Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

VOLUME ONE

Chapter 1

"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 as 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 as the rightful

property of some one or other of their daughters.

'My dear Mr. Bennet,' said the 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."