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Chapter 13

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 December 2020

Pat Rogers
Affiliation:
University of South Florida
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Summary

“I HOPE, my dear,” said Mr. Bennet to his wife, as they were at breakfast the next morning, “that you have ordered a good dinner to-day, because I have reason to expect an addition to our family party.”

“Who do you mean, my dear? I know of nobody that is coming I am sure, unless Charlotte Lucas should happen to call in, and I hope my dinners are good enough for her. I do not believe she often sees such at home.”

“The person of whom I speak, is a gentleman and a stranger.” Mrs. Bennet's eyes sparkled.—”A gentleman and a stranger! It is Mr. Bingley I am sure. Why Jane—you never dropt a word of this; you sly thing! Well, I am sure I shall be extremely glad to see Mr. Bingley.—But—good lord! how unlucky! there is not a bit of fish to be got to-day. Lydia, my love, ring the bell. I must speak to Hill, this moment.”

“It is not Mr. Bingley,” said her husband; “it is a person whom I never saw in the whole course of my life.”

This roused a general astonishment; and he had the pleasure of being eagerly questioned by his wife and five daughters at once.

After amusing himself some time with their curiosity, he thus explained. “About amonth ago I received this letter, and about a fortnight ago I answered it, for I thought it a case of some delicacy, and requiring early attention. It is from my cousin, Mr. Collins, who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases.”

“Oh! my dear,” cried his wife, “I cannot bear to hear that mentioned. Pray do not talk of that odious man. I do think it is the hardest thing in the world, that your estate should be entailed away from your own children; and I am sure if I had been you, I should have tried long ago to do something or other about it.”

Jane and Elizabeth attempted to explain to her the nature of an entail. They had often attempted it before, but it was a subject on which Mrs. Bennet was beyond the reach of reason;

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2006

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  • Chapter 13
  • Jane Austen
  • Edited by Pat Rogers, University of South Florida
  • Book: Pride and Prejudice
  • Online publication: 19 December 2020
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108991308.017
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  • Chapter 13
  • Jane Austen
  • Edited by Pat Rogers, University of South Florida
  • Book: Pride and Prejudice
  • Online publication: 19 December 2020
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108991308.017
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Chapter 13
  • Jane Austen
  • Edited by Pat Rogers, University of South Florida
  • Book: Pride and Prejudice
  • Online publication: 19 December 2020
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108991308.017
Available formats
×