Charlotte.
[Looks up curiously, then speaks quickly.] Don't imagine any such nonsense, Eliza. A young man like Mr. Bingley so easily falls in love with a pretty girl for a few weeks—and, when accident separates them, so easily forgets her, that this sort of inconstancy is very frequent.
Elizabeth.
We do not suffer from accident, Charlotte. A young man of independent fortune does not suddenly decide of his own free will to think no more of a girl with whom he was violently in love.
Charlotte.
But were they so violently in love?
Elizabeth.
Yes—I never saw a more promising inclination. Why, Mr. Bingley would talk to no one else—would look at no one else. Is not general incivility the very essence of love?
Charlotte.
[Smiling.] It is usually a good test. But if Jane did not return his affection—— It really did not seem to me that there was anything violent in Jane's attitude. I could never see that she showed any extreme affection for Bingley.