Chapter 1: A Newcomer at Netherfield Everyone knows that a single man with a fortune must want a wife.

His feelings may be unknown, but when such a man first enters a neighbourhood, all the families there immediately consider him the property of one of their daughters. My dear Mr Bennet, ' said his lady one day, 'have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last? 'Mr Bennet answered that he had not.

But it is, ' she said. Mrs Long has just been there and she told me all about it.

Mr Bennet didn't answer. Do you not want to know who has taken it? ' cried his wife.

You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it. This was invitation enough.

Why, my dear, you must know that Mrs Long says that Netherfield is taken by a rich young man from the north of England; that he came down on Monday to see the place, and was so happy with it he agreed to take it. His servants will be in the house by the end of next week.

What is his name? ' Bingley.

Is he married or single? ' Oh! single, my dear! A single man of large fortune.

What a good thing for our girls! ' How so? '

My dear Mr Bennet, ' answered his wife. You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them.