You and the girls may go--or you may send
them by themselves, which perhaps will be still better; for as you are
as handsome as any of them, Mr
Bingley might like you the best of the
party.”

“My dear, you flatter me
I certainly _have_ had my share of beauty, but
I do not pretend to be anything extraordinary now
Bingley when he comes into
the neighbourhood.”

“It is more than I engage for, I assure you.”

“But consider your daughters
Only think what an establishment it would
be for one of them
Sir William and Lady Lucas are determined to go,
merely on that account; for in general, you know, they visit no new
comers
Indeed you must go, for it will be impossible for _us_ to visit
him, if you do not.”

“You are over scrupulous, surely
Lizzy is not a bit better than the
others: and I am sure she is not half so handsome as Jane, nor half so
good-humoured as Lydia
Bennet, how can you abuse your own children in such a way
You have no compassion on my poor nerves.”

“You mistake me, my dear
I have a high respect for your nerves
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 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
[Illustration: M^{r.} & M^{rs.} Bennet

[_Copyright 1894 by George Allen._]]




[Illustration:

“I hope Mr
Bingley will like it”

[_Copyright 1894 by George Allen._]]




CHAPTER II
Bennet was among the earliest of those who waited on Mr
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.”

“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
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
herself, began scolding one of her daughters
“Don’t keep coughing so, Kitty, for heaven’s sake
Have a little
compassion on my nerves
You tear them to pieces.”

“Kitty has no discretion in her coughs,” said her father; “she times
them ill.”

“I do not cough for my own amusement,” replied Kitty, fretfully
“When
is your next ball to be, Lizzy?”

“To-morrow fortnight.”

“Ay, so it is,” cried her mother, “and Mrs
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
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_
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
“I am sorry to hear _that_; but why did you not 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
But I knew I should
persuade you at last
I was sure you loved your girls too well to
neglect such an acquaintance
