Você realmente deve ir, pois ser-nos-á impossível visitá-lo se você não for.”

“Certamente, é muito escrupulosa. Ouso dizer que Mr. Bingley ficará muito feliz em vê-la; e enviar-lhe-ei algumas linhas por você para assegurar-lhe de meu sincero consentimento quanto ao seu casamento com qualquer das meninas que ele escolher; embora deva adicionar uma recomendação de minha pequena Lizzy.”

“Desejo que não faça tal coisa. Lizzy não é nem um pouco melhor do que as outras garotas; e estou certa de que ela não possui metade da beleza de Jane, nem metade do bom-humor de Lydia. Mas você sempre dá à ela sua preferência.”

“Nenhuma delas pode recomendá-las muito”, ele replicou; “elas são todas bobas e ignorantes como as outras garotas; mas Lizzy tem um quê de agilidade a mais que suas irmãs.”

“Mr. Bennet, como pode falar mal de suas próprias filhas desse modo? Você tem prazer em me irritar. Não tem compaixão pelos meus pobres nervos.”

“Você me interpreta mal, minha querida. Tenho o mais alto respeito pelos seus nervos. Eles são meus velhos amigos. Ouço-a mencioná-los com consideração pelo menos nos últimos vinte anos.”

“Ah, você não sabe o quanto eu sofro.”

“Mas espero que você supere e viva para ver muitos jovens com quatro mil por ano chegarem à vizinhança.”

“Isso não terá nenhuma utilidade para nós, já que se vinte deles chegarem, você não os visitará.”

“Tenha certeza, minha cara, que quando houver vinte, eu visitarei a todos.”

CHAPTER 2

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 develop. 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.

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.”

“But you forget, mamma,” said Elizabeth, “that we shall meet him at the assemblies, and that Mrs. Long 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?”

“Tomorrow fortnight.”

“Aye, so it is,” cried her mother, “and Mrs.