Chapter 38
Mr. Bennet was among the earliest of those who waited on him at the parsonage; and though he rarely went out of his own parish, was the more surprised by his acquaintance with the particulars of the situation, of which he had been previously informed by his neighbour, Mr. Robinson. He had reason to be thankful that he had been the first to hear of it, for he was a man who loved the gratification of being the first to inform himself. Mr. Robinson, a man of sense, and of much taste, was a warm admirer of the young clergyman, and of his accomplishments; and he was exceedingly sorry to find that there was not to be a great deal more of his society. Mr. Robinson had already had several conversations with him, and had found him to be in many respects the son of his own acquaintance, Mr. Robinson, whom he had known intimately at Cambridge.
Mr. Bennet’s feelings were quite altered on this subject. His daughter’s favourite friend was the daughter of his own dearest friend, and he could not but feel that he was in the right to give her his patronage, and to take her into his favour. He had lately heard of his daughter’s having been exceedingly civil to his daughter at a ball in town, and had been much pleased with the intelligence. He now thought that he would make a point of seeing her at his own house, and as soon as possible. His wife and his five daughters were therefore to be at home on Sunday, and as his own daughter was to be at home at the same time, it was very natural that he should wish to see them together.
He had received from his daughter, who was about the same age as her friend, many very agreeable accounts of her, and he was so well pleased with her that he had resolved to be as civil to her as possible, and to let her know that he was very much pleased with her and very much pleased with her friends. He had already been in the habit of seeing her very often, and he was so well pleased with her that he had resolved to be as civil to her as possible, and to let her know that he was very much pleased with her and very much pleased with her friends. He had already been in the habit of seeing her very often, and he was so well pleased with her that he had resolved to be as civil to her as possible, and to let her know that he was very much pleased with her and very much pleased with her friends.
"My dear Mr. Bennet," said his wife, "I am very glad to hear that you are so much pleased with your daughter’s friend. I am sure that she is a very good girl, and I am sure that you will be very pleased with her. I have no doubt that she will be a great comfort to you in your old age."
"I hope so," said Mr. Bennet, "and I have no doubt that she will be a great comfort to you in your old age. I am very pleased with her, and I am sure that you will be very pleased with her. I have no doubt that she will be a great comfort to you in your old age."