to her it was equally evident that Jane was yielding to the preference

which she had begun to entertain for him from the first, and was in a

way to be very much in love; but she considered with pleasure that it

was not likely to be discovered by the world in general, since Jane

united with great strength of feeling, a composure of temper and an

uniform cheerfulness of manner, which would guard{28} her from the

suspicions of the impertinent. She mentioned this to her friend, Miss

Lucas.
“It may, perhaps, be pleasant,” replied Charlotte, “to be able to impose

on the public in such a case; but it is sometimes a disadvantage to be

so very guarded. If a woman conceals her affection with the same skill

from the object of it, she may lose the opportunity of fixing him; and

it will then be but poor consolation to believe the world equally in the

dark. There is so much of gratitude or vanity in almost every

attachment, that it is not safe to leave any to itself. We can all

begin freely—a slight preference is natural enough; but there are

very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without

encouragement. In nine cases out of ten, a woman had better show more

affection than she feels. Bingley likes your sister undoubtedly; but he

may never do more than like her, if she does not help him on.”
“But she does help him on, as much as her nature will allow. If I can

perceive her regard for him, he must be a simpleton indeed not to

discover it too.”
“Remember, Eliza, that he does not know Jane’s disposition as you do.”
“But if a woman is partial to a man, and does not endeavor to conceal

it, he must find it out.”
“Perhaps he must, if he sees enough of her. But though Bingley and Jane

meet tolerably often, it is never for many hours together; and as they

always see each other in large mixed parties, it is impossible that

every moment should be employed in conversing together. Jane should