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 as 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 said 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 down 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."
Mr. Bennet was quite surprised by the intelligence. He had not heard a word of it. "I am glad to hear it," said he. "It is a compliment to my daughters." His wife's eyes sparkled. "Indeed, Mr. Bennet, I am sure you do not mean to be funny; but I am sure I am very glad to find that you are sensible of the honour of the thing."
"My dear, I have no objection to dancing with my girls, or with any of them; but I can no more dance myself than I can dance at the opera." "I declare, Mr. Bennet, you are acting exactly like the rest of the world." "I am not acting like the rest of the world, for I have no fortune to make, and therefore I am not so anxious to secure a husband for my daughters."
This was too much for Mrs. Bennet. She had been talking eagerly the whole evening, and her husband had not paid her the slightest attention. She was too angry to speak, and the conversation dropped. Meanwhile, the news spread like wildfire through the neighbourhood. The arrival of Mr. Bingley was the topic of every conversation.