Pride&Prejudice_Chapter 1_Episode 2

"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 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 neighborhood." "It is more than I engage for, I assure you." "But consider you 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." "You are too careful, surely. I dare say Mr. Bingley will be very glad to see you. I will send a few lines 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 Elisabeth, so bright and honest that she is." "I desire you will not do such thing. Elisabeth is not a bit better than the others; and I am sure she is not half so handsome as Jane, nor half so cheerful as Lydia. But you are always giving her the preference." "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 ways? You take delight in upsetting 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 mentioned 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 neighborhood." "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 humor and reserve that the experience of twenty-three 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 nerves. The business of her life was to get her daughters married; her comfort was found in visiting and gossip.