Maximum-assistance view: every word above everyday vocabulary is explained at every appearance; each name is introduced at its first appearance in the chapter.
CHAPTER I.
It is a truth universally (by everyone) acknowledged (to admit; to answer a greeting), that a single man in possession (owning; a thing owned) of a good fortune (wealth; luck) must be in want of a wife.
However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood (the surrounding district), this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding (to close in on every side) families, that he is considered as the rightful (by right) property of some one or other of their daughters.
“My dear Mr. Bennet (the Bennets of Longbourn: Mr and Mrs Bennet and their five daughters),” said his lady to him one day, “have you heard that Netherfield (Netherfield Park, the house Mr Bingley takes) 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 all about it.”
Mr. Bennet made no answer.
“Do not you want to know who has taken it?” cried his wife, impatiently (with restless eagerness).
“You want to tell me, and I have no objection (a reason against) to hearing it.”
]
This was invitation (a bidding to come) enough.
“Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune (wealth; luck) from the north of England; that he came down on Monday in a chaise (a light traveling carriage) and four to see the place, and was so much delighted (greatly pleased) with it that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately; that he is to take possession (owning; a thing owned) before Michaelmas, and some of his servants (one who serves) are to be in the house by the end of next week.”
“What is his name?”
“Bingley (Mr Charles Bingley, the amiable rich young man who takes Netherfield).”
“Is he married or single?”
“Oh, single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large fortune (wealth; luck); four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls!”
“How so? how can it affect them?”
“My dear Mr. Bennet,” replied his wife, “how can you be so tiresome (wearying)? You must know that I am thinking of his marrying (to take in marriage) one of them.”
“Is that his design in settling (to fix in place; to bring to rest) here?”
“Design? Nonsense (senseless talk), how can you talk so! But it is very likely that he may fall in love with one of them, and therefore you must visit him as soon as he comes.”
“I see no occasion (a particular time; cause) for that. You and the girls may go--or you may send them by themselves, which perhaps will be still better; for as you are as handsome (fine-looking) as any of them, Mr. Bingley (the amiable rich young man at Netherfield) might like you the best of the party.”
“My dear, you flatter (to please with false praise) me. I certainly have had my share of beauty, but I do not pretend (to make believe) to be anything extraordinary (beyond the ordinary) now. When a woman has five grown-up (a grown person) daughters, she ought (should) to give over thinking of her own beauty.”
“In such cases, a woman has not often much beauty to think of.”
“But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr. Bingley when he comes into the neighbourhood (the surrounding district).”
“It is more than I engage (to bind; to begin battle) for, I assure (to promise; make sure) you.”
“But consider your daughters. Only think what an establishment (a set-up institution) it would be for one of them. Sir William and Lady Lucas (the Lucases of Lucas Lodge: Sir William, Lady Lucas, and Charlotte) are determined to go, merely (only) on that account; for in general, you know, they visit no new comers (comers: those who come). Indeed you must go, for it will be impossible for us to visit him, if you do not.”
“You are over scrupulous (strict about right and wrong), surely. I dare (to have the courage) say Mr. Bingley will be very glad to see you; and I will send a few lines by you to assure (to promise; make sure) him of my hearty (warm and vigorous) consent (agreement given) to his marrying (to take in marriage) whichever (any one that) he chooses of the girls--though I must throw in a good word for my little Lizzy (Lizzy, the family name for Elizabeth Bennet).”
“I desire you will do no such thing. Lizzy is not a bit better than the others: and I am sure she is not half so handsome (fine-looking) as Jane, nor half so good-humoured (cheerful and kind) as Lydia (Lydia Bennet, the youngest, wild for officers). But you are always giving her the preference (a liking for one above another).”
“They have none of them much to recommend them,” replied he: “they are all silly (foolish) and ignorant (without knowledge) like other girls; but Lizzy has something more of quickness (speed) than her sisters.”
“Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse your own children in such a way? You take delight (great pleasure) in vexing (to annoy; trouble) me. You have no compassion (pity for suffering) on my poor nerves (the body's feeling thread; courage).”
“You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves (the body's feeling thread; courage). They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration (careful thought; regard) these twenty years at least.”
“Ah, you do not know what I suffer (to bear pain).”
“But I hope you will get over it, and live to see many young men of four thousand a year come into the neighbourhood (the surrounding district).”
“It will be no use (use: habit; custom — the old sense here) to us, if twenty such should come, since you will not visit them.”
“Depend upon it, my dear, that when there are twenty, I will visit them all.”
Mr. Bennet was so odd (strange; uneven) a mixture (a mixed blend) of quick parts, sarcastic (cuttingly mocking) humour (a mood; a sense of fun), reserve, and caprice (a sudden whim), that the experience of three-and-twenty (twenty-three) years had been insufficient (not enough) to make his wife understand his character. Her mind was less difficult to develope (develop). She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and uncertain (not sure) temper (one's disposition; anger). When she was discontented (unhappiness with one's lot), she fancied (the imagination; a liking) herself nervous (easily shaken). The business of her life was to get her daughters married: its solace (comfort) was visiting and news.
]
]