reason. He may live in my memory as the most amiable man of my

acquaintance but that is all. I have nothing either to hope or fear, and

nothing to reproach him with. Thank God I have not that pain. A little

time, therefore—I shall certainly try to get the better——”
With a stronger voice she soon added, “I have this comfort immediately,

that it has not been more than an error of fancy on my side, and that it

has done no harm to anyone but myself.”
“My dear Jane,” exclaimed Elizabeth, “you are too good. Your sweetness

and disinterestedness are really angelic; I do not know what to say to

you. I feel as if I had never done you justice, or loved you as you

deserve.”
Miss Bennet eagerly disclaimed all extraordinary merit, and threw back

the praise on her sister’s warm affection.
“Nay,” said Elizabeth, “this is not fair. You wish to think all the

world respectable, and are hurt if I speak ill of anybody. I only want

to think you perfect, and you set yourself against it. Do not be

afraid of my running into any excess, of my encroaching on your

privilege of universal good-will. You need not. There are few people

whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see

of the world the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms

my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the

little dependence that can be placed on the appearance{171} of either merit

or sense. I have met with two instances lately: one I will not mention,

the other is Charlotte’s marriage. It is unaccountable! in every view it

is unaccountable!”
“My dear Lizzy, do not give way to such feelings as these. They will

ruin your happiness. You do not make allowance enough for difference of

situation and temper. Consider Mr. Collins’s respectability, and

Charlotte’s prudent, steady character. Remember that she is one of a

large family; that as to fortune it is a most eligible match; and be