Pride and prejudice

Pride and Prejudice

by Jane Austen

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Contents
Chapter One: A Newcomer at Netherfield...........................................3 Chapter Two: A Violent Cold..............................................................8 Chapter Three: Mr Collins Pays a Visit............................................. 14 Chapter Four: The NetherfieldBall................................................... 20 Chapter Five: Mr Collins Proposes-Twice!....................................... 26 Chapter Six: A Visit to Rosings.........................................................34 Chapter Seven: Mr Darcy Makes a Proposal..................................... 44 Chapter Eight: Embarrassment at Pemberley.................................... 52 Chapter Nine: BadNews！............................................................... 60 Chapter Ten: Elizabeth Learns the Truth...........................................68 Chapter Eleven: Triumph over Pride and Prejudice.......................... 74

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Chapter One: 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 let① 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. 'Youwant 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 hemarried 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

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let：租出。
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thinking of his marrying one of them.' 'Is that why he is coming here?' 'Nonsense! But it is very probable that he will fall in love with one of them so you must visit him as soon as he comes.''Why me? You and the girls can go, or you can send them alone, which will be even better. You are as handsome as any of them. Mr Bingley might like you best.' 'My dear, you flatter① me. When a woman has five daughters she ought to stop thinking of her own beauty. But you must go and see Mr Bingley when he comes.' 'I cannot promise that.' 'But think of your daughters. Think of Jane and Elizabeth.Think of Mary, Catherine and Lydia. Think what a fortune it would be for one of them. That is why Sir William and Lady Lucas are going. You must go, for it will be impossible for us to visit him if you do not.' 'I am sure Mr Bingley will be very glad to see you, and I will write to give him my permission to marry one of the girls, though I must say a good word for my little Lizzy.' 'I desire you willdo no such thing. Lizzy is no better than the others. She is not half as handsome as Jane nor half as good-ill-humoured as Lydia, but you always prefer her.' 'They are all silly like other girls, but Lizzy is more intelligent than her sisters.' 'Mr Bennet, how can you speak so of your own children? You have no compassion on my poor nerves.'

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flatter：奉承。
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'You mistake me, mydear. I have a high respect for your nervous. They are my old friends. You have mentioned them with feeling for twenty years at least.' 'Ah! You do not know what I suffer.' I hope you will get over ① it and see many rich young men come into the neighbourhood.' 'It will be no use since you will not visit them.' 'My dear, when there are twenty, I will visit them all.' Mr Bennet was one of the first...