Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice

Episode 1

I

It is a truth universally acknowledged,that a single man in possession of a good fortune,must be in want of a wife.

However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood,this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families,that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters.

'My dear Mr Bennet,'said his lady to him one day,'have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?'

Mr. Bennet replied that he had not.

'But it is,'returned she;'for Mrs. Long has just been here,and she told me all about it.'

Mr. Bennet made no answer.

'Do not you want to know who has taken it?'cried his wife impatiently.

'You want to tell me,and I have no objection to hearing it.'

This was invitation enough.

'Why,my dear,you must know,Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England;that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place,and was so much delighted with it that he agreed with Mr.Morris immediately;that he is to take possession before Michaelmas,and some of his servants are to be in the house by the end of next week.'

'What is his name?'

'Bingley.'

'Is he married or single?'

'Oh!single,my dear,to be sure!A single man of large fortune;four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls!'

'How so?how can it affect them?'

'My dear Mr. Bennet,'replied his wife,'how can you be so tiresome!You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them.'

'Is that his design in settling here?'

'Design!nonsense,how can you talk so!But it is very likely that he may fall in love with one of them,and therefore you must visit him as soon as he comes.'

'I see no occasion for that. 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 any thing extraordinary now.When a woman has five grown up daughters,she ought to give over thinking of her own beauty.'

'In such cases,a woman has not often much beauty to think of.'

'But,my dear,you must indeed go and see Mr. 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. I dare say Mr.Bingley will be very glad to see you;and I will send a few lines by you to assure him of my hearty consent to his marrying which ever he chooses of the girls;though I must throw in a good word for my little Lizzy.'

'I desire you will do no such thing. 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.But you are always giving her the preference.'

'They have none of them much to recommend them,replied he;'they are all silly and ignorant like other girls;but Lizzy has something more of quickness than her sisters.'

'Mr. Bennet,how can you abuse your own children in such a way?You take delight in vexing me.You have no compassion on my poor nerves.'

'You mistake me,my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves.They are my old friends.I have heard you mention them with consideration 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 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.

II

M r. 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.'

'But you forget,mama,'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 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.'

'Aye,so it is,'cried her mother,'and Mrs. Long does not come back till the day before;so,it will be impossible for her to introduce him,for she will not know him herself.'

'Then,my dear,you may have the advantage of your friend,and introduce Mr. Bingley to her.'

Hot

Comments

Fluffy Ball

Fluffy Ball

hey guys please please check out my book too it's called Loser kid

2023-10-22

0

𖠌Good Grief

𖠌Good Grief

I hav a novel book 🙌❤‍🩹

2023-09-23

0

𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗗!!

𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗗!!

WoW!! We can read classic literature on this platform now.🤩🤩🤩 It's incredibly amazing 😍🥰

