Pride and Prejudice

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good 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 some one or other of their daughters."e;My dear Mr. Bennet,"e; said his lady to him one day, "e;have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?"e;Mr. Bennet replied that he had not."e;But it is,"e; returned she; "e;for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about it."e;Mr. Bennet made no answer."e;Do you not want to know who has taken it?"e; cried his wife impatiently."e;You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it."e;This was invitation enough."e;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."e;"e;What is his name?"e;"e;Bingley."e;"e;Is he married or single?"e;"e;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!"e;"e;How so? How can it affect them?"e;