Jane Austen Quote of the Week 223

Thanks to Mariana we have been reminded of a great quote in Pride and Prejudice Chapter 5 when there is a discussion about Mr Bingley's fondness for Jane Bennet.

"Oh!—you mean Jane, I suppose—because he danced with her twice. To be sure that did seem as if he admired her—indeed I rather believe he did—I heard something about it—but I hardly know what—something about Mr. Robinson."

"Perhaps you mean what I overheard between him and Mr. Robinson; did not I mention it to you? Mr. Robinson's asking him how he liked our Meryton assemblies, and whether he did not think there were a great many pretty women in the room, and which he thought the prettiest? and his answering immediately to the last question—"Oh! the eldest Miss Bennet beyond a doubt, there cannot be two opinions on that point.''

On January 8 1796 Tom Lefroy invited Jane Austen to dance not two, but three times, at the ball. This is interesting based on Jane's words in Pride and Prejudice, written between 1796 and 1797 (initially called First Impressions and later being changed to Pride and Prejudice).

I wonder if this exchange is based on her own personal experience and perception around the implications of Tom's invite to dance three times with her. It is definitely something to ponder.

Pic: Mr Bingley and Jane Bennet