Jane Austen Quote of the Week 29

This week my quote is from Pride & Prejudice, and it's quite long! It's taken from chapter 42, as Lizzie is about to go on holiday with the Gardiners.

Upon the whole, therefore, she found, what has been sometimes found before, that an event to which she had looked forward with impatient desire, did not in taking place, bring all the satisfaction she had promised herself. It was consequently necessary to name some other period for the commencement of actual felicity; to have some other point on which her wishes and hopes might be fixed, and by again enjoying the pleasure of anticipation, console herself for the present, and prepare for another disappointment.

Ah, dear Lizzie. (And of course Jane once again at her finest. Look at that gorgeous syntax! Read it aloud and you'll see what I mean ...)

'Enjoying the pleasure or anticipation' - I try to live like this because I find there is nothing quite like having something to look forward to, and the further on the horizon, the better. I always enjoy the 'anticipation phase' the best; it never fails.

There's another reason I love Jane - her novels always surprise. Every time I re-read one of her texts, I am constantly finding new truths and beauties and they always re-excite me. Jane never fails. I re-read many novels, and I haven't yet found another author who has given me that level of constant surprise.

Have a great week!

Pic: Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle from: smh