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 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? Mr. Bennet replied that he had not. But it is, returned she; for Mrs. Long
has just been here, and she told me all about it. Mr. Bennet made no answer. Do you not
want to know who has taken it? cried his wife impatiently. You want to tell me, and I have
no objection to hearing it. This was invitation enough.

Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of
large fortune from the north of England; that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four
to see the place, and was so much delighted with it, that he agreed with Mr. Morris
immediately; that he is to take possession before Michaelmas, and some of his servants are
to be in the house by the end of next week.
