I always get a vague sense of deja vu during Chapter 16, but I've only just now realised why. The story of Wickham and Darcy's history, as related to Elizabeth, has an uncanny resemblance to the plot of Tom Jones.

All the elements are there: the contrasting personalities, the resentment of the legal heir toward the outgoing, likeable dependant, the inheritance from the kindly father kept back in malicious revenge. All we need is a sweet young heroine tragically kept apart from the hero by his rival!

I'm not sure, but I seem to remember reading that Tom Jones was a favourite book in the Austen house. (Perhaps someone who knows more about her life could say more definitely?) Could the book have been in the back of JA's mind, or is it simply a common literary theme?