Chapter 6

Elizabeth and Charlotte are talking about Jane (Elizabeth's sis) and Bingley (suitor). I suspect we can hear such an exchange in this time and day, albeit in less fancy language. Ah, the delicate balance between expression and constrain, between feelings and rationality!

It was generally evident whenever they met, that he did admire her and to her it was equally evident that Jane was yielding to the preference which she had begun to entertain for him from the first, and was in a way to be very much in love; but she considered with pleasure that it was not likely to be discovered by the world in general, since Jane united, with great strength of feeling, a composure of temper and a uniform cheerfulness of manner which would guard her from the suspicions of the impertinent. She mentioned this to her friend Miss Lucas.

It is clear that they liked each other, and Jane's interest-at-first-sight of him was deepening into love. But she was pleased with herself, thinking that she had managed to hide her feelings well enough so that no one knew.

“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.”

Charlotte said, "It is very bo-hua for her to be so shy, if she is not on enough about him, he will siam, then she will lugi. So she must fish him, then will he kenna conned."

“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.”

"She does seduce him, but you can see how much ben3 qian2 she has. If I can sense she likes him, then he is lagi idiot if he dunno."

“Remember, Eliza, that he does not know Jane’s disposition as you do.”

"He is not so clever like you."

“But if a woman is partial to a man, and does not endeavour to conceal it, he must find it out.”

"If she is that obvious, then he must know."

“Perhaps he must, if he sees enough of her. But, though Bingley and Jane meet tolerably often, it is never for many hours together; and, as they always see each other in large mixed parties, it is impossible that every moment should be employed in conversing together. Jane should therefore make the most of every half-hour in which she can command his attention. When she is secure of him, there will be more leisure for falling in love as much as she chooses.”

"Maybe he will know if they can meet often. Most of the time they meet in a group with a lot of extras around, not enough time for them to buaya each other. If only they can have more time alone, like together in a room in Hotel 81…"

“Your plan is a good one,” replied Elizabeth, “where nothing is in question but the desire of being well married, and if I were determined to get a rich husband, or any husband, I dare say I should adopt it. But these are not Jane’s feelings; she is not acting by design. As yet, she cannot even be certain of the degree of her own regard nor of its reasonableness. She has known him only a fortnight. She danced four dances with him at Meryton; she saw him one morning at his own house, and has since dined with him in company four times. This is not quite enough to make her understand his character.”

"On la, I like it. If a super rich man is in target, I confirm use your strategy. She has only known him for 14 freaking days, how to know him inside out?"

“Not as you represent it. Had she merely dined with him, she might only have discovered whether he had a good appetite; but you must remember that four evenings have also been spent together—and four evenings may do a great deal.”

"Well she won't if they had merely eaten nasi, but if they had spend evenings together *wink*"

“Yes; these four evenings have enabled them to ascertain that they both like Vingt-un better than Commerce; but with respect to any other leading characteristic, I do not imagine that much has been unfolded.”

"No la, they are not so sui-bian."

“Well,” said Charlotte, “I wish Jane success with all my heart; and if she were married to him to-morrow, I should think she had as good a chance of happiness as if she were to be studying his character for a twelvemonth. Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation; and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life.”

"Good luck to Jane. I don't think time is an issue; happiness in marriage is all about heng-suay, like buying 4-D. You know the person well, but so what. You will soon find out more about his dirty habits, so it is better to be blissfully ignorant."

“You make me laugh, Charlotte; but it is not sound. You know it is not sound, and that you would never act in this way yourself.”

"Mai-pian-siao, you know that is boh-koh-leng."