love with only a few days before.”
“But that expression of ‘violently in love’ is so hackneyed, so

doubtful, so indefinite, that it gives me very little idea. It is as

often applied to feelings which arise only from a half hour’s

acquaintance, as to a real, strong attachment. Pray, how violent was

Mr. Bingley’s love?”
“I never saw a more promising inclination; he was growing quite

inattentive to other people, and wholly engrossed by her. Every time

they met, it was more decided and remarkable. At his own ball he

offended two or three young ladies by not asking them to dance; and I

spoke to him twice myself without receiving an answer. Could there be

finer symptoms? Is not general incivility the very essence of love?”
“Oh, yes! of that kind of love which I suppose him to have felt. Poor

Jane! I am sorry for her, because, with her disposition, she may not get

over it immediately. It had better have happened to you, Lizzy; you

would have laughed yourself out of it sooner. But do you think she would

be prevailed on to go back with us? Change of scene might be of

service—and perhaps a little relief from home may be as useful as

anything.”
Elizabeth was exceedingly pleased with this proposal, and felt persuaded

of her sister’s ready acquiescence.
“I hope,” added Mrs. Gardiner, “that no consideration with regard to

this young man will influence her. We live in so different a part of

town, all our connections are so different, and, as you well know, we go

out so little, that it is very improbable they should meet at all,

unless he really comes to see her.{179}”
“And that is quite impossible; for he is now in the custody of his

friend, and Mr. Darcy would no more suffer him to call on Jane in such a

part of London! My dear aunt, how could you think of it? Mr. Darcy may,

perhaps, have heard of such a place as Gracechurch Street, but he

would hardly think a month’s ablution enough to cleanse him from its