"Don't keep coughing so, Kitty, for Heaven's sake! Have a little compassion on my nerves. You tear them to pieces."

     "Kitty has no discretion in her coughs," said her father; "she times them ill."

     "I do not cough for my own amusement," replied Kitty fretfully. "When is your next ball to be, Lizzy?"

     "To-morrow fortnight."

     "Aye, so it is," cried her mother, "and Mrs. Long does not come back till the day before; so it will be impossible for her to introduce him, for she will not know him herself."

     "Then, my dear, you may have the advantage of your friend, and introduce Mr. Bingley to her."

     "Impossible, Mr. Bennet, impossible, when I am not acquainted with him myself; how can you be so teasing?"

     "I honour your circumspection. A fortnight's acquaintance is certainly very little. One cannot know what a man really is by the end of a fortnight. But if we do not venture somebody else will; and after all, Mrs. Long and her daughters must stand their chance; and, therefore, as she will think it an act of kindness, if you decline the office, I will take it on myself."