large 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 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 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 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?"