It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a goodfortune, must be in want of a wife.However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his firstentering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of thesurrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property of some one orother of their daughters."My dear Mr. Bennet," said his lady to him one day, "have you heard thatNetherfield 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 allabout 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 ayoung man of large fortune from the north of England; that he came down onMonday 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 beforeMichaelmas, and some of his servants are to be in the house by the end of nextweek."