Pride and Prejudice - Chapter 1
오만과 편견 - 제1장
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.
재산이 많은 독신 남성이라면 아내를 구하고 있을 것이라는 점은 누구나 인정하는 진리다.
However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters.
이것이 베넷 가문의 이야기의 시작이다. 베넷 씨와 베넷 부인에게는 다섯 딸이 있다: 제인, 엘리자베스, 메리, 키티, 리디아. 베넷 부인은 딸들을 부유한 남성과 결혼시키는 것에 집착하는데, 그 이유는 베넷 씨가 죽으면 가문의 재산이 먼 친척인 콜린스 씨에게 넘어가게 되어 있기 때문이다.
"My dear Mr. Bennet," said his lady to him one day, "have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?"
어느 날, 부유한 젊은 남성 빙리 씨가 인근의 네더필드 파크를 임대했다는 소식이 전해진다. 베넷 부인은 기뻐하며 남편에게 즉시 그를 방문하라고 주장한다.
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 you not want to know who has taken it?" cried his wife impatiently.
"You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it."
This was invitation enough.
"Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England; that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place, and was so much delighted with it, that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately; that he is to take possession before Michaelmas, and some of his servants are to be in the house by the end of next week."
"What is his name?"
"Bingley."
"Is he married or single?"
"Oh! Single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large fortune; 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! You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them."
"Is that his design in settling here?"
"Design! Nonsense, 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.