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Chapter I

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 not you 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 Mr. Morris immediately; that he

is to take possession before Michaelmas, and some of his

servants are to be in the house 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!'

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