fullofgrief:

“As I must therefore conclude that you are not serious in your rejection of me, I shall choose to attribute it to your wish of increasing my suspense, according to the usual practice of elegant females.”
“I thank you again and again for the honour you have done me in your proposals, but to accept them is absolutely impossible. My feelings in every respect forbid it. Can I speak plainer? Do not consider me as an elegant female, intending to plague you, but as a rational creature, speaking the truth from her heart.”
To such perseverance in wilfull self-deception Elizabeth would make no reply, and immediately and in silence withdrew; determined, if he persisted in considering her respected refusals as flattering encouragement, to apply to her father, whose negative might be uttered in such a manner as to be decisive, and whose behaviour at least could not be mistaken for the affection and conquetry of an elegant female.