If gratitude and esteem are good foundations of affection, Elizabeth's change of sentiment will be neither improbable nor faulty. But if otherwise -- if the regard springing from such sources is unreasonable or unnatural, in comparison of what is so often described as arising on a first interview with its object, and even before two words have been exchanged -- nothing can be said in her defence, except that she had given somewhat of a trial to the latter method in her partiality for Wickham, and that its ill success might, perhaps, authorise her to seek the other less interesting mode of attachment. Be that as it may, she saw him go with regret; and in this early example of what Lydia's infamy must produce, found additional anguish as she reflected on that wretched business. (Chapter 46)

“In comparison of what is so often described as arising on a first interview with its object” seems to suggest what I would call “love at first sight” on the part of Lizzy for Wickham. Love at first sight or in Lizzy’s case perhaps “esteem” (something more like infatuation) at first sight IMO describes her reaction to Wickham in chapters 15 and 16 very well. In Chapter 15 when Lizzy first sees him her attention is immediately caught by his gentlemanlike appearance, she is then impressed with his beauty, fine countenance, good figure and very pleasing address. When she sees Wickham the following day at Aunt Phillips’ card party her sentiments are already partial, “Elizabeth felt that she had neither been seeing him before, nor thinking of him since, with the smallest degree of unreasonable admiration.” Wickham then goes on to gain her good opinion by degrees of flattery, excessive intimacy, several convenient twists of the truth, gentlemanly sentiments of honor and good manners. Wickham is not honest and the intimacy he creates with Lizzy is a sham. It is easy to see why Lizzy would feel mortified after this experience. (;D)

But above all, above respect and esteem, there was a motive within her of goodwill which could not be overlooked. It was gratitude -- gratitude, not merely for having once loved her, but for loving her still well enough to forgive all the petulance and acrimony of her manner in rejecting him, and all the unjust accusations accompanying her rejection. (Chapter 44)

Such a change in a man of so much pride, excited not only astonishment but gratitude -- for to love, ardent love, it must be attributed; and as such, its impression on her was of a sort to be encouraged, as by no means unpleasing, though it could not be exactly defined. (Chapter 44)

When I first read P&P about ten years ago I was not so sure of the gratitude part of “gratitude and esteem are good foundations of affection.” Esteem seems an obvious requirement (except to Charlotte) but gratitude seemed to place unequal importance on the individuals but the older I get and the more I read JA the concept has taken on a more amiable countenance. I think it is more than the general gratitude Lizzy expressed to Mr. Collins for his proposal and what she would have thanked Darcy for if the manner of his proposal had not swept away her compassion in anger. It is hard for me to explain what I think “more” in this case means. I think when Lizzy says she is grateful for his loving her still even after her unjust accusations means that she appreciates he is able to forgive and able to understand why she felt as she did during the proposal and love her anyway. It also speaks to me of tolerance and an affinity to bear the ups as well as the downs of a relationship. Am I getting this right? Is there more to it? (;D)