What statement on life is Jane Austin making with this short quote?

His behaviour to herself could now have had no tolerable a motive: He had either been deceived with regard to her fortune, or had been gratifying his vanity by encouraging the preference which she believed she had most unconsciously shown”

Question

What statement on life is Jane Austin making with this short quote?

His behaviour to herself could now have had no tolerable a motive: He had either been deceived with regard to her fortune, or had been gratifying his vanity by encouraging the preference which she believed she had most unconsciously shown”

anonymous · Answer

Oh mee gosh this is confusing XD

I would paraphrase it thus:

"His behavior towards her now had no tolerable motive: He either was deceived about her fortune or he was giving himself satisfaction by encouraging her to prefer him, an action she thought she did not show."

anonymous · Answer

Thank you, but what exactly do you think she is stating about life through this statement?

anonymous · Answer

Like what statement on deception or something.

anonymous · Answer

That life is a continual facade of deception and games between individuals that either are not versed in the world, or play games with each other.

anonymous · Answer

Oh boy, thats a very complicated analysis. I LIKE IT :)