Chapter 13 63
Chapter 13
" I hope , my dear ," said Mr . Bennet to his wife , as they were at breakfast the next morning , " that you have ordered a good dinner to-day , because I have reason to expect an addition to our family party ."
" Who do you mean , my dear ? I know of nobody that is coming , I am sure , unless Charlotte Lucas should happen to call in--and I hope my dinners are good enough for her . I do not believe she often sees such at home ."
" The person of whom I speak is a gentleman , and a stranger ."
Mrs . Bennet ' s eyes sparkled . " A gentleman and a stranger ! It is Mr . Bingley , I am sure ! Well , I am sure I shall be extremely glad to see Mr . Bingley . But--good Lord ! how unlucky ! There is not a bit of fish to be got to-day . Lydia , my love , ring the bell--I must speak to Hill this moment ."
" It is not Mr . Bingley ," said her husband ; " it is a person whom I never saw in the whole course of my life ."
This roused a general astonishment ; and he had the pleasure of being eagerly questioned by his wife and his five daughters at once .
After amusing himself some time with their curiosity , he thus explained :
" About a month ago I received this letter ; and about a fortnight ago I answered it , for I thought it a case of some delicacy , and requiring early attention . It is from my cousin , Mr . Collins , who , when I am dead , may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases ."
" Oh ! my dear ," cried his wife , " I cannot bear to hear that mentioned . Pray do not talk of that odious man . I do think it is the hardest thing in the world , that your estate should be entailed away from your own children ; and I am sure , if I had been you , I should have tried long ago to do something or other about it ."