裕福な独身男性（부유한 독신남）

プライドと偏見 - 第1章

Pride and Prejudice - Chapter 1

独身の男性で、十分な財産を持っているならば、妻を求めているに違いないというのは、世間一般に認められた真理である。

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.

これがベネット家の物語の始まりである。ベネット氏とベネット夫人には5人の娘がいる：ジェーン、エリザベス、メアリー、キティ、リディアである。ベネット夫人は娘たちを裕福な男性と結婚させることに執着している。なぜなら、ベネット氏が亡くなると、家族の財産は遠い親戚のコリンズ氏に渡ることになっているからだ。

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.

ある日、裕福な若い男性、ビングリー氏が近くのネザーフィールド・パークを借りたというニュースが届く。ベネット夫人は大喜びし、夫にすぐに挨拶に行くよう主張する。

"My dear Mr. Bennet," said his lady to him one day, "have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?"

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.