I . . . am always half afraid of finding a clever novel too clever--& of finding my own story & my own people all forestalled.
Jane AustenIn a letter from Bath to her sister, Cassandra, one senses her frustration at her sheltered existence, Tuesday, 12 May 1801. Another stupid party . . . with six people to look on, and talk nonsense to each other.
Jane AustenThen it would not be so strong a sense. If it failed to produce equal exertion, it could not be an equal conviction.
Jane AustenI particularly recollect your saying one night, after they had been dining at Netherfield, 'SHE a beauty!--I should as soon call her mother a wit.' But afterwards she seemed to improve on you, and I believe you thought her rather pretty at one time." "Yes," replied Darcy, who could contain himself no longer, "but THAT was only when I first saw her, for it is many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance.
Jane Austen