2023-09-13

8

See all
Episodes
1 Episode 1
2 Episode 2
3 Episode 3
4 Episode 4
5 Episode 5
6 Episode 6
7 Episode 7
8 Episode 8
9 Episode 9
10 Episode 10
11 Episode 11
12 Episode 12
13 Episode 13
14 Episode 14
15 Episode 15
16 Episode 16
17 Episode 17
18 Episode 18
19 Episode 19
20 Episode 20
21 Episode 21
22 Episode 22
23 Episode 23
24 Episode 24
25 Episode 25
26 Episode 26
27 Episode 27
28 Episode 28
29 Episode 29
30 Episode 30
31 Episode 31
32 Episode 32
33 Episode 33
34 Episode 34
35 Episode 35
36 Episode 36
37 Episode 37
38 Episode 38
39 Episode 39
40 Episode 40
41 Episode 41
42 Episode 42
43 Episode 43
44 Episode 44
45 Episode 45
46 Episode 46
47 Episode 47
48 Episode 48
49 Episode 49
50 Episode 50
51 Episode 51
52 Episode 52
53 Episode 53
54 Episode 54
55 Episode 55
56 Episode 56
57 Episode 57
58 Episode 58
59 Episode 59
60 Episode 60
61 Episode 61
62 Episode 62
63 Episode 63
64 Episode 64
65 Episode 65
66 Episode 66
67 Episode 67
68 Episode 68
69 Episode 69
70 Episode 70
71 Episode 71
72 Episode 72
73 Episode 73
74 Episode 74
75 Episode 75
76 Episode 76
77 Episode 77
78 Episode 78
79 Episode 79
80 Episode 80
81 Episode 81
82 Episode 82
83 Episode 83
84 Episode 84
85 Episode 85
86 Episode 86
87 Episode 87
88 Episode 88
89 Episode 89
90 Episode 90
91 Episode 91
92 Episode 92
93 Episode 93
94 Episode 94
95 Episode 95
96 Episode 96
97 Episode 97
98 Episode 98
99 Episode 99
100 Episode 100
101 Episode 101
102 Episode 102
103 Episode 103
104 Episode 104
105 Episode 105
106 Episode 106
107 Episode 107
108 Episode 108
109 Episode 109
110 Episode 110
111 Episode 111
112 Episode 112
113 Episode 113
114 Episode 114
115 Episode 115
116 Episode 116
117 Episode 117
118 Episode 118
119 Episode 119
Episodes

Updated 119 Episodes

1
Episode 1
2
Episode 2
3
Episode 3
4
Episode 4
5
Episode 5
6
Episode 6
7
Episode 7
8
Episode 8
9
Episode 9
10
Episode 10
11
Episode 11
12
Episode 12
13
Episode 13
14
Episode 14
15
Episode 15
16
Episode 16
17
Episode 17
18
Episode 18
19
Episode 19
20
Episode 20
21
Episode 21
22
Episode 22
23
Episode 23
24
Episode 24
25
Episode 25
26
Episode 26
27
Episode 27
28
Episode 28
29
Episode 29
30
Episode 30
31
Episode 31
32
Episode 32
33
Episode 33
34
Episode 34
35
Episode 35
36
Episode 36
37
Episode 37
38
Episode 38
39
Episode 39
40
Episode 40
41
Episode 41
42
Episode 42
43
Episode 43
44
Episode 44
45
Episode 45
46
Episode 46
47
Episode 47
48
Episode 48
49
Episode 49
50
Episode 50
51
Episode 51
52
Episode 52
53
Episode 53
54
Episode 54
55
Episode 55
56
Episode 56
57
Episode 57
58
Episode 58
59
Episode 59
60
Episode 60
61
Episode 61
62
Episode 62
63
Episode 63
64
Episode 64
65
Episode 65
66
Episode 66
67
Episode 67
68
Episode 68
69
Episode 69
70
Episode 70
71
Episode 71
72
Episode 72
73
Episode 73
74
Episode 74
75
Episode 75
76
Episode 76
77
Episode 77
78
Episode 78
79
Episode 79
80
Episode 80
81
Episode 81
82
Episode 82
83
Episode 83
84
Episode 84
85
Episode 85
86
Episode 86
87
Episode 87
88
Episode 88
89
Episode 89
90
Episode 90
91
Episode 91
92
Episode 92
93
Episode 93
94
Episode 94
95
Episode 95
96
Episode 96
97
Episode 97
98
Episode 98
99
Episode 99
100
Episode 100
101
Episode 101
102
Episode 102
103
Episode 103
104
Episode 104
105
Episode 105
106
Episode 106
107
Episode 107
108
Episode 108
109
Episode 109
110
Episode 110
111
Episode 111
112
Episode 112
113
Episode 113
114
Episode 114
115
Episode 115
116
Episode 116
117
Episode 117
118
Episode 118
119
Episode 119

Download

Like this story? Download the app to keep your reading history.
Download

Bonus

New users downloading the APP can read 10 episodes for free

Receive
NovelToon
Step Into A Different WORLD!
Download MangaToon APP on App Store and Google Play