Austen Said:

Patterns of Diction in Jane Austen's Major Novels

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“I hope not.”
“May I ask to what these questions tend?”
“And what is your success?”
“I can readily believe,”
“that reports may vary greatly with respect to me; and I could wish, Miss Bennet, that you were not to sketch my character at the present moment, as there is reason to fear that the performance would reflect no credit on either.”
“I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours,”
“That will do extremely well, child. You have delighted us long enough. Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit.”
“I have not the pleasure of understanding you,”
“Of what are you talking?”
“And what am I to do on the occasion? It seems an hopeless business.”
“Let her be called down. She shall hear my opinion.”
“Come here, child,”
“I have sent for you on an affair of importance. I understand that Mr. Collins has made you an offer of marriage. Is it true?”
“Very well — and this offer of marriage you have refused?”
“Very well. We now come to the point. Your mother insists upon your accepting it. Is it not so, Mrs. Bennet?”
“An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do.”
“My dear,”
“I have two small favours to request. First, that you will allow me the free use of my understanding on the present occasion; and secondly, of my room. I shall be glad to have the library to myself as soon as may be.”
“But is there not danger of Lady Catherine's disapprobation here, my good sir? You had better neglect your relations than run the risk of offending your patroness.”
“You cannot be too much upon your guard. Risk anything rather than her displeasure; and if you find it likely to be raised by your coming to us again, which I should think exceedingly probable, stay quietly at home, and be satisfied that we shall take no offence.”
it gratified him,
to discover that Charlotte Lucas, whom he had been used to think tolerably sensible, was as foolish as his wife, and more foolish than his daughter!
“My dear, do not give way to such gloomy thoughts. Let us hope for better things. Let us flatter ourselves that I may be the survivor.”
“What should not you mind?”
“Let us be thankful that you are preserved from a state of such insensibility.”
“I leave it to yourself to determine,”
“So, Lizzy,”
“your sister is crossed in love, I find. I congratulate her. Next to being married, a girl likes to be crossed a little in love now and then. It is something to think of, and gives her a sort of distinction among her companions. When is your turn to come? You will hardly bear to be long outdone by Jane. Now is your time. Here are officers enough in Meryton to disappoint all the young ladies in the country. Let Wickham be your man. He is a pleasant fellow, and would jilt you creditably.”
“True,”
“but it is a comfort to think that whatever of that kind may befall you, you have an affectionate mother who will always make the most of it.”
to inquire
after the health of her family.
he had never been so fortunate as to meet Miss Bennet.
“I shall not say that you are mistaken,”
“because you could not really believe me to entertain any design of alarming you; and I have had the pleasure of your acquaintance long enough to know that you find great enjoyment in occasionally professing opinions which in fact are not your own.”
“I am not afraid of you,”
“I had not at that time the honour of knowing any lady in the assembly beyond my own party.”
“Perhaps,”
“I should have judged better, had I sought an introduction; but I am ill-qualified to recommend myself to strangers.”
“I certainly have not the talent which some people possess,”
“of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done.”
“You are perfectly right. You have employed your time much better. No one admitted to the privilege of hearing you can think anything wanting. We neither of us perform to strangers.”
for his intrusion
he had understood all the ladies were to be within.
“Perfectly so, I thank you.”
“I have never heard him say so; but it is probable that he may spend very little of his time there in the future. He has many friends, and he is at a time of life when friends and engagements are continually increasing.”
“I should not be surprised,”
“if he were to give it up as soon as any eligible purchase offers.”
“This seems a very comfortable house. Lady Catherine, I believe, did a great deal to it when Mr. Collins first came to Hunsford.”
“Mr. Collins appears to be very fortunate in his choice of a wife.”