley, and his intention of coming to Netherfield. Mr. Bennet listened with great attention, and did not fail to express his approbation of all that was said. He agreed with his lordship, and with Miss Bingley, that Mr. Bingley was a very amiable young man, and that he would be a very great acquisition to the neighbourhood. He said that he had no doubt that Mr. Bingley would be very happy at Netherfield, and that he would be very glad to have him there.
After some time, Mr. Bennet took his leave, and returned to Longbourn. He had not been gone many minutes when Miss Bingley said to his lordship: “I have been very much amused by Mr. Bennet. He is a very sensible man, and I have no doubt that he will be a very good neighbour to you. I have no doubt that he will be very glad to have you there. He is a very agreeable man, and I have no doubt that he will be very happy at Netherfield.”
His lordship, who had been very much amused by the whole conversation, agreed with Miss Bingley, and said that he had no doubt that Mr. Bennet would be a very good neighbour to him. He said that he had no doubt that Mr. Bennet would be very glad to have him there. He said that he had no doubt that Mr. Bennet would be very happy at Netherfield.