"Pride and Prejudice"
by Jane Austen

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     "I hope, my dear," said Mr. Bennet to his wife, as they were at breakfast the next morning, "that you have ordered a good dinner to-day, because I have reason to expect an addition to our family party."

     "Who do you mean, my dear? I know of nobody that is coming, I am sure, unless Charlotte Lucas should happen to call in--and I hope my dinners are good enough for her. I do not believe she often sees such at home."

     "The person of whom I speak is a gentleman, and a stranger."

 

     Mrs. Bennet's eyes sparkled. "A gentleman and a stranger! It is Mr. Bingley, I am sure! Well, I am sure I shall be extremely glad to see Mr. Bingley. But--good Lord! how unlucky! There is not a bit of fish to be got to-day. Lydia, my love, ring the bell--I must speak to Hill this moment."

     "It is not Mr. Bingley," said her husband; "it is a person whom I never saw in the whole course of my life."

     This roused a general astonishment; and he had the pleasure of being eagerly questioned by his wife and his five daughters at once.

 
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