chapter15
CHAPTER15
Mrs。Dashwood’svisittoLadyMiddletontookplacethenextday，andtwoofherdaughterswentwithher;
butMarianneexcusedherselffrombeingoftheparty，undersometriflingpretextofemployment;andhermother，whoconcludedthatapromisehadbeenmadebyWilloughbythenightbeforeofcallingonherwhiletheywereabsent，wasperfectlysatisfiedwithherremainingathome。
OntheirreturnfromtheparktheyfoundWilloughby’scurricleandservantinwaitingatthecottage，andMrs。Dashwoodwasconvincedthatherconjecturehadbeenjust。Sofaritwasallasshehadforeseen;
butonenteringthehouseshebeheldwhatnoforesighthadtaughthertoexpect。TheywerenosoonerinthepassagethanMariannecamehastilyoutoftheparlourapparentlyinviolentaffliction，withherhandkerchiefathereyes;andwithoutnoticingthemranupstairs。
Surprisedandalarmedtheyproceededdirectlyintotheroomshehadjustquitted，wheretheyfoundonlyWilloughby，whowasleaningagainstthemantel-piecewithhisbacktowardsthem。Heturnedroundontheircomingin，andhiscountenanceshewedthathestronglypartookoftheemotionwhichover-poweredMarianne。
“Isanythingthematterwithher？”criedMrs。
Dashwoodassheentered——“issheill？”
“Ihopenot，“hereplied，tryingtolookcheerful;
andwithaforcedsmilepresentlyadded，“ItisIwhomayratherexpecttobeill——forIamnowsufferingunderaveryheavydisappointment！”
“Disappointment？”
“Yes，forIamunabletokeepmyengagementwithyou。
Mrs。Smithhasthismorningexercisedtheprivilegeofrichesuponapoordependentcousin，bysendingmeonbusinesstoLondon。Ihavejustreceivedmydispatches，andtakenmyfarewellofAllenham;andbywayofexhilarationIamnowcometotakemyfarewellofyou。”
“ToLondon！——andareyougoingthismorning？”
“Almostthismoment。”
“Thisisveryunfortunate。ButMrs。Smithmustbeobliged;——andherbusinesswillnotdetainyoufromuslongIhope。”
Hecolouredashereplied，“Youareverykind，butI
havenoideaofreturningintoDevonshireimmediately。
MyvisitstoMrs。Smithareneverrepeatedwithinthetwelvemonth。”
“AndisMrs。Smithyouronlyfriend？
IsAllenhamtheonlyhouseintheneighbourhoodtowhichyouwillbewelcome？
Forshame，Willoughby，canyouwaitforaninvitationhere？”
Hiscolourincreased;andwithhiseyesfixedonthegroundheonlyreplied，“Youaretoogood。”
Mrs。DashwoodlookedatElinorwithsurprise。
Elinorfeltequalamazement。Forafewmomentseveryonewassilent。Mrs。Dashwoodfirstspoke。
“Ihaveonlytoadd，mydearWilloughby，thatatBartoncottageyouwillalwaysbewelcome;forIwillnotpressyoutoreturnhereimmediately，becauseyouonlycanjudgehowfarTHATmightbepleasingtoMrs。Smith;
andonthisheadIshallbenomoredisposedtoquestionyourjudgmentthantodoubtyourinclination。”
“Myengagementsatpresent，“repliedWilloughby，confusedly，“areofsuchanature——that——Idarenotflattermyself“——
Hestopt。Mrs。Dashwoodwastoomuchastonishedtospeak，andanotherpausesucceeded。ThiswasbrokenbyWilloughby，whosaidwithafaintsmile，“Itisfollytolingerinthismanner。Iwillnottormentmyselfanylongerbyremainingamongfriendswhosesocietyitisimpossibleformenowtoenjoy。”
Hethenhastilytookleaveofthemallandlefttheroom。Theysawhimstepintohiscarriage，andinaminuteitwasoutofsight。
Mrs。Dashwoodfelttoomuchforspeech，andinstantlyquittedtheparlourtogivewayinsolitudetotheconcernandalarmwhichthissuddendepartureoccasioned。
Elinor’suneasinesswasatleastequaltohermother’s。
Shethoughtofwhathadjustpassedwithanxietyanddistrust。
Willoughby’sbehaviourintakingleaveofthem，hisembarrassment，andaffectationofcheerfulness，and，aboveall，hisunwillingnesstoaccepthermother’sinvitation，abackwardnesssounlikealover，sounlikehimself，greatlydisturbedher。Onemomentshefearedthatnoseriousdesignhadeverbeenformedonhisside;andthenextthatsomeunfortunatequarrelhadtakenplacebetweenhimandhersister;——thedistressinwhichMariannehadquittedtheroomwassuchasaseriousquarrelcouldmostreasonablyaccountfor，thoughwhensheconsideredwhatMarianne’sloveforhimwas，aquarrelseemedalmostimpossible。
Butwhatevermightbetheparticularsoftheirseparation，hersister’safflictionwasindubitable;andshethoughtwiththetenderestcompassionofthatviolentsorrowwhichMariannewasinallprobabilitynotmerelygivingwaytoasarelief，butfeedingandencouragingasaduty。
Inabouthalfanhourhermotherreturned，andthoughhereyeswerered，hercountenancewasnotuncheerful。
“OurdearWilloughbyisnowsomemilesfromBarton，Elinor，“
saidshe，asshesatdowntowork，“andwithhowheavyaheartdoeshetravel？”
“Itisallverystrange。Sosuddenlytobegone！Itseemsbuttheworkofamoment。Andlastnighthewaswithussohappy，socheerful，soaffectionate？，Andnow，afteronlytenminutesnotice——Gonetoowithoutintendingtoreturn！——Somethingmorethanwhatbeownedtousmusthavehappened。Hedidnotspeak，hedidnotbehavelikehimself。YOUmusthaveseenthedifferenceaswellasI。
Whatcanitbe？，Cantheyhavequarrelled？，Whyelseshouldhehaveshewnsuchunwillingnesstoacceptyourinvitationhere？”——
“Itwasnotinclinationthathewanted，Elinor;
IcouldplainlyseeTHAT。Hehadnotthepowerofacceptingit。
IhavethoughtitalloverIassureyou，andIcanperfectlyaccountforeverythingthatatfirstseemedstrangetomeaswellastoyou。”
“Canyou，indeed！”
“Yes。Ihaveexplainedittomyselfinthemostsatisfactoryway;——butyou，Elinor，wholovetodoubtwhereyoucan——itwillnotsatisfyYOU，Iknow;butyoushallnottalkMEoutofmytrustinit。IampersuadedthatMrs。SmithsuspectshisregardforMarianne，disapprovesofit，(perhapsbecauseshehasotherviewsforhim，)andonthataccountiseagertogethimaway;——
andthatthebusinesswhichshesendshimofftotransactisinventedasanexcusetodismisshim。ThisiswhatI
believetohavehappened。Heis，moreover，awarethatsheDOESdisapprovetheconnection，hedaresnotthereforeatpresentconfesstoherhisengagementwithMarianne，andhefeelshimselfobliged，fromhisdependentsituation，togiveintoherschemes，andabsenthimselffromDevonshireforawhile。Youwilltellme，Iknow，thatthismayormayNOThavehappened;butIwilllistentonocavil，unlessyoucanpointoutanyothermethodofunderstandingtheaffairassatisfactoryatthis。
Andnow，Elinor，whathaveyoutosay？”
“Nothing，foryouhaveanticipatedmyanswer。”
