Austen Said:

“What! Always to be watched, in person or by proxy!”

“I wish your heart were independent. That would be enough for me.”

“If we have not hearts, we have eyes; and they give us torment enough.”

“Never more so; for the edge of a blooming cheek is still in view — at once too much and too little.”

“How glad I shall be when you are all off.”

"Your sister, I understand, does not approve of second attachments."

"Or rather, as I believe, she considers them impossible to exist."

"This will probably be the case,"

"and yet there is something so amiable in the prejudices of a young mind, that one is sorry to see them give way to the reception of more general opinions."

"Does your sister make no distinction in her objections against a second attachment? or is it equally criminal in every body? Are those who have been disappointed in their first choice, whether from the inconstancy of its object, or the perverseness of circumstances, to be equally indifferent during the rest of their lives?"

"This,"

"cannot hold; but a change, a total change of sentiments — No, no, do not desire it; for when the romantic refinements of a young mind are obliged to give way, how frequently are they succeeded by such opinions as are but too common, and too dangerous! I speak from experience. I once knew a lady who in temper and mind greatly resembled your sister, who thought and judged like her, but who from an inforced change — from a series of unfortunate circumstances"

"None at all, ma'am, I thank you."

"No, ma'am. It came from town, and is merely a letter of business."

"No, indeed, it is not."

"Whom do you mean, ma'am?"

"I am particularly sorry, ma'am,"

"that I should receive this letter today, for it is on business which requires my immediate attendance in town."

"My own loss is great,"

"in being obliged to leave so agreeable a party; but I am the more concerned, as I fear my presence is necessary to gain your admittance at Whitwell."

"I wish it could be so easily settled. But it is not in my power to delay my journey for one day!"

"I cannot afford to lose ONE hour." —

"You are very obliging. But it is so uncertain, when I may have it in my power to return, that I dare not engage for it at all."

"No. Only to Honiton. I shall then go post."

"I assure you it is not in my power."

"Is there no chance of my seeing you and your sisters in town this winter, Miss Dashwood?"

"Then I must bid you farewell for a longer time than I should wish to do."

"Is your sister ill?"

"Yes,"

"almost ever since; I have been once or twice at Delaford for a few days, but it has never been in my power to return to Barton."

"I had the pleasure of hearing it at Mr. Palmer's, where I have been dining."

"Mrs. Palmer appeared quite well, and I am commissioned to tell you, that

"your sister looks unwell to-day,"

"your sister seems out of spirits,"

"your sister's engagement to Mr. Willoughby is very generally known."

"I beg your pardon, I am afraid my inquiry has been impertinent; but I had not supposed any secrecy intended, as they openly correspond, and their marriage is universally talked of."

"By many — by some of whom you know nothing, by others with whom you are most intimate, Mrs. Jennings, Mrs. Palmer, and the Middletons. But still I might not have believed it, for where the mind is perhaps rather unwilling to be convinced, it will always find something to support its doubts, if I had not, when the servant let me in today, accidentally seen a letter in his hand, directed to Mr. Willoughby in your sister's writing. I came to inquire, but I was convinced before I could ask the question. Is every thing finally settled? Is it impossible to-? But I have no right, and I could have no chance of succeeding. Excuse me, Miss Dashwood. I believe I have been wrong in saying so much, but I hardly know what to do, and on your prudence I have the strongest dependence. Tell me that it is all absolutely resolved on, that any attempt, that in short concealment, if concealment be possible, is all that remains."

"to your sister I wish all imaginable happiness; to Willoughby that he may endeavour to deserve her," —

"Perhaps, then,"

"what I heard this morning may be — there may be more truth in it than I could believe possible at first."

"That a gentleman, whom I had reason to think — in short, that a man, whom I KNEW to be engaged — but how shall I tell you? If you know it already, as surely you must, I may be spared."

"In a stationer's shop in Pall Mall, where I had business. Two ladies were waiting for their carriage, and one of them was giving the other an account of the intended match, in a voice so little attempting concealment, that it was impossible for me not to hear all. The name of Willoughby, John Willoughby, frequently repeated, first caught my attention; and what followed was a positive assertion that

One thing, especially, I remember, because it served to identify the man still more: —

My astonishment! — but it would be impossible to describe what I felt. The communicative lady I learnt, on inquiry, for I stayed in the shop till they were gone, was a Mrs. Ellison, and that, as I have been since informed, is the name of Miss Grey's guardian."

"It may be so; but Willoughby is capable — at least I think" —

"And your sister — how did she — "

"Ah!"

"there is, indeed! But your sister does not — I think you said so — she does not consider quite as you do?"

"I met Mrs. Jennings in Bond Street,"

"and she encouraged me to come on; and I was the more easily encouraged, because I thought it probable that I might find you alone, which I was very desirous of doing. My object — my wish — my sole wish in desiring it — I hope, I believe it is — is to be a means of giving comfort; — no, I must not say comfort — not present comfort — but conviction, lasting conviction to your sister's mind. My regard for her, for yourself, for your mother — will you allow me to prove it, by relating some circumstances which nothing but a VERY sincere regard — nothing but an earnest desire of being useful — I think I am justified — though where so many hours have been spent in convincing myself that I am right, is there not some reason to fear I may be wrong?"