Pride and Prejudice 6 & 7

Darcy and Elizabeth's sexual tension and increasing affection towards each other becomes increasingly known and obvious towards the reader.  In this section of reading, the same is true for the other characters.  For example, when Darcy comes to visit, Mr. Collins tells Elizabeth, "I may thank you, Eliza, for this piece of civility.  Mr. Darcy would never have come so soon to wait upon me" (Austen 146).  His saying this implies that Darcy has feelings for her, which the readers already can see, but now finally other characters are beginning to acknowledge his affection towards her.  Although Elizabeth wants to dismiss what Mr. Collins tells her, she does not.  This inability to discredit Mr. Collins's statement provides new insight to the readers.  Had she made her typical snarky remark towards Mr. Collins, despite how rude it would have been in this particular situation, the readers would have seen how she still resents Darcy.  The fact that she does not do this in an effort not to be rude, since she "had scarcely time to disclaim" this, the readers begin to question her motives and feelings, and if they are possibly, and hopefully, changing (Austen 146).