these twenty years at least.”
“Ah, you do not know what I suffer.”
“But I hope you will get over it, and live to see many young men of four

thousand a year come into the neighbourhood.”
“It will be no use to us, if twenty such should come, since you will not

visit them.”
“Depend upon it, my dear, that when there are twenty, I will visit them

all.”
Mr. Bennet was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humour,

reserve, and caprice, that the experience of three-and-twenty years had

been insufficient to{5} make his wife understand his character. Her mind

was less difficult to develope. She was a woman of mean understanding,

little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented, she

fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her

daughters married: its solace was visiting and news.

[Image unavailable.]
Mr. & Mrs. Bennet
[Copyright 1894 by George Allen.]

{6}


I hope Mr. Bingley will like it.


CHAPTER II.


MR. BENNET was among the earliest of those who waited on Mr. Bingley. He

had always intended to visit him, though to the last always assuring his

wife that he should not go; and till the evening after the visit was

paid she had no knowledge of it. It was then disclosed in the following

manner. Observing his second daughter employed in trimming a hat, he

suddenly addressed her with,—
“I hope Mr. Bingley will like it, Lizzy.”
“We are not in a way to know what Mr. Bingley likes,” said her mother,

resentfully, “since we are not to visit.{7}”
“But you forget, mamma,” said Elizabeth, “that we shall meet him at the

assemblies, and that Mrs. Long has promised to introduce him.”
“I do not believe Mrs. Long will do any such thing. She has two nieces

of her own. She is a selfish, hypocritical woman, and I have no opinion

of her.”
“No more have I,” said Mr. Bennet; “and I am glad to find that you do

not depend on her serving you.”
Mrs. Bennet deigned not to make any reply; but, unable to contain