Austen Said:

Patterns of Diction in Jane Austen's Major Novels

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"Did he come from your uncle's, then, when he visited us?"
"No,"
"I remember
he told us, that
"We did, indeed, particularly so when he first arrived."
"I did,"
"Marianne can never keep long from that instrument you know, ma'am,"
"and I do not much wonder at it; for it is the very best toned piano-forte I ever heard."
"Perhaps,"
"if I should happen to cut out, I may be of some use to Miss Lucy Steele, in rolling her papers for her; and there is so much still to be done to the basket, that it must be impossible I think for her labour singly, to finish it this evening. I should like the work exceedingly, if she would allow me a share in it."
"I should be undeserving of the confidence you have honoured me with, if I felt no desire for its continuance, or no farther curiosity on its subject. I will not apologize therefore for bringing it forward again."
"Offended me! How could you suppose so? Believe me,"
"nothing could be farther from my intention than to give you such an idea. Could you have a motive for the trust, that was not honourable and flattering to me?"
"Indeed, I can easily believe that it was a very great relief to you, to acknowledge your situation to me, and be assured that you shall never have reason to repent it. Your case is a very unfortunate one; you seem to me to be surrounded with difficulties, and you will have need of all your mutual affection to support you under them. Mr. Ferrars, I believe, is entirely dependent on his mother."
"That conviction must be every thing to you; and he is undoubtedly supported by the same trust in your's. If the strength of your reciprocal attachment had failed, as between many people, and under many circumstances it naturally would during a four years' engagement, your situation would have been pitiable, indeed."
"All this,"
"is very pretty; but it can impose upon neither of us."
"But what,"
"are your views? or have you none but that of waiting for Mrs. Ferrars's death, which is a melancholy and shocking extremity? — Is her son determined to submit to this, and to all the tediousness of the many years of suspense in which it may involve you, rather than run the risk of her displeasure for a while by owning the truth?"
"And for your own sake too, or you are carrying your disinterestedness beyond reason."
"Do you know Mr. Robert Ferrars?"
"I should always be happy,"
"to show any mark of my esteem and friendship for Mr. Ferrars; but do you not perceive that my interest on such an occasion would be perfectly unnecessary? He is brother to Mrs. John Dashwood — THAT must be recommendation enough to her husband."
"Then I rather suspect that my interest would do very little."
"No,"
"on such a subject I certainly will not. You know very well that my opinion would have no weight with you, unless it were on the side of your wishes."
"This compliment would effectually frighten me from giving any opinion on the subject had I formed one. It raises my influence much too high; the power of dividing two people so tenderly attached is too much for an indifferent person."
"Certainly not."
"It will not be in my power to accept their invitation if they do."
"Though with your usual anxiety for our happiness,"
"you have been obviating every impediment to the present scheme which occurred to you, there is still one objection which, in my opinion, cannot be so easily removed."
"My objection is this; though I think very well of Mrs. Jennings's heart, she is not a woman whose society can afford us pleasure, or whose protection will give us consequence."
"I like Edward Ferrars very much, and shall always be glad to see him; but as to the rest of the family, it is a matter of perfect indifference to me, whether I am ever known to them or not."
"I am writing home, Marianne,"
"had not you better defer your letter for a day or two?"
"How odd, indeed!"
"If she had not known him to be in town she would not have written to him, as she did; she would have written to Combe Magna; and if he is in town, how odd that he should neither come nor write! Oh! my dear mother, you must be wrong in permitting an engagement between a daughter so young, a man so little known, to be carried on in so doubtful, so mysterious a manner! I long to inquire; and how will MY interference be borne."
"At any rate,"
"I dare say we shall have Sir John and Lady Middleton in town by the end of next week."
"And now,"
"she will write to Combe by this day's post."
"Depend upon it, he will call again tomorrow."
"You are expecting a letter, then?"
"You have no confidence in me, Marianne."
"Me!"
"indeed, Marianne, I have nothing to tell."
"Did you?"
"I do not know."
"It cannot be generally known,"
"for her own family do not know it."

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