{{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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