“Thenyouwouldhavetoldme，thatitmightormightnothavehappened。Oh，Elinor，howincomprehensibleareyourfeelings！，Youhadrathertakeeviluponcreditthangood。
YouhadratherlookoutformiseryforMarianne，andguiltforpoorWilloughby，thananapologyforthelatter。
Youareresolvedtothinkhimblameable，becausehetookleaveofuswithlessaffectionthanhisusualbehaviourhasshewn。Andisnoallowancetobemadeforinadvertence，orforspiritsdepressedbyrecentdisappointment？，Arenoprobabilitiestobeaccepted，merelybecausetheyarenotcertainties？，Isnothingduetothemanwhomwehaveallsuchreasontolove，andnoreasonintheworldtothinkillof？，Tothepossibilityofmotivesunanswerableinthemselves，thoughunavoidablysecretforawhile？，And，afterall，whatisityoususpecthimof？”
“Icanhardlytellmyself。Butsuspicionofsomethingunpleasantistheinevitableconsequenceofsuchanalterationaswejustwitnessedinhim。
Thereisgreattruth，however，inwhatyouhavenowurgedoftheallowanceswhichoughttobemadeforhim，anditismywishtobecandidinmyjudgmentofeverybody。
Willoughbymayundoubtedlyhaveverysufficientreasonsforhisconduct，andIwillhopethathehas。
ButitwouldhavebeenmorelikeWilloughbytoacknowledgethematonce。Secrecymaybeadvisable;butstillI
cannothelpwonderingatitsbeingpracticedbyhim。”
“Donotblamehim，however，fordepartingfromhischaracter，wherethedeviationisnecessary。
ButyoureallydoadmitthejusticeofwhatIhavesaidinhisdefence？——Iamhappy——andheisacquitted。”
“Notentirely。Itmaybepropertoconcealtheirengagement(iftheyAREengaged)fromMrs。Smith——
andifthatisthecase，itmustbehighlyexpedientforWilloughbytobebutlittleinDevonshireatpresent。
Butthisisnoexcusefortheirconcealingitfromus。”
“Concealingitfromus！mydearchild，doyouaccuseWilloughbyandMarianneofconcealment？Thisisstrangeindeed，whenyoureyeshavebeenreproachingthemeverydayforincautiousness。”
“Iwantnoproofoftheiraffection，“saidElinor;
“butoftheirengagementIdo。”
“Iamperfectlysatisfiedofboth。”
“Yetnotasyllablehasbeensaidtoyouonthesubject，byeitherofthem。”
“Ihavenotwantedsyllableswhereactionshavespokensoplainly。HasnothisbehaviourtoMarianneandtoallofus，foratleastthelastfortnight，declaredthathelovedandconsideredherashisfuturewife，andthathefeltforustheattachmentofthenearestrelation？，Havewenotperfectlyunderstoodeachother？
Hasnotmyconsentbeendailyaskedbyhislooks，hismanner，hisattentiveandaffectionaterespect？，MyElinor，isitpossibletodoubttheirengagement？，Howcouldsuchathoughtoccurtoyou？，HowisittobesupposedthatWilloughby，persuadedashemustbeofyoursister’slove，shouldleaveher，andleaveherperhapsformonths，withouttellingherofhisaffection;——thattheyshouldpartwithoutamutualexchangeofconfidence？”
“Iconfess，“repliedElinor，“thateverycircumstanceexceptONEisinfavouroftheirengagement;
butthatONEisthetotalsilenceofbothonthesubject，andwithmeitalmostoutweighseveryother。”
“Howstrangethisis！，YoumustthinkwretchedlyindeedofWilloughby，if，afterallthathasopenlypassedbetweenthem，youcandoubtthenatureofthetermsonwhichtheyaretogether。
Hashebeenactingapartinhisbehaviourtoyoursisterallthistime？，Doyousupposehimreallyindifferenttoher？”
“No，Icannotthinkthat。HemustanddoesloveherIamsure。”
“Butwithastrangekindoftenderness，ifhecanleaveherwithsuchindifference，suchcarelessnessofthefuture，asyouattributetohim。”
“Youmustremember，mydearmother，thatI
haveneverconsideredthismatterascertain。Ihavehadmydoubts，Iconfess;buttheyarefainterthantheywere，andtheymaysoonbeentirelydoneaway。Ifwefindtheycorrespond，everyfearofminewillberemoved。”
“Amightyconcessionindeed！，Ifyouweretoseethematthealtar，youwouldsupposetheyweregoingtobemarried。Ungraciousgirl！，ButIrequirenosuchproof。
Nothinginmyopinionhaseverpassedtojustifydoubt;
nosecrecyhasbeenattempted;allhasbeenuniformlyopenandunreserved。Youcannotdoubtyoursister’swishes。
ItmustbeWilloughbythereforewhomyoususpect。Butwhy？
Ishenotamanofhonourandfeeling？Hastherebeenanyinconsistencyonhissidetocreatealarm？canhebedeceitful？”
“Ihopenot，Ibelievenot，“criedElinor。
“IloveWilloughby，sincerelylovehim;andsuspicionofhisintegritycannotbemorepainfultoyourselfthantome。
Ithasbeeninvoluntary，andIwillnotencourageit。
Iwasstartled，Iconfess，bythealterationinhismannersthismorning;——hedidnotspeaklikehimself，anddidnotreturnyourkindnesswithanycordiality。
Butallthismaybeexplainedbysuchasituationofhisaffairsasyouhavesupposed。Hehadjustpartedfrommysister，hadseenherleavehiminthegreatestaffliction;
andifhefeltobliged，fromafearofoffendingMrs。Smith，toresistthetemptationofreturningheresoon，andyetawarethatbydecliningyourinvitation，bysayingthathewasgoingawayforsometime，heshouldseemtoactanungenerous，asuspiciouspartbyourfamily，bemightwellbeembarrassedanddisturbed。Insuchacase，aplainandopenavowalofhisdifficultieswouldhavebeenmoretohishonourIthink，aswellasmoreconsistentwithhisgeneralcharacter;——butIwillnotraiseobjectionsagainstanyone’sconductonsoilliberalafoundation，asadifferenceinjudgmentfrommyself，oradeviationfromwhatImaythinkrightandconsistent。”
“Youspeakveryproperly。Willoughbycertainlydoesnotdeservetobesuspected。ThoughWEhavenotknownhimlong，heisnostrangerinthispartoftheworld;
andwhohaseverspokentohisdisadvantage？，Hadhebeeninasituationtoactindependentlyandmarryimmediately，itmighthavebeenoddthatheshouldleaveuswithoutacknowledgingeverythingtomeatonce：butthisisnotthecase。
Itisanengagementinsomerespectsnotprosperouslybegun，fortheirmarriagemustbeataveryuncertaindistance;
andevensecrecy，asfarasitcanbeobserved，maynowbeveryadvisable。”
TheywereinterruptedbytheentranceofMargaret;
andElinorwasthenatlibertytothinkovertherepresentationsofhermother，toacknowledgetheprobabilityofmany，andhopeforthejusticeofall。
TheysawnothingofMariannetilldinnertime，whensheenteredtheroomandtookherplaceatthetablewithoutsayingaword。Hereyeswereredandswollen;
anditseemedasifhertearswereeventhenrestrainedwithdifficulty。Sheavoidedthelooksofthemall，couldneithereatnorspeak，andaftersometime，onhermother’ssilentlypressingherhandwithtendercompassion，hersmalldegreeoffortitudewasquiteovercome，sheburstintotearsandlefttheroom。
Thisviolentoppressionofspiritscontinuedthewholeevening。Shewaswithoutanypower，becauseshewaswithoutanydesireofcommandoverherself。
TheslightestmentionofanythingrelativetoWilloughbyoverpoweredherinaninstant;andthoughherfamilyweremostanxiouslyattentivetohercomfort，itwasimpossibleforthem，iftheyspokeatall，tokeepclearofeverysubjectwhichherfeelingsconnectedwithhim。
chapter16
CHAPTER16
MariannewouldhavethoughtherselfveryinexcusablehadshebeenabletosleepatallthefirstnightafterpartingfromWilloughby。Shewouldhavebeenashamedtolookherfamilyinthefacethenextmorning，hadshenotrisenfromherbedinmoreneedofreposethanwhenshelaydowninit。Butthefeelingswhichmadesuchcomposureadisgrace，leftherinnodangerofincurringit。Shewasawakethewholenight，andsheweptthegreatestpartofit。Shegotupwithaheadache，wasunabletotalk，andunwillingtotakeanynourishment;
givingpaineverymomenttohermotherandsisters，andforbiddingallattemptatconsolationfromeither。
Hersensibilitywaspotentenough！
Whenbreakfastwasovershewalkedoutbyherself，andwanderedaboutthevillageofAllenham，indulgingtherecollectionofpastenjoymentandcryingoverthepresentreverseforthechiefofthemorning。
Theeveningpassedoffintheequalindulgenceoffeeling。
SheplayedovereveryfavouritesongthatshehadbeenusedtoplaytoWilloughby，everyairinwhichtheirvoiceshadbeenoftenestjoined，andsatattheinstrumentgazingoneverylineofmusicthathehadwrittenoutforher，tillherheartwassoheavythatnofarthersadnesscouldbegained;andthisnourishmentofgriefwaseverydayapplied。Shespentwholehoursatthepianofortealternatelysingingandcrying;hervoiceoftentotallysuspendedbyhertears。Inbookstoo，aswellasinmusic，shecourtedthemiserywhichacontrastbetweenthepastandpresentwascertainofgiving。Shereadnothingbutwhattheyhadbeenusedtoreadtogether。
Suchviolenceofafflictionindeedcouldnotbesupportedforever;itsunkwithinafewdaysintoacalmermelancholy;
buttheseemployments，towhichshedailyrecurred，hersolitarywalksandsilentmeditations，stillproducedoccasionaleffusionsofsorrowaslivelyasever。
NoletterfromWilloughbycame;andnoneseemedexpectedbyMarianne。Hermotherwassurprised，andElinoragainbecameuneasy。ButMrs。Dashwoodcouldfindexplanationswhenevershewantedthem，whichatleastsatisfiedherself。
“Remember，Elinor，“saidshe，“howveryoftenSirJohnfetchesourlettershimselffromthepost，andcarriesthemtoit。Wehavealreadyagreedthatsecrecymaybenecessary，andwemustacknowledgethatitcouldnotbemaintainediftheircorrespondenceweretopassthroughSirJohn’shands。”
Elinorcouldnotdenythetruthofthis，andshetriedtofindinitamotivesufficientfortheirsilence。
Buttherewasonemethodsodirect，sosimple，andinheropinionsoeligibleofknowingtherealstateoftheaffair，andofinstantlyremovingallmystery，thatshecouldnothelpsuggestingittohermother。
“WhydoyounotaskMarianneatonce，“saidshe，“whethersheisorsheisnotengagedtoWilloughby？，Fromyou，hermother，andsokind，soindulgentamother，thequestioncouldnotgiveoffence。Itwouldbethenaturalresultofyouraffectionforher。Sheusedtobeallunreserve，andtoyoumoreespecially。”
“Iwouldnotasksuchaquestionfortheworld。
Supposingitpossiblethattheyarenotengaged，whatdistresswouldnotsuchanenquiryinflict！，Atanyrateitwouldbemostungenerous。Ishouldneverdeserveherconfidenceagain，afterforcingfromheraconfessionofwhatismeantatpresenttobeunacknowledgedtoanyone。
IknowMarianne’sheart：Iknowthatshedearlylovesme，andthatIshallnotbethelasttowhomtheaffairismadeknown，whencircumstancesmaketherevealmentofiteligible。
Iwouldnotattempttoforcetheconfidenceofanyone;
ofachildmuchless;becauseasenseofdutywouldpreventthedenialwhichherwishesmightdirect。”
Elinorthoughtthisgenerosityoverstrained，consideringhersister’syouth，andurgedthematterfarther，butinvain;commonsense，commoncare，commonprudence，wereallsunkinMrs。Dashwood’sromanticdelicacy。
ItwasseveraldaysbeforeWilloughby’snamewasmentionedbeforeMariannebyanyofherfamily;
SirJohnandMrs。Jennings，indeed，werenotsonice;
theirwitticismsaddedpaintomanyapainfulhour;——
butoneevening，Mrs。Dashwood，accidentallytakingupavolumeofShakespeare，exclaimed，“WehaveneverfinishedHamlet，Marianne;ourdearWilloughbywentawaybeforewecouldgetthroughit。
Wewillputitby，thatwhenhecomesagain……Butitmaybemonths，perhaps，beforeTHAThappens。”
“Months！”criedMarianne，withstrongsurprise。
“No——normanyweeks。”
Mrs。Dashwoodwassorryforwhatshehadsaid;
butitgaveElinorpleasure，asitproducedareplyfromMariannesoexpressiveofconfidenceinWilloughbyandknowledgeofhisintentions。
Onemorning，aboutaweekafterhisleavingthecountry，Mariannewasprevailedontojoinhersistersintheirusualwalk，insteadofwanderingawaybyherself。
Hithertoshehadcarefullyavoidedeverycompanioninherrambles。Ifhersistersintendedtowalkonthedowns，shedirectlystoleawaytowardsthelanes;iftheytalkedofthevalley，shewasasspeedyinclimbingthehills，andcouldneverbefoundwhentheotherssetoff。
ButatlengthshewassecuredbytheexertionsofElinor，whogreatlydisapprovedsuchcontinualseclusion。Theywalkedalongtheroadthroughthevalley，andchieflyinsilence，forMarianne’sMINDcouldnotbecontrolled，andElinor，satisfiedwithgainingonepoint，wouldnotthenattemptmore。
Beyondtheentranceofthevalley，wherethecountry，thoughstillrich，waslesswildandmoreopen，alongstretchoftheroadwhichtheyhadtravelledonfirstcomingtoBarton，laybeforethem;andonreachingthatpoint，theystoppedtolookaroundthem，andexamineaprospectwhichformedthedistanceoftheirviewfromthecottage，fromaspotwhichtheyhadneverhappenedtoreachinanyoftheirwalksbefore。
Amongsttheobjectsinthescene，theysoondiscoveredananimatedone;itwasamanonhorsebackridingtowardsthem。
Inafewminutestheycoulddistinguishhimtobeagentleman;
andinamomentafterwardsMariannerapturouslyexclaimed，“Itishe;itisindeed;——Iknowitis！”——andwashasteningtomeethim，whenElinorcriedout，“Indeed，Marianne，Ithinkyouaremistaken。
ItisnotWilloughby。Thepersonisnottallenoughforhim，andhasnothisair。”
“Hehas，hehas，“criedMarianne，“Iamsurehehas。
Hisair，hiscoat，hishorse。Iknewhowsoonhewouldcome。”
Shewalkedeagerlyonasshespoke;andElinor，toscreenMariannefromparticularity，asshefeltalmostcertainofitsnotbeingWilloughby，quickenedherpaceandkeptupwithher。Theyweresoonwithinthirtyyardsofthegentleman。Mariannelookedagain;
herheartsunkwithinher;andabruptlyturninground，shewashurryingback，whenthevoicesofbothhersisterswereraisedtodetainher;athird，almostaswellknownasWilloughby’s，joinedtheminbegginghertostop，andsheturnedroundwithsurprisetoseeandwelcomeEdwardFerrars。
HewastheonlypersonintheworldwhocouldatthatmomentbeforgivenfornotbeingWilloughby;
theonlyonewhocouldhavegainedasmilefromher;
butshedispersedhertearstosmileonHIM，andinhersister’shappinessforgotforatimeherowndisappointment。
Hedismounted，andgivinghishorsetohisservant，walkedbackwiththemtoBarton，whitherhewaspurposelycomingtovisitthem。
Hewaswelcomedbythemallwithgreatcordiality，butespeciallybyMarianne，whoshowedmorewarmthofregardinherreceptionofhimthanevenElinorherself。
ToMarianne，indeed，themeetingbetweenEdwardandhersisterwasbutacontinuationofthatunaccountablecoldnesswhichshehadoftenobservedatNorlandintheirmutualbehaviour。
OnEdward’sside，moreparticularly，therewasadeficiencyofallthataloveroughttolookandsayonsuchanoccasion。
Hewasconfused，seemedscarcelysensibleofpleasureinseeingthem，lookedneitherrapturousnorgay，saidlittlebutwhatwasforcedfromhimbyquestions，anddistinguishedElinorbynomarkofaffection。
Mariannesawandlistenedwithincreasingsurprise。
ShebeganalmosttofeeladislikeofEdward;anditended，aseveryfeelingmustendwithher，bycarryingbackherthoughtstoWilloughby，whosemannersformedacontrastsufficientlystrikingtothoseofhisbrotherelect。
Afterashortsilencewhichsucceededthefirstsurpriseandenquiriesofmeeting，MarianneaskedEdwardifhecamedirectlyfromLondon。No，hehadbeeninDevonshireafortnight。
“Afortnight！”sherepeated，surprisedathisbeingsolonginthesamecountywithElinorwithoutseeingherbefore。
Helookedratherdistressedasheadded，thathehadbeenstayingwithsomefriendsnearPlymouth。
“HaveyoubeenlatelyinSussex？”saidElinor。
“IwasatNorlandaboutamonthago。”
“Andhowdoesdear，dearNorlandlook？”criedMarianne。
“Dear，dearNorland，“saidElinor，“probablylooksmuchasitalwaysdoesatthistimeoftheyear。
Thewoodsandwalksthicklycoveredwithdeadleaves。”
“Oh，“criedMarianne，“withwhattransportingsensationhaveIformerlyseenthemfall！，HowhaveIdelighted，asIwalked，toseethemdriveninshowersaboutmebythewind！，Whatfeelingshavethey，theseason，theairaltogetherinspired！，Nowthereisnoonetoregardthem。
Theyareseenonlyasanuisance，swepthastilyoff，anddrivenasmuchaspossiblefromthesight。”
“Itisnoteveryone，“saidElinor，“whohasyourpassionfordeadleaves。”
“No;myfeelingsarenotoftenshared，notoftenunderstood。ButSOMETIMEStheyare。”——Asshesaidthis，shesunkintoareverieforafewmoments;——butrousingherselfagain，“Now，Edward，“saidshe，callinghisattentiontotheprospect，“hereisBartonvalley。Lookuptoit，andbetranquilifyoucan。Lookatthosehills！
Didyoueverseetheirequals？，TotheleftisBartonpark，amongstthosewoodsandplantations。Youmayseetheendofthehouse。Andthere，beneaththatfarthesthill，whichriseswithsuchgrandeur，isourcottage。”
“Itisabeautifulcountry，“hereplied;“butthesebottomsmustbedirtyinwinter。”
“Howcanyouthinkofdirt，withsuchobjectsbeforeyou？”
“Because，“repliedhe，smiling，“amongtherestoftheobjectsbeforeme，Iseeaverydirtylane。”
“Howstrange！”saidMariannetoherselfasshewalkedon。
“Haveyouanagreeableneighbourhoodhere？
AretheMiddletonspleasantpeople？”
“No，notall，“answeredMarianne;“wecouldnotbemoreunfortunatelysituated。”
“Marianne，“criedhersister，“howcanyousayso？Howcanyoubesounjust？，Theyareaveryrespectablefamily，Mr。Ferrars;
andtowardsushavebehavedinthefriendliestmanner。Haveyouforgot，Marianne，howmanypleasantdayswehaveowedtothem？”
“No，“saidMarianne，inalowvoice，“norhowmanypainfulmoments。”
Elinortooknonoticeofthis;anddirectingherattentiontotheirvisitor，endeavouredtosupportsomethinglikediscoursewithhim，bytalkingoftheirpresentresidence，itsconveniences，&c。extortingfromhimoccasionalquestionsandremarks。Hiscoldnessandreservemortifiedherseverely;shewasvexedandhalfangry;
butresolvingtoregulateherbehaviourtohimbythepastratherthanthepresent，sheavoidedeveryappearanceofresentmentordispleasure，andtreatedhimasshethoughtheoughttobetreatedfromthefamilyconnection。
chapter17
CHAPTER17
Mrs。Dashwoodwassurprisedonlyforamomentatseeinghim;forhiscomingtoBartonwas，inheropinion，ofallthingsthemostnatural。Herjoyandexpressionofregardlongoutlivedherwonder。Hereceivedthekindestwelcomefromher;andshyness，coldness，reservecouldnotstandagainstsuchareception。Theyhadbeguntofailhimbeforeheenteredthehouse，andtheywerequiteovercomebythecaptivatingmannersofMrs。Dashwood。Indeedamancouldnotverywellbeinlovewitheitherofherdaughters，withoutextendingthepassiontoher;andElinorhadthesatisfactionofseeinghimsoonbecomemorelikehimself。
Hisaffectionsseemedtoreanimatetowardsthemall，andhisinterestintheirwelfareagainbecameperceptible。
Hewasnotinspirits，however;hepraisedtheirhouse，admireditsprospect，wasattentive，andkind;butstillhewasnotinspirits。Thewholefamilyperceivedit，andMrs。Dashwood，attributingittosomewantofliberalityinhismother，satdowntotableindignantagainstallselfishparents。
“WhatareMrs。Ferrars’sviewsforyouatpresent，Edward？”
saidshe，whendinnerwasoverandtheyhaddrawnroundthefire;“areyoustilltobeagreatoratorinspiteofyourself？”
“No。IhopemymotherisnowconvincedthatIhavenomoretalentsthaninclinationforapubliclife！”
“Buthowisyourfametobeestablished？forfamousyoumustbetosatisfyallyourfamily;andwithnoinclinationforexpense，noaffectionforstrangers，noprofession，andnoassurance，youmayfinditadifficultmatter。”
“Ishallnotattemptit。Ihavenowishtobedistinguished;andhaveeveryreasontohopeInevershall。
ThankHeaven！Icannotbeforcedintogeniusandeloquence。”
“Youhavenoambition，Iwellknow。Yourwishesareallmoderate。”
“Asmoderateasthoseoftherestoftheworld，Ibelieve。Iwishaswellaseverybodyelsetobeperfectlyhappy;but，likeeverybodyelseitmustbeinmyownway。Greatnesswillnotmakemeso。”
“Strangethatitwould！”criedMarianne。
“Whathavewealthorgrandeurtodowithhappiness？”
“Grandeurhasbutlittle，“saidElinor，“butwealthhasmuchtodowithit。”
“Elinor，forshame！”saidMarianne，“moneycanonlygivehappinesswherethereisnothingelsetogiveit。
Beyondacompetence，itcanaffordnorealsatisfaction，asfarasmereselfisconcerned。”
“Perhaps，“saidElinor，smiling，“wemaycometothesamepoint。YOURcompetenceandMYwealthareverymuchalike，Idaresay;andwithoutthem，astheworldgoesnow，weshallbothagreethateverykindofexternalcomfortmustbewanting。Yourideasareonlymorenoblethanmine。Come，whatisyourcompetence？”
“Abouteighteenhundredortwothousandayear;
notmorethanTHAT。”
Elinorlaughed。”TWOthousandayear！
ONEismywealth！Iguessedhowitwouldend。”
“Andyettwothousanda-yearisaverymoderateincome，“
saidMarianne。”Afamilycannotwellbemaintainedonasmaller。IamsureIamnotextravagantinmydemands。
Aproperestablishmentofservants，acarriage，perhapstwo，andhunters，cannotbesupportedonless。”
Elinorsmiledagain，tohearhersisterdescribingsoaccuratelytheirfutureexpensesatCombeMagna。
“Hunters！”repeatedEdward——“butwhymustyouhavehunters？，Everybodydoesnothunt。”
Mariannecolouredasshereplied，“Butmostpeopledo。”
“Iwish，“saidMargaret，strikingoutanovelthought，“thatsomebodywouldgiveusallalargefortuneapiece！”
“Ohthattheywould！”criedMarianne，hereyessparklingwithanimation，andhercheeksglowingwiththedelightofsuchimaginaryhappiness。
“Weareallunanimousinthatwish，Isuppose，“
saidElinor，“inspiteoftheinsufficiencyofwealth。”
“Ohdear！”criedMargaret，“howhappyIshouldbe！
IwonderwhatIshoulddowithit！”
Mariannelookedasifshehadnodoubtonthatpoint。
“Ishouldbepuzzledtospendsolargeafortunemyself，“
saidMrs。Dashwood，“ifmychildrenwerealltoberichmyhelp。”
“Youmustbeginyourimprovementsonthishouse，“
observedElinor，“andyourdifficultieswillsoonvanish。”
“WhatmagnificentorderswouldtravelfromthisfamilytoLondon，“saidEdward，“insuchanevent！，Whatahappydayforbooksellers，music-sellers，andprint-shops！，You，MissDashwood，wouldgiveageneralcommissionforeverynewprintofmerittobesentyou——andasforMarianne，Iknowhergreatnessofsoul，therewouldnotbemusicenoughinLondontocontenther。Andbooks！——Thomson，Cowper，Scott——shewouldbuythemalloverandoveragain：shewouldbuyupeverycopy，Ibelieve，topreventtheirfallingintounworthyhands;andshewouldhaveeverybookthattellsherhowtoadmireanoldtwistedtree。
Shouldnotyou，Marianne？，Forgiveme，ifIamverysaucy。
ButIwaswillingtoshewyouthatIhadnotforgotourolddisputes。”
“Ilovetoberemindedofthepast，Edward——whetheritbemelancholyorgay，Ilovetorecallit——andyouwillneveroffendmebytalkingofformertimes。
Youareveryrightinsupposinghowmymoneywouldbespent——someofit，atleast——myloosecashwouldcertainlybeemployedinimprovingmycollectionofmusicandbooks。”
“Andthebulkofyourfortunewouldbelaidoutinannuitiesontheauthorsortheirheirs。”
“No，Edward，Ishouldhavesomethingelsetodowithit。”
“Perhaps，then，youwouldbestowitasarewardonthatpersonwhowrotetheablestdefenceofyourfavouritemaxim，thatnoonecaneverbeinlovemorethanonceintheirlife——youropiniononthatpointisunchanged，Ipresume？”
“Undoubtedly。Atmytimeoflifeopinionsaretolerablyfixed。
ItisnotlikelythatIshouldnowseeorhearanythingtochangethem。”
“Marianneisassteadfastasever，yousee，“
saidElinor，“sheisnotatallaltered。”
“Sheisonlygrownalittlemoregravethanshewas。”
“Nay，Edward，“saidMarianne，“youneednotreproachme。
Youarenotverygayyourself。”
“Whyshouldyouthinkso！”repliedhe，withasigh。
“ButgaietyneverwasapartofMYcharacter。”
“NordoIthinkitapartofMarianne’s，“saidElinor;
“Ishouldhardlycallheralivelygirl——sheisveryearnest，veryeagerinallshedoes——sometimestalksagreatdealandalwayswithanimation——butsheisnotoftenreallymerry。”
“Ibelieveyouareright，“hereplied，“andyetI
havealwayssetherdownasalivelygirl。”
“Ihavefrequentlydetectedmyselfinsuchkindofmistakes，“
saidElinor，“inatotalmisapprehensionofcharacterinsomepointorother：fancyingpeoplesomuchmoregayorgrave，oringeniousorstupidthantheyreallyare，andIcanhardlytellwhyorinwhatthedeceptionoriginated。
Sometimesoneisguidedbywhattheysayofthemselves，andveryfrequentlybywhatotherpeoplesayofthem，withoutgivingoneselftimetodeliberateandjudge。”
“ButIthoughtitwasright，Elinor，“saidMarianne，“tobeguidedwhollybytheopinionofotherpeople。
Ithoughtourjudgmentsweregivenusmerelytobesubservienttothoseofneighbours。Thishasalwaysbeenyourdoctrine，Iamsure。”
“No，Marianne，never。Mydoctrinehasneveraimedatthesubjectionoftheunderstanding。AllIhaveeverattemptedtoinfluencehasbeenthebehaviour。
Youmustnotconfoundmymeaning。Iamguilty，Iconfess，ofhavingoftenwishedyoutotreatouracquaintanceingeneralwithgreaterattention;butwhenhaveIadvisedyoutoadopttheirsentimentsortoconformtotheirjudgmentinseriousmatters？”
“Youhavenotbeenabletobringyoursisterovertoyourplanofgeneralcivility，“saidEdwardtoElinor，“Doyougainnoground？”
“Quitethecontrary，“repliedElinor，lookingexpressivelyatMarianne。
“Myjudgment，“hereturned，“isallonyoursideofthequestion;butIamafraidmypracticeismuchmoreonyoursister’s。Ineverwishtooffend，butI
amsofoolishlyshy，thatIoftenseemnegligent，whenIamonlykeptbackbymynaturalawkwardness。
IhavefrequentlythoughtthatImusthavebeenintendedbynaturetobefondoflowcompany，Iamsolittleatmyeaseamongstrangersofgentility！”
“Mariannehasnotshynesstoexcuseanyinattentionofhers，“saidElinor。
“Sheknowsherownworthtoowellforfalseshame，“
repliedEdward。”Shynessisonlytheeffectofasenseofinferiorityinsomewayorother。IfIcouldpersuademyselfthatmymannerswereperfectlyeasyandgraceful，Ishouldnotbeshy。”
“Butyouwouldstillbereserved，“saidMarianne，“andthatisworse。”
Edwardstarted——“Reserved！AmIreserved，Marianne？”
“Yes，very。”
“Idonotunderstandyou，“repliedhe，colouring。
“Reserved！——how，inwhatmanner？，WhatamItotellyou？
Whatcanyousuppose？”
Elinorlookedsurprisedathisemotion;buttryingtolaughoffthesubject，shesaidtohim，“Donotyouknowmysisterwellenoughtounderstandwhatshemeans？
Donotyouknowshecallseveryonereservedwhodoesnottalkasfast，andadmirewhatsheadmiresasrapturouslyasherself？”
Edwardmadenoanswer。Hisgravityandthoughtfulnessreturnedonhimintheirfullestextent——andhesatforsometimesilentanddull。
chapter18
CHAPTER18
Elinorsaw，withgreatuneasinessthelowspiritsofherfriend。Hisvisitaffordedherbutaverypartialsatisfaction，whilehisownenjoymentinitappearedsoimperfect。Itwasevidentthathewasunhappy;
shewisheditwereequallyevidentthathestilldistinguishedherbythesameaffectionwhichonceshehadfeltnodoubtofinspiring;buthithertothecontinuanceofhispreferenceseemedveryuncertain;
andthereservednessofhismannertowardshercontradictedonemomentwhatamoreanimatedlookhadintimatedtheprecedingone。
HejoinedherandMarianneinthebreakfast-roomthenextmorningbeforetheothersweredown;andMarianne，whowasalwayseagertopromotetheirhappinessasfarasshecould，soonleftthemtothemselves。Butbeforeshewashalfwayupstairssheheardtheparlourdooropen，and，turninground，wasastonishedtoseeEdwardhimselfcomeout。
“Iamgoingintothevillagetoseemyhorses，“
saidbe，“asyouarenotyetreadyforbreakfast;Ishallbebackagainpresently。”
***
Edwardreturnedtothemwithfreshadmirationofthesurroundingcountry;inhiswalktothevillage，hehadseenmanypartsofthevalleytoadvantage;
andthevillageitself，inamuchhighersituationthanthecottage，affordedageneralviewofthewhole，whichhadexceedinglypleasedhim。ThiswasasubjectwhichensuredMarianne’sattention，andshewasbeginningtodescribeherownadmirationofthesescenes，andtoquestionhimmoreminutelyontheobjectsthathadparticularlystruckhim，whenEdwardinterruptedherbysaying，“Youmustnotenquiretoofar，Marianne——rememberIhavenoknowledgeinthepicturesque，andIshalloffendyoubymyignoranceandwantoftasteifwecometoparticulars。Ishallcallhillssteep，whichoughttobebold;surfacesstrangeanduncouth，whichoughttobeirregularandrugged;
anddistantobjectsoutofsight，whichoughtonlytobeindistinctthroughthesoftmediumofahazyatmosphere。
YoumustbesatisfiedwithsuchadmirationasIcanhonestlygive。Icallitaveryfinecountry——thehillsaresteep，thewoodsseemfulloffinetimber，andthevalleylookscomfortableandsnug——withrichmeadowsandseveralneatfarmhousesscatteredhereandthere。Itexactlyanswersmyideaofafinecountry，becauseitunitesbeautywithutility——andIdaresayitisapicturesqueonetoo，becauseyouadmireit;Icaneasilybelieveittobefullofrocksandpromontories，greymossandbrushwood，butthesearealllostonme。
Iknownothingofthepicturesque。”
“Iamafraiditisbuttootrue，“saidMarianne;
“butwhyshouldyouboastofit？”
“Isuspect，“saidElinor，“thattoavoidonekindofaffectation，Edwardherefallsintoanother。Becausehebelievesmanypeoplepretendtomoreadmirationofthebeautiesofnaturethantheyreallyfeel，andisdisgustedwithsuchpretensions，heaffectsgreaterindifferenceandlessdiscriminationinviewingthemhimselfthanhepossesses。
Heisfastidiousandwillhaveanaffectationofhisown。”
“Itisverytrue，“saidMarianne，“thatadmirationoflandscapesceneryisbecomeamerejargon。
Everybodypretendstofeelandtriestodescribewiththetasteandeleganceofhimwhofirstdefinedwhatpicturesquebeautywas。Idetestjargonofeverykind，andsometimesIhavekeptmyfeelingstomyself，becauseIcouldfindnolanguagetodescribetheminbutwhatwaswornandhackneyedoutofallsenseandmeaning。”
“Iamconvinced，“saidEdward，“thatyoureallyfeelallthedelightinafineprospectwhichyouprofesstofeel。But，inreturn，yoursistermustallowmetofeelnomorethanIprofess。Ilikeafineprospect，butnotonpicturesqueprinciples。Idonotlikecrooked，twisted，blastedtrees。Iadmirethemmuchmoreiftheyaretall，straight，andflourishing。Idonotlikeruined，tatteredcottages。Iamnotfondofnettlesorthistles，orheathblossoms。Ihavemorepleasureinasnugfarm-housethanawatch-tower——andatroopoftidy，happyvillagespleasemebetterthanthefinestbandittiintheworld。”
MariannelookedwithamazementatEdward，withcompassionathersister。Elinoronlylaughed。
Thesubjectwascontinuednofarther;andMarianneremainedthoughtfullysilent，tillanewobjectsuddenlyengagedherattention。ShewassittingbyEdward，andintakinghisteafromMrs。Dashwood，hishandpassedsodirectlybeforeher，astomakearing，withaplaitofhairinthecentre，veryconspicuousononeofhisfingers。
“Ineversawyouweararingbefore，Edward，“
shecried。
“IsthatFanny’shair？Irememberherpromisingtogiveyousome。ButIshouldhavethoughtherhairhadbeendarker。”
Mariannespokeinconsideratelywhatshereallyfelt——
butwhenshesawhowmuchshehadpainedEdward，herownvexationatherwantofthoughtcouldnotbesurpassedbyhis。Hecolouredverydeeply，andgivingamomentaryglanceatElinor，replied，“Yes;itismysister’shair。
Thesettingalwayscastsadifferentshadeonit，youknow。”
Elinorhadmethiseye，andlookedconsciouslikewise。
Thatthehairwasherown，sheinstantaneouslyfeltaswellsatisfiedasMarianne;theonlydifferenceintheirconclusionswas，thatwhatMarianneconsideredasafreegiftfromhersister，Elinorwasconsciousmusthavebeenprocuredbysometheftorcontrivanceunknowntoherself。
Shewasnotinahumour，however，toregarditasanaffront，andaffectingtotakenonoticeofwhatpassed，byinstantlytalkingofsomethingelse，sheinternallyresolvedhenceforwardtocatcheveryopportunityofeyeingthehairandofsatisfyingherself，beyondalldoubt，thatitwasexactlytheshadeofherown。
Edward’sembarrassmentlastedsometime，anditendedinanabsenceofmindstillmoresettled。
Hewasparticularlygravethewholemorning。
Marianneseverelycensuredherselfforwhatshehadsaid;
butherownforgivenessmighthavebeenmorespeedy，hadsheknownhowlittleoffenceithadgivenhersister。
Beforethemiddleoftheday，theywerevisitedbySirJohnandMrs。Jennings，who，havingheardofthearrivalofagentlemanatthecottage，cametotakeasurveyoftheguest。Withtheassistanceofhismother-in-law，SirJohnwasnotlongindiscoveringthatthenameofFerrarsbeganwithanF。andthispreparedafuturemineofrailleryagainstthedevotedElinor，whichnothingbutthenewnessoftheiracquaintancewithEdwardcouldhavepreventedfrombeingimmediatelysprung。But，asitwas，sheonlylearned，fromsomeverysignificantlooks，howfartheirpenetration，foundedonMargaret’sinstructions，extended。
SirJohnnevercametotheDashwoodswithouteitherinvitingthemtodineattheparkthenextday，ortodrinkteawiththemthatevening。Onthepresentoccasion，forthebetterentertainmentoftheirvisitor，towardswhoseamusementhefelthimselfboundtocontribute，hewishedtoengagethemforboth。
“YouMUSTdrinkteawithustonight，“saidhe，“forweshallbequitealone——andtomorrowyoumustabsolutelydinewithus，forweshallbealargeparty。”
Mrs。Jenningsenforcedthenecessity。
“Andwhoknowsbutyoumayraiseadance，“saidshe。”AndthatwilltemptYOU，MissMarianne。”
“Adance！”criedMarianne。”Impossible！
Whoistodance？”
“Who！whyyourselves，andtheCareys，andWhitakerstobesure——What！youthoughtnobodycoulddancebecauseacertainpersonthatshallbenamelessisgone！”
“Iwishwithallmysoul，“criedSirJohn，“thatWilloughbywereamongusagain。”
This，andMarianne’sblushing，gavenewsuspicionstoEdward。”AndwhoisWilloughby？”saidhe，inalowvoice，toMissDashwood，bywhomhewassitting。
Shegavehimabriefreply。Marianne’scountenancewasmorecommunicative。Edwardsawenoughtocomprehend，notonlythemeaningofothers，butsuchofMarianne’sexpressionsashadpuzzledhimbefore;andwhentheirvisitorsleftthem，hewentimmediatelyroundher，andsaid，inawhisper，“Ihavebeenguessing。ShallItellyoumyguess？”
“Whatdoyoumean？”
“ShallItellyou。”
“Certainly。”
“Wellthen;IguessthatMr。Willoughbyhunts。”
Mariannewassurprisedandconfused，yetshecouldnothelpsmilingatthequietarchnessofhismanner，andafteramoment’ssilence，said，“Oh，Edward！Howcanyou？——ButthetimewillcomeIhope……Iamsureyouwilllikehim。”
“Idonotdoubtit，“repliedhe，ratherastonishedatherearnestnessandwarmth;forhadhenotimaginedittobeajokeforthegoodofheracquaintanceingeneral，foundedonlyonasomethingoranothingbetweenMr。Willoughbyandherself，hewouldnothaveventuredtomentionit。
chapter19
CHAPTER19
Edwardremainedaweekatthecottage;hewasearnestlypressedbyMrs。Dashwoodtostaylonger;but，asifhewerebentonlyonself-mortification，heseemedresolvedtobegonewhenhisenjoymentamonghisfriendswasattheheight。Hisspirits，duringthelasttwoorthreedays，thoughstillveryunequal，weregreatlyimproved——hegrewmoreandmorepartialtothehouseandenvirons——neverspokeofgoingawaywithoutasigh——declaredhistimetobewhollydisengaged——evendoubtedtowhatplaceheshouldgowhenheleftthem——butstill，gohemust。
Neverhadanyweekpassedsoquickly——hecouldhardlybelieveittobegone。Hesaidsorepeatedly;otherthingshesaidtoo，whichmarkedtheturnofhisfeelingsandgavethelietohisactions。HehadnopleasureatNorland;
hedetestedbeingintown;buteithertoNorlandorLondon，hemustgo。Hevaluedtheirkindnessbeyondanything，andhisgreatesthappinesswasinbeingwiththem。
Yet，hemustleavethemattheendofaweek，inspiteoftheirwishesandhisown，andwithoutanyrestraintonhistime。
Elinorplacedallthatwasastonishinginthiswayofactingtohismother’saccount;anditwashappyforherthathehadamotherwhosecharacterwassoimperfectlyknowntoher，astobethegeneralexcuseforeverythingstrangeonthepartofherson。
Disappointed，however，andvexedasshewas，andsometimesdispleasedwithhisuncertainbehaviourtoherself，shewasverywelldisposedonthewholetoregardhisactionswithallthecandidallowancesandgenerousqualifications，whichhadbeenrathermorepainfullyextortedfromher，forWilloughby’sservice，byhermother。Hiswantofspirits，ofopenness，andofconsistency，weremostusuallyattributedtohiswantofindependence，andhisbetterknowledgeofMrs。Ferrars’sdispositionanddesigns。
Theshortnessofhisvisit，thesteadinessofhispurposeinleavingthem，originatedinthesamefetteredinclination，thesameinevitablenecessityoftemporizingwithhismother。
Theoldwell-establishedgrievanceofdutyagainstwill，parentagainstchild，wasthecauseofall。Shewouldhavebeengladtoknowwhenthesedifficultiesweretocease，thisoppositionwastoyield，——whenMrs。Ferrarswouldbereformed，andhersonbeatlibertytobehappy。
ButfromsuchvainwishesshewasforcedtoturnforcomforttotherenewalofherconfidenceinEdward’saffection，totheremembranceofeverymarkofregardinlookorwordwhichfellfromhimwhileatBarton，andabovealltothatflatteringproofofitwhichheconstantlyworeroundhisfinger。
“Ithink，Edward，“saidMrs。Dashwood，astheywereatbreakfastthelastmorning，“youwouldbeahappiermanifyouhadanyprofessiontoengageyourtimeandgiveaninteresttoyourplansandactions。Someinconveniencetoyourfriends，indeed，mightresultfromit——youwouldnotbeabletogivethemsomuchofyourtime。
But(withasmile)youwouldbemateriallybenefitedinoneparticularatleast——youwouldknowwheretogowhenyouleftthem。”
“Idoassureyou，“hereplied，“thatIhavelongthoughtonthispoint，asyouthinknow。Ithasbeen，andis，andprobablywillalwaysbeaheavymisfortunetome，thatIhavehadnonecessarybusinesstoengageme，noprofessiontogivemeemployment，oraffordmeanythinglikeindependence。Butunfortunatelymyownnicety，andthenicetyofmyfriends，havemademewhatIam，anidle，helplessbeing。Wenevercouldagreeinourchoiceofaprofession。Ialwayspreferredthechurch，asIstilldo。Butthatwasnotsmartenoughformyfamily。
Theyrecommendedthearmy。Thatwasagreatdealtoosmartforme。Thelawwasallowedtobegenteelenough;manyyoungmen，whohadchambersintheTemple，madeaverygoodappearanceinthefirstcircles，anddroveabouttowninveryknowinggigs。ButIhadnoinclinationforthelaw，eveninthislessabstrusestudyofit，whichmyfamilyapproved。Asforthenavy，ithadfashiononitsside，butIwastoooldwhenthesubjectwasfirststartedtoenterit——and，atlength，astherewasnonecessityformyhavinganyprofessionatall，asImightbeasdashingandexpensivewithoutaredcoatonmybackaswithone，idlenesswaspronouncedonthewholetobemostadvantageousandhonourable，andayoungmanofeighteenisnotingeneralsoearnestlybentonbeingbusyastoresistthesolicitationsofhisfriendstodonothing。IwasthereforeenteredatOxfordandhavebeenproperlyidleeversince。”
“Theconsequenceofwhich，Isuppose，willbe，“
saidMrs。Dashwood，“sinceleisurehasnotpromotedyourownhappiness，thatyoursonswillbebroughtuptoasmanypursuits，employments，professions，andtradesasColumella’s。”
“Theywillbebroughtup，“saidhe，inaseriousaccent，“tobeasunlikemyselfasispossible。Infeeling，inaction，incondition，ineverything。”
“Come，come;thisisallaneffusionofimmediatewantofspirits，Edward。Youareinamelancholyhumour，andfancythatanyoneunlikeyourselfmustbehappy。
Butrememberthatthepainofpartingfromfriendswillbefeltbyeverybodyattimes，whateverbetheireducationorstate。Knowyourownhappiness。Youwantnothingbutpatience——orgiveitamorefascinatingname，callithope。Yourmotherwillsecuretoyou，intime，thatindependenceyouaresoanxiousfor;itisherduty，anditwill，itmusterelongbecomeherhappinesstopreventyourwholeyouthfrombeingwastedindiscontent。
Howmuchmaynotafewmonthsdo？”
“Ithink，“repliedEdward，“thatImaydefymanymonthstoproduceanygoodtome。”
Thisdespondingturnofmind，thoughitcouldnotbecommunicatedtoMrs。Dashwood，gaveadditionalpaintothemallintheparting，whichshortlytookplace，andleftanuncomfortableimpressiononElinor’sfeelingsespecially，whichrequiredsometroubleandtimetosubdue。Butasitwasherdeterminationtosubdueit，andtopreventherselffromappearingtosuffermorethanwhatallherfamilysufferedonhisgoingaway，shedidnotadoptthemethodsojudiciouslyemployedbyMarianne，onasimilaroccasion，toaugmentandfixhersorrow，byseekingsilence，solitudeandidleness。Theirmeanswereasdifferentastheirobjects，andequallysuitedtotheadvancementofeach。
Elinorsatdowntoherdrawing-tableassoonashewasoutofthehouse，busilyemployedherselfthewholeday，neithersoughtnoravoidedthementionofhisname，appearedtointerestherselfalmostasmuchaseverinthegeneralconcernsofthefamily，andif，bythisconduct，shedidnotlessenherowngrief，itwasatleastpreventedfromunnecessaryincrease，andhermotherandsistersweresparedmuchsolicitudeonheraccount。
Suchbehaviourasthis，soexactlythereverseofherown，appearednomoremeritorioustoMarianne，thanherownhadseemedfaultytoher。Thebusinessofself-commandshesettledveryeasily;——withstrongaffectionsitwasimpossible，withcalmonesitcouldhavenomerit。Thathersister’saffectionsWEREcalm，shedarednotdeny，thoughsheblushedtoacknowledgeit;
andofthestrengthofherown，shegaveaverystrikingproof，bystilllovingandrespectingthatsister，inspiteofthismortifyingconviction。
Withoutshuttingherselfupfromherfamily，orleavingthehouseindeterminedsolitudetoavoidthem，orlyingawakethewholenighttoindulgemeditation，ElinorfoundeverydayaffordedherleisureenoughtothinkofEdward，andofEdward’sbehaviour，ineverypossiblevarietywhichthedifferentstateofherspiritsatdifferenttimescouldproduce，——withtenderness，pity，approbation，censure，anddoubt。Thereweremomentsinabundance，when，ifnotbytheabsenceofhermotherandsisters，atleastbythenatureoftheiremployments，conversationwasforbiddenamongthem，andeveryeffectofsolitudewasproduced。Hermindwasinevitablyatliberty;herthoughtscouldnotbechainedelsewhere;
andthepastandthefuture，onasubjectsointeresting，mustbebeforeher，mustforceherattention，andengrosshermemory，herreflection，andherfancy。
Fromareverieofthiskind，asshesatatherdrawing-table，shewasrousedonemorning，soonafterEdward’sleavingthem，bythearrivalofcompany。
Shehappenedtobequitealone。Theclosingofthelittlegate，attheentranceofthegreencourtinfrontofthehouse，drewhereyestothewindow，andshesawalargepartywalkinguptothedoor。AmongstthemwereSirJohnandLadyMiddletonandMrs。Jennings，butthereweretwoothers，agentlemanandlady，whowerequiteunknowntoher。Shewassittingnearthewindow，andassoonasSirJohnperceivedher，helefttherestofthepartytotheceremonyofknockingatthedoor，andsteppingacrosstheturf，obligedhertoopenthecasementtospeaktohim，thoughthespacewassoshortbetweenthedoorandthewindow，astomakeithardlypossibletospeakatonewithoutbeingheardattheother。
“Well，“saidhe，“wehavebroughtyousomestrangers。
Howdoyoulikethem？”
“Hush！theywillhearyou。”
“Nevermindiftheydo。ItisonlythePalmers。
Charlotteisverypretty，Icantellyou。Youmayseeherifyoulookthisway。”
AsElinorwascertainofseeingherinacoupleofminutes，withouttakingthatliberty，shebeggedtobeexcused。
“WhereisMarianne？Hassherunawaybecausewearecome？Iseeherinstrumentisopen。”
“Sheiswalking，Ibelieve。”
TheywerenowjoinedbyMrs。Jennings，whohadnotpatienceenoughtowaittillthedoorwasopenedbeforeshetoldHERstory。Shecamehallooingtothewindow，“Howdoyoudo，mydear？，HowdoesMrs。Dashwooddo？
Andwhereareyoursisters？，What！allalone！youwillbegladofalittlecompanytositwithyou。
Ihavebroughtmyothersonanddaughtertoseeyou。
Onlythinkoftheircomingsosuddenly！，IthoughtIheardacarriagelastnight，whileweweredrinkingourtea，butitneverenteredmyheadthatitcouldbethem。
IthoughtofnothingbutwhetheritmightnotbeColonelBrandoncomebackagain;soIsaidtoSirJohn，IdothinkIhearacarriage;perhapsitisColonelBrandoncomebackagain“——
Elinorwasobligedtoturnfromher，inthemiddleofherstory，toreceivetherestoftheparty;LadyMiddletonintroducedthetwostrangers;Mrs。DashwoodandMargaretcamedownstairsatthesametime，andtheyallsatdowntolookatoneanother，whileMrs。Jenningscontinuedherstoryasshewalkedthroughthepassageintotheparlour，attendedbySirJohn。
Mrs。PalmerwasseveralyearsyoungerthanLadyMiddleton，andtotallyunlikeherineveryrespect。
Shewasshortandplump，hadaveryprettyface，andthefinestexpressionofgoodhumourinitthatcouldpossiblybe。Hermannerswerebynomeanssoelegantashersister’s，buttheyweremuchmoreprepossessing。
Shecameinwithasmile，smiledallthetimeofhervisit，exceptwhenshelaughed，andsmiledwhenshewentaway。
Herhusbandwasagravelookingyoungmanoffiveorsixandtwenty，withanairofmorefashionandsensethanhiswife，butoflesswillingnesstopleaseorbepleased。
Heenteredtheroomwithalookofself-consequence，slightlybowedtotheladies，withoutspeakingaword，and，afterbrieflysurveyingthemandtheirapartments，tookupanewspaperfromthetable，andcontinuedtoreaditