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Mr. Bennet was among the earliest of those who waited on Mr. Bingley. He had always intended to visit him, though to the last always assuring his wife that he should not go; and till the evening after the visit was paid she had no knowledge of it. It was then disclosed in the following manner: -- Observing his second daughter employed in trimming a hat, he suddenly addressed her with --
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- Unwillingness to accept an idea is readiness to act
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| "I hope Mr. Bingley will like it, Lizzy."
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| "We are not in a way to know what Mr. Bingley likes," said her mother resentfully, "since we are not to visit."
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- Final accomplishment is indicated by the subtle communication
- The oblivious physical is unaware of the subtle
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"But you forget, mama," said Elizabeth, "that we shall meet him at the assemblies, and that Mrs. Long has promised to introduce him."
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"I do not believe Mrs. Long will do any such thing. She has two neices of her own. She is a selfish, hypocritical woman, and I have no opinion of her."
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- Jealousy overrides courtesy.
- One evaluates another as oneself.
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"No more have I," said Mr. Bennet; "and I am glad to find that you do not depend on her serving you."
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- Secrecy generates self-enjoyment
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| Mrs. Bennet deigned not to make any reply, but, unable to contain herself, began scolding one of her daughters.
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| "Don't keep coughing so Kitty, for Heaven's sake! Have a little compassion on my nerves. You tear them to pieces."
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| "Kitty has no discretion in her coughs," said her father; "she times them ill."
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- Incapacity to contain an emotion bursts out as anger
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| "I do not cough for my own amusement," replied Kitty fretfully. "When is your next ball to be, Lizzy?"
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| "To-morrow fortnight."
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| "Aye, so it is," cried her mother; "and Mrs. Long does not come back till the day before; so it will be impossible for her to introduce him, for she will not know him herself."
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- Fretfulness is inability to accept the atmosphere.
- The physical can hardly wait.
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"Then, my dear, you may have the advantage of your friend, and introduce Mr. Bingley to her."
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"Impossible, Mr. Bennet, impossible, when I am not acquainted with him myself; how can you be so teazing?"
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- Humour is not for an uncultivated mind
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"I honour your circumspection. A fortnight's acquaintance is certainly very little. One cannot know what a man really is by the end of a fortnight. But if we do not venture somebody else will; and after all, Mrs. Long and her neices must stand their chance; and, therefore, as she will think it an act of kindness, if you decline the office, I will take it on myself."
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- Subtle perception tells you what a man is in the first few contacts
- Opportunities are not for the dull witted or slow moving
- The heart chooses in a trice; the speech rises to social occasion
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The girls stared at their father. Mrs. Bennet said only, "Nonsense, nonsense!"
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| "What can be the meaning of that emphatic exclamation?" Cried he. "Do you consider the forms of introduction, and the stress that is laid on them, as nonsense? I cannot quite agree with you there. What say you, Mary? For you are a young lady of deep reflection, I know, and read great books and make extracts."
Mary wished to say something very sensible, but knew not how.
"While Mary is adjusting her ideas," he continued, "let us return to Mr. Bingley."
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- Personal interest makes for the best alertness
- The physical demands direct communication
- Reading raises personality.
- In society FORM carries significance.
- It is not given to man to speak out all that he knows.
- Ideas adjust themselves in the mind.
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"I am sick of Mr. Bingley," cried his wife.
"I am sorry to hear that; but why did not you tell me so before? If I had known as much this morning I certainly would not have called on him. It is very unlucky; but as I have actually paid the visit, we cannot escape the acquaintance now."
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- Disgust is lack of comprehension.
- Practical jokes are unsavoury.
- The delay in the first communication delays the first proposal.
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The astonishment of the ladies was just what he wished; that of Mrs. Bennet perhaps surpassing the rest; though, when the first tumult of joy was over, she began to declare that it was what she had expected all the while.
"How good it was in you, my dear Mr. Bennet! But I knew I should persuade you at last. I was sure you loved your girls too well to neglect such an acquaintance. Well, how pleased I am! And it is such a good joke, too, that you should have gone this morning, and never said a word about it till now."
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- Surprise is for the subtle.
- The dullest is most enthusiastic.
- Wisdom after the event is for the slow witted.
- Success makes the detestable sweet.
- The possessive physical claims all the credit to itself.
- Surprise surpasses existence.
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| "Now, Kitty, you may cough as much as you chuse," said Mr. Bennet; and, as he spoke, he left the room, fatigued with the raptures of his wife.
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- Polite patience is a strain on the mind as well as body.
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"What an excellent father you have, girls!" Said she, when the door was shut. "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, I can tell you, to be making new acquaintance every day; but for your sakes, we would do any thing. Lydia, my love, though you are the youngest, I dare say Mr. Bingley will dance with you at the next ball."
"Oh!" Said Lydia stoutly, "I am not afraid; for though I am the youngest, I'm the tallest."
The rest of the evening was spent in conjecturing how soon he would return Mr. Bennet's visit, and determining when they should ask him to dinner.
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- Pliable vital characters move from one extreme to the other.
- Conservation enjoys known company.
- Passionate attachment is shameless.
- Elder children represent the father, younger, the mother.
- No enjoyment is greater than the enjoyment of expectation.
- Man singles himself out for special favour
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