“Butatleast，Mamma，youcannotdenytheabsurdityoftheaccusation，thoughyoumaynotthinkitintentionallyill-natured。ColonelBrandoniscertainlyyoungerthanMrs。Jennings，butheisoldenoughtobeMYfather;
andifhewereeveranimatedenoughtobeinlove，musthavelongoutlivedeverysensationofthekind。
Itistooridiculous！，Whenisamantobesafefromsuchwit，ifageandinfirmitywillnotprotecthim？”
“Infirmity！”saidElinor，“doyoucallColonelBrandoninfirm？，Icaneasilysupposethathisagemayappearmuchgreatertoyouthantomymother;butyoucanhardlydeceiveyourselfastohishavingtheuseofhislimbs！”
“Didnotyouhearhimcomplainoftherheumatism？
andisnotthatthecommonestinfirmityofdeclininglife？”
“Mydearestchild，“saidhermother，laughing，“atthisrateyoumustbeincontinualterrorofMYdecay;
anditmustseemtoyouamiraclethatmylifehasbeenextendedtotheadvancedageofforty。”
“Mamma，youarenotdoingmejustice。
IknowverywellthatColonelBrandonisnotoldenoughtomakehisfriendsyetapprehensiveoflosinghiminthecourseofnature。
Hemaylivetwentyyearslonger。Butthirty-fivehasnothingtodowithmatrimony。”
“Perhaps，“saidElinor，“thirty-fiveandseventeenhadbetternothaveanythingtodowithmatrimonytogether。
Butifthereshouldbyanychancehappentobeawomanwhoissingleatsevenandtwenty，IshouldnotthinkColonelBrandon’sbeingthirty-fiveanyobjectiontohismarryingHER。”
“Awomanofsevenandtwenty，“saidMarianne，afterpausingamoment，“canneverhopetofeelorinspireaffectionagain，andifherhomebeuncomfortable，orherfortunesmall，Icansupposethatshemightbringherselftosubmittotheofficesofanurse，forthesakeoftheprovisionandsecurityofawife。
Inhismarryingsuchawomanthereforetherewouldbenothingunsuitable。Itwouldbeacompactofconvenience，andtheworldwouldbesatisfied。Inmyeyesitwouldbenomarriageatall，butthatwouldbenothing。
Tomeitwouldseemonlyacommercialexchange，inwhicheachwishedtobebenefitedattheexpenseoftheother。”
“Itwouldbeimpossible，Iknow，“repliedElinor，“toconvinceyouthatawomanofsevenandtwentycouldfeelforamanofthirty-fiveanythingnearenoughtolove，tomakehimadesirablecompaniontoher。
ButImustobjecttoyourdoomingColonelBrandonandhiswifetotheconstantconfinementofasickchamber，merelybecausehechancedtocomplainyesterday(averycolddampday)ofaslightrheumaticfeelinoneofhisshoulders。”
“Buthetalkedofflannelwaistcoats，“saidMarianne;
“andwithmeaflannelwaistcoatisinvariablyconnectedwithaches，cramps，rheumatisms，andeveryspeciesofailmentthatcanafflicttheoldandthefeeble。”
“Hadhebeenonlyinaviolentfever，youwouldnothavedespisedhimhalfsomuch。Confess，Marianne，isnottheresomethinginterestingtoyouintheflushedcheek，holloweye，andquickpulseofafever？”
Soonafterthis，uponElinor’sleavingtheroom，“Mamma，“saidMarianne，“IhaveanalarmonthesubjectofillnesswhichIcannotconcealfromyou。IamsureEdwardFerrarsisnotwell。Wehavenowbeenherealmostafortnight，andyethedoesnotcome。Nothingbutrealindispositioncouldoccasionthisextraordinarydelay。
WhatelsecandetainhimatNorland？”
“Hadyouanyideaofhiscomingsosoon？”
saidMrs。Dashwood。”Ihadnone。Onthecontrary，ifIhavefeltanyanxietyatallonthesubject，ithasbeeninrecollectingthathesometimesshowedawantofpleasureandreadinessinacceptingmyinvitation，whenItalkedofhiscomingtoBarton。DoesElinorexpecthimalready？”
“Ihavenevermentionedittoher，butofcourseshemust。”
“Iratherthinkyouaremistaken，forwhenI
wastalkingtoheryesterdayofgettinganewgrateforthesparebedchamber，sheobservedthattherewasnoimmediatehurryforit，asitwasnotlikelythattheroomwouldbewantedforsometime。”
“Howstrangethisis！whatcanbethemeaningofit！
Butthewholeoftheirbehaviourtoeachotherhasbeenunaccountable！Howcold，howcomposedweretheirlastadieus！Howlanguidtheirconversationthelasteveningoftheirbeingtogether！InEdward’sfarewelltherewasnodistinctionbetweenElinorandme：itwasthegoodwishesofanaffectionatebrothertoboth。TwicedidIleavethempurposelytogetherinthecourseofthelastmorning，andeachtimedidhemostunaccountablyfollowmeoutoftheroom。AndElinor，inquittingNorlandandEdward，criednotasIdid。Evennowherself-commandisinvariable。
Whenisshedejectedormelancholy？Whendoesshetrytoavoidsociety，orappearrestlessanddissatisfiedinit？”
chapter09
CHAPTER9
TheDashwoodswerenowsettledatBartonwithtolerablecomforttothemselves。Thehouseandthegarden，withalltheobjectssurroundingthem，werenowbecomefamiliar，andtheordinarypursuitswhichhadgiventoNorlandhalfitscharmswereengagedinagainwithfargreaterenjoymentthanNorlandhadbeenabletoafford，sincethelossoftheirfather。SirJohnMiddleton，whocalledonthemeverydayforthefirstfortnight，andwhowasnotinthehabitofseeingmuchoccupationathome，couldnotconcealhisamazementonfindingthemalwaysemployed。
Theirvisitors，exceptthosefromBartonPark，werenotmany;for，inspiteofSirJohn’surgententreatiesthattheywouldmixmoreintheneighbourhood，andrepeatedassurancesofhiscarriagebeingalwaysattheirservice，theindependenceofMrs。Dashwood’sspiritovercamethewishofsocietyforherchildren;andshewasresoluteindecliningtovisitanyfamilybeyondthedistanceofawalk。Therewerebutfewwhocouldbesoclassed;
anditwasnotallofthemthatwereattainable。
Aboutamileandahalffromthecottage，alongthenarrowwindingvalleyofAllenham，whichissuedfromthatofBarton，asformerlydescribed，thegirlshad，inoneoftheirearliestwalks，discoveredanancientrespectablelookingmansionwhich，byremindingthemalittleofNorland，interestedtheirimaginationandmadethemwishtobebetteracquaintedwithit。Buttheylearnt，onenquiry，thatitspossessor，anelderlyladyofverygoodcharacter，wasunfortunatelytooinfirmtomixwiththeworld，andneverstirredfromhome。
Thewholecountryaboutthemaboundedinbeautifulwalks。
Thehighdownswhichinvitedthemfromalmosteverywindowofthecottagetoseektheexquisiteenjoymentofairontheirsummits，wereahappyalternativewhenthedirtofthevalleysbeneathshutuptheirsuperiorbeauties;
andtowardsoneofthesehillsdidMarianneandMargaretonememorablemorningdirecttheirsteps，attractedbythepartialsunshineofashowerysky，andunablelongertobeartheconfinementwhichthesettledrainofthetwoprecedingdayshadoccasioned。Theweatherwasnottemptingenoughtodrawthetwoothersfromtheirpencilandtheirbook，inspiteofMarianne’sdeclarationthatthedaywouldbelastinglyfair，andthateverythreateningcloudwouldbedrawnofffromtheirhills;andthetwogirlssetofftogether。
Theygailyascendedthedowns，rejoicingintheirownpenetrationateveryglimpseofbluesky;andwhentheycaughtintheirfacestheanimatinggalesofahighsouth-westerlywind，theypitiedthefearswhichhadpreventedtheirmotherandElinorfromsharingsuchdelightfulsensations。
“Isthereafelicityintheworld，“saidMarianne，“superiortothis？——Margaret，wewillwalkhereatleasttwohours。”
Margaretagreed，andtheypursuedtheirwayagainstthewind，resistingitwithlaughingdelightforabouttwentyminuteslonger，whensuddenlythecloudsunitedovertheirheads，andadrivingrainsetfullintheirface——
Chagrinedandsurprised，theywereobliged，thoughunwillingly，toturnback，fornoshelterwasnearerthantheirownhouse。
Oneconsolationhoweverremainedforthem，towhichtheexigenceofthemomentgavemorethanusualpropriety;
