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 II.
Mr. Bennet (the Bennets of Longbourn: Mr and Mrs Bennet and their five daughters) was among the earliest of those who waited on Mr. Bingley (the amiable rich young man at Netherfield). He had always intended to visit him, though to the last always assuring (to promise; make sure) 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 (to reveal) in the following manner. Observing (to watch; to remark) his second daughter employed (to use; to give work) in trimming (neat; to make neat) a hat, he suddenly addressed her with,--
“I hope Mr. Bingley will like it, Lizzy (Lizzy, the family name for Elizabeth Bennet).”
“We are not in a way to know what Mr. Bingley likes,” said her mother, resentfully (with resentment), “since we are not to visit.”
“But you forget, mamma (mother),” said Elizabeth, “that we shall meet him at the assemblies, and that Mrs. Long has promised to introduce (to make known; bring in) him.”
“I do not believe Mrs. Long will do any such thing. She has two nieces (a brother's or sister's daughter) of her own. She is a selfish (caring only for oneself), hypocritical (false; pretending virtue) woman, and I have no opinion of her.”
“No more have I,” said Mr. Bennet; “and I am glad to find that you do not depend (to rely on) on her serving you.”
Mrs. Bennet deigned (to lower oneself to grant) not to make any reply; but, unable to contain herself, began scolding (to find fault angrily) one of her daughters.
“Don’t keep coughing (to expel air harshly) so, Kitty (Kitty Bennet, the fourth sister, Lydia's follower), for heaven’s sake (for the good of)! Have a little compassion (pity for suffering) on my nerves (the body's feeling thread; courage). You tear (a drop of weeping; to rip) them to pieces.”
“Kitty has no discretion (careful judgment) in her coughs (to expel air harshly),” said her father; “she times them ill.”
“I do not cough (to expel air harshly) for my own amusement (light entertainment),” replied Kitty, fretfully (in a cross complaining way). “When is your next ball to be, Lizzy?”
“To-morrow fortnight (two weeks).”
“Ay, 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 (to make known; bring in) him, for she will not know him herself.”
“Then, my dear, you may have the advantage of your friend, and introduce (to make known; bring in) Mr. Bingley to her.”
“Impossible, Mr. Bennet, impossible, when I am not acquainted (to make known to) with him myself; how can you be so teasing (irritating)?”
“I honour (honor) your circumspection (watchful care). A fortnight (two weeks)’s acquaintance (a person one knows slightly) is certainly very little. One cannot know what a man really is by the end of a fortnight (two weeks). But if we do not venture (a risky undertaking), somebody else will; and after all, Mrs. Long and her nieces (a brother's or sister's daughter) must stand their chance; and, therefore, as she will think it an act of kindness (kind goodness), if you decline (to refuse; to sink) the office, I will take it on myself.”
The girls stared at their father. Mrs. Bennet said only, “Nonsense (senseless talk), nonsense (senseless talk)!”
“What can be the meaning of that emphatic (forceful and insistent) exclamation (a cry of surprise or feeling)?” cried he. “Do you consider the forms of introduction, and the stress that is laid on them, as nonsense (senseless talk)? I cannot quite agree with you there. What say you, Mary? For you are a young lady of deep reflection (a thrown-back image; thought), I know, and read great books, and make extracts (to draw out).”
Mary wished to say something very sensible (sensible: aware — the old sense here), but knew not how.
“While Mary is adjusting (to set right) her ideas,” he continued, “let us return to Mr. Bingley.”
“I am sick of Mr. Bingley,” cried his wife.
“I am sorry to hear that; but why did you not tell me so before? If I had known as much this morning, I certainly would not have called on him. It is very unlucky (without luck); but as I have actually paid the visit, we cannot escape the acquaintance (a person one knows slightly) now.”
The astonishment (great surprise) of the ladies was just what he wished--that of Mrs. Bennet perhaps surpassing (to go beyond) the rest; though when the first tumult (wild noisy uproar) of joy was over, she began to declare (to announce formally) 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 (to win over by words) you at last. I was sure you loved your girls too well to neglect (to leave uncared for) such an acquaintance (a person one knows slightly). Well, how pleased (made glad) 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.”
“Now, Kitty, you may cough (to expel air harshly) as much as you choose,” said Mr. Bennet; and, as he spoke, he left the room, fatigued (deep tiredness) with the raptures (carried-away joy) of his wife.
“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 (to put right) for his kindness (kind goodness); or me either, for that matter. At our time of life, it is not so pleasant (pleasing), I can tell you, to be making new acquaintances (a person one knows slightly) every day; but for your sakes (for the good of) we would do anything. Lydia (Lydia Bennet, the youngest, wild for officers), my love, though you are the youngest, I dare (to have the courage) say Mr. Bingley will dance with you at the next ball.”
“Oh,” said Lydia, stoutly (firmly), “I am not afraid; for though I am the youngest, I’m the tallest.”
The rest of the evening was spent in conjecturing (a guess) how soon he would return Mr. Bennet’s visit, and determining when they should ask him to dinner.