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Peter
It has always been my impression that neither Darcy nor Elizabeth really knew each other all that well.
This is a point I too have made Peter. The story is Jane Austen's so, as you say, her decision prevails within it as to who wins who etc. Outside it, we are speaking here as observers, with our views more than likely colored by a sense of modern reality and even disgust that middle class attitudes of that era treated women badly and observed a class consciousness verging on pantomime. I think we have to accept that J.A was a mistress of head-shaking disbelief at some of the attitudes and misbehaviour that existed, and that she used her stories and characters to express her views on life. In the case of Darcy and Elizabeth, he is obviously the victim of a growing obsession with her that he sees as love. The instances of him seeing himself in danger of it and his eventual capitulation and declaration of such are in canon and make this very clear :
`In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.''The very next lines show that Lizzie had no idea of his feelings and certainly held none for him at that time. This was six months after they had first met. A further two months(?) would pass before the meeting at Pemberley which Lizzie didn't know would happen and sought to avoid. :
Elizabeth's astonishment was beyond expression. She stared, coloured, doubted, and was silent...followed by:
"In spite of her deeply-rooted dislike, she could not be insensible to the compliment of such a man's affection, and though her intentions did not vary for an instant, she was at first sorry for the pain he was to receive;"I hardly see "deeply-rooted dislike" as any sign of affection, never mind love, and this is canon, not opinion. At this stage, I.M.O they were far from an ideal match and hardly compatible even as aquaintances. This is what my claims are based on.
