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    Pride and Prejudice
    Pride and Prejudice
    Pride and Prejudice
    Ebook452 pages8 hours

    Pride and Prejudice

    By Jane Austen

    4.5/5

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    About this ebook

    Jane Austen’s classic comedy of manners is one of the most enduring love stories in English literature

    In a remote Hertfordshire village in the early nineteenth century, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet have a problem. Or rather, five vivacious, headstrong problems: Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Catherine, and Lydia.
     
    Mr. Bennet loves his daughters dearly, but spends more time with his nose buried in a book than planning for their futures. Since her husband’s property can only pass to a male heir, Mrs. Bennet insists that the girls find rich husbands. But her daughters would rather fall in love than listen to their mother’s advice.
     
    Jane, the eldest and most beautiful, attracts the attentions of a young gentleman named Charles Bingley, but his good friend Mr. Darcy disapproves of the match. Elizabeth, always eager to defend her sweet-natured sister, detests the prideful Mr. Darcy, even after he asks for her hand in marriage. But when a chance encounter reunites the combative couple, Elizabeth realizes that her prejudices have been standing in the way of her heart’s true desire.
     
    A razor-sharp satire of English country life and a stirring tribute to the power of romance to overcome the longest of odds, Pride and Prejudice is Jane Austen’s masterwork and one of the finest novels ever written.
     
    This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherOpen Road Media
    Release dateFeb 9, 2016
    ISBN9781504033831
    Author

    Jane Austen

    Jane Austen (1775-1817) gilt als die große Dame der englischen Literatur, der es als erster gelang, die Komik des Alltäglichen zu gestalten. Nach außen hin führte sie ein ereignisloses Leben im elterlichen Pfarrhaus. Ihre Romane jedoch – neben ›Mansfield Park‹ (1814) sind dies vor allem ›Verstand und Gefühl‹ (1811), ›Stolz und Vorurteil‹ (1813), ›Emma‹ (1816), ›Northanger Abbey‹ (1817) und ›Anne Elliot oder Die Kraft der Überredung‹ (1817) – erfreuen sich heute weltweit einer millionenfachen Leserschaft. Fast alle sind mehrfach erfolgreich verfilmt worden. 

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    Reviews for Pride and Prejudice

    4.5/5

    20,338 ratings562 reviews

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    • 1/5
      Oh gosh. This book is not for me. I made it to page 70 in a borrowed book, and returned it at that point rather than taking the person up on the offer to take it with me.
      The wife calling her husband 'Mr. Darcy' during their personal conversations with each other was hard to overlook after the fifth time.
      The underhanded and sneaky means of finding husbands for the females was annoying, but when it became more obvious that was the only goal in life for the female characters, I got truly discouraged and disappointed. Is this the 200 year old version of Twilight or 50 Shades of Grey?
      Just like in a Harlequin novel, the rouge vagrant of a man that the heroine initially despises was to become her object of undying love (or so I think, from what I've heard of the book over the past decades). And just like a Harlequin novel, I could not care less about these characters near the middle of the book than before I met them.
      I will try again in a few years in an attempt to see the greatness that others have seen. Just having a hard time right now thinking that I ever will enjoy it.
    • 4/5
      Very enjoyable as an audiobook.
    • 4/5
      Returned to a classic as my library offered no attractive newer options and I was well rewarded by a reread as a mature--very--adult. 'The marriage game' to use Eugenides' phrase in its most sophisticated and subtle rendition. In its most essential lines a typical lady romance, but its sensibility to the social context of the times brings it to another level altogether, plus that something magical of an artist's(author's) unique expression. As I sometimes felt I was wading through the oblique and rather artificial for our time's dialogue, where people rarely spoke openly, I wondered how the book could still be so absorbing. But the editor I think hit it spot on saying that difference can be fascinating. So in that sense it was interesting as a historical novel, bringing alive the context of the times, and the same holds for the rather circumscribed setting and actors of the genteel English countryside. Again I wondered how these so different and 'irrelevant' characters could hold my interest whereas in the contemporary --peerless for some-- "Corrections" I ended up saying I just don't care about them. I think likely because the latter were so extremely self-absorbed, selfish in their mundane problems, whereas in the former there is balance and retrospection rather than absorption. And if I don't give it a fifth star, it's basically because of the light romantic theme and of the 'distant' to us setting, which are also the main points for giving it four stars.
    • 5/5
      My favourite.
    • 3/5
      Title says it all.
    • 5/5
      I LOVE this book!
    • 5/5
      Always a favorite
    • 5/5
      What can I say? An absolute favorite from seventh grade.
    • 4/5
      Who doesn't love this book? I mean, really. It's the quintessential love story that most of us base our romantic fantasies and reading preferences on. Even if you're the type to shy away from classic literature, you'll find this story accessible, relevant, and enjoyable.
    • 5/5
      No wonder this book is a classic; it's awesome!
    • 4/5
      Obviously the language is dated and heavy on narrative. Structurally, it's an excellent example of a 3-act play with multiple plot lines and surprising twists.
    • 3/5
      Forced myself to listen to it, because I kept giving up on reading after page 50. Love the BBC version with Colin Firth. The book, not so much. Definitely do not understand the Austen obsession.
    • 4/5
      A beautiful love story full of biting humor, Pride & Prejudice has some of the most memorable, endearing characters in literary history. This book will be remembered and cherished long after you read it.
    • 5/5
      Oh what can I say about this book, or any Jane Austen book, that hasn't already been said. And by people who are more intelligent than me. I have always been a fan of Jane Austen but, surprisingly, I have never read any of her books until now. Not that I haven't wanted to but school, after school activities, and many other little things were in the way. Resulting in me not having a chance to read it until a couple of weeks ago, but having started it about ten times.

      I love this book. I knew I would. A beautiful, engaging, wonderful book. I have always thought I was born in the wrong time. Although, I want the fashions I would love them with the values of the 21st century. But the book has captivated me and Jane Austen as gained another fan.

      Elizabeth was a refreshing, lively, stubborn young woman who in some ways is ahead of her time. Her sisters and parents are all amazing characters who are living in the world were girls are supposed to be married and have children. However, Elizabeth wanted to marry for love and in walks Mr. Darcy who turns her world on end. My love for this book cannot be expressed in words, nor will I ever be able to.

      5/5
    • 3/5
      When I started my reading list for 2017, I decided to go heavy on the classics, those books that always appear on those Read These Books Before You Die lists, 100 Greatest Books, blah-blah-blah. So I read it. It was okay, but I wasn’t exactly bowled over, it was a bit stiff and stilted. Not surprising considering the setting, plot, etc. “Oh, Lady Frillypants and Lord Salsburywichshireford! What an honor to see you at our daughter’s ball! Fa-la-la!” It wasn’t horrible, and I’m glad to have read it, but I did remove the other Jane Austen novels I had put on my list. One was enough.
    • 5/5
      Simply irresistible!
    • 5/5
      Favourite classic. Tea and scones novel
    • 5/5
      The ultimate in romance novels.
    • 5/5
      It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a man (or woman) in possession of a good mind must be in want of the book Pride and Prejudice.However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering the world of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding Jane Austen fans, that he is considered as having joined their ranks before ever having finished Chapter 1."My dear Mr. Grimm," said his lady to him one day, "have you heard that Pride and Prejudice is one of the most entertaining and humorous books ever written, not to mention one of the earliest romantic comedies?"Mr. Grimm 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. Grimm made no answer."Do not you want to know what it is all about?" 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 the book is about about the five Bennet sisters - Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty and Lydia and how their lives are changed when a handsome young man and his friend come into the neighborhood.""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 those girls!""How so? how can it affect them?""My dear Mr. Grimm," 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 there?""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 read the book as soon as it comes.""I see no occasion for that. You may read it, as you are a much faster reader than I, while I prefer to take my time over more manly tomes, such as Bleak House, by Charles Dickens.""My dear, you flatter me. I certainly have had my share of books, but I do not pretend to be any thing extraordinary now. When a woman has two grown teenagers, she ought to give over thinking of her own reading enjoyment and become taxi driver for her children.""In such cases, a woman has not often much time to think of.""But, my dear, you must indeed read Pride and Prejudice when it comes from Amazon.""It is more than I engage for, I assure you.""But consider your children. Only think how wonderful it would be for you to discuss the novel with one of them. Eva has already read the book and I do believe is half in love with Mr. Darcy herself. Of course, she did see the movie with Colin Firth in a wet shirt, but that is neither here nor there. You owe it to your children to discover the importance of social class in the novel, male and female attitudes toward relationships and the social criticism of the era’s view of marriage. Indeed you must read it, for it will be impossible for us to discuss the novel at length, if you do not.""You are over-scrupulous, surely. I dare say Pride and Prejudice will be a wonderful reading experience for you; and I will send a few lines by you to Amazon to assure other readers that this book is not one to be missed.""Mr. Grimm, how can you abuse me in such 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 wonderful novels of 400 pages come into the house.""It will be no use to us if twenty such should come, since you will not read them.""Depend upon it, my dear, that when there are twenty I will read them all."Mr. Grimm was so odd a mixture of German heritage, sarcastic humour, electric orange shirts, and beekeeping, that the experience of one 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 impatience, little information, and Facebook. When she was discontented, she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get everyone to read her favorite books; its solace was reading novels herself and watching Russell Crowe movies.(My apologies to Jane Austen)
    • 4/5
      The classic novel of manners and morals. By and large I'm sure the mass of reviews far exceeds the novel at least 100 times over. Good book, read it.
    • 5/5
      First of all, I'm so proud of myself for finishing this book! Although it took me nearly 2 months to finish it, it was the first classic novel that I ever read and not being fluent in English it was very difficult for me to read.
      I had no idea what to expect of this book with it being the first classic I've ever read but I ended up loving it. Though it was a tough book for me I'm glad I ploughed through it because I've always been interested in English literature and have always wanted to read classics and now I know that it is possible for me to read them. Another reason I'm glad I finished this book is, of course, Mr. Darcy! Even before I read this book, I knew Mr. Darcy to be the hero of this book but I was doubtful where that came from the first 60% of the book. But after the letter and his being so kind and generous and gentleman-like, I understood what everyone else was going about. He's become one of my favorite characters of all time!
      I'm so glad I read this book and I plan on reading more classics soon.
    • 4/5
      Written in 1796 and first published in 1813, this is a classic of English literature. While known for its story of the love affair of Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy, it is also a look at the social life of wealthy English landed gentry of that period. Initially, Lizzy cannot stand the haughty, proud Darcy but over time she finds herself becoming interested in him. When she learns that the real Darcy is a very generous and warm individual, she hopes that her initial rejection of his love will not end her chances to win he back.
    • 3/5
      everyone read it now it is so CUTE and i love elizabeth so much and don't even get me started on mr. darcy i'm in love
    • 3/5
      I gave a 3 due to the story cause it was just a simple love story set among rich people blah blah blah; I’ve been recently watching Downton Abbey set 100 years later and not much has changed; the writing itself however is excellent in itself; it would be awesome to see modern story writers use language so effectively like Austen, Shelly, Hugo, or Wells.
    • 3/5
      When I started my reading list for 2017, I decided to go heavy on the classics, those books that always appear on those Read These Books Before You Die lists, 100 Greatest Books, blah-blah-blah. So I read it. It was okay, but I wasn’t exactly bowled over, it was a bit stiff and stilted. Not surprising considering the setting, plot, etc. “Oh, Lady Frillypants and Lord Salsburywichshireford! What an honor to see you at our daughter’s ball! Fa-la-la!” It wasn’t horrible, and I’m glad to have read it, but I did remove the other Jane Austen novels I had put on my list. One was enough.
    • 5/5
      Excellent book! Such a wonderful love story. Maybe the best I've ever read. The 1995 BBC movie with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy is an awesome companion piece to Austen's classic. You should watch that after reading this!
    • 5/5
      Where do I begin?
      I first read this amazing book in high school. I so fell in love with Jane Austen that I proceded to read all of her books that I could get my hands on.
      I should probably read it once a year.
      Jane Austen is a true inspiration.
    • 5/5
      Her best work.
    • 2/5
      I just could not enjoy this book. I don't know if I still have residual PTSD from all the Victorian literature I read in high school or if it's something else. Granted, I tried to keep in mind that this was very novel for its time and I agree that Austen should be given credit for her feminist contributions. But other than a few stray clever remarks, my eyes rolled more often than not.

      Thus, the two stars are for Austen's rebellious attitude toward gender disparity, but I just find P&P too outdated and out-of-touch with someone like me.
    • 5/5
      I first read this book in a library summer reading program many years ago. I've reread it probably at least every 5 years or so since, and it never fails to entertain and inform me with its trenchant observations of the way people are -- even with the changing mores of today, we have all met an Elizabeth, a Darcy, and a Lady Catherine DeBourgh!

    Book preview

    Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

    CHAPTER 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 anything 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 whichever 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 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.

    CHAPTER II.

    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 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 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. 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 your 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 choose, 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 anything. 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.

    CHAPTER III.

    NOT ALL THAT MRS. BENNET, however, with the assistance of her five daughters, could ask on the subject was sufficient to draw from her husband any satisfactory description of Mr. Bingley. They attacked him in various ways; with barefaced questions, ingenious suppositions, and distant surmises; but he eluded the skill of them all; and they were at last obliged to accept the second-hand intelligence of their neighbour Lady Lucas. Her report was highly favourable. Sir William had been delighted with him. He was quite young, wonderfully handsome, extremely agreeable, and to crown the whole, he meant to be at the next assembly with a large party. Nothing could be more delightful! To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love; and very lively hopes of Mr. Bingley’s heart were entertained.

    If I can but see one of my daughters happily settled at Netherfield, said Mrs. Bennet to her husband, and all the others equally well married, I shall have nothing to wish for.

    In a few days Mr. Bingley returned Mr. Bennet’s visit, and sat about ten minutes with him in his library. He had entertained hopes of being admitted to a sight of the young ladies, of whose beauty he had heard much; but he saw only the father. The ladies were somewhat more fortunate, for they had the advantage of ascertaining from an upper window, that he wore a blue coat and rode a black horse.

    An invitation to dinner was soon afterwards dispatched; and already had Mrs. Bennet planned the courses that were to do credit to her housekeeping, when an answer arrived which deferred it all. Mr. Bingley was obliged to be in town the following day, and consequently unable to accept the honour of their invitation, etc. Mrs. Bennet was quite disconcerted. She could not imagine what business he could have in town so soon after his arrival in Hertfordshire; and she began to fear that he might be always flying about from one place to another, and never settled at Netherfield as he ought to be. Lady Lucas quieted her fears a little by starting the idea of his being gone to London only to get a large party for the ball; and a report soon followed that Mr. Bingley was to bring twelve ladies and seven gentlemen with him to the assembly. The girls grieved over such a number of ladies; but were comforted the day before the ball by hearing, that instead of twelve, he had brought only six with him from London, his five sisters and a cousin. And when the party entered the assembly room, it consisted of only five altogether; Mr. Bingley, his two sisters, the husband of the eldest, and another young man.

    Mr. Bingley was good looking and gentleman-like; he had a pleasant countenance, and easy, unaffected manners. His sisters were fine women, with an air of decided fashion. His brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst, merely looked the gentleman; but his friend Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien, and the report which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year. The gentlemen pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man, the ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley, and he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust which turned the tide of his popularity; for he was discovered to be proud; to be above his company, and above being pleased; and not all his large estate in Derbyshire could then save him from having a most forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and being unworthy to be compared with his friend.

    Mr. Bingley had soon made himself acquainted with all the principal people in the room; he was lively and unreserved, danced every dance, was angry that the ball closed so early, and talked of giving one himself at Netherfield. Such amiable qualities must speak for themselves. What a contrast between him and his friend! Mr. Darcy danced only once with Mrs. Hurst and once with Miss Bingley, declined being introduced to any other lady, and spent the rest of the evening in walking about the room, speaking occasionally to one of his own party. His character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and everybody hoped that he would never come there again. Amongst the most violent against him was Mrs. Bennet, whose dislike of his general behaviour, was sharpened into particular resentment, by his having slighted one of her daughters.

    Elizabeth Bennet had been obliged, by the scarcity of gentlemen, to sit down for two dances; and during part of that time, Mr. Darcy had been standing near enough for her to overhear a conversation between him and Mr. Bingley, who came from the dance for a few minutes, to press his friend to join it.

    Come, Darcy, said he, I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better dance.

    I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this, it would be insupportable. Your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman in the room, whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with.

    I would not be so fastidious as you are, cried Mr. Bingley, for a kingdom! Upon my honour, I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life, as I have this evening; and there are several of them you see uncommonly pretty.

    "You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room," said Mr. Darcy, looking at the eldest Miss Bennet.

    Oh! She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! But there is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very pretty, and I dare say very agreeable. Do let me ask my partner to introduce you.

    Which do you mean? and turning round, he looked for a moment at Elizabeth, till catching her eye, he withdrew his own and coldly said, "She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me."

    Mr. Bingley followed his advice. Mr. Darcy walked off; and Elizabeth remained with no very cordial feelings towards him. She told the story, however, with great spirit among her friends; for she had a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in anything ridiculous.

    The evening altogether passed off pleasantly to the whole family. Mrs. Bennet had seen her eldest daughter much admired by the Netherfield party. Mr. Bingley had danced with her twice, and she had been distinguished by his sisters. Jane was as much gratified by this, as her mother could be, though in a quieter way. Elizabeth felt Jane’s pleasure. Mary had heard herself mentioned to Miss Bingley as the most accomplished girl in the neighbourhood; and Catherine and Lydia had been fortunate enough to be never without partners, which was all that they had yet learnt to care for at a ball. They returned therefore in good spirits to Longbourn, the village where they lived, and of which they were the principal inhabitants. They found Mr. Bennet still up. With a book he was regardless of time; and on the present occasion he had a good deal of curiosity as to the event of an evening which had raised such splendid expectations. He had rather hoped that all his wife’s views on the stranger would be disappointed; but he soon found that he had a very different story to hear.

    Oh! my dear Mr. Bennet, as she entered the room, "we have had a most delightful evening, a most excellent ball. I wish you had been there. Jane was so admired, nothing could be like it. Everybody said how well she looked; and Mr. Bingley thought her quite beautiful, and danced with her twice. Only think of that my dear; he actually danced with her twice; and she was the only creature in the room that he asked a second time. First of all, he asked Miss Lucas. I was so vexed to see him stand up with her; but, however, he did not admire her at all: indeed, nobody can, you know; and he seemed quite struck with Jane as she was going down the dance. So, he inquired who she was, and got introduced, and asked her for the two next. Then, the two third he danced with Miss King, and the two fourth with Maria Lucas, and the two fifth with Jane again, and the two sixth with Lizzy, and the Boulanger——"

    "If he had had any compassion for me, cried her husband impatiently, he would not have danced half so much! For God’s sake, say no more of his partners. Oh that he had sprained his ankle in the first dance!"

    Oh! my dear, continued Mrs. Bennet, I am quite delighted with him. He is so excessively handsome! And his sisters are charming women. I never in my life saw anything more elegant than their dresses. I dare say the lace upon Mrs. Hurst’s gown—

    Here she was interrupted again. Mr. Bennet protested against any description of finery. She was therefore obliged to seek another branch of the subject, and related, with much bitterness of spirit and some exaggeration, the shocking rudeness of Mr. Darcy.

    But I can assure you, she added, "that Lizzy does not lose much by not suiting his fancy; for he is a most disagreeable, horrid man, not at all worth pleasing. So high and so conceited that there was no enduring him! He walked here, and he walked there, fancying himself so very great! Not handsome enough to dance with! I wish you had been there, my dear, to have given him one of your set-downs. I quite detest the man."

    CHAPTER IV.

    WHEN JANE AND ELIZABETH were alone, the former, who had been cautious in her praise of Mr. Bingley before, expressed to her sister how very much she admired him.

    He is just what a young man ought to be, said she, sensible, good humoured, lively; and I never saw such happy manners!—so much ease, with such perfect good breeding!

    He is also handsome, replied Elizabeth, which a young man ought likewise to be, if he possibly can. His character is thereby complete.

    I was very much flattered by his asking me to dance a second time. I did not expect such a compliment.

    "Did not you? I did for you. But that is one great difference between us. Compliments always take you by surprise, and me never. What could be more natural than his asking you again? He could not help seeing that you were about five times as pretty as every other woman in the room. No thanks to his gallantry for that. Well, he certainly is very agreeable, and I give you leave to like him. You have liked many a stupider person."

    Dear Lizzy!

    Oh! you are a great deal too apt you know, to like people in general. You never see a fault in anybody. All the world are good and agreeable in your eyes. I never heard you speak ill of a human being in my life.

    I would wish not to be hasty in censuring anyone; but I always speak what I think.

    "I know you do; and it is that which makes the wonder. With your good sense, to be so honestly blind to the follies and nonsense of others! Affectation of candour is common enough—one meets it everywhere. But to be candid without ostentation or design—to take the good of everybody’s character and make it still better, and say nothing of the bad—belongs to you alone. And so, you like this man’s sisters too, do you? Their manners are not equal to his."

    Certainly not—at first. But they are very pleasing women when you converse with them. Miss Bingley is to live with her brother and keep his house; and I am much mistaken if we shall not find a very charming neighbour in her.

    Elizabeth listened in silence, but was not convinced; their behaviour at the assembly had not been calculated to please in general; and with more quickness of observation and less pliancy of temper than her sister, and with a judgment too unassailed by any attention to herself, she was very little disposed to approve them. They were in fact very fine ladies; not deficient in good humour when they were pleased, nor in the power of being agreeable where they chose it; but proud and conceited. They were rather handsome, had been educated in one of the first private seminaries in town, had a fortune of twenty thousand pounds, were in the habit of spending more than they ought, and of associating with people of rank; and were therefore in every respect entitled to think well of themselves, and meanly of others. They were of a respectable family in the north of England; a circumstance more deeply impressed on their memories than that their brother’s fortune and their own had been acquired by trade.

    Mr. Bingley inherited property to the amount of nearly an hundred thousand pounds from his father, who had intended to purchase an estate, but did not live to do it. Mr. Bingley intended it likewise, and sometimes made choice of his county; but as he was now provided with a good house and the liberty of a manor, it was doubtful to many of those who best knew the easiness of his temper, whether he might not spend the remainder of his days at Netherfield, and leave the next generation to purchase.

    His sisters were very anxious for his having an estate of his own; but, though he was now established only as a tenant, Miss Bingley was by no means unwilling to preside at his table, nor was Mrs. Hurst, who had married a man of more fashion than fortune, less disposed to consider his house as her home when it suited her. Mr. Bingley had not been of age two years, when he was tempted by an accidental recommendation to look at Netherfield House. He did look at it and into it for half-an-hour, was pleased with the situation and the principal rooms, satisfied with what the owner said in its praise, and took it immediately.

    Between him and Darcy there was a very steady friendship, in spite of a great opposition of character. Bingley was endeared to Darcy by the easiness, openness, ductility of his temper, though no disposition could offer a greater contrast to his own, and though with his own he never appeared dissatisfied. On the strength of Darcy’s regard Bingley had the firmest reliance, and of his judgment the highest opinion. In understanding Darcy was the superior. Bingley was by no means deficient, but Darcy was clever. He was at the same time haughty, reserved, and fastidious, and his manners, though well bred, were not inviting. In that respect his friend had greatly the advantage. Bingley was sure of being liked wherever he appeared, Darcy was continually giving offence.

    The manner in which they spoke of the Meryton assembly was sufficiently characteristic. Bingley had never met with pleasanter people or prettier girls in his life; everybody had been most kind and attentive to him, there had been no formality, no stiffness, he had soon felt acquainted with all the room; and as to Miss Bennet, he could not conceive an angel more beautiful. Darcy, on the contrary, had seen a collection of people in whom there was little beauty and no fashion, for none of whom he had felt the smallest interest, and from none received either attention or pleasure. Miss Bennet he acknowledged to be pretty, but she smiled too much.

    Mrs. Hurst and her sister allowed it to be so—but still they admired her and liked her, and pronounced her to be a sweet girl, and one whom they should not object to know more of. Miss Bennet was therefore established as a sweet girl, and their brother felt authorised by such commendation to think of her as he chose.

    CHAPTER V.

    WITHIN A SHORT WALK of Longbourn lived a family with whom the Bennets were particularly intimate. Sir William Lucas had been formerly in trade in Meryton, where he had made a tolerable fortune and risen to the honour of knighthood by an address to the King, during his mayoralty. The distinction had perhaps been felt too strongly. It had given him a disgust to his business and to his residence in a small market town; and quitting them both, he had removed with his family to a house about a mile from Meryton, denominated from that period Lucas Lodge, where he could think with pleasure of his own importance, and unshackled by business, occupy himself solely in being civil to all the world. For though elated by his rank, it did not render him supercilious; on the contrary, he was all attention to everybody. By nature inoffensive, friendly and obliging, his presentation at St. James’s had made him courteous.

    Lady Lucas was a very good kind of woman, not too clever to be a valuable neighbour to Mrs. Bennet. They had several children. The eldest of them, a sensible, intelligent young woman, about twenty-seven, was Elizabeth’s intimate friend.

    That the Miss Lucases and the Miss Bennets should meet to talk over a ball was absolutely necessary; and the morning after the assembly brought the former to Longbourn to hear and to communicate.

    "You began the evening well, Charlotte, said Mrs. Bennet with civil self-command to Miss Lucas. You were Mr. Bingley’s first choice."

    Yes; but he seemed to like his second better.

    "Oh! you mean Jane, I suppose, because he danced with her twice. To be sure that did seem as if he admired her—indeed I rather believe he did—I heard something about it—but I hardly know what—something about Mr. Robinson."

    "Perhaps you mean what I overheard between him and Mr. Robinson; did not I mention it to you? Mr. Robinson’s asking him how he liked our Meryton assemblies, and whether he did not think there were a great many pretty women in the room, and which he thought the prettiest? and his answering immediately to the last question—Oh! the eldest Miss Bennet beyond a doubt, there cannot be two opinions on that point."

    Upon my word! Well, that was very decided indeed—that does seem as if——but however, it may all come to nothing you know.

    "My overhearings were more to the purpose than yours, Eliza, said Charlotte. Mr. Darcy is not so well worth listening to as his friend, is he?—Poor Eliza!—to be only just tolerable."

    I beg you would not put it into Lizzy’s head to be vexed by his ill-treatment; for he is such a disagreeable man that it would be quite a misfortune to be liked by him. Mrs. Long told me last night that he sat close to her for half an hour without once opening his lips.

    Are you quite sure, Ma’am?—is not there a little mistake? said Jane. I certainly saw Mr. Darcy speaking to her.

    Aye—because she asked him at last how he liked Netherfield, and he could not help answering her;—but she said he seemed very angry at being spoke to.

    Miss Bingley told me, said Jane, "that he never speaks much unless among his intimate acquaintance. With them he is remarkably agreeable."

    I do not believe a word of it, my dear. If he had been so very agreeable he would have talked to Mrs. Long. But I can guess how it was; everybody says that he is ate up with pride, and I dare say he had heard somehow that Mrs. Long does not keep a carriage, and had come to the ball in a hack chaise.

    I do not mind his not talking to Mrs. Long, said Miss Lucas, but I wish he had danced with Eliza.

    Another time, Lizzy, said her mother, "I would not dance with him, if I were you."

    "I believe, ma’am, I may safely promise you never to dance with him."

    His pride, said Miss Lucas, "does not offend me so much as pride often does, because there is an excuse for it. One cannot wonder that so very fine a young man, with family, fortune, everything in his favour, should think highly of himself. If I may so express it, he has a right to be proud."

    That is very true, replied Elizabeth, "and I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine."

    Pride, observed Mary, who piqued herself upon the solidity of her reflections, is a very common failing I believe. By all that I have ever read, I am convinced that it is very common indeed, that human nature is particularly prone to it, and that there are very few of us who do not cherish a feeling of self-complacency on the score of some quality or other, real or imaginary. Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.

    If I were as rich as Mr. Darcy, cried a young Lucas who came with his sisters, I should not care how proud I was. I would keep a pack of foxhounds, and drink a bottle of wine every day.

    Then you would drink a great deal more than you ought, said Mrs. Bennet; and if I were to see you at it I should take away your bottle directly.

    The boy protested that she should not; she continued to declare that she would, and the argument ended only with the visit.

    CHAPTER VI.

    THE LADIES OF LONGBOURN soon waited on those of Netherfield. The visit was returned in due form. Miss Bennet’s pleasing manners grew on the good will of Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley; and though the mother was found to be intolerable and the younger sisters not worth speaking to, a wish of being better acquainted with them, was expressed towards the two eldest. By Jane this attention was received with the greatest pleasure; but Elizabeth still saw superciliousness in their treatment of everybody, hardly excepting even her sister, and could not like them; though their kindness to Jane, such as it was, had a value as arising in all probability from the influence of their brother’s admiration. It was generally evident whenever they met, that he did admire her; and to her it was equally evident that Jane was yielding to the preference which she had begun to entertain for him from the first, and was in a way to be very much in love; but she considered with pleasure that it was not likely to be discovered by the world in general, since Jane united with great strength of feeling, a composure of temper and a uniform cheerfulness of manner, which would guard her from the suspicions of the impertinent. She mentioned this to her friend Miss Lucas.

    It may perhaps be pleasant, replied Charlotte, "to be able to impose on the public in such a case; but it is sometimes a disadvantage to be so very guarded. If a woman conceals her affection with the same skill from the object of it, she may lose the opportunity of fixing him; and it will then be but poor consolation to believe the world equally in the dark. There is so much of gratitude or vanity in almost every attachment, that it is not safe to leave any to itself. We can all begin freely—a slight preference is natural enough; but there are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement. In nine cases out of ten, a woman had better show more affection than she feels. Bingley likes your sister undoubtedly; but he may never do more than like her, if she does not help him on."

    "But she does help him on, as much as her nature will allow. If I can perceive her regard for him, he must be a simpleton indeed not to discover it too."

    Remember, Eliza, that he does not know Jane’s disposition as you do.

    But if a woman is partial to a man, and does not endeavour to conceal it, he must find it out.

    Perhaps he must, if he sees enough of her. But though Bingley and Jane meet tolerably often, it is never for many hours together; and as they always see each other in large mixed parties, it is impossible that every moment should be employed in conversing together. Jane should therefore make the most of every half hour in which she can command his attention. When she is secure of him, there will be leisure for falling in love as much as she chooses.

    Your plan is a good one, replied Elizabeth, where nothing is in question but the desire of being well married; and if I were determined to get a rich husband, or any husband, I dare say I should adopt it. But these are not Jane’s feelings; she is not acting by design. As yet, she cannot even be certain of the degree of her own regard, nor of its reasonableness. She has known him only a fortnight. She danced four dances with him at Meryton; she saw him one morning at his own house, and has since dined in company with him four times. This is not quite enough to make her understand his character.

    "Not as you represent it. Had she merely dined with him, she might only have discovered whether he had a good appetite; but you must remember that four evenings have been also spent together—and four evenings may do a great deal."

    Yes; these four evenings have enabled them to ascertain that they both like Vingt-un better than Commerce; but with respect to any other leading characteristic, I do not imagine that much has been unfolded.

    Well, said Charlotte, "I wish Jane success with all my heart; and if she were married to him to-morrow, I should think she had as good a chance of happiness,

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