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{{prxprp018.jpg}} || 18 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

 

than she feds. Binglcy likes your sister undoubtedly; but he

may never do more than like her, if she does not help him on.'

 

'But she docs help him on, as much as her nature will allow.

If / can perceive her ugard for him, he must be a simpleton

indeed not to discover it too.'

 

'Remember, L-liza, that he docs not know Jane's disposition

as you do.'

 

'But il a woman is partial to a man, and docs not endeavour

to conceal it, he must find it out.'

 

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

Binglcy and Jane meet tolerably often, it is never for many hours

together; and as they always sec each other in large mixed parties,

it is impossible that every moment should be employed in coiv

versing together. Jane should therefore 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 dare say 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 Mcryton; she saw him one morning at his own house, and

has since dined in company with him four times. This is not

quite enough to make her understand his character.'

 

'Not as you represent it. Had she merely dir.td 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, 1 do not imagine that much

has been unfolded.'

 

'Well,' said Charlotte, 'I wish Jane success with all my

heart; and if she were married to him to-morrow, 1 should think

 

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