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'I honour your circumspection. A fortnight's acquaint-

ance is certainly very little. One cannot know what a man

really is by the end of a fortnight. But if _we_ do not venture,

somebody else will; and after all, Mrs. Long and her nieces

must stand their chance; and, therefore, as she will think it

an act of kindness, if you decline the office, I will take it on

myself.'

The girls stared at their father. Mrs. Bennet said only,

'Nonsense, nonsense!'

'What can be the meaning of that emphatic exclamation?'

cried he. 'Do you consider the forms of introduction, and

the stress that is laid on them, as nonsense? I cannot quite

agree with you _there._ What say you, Mary? for you are a

young lady of deep reflection, I know, and read great books,

and make extracts.'

Mary wished to say something very sensible, but knew not

how.

'While Mary is adjusting her ideas,' he continued, 'let us

return to Mr. Bingley.'

'I am sick of Mr. Bingley,' cried his wife.

'I am sorry to hear _that;_ but why did not you tell me so

before? If I had known as much this morning, I certainly

would not have called on him. It is very unlucky; but as I

have actually paid the visit, we cannot escape the acquaint-

ance now.'

The astonishment of the ladies was just what he wished;

that of Mrs. Bennet perhaps surpassing the rest; though

when the first tumult of joy was over, she began to declare

that it was what she had expected all the while.

'How good it was in you, my dear Mr. Bennet. But I

knew I should persuade you at last. I was sure you loved

your girls too well to neglect such an acquaintance. Well,

how pleased I am! and it is such a good joke, too, that you

should have gone this morning, and never said a word about

it till now.'

'Now, Kitty, you may cough as much as you choose,' said

Mr. Bennet; and, as he spoke, he left the room, fatigued

with the raptures of his wife.

'What an excellent father you have, girls,' said she, when

the door was shut. 'I do not know how you will ever make

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