晨读英语美文100篇四级A Conversation between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet
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A Conversation between Mr. and Mrs. Bennet
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It is a truth universally acknowledged,
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that a single man in possession of a good fortune,
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must be in want of a wife.
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However little known the feelings or views of such a man
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may be on his entering a neighbourhood,
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this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families,
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that he is considered as the rightful property
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of some one or other of their daughters.
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“My dear Mr. Bennet,” said his lady to him one day,
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“have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?”
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Mr. Bennet replied that he had not.
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“But it is,” returned she,
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“for Mrs. Long has just been here,
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and she told me all about it.”
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Mr. Bennet made no answer.
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“Do not you want to know who has taken it?”
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“You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.”
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This was invitation enough.
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“Why, my dear, you must know,
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Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man
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of large fortune from the north of England;
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that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place,
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and was so much delighted with it
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that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately;
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that he is to take possession before Michaelmas,
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and some of his servants are to be in the house
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by the end of next week.”
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“What is his name?”
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“Bingley.”
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“Is he married or single?”
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“Oh, single, my dear, to be sure!
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A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year.
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What a fine thing for our girls!”
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“How so? How can it affect them?”
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“My dear Mr. Bennet,” replied his wife,
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“how can you be so tiresome!
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You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them.”
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“Is that his design in settling here?”
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“Design! Nonsense, how can you talk so!
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But it is very likely that he may fall in love with one of them,
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and therefore you must visit him as soon as he comes.”
