Page:Jane Austen (Sarah Fanny Malden 1889).djvu/44

 sentence to this effect: 'I am very sorry to hear of Mrs. Austen's illness. It would give me particular pleasure to have an opportunity of improving my acquaintance with that family—with a hope of creating, to myself a nearer interest. But at present I cannot indulge any expectation of it.'" After giving this quotation, Jane herself goes on: "This is rational enough; there is less love and more sense in it than sometimes appeared before, and I am very well satisfied. It will all go on exceedingly well, and decline away in a very reasonable manner. There seems no likelihood of his coming into Hampshire this Christmas, and it is therefore most probable that our indifference will soon be mutual, unless his regard, which appeared to spring from knowing nothing of me at first, is best supported by never seeing me. Mrs. Lefroy made no remarks in the letter, nor did she, indeed, say anything about him as relative to me. Perhaps she thinks she has said too much already."

Evidently the unnamed "friend" of Mrs. Lefroy had fallen in love at first sight, the sort of attachment which Jane would least understand, and which she would be most inclined to ridicule. Nevertheless, as to her indifference, "the lady doth protest too much, methinks"; yet it is impossible not to suspect some consciousness in her careful avoidance of his name; it is clear that there were serious obstacles—probably of money—on his side, and that Jane, even if attracted by him, had determined to nip the whole affair in the bud.

From other sources we hear of repeated unsuccessful attempts to win her, especially of one suitor whose addresses she declined, although "he had the recommendations of good character and a good position in life,