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