I fancy she was wanted

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I fancy she was wanted Written by Stephanie (4/12/2010 2:31 p.m.) in consequence of the missive, "It is a truth universally acknowledged....", penned by Elizabeth K

This is a fantastic opening line: Author Austen never does a better one, in my estimation! I recall the anecdote about a struggling author who showed a promising story to an editor. The editor wrote, "Lackluster beginning. Try to grab them from the first line." The author was said to have changed the opening to:

"Damn!" said the Duchess.

and his story got published! Jane Austen showed mastery of that trick here! *chuckles*

I remember the two meanings of 'want' when I read it, as well. Does a man of good fortune desire a wife, or need one? And did Author Austen mean the ambiguity?

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"It is a truth universally acknowledged...." Elizabeth K (4/12/2010 6:05 a.m.)

The First Two Lines of the Story Kathryn Ann (4/13/2010 9:37 a.m.)
- Another Book for my List Lenora (4/13/2010 10:37 a.m.)
- Very interesting! Elizabeth K (4/13/2010 10:25 a.m.)
I fancy she was wanted Stephanie (4/12/2010 2:31 p.m.)
Minor detail question Nina RG (4/12/2010 10:17 a.m.)
- all 6 of my editions (Yes I know ;-) are "good fortune" Jean B (4/12/2010 11:06 a.m.)
  - I checked my three editions... Elizabeth K (4/12/2010 11:33 a.m.)
    - JA uses "large fortune" though Karen G (4/12/2010 12:54 p.m.)
      - In that case then my quick theory is down the tubes... Jean B (4/12/2010 1:32 p.m.)
While ostensibly referring to Bingley... Connie (4/12/2010 9:51 a.m.)
- Small minded local mothers Akaruihi (4/12/2010 10:08 a.m.)
  - Context is important Elizabeth K (4/12/2010 11:55 a.m.)
    - Thanks Elizabeth k. Akaruihi (4/14/2010 10:15 a.m.)
- Agreed. Akaruihi (4/12/2010 9:59 a.m.)
  - And girls want rich men! ;-) (nfm) Elizabeth K (4/12/2010 11:56 a.m.)
This hook also made me want to read more back in 1981(nfm) Benedicte (4/12/2010 8:53 a.m.)
And the following lines make the irony even kathleen (elder) (4/12/2010 7:49 a.m.)
- Kathleen elder + Elizabeth k , brilliant ! Akaruihi (4/14/2010 10:23 a.m.)
  - That's not what I said, however kathleen (elder) (4/14/2010 1:01 p.m.)
- Roughly my thoughts too Kevin S (4/12/2010 12:18 p.m.)
Quite Robbin (4/12/2010 6:36 a.m.)
- She would be happy indeed! Elizabeth K (4/12/2010 9:47 a.m.)
- Very clever of Jane Austen to understand the way our AnnetteJ (4/12/2010 8:21 a.m.)

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