"A mature recognition of the beginnings" is very apt Kathleen. When I again read those sections of Chapters 44 and 45 for this GR (this is my first one and it's been great - very enlightening - thank's everyone!), relating to Lizzie's reactions when she pondered over her feelings for Darcy and whenever he was physically in company with her (at the Inn and then at Pemberley) my impression was that JA was beautifully capturing (when doesn't she?) the overwhelming and often confusing feelings at the beginning of an attachment between a man and a woman (although we already know that Darcy is well down the road on that score). I can recall (many moons ago!) how it felt when I first met my DH! Love matures, but in the beginning, a new relationship does have an inexplicable heady, overwhelming sensation - the romantic love part is in overdrive. And it's often palpable to those around the couple.

Specifically, I saw (Chapter 44): "She was quite amazed at her own discomposure; but amongst other causes of disquiet, she dreaded lest the partiality of the brother should have said too much in her favour; and more than commonly anxious to please, she naturally suspected that every power of pleasing would fail her.
She retreated from the window, fearful of being seen; and as she walked up and down, endeavouring to compose herself, saw such looks of enquiring surprise in her uncle and aunt, as made every thing worse." Do I want to see him? Yes I do, no I don't, oh what is this? Can imagine her eyes shining, her palms a little sweaty and her tummy doing flip flops!

"It was not often that she could turn her eyes on Mr Darcy himself; but, whenever she did catch a glimpse, she saw an expression of general complaisance, ..." Actually looking at him causes a surge of emotion, albeit confusing, so she does it as little as possible.

When the dinner invitation is offered and "Elizabeth had turned away her head", a "momentary embarrassment" surmised Aunt Gardiner, Lizzie might be thinking he wants to see more of us (me - how thrilling), but, oh my goodness, am I being a tad ridiculous to hope for, suspect, a renewal of his addresses? Not surprised that Lizzie hurried away as soon as it was polite and "eager to be alone". Very perceptive woman is Aunt Gardiner!

Then in Chapter 45: "She wished, she feared that the master of the house might be amongst them; and whether she wished or feared it most, she could scarcely determine." and then, "... though but a moment before she had believed her wishes to predominate, she began to regret that he came." What Lizzie was experiencing was so new and overwhelming there is that sense of wanting to flee because it's a little scary. We see her maturity though with the dignified "wisely resolved to be perfectly easy and unembarrassed;" JA also tells us that "the suspicions of the whole party were awakened against them," suggests that there is that palpable, though unspoken, charge in the room when both Darcy and Lizzie are present.