Jane Austen
now made him the slave of his designing friends, and led him to sacrifice of his own
happiness to the caprice of their inclination. Had his own happiness, however, been the only
sacrifice, he might have been allowed to sport with it in whatever manner he thought best,
but her sister's was involved in it, as she thought he must be sensible himself. It was a
subject, in short, on which reflection would be long indulged, and must be unavailing. She
could think of nothing else; and yet whether Bingley's regard had really died away, or were
suppressed by his friends' interference; whether he had been aware of Jane's attachment, or
whether it had escaped his observation; whatever were the case, though her opinion of him
must be materially affected by the difference, her sister's situation remained the same, her
peace equally wounded.
A day or two passed before Jane had courage to speak of her feelings to Elizabeth; but at
annaabi.ee 
