To-morrow fortnight.

MRS. BENNET.

[_Starting excitedly._] Ay, so it is--and Lady Lucas does not come back till the day before. So you see it will be impossible for her to introduce Mr. Bingley, for she will not know him herself.

MR. BENNET.

Then, my dear, you may have the advantage of your friend, and _you_ can introduce Mr. Bingley to _her_.

MRS. BENNET.

Impossible, Mr. Bennet, when I am not acquainted with him myself. How can you be so teasing?

MR. BENNET.

I honour your circ.u.mspection. A fortnight's acquaintance is certainly very little. But if _we_ do not venture, somebody else will, and if _you_ decline the office _I_ will take it upon myself.

MRS. BENNET.

[_As the two girls stare at their father._] Oh, nonsense--nonsense! I am sick of Mr. Bingley!

MR. BENNET.

I am sorry to hear that; but why did not you tell me so before? If I had known as much a week ago, I certainly should not have called upon him.

MRS. BENNET.

[_Springing from her chair and throwing her arms about_ MR. BENNET'S _neck._] What! You have really called upon him? Oh, how good in you, my dear Mr. Bennet!

MR. BENNET.

It is very unlucky; but as I have actually paid the visit--and as he will very likely return it at any time, and bring his friend, Mr. Darcy, with him--we cannot now avoid the acquaintance of Mr. Bingley and his party.

MRS. BENNET.

Oh, my dear Mr. Bennet, I was sure you loved your girls too well to neglect such an acquaintance. [MR. BENNET _deftly takes her hands from his shoulders. She stands looking fondly at him._] Well, how pleased I am! And it was such a good joke that you should have already paid Mr.

Bingley a visit and never said a word about it.

MR. BENNET.

Yes. Yes. Well, I must go to the library. [_He goes to the door, but stops for a moment._] Now, Lydia, you can cough as much as you choose.

[_He goes out._]

MRS. BENNET.

[_Looking after_ MR. BENNET.] What an excellent father you have, girls!

[_Turns to the girls._] I do not know how you will ever make him amends for his kindness, or me either, for that matter. At our time of life it is not so pleasant to be making new acquaintances every day. But for your sakes we would do anything. [_Looking about her._] Where is Lizzy?

Lydia, my love, where is your sister?

LYDIA.

Oh, she is out walking with Charlotte Lucas and that dismal Mr. Collins.

MRS. BENNET.

Lizzy--out walking with Mr. Collins? Why didn't _you_ go, Jane?

JANE.

I had to practise with Lydia.

LYDIA.

I'm sure I would have excused you. But what is Mr. Collins here for, mamma? I am sure I caught Mr. Wickham and Colonel Forster laughing at him the day we went to Meryton. Why does papa have a cousin like that?

MRS. BENNET.

He really cannot help it. It is the entail, my love--[_Mysteriously._]

But I hope that all you girls will be very civil to him, Jane especially.

JANE.

I--mamma?

MRS. BENNET.

[_Embarra.s.sed._] Yes--my love.--You see----

[_She is interrupted by the sound of laughter outside, and_ ELIZABETH'S _voice._]