Pride and Prejudice

How it begins

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 of 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 his lady to him one day, “have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?” “But it is,” returned she; “for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about it.” “Do not you want to know who has taken it?” cried his wife, impatiently.