Even when I'm racing through the last chapters, swept along by the narrative, JA's talent for a pithy phrase can stop me in my tracks. The text is full of examples, and I'm sure we all have our favourites. A line which did the trick for me today is this from chapter 20:

"Lady Dalrymple, Lady Dalrymple!" was the rejoicing sound; and with all the eagerness compatible with anxious elegance, Sir Walter and his two ladies stepped forward to meet her.

"Anxious elegance" says so much - these people are not grounded, not really at home in their skins. They are so busy putting on a performance that they are unable to just be.