The low and quiet key in which her “situations” are pitched produces one artistic gain which countervails its own loss of immediate intensity:  the least touch of color shows strongly against that subdued background.  A very slight catastrophe among those orderly scenes of peaceful life has more effect than the noisier incidents and contrived convulsions of more melodramatic novels.  Thus, in ‘Mansfield Park’ the result of private theatricals, including many rehearsals of stage love-making, among a group of young people who show no very strong principles or firmness of character, appears in a couple of elopements which break up a family, occasion a pitiable scandal, and spoil the career of an able, generous, and highly promising young man.  To most novelists an incident of this sort would seem too ineffective:  in her hands it strikes us as what in fact it is—­a tragic misfortune and the ruin of two lives.

In a word, it is life which Miss Austen sees with unerring vision and draws with unerring touch; so that above all other writers of English fiction she seems entitled to the tribute which an Athenian critic gave to an earlier and more famous realist,—­

     “O life!  O Menander! 
     Which of you two is the plagiarist?”

AN OFFER OF MARRIAGE

From ‘Pride and Prejudice’

The next day opened a new scene at Longbourn.  Mr. Collins made his declaration in form.  Having resolved to do it without loss of time, as his leave of absence extended only to the following Saturday, and having no feelings of diffidence to make it distressing to himself even at the moment, he set about it in a very orderly manner, with all the observances which he supposed a regular part of the business.  On finding Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth, and one of the younger girls together, soon after breakfast, he addressed the mother in these words:—­

“May I hope, madam, for your interest with your fair daughter Elizabeth, when I solicit for the honor of a private audience with her in the course of this morning?”

Before Elizabeth had time for anything but a blush of surprise, Mrs. Bennet instantly answered:  “Oh, dear.  Yes; certainly.  I am sure Lizzy will be very happy—­I am sure she can have no objection.  Come, Kitty, I want you upstairs.”  And, gathering her work together, she was hastening away, when Elizabeth called out:—­

“Dear ma’am, do not go.  I beg you will not go.  Mr. Collins must excuse me.  He can have nothing to say to me that anybody need not hear.  I am going away myself.”

“No, no; nonsense, Lizzy.  I desire you will stay where you are.”  And upon Elizabeth’s seeming really, with vexed and embarrassed looks, about to escape, she added, “Lizzy, I insist upon your staying and hearing Mr. Collins.”

Elizabeth would not oppose such an injunction; and a moment’s consideration making her also sensible that it would be wisest to get it over as soon and as quietly as possible, she sat down again, and tried to conceal by incessant employment the feelings which were divided between distress and diversion.  Mrs. Bennet and Kitty walked off; and as soon as they were gone, Mr. Collins began:—­