"My dear Mr Bennet, have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?"

Eleazar had arrived only moments shortly, deposing himself of his coat when he heard his mother conversing in the study. Feeling curious to hear more about the illustrious house that had been unoccupied for as long as he could remember, did he slip closer to the door.

"What is the name of the gentlemen that took it?"

The floor creaked ominous as Jane appeared next to Eleazar and together they leaned closer to catch every part of the conversation.

"Bingley."

"Is he single or married?"

That question was most important and certainly for Mrs Bennet, as she had the dubious fortune of four yet unmarried daughters and a second son.

"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!"

Eleazar barely managed to contain the groan that wanted to escape his mouth, more men he needed to make sure were proper enough for his sisters. As Mr Bennet would certainly never take the time needed for those painful yet necessary conversations.

"Design! Nonsense, how can you talk so! But it is very likely that he will fall in love with one of them, and therefore you must visit him together with Eleazar as soon as he comes.

Oh he would go alright, Eleazar had no problems decoding Mr Bennet's inner monologue. Their father would certainly pay this Mr Bingley a visit, maybe on his own violation and maybe after some carefully dropped hints of Eleazar.

No matter how much Eleazar didn't like the way his mother was talking about his sisters, she was right in her assessment that Mr Bingley would make an excellent husband, material wise. Someone they were in grave need for.

"But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr Bingley when he comes into the neighbourhood."

It wouldn't do anyone any good if Mr Bennet would visit Mr Bingley when he didn't want to. They knew that now from that one incident when Jane was fifteen. Fortunately for everyone involved, Eleazar was now capable of taking over some duties as the man of the household.

"It's more than I engage for, I assure you."

"But consider your daughters. Only think what an establishment it would be for one of them."

Netherfield park was for the neighbourhood of Longbourn a relatively large estate, the biggest Eleazar had yet seen. Though he knew from stories of their uncle and aunt Gardiner that for the wealthy families in London, Netherfield was of an average size.

If even only one of his sisters could marry into a family like the Bingleys they would be set for life, or at least till Eleazar himself would be able to provide for them. Through hard labour or a marriage above his station.

"I dare say Mr Bingley would be very happy 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."

Among the many reasons that Eleazar and Jane had little respect for either of their parents, the lax attitude of their father was one. No marriage should be thought lightly about, even when it was one of convenience. Knowing some of the simplest characteristics of one would-be partner could save one from a life of solitude.

Though Eleazar wasn't surprised if Mr Bennet had listened to that particular advice he would have never married nor proposed to Ms Gardiner now Bennet.