“I assure you that if Darcy were not such a great tall fellow, in comparison with myself, I should not pay him half so much deference. I declare I do not know a more aweful object than Darcy, on particular occasions, and in particular places; at his own house especially, and of a Sunday evening when he has nothing to do.”
Bingley poking a bit of fun at his friend, the aweful Darcy
Pride and Prejudice, Vol 1, Ch 10
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Filed under Darcy, Mr. Bingley, Power, Pride and Prejudice
The Bingley sisters discuss Jane’s chances of marrying well:
“I have an excessive regard for Jane Bennet, she is really a very sweet girl, and I wish with all my heart she were well settled. But with such a father and mother, and such low connections, I am afraid there is no chance of it.”
“I think I have heard you say, that their uncle is an attorney in Meryton.”
“Yes; and they have another, who lives somewhere near Cheapside.”
“That is capital,” added her sister, and they both laughed heartily.
“If they had uncles enough to fill all Cheapside,” cried Bingley, “it would not make them one jot less agreeable.”
“But it must very materially lessen their chance of marrying men of any consideration in the world,” replied Darcy.
Pride and Prejudice, Vol 1, Ch 8
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Filed under Darcy, Elizabeth Bennet, Family, Jane Bennet, Miss Bingley, Money, Money and Marriage, Mr. Bingley, Pride and Prejudice
“. . . if your daughter should have a dangerous fit of illness, if she should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr. Bingley, and under your orders.”
Mr. Bennet, to his wife, who had forced Jane to ride to Netherfield on horseback through the rain
Mrs. Bennet may have been ridiculous, but she still had some power over her daughters, even though they had so much more sense than she did.
Pride and Prejudice, Vol 1, Ch 7
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They could talk of nothing but officers; and Mr. Bingley’s large fortune, the mention of which gave animation to their mother, was worthless in their eyes when opposed to the regimentals of an ensign.
of Kitty and Lydia
Pride and Prejudice, Vol 1, Ch 7
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Filed under Lydia Bennet, Money, Mr. Bingley, Pride and Prejudice, Wealth
. . . Darcy was clever. He was at the same time haughty, reserved, and fastidious, and his manners, though well bred, were not inviting. In that respect his friend had greatly the advantage. Bingley was sure of being liked wherever he appeared; Darcy was continually giving offence.
Pride and Prejudice, Vol 1, Ch 4
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Filed under Character description, Darcy, Men, Mr. Bingley, Pride, Pride and Prejudice
“He is just what a young man ought to be,” said she [Jane], “sensible, good-humored, lively; and I never saw such happy manners!-so much ease, with such perfect good breeding!”
“He is also handsome,” replied Elizabeth, “which a young man ought likewise to be, if he possibly can. His character is thereby complete.”
Lizzy and Jane on meeting Bingley
Pride & Prejudice, volume 1, chapter 4
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“‘Well, he certainly is very agreeable, and I give you leave to like him. You have liked many a stupider person.”
Lizzy giving Jane a bit of a hard time about Bingley, just after they’ve met at the Meryton ball (tongue in cheek, of course).
Pride & Prejudice, volume 1, chapter 4 (emphasis mine)
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Happy Valentine’s Day, gentle readers! I looked for something from Jane that would be rather inspiring about love, but she actually has more sharp than flowery comments (as you would expect), so I offer you this from dear Lizzy, one of Austen’s oft-quoted lines on the nature of 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?‘”
Lizzy to her Aunt Gardiner, attempting to explain just how “violent” Bingley’s affections for Jane are
Pride & Prejudice, volume 2, chapter 2 (emphasis mine)
Filed under Elizabeth Bennet, Jane Bennet, Love, Men, Mr. Bingley, Pride and Prejudice
The Jane Austen Guide to Life: Thoughtful Lessons for the Modern Woman (May, 2012)
A Walk with Jane Austen: A Journey into Adventure, Love, and Faith