Pride and Prejudice. Адаптированная книга для чтения на английском языке. Intermediate

Her mind was of a simpler structure. She was a woman of a very average intelligence, little information, and uncertain temper. When she was displeased, she imagined herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its consolation was visiting and gossip.

Chapter 2

Mr. Bennet paid a visit to Mr. Bingley in the morning, but he didn't say anything about it to his wife. He had always intended to visit him, but till the evening after the visit was paid she had no knowledge of it.

In the evening Lizzy, his second daughter, was trimming a hat, and he suddenly said:

В«I hope Mr. Bingley will like it, LizzyВ».

В«We won't be able to know what Mr. Bingley likesВ», said her mother angrily, В«since we are not to visitВ».

В«But you forget, mammaВ», said Elizabeth, В«that we'll meet him at the assemblies, and that Mrs. Long promised to introduce himВ».

В«Mrs. Long has two nieces of her own. She is a selfish, hypocritical woman, and I do not believe herВ», her mother said.

Mr. Bennet agreed with her. But Mrs. Bennet was so annoyed that she began scolding one of her daughters.

В«Stop coughing so, Kitty, for Heaven's sake! Have a little compassion on my nervesВ».

В«I do not amuse myself by coughingВ», replied Kitty uneasily. В«When is your next ball to be, Lizzy?В»

В«In a fortnightВ».

В«But Mrs. Long does not come back till the day before the ballВ», cried her mother, В«so she won't be able to introduce him: she will not know him herselfВ».

В«Then, my dearВ», her husband said, В«you will introduce your friend to Mr. BingleyВ».

В«It's impossible, Mr. Bennet. I am not acquainted with him myselfВ».

В«A fortnight's acquaintance is certainly very little. One cannot know what a man really is by the end of a fortnight. But Mrs. Long and her nieces must have their chance; and, therefore, if you don't do it, I will take it on myselfВ».

The girls stared at their father. Mrs. Bennet said only В«Nonsense, nonsense!В»

В«I cannot quite agree with you thereВ», he said.

В«Do you consider the forms of introduction as nonsense? What will you say, Mary? You are a young lady of deep thought, I know, and read great booksВ».

Mary wished to say something sensible, but knew not how.

В«While Mary is thinking what to sayВ», he continued, В«let us return to Mr. BingleyВ».

В«I am sick of Mr. BingleyВ», exclaimed his wife.

В«I'm sorry.