How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
She had reached the age of seventeen, without having seen one amiable youth who could call forth her sensibility; without having inspired one real passion, and without having excited even any admiration but what was very moderate and very transient. (1.10)
Austen is mocking Gothic literary conventions here, where no self-respecting heroine would exist without some sort of passionate romance. Catherine's relative youth and inexperience are highlighted here as well.
Quote #2
But when a young lady is to be a heroine, the perverseness of forty surrounding families cannot prevent her. Something must and will happen to throw a hero in her way. (1.12)
There's some definite foreshadowing here. While Catherine has been introduced to us as an atypical heroine, the narrative hints here that in this respect she will be like most other literary heroines and will soon meet her 'hero.' Romance is on the horizon.
Quote #3
This sort of mysteriousness, which is always so becoming in a hero, threw a fresh grace in Catherine's imagination around his persona and manners, and increased her anxiety to know more of him. (5.2)
The words used to describe Henry here, "mysteriousness" and "hero," are linked to the emphasis on Catherine's "imagination." These words suggest that Catherine might be viewing Henry as a romanticized, fictional character rather than as a real person.