Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 309 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 309

Pride and Prejudice

nature. But in matters of greater weight, I may suffer

from want of money. Younger sons cannot marry where

they like.”

“Unless where they like women of fortune, which I

think they very often do.”

“Our habits of expense make us too dependent, and

there are not many in my rank of life who can afford to

marry without some attention to money.”

“Is this,” thought Elizabeth, “meant for me?” and

she coloured at the idea; but, recovering herself, said

in a lively tone, “And pray, what is the usual price

of an earl’s younger son? Unless the elder brother is

very sickly, I suppose you would not ask above fifty

thousand pounds.”

He answered her in the same style, and the subject

dropped. To interrupt a silence which might make him

fancy her affected with what had passed, she soon

afterwards said:

“I imagine your cousin brought you down with

him chiefly for the sake of having someone at his

disposal. I wonder he does not marry, to secure a lasting

convenience of that kind. But, perhaps, his sister does

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