https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1JT4y1J7hz?p=37
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.
the usage of ' however'
But unfortunately, however much we may deplore something, it does not stop it being true.
Link to original
However1 little known the feelings or views2 of such a man may be on his3 first4 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.
解析
先看第一句：However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighborhood, 这句的语序倒装了，真正的主语是the feelings or views of such a man, 谓语是may be, 然后才是作为表语的little known。on his first entering a neighborhood是时间状语, neighborhood指的是某个邻里、地方。这句调整成正常语序后就变成：However the feelings or views (of such as a man) may be little known (on his first entering a neighborhood)，意思是：不管（人们）对这样的单身汉第一次到一个地方的感受和想法有多么不清楚。
“My dear Mr. Bennet,” said his lady to him one day, “have you heard that Netherfield Park is let5 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?”
“Design6! 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.”
“I see no occasion7 for that. You and the girls may go, or you may send them by themselves, which perhaps will be still better, for, as you are as handsome8 as any of them, Mr. Bingley may like you the best of the party9.”
“My dear, you flatter me. I certainly have had my share of beauty, but I do not pretend10 to be anything extraordinary now. When a woman has five grown-up daughters, she ought to give over thinking of her own beauty.”
“In such cases, a woman has not often much beauty to think of.”
“But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr. Bingley when he comes into the neighbourhood.”
Originally Posted by maxiogee
No I think I have enough.
”One commitment too far” was my way of saying that Mr Bennett has made commitments to do certain things. This one is one too many. His wife has gone too far in asking him to do this.
‘To engage’ can mean to promise (it is where we get the word for a couple who have agreed to married - an engaged couple; They have promised to marry.
The husband is saying that it is more than he will promise. Austen is using words in ways we no longer use them. Her use of “engage for” would probably be written nowadays (if we wrote that way) as “it is more than I will engage for” = it is more than I can promise.
“It is more than I engage for11, I assure12 you.”
“But consider your daughters. Only think what an establishment13 it would be for one of them. Sir William and Lady Lucas are determined to go, merely on that account14, for in general15, you know, they visit no newcomers. Indeed you must go, for it will be impossible for us to visit him if you do not.”
“You are over-scrupulous16, 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 of17 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 will give my hearty consent to his marrying whichever of the girls he chooses.)
lines
a remark that is intended to entertain, persuade, or deceive （为达到逗乐、劝说或欺骗目的而说的）话语，词句，言语
a speech full of memorable lines
令人难忘的讲话
He keeps giving me that line about not being able to do any work because his computer is down.
他不停地跟我说因为电脑有问题他没法干活了。
Who was it who came up with that famous line about “lies, damned lies and statistics?”
“谎言，可恶的谎言和数据”这句名言是谁说的？
“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 recommend18 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 abuse19 your own children in such a way? You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion for 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 last twenty years at least.”
“Ah, you do not know what I suffer.”
“But I hope you will get over it and live to see many young men of four thousand a year come into the neighbourhood.”
“It will be no use to us, if twenty such should come, since you will not visit them.”
“Depend upon20 it, my dear, that when there are twenty, I will visit them all.”
Mr. Bennet was so odd a mixture of quick parts21, sarcastic humour, reserve, and caprice, that the experience of three-and-twenty years had been insufficient to make his wife understand his character. Her mind was less difficult to develop22. She was a woman of mean23 understanding, little information, and uncertain temper. When she was discontented, she fancied herself nervous. The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news.
Footnotes
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used with an adjective or adverb to mean ‘to whatever degree’ （与形容词或副词连用）无论到什么程度，不管多么; He wanted to take no risks, however small.他再小的风险也不想冒。She has the window open, however cold it is outside. 不管外面多冷她都开着窗户。However carefully I explained, she still didn’t understand.无论我解释得多么仔细，她还是没弄懂。in whatever way 不管怎样；无论如何 However you look at it, it’s going to cost a lot. 不管你怎么看，它都要花很多钱。 ↩
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a personal opinion about something; an attitude towards something ↩
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逻辑主语 for example: I strongly object to your saying that. I never dreamt of its hurting you. Since my coming to London I have not been well. ↩
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adv. ↩
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rent; have you heard that Netherfield Park is rented at last? ↩
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a plan or an intention ↩
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a reason or cause; 理由；原因 ~ (to do sth) I’ve had no occasion to visit him recently. 我最近无缘去拜访他。~ (of/for sth) Her death was the occasion of mass riots. 她的逝世引发了大规模的骚乱。I’m willing to go to court over this if the occasion arises (= if it becomes necessary). 如果必要的话，我愿意就此出庭。 ↩
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attractive, with large strong features rather than small delicate ones ↩
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a group of people who are doing sth together such as travelling or visiting somewhere ↩
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to behave in a particular way, in order to make other people believe sth that is not true ↩
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to make a guarantee; he engages for the honesty of his brother ↩
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to tell sb that sth is definitely true or is definitely going to happen, especially when they have doubts about it ↩
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a marriage: “her chief solicitude was to procure an affluent establishment for their daughter” old-fashioned ↩
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because of the particular thing that has been mentioned 由于这个／那个缘故 Weather conditions were poor, but he did not delay his departure on that account. 天气不好，但他并没有因此延期启程。 ↩
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usually, or in most situations: ↩
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too much: to overeat, overpopulated prefix ↩
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We assured him of our support. ↩
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to make sb/sth seem attractive or good; This system has much to recommend it. 这套系统有很多可取之处。 ↩
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to make rude or offensive remarks to or about sb ↩
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to trust someone or something and know that that person or thing will help you or do what you want or expect him, her, or it to do ↩
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parts Abilities or talents: a person of many parts. ↩
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to become known or understood被知晓；被理解 The facts of what had happened slowly developed over the next several days.所发生的事在接下来的几天里逐渐真相大白。 It eventually developed [=turned out] that he had forgotten to mail the package.最后终于搞清楚了，原来他忘了寄包裹。 ↩
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not very great 平庸的；一般的 This should be clear even to the meanest intelligence.就是对智力最平庸的人来说，这也应当是非常明了的。 ↩