itwasthatofrunningwithallpossiblespeeddownthesteepsideofthehillwhichledimmediatelytotheirgardengate。
Theysetoff。Mariannehadatfirsttheadvantage，butafalsestepbroughthersuddenlytotheground;
andMargaret，unabletostopherselftoassisther，wasinvoluntarilyhurriedalong，andreachedthebottominsafety。
Agentlemancarryingagun，withtwopointersplayingroundhim，waspassingupthehillandwithinafewyardsofMarianne，whenheraccidenthappened。
Heputdownhisgunandrantoherassistance。Shehadraisedherselffromtheground，butherfoothadbeentwistedinherfall，andshewasscarcelyabletostand。
Thegentlemanofferedhisservices;andperceivingthathermodestydeclinedwhathersituationrenderednecessary，tookherupinhisarmswithoutfartherdelay，andcarriedherdownthehill。Thenpassingthroughthegarden，thegateofwhichhadbeenleftopenbyMargaret，heboreherdirectlyintothehouse，whitherMargaretwasjustarrived，andquittednothisholdtillhehadseatedherinachairintheparlour。
Elinorandhermotherroseupinamazementattheirentrance，andwhiletheeyesofbothwerefixedonhimwithanevidentwonderandasecretadmirationwhichequallysprungfromhisappearance，heapologizedforhisintrusionbyrelatingitscause，inamannersofrankandsogracefulthathisperson，whichwasuncommonlyhandsome，receivedadditionalcharmsfromhisvoiceandexpression。Hadhebeenevenold，ugly，andvulgar，thegratitudeandkindnessofMrs。Dashwoodwouldhavebeensecuredbyanyactofattentiontoherchild;
buttheinfluenceofyouth，beauty，andelegance，gaveaninteresttotheactionwhichcamehometoherfeelings。
Shethankedhimagainandagain;and，withasweetnessofaddresswhichalwaysattendedher，invitedhimtobeseated。Butthishedeclined，ashewasdirtyandwet。
Mrs。Dashwoodthenbeggedtoknowtowhomshewasobliged。
Hisname，hereplied，wasWilloughby，andhispresenthomewasatAllenham，fromwhencehehopedshewouldallowhimthehonourofcallingtomorrowtoenquireafterMissDashwood。Thehonourwasreadilygranted，andhethendeparted，tomakehimselfstillmoreinteresting，inthemidstofanheavyrain。
Hismanlybeautyandmorethancommongracefulnesswereinstantlythethemeofgeneraladmiration，andthelaughwhichhisgallantryraisedagainstMariannereceivedparticularspiritfromhisexteriorattractions——
Marianneherselfhadseenlessofhispersonthattherest，fortheconfusionwhichcrimsonedoverherface，onhisliftingherup，hadrobbedherofthepowerofregardinghimaftertheirenteringthehouse。Butshehadseenenoughofhimtojoininalltheadmirationoftheothers，andwithanenergywhichalwaysadornedherpraise。
Hispersonandairwereequaltowhatherfancyhadeverdrawnfortheheroofafavouritestory;andinhiscarryingherintothehousewithsolittlepreviousformality，therewasarapidityofthoughtwhichparticularlyrecommendedtheactiontoher。Everycircumstancebelongingtohimwasinteresting。Hisnamewasgood，hisresidencewasintheirfavouritevillage，andshesoonfoundoutthatofallmanlydressesashooting-jacketwasthemostbecoming。
Herimaginationwasbusy，herreflectionswerepleasant，andthepainofasprainedanklewasdisregarded。
SirJohncalledonthemassoonasthenextintervaloffairweatherthatmorningallowedhimtogetoutofdoors;andMarianne’saccidentbeingrelatedtohim，hewaseagerlyaskedwhetherheknewanygentlemanofthenameofWilloughbyatAllenham。
“Willoughby！”criedSirJohn;“what，isHE
inthecountry？Thatisgoodnewshowever;Iwillrideovertomorrow，andaskhimtodinneronThursday。”
“Youknowhimthen，“saidMrs。Dashwood。
“Knowhim！tobesureIdo。Why，heisdownhereeveryyear。”
“Andwhatsortofayoungmanishe？”
“Asgoodakindoffellowaseverlived，I
assureyou。
Averydecentshot，andthereisnotabolderriderinEngland。”
“Andisthatallyoucansayforhim？”criedMarianne，indignantly。”Butwhatarehismannersonmoreintimateacquaintance？Whathispursuits，histalents，andgenius？”
SirJohnwasratherpuzzled。
“Uponmysoul，“saidhe，“IdonotknowmuchabouthimastoallTHAT。Butheisapleasant，goodhumouredfellow，andhasgotthenicestlittleblackbitchofapointerIeversaw。Wassheoutwithhimtoday？”
ButMariannecouldnomoresatisfyhimastothecolourofMr。Willoughby’spointer，thanhecoulddescribetohertheshadesofhismind。
“Butwhoishe？”saidElinor。”Wheredoeshecomefrom？，HasheahouseatAllenham？”
OnthispointSirJohncouldgivemorecertainintelligence;
andhetoldthemthatMr。Willoughbyhadnopropertyofhisowninthecountry;thatheresidedthereonlywhilehewasvisitingtheoldladyatAllenhamCourt，towhomhewasrelated，andwhosepossessionshewastoinherit;adding，“Yes，yes，heisverywellworthcatchingIcantellyou，MissDashwood;hehasaprettylittleestateofhisowninSomersetshirebesides;
andifIwereyou，Iwouldnotgivehimuptomyyoungersister，inspiteofallthistumblingdownhills。
MissMariannemustnotexpecttohaveallthementoherself。
Brandonwillbejealous，ifshedoesnottakecare。”
“Idonotbelieve，“saidMrs。Dashwood，withagoodhumouredsmile，“thatMr。WilloughbywillbeincommodedbytheattemptsofeitherofMYdaughterstowardswhatyoucallCATCHINGhim。Itisnotanemploymenttowhichtheyhavebeenbroughtup。Menareverysafewithus，letthembeeversorich。Iamgladtofind，however，fromwhatyousay，thatheisarespectableyoungman，andonewhoseacquaintancewillnotbeineligible。”
“Heisasgoodasortoffellow，Ibelieve，aseverlived，“repeatedSirJohn。”IrememberlastChristmasatalittlehopatthepark，hedancedfromeighto’clocktillfour，withoutoncesittingdown。”
“Didheindeed？”criedMariannewithsparklingeyes，“andwithelegance，withspirit？”
“Yes;andhewasupagainateighttoridetocovert。”
“ThatiswhatIlike;thatiswhatayoungmanoughttobe。Whateverbehispursuits，hiseagernessinthemshouldknownomoderation，andleavehimnosenseoffatigue。”
“Aye，aye，Iseehowitwillbe，“saidSirJohn，“Iseehowitwillbe。Youwillbesettingyourcapathimnow，andneverthinkofpoorBrandon。”
“Thatisanexpression，SirJohn，“saidMarianne，warmly，“whichIparticularlydislike。Iabhoreverycommon-placephrasebywhichwitisintended;and’settingone’scapataman，’or’makingaconquest，’arethemostodiousofall。Theirtendencyisgrossandilliberal;
andiftheirconstructioncouldeverbedeemedclever，timehaslongagodestroyedallitsingenuity。”
SirJohndidnotmuchunderstandthisreproof;
buthelaughedasheartilyasifhedid，andthenreplied，“Ay，youwillmakeconquestsenough，Idaresay，onewayorother。PoorBrandon！heisquitesmittenalready，andheisverywellworthsettingyourcapat，Icantellyou，inspiteofallthistumblingaboutandsprainingofankles。”
chapter10
CHAPTER10
Marianne’spreserver，asMargaret，withmoreelegancethanprecision，styledWilloughby，calledatthecottageearlythenextmorningtomakehispersonalenquiries。
HewasreceivedbyMrs。Dashwoodwithmorethanpoliteness;
withakindnesswhichSirJohn’saccountofhimandherowngratitudeprompted;andeverythingthatpassedduringthevisittendedtoassurehimofthesense，elegance，mutualaffection，anddomesticcomfortofthefamilytowhomaccidenthadnowintroducedhim。Oftheirpersonalcharmshehadnotrequiredasecondinterviewtobeconvinced。
MissDashwoodhadadelicatecomplexion，regularfeatures，andaremarkablyprettyfigure。
Mariannewasstillhandsomer。Herform，thoughnotsocorrectashersister’s，inhavingtheadvantageofheight，wasmorestriking;andherfacewassolovely，thatwheninthecommoncantofpraise，shewascalledabeautifulgirl，truthwaslessviolentlyoutragedthanusuallyhappens。
