"It may perhaps be pleasant," replied Charlotte, "to be able to impose on the public in such a case; but it is sometimes a disadvantage to be so very guarded. If a woman conceals her affection with the same skill from the object of it, she may lose the opportunity of fixing him; and it will then be but poor consolation to believe the world equally in the dark. There is so much of gratitude or vanity in almost every attachment, that it is not safe to leave any to itself. We can all _begin_ freely--a slight preference is natural enough; but there are very few of us who have heart enough to be really in love without encouragement. In nine cases out of ten a women had better show _more_ affection than she feels. Bingley likes your sister undoubtedly; but he may never do more than like her, if she does not help him on." "But she does help him on, as much as her nature will allow. If I can perceive her regard for him, he must be a simpleton, indeed, not to discover it too." "Remember, Eliza, that he does not know Jane's disposition as you do."
– Il peut etre agréable en pareil cas de tromper des indifférents, répondit Charlotte ; mais une telle réserve ne peut-elle parfois devenir un désavantage ? Si une jeune fille cache avec tant de soin sa préférence a celui qui en est l’objet, elle risque de perdre l’occasion de le fixer, et se dire ensuite que le monde n’y a rien vu est une bien mince consolation. La gratitude et la vanité jouent un tel rôle dans le développement d’une inclination qu’il n’est pas prudent de l’abandonner a elle-meme. Votre sour plaît a Bingley sans aucun doute, mais tout peut en rester la, si elle ne l’encourage pas.