Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 206 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 206

JANE AUSTEN

my dearest Jane, in indulging the hope of an event

which will secure the happiness of so many?”

“What do you think of this sentence, my dear Lizzy?”

said Jane as she finished it. “Is it not clear enough? Does

it not expressly declare that Caroline neither expects

nor wishes me to be her sister; that she is perfectly

convinced of her brother’s indifference; and that if she

suspects the nature of my feelings for him, she means

(most kindly!) to put me on my guard? Can there be

any other opinion on the subject?”

“Yes, there can; for mine is totally different. Will you

hear it?”

“Most willingly.”

“You shall have it in a few words. Miss Bingley sees

that her brother is in love with you, and wants him to

marry Miss Darcy. She follows him to town in hope of

keeping him there, and tries to persuade you that he

does not care about you.”

Jane shook her head.

“Indeed, Jane, you ought to believe me. No one who

has ever seen you together can doubt his affection. Miss

Bingley, I am sure, cannot. She is not such a simpleton.

Could she have seen half as much love in Mr. Darcy for

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