Herskinwasverybrown，but，fromitstransparency，hercomplexionwasuncommonlybrilliant;herfeatureswereallgood;hersmilewassweetandattractive;
andinhereyes，whichwereverydark，therewasalife，aspirit，aneagerness，whichcouldhardilybeseenwithoutdelight。FromWilloughbytheirexpressionwasatfirstheldback，bytheembarrassmentwhichtheremembranceofhisassistancecreated。Butwhenthispassedaway，whenherspiritsbecamecollected，whenshesawthattotheperfectgood-breedingofthegentleman，heunitedfranknessandvivacity，andaboveall，whensheheardhimdeclare，thatofmusicanddancinghewaspassionatelyfond，shegavehimsuchalookofapprobationassecuredthelargestshareofhisdiscoursetoherselffortherestofhisstay。
Itwasonlynecessarytomentionanyfavouriteamusementtoengagehertotalk。Shecouldnotbesilentwhensuchpointswereintroduced，andshehadneithershynessnorreserveintheirdiscussion。
Theyspeedilydiscoveredthattheirenjoymentofdancingandmusicwasmutual，andthatitarosefromageneralconformityofjudgmentinallthatrelatedtoeither。
Encouragedbythistoafurtherexaminationofhisopinions，sheproceededtoquestionhimonthesubjectofbooks;
herfavouriteauthorswerebroughtforwardanddweltuponwithsorapturousadelight，thatanyyoungmanoffiveandtwentymusthavebeeninsensibleindeed，nottobecomeanimmediateconverttotheexcellenceofsuchworks，howeverdisregardedbefore。Theirtastewasstrikinglyalike。
Thesamebooks，thesamepassageswereidolizedbyeach——
orifanydifferenceappeared，anyobjectionarose，itlastednolongerthantilltheforceofherargumentsandthebrightnessofhereyescouldbedisplayed。
Heacquiescedinallherdecisions，caughtallherenthusiasm;
andlongbeforehisvisitconcluded，theyconversedwiththefamiliarityofalong-establishedacquaintance。
“Well，Marianne，“saidElinor，assoonashehadleftthem，“forONEmorningIthinkyouhavedoneprettywell。
YouhavealreadyascertainedMr。Willoughby’sopinioninalmosteverymatterofimportance。YouknowwhathethinksofCowperandScott;youarecertainofhisestimatingtheirbeautiesasheought，andyouhavereceivedeveryassuranceofhisadmiringPopenomorethanisproper。
Buthowisyouracquaintancetobelongsupported，undersuchextraordinarydespatchofeverysubjectfordiscourse？
Youwillsoonhaveexhaustedeachfavouritetopic。
Anothermeetingwillsufficetoexplainhissentimentsonpicturesquebeauty，andsecondmarriages，andthenyoucanhavenothingfarthertoask。”——
“Elinor，“criedMarianne，“isthisfair？isthisjust？aremyideassoscanty？，ButIseewhatyoumean。
Ihavebeentoomuchatmyease，toohappy，toofrank。
Ihaveerredagainsteverycommon-placenotionofdecorum;
IhavebeenopenandsincerewhereIoughttohavebeenreserved，spiritless，dull，anddeceitful——hadItalkedonlyoftheweatherandtheroads，andhadI
spokenonlyonceintenminutes，thisreproachwouldhavebeenspared。”
“Mylove，“saidhermother，“youmustnotbeoffendedwithElinor——shewasonlyinjest。Ishouldscoldhermyself，ifshewerecapableofwishingtocheckthedelightofyourconversationwithournewfriend。”——
Mariannewassoftenedinamoment。
Willoughby，onhisside，gaveeveryproofofhispleasureintheiracquaintance，whichanevidentwishofimprovingitcouldoffer。Hecametothemeveryday。
ToenquireafterMariannewasatfirsthisexcuse;buttheencouragementofhisreception，towhicheverydaygavegreaterkindness，madesuchanexcuseunnecessarybeforeithadceasedtobepossible，byMarianne’sperfectrecovery。
Shewasconfinedforsomedaystothehouse;butneverhadanyconfinementbeenlessirksome。Willoughbywasayoungmanofgoodabilities，quickimagination，livelyspirits，andopen，affectionatemanners。HewasexactlyformedtoengageMarianne’sheart，forwithallthis，hejoinednotonlyacaptivatingperson，butanaturalardourofmindwhichwasnowrousedandincreasedbytheexampleofherown，andwhichrecommendedhimtoheraffectionbeyondeverythingelse。
Hissocietybecamegraduallyhermostexquisiteenjoyment。
Theyread，theytalked，theysangtogether;hismusicaltalentswereconsiderable;andhereadwithallthesensibilityandspiritwhichEdwardhadunfortunatelywanted。
InMrs。Dashwood’sestimationhewasasfaultlessasinMarianne’s;andElinorsawnothingtocensureinhimbutapropensity，inwhichhestronglyresembledandpeculiarlydelightedhersister，ofsayingtoomuchwhathethoughtoneveryoccasion，withoutattentiontopersonsorcircumstances。
Inhastilyformingandgivinghisopinionofotherpeople，insacrificinggeneralpolitenesstotheenjoymentofundividedattentionwherehisheartwasengaged，andinslightingtooeasilytheformsofworldlypropriety，hedisplayedawantofcautionwhichElinorcouldnotapprove，inspiteofallthatheandMariannecouldsayinitssupport。
Mariannebegannowtoperceivethatthedesperationwhichhadseizedheratsixteenandahalf，ofeverseeingamanwhocouldsatisfyherideasofperfection，hadbeenrashandunjustifiable。Willoughbywasallthatherfancyhaddelineatedinthatunhappyhourandineverybrighterperiod，ascapableofattachingher;
andhisbehaviourdeclaredhiswishestobeinthatrespectasearnest，ashisabilitieswerestrong。
Hermothertoo，inwhosemindnotonespeculativethoughtoftheirmarriagehadbeenraised，byhisprospectofriches，wasledbeforetheendofaweektohopeandexpectit;andsecretlytocongratulateherselfonhavinggainedtwosuchsons-in-lawasEdwardandWilloughby。
ColonelBrandon’spartialityforMarianne，whichhadsoearlybeendiscoveredbyhisfriends，nowfirstbecameperceptibletoElinor，whenitceasedtobenoticedbythem。Theirattentionandwitweredrawnofftohismorefortunaterival;andtheraillerywhichtheotherhadincurredbeforeanypartialityarose，wasremovedwhenhisfeelingsbeganreallytocallfortheridiculesojustlyannexedtosensibility。Elinorwasobliged，thoughunwillingly，tobelievethatthesentimentswhichMrs。Jenningshadassignedhimforherownsatisfaction，werenowactuallyexcitedbyhersister;andthathoweverageneralresemblanceofdispositionbetweenthepartiesmightforwardtheaffectionofMr。Willoughby，anequallystrikingoppositionofcharacterwasnohindrancetotheregardofColonelBrandon。Shesawitwithconcern;
forwhatcouldasilentmanoffiveandthirtyhope，whenopposedtoaverylivelyoneoffiveandtwenty？andasshecouldnotevenwishhimsuccessful，sheheartilywishedhimindifferent。Shelikedhim——inspiteofhisgravityandreserve，shebeheldinhimanobjectofinterest。
Hismanners，thoughserious，weremild;andhisreserveappearedrathertheresultofsomeoppressionofspiritsthanofanynaturalgloominessoftemper。SirJohnhaddroppedhintsofpastinjuriesanddisappointments，whichjustifiedherbeliefofhisbeinganunfortunateman，andsheregardedhimwithrespectandcompassion。
PerhapsshepitiedandesteemedhimthemorebecausehewasslightedbyWilloughbyandMarianne，who，prejudicedagainsthimforbeingneitherlivelynoryoung，seemedresolvedtoundervaluehismerits。
“Brandonisjustthekindofman，“saidWilloughbyoneday，whentheyweretalkingofhimtogether，“whomeverybodyspeakswellof，andnobodycaresabout;
whomallaredelightedtosee，andnobodyrememberstotalkto。”
“ThatisexactlywhatIthinkofhim，“criedMarianne。
“Donotboastofit，however，“saidElinor，“foritisinjusticeinbothofyou。Heishighlyesteemedbyallthefamilyatthepark，andIneverseehimmyselfwithouttakingpainstoconversewithhim。”
