“ 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 ”
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice (28 January 1813). copy citation
| Author | Jane Austen |
|---|---|
| Source | Pride and Prejudice |
| Topic | gratitude attachment |
| Date | 28 January 1813 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1342/1342-h/1342-h.htm |
Context
“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;”
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