Austen Said:

Patterns of Diction in Jane Austen's Major Novels

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"I am sorry I do NOT,"
"if it could be of any use to YOU to know my opinion of her. But really I never understood that you were at all connected with that family, and therefore I am a little surprised, I confess, at so serious an inquiry into her character."
"Good heavens!"
"what do you mean? Are you acquainted with Mr. Robert Ferrars? Can you be?"
"May I ask if your engagement is of long standing?"
"Four years!"
"I did not know,"
"that you were even acquainted till the other day."
"Your uncle!"
"I think I have,"
"Certainly,"
"Engaged to Mr. Edward Ferrars! — I confess myself so totally surprised at what you tell me, that really — I beg your pardon; but surely there must be some mistake of person or name. We cannot mean the same Mr. Ferrars."
"It is strange,"
"that I should never have heard him even mention your name."
"Four years you have been engaged,"
"You are quite in the right,"
"I certainly did not seek your confidence,"
"but you do me no more than justice in imagining that I may be depended on. Your secret is safe with me; but pardon me if I express some surprise at so unnecessary a communication. You must at least have felt that my being acquainted with it could not add to its safety."
"Pardon me,"
"but I can give you no advice under such circumstances. Your own judgment must direct you."
"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,"
"Your Ladyship will have the goodness to excuse ME — you know I detest cards. I shall go to the piano-forte; I have not touched it since it was tuned."
"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."

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