傲慢与偏见（纯英文版）/5000词床头灯英语学习读本

作者简介

内容简介

However little can be known of the feelings or views of such a man upon 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 someone or other of their daughters. "My dear, Mr. Bennet," said his lady to him one day, "have you heard that Netherfield Park will soon be occupied 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 that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England. He came down on Monday in a fine carriage to see the place, and was so much delighted with it that he agreed to take possession in two weeks, 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 pounds a year. What a fine thing for our girls！" "How so？ How can it affect them？" asked her hus- band, looking annoyed. "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," he said sarcastically, though his wife supposed he spoke genuinely. "My dear, you flatter me. I certainly have had my share of beauty, but I do not pretend to be anything ex- traordinary 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. Bin- gley 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. Indeed you must go, for it will be impossible for us to visit him, if you do not." P3-5