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"You are over scrupulous, surely. I dare say Mr. Bingley will be

very glad to see you; and I will send a few lines by you to

assure him of my hearty consent to his marrying whichever he

chooses of the girls--though I must throw in a good word for my

little Lizzy."

"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 as

Jane, nor half so good-humoured as Lydia. But you are always

giving her the preference."

"They have none of them much to recommend them," replied he:

"they are all silly and ignorant like other girls; but Lizzy has

something more of quickness than her sisters."

"Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse your own children in such a way?

You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion on my poor

nerves."

"You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves.

They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with

consideration these twenty years at least."

"Ah, you do not know what I suffer."