“ThatheispatronisedbyYOU，“repliedWilloughby，“iscertainlyinhisfavour;butasfortheesteemoftheothers，itisareproachinitself。WhowouldsubmittotheindignityofbeingapprovedbysuchawomanasLadyMiddletonandMrs。Jennings，thatcouldcommandtheindifferenceofanybodyelse？”
“ButperhapstheabuseofsuchpeopleasyourselfandMariannewillmakeamendsfortheregardofLadyMiddletonandhermother。Iftheirpraiseiscensure，yourcensuremaybepraise，fortheyarenotmoreundiscerning，thanyouareprejudicedandunjust。”
“Indefenceofyourprotegeyoucanevenbesaucy。”
“Myprotege，asyoucallhim，isasensibleman;
andsensewillalwayshaveattractionsforme。
Yes，Marianne，eveninamanbetweenthirtyandforty。
Hehasseenagreatdealoftheworld;hasbeenabroad，hasread，andhasathinkingmind。Ihavefoundhimcapableofgivingmemuchinformationonvarioussubjects;
andhehasalwaysansweredmyinquirieswithreadinessofgood-breedingandgoodnature。”
“Thatistosay，“criedMariannecontemptuously，“hehastoldyou，thatintheEastIndiestheclimateishot，andthemosquitoesaretroublesome。”
“HeWOULDhavetoldmeso，Idoubtnot，hadImadeanysuchinquiries，buttheyhappenedtobepointsonwhichIhadbeenpreviouslyinformed。”
“Perhaps，“saidWilloughby，“hisobservationsmayhaveextendedtotheexistenceofnabobs，goldmohrs，andpalanquins。”
“ImayventuretosaythatHISobservationshavestretchedmuchfurtherthanyourcandour。
Butwhyshouldyoudislikehim？”
“Idonotdislikehim。Iconsiderhim，onthecontrary，asaveryrespectableman，whohaseverybody’sgoodword，andnobody’snotice;who，hasmoremoneythanhecanspend，moretimethanheknowshowtoemploy，andtwonewcoatseveryyear。”
“Addtowhich，“criedMarianne，“thathehasneithergenius，taste，norspirit。Thathisunderstandinghasnobrilliancy，hisfeelingsnoardour，andhisvoicenoexpression。”
“Youdecideonhisimperfectionssomuchinthemass，“
repliedElinor，“andsomuchonthestrengthofyourownimagination，thatthecommendationIamabletogiveofhimiscomparativelycoldandinsipid。Icanonlypronouncehimtobeasensibleman，well-bred，well-informed，ofgentleaddress，and，Ibelieve，possessinganamiableheart。”
“MissDashwood，“criedWilloughby，“youarenowusingmeunkindly。Youareendeavouringtodisarmmebyreason，andtoconvincemeagainstmywill。Butitwillnotdo。
Youshallfindmeasstubbornasyoucanbeartful。IhavethreeunanswerablereasonsfordislikingColonelBrandon;
hethreatenedmewithrainwhenIwantedittobefine;
hehasfoundfaultwiththehangingofmycurricle，andIcannotpersuadehimtobuymybrownmare。Ifitwillbeanysatisfactiontoyou，however，tobetold，thatIbelievehischaractertobeinotherrespectsirreproachable，Iamreadytoconfessit。Andinreturnforanacknowledgment，whichmustgivemesomepain，youcannotdenymetheprivilegeofdislikinghimasmuchasever。”
chapter11
CHAPTER11
LittlehadMrs。DashwoodorherdaughtersimaginedwhentheyfirstcameintoDevonshire，thatsomanyengagementswouldarisetooccupytheirtimeasshortlypresentedthemselves，orthattheyshouldhavesuchfrequentinvitationsandsuchconstantvisitorsastoleavethemlittleleisureforseriousemployment。Yetsuchwasthecase。
WhenMariannewasrecovered，theschemesofamusementathomeandabroad，whichSirJohnhadbeenpreviouslyforming，wereputintoexecution。Theprivateballsattheparkthenbegan;andpartiesonthewaterweremadeandaccomplishedasoftenasashoweryOctoberwouldallow。
IneverymeetingofthekindWilloughbywasincluded;
andtheeaseandfamiliaritywhichnaturallyattendedthesepartieswereexactlycalculatedtogiveincreasingintimacytohisacquaintancewiththeDashwoods，toaffordhimopportunityofwitnessingtheexcellenciesofMarianne，ofmarkinghisanimatedadmirationofher，andofreceiving，inherbehaviourtohimself，themostpointedassuranceofheraffection。
Elinorcouldnotbesurprisedattheirattachment。
Sheonlywishedthatitwerelessopenlyshewn;andonceortwicedidventuretosuggesttheproprietyofsomeself-commandtoMarianne。ButMarianneabhorredallconcealmentwherenorealdisgracecouldattendunreserve;
andtoaimattherestraintofsentimentswhichwerenotinthemselvesillaudable，appearedtohernotmerelyanunnecessaryeffort，butadisgracefulsubjectionofreasontocommon-placeandmistakennotions。
Willoughbythoughtthesame;andtheirbehaviouratalltimes，wasanillustrationoftheiropinions。
Whenhewaspresentshehadnoeyesforanyoneelse。
Everythinghedid，wasright。Everythinghesaid，wasclever。
Iftheireveningsattheparkwereconcludedwithcards，hecheatedhimselfandalltherestofthepartytogetheragoodhand。Ifdancingformedtheamusementofthenight，theywerepartnersforhalfthetime;
andwhenobligedtoseparateforacoupleofdances，werecarefultostandtogetherandscarcelyspokeawordtoanybodyelse。Suchconductmadethemofcoursemostexceedinglylaughedat;butridiculecouldnotshame，andseemedhardlytoprovokethem。
Mrs。Dashwoodenteredintoalltheirfeelingswithawarmthwhichlefthernoinclinationforcheckingthisexcessivedisplayofthem。Toheritwasbutthenaturalconsequenceofastrongaffectioninayoungandardentmind。
ThiswastheseasonofhappinesstoMarianne。
HerheartwasdevotedtoWilloughby，andthefondattachmenttoNorland，whichshebroughtwithherfromSussex，wasmorelikelytobesoftenedthanshehadthoughtitpossiblebefore，bythecharmswhichhissocietybestowedonherpresenthome。
Elinor’shappinesswasnotsogreat。
Herheartwasnotsomuchatease，norhersatisfactionintheiramusementssopure。Theyaffordedhernocompanionthatcouldmakeamendsforwhatshehadleftbehind，northatcouldteachhertothinkofNorlandwithlessregretthanever。
NeitherLadyMiddletonnorMrs。Jenningscouldsupplytohertheconversationshemissed;althoughthelatterwasaneverlastingtalker，andfromthefirsthadregardedherwithakindnesswhichensuredheralargeshareofherdiscourse。ShehadalreadyrepeatedherownhistorytoElinorthreeorfourtimes;andhadElinor’smemorybeenequaltohermeansofimprovement，shemighthaveknownveryearlyintheiracquaintancealltheparticularsofMr。Jenning’slastillness，andwhathesaidtohiswifeafewminutesbeforehedied。LadyMiddletonwasmoreagreeablethanhermotheronlyinbeingmoresilent。
Elinorneededlittleobservationtoperceivethatherreservewasamerecalmnessofmannerwithwhichsensehadnothingtodo。Towardsherhusbandandmothershewasthesameastothem;andintimacywasthereforeneithertobelookedfornordesired。Shehadnothingtosayonedaythatshehadnotsaidthedaybefore。
Herinsipiditywasinvariable，forevenherspiritswerealwaysthesame;andthoughshedidnotopposethepartiesarrangedbyherhusband，providedeverythingwereconductedinstyleandhertwoeldestchildrenattendedher，sheneverappearedtoreceivemoreenjoymentfromthemthanshemighthaveexperiencedinsittingathome;——
andsolittledidherpresenceaddtothepleasureoftheothers，byanyshareintheirconversation，thattheyweresometimesonlyremindedofherbeingamongstthembyhersolicitudeabouthertroublesomeboys。
InColonelBrandonalone，ofallhernewacquaintance，didElinorfindapersonwhocouldinanydegreeclaimtherespectofabilities，excitetheinterestoffriendship，orgivepleasureasacompanion。Willoughbywasoutofthequestion。Heradmirationandregard，evenhersisterlyregard，wasallhisown;buthewasalover;
hisattentionswerewhollyMarianne’s，andafarlessagreeablemanmighthavebeenmoregenerallypleasing。
ColonelBrandon，unfortunatelyforhimself，hadnosuchencouragementtothinkonlyofMarianne，andinconversingwithElinorhefoundthegreatestconsolationfortheindifferenceofhersister。
Elinor’scompassionforhimincreased，asshehadreasontosuspectthatthemiseryofdisappointedlovehadalreadybeenknowntohim。Thissuspicionwasgivenbysomewordswhichaccidentlydroppedfromhimoneeveningatthepark，whentheyweresittingdowntogetherbymutualconsent，whiletheothersweredancing。HiseyeswerefixedonMarianne，and，afterasilenceofsomeminutes，hesaid，withafaintsmile，“Yoursister，Iunderstand，doesnotapproveofsecondattachments。”
“No，“repliedElinor，“heropinionsareallromantic。”
“Orrather，asIbelieve，sheconsidersthemimpossibletoexist。”
“Ibelieveshedoes。Buthowshecontrivesitwithoutreflectingonthecharacterofherownfather，whohadhimselftwowives，Iknownot。Afewyearshoweverwillsettleheropinionsonthereasonablebasisofcommonsenseandobservation;andthentheymaybemoreeasytodefineandtojustifythantheynoware，byanybodybutherself。”
“Thiswillprobablybethecase，“hereplied;
“andyetthereissomethingsoamiableintheprejudicesofayoungmind，thatoneissorrytoseethemgivewaytothereceptionofmoregeneralopinions。”
“Icannotagreewithyouthere，“saidElinor。
“ThereareinconveniencesattendingsuchfeelingsasMarianne’s，whichallthecharmsofenthusiasmandignoranceoftheworldcannotatonefor。Hersystemshavealltheunfortunatetendencyofsettingproprietyatnought;
andabetteracquaintancewiththeworldiswhatIlookforwardtoashergreatestpossibleadvantage。”
Afterashortpauseheresumedtheconversationbysaying，——
“Doesyoursistermakenodistinctioninherobjectionsagainstasecondattachment？orisitequallycriminalineverybody？，Arethosewhohavebeendisappointedintheirfirstchoice，whetherfromtheinconstancyofitsobject，ortheperversenessofcircumstances，tobeequallyindifferentduringtherestoftheirlives？”
“Uponmyword，Iamnotacquaintedwiththeminutiaeofherprinciples。IonlyknowthatIneveryetheardheradmitanyinstanceofasecondattachment’sbeingpardonable。”
“This，“saidhe，“cannothold;butachange，atotalchangeofsentiments——No，no，donotdesireit;
forwhentheromanticrefinementsofayoungmindareobligedtogiveway，howfrequentlyaretheysucceededbysuchopinionsasarebuttoocommon，andtoodangerous！，Ispeakfromexperience。Ionceknewaladywhointemperandmindgreatlyresembledyoursister，whothoughtandjudgedlikeher，butwhofromaninforcedchange——fromaseriesofunfortunatecircumstances“——
Herehestoptsuddenly;appearedtothinkthathehadsaidtoomuch，andbyhiscountenancegaverisetoconjectures，whichmightnototherwisehaveenteredElinor’shead。
Theladywouldprobablyhavepassedwithoutsuspicion，hadhenotconvincedMissDashwoodthatwhatconcernedheroughtnottoescapehislips。Asitwas，itrequiredbutaslighteffortoffancytoconnecthisemotionwiththetenderrecollectionofpastregard。
Elinorattemptednomore。ButMarianne，inherplace，wouldnothavedonesolittle。Thewholestorywouldhavebeenspeedilyformedunderheractiveimagination;
andeverythingestablishedinthemostmelancholyorderofdisastrouslove。
chapter12
CHAPTER12
AsElinorandMariannewerewalkingtogetherthenextmorningthelattercommunicatedapieceofnewstohersister，whichinspiteofallthatsheknewbeforeofMarianne’simprudenceandwantofthought，surprisedherbyitsextravaganttestimonyofboth。
Mariannetoldher，withthegreatestdelight，thatWilloughbyhadgivenherahorse，onethathehadbredhimselfonhisestateinSomersetshire，andwhichwasexactlycalculatedtocarryawoman。Withoutconsideringthatitwasnotinhermother’splantokeepanyhorse，thatifsheweretoalterherresolutioninfavourofthisgift，shemustbuyanotherfortheservant，andkeepaservanttorideit，andafterall，buildastabletoreceivethem，shehadacceptedthepresentwithouthesitation，andtoldhersisterofitinraptures。
“HeintendstosendhisgroomintoSomersetshireimmediatelyforit，“sheadded，“andwhenitarriveswewillrideeveryday。Youshallshareitsusewithme。
Imaginetoyourself，mydearElinor，thedelightofagalloponsomeofthesedowns。”
Mostunwillingwasshetoawakenfromsuchadreamoffelicitytocomprehendalltheunhappytruthswhichattendedtheaffair;andforsometimesherefusedtosubmittothem。
Astoanadditionalservant，theexpensewouldbeatrifle;
Mammashewassurewouldneverobjecttoit;andanyhorsewoulddoforHIM;hemightalwaysgetoneatthepark;
astoastable，themerestshedwouldbesufficient。
Elinorthenventuredtodoubttheproprietyofherreceivingsuchapresentfromamansolittle，oratleastsolatelyknowntoher。Thiswastoomuch。
“Youaremistaken，Elinor，“saidshewarmly，“insupposingIknowverylittleofWilloughby。
Ihavenotknownhimlongindeed，butIammuchbetteracquaintedwithhim，thanIamwithanyothercreatureintheworld，exceptyourselfandmama。Itisnottimeoropportunitythatistodetermineintimacy;——
itisdispositionalone。Sevenyearswouldbeinsufficienttomakesomepeopleacquaintedwitheachother，andsevendaysaremorethanenoughforothers。Ishouldholdmyselfguiltyofgreaterimproprietyinacceptingahorsefrommybrother，thanfromWilloughby。OfJohnIknowverylittle，thoughwehavelivedtogetherforyears;
butofWilloughbymyjudgmenthaslongbeenformed。”
Elinorthoughtitwisesttotouchthatpointnomore。
Sheknewhersister’stemper。Oppositiononsotenderasubjectwouldonlyattachherthemoretoherownopinion。
Butbyanappealtoheraffectionforhermother，byrepresentingtheinconvenienceswhichthatindulgentmothermustdrawonherself，if(aswouldprobablybethecase)sheconsentedtothisincreaseofestablishment，Mariannewasshortlysubdued;andshepromisednottotempthermothertosuchimprudentkindnessbymentioningtheoffer，andtotellWilloughbywhenshesawhimnext，thatitmustbedeclined。
Shewasfaithfultoherword;andwhenWilloughbycalledatthecottage，thesameday，Elinorheardherexpressherdisappointmenttohiminalowvoice，onbeingobligedtoforegotheacceptanceofhispresent。
Thereasonsforthisalterationwereatthesametimerelated，andtheyweresuchastomakefurtherentreatyonhissideimpossible。Hisconcernhoweverwasveryapparent;
andafterexpressingitwithearnestness，headded，inthesamelowvoice，——“But，Marianne，thehorseisstillyours，thoughyoucannotuseitnow。Ishallkeepitonlytillyoucanclaimit。WhenyouleaveBartontoformyourownestablishmentinamorelastinghome，QueenMabshallreceiveyou。”
ThiswasalloverheardbyMissDashwood;andinthewholeofthesentence，inhismannerofpronouncingit，andinhisaddressinghersisterbyherchristiannamealone，sheinstantlysawanintimacysodecided，ameaningsodirect，asmarkedaperfectagreementbetweenthem。
>Fromthatmomentshedoubtednotoftheirbeingengagedtoeachother;andthebeliefofitcreatednoothersurprisethanthatshe，oranyoftheirfriends，shouldbeleftbytemperssofrank，todiscoveritbyaccident。
Margaretrelatedsomethingtoherthenextday，whichplacedthismatterinastillclearerlight。
Willoughbyhadspenttheprecedingeveningwiththem，andMargaret，bybeingleftsometimeintheparlourwithonlyhimandMarianne，hadhadopportunityforobservations，which，withamostimportantface，shecommunicatedtohereldestsister，whentheywerenextbythemselves。
“Oh，Elinor！”shecried，“IhavesuchasecrettotellyouaboutMarianne。IamsureshewillbemarriedtoMr。Willoughbyverysoon。”
“Youhavesaidso，“repliedElinor，“almosteverydaysincetheyfirstmetonHigh-churchDown;andtheyhadnotknowneachotheraweek，Ibelieve，beforeyouwerecertainthatMarianneworehispictureroundherneck;
butitturnedouttobeonlytheminiatureofourgreatuncle。”
“Butindeedthisisquiteanotherthing。
Iamsuretheywillbemarriedverysoon，forhehasgotalockofherhair。”
“Takecare，Margaret。ItmaybeonlythehairofsomegreatuncleofHIS。”
“But，indeed，Elinor，itisMarianne’s。Iamalmostsureitis，forIsawhimcutitoff。Lastnightaftertea，whenyouandmamawentoutoftheroom，theywerewhisperingandtalkingtogetherasfastascouldbe，andheseemedtobebeggingsomethingofher，andpresentlyhetookupherscissorsandcutoffalonglockofherhair，foritwasalltumbleddownherback;
andhekissedit，andfoldeditupinapieceofwhitepaper;
andputitintohispocket-book。”
Forsuchparticulars，statedonsuchauthority，Elinorcouldnotwithholdhercredit;norwasshedisposedtoit，forthecircumstancewasinperfectunisonwithwhatshehadheardandseenherself。
Margaret’ssagacitywasnotalwaysdisplayedinawaysosatisfactorytohersister。WhenMrs。Jenningsattackedheroneeveningatthepark，togivethenameoftheyoungmanwhowasElinor’sparticularfavourite，whichhadbeenlongamatterofgreatcuriositytoher，Margaretansweredbylookingathersister，andsaying，“Imustnottell，mayI，Elinor？”
Thisofcoursemadeeverybodylaugh;andElinortriedtolaughtoo。Buttheeffortwaspainful。
ShewasconvincedthatMargarethadfixedonapersonwhosenameshecouldnotbearwithcomposuretobecomeastandingjokewithMrs。Jennings。
Mariannefeltforhermostsincerely;butshedidmoreharmthangoodtothecause，byturningveryredandsayinginanangrymannertoMargaret，“Rememberthatwhateveryourconjecturesmaybe，youhavenorighttorepeatthem。”
“Ineverhadanyconjecturesaboutit，“repliedMargaret;
“itwasyouwhotoldmeofityourself。”
Thisincreasedthemirthofthecompany，andMargaretwaseagerlypressedtosaysomethingmore。
“Oh！pray，MissMargaret，letusknowallaboutit，“
saidMrs。Jennings。”Whatisthegentleman’sname？”
“Imustnottell，ma’am。ButIknowverywellwhatitis;
andIknowwhereheistoo。”
“Yes，yes，wecanguesswhereheis;athisownhouseatNorlandtobesure。HeisthecurateoftheparishIdaresay。”
“No，THATheisnot。Heisofnoprofessionatall。”
“Margaret，“saidMariannewithgreatwarmth，“youknowthatallthisisaninventionofyourown，andthatthereisnosuchpersoninexistence。”
“Well，then，heislatelydead，Marianne，forI
amsuretherewassuchamanonce，andhisnamebeginswithanF。”
MostgratefuldidElinorfeeltoLadyMiddletonforobserving，atthismoment，“thatitrainedveryhard，“
thoughshebelievedtheinterruptiontoproceedlessfromanyattentiontoher，thanfromherladyship’sgreatdislikeofallsuchinelegantsubjectsofrailleryasdelightedherhusbandandmother。Theideahoweverstartedbyher，wasimmediatelypursuedbyColonelBrandon，whowasoneveryoccasionmindfulofthefeelingsofothers;
andmuchwassaidonthesubjectofrainbybothofthem。
Willoughbyopenedthepiano-forte，andaskedMariannetositdowntoit;andthusamidstthevariousendeavoursofdifferentpeopletoquitthetopic，itfelltotheground。
ButnotsoeasilydidElinorrecoverfromthealarmintowhichithadthrownher。
ApartywasformedthiseveningforgoingonthefollowingdaytoseeaveryfineplaceabouttwelvemilesfromBarton，belongingtoabrother-in-lawofColonelBrandon，withoutwhoseinterestitcouldnotbeseen，astheproprietor，whowasthenabroad，hadleftstrictordersonthathead。
Thegroundsweredeclaredtobehighlybeautiful，andSirJohn，whowasparticularlywarmintheirpraise，mightbeallowedtobeatolerablejudge，forhehadformedpartiestovisitthem，atleast，twiceeverysummerforthelasttenyears。Theycontainedanoblepieceofwater;asailonwhichwastoaformagreatpartofthemorning’samusement;coldprovisionsweretobetaken，opencarriagesonlytobeemployed，andeverythingconductedintheusualstyleofacompletepartyofpleasure。
Tosomefewofthecompanyitappearedratheraboldundertaking，consideringthetimeofyear，andthatithadrainedeverydayforthelastfortnight;——
andMrs。Dashwood，whohadalreadyacold，waspersuadedbyElinortostayathome。
chapter13
CHAPTER13
TheirintendedexcursiontoWhitwellturnedoutverydifferentfromwhatElinorhadexpected。Shewaspreparedtobewetthrough，fatigued，andfrightened;
buttheeventwasstillmoreunfortunate，fortheydidnotgoatall。
Byteno’clockthewholepartywasassembledatthepark，wheretheyweretobreakfast。Themorningwasratherfavourable，thoughithadrainedallnight，asthecloudswerethendispersingacrossthesky，andthesunfrequentlyappeared。Theywereallinhighspiritsandgoodhumour，eagertobehappy，anddeterminedtosubmittothegreatestinconveniencesandhardshipsratherthanbeotherwise。
Whiletheywereatbreakfasttheletterswerebroughtin。
AmongtheresttherewasoneforColonelBrandon;——hetookit，lookedatthedirection，changedcolour，andimmediatelylefttheroom。
“WhatisthematterwithBrandon？”saidSirJohn。
Nobodycouldtell。
“Ihopehehashadnobadnews，“saidLadyMiddleton。
“ItmustbesomethingextraordinarythatcouldmakeColonelBrandonleavemybreakfasttablesosuddenly。”
Inaboutfiveminuteshereturned。
“Nobadnews，Colonel，Ihope;“saidMrs。Jennings，assoonasheenteredtheroom。
“Noneatall，ma’am，Ithankyou。”
“WasitfromAvignon？，Ihopeitisnottosaythatyoursisterisworse。”
“No，ma’am。Itcamefromtown，andismerelyaletterofbusiness。”
“Buthowcamethehandtodiscomposeyousomuch，ifitwasonlyaletterofbusiness？，Come，come，thiswon’tdo，Colonel;soletushearthetruthofit。”
“Mydearmadam，“saidLadyMiddleton，“recollectwhatyouaresaying。”
“PerhapsitistotellyouthatyourcousinFannyismarried？”saidMrs。Jennings，withoutattendingtoherdaughter’sreproof。
“No，indeed，itisnot。”
“Well，then，Iknowwhoitisfrom，Colonel。
AndI
hopesheiswell。”
“Whomdoyoumean，ma’am？”saidhe，colouringalittle。
“Oh！youknowwhoImean。”
“Iamparticularlysorry，ma’am，“saidhe，addressingLadyMiddleton，“thatIshouldreceivethislettertoday，foritisonbusinesswhichrequiresmyimmediateattendanceintown。”
“Intown！”criedMrs。Jennings。”Whatcanyouhavetodointownatthistimeofyear？”
“Myownlossisgreat，“becontinued，“inbeingobligedtoleavesoagreeableaparty;butIamthemoreconcerned，asIfearmypresenceisnecessarytogainyouradmittanceatWhitwell。”
Whatablowuponthemallwasthis！
“Butifyouwriteanotetothehousekeeper，Mr。Brandon，“
saidMarianne，eagerly，“willitnotbesufficient？”
Heshookhishead。
“Wemustgo，“saidSirJohn——“Itshallnotbeputoffwhenwearesonearit。Youcannotgototowntilltomorrow，Brandon，thatisall。”
“Iwishitcouldbesoeasilysettled。
Butitisnotinmypowertodelaymyjourneyforoneday！”
“Ifyouwouldbutletusknowwhatyourbusinessis，“
saidMrs。Jennings，“wemightseewhetheritcouldbeputoffornot。”
“Youwouldnotbesixhourslater，“saidWilloughby，“ifyouweretodeferyourjourneytillourreturn。”
“IcannotaffordtoloseONEhour。”——
ElinorthenheardWilloughbysay，inalowvoicetoMarianne，“Therearesomepeoplewhocannotbearapartyofpleasure。
Brandonisoneofthem。HewasafraidofcatchingcoldIdaresay，andinventedthistrickforgettingoutofit。
Iwouldlayfiftyguineastheletterwasofhisownwriting。”
“Ihavenodoubtofit，“repliedMarianne。
“Thereisnopersuadingyoutochangeyourmind，Brandon，Iknowofold，“saidSirJohn，“whenonceyouaredeterminedonanything。But，however，Ihopeyouwillthinkbetterofit。Consider，herearethetwoMissCareyscomeoverfromNewton，thethreeMissDashwoodswalkedupfromthecottage，andMr。Willoughbygotuptwohoursbeforehisusualtime，onpurposetogotoWhitwell。”
ColonelBrandonagainrepeatedhissorrowatbeingthecauseofdisappointingtheparty;butatthesametimedeclaredittobeunavoidable。
“Well，then，whenwillyoucomebackagain？”
“IhopeweshallseeyouatBarton，“addedherladyship，“assoonasyoucanconvenientlyleavetown;andwemustputoffthepartytoWhitwelltillyoureturn。”
“Youareveryobliging。Butitissouncertain，whenImayhaveitinmypowertoreturn，thatIdarenotengageforitatall。”
“Oh！hemustandshallcomeback，“criedSirJohn。
“Ifheisnotherebytheendoftheweek，Ishallgoafterhim。”
“Ay，sodo，SirJohn，“criedMrs。Jennings，“andthenperhapsyoumayfindoutwhathisbusinessis。”
“Idonotwanttopryintoothermen’sconcerns。
Isupposeitissomethingheisashamedof。”
ColonelBrandon’shorseswereannounced。
“Youdonotgototownonhorseback，doyou？”
addedSirJohn。
“No。OnlytoHoniton。Ishallthengopost。”
“Well，asyouareresolvedtogo，Iwishyouagoodjourney。Butyouhadbetterchangeyourmind。”
“Iassureyouitisnotinmypower。”
Hethentookleaveofthewholeparty。
“Istherenochanceofmyseeingyouandyoursistersintownthiswinter，MissDashwood？”
“Iamafraid，noneatall。”
“ThenImustbidyoufarewellforalongertimethanIshouldwishtodo。”
ToMarianne，hemerelybowedandsaidnothing。
“ComeColonel，“saidMrs。Jennings，“beforeyougo，doletusknowwhatyouaregoingabout。”
Hewishedheragoodmorning，and，attendedbySirJohn，lefttheroom。
Thecomplaintsandlamentationswhichpolitenesshadhithertorestrained，nowburstforthuniversally;
andtheyallagreedagainandagainhowprovokingitwastobesodisappointed。
“Icanguesswhathisbusinessis，however，“
saidMrs。Jenningsexultingly。
“Canyou，ma’am？”saidalmosteverybody。
“Yes;itisaboutMissWilliams，Iamsure。”
“AndwhoisMissWilliams？”askedMarianne。
“What！donotyouknowwhoMissWilliamsis？
Iamsureyoumusthaveheardofherbefore。SheisarelationoftheColonel’s，mydear;averynearrelation。Wewillnotsayhownear，forfearofshockingtheyoungladies。”
Then，loweringhervoicealittle，shesaidtoElinor，“Sheishisnaturaldaughter。”
“Indeed！”
“Oh，yes;andaslikehimasshecanstare。
IdaresaytheColonelwillleaveherallhisfortune。”
WhenSirJohnreturned，hejoinedmostheartilyinthegeneralregretonsounfortunateanevent;
concludinghoweverbyobserving，thatastheywereallgottogether，theymustdosomethingbywayofbeinghappy;andaftersomeconsultationitwasagreed，thatalthoughhappinesscouldonlybeenjoyedatWhitwell，theymightprocureatolerablecomposureofmindbydrivingaboutthecountry。Thecarriageswerethenordered;
Willoughby’swasfirst，andMarianneneverlookedhappierthanwhenshegotintoit。Hedrovethroughtheparkveryfast，andtheyweresoonoutofsight;
andnothingmoreofthemwasseentilltheirreturn，whichdidnothappentillafterthereturnofalltherest。
Theybothseemeddelightedwiththeirdrive;butsaidonlyingeneraltermsthattheyhadkeptinthelanes，whiletheotherswentonthedowns。
Itwassettledthatthereshouldbeadanceintheevening，andthateverybodyshouldbeextremelymerryalldaylong。
SomemoreoftheCareyscametodinner，andtheyhadthepleasureofsittingdownnearlytwentytotable，whichSirJohnobservedwithgreatcontentment。WilloughbytookhisusualplacebetweenthetwoelderMissDashwoods。
Mrs。JenningssatonElinor’srighthand;andtheyhadnotbeenlongseated，beforesheleantbehindherandWilloughby，andsaidtoMarianne，loudenoughforthembothtohear，“Ihavefoundyououtinspiteofallyourtricks。
Iknowwhereyouspentthemorning。”
Mariannecoloured，andrepliedveryhastily，“Where，pray？”——
“Didnotyouknow，“saidWilloughby，“thatwehadbeenoutinmycurricle？”
“Yes，yes，Mr。Impudence，Iknowthatverywell，andIwasdeterminedtofindoutWHEREyouhadbeento——
Ihopeyoulikeyourhouse，MissMarianne。Itisaverylargeone，Iknow;andwhenIcometoseeyou，Ihopeyouwillhavenew-furnishedit，foritwanteditverymuchwhenIwastheresixyearsago。”
Marianneturnedawayingreatconfusion。
Mrs。Jenningslaughedheartily;andElinorfoundthatinherresolutiontoknowwheretheyhadbeen，shehadactuallymadeherownwomanenquireofMr。Willoughby’sgroom;
andthatshehadbythatmethodbeeninformedthattheyhadgonetoAllenham，andspentaconsiderabletimethereinwalkingaboutthegardenandgoingalloverthehouse。
Elinorcouldhardlybelievethistobetrue，asitseemedveryunlikelythatWilloughbyshouldpropose，orMarianneconsent，toenterthehousewhileMrs。Smithwasinit，withwhomMariannehadnotthesmallestacquaintance。
Assoonastheyleftthedining-room，Elinorenquiredofheraboutit;andgreatwashersurprisewhenshefoundthateverycircumstancerelatedbyMrs。Jenningswasperfectlytrue。Mariannewasquiteangrywithherfordoubtingit。
“Whyshouldyouimagine，Elinor，thatwedidnotgothere，orthatwedidnotseethehouse？，Isnotitwhatyouhaveoftenwishedtodoyourself？”
“Yes，Marianne，butIwouldnotgowhileMrs。
Smithwasthere，andwithnoothercompanionthanMr。Willoughby。”
“Mr。Willoughbyhoweveristheonlypersonwhocanhavearighttoshewthathouse;andashewentinanopencarriage，itwasimpossibletohaveanyothercompanion。
Ineverspentapleasantermorninginmylife。”
“Iamafraid，“repliedElinor，“thatthepleasantnessofanemploymentdoesnotalwaysevinceitspropriety。”
“Onthecontrary，nothingcanbeastrongerproofofit，Elinor;foriftherehadbeenanyrealimproprietyinwhatIdid，Ishouldhavebeensensibleofitatthetime，forwealwaysknowwhenweareactingwrong，andwithsuchaconvictionIcouldhavehadnopleasure。”
“But，mydearMarianne，asithasalreadyexposedyoutosomeveryimpertinentremarks，doyounotnowbegintodoubtthediscretionofyourownconduct？”
“IftheimpertinentremarksofMrs。Jenningsaretobetheproofofimproprietyinconduct，wearealloffendingeverymomentofourlives。IvaluenothercensureanymorethanIshoulddohercommendation。
IamnotsensibleofhavingdoneanythingwronginwalkingoverMrs。Smith’sgrounds，orinseeingherhouse。
TheywillonedaybeMr。Willoughby’s，and——“
“Iftheywereonedaytobeyourown，Marianne，youwouldnotbejustifiedinwhatyouhavedone。”
Sheblushedatthishint;butitwasevenvisiblygratifyingtoher;andafteratenminutes’intervalofearnestthought，shecametohersisteragain，andsaidwithgreatgoodhumour，“Perhaps，Elinor，itWASratherill-judgedinmetogotoAllenham;butMr。Willoughbywantedparticularlytoshewmetheplace;anditisacharminghouse，Iassureyou——Thereisoneremarkablyprettysittingroomupstairs;ofanicecomfortablesizeforconstantuse，andwithmodernfurnitureitwouldbedelightful。
Itisacornerroom，andhaswindowsontwosides。
Ononesideyoulookacrossthebowling-green，behindthehouse，toabeautifulhangingwood，andontheotheryouhaveaviewofthechurchandvillage，and，beyondthem，ofthosefineboldhillsthatwehavesooftenadmired。
Ididnotseeittoadvantage，fornothingcouldbemoreforlornthanthefurniture，——butifitwerenewlyfittedup——acoupleofhundredpounds，Willoughbysays，wouldmakeitoneofthepleasantestsummer-roomsinEngland。”
CouldElinorhavelistenedtoherwithoutinterruptionfromtheothers，shewouldhavedescribedeveryroominthehousewithequaldelight。
chapter14
CHAPTER14
ThesuddenterminationofColonelBrandon’svisitatthepark，withhissteadinessinconcealingitscause，filledthemind，andraisedthewonderofMrs。Jenningsfortwoorthreedays;shewasagreatwonderer，aseveryonemustbewhotakesaverylivelyinterestinallthecomingsandgoingsofalltheiracquaintance。Shewondered，withlittleintermissionwhatcouldbethereasonofit;
wassuretheremustbesomebadnews，andthoughtovereverykindofdistressthatcouldhavebefallenhim，withafixeddeterminationthatheshouldnotescapethemall。
“Somethingverymelancholymustbethematter，Iamsure，“saidshe。”Icouldseeitinhisface。
Poorman！，Iamafraidhiscircumstancesmaybebad。
TheestateatDelafordwasneverreckonedmorethantwothousandayear，andhisbrotherlefteverythingsadlyinvolved。
Idothinkhemusthavebeensentforaboutmoneymatters，forwhatelsecanitbe？，Iwonderwhetheritisso。
Iwouldgiveanythingtoknowthetruthofit。PerhapsitisaboutMissWilliamsand，bythebye，Idaresayitis，becausehelookedsoconsciouswhenImentionedher。
Maybesheisillintown;nothingintheworldmorelikely，forIhaveanotionsheisalwaysrathersickly。
IwouldlayanywageritisaboutMissWilliams。
ItisnotsoverylikelyheshouldbedistressedinhiscircumstancesNOW，forheisaveryprudentman，andtobesuremusthaveclearedtheestatebythistime。
Iwonderwhatitcanbe！，MaybehissisterisworseatAvignon，andhassentforhimover。Hissettingoffinsuchahurryseemsverylikeit。Well，Iwishhimoutofallhistroublewithallmyheart，andagoodwifeintothebargain。”
Sowondered，sotalkedMrs。Jennings。
Heropinionvaryingwitheveryfreshconjecture，andallseemingequallyprobableastheyarose。Elinor，thoughshefeltreallyinterestedinthewelfareofColonelBrandon，couldnotbestowallthewonderonhisgoingsosuddenlyaway，whichMrs。Jenningswasdesirousofherfeeling;
forbesidesthatthecircumstancedidnotinheropinionjustifysuchlastingamazementorvarietyofspeculation，herwonderwasotherwisedisposedof。ItwasengossedbytheextraordinarysilenceofhersisterandWilloughbyonthesubject，whichtheymustknowtobepeculiarlyinterestingtothemall。Asthissilencecontinued，everydaymadeitappearmorestrangeandmoreincompatiblewiththedispositionofboth。Whytheyshouldnotopenlyacknowledgetohermotherandherself，whattheirconstantbehaviourtoeachotherdeclaredtohavetakenplace，Elinorcouldnotimagine。
Shecouldeasilyconceivethatmarriagemightnotbeimmediatelyintheirpower;forthoughWilloughbywasindependent，therewasnoreasontobelievehimrich。
HisestatehadbeenratedbySirJohnataboutsixorsevenhundredayear;buthelivedatanexpensetowhichthatincomecouldhardlybeequal，andhehadhimselfoftencomplainedofhispoverty。Butforthisstrangekindofsecrecymaintainedbythemrelativetotheirengagement，whichinfactconcealednothingatall，shecouldnotaccount;
anditwassowhollycontradictorytotheirgeneralopinionsandpractice，thatadoubtsometimesenteredhermindoftheirbeingreallyengaged，andthisdoubtwasenoughtopreventhermakinganyinquiryofMarianne。
Nothingcouldbemoreexpressiveofattachmenttothemall，thanWilloughby’sbehaviour。ToMarianneithadallthedistinguishingtendernesswhichalover’sheartcouldgive，andtotherestofthefamilyitwastheaffectionateattentionofasonandabrother。Thecottageseemedtobeconsideredandlovedbyhimashishome;
manymoreofhishourswerespenttherethanatAllenham;
andifnogeneralengagementcollectedthematthepark，theexercisewhichcalledhimoutinthemorningwasalmostcertainofendingthere，wheretherestofthedaywasspentbyhimselfatthesideofMarianne，andbyhisfavouritepointeratherfeet。
Oneeveninginparticular，aboutaweekafterColonelBrandonleftthecountry，hisheartseemedmorethanusuallyopentoeveryfeelingofattachmenttotheobjectsaroundhim;andonMrs。Dashwood’shappeningtomentionherdesignofimprovingthecottageinthespring，hewarmlyopposedeveryalterationofaplacewhichaffectionhadestablishedasperfectwithhim。
“What！”heexclaimed——“Improvethisdearcottage！
No。THATIwillneverconsentto。Notastonemustbeaddedtoitswalls，notaninchtoitssize，ifmyfeelingsareregarded。”
“Donotbealarmed，“saidMissDashwood，“nothingofthekindwillbedone;formymotherwillneverhavemoneyenoughtoattemptit。”
“Iamheartilygladofit“hecried。
“Mayshealwaysbepoor，ifshecanemployherrichesnobetter。”
“Thankyou，Willoughby。ButyoumaybeassuredthatI
wouldnotsacrificeonesentimentoflocalattachmentofyours，orofanyonewhomIloved，foralltheimprovementsintheworld。Dependuponitthatwhateverunemployedsummayremain，whenImakeupmyaccountsinthespring，Iwouldevenratherlayituselesslybythandisposeofitinamannersopainfultoyou。Butareyoureallysoattachedtothisplaceastoseenodefectinit？”
“Iam，“saidhe。”Tomeitisfaultless。
Nay，more，Iconsideritastheonlyformofbuildinginwhichhappinessisattainable，andwereIrichenoughIwouldinstantlypullCombedown，andbuilditupagainintheexactplanofthiscottage。”
“Withdarknarrowstairsandakitchenthatsmokes，Isuppose，“saidElinor。
“Yes，“criedheinthesameeagertone，“withallandeverythingbelongingtoit;——innooneconvenienceorINconvenienceaboutit，shouldtheleastvariationbeperceptible。Then，andthenonly，undersucharoof，I
mightperhapsbeashappyatCombeasIhavebeenatBarton。”
“Iflattermyself，“repliedElinor，“thatevenunderthedisadvantageofbetterroomsandabroaderstaircase，youwillhereafterfindyourownhouseasfaultlessasyounowdothis。”
“Therecertainlyarecircumstances，“saidWilloughby，“whichmightgreatlyendearittome;butthisplacewillalwayshaveoneclaimofmyaffection，whichnoothercanpossiblyshare。”
Mrs。DashwoodlookedwithpleasureatMarianne，whosefineeyeswerefixedsoexpressivelyonWilloughby，asplainlydenotedhowwellsheunderstoodhim。
“HowoftendidIwish，“addedhe，“whenIwasatAllenhamthistimetwelvemonth，thatBartoncottagewereinhabited！，Ineverpassedwithinviewofitwithoutadmiringitssituation，andgrievingthatnooneshouldliveinit。
HowlittledidIthenthinkthattheveryfirstnewsIshouldhearfromMrs。Smith，whenInextcameintothecountry，wouldbethatBartoncottagewastaken：andI
feltanimmediatesatisfactionandinterestintheevent，whichnothingbutakindofprescienceofwhathappinessI
shouldexperiencefromit，canaccountfor。Mustitnothavebeenso，Marianne？”speakingtoherinaloweredvoice。
Thencontinuinghisformertone，hesaid，“Andyetthishouseyouwouldspoil，Mrs。Dashwood？，Youwouldrobitofitssimplicitybyimaginaryimprovement！andthisdearparlourinwhichouracquaintancefirstbegan，andinwhichsomanyhappyhourshavebeensincespentbyustogether，youwoulddegradetotheconditionofacommonentrance，andeverybodywouldbeeagertopassthroughtheroomwhichhashithertocontainedwithinitselfmorerealaccommodationandcomfortthananyotherapartmentofthehandsomestdimensionsintheworldcouldpossiblyafford。”
Mrs。Dashwoodagainassuredhimthatnoalterationofthekindshouldbeattempted。
“Youareagoodwoman，“hewarmlyreplied。
“Yourpromisemakesmeeasy。Extenditalittlefarther，anditwillmakemehappy。Tellmethatnotonlyyourhousewillremainthesame，butthatIshalleverfindyouandyoursasunchangedasyourdwelling;andthatyouwillalwaysconsidermewiththekindnesswhichhasmadeeverythingbelongingtoyousodeartome。”
Thepromisewasreadilygiven，andWilloughby’sbehaviourduringthewholeoftheeveningdeclaredatoncehisaffectionandhappiness。
“Shallweseeyoutomorrowtodinner？”saidMrs。Dashwood，whenhewasleavingthem。”Idonotaskyoutocomeinthemorning，forwemustwalktothepark，tocallonLadyMiddleton。”
Heengagedtobewiththembyfouro’clock。
