Love is the desire for the power to make another happy. Austen implies this when Elizabeth “only wanted to know how far she wished that welfare to depend upon herself” (253). This reminded me of a quote from Giovanni’s Room:
And I realized that such childishness was fantastic at my age and the happiness out of which it sprang yet more so; for that moment I really loved Giovanni, who had never seemed more beautiful than he was that afternoon. And, watching his face, I realized that it meant much to me that I could make his face so bright. I saw that I might be willing to give a great deal not to lose that power. And I felt myself flow toward him, as a river rushes when the ice breaks up. – p. 83
Similarly, Austen also notes this power, saying “Her power was sinking” when “Darcy made no answer” (264).