Austen Said:

Patterns of Diction in Jane Austen's Major Novels

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"You MUST drink tea with us to night,"
"for we shall be quite alone — and tomorrow you must absolutely dine with us, for we shall be a large party."
"And who knows but you may raise a dance,"
"And that will tempt YOU, Miss Marianne."
"Who! why yourselves, and the Careys, and Whitakers to be sure. — What! you thought nobody could dance because a certain person that shall be nameless is gone!"
"I wish with all my soul,"
"that Willoughby were among us again."
"I think, Edward,"
"you would be a happier man if you had any profession to engage your time and give an interest to your plans and actions. Some inconvenience to your friends, indeed, might result from it — you would not be able to give them so much of your time. But
you would be materially benefited in one particular at least — you would know where to go when you left them."
"The consequence of which, I suppose, will be,"
"since leisure has not promoted your own happiness, that your sons will be brought up to as many pursuits, employments, professions, and trades as Columella's."
"Come, come; this is all an effusion of immediate want of spirits, Edward. You are in a melancholy humour, and fancy that any one unlike yourself must be happy. But remember that the pain of parting from friends will be felt by every body at times, whatever be their education or state. Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience — or give it a more fascinating name, call it hope. Your mother will secure to you, in time, that independence you are so anxious for; it is her duty, and it will, it must ere long become her happiness to prevent your whole youth from being wasted in discontent. How much may not a few months do?"
"Well,"
"we have brought you some strangers. How do you like them?"
"Never mind if they do. It is only the Palmers. Charlotte is very pretty, I can tell you. You may see her if you look this way."
"Where is Marianne? Has she run away because we are come? I see her instrument is open."
"How do you do, my dear? How does Mrs. Dashwood do? And where are your sisters? What! all alone! you will be glad of a little company to sit with you. I have brought my other son and daughter to see you. Only think of their coming so suddenly! I thought I heard a carriage last night, while we were drinking our tea, but it never entered my head that it could be them. I thought of nothing but whether it might not be Colonel Brandon come back again; so I said to Sir John, I do think I hear a carriage; perhaps it is Colonel Brandon come back again" —
"You may believe how glad we all were to see them,"
"but, however, I can't help wishing they had not travelled quite so fast, nor made such a long journey of it, for they came all round by London upon account of some business, for you know
it was wrong in her situation. I wanted her to stay at home and rest this morning, but she would come with us; she longed so much to see you all!"
"She expects to be confined in February,"
"Here comes Marianne,"
"Now, Palmer, you shall see a monstrous pretty girl."
her daughters might do as they pleased.
"I am afraid, Miss Marianne,"
"you have not been able to take your usual walk to Allenham today."
"My dear,"
"it is very provoking that we should be so few. Why did not you ask the Gilberts to come to us today?"
"Did not I tell you, Sir John, when you spoke to me about it before, that it could not be done? They dined with us last."
"You and I, Sir John,"
"should not stand upon such ceremony."
"Ay, you may abuse me as you please,"
"you have taken Charlotte off my hands, and cannot give her back again. So there I have the whip hand of you."
"Do come now,"
"pray come — you must come — I declare you shall come — You can't think how you will like them. Lucy is monstrous pretty, and so good humoured and agreeable! The children are all hanging about her already, as if she was an old acquaintance. And they both long to see you of all things, for they have heard at Exeter that you are the most beautiful creatures in the world; and I have told them it is all very true, and a great deal more. You will be delighted with them I am sure. They have brought the whole coach full of playthings for the children. How can you be so cross as not to come? Why they are your cousins, you know, after a fashion. YOU are my cousins, and they are my wife's, so you must be related."
"John is in such spirits today!"
"He is full of monkey tricks."
"How playful William is!"
"And here is my sweet little Annamaria,"
"And she is always so gentle and quiet — Never was there such a quiet little thing!"
"His name is Ferrars,"
"but pray do not tell it, for it's a great secret."
"I am glad,"
"you are not going to finish poor little Annamaria's basket this evening; for I am sure it must hurt your eyes to work filigree by candlelight. And we will make the dear little love some amends for her disappointment to-morrow, and then I hope she will not much mind it."
"You are very good, I hope it won't hurt your eyes — will you ring the bell for some working candles? My poor little girl would be sadly disappointed, I know, if the basket was not finished tomorrow, for though I told her it certainly would not, I am sure she depends upon having it done."
"You are very kind,"
"and as you really like the work, perhaps you will be as well pleased not to cut in till another rubber, or will you take your chance now?"
"I can answer for it that Miss Dashwood's is not,"
"for he is one of the modestest, prettiest behaved young men I ever saw; but as for Lucy, she is such a sly little creature, there is no finding out who SHE likes."