{{prxprp001.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 1 ||

Chapter I

http://archive.org/stream/PrideAndPredjudice_362/pride_and_predjudice#page/n353/mode/2up

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 Nether^

field 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.'

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