Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 6

The ladies of Longbourn soon waited on those of Netherfield. The

visit was soon returned in due form. Miss Bennet's pleasing manners

grew on the goodwill of Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley; and though the

mother was found to be intolerable, and the younger sisters not worth

speaking to, a wish of being better acquainted with them was expressed

towards the two eldest. By Jane, this attention was received with the

greatest pleasure, but Elizabeth still saw superciliousness in their treatment

of everybody, hardly excepting even her sister, and could not like

them; though their kindness to Jane, such as it was, had a value as arising

in all probability from the influence of their brother's admiration.

It was generally evident whenever they met, that he did admire her

and to her it was equally evident that Jane was yielding to the prefer-

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ence which she had begun to entertain for him from the first, and was

in a way to be very much in love; but she considered with pleasure

that it was not likely to be discovered by the world in general, since

Jane united, with great strength of feeling, a composure of temper and

a uniform cheerfulness of manner which would guard her from the

suspicions of the impertinent. She mentioned this to her friend Miss

Lucas.

"It may perhaps be pleasant," replied Charlotte, "to be able to impose

on the public in such a case; but it is sometimes a disadvantage to

be so very guarded. If a woman conceals her affection with the same

skill from the object of it, she may lose the opportunity of fixing him;

and it will then be but poor consolation to believe the world equally

in the dark. There is so much of gratitude or vanity in almost every

attachment, that it is not safe to leave any to itself. We can all begin

freely-a slight preference is natural enough; but there are very few of

us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement.

In nine cases out of ten a women had better show more affection than

she feels. Bingley likes your sister undoubtedly; 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 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,