Chapter 2

           Mr.BennetwasamongtheearliestofthosewhowaitedonMr.Bingley. Hehadalwaysintendedtovisithim,thoughtothelastalwaysassuringhiswifethatheshouldnotgo; andtilltheeveningafterthevisitwaspaidshehadnoknowledgeofit. Itwasthendisclosedinthefollowingmanner. Observinghisseconddaughteremployedintrimmingahat,hesuddenlyaddressedherwith: 

           "IhopeMr.Bingleywilllikeit,Lizzy." 

           "WearenotinawaytoknowwhatMr.Bingleylikes,"saidhermotherresentfully,"sincewearenottovisit." 

           "Butyouforget,mamma,"saidElizabeth,"thatweshallmeethimattheassemblies,andthatMrs.Longpromisedtointroducehim." 

           "IdonotbelieveMrs.Longwilldoanysuchthing. Shehastwoniecesofherown. Sheisaselfish,hypocriticalwoman,andIhavenoopinionofher." 

           "NomorehaveI,"saidMr.Bennet; "andIamgladtofindthatyoudonotdependonherservingyou." 

           Mrs.Bennetdeignednottomakeanyreply,but,unabletocontainherself,beganscoldingoneofherdaughters. 

           "Don’tkeepcoughingso,Kitty,forHeaven’ssake! Havealittlecompassiononmynerves. Youtearthemtopieces." 

           "Kittyhasnodiscretioninhercoughs,"saidherfather;"shetimesthemill." 

           "Idonotcoughformyownamusement,"repliedKittyfretfully. "Whenisyournextballtobe,Lizzy?"