Chapter 2

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, 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."
"Impossible, Mr. Bennet, impossible, when I am not
acquainted with him myself; how can you be so teazing?"
"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.  Mrs. 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.  What say you, Mary?  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. Bingley."
"I am sick of Mr. Bingley," cried his wife.
"I am sorry to hear that; but why did not you 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. Bennet!  But I
knew I should persuade you at last.  I was sure you loved
our girls too well to neglect such an acquaintance.  Well,
how pleased I am!  and it is such a good joke, too, that you
should have gone this morning, and never said a word about
it till now."
"Now, Kitty, you may cough as much as you chuse," said
Mr. Bennet; and, as he spoke, he left the room, fatigued with
the raptures of his wife.
"What an excellent father you have, girls," said she, when
the door was shut.  "I do not know how you will ever make
him amends for his kindness; or me either, for that matter.
At our time of life, it is not so pleasant I can tell you, to be
making new acquaintance every day; but for your sakes, we
would do any thing.  Lydia, my love, though you are the
youngest, I dare say Mr. Bingley will dance with you at the
next ball."
"Oh!" said Lydia stoutly, "I am not afraid; for though I am
the youngest, I'm the tallest."
The rest of the evening was spent in conjecturing how soon
he would return Mr. Bennet's visit, and determining when
they should ask him to dinner.