Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 41 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 41

Pride and Prejudice

“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

disposition as you do.”

“But if a woman is partial to a man, and does not

endeavour 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 therefore make the most of every

half-hour in which she can command his attention.

When she is secure of him, there will be more 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

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