............prev.....................next{{prxprp053.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 53 ||
'I hope, my dear,' said Mr. Bennet to his wife, as they were at
breakfast the next morning, 'that you have ordered a good dinner
to-day, because I have reason to expect an addition to our
family party.'
'Who do you mean, my dear; I know of nobody that is
coming, I am sure, unless Charlotte Lucas should happen to
call in -- and I hope my dinners are good enough for her. I do
not believe she often sees such at home.'
'The person of whom I speak is a gentleman and a stranger.'
Mrs. Bennet's eyes sparkled. 'A gentleman and a stranger!
It is Mr. Bingley, I am sure. Why, Jane -- you never dropt a
word of this -- you sly thing! Well, I am sure I shall be extremely
glad to see Mr. Bingley. -- But -- good lord! how unlucky! there
is not a bit of fish to be got to-day. Lydia, my love, ring the
bell. I must speak to Hill, this moment.'
'It is not Mr. Bingley,' said her husband; 'it is a person whom
I never saw in the whole course of my life.'
This roused a general astonishment; and he had the pleasure
of being eagerly questioned by his wife and five daughters at once.
After amusing himself some time with their curiosity, he thus
explained. 'About a month ago I received this letter, and about
a fortnight ago I answered it, for I thought it a case of some
delicacy, and requiring early attention. It is from my cousin, Mr.
Collins, who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this
house as soon as he pleases.'
'Oh! my dear,' cried his wife, T cannot bear to hear that
mentioned. Pray do not talk of that odious man. I do think
it is the hardest thing in the world, that your estate should be
entailed away from your own children; and I am sure if I had
been you, I should have tried long ago to do something or
other about it.'
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