sons and lovers D.H. Lawrence
suraj verma
eBook
(libreka classics, March 27, 2019)
It is a truthuniversally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a goodfortune, must be in want of a wife.However little known the feelings or views of such a man may beon his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixedin the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered therightful property of some one or other of their daughters."My dear Mr. Bennet," said his lady to him one day, "have youheard 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 you not want to know who has taken it?" cried his wifeimpatiently."You want to tell me, and I have no objection tohearing it."This was invitation enough."Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield istaken 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. Morrisimmediately; that he is to take possession before Michaelmas, andsome of his servants are to be in the house by the end of nextweek.""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 sotiresome! You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one ofthem.""Is that his design in settling here?""Design! Nonsense, how can you talk so! But it is very likelythat he may fall in love with one of them, andtherefore you must visit him as soon as he comes.""I see no occasion for that. You and the girls may go, or youmay send them by themselves, which perhaps will be still better,for as you are as handsome as any of them, Mr. Bingley may like youthe best of the party.""My dear, you flatter me. Icertainly have had my share of beauty, but I donot pretend to be anything extraordinary now. When a woman has fivegrown-up daughters, she ought to give over thinking of her ownbeauty.""In such cases, a woman has not often much beauty to thinkof.""But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr. Bingley when hecomes into the neighbourhood.""It is more than I engage for, I assure you.""But consider your daughters. Only think what an establishmentit would be for one of them. Sir William and Lady Lucas aredetermined to go, merely on that account, for in general, you know,they visit no newcomers. Indeed you must go, for it will beimpossible for us to visit him if you donot.""You are over-scrupulous, surely. I dare say Mr. Bingley will bevery glad to see you; and I will send a few lines by you to assurehim of my hearty consent to his marrying whichever he chooses ofthe girls; though I must throw in a good word for my littleLizzy.""I desire you will do no such thing. Lizzy is not a bit betterthan the others; and I am sure she is not half so handsome as Jane,nor half so good-humoured as Lydia. But you are alwaysgiving 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 hassomething more of quickness than her sisters.""Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse your ownchildren in such a way? You take delight in vexing me. You have nocompassion for 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 withconsideration these last 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 menof four thousand a year come into the neighbourhood.""It will be no use to us, if twenty such should come, since youwill not visit them.""Depend u are very beautiful