A scheme of which every part promises delight, can never be successful; and general disappointment is only warded off by the defence of some little peculiar vexation.

I resolutely refuse to believe that the state of Edward’s health had anything to do with this, and I don’t say this only because I was once later accused of attacking him ‘on his deathbed.’...

After a moment, he added more seriously: ‘I don’t get as angry as m’father used to about things. Or maybe I’, just better at hiding m’feelings.”I fear I’m not very good at hiding my feelings.’He...

Her heart did whisper that he had done it for her.

Ah yes.’ Peter’s tone was scornful. ‘And they must always be paid before the poor tradesmen’s bills, mustn’t they?”They must indeed. They are debts of honour.”Oh, Mary.’ He leant over and kissed me quickly. ‘What...

I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty women can bestow.’ Miss Bingley immediately fixated her eyes on his face, and desired...

The celestial brightness of Pride and Prejudice is unequalled even in Jane Austen’s other work; after a life of much disappointment and grief, in which some people would have seen nothing but tedium and emptiness,...

I lost the letter in rather embarrassing circumstances. We were to dine at Parramatta Government House that same evening, and Peter had come in early from harvesting the wheat, sitting down in all his dirt...

The more I see of the world, the more am i dissatisfied with it; and everyday confirms my belief of the inconsistencies of all human.

This made my father laugh. ‘Mary made a cake, did she? Well, well. Better that than she should make a cake for herself, I suppose.’Peter then burst out: ‘Why must you always be making a...

What on earth did you say to Isola? She stopped in on her way to pick up Pride and Prejudice and to berate me for never telling her about Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Why...

I had not seen “Pride and Prejudice,” till I read that sentence of yours, and then I got the book. And what did I find? An accurate daguerreotyped portrait of a common-place face; a carefully...

Peter was now standing very close – as if he wanted to comfort me – as if he knew how hurt I felt that Mrs Knowles had not asked me to play or to sing....

And so ended his affection,” said Elizabeth impatiently. “There hasbeen many a one, I fancy, overcome in the same way. I wonder who firstdiscovered the efficacy of poetry in driving away love!””I have been used...

In suiting the action to the words, however, I perceived that the stars were all wrong.That was my undoing. I had looked up unthinkingly, anticipating the familiar, and, finding it gone, began to cry like...

Lucy gripped her chilled glass of orange and raspberry juice. When Rebecca talked about Austen, she’d mostly mentioned Mr. Darcy or Mr. Knightley. She hadn’t really thought of the doe-eyed, pale-skinned heroines. On the screen,...

It seemed so good when it started.I gave my trust to you.I came to you open-hearted,Hoping it was true.Now I’ve gotten smart.Now I’ve learned some things.Now I know that what once was a start,Is just...

At that moment a solitary violin struck up. But the music was not dance music; it was more like a song – a solemn, sweet song. (I know now that it was Beethoven’s Romance in...

I am determined that only the deepest love will induce me into matrimony. So, I shall end an old maid, and teach your ten children to embroider cushions and play their instruments very ill.

English does not distinguish between arrogant-up (irreverence toward the temporarily powerful) and arrogant-down (directed at the small guy).

As for Elizabeth Bennet, our chief reason for accepting her point of view as a reflection of her author’s is the impression that she bears of sympathy between them–an impression of which almost every reader...

Did you think of anything when Miss Marcy said Scoatney Hall was being re-opened? I thought of the beginning of Pride and Prejudice – where Mrs. Bennet says ‘Netherfield Park is let a last.’ And...

I felt my mouth go dry, my throat constrict. What possible interpretation could Peter place on those words, other than that they were about him? – that the entire song was about him?

My object then,” replied Darcy, “was to show you, by every civility in my power, that I was not so mean as to resent the past; and I hoped to obtain your forgiveness, to lessen...

Never let yourself be swayed by emotions,’ her mother had said. ‘Emotions are fleeting. They come and go. But reality stays with you forever.

Quite definitely a Bingley

Though she had been surprised to find that murder was so thoroughly enjoyable, Mrs Bennet did not believe that this reflected any fault or wickedness in her character. She knew she only committed these acts...

Before I could reply, he had picked me up, literally swept me off my feet, and kissed me. And afterwards, when I tried to speak, he silenced me in much the same manner. It was...

The loss of virtue in a female is irretrievable – that one false step involves in her endless ruin – that her reputation is no less brittle than it is beautiful – and that she...

Walking out in the middle of a funeral would be, of course, bad form. So attempting to walk out on one’s own was beyond the pale.

I did not have an opportunity to speak privately with Peter until just as he was leaving, when he handed me one of the Burns song-sheets and (with a most earnest look) told me to...

Do not give way to useless alarm; though it is right to be prepared for the worst, there is no occasion to look on it as certain.

I found I could listen without envy to Letty’s singing, and afterwards when the applause came, I did not mind that Mrs Knowles was heaping praises upon her. Peter’s hands were on my chair, and...

Pride,” observed Mary, who piqued herself upon the solidity of her reflections, “is a very common failing, I believe. By all that I have ever read, I am convinced that it it very common indeed;...

Never rearrange your life in order to meet Mr. Darcy half way. If he couldn’t see your worth at the moment you met then he won’t two years later. May the halls of Pemberly be...

But look behind you, Mary.’ She nodded towards the dais. ‘One of the musicians seems to be trying to attract your attention.’It was Peter. He was standing on the dais smiling across at me. My...

Obstinate, headstrong girl!

I knew it was Peter playing. I fancied he was trying to tell me something – an absurd idea, but it persisted – ‘I may not be able to spell, but just you listen to...

Has de aprender algo de mi filosofía. Piensa sólo en el pasado cuando su recuerdo te procure placer.

I saw that he was looking anxious.’I thought you weren’t coming.’ As he spoke, he grasped my hand. And if the sight of him had not quite restored the magic, the touch of him most...

Elizabeth had never been more at a loss to make her feelings appear what they were not. It was necessary to laugh, when she would rather have cried.

Shortly after you left the room, Bushell came over and spoke to your father. I was not near enough to hear what he said, but Maria Lucas told me afterwards that he had been -‘...

Nada más capcioso que las apariencias de humildad. A veces nacen de pereza para sostener una opinión y a veces son un modo indirecto de elogiarse a sí mismo.

Blessed with the love of a good man, I felt equal to anything – even the prospect of living out my days in the Antipodes.

I have faults enough, but they are not, I hope, of understanding. My temper I dare not vouch for. It is, I believe, too little yielding— certainly too little for the convenience of the world....

I had never in all my life felt so elated. Peter cared for me! It was a miracle I longed to celebrate – to tell all Hertfordshire – and I had to hold my hand...

I have the highest respect for your nerves, they are my old friends.

I have come to realise that your are the most important person in the world to me, and I wanted to know if you would consider… if you would do me the honour of becoming...

Hello, Mary.’It was like hearing a note of divine calm after a dissonant passage of music. My confusion died away.

What praise is more valuable than the praise of an intelligent servant?