Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 16 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 16

JANE AUSTEN

“Impossible, Mr. Bennet, impossible, when I am

not acquainted with him myself; how can you be so

teasing?”

“I honour your circumspection. A fortnight’s

acquaintance is certainly very little. One cannot know

what a man really is by the end of a fortnight. But if

we do not venture somebody else will; and after all,

Mrs. Long and her daughters must stand their chance;

and, therefore, as she will think it an act of kindness, if

you decline the office, I will take it on myself.”

The girls stared at their father. Mrs. Bennet said only,

“Nonsense, nonsense!”

“What can be the meaning of that emphatic excla-

mation?” cried he. “Do you consider the forms of

introduction, and the stress that is laid on them, as

nonsense? I cannot quite agree with you there. What

say you, Mary? For you are a young lady of deep

reflection, I know, and read great books and make

extracts.”

Mary wished to say something sensible, but knew

not how.

“While Mary is adjusting her ideas,” he continued,

“let us return to Mr. Bingley.”