Classic · Pride and Prejudice · Jane Austen · 1813 · 4:27

Pride and Prejudice · Chapter 2

Mr. Bennet has called on Mr. Bingley after all, and lets his family find out in the most teasing way. Pride and Prejudice Chapter 2, in full.

NarratorMrs. BennetMr. BennetElizabeth BennetKitty BennetLydia Bennet

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,—Mr. BennetI hope Mr. Bingley will like it, Lizzy.Mrs. BennetWe are not in a way to know what Mr. Bingley likes,said her mother, resentfully,Mrs. Bennetsince we are not to visit.Elizabeth BennetBut you forget, mamma,said Elizabeth,Elizabeth Bennetthat we shall meet him at the assemblies, and that Mrs. Long has promised to introduce him.Mrs. BennetI 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.Mr. BennetNo more have I,said Mr. Bennet;Mr. Bennetand 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.Mrs. BennetimpatientlyDon’t keep coughing so, Kitty, for heaven’s sake! Have a little compassion on my nerves. You tear them to pieces.Mr. BennetKitty has no discretion in her coughs,said her father;Mr. Bennetshe times them ill.Kitty BennetI do not cough for my own amusement,replied Kitty, fretfully.Kitty BennetWhen is your next ball to be, Lizzy?Elizabeth BennetTo-morrow fortnight.Mrs. BennetAy, so it is,cried her mother,Mrs. Bennetand 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.Mr. BennetThen, my dear, you may have the advantage of your friend, and introduce Mr. Bingley to her.Mrs. BennetImpossible, Mr. Bennet, impossible, when I am not acquainted with him myself; how can you be so teasing?Mr. BennetteasingI 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,Mrs. BennetNonsense, nonsense!Mr. BennetWhat can be the meaning of that emphatic exclamation?cried he.Mr. BennetDo 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.Mr. BennetWhile Mary is adjusting her ideas,he continued,Mr. Bennetlet us return to Mr. Bingley.Mrs. BennetangryI am sick of Mr. Bingley,cried his wife.Mr. BennetcalmlyI am sorry to hear that; but why did you not 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.Mrs. BennetdelightedHow 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.Mr. BennetchucklesNow, 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.Mrs. BennetWhat an excellent father you have, girls,said she, when the door was shut.Mrs. BennetI 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 acquaintances 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.Lydia BennetOh,said Lydia, stoutly,Lydia BennetI 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.

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