{{prxprp005.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 5

'Then, my dear, you may have the advantage of your friend,

and introduce Mr. Bingley to her.'

'Impossible, Mr. Bennet, impossible, when I am not acquainted

with him myself; how can you be so teasing?'

'I honour your circumspection. A fortnight's acquaintance 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 acquaintance 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 chuse,' said

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

the raptures of his vyif?,

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