Austen Said:

"Very likely,"

"nothing more likely. I know no man more likely than Mr. Knightley to do the sort of thing —to do any thing really good-natured, useful, considerate, or benevolent. He is not a gallant man, but he is a very humane one; and this, considering Jane Fairfax's ill-health, would appear a case of humanity to him;—and for an act of unostentatious kindness, there is nobody whom I would fix on more than on Mr. Knightley. I know he had horses to-day—for we arrived together; and I laughed at him about it, but he said not a word that could betray."

"Mr. Knightley and Jane Fairfax!"

"Dear Mrs. Weston, how could you think of such a thing?—Mr. Knightley!—Mr. Knightley must not marry!—You would not have little Henry cut out from Donwell?—Oh! no, no, Henry must have Donwell. I cannot at all consent to Mr. Knightley's marrying; and I am sure it is not at all likely. I am amazed that you should think of such a thing."

"Yes, I would. I could not bear to have Henry supplanted.—Mr. Knightley marry!—No, I have never had such an idea, and I cannot adopt it now. And Jane Fairfax, too, of all women!"

"But the imprudence of such a match!"

"I see no probability in it, unless you have any better foundation than what you mention. His good-nature, his humanity, as I tell you, would be quite enough to account for the horses. He has a great regard for the Bateses, you know, independent of Jane Fairfax —and is always glad to shew them attention. My dear Mrs. Weston, do not take to match-making. You do it very ill. Jane Fairfax mistress of the Abbey!—Oh! no, no;—every feeling revolts. For his own sake, I would not have him do so mad a thing."

"But Mr. Knightley does not want to marry. I am sure he has not the least idea of it. Do not put it into his head. Why should he marry?—He is as happy as possible by himself; with his farm, and his sheep, and his library, and all the parish to manage; and he is extremely fond of his brother's children. He has no occasion to marry, either to fill up his time or his heart."

"Nonsense! He does not care about Jane Fairfax. In the way of love, I am sure he does not. He would do any good to her, or her family; but—"

"If it would be good to her, I am sure it would be evil to himself; a very shameful and degrading connexion. How would he bear to have Miss Bates belonging to him?—To have her haunting the Abbey, and thanking him all day long for his great kindness in marrying Jane?—

And then fly off, through half a sentence, to her mother's old petticoat.

"Then it can be no argument to prove that he is in love. But I do not think it is at all a likely thing for him to do. Mr. Knightley does nothing mysteriously."

"Very well; and if he had intended to give her one, he would have told her so."

"You take up an idea, Mrs. Weston, and run away with it; as you have many a time reproached me with doing. I see no sign of attachment —I believe nothing of the pianoforte—and proof only shall convince me that Mr. Knightley has any thought of marrying Jane Fairfax."

"I often feel concern,"

"that I dare not make our carriage more useful on such occasions. It is not that I am without the wish; but you know how impossible my father would deem it that James should put-to for such a purpose."

"This present from the Campbells,"

"this pianoforte is very kindly given."

"Don't class us together, Harriet. My playing is no more like her's, than a lamp is like sunshine."

"Those who knew any thing about it, must have felt the difference. The truth is, Harriet, that my playing is just good enough to be praised, but Jane Fairfax's is much beyond it."

"Ah! but Jane Fairfax has them both, Harriet."

"Just as they always do— very vulgar."

"Oh!"

"Oh!"

"She meant to be impertinently curious, just as such an Anne Cox should be."

"Very likely.—I think they are, without exception, the most vulgar girls in Highbury."

"I am here on no business of my own,"

"I am only waiting for my friend. She will probably have soon done, and then we shall go home. But you had better go with Mrs. Weston and hear the instrument."

"I do not believe any such thing,"

"I am persuaded that you can be as insincere as your neighbours, when it is necessary; but there is no reason to suppose the instrument is indifferent. Quite otherwise indeed, if I understood Miss Fairfax's opinion last night."

"It is not worth while, Harriet, to give Mrs. Ford the trouble of two parcels."

"That you do not give another half-second to the subject. To Hartfield, if you please, Mrs. Ford."

"very happy to wait on Mrs. Bates, &c.,"

"It is not fair,"

"mine was a random guess. Do not distress her."

"You speak too plain. She must understand you."

"But really, I am half ashamed, and wish I had never taken up the idea."

"She is not entirely without it, I think."

"It would be a crowd —a sad crowd; and what could be worse than dancing without space to turn in?"

"No, no,"

"you are quite unreasonable. It would be dreadful to be standing so close! Nothing can be farther from pleasure than to be dancing in a crowd— and a crowd in a little room!"

"The Crown!"

"It appears to me a plan that nobody can object to, if Mr. and Mrs. Weston do not. I think it admirable; and, as far as I can answer for myself, shall be most happy— It seems the only improvement that could be. Papa, do you not think it an excellent improvement?"

"Oh!"

"there will be plenty of time for talking every thing over. There is no hurry at all. If it can be contrived to be at the Crown, papa, it will be very convenient for the horses. They will be so near their own stable."

"There, papa!—Now you must be satisfied— Our own dear Mrs. Weston, who is carefulness itself. Do not you remember what Mr. Perry said, so many years ago, when I had the measles?

How often have I heard you speak of it as such a compliment to her!"

"You will get nothing to the purpose from Miss Bates,"

"She will be all delight and gratitude, but she will tell you nothing. She will not even listen to your questions. I see no advantage in consulting Miss Bates."

"I said it would be so,"