Mr. Bennet was among those who were vigorously exerting themselves to see the company. His attention was not very steady for he spoke with great animation and intelligence to Mr. Gardiner, and wrote his name down twice in his card-book, because he did not choose to be under the obligation of going to Pemberley.

His eldest daughter, as he was pleased to think, was not the most particular in his account of this party. His eldest daughter was not the most particular in his account of this party. Elizabeth Bennet was in the greatest delight, and already imagining the pleasure of leaving her father to himself, was preparing to follow her. She had been walking about the room with her sister, and had not been much to her liking.

Elizabeth’s spirit was in a state of great perturbation. Her father, her mother, and all her sisters, were united in their earnest wishes that she might be very happy. She felt for them, and for herself, and for her own situation, and was most sensible of their attention.

“My dear Mr. Bennet,” said his lady to him one day, “have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?”

“As to that, I cannot tell,” said Mr. Bennet, “but I have no doubt that your daughter is a very fine young woman.”

“She is not so handsome as Elizabeth,” said Mrs. Bennet.

“Not half so handsome as Elizabeth,” repeated Mr. Bennet.

“Nor so witty neither,” said Mrs. Bennet.

“She is not half so witty as Elizabeth,” said Mr. Bennet.

“And I am sure,” added her mother, “that she is not half so handsome as Elizabeth, nor half so witty. And I am sure that she is not half so handsome as Elizabeth, nor half so witty. And I am sure that she is not half so handsome as Elizabeth, nor half so witty.”

Elizabeth, who had been sitting by, heard all this without being at all surprised. She was often in the habit of hearing such remarks, and had long become accustomed to the indiscriminate praises of her family. Her own opinion, however, was very different. She had no high opinion of her own beauty, or her own wit.

“But I have great hopes of her,” continued Mrs. Bennet. “I think she will be a very good match for him. She is a good-looking girl, and I have no doubt that she will make him a very good wife.”

“I am glad to hear it,” said Mr. Bennet, with a smile, “and I hope that you will find me agreeable.”

Elizabeth, however, was not at all of her mother’s opinion. She had a great dislike of Mr. Collins, and could not bear the idea of marrying him. She felt that she could never be happy with such a man, and that she would rather remain single all her life than marry him.

Mr. Bennet, however, was not at all of her mother’s opinion. He had a great dislike of Mr. Collins, and could not bear the idea of marrying him. He felt that he could never be happy with such a man, and that he would rather remain single all his life than marry him.

“Well, my dear,” said he, “if you do not like him, I will not force you to marry him. But I do not know what you will do for a husband, if you do not marry Mr. Collins.”

Elizabeth, however, was not at all of her mother’s opinion. She had a great dislike of Mr. Collins, and could not bear the idea of marrying him. She felt that she could never be happy with such a man, and that she would rather remain single all her life than marry him.