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In nine cases out of ten, a woman had better show _more_

affection than she feels. Bingley likes your sister un-

doubtedly; but he may never do more than like her, if she

does not help him on.'

'But she does help him on, as much as her nature will

allow. _If_ I can perceive her regard for him, he must be a

simpleton indeed not to discover it too.'

'Remember, Eliza, that he does not know Jane's disposi-

tion as you do.'

'But if a woman is partial to a man, and does not en-

deavour to conceal it, he must find it out.'

'Perhaps he must, if he sees enough of her. But though

Bingley and Jane meet tolerably often, it is never for many

hours together; and as they always see each other in large

mixed parties, it is impossible that every moment should

be employed in conversing together. Jane should there-

fore make the most of every half-hour in which she

can command his attention. When she is secure of

him, there will be leisure for falling in love as much as she

chooses.'

'Your plan is a good one,' replied Elizabeth, 'where

nothing is in question but the desire of being well married;

and if I were determined to get a rich husband, or any

husband, I daresay I should adopt it. But these are not

Jane's feelings; she is not acting by design. As yet she

cannot even be certain of the degree of her own regard, nor

of its reasonableness. She has known him only a fortnight.

She danced four dances with him at Meryton; she saw him

one morning at his own house, and has since dined in com-

pany with him four times. This is not quite enough to

make her understand his character.'

'Not as you represent it. Had she merely _dined_ with

him, she might only have discovered whether he had a good

appetite; but you must remember that four evenings have

been also spent together -- and four evenings may do a

great deal.'

'Yes: these four evenings have enabled them to ascertain

that they both like Vingt-un better than Commerce, but with

respect to any other leading characteristic, I do not imagine

that much has been unfolded.'

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