“A spirited young woman, an aloof gentleman, and a clash of pride and prejudice that sparks timeless romance.”
First published anonymously in 1813, Jane Austen's sparkling comedy of manners follows the sharp-witted Elizabeth Bennet as she navigates the rigid social expectations of Regency England. Her initial disdain for the wealthy, haughty Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy sets the stage for one of literature's most celebrated slow-burn romances. Through brilliant dialogue and keen psychological insight, Austen explores how first impressions can deceive, forcing both protagonists to overcome their own flaws before true affection can take root.
““My dear Mr. Bennet,” said his lady to him one day, “have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?””
““We are not in a way to know what Mr. Bingley likes,” said her mother, resentfully, “since we are not to visit.””
“Mr. Bingley was good-looking and gentlemanlike: he had a pleasant countenance, and easy, unaffected manners.”
““He is just what a young man ought to be,” said she, “sensible, good-humoured, lively; and I never saw such happy manners! so much ease, with such perfect good breeding!””
““You began the evening well, Charlotte,” said Mrs. Bennet, with civil self-command, to Miss Lucas.”
““It shows an affection for her sister that is very pleasing,” said Bingley.”
““You may depend upon it, madam,” said Miss Bingley, with cold civility, “that Miss Bennet shall receive every possible attention while she remains with us.””
““Much more rational, my dear Caroline, I dare say; but it would not be near so much like a ball.””
“Her answer, therefore, was not propitious, at least not to Elizabeth’s wishes, for she was impatient to get home.”
““Why, indeed, he does seem to have had some filial scruples on that head, as you will hear.””
““She has one only daughter, the heiress of Rosings, and of very extensive property.””
“His appearance was greatly in his favour: he had all the best parts of beauty, a fine countenance, a good figure, and very pleasing address.”
““I have spent four days in the same house with him, and I think him very disagreeable.””
““I will not trust myself on the subject,” replied Wickham; “I can hardly be just to him.””
“Elizabeth related to Jane, the next day, what had passed between Mr. Wickham and herself.”
““I do not imagine his business would have called him away just now, if he had not wished to avoid a certain gentleman here.””
““I beg your pardon,” replied Miss Bingley, turning away with a sneer.”
“Of having another daughter married to Mr. Collins she thought with equal certainty, and with considerable, though not equal, pleasure.”
““May I hope, madam, for your interest with your fair daughter Elizabeth, when I solicit for the honour of a private audience with her in the course of this morning?””
““I have not the pleasure of understanding you,” said he, when she had finished her speech.”
““It is evident by this,” added Jane, “that he comes back no more this winter.””
““It keeps him in good humour,” said she, “and I am more obliged to you than I can express.””
“Jane had sent Caroline an early answer to her letter, and was counting the days till she might reasonably hope to hear again.”
“It was a subject, in short, on which reflection would be long indulged, and must be unavailing.”
“Mr. Gardiner was a sensible, gentlemanlike man, greatly superior to his sister, as well by nature as education.”
“The journey would, moreover, give her a peep at Jane; and, in short, as the time drew near, she would have been very sorry for any delay.”
“The garden sloping to the road, the house standing in it, the green pales and the laurel hedge, everything declared they were arriving.”
“Mr. Collins’s triumph, in consequence of this invitation, was complete.”
“Colonel Fitzwilliam, who led the way, was about thirty, not handsome, but in person and address most truly the gentleman.”
““We were talking of music, madam,” said he, when no longer able to avoid a reply.”
““I should not be surprised,” said Darcy, “if he were to give it up as soon as any eligible purchase offers.””
““He likes to have his own way very well,” replied Colonel Fitzwilliam.”
“She tried, however, to compose herself to answer him with patience, when he should have done.”
“But the person who advanced was now near enough to see her, and stepping forward with eagerness, pronounced her name.”
“His countenance, voice, and manner, had established him at once in the possession of every virtue.”
““You are all kindness, madam; but I believe we must abide by our original plan.””
“Our situation with regard to Lady Catherine’s family is, indeed, the sort of extraordinary advantage and blessing which few can boast.”
““And we mean to treat you all,” added Lydia; “but you must lend us the money, for we have just spent ours at the shop out there.””
““But you will know it, when I have told you what happened the very next day.””
““And my aunt Philips is sure it would do me a great deal of good,” added Kitty.”
“After the first fortnight or three weeks of her absence, health, good-humour, and cheerfulness began to reappear at Longbourn.”
“The housekeeper came; a respectable looking elderly woman, much less fine, and more civil, than she had any notion of finding her.”
“For a few moments, indeed, she felt that he would probably strike into some other path.”
“While these newly-born notions were passing in their heads, the perturbation of Elizabeth’s feelings was every moment increasing.”
“They were off Saturday night about twelve, as is conjectured, but were not missed till yesterday morning at eight.”
“He seemed scarcely to hear her, and was walking up and down the room in earnest meditation; his brow contracted, his air gloomy.”
““In the first place,” replied Mr. Gardiner, “there is no absolute proof that they are not gone to Scotland.””
““And till Colonel Forster came himself, not one of you entertained a doubt, I suppose, of their being really married?””
“All Meryton seemed striving to blacken the man who, but three months before, had been almost an angel of light.”
““If you are looking for my master, ma’am, he is walking towards the little copse.””
“When first Mr. Bennet had married, economy was held to be perfectly useless; for, of course, they were to have a son.”
“Their reception from Mr. Bennet, to whom they then turned, was not quite so cordial.”
“Don’t think me angry, however, for I only mean to let you know, that I had not imagined such inquiries to be necessary on your side.”
““I am afraid I interrupt your solitary ramble, my dear sister?” said he, as he joined her.”
““This is the consequence, you see, madam, of marrying a daughter,” said Elizabeth.”
““Let me first see how he behaves,” said she; “it will then be early enough for expectation.””
““Why, if he came only to be silent, grave, and indifferent,” said she, “did he come at all?””
““Yes, madam,” said Mrs. Bennet, delighted to speak to a Lady Catherine.”
““Whatever my connections may be,” said Elizabeth, “if your nephew does not object to them, they can be nothing to you.””
“They lagged behind, while Elizabeth, Kitty, and Darcy were to entertain each other.”
““My dear, dear Lizzy, I would, I do congratulate you; but are you certain—forgive the question—are you quite certain that you can be happy with him?””
““I can comprehend your going on charmingly, when you had once made a beginning; but what could set you off in the first place?””
“With what delighted pride she afterwards visited Mrs. Bingley, and talked of Mrs. Darcy, may be guessed.”
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Public-domain work (1813). Text: Project Gutenberg #1342. The Spanish version is an AI-assisted translation and may contain errors. Digital edition by Inkora Stories. Learn more