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"Beyond a doubt they do wish him to choose Miss Darcy," replied

Jane; "but this may be from better feelings than you are

supposing. They have known her much longer than they have known

me; no wonder if they love her better. But, whatever may be their

own wishes, it is very unlikely they should have opposed their

brother's. What sister would think herself at liberty to do it,

unless there were something very objectionable? If they believed

him attached to me they would not try to part us; if he were so,

they could not succeed. By supposing such an affection, you make

everybody acting unnaturally and wrong, and me most unhappy. Do

not distress me by the idea. I am not ashamed of having been

mistaken--or, at least, it is slight, it is nothing in comparison

of what I should feel in thinking ill of him or his sisters. Let

me take it in the best light, in the light in which it may be

understood."