Chapter 1
Everyone knows that a rich, single guy must be looking for a wife.
No one really knows what such a guy thinks or feels when he first moves into a new place.
But the families around him are so sure of this fact that they believe he’s fair game for their daughters.
One day, Mrs. Bennet said to her husband, “Mr. Bennet, did you hear that Netherfield Park has finally been rented?”
Mr. Bennet said he hadn’t heard.
“Well, it has,” she said. “Mrs. Long just told me all about it.”
Mr. Bennet didn’t respond.
“Don’t you want to know who rented it?” his wife asked, clearly annoyed.
“You seem eager to tell me, so go ahead.”
That was all the encouragement she needed.
“Listen to this,” she said. “Mrs. Long says that a rich young man from the north of England has taken Netherfield.
He came down on Monday to see the place, loved it, and made a deal with Mr. Morris right away.
He’s moving in before the end of the month, and some of his staff will be there by next week.”
“What’s his name?”
“Bingley.”
“Is he married or single?”
“Single, of course!
A rich, single man.
What a great opportunity for our girls!”
“How does that affect them?”
“Mr. Bennet,” his wife said, “don’t be so dense!
I’m thinking he might marry one of them.”
“Is that why he’s moving here?”
“Don’t be silly!
But he might fall for one of them, so you should visit him as soon as he arrives.”
“I don’t see why.
You and the girls can go, or you can send them alone.
After all, you’re as pretty as any of them, so Mr. Bingley might like you best.”
“Flattery will get you nowhere.
I was beautiful once, but I’m not anymore.
When a woman has five grown daughters, she should stop thinking about her own looks.”
“Usually, a woman in that situation doesn’t have much beauty left to think about.”
“But you must go and see Mr. Bingley when he moves in.”
“I can’t promise that.”
“But think of your daughters.
Imagine what a great match it would be for one of them.
Sir William and Lady Lucas are going, just for that reason.
They never visit newcomers.
You have to go, because we can’t visit him if you don’t.”
“You’re being too cautious.
I’m sure Mr. Bingley will be happy to see you.
I’ll even write him a note, giving him my blessing to marry any of the girls he wants.
But I’ll put in a good word for Lizzy.”
“Don’t do that.
Lizzy’s no better than the others.
She’s not as pretty as Jane or as fun as Lydia.
But you always favor her.”
“None of them have much to offer,” he said.
“They’re all as silly and ignorant as any other girls.
But Lizzy is a bit sharper than her sisters.”
“Mr. Bennet, how can you talk about your own children like that?
You enjoy making me upset.
You have no sympathy for my poor nerves.”
“You’re wrong, my dear.
I respect your nerves.
They’re old friends of mine.
I’ve heard you talk about them for at least twenty years.”
“You have no idea what I go through.”
“But I hope you’ll get over it and live to see many rich young men move into the neighborhood.”
“That won’t do us any good if you won’t visit them.”
“Trust me, my dear, if twenty rich men move in, I’ll visit them all.”
Mr. Bennet was a strange mix of intelligence, sarcasm, aloofness, and unpredictability.
Even after twenty-three years of marriage, his wife still didn’t understand him.
She was a simple woman, with little knowledge and a volatile temper.
When she was unhappy, she thought she was nervous.
Her main goal in life was to get her daughters married.
Her only comfort was visiting friends and hearing the latest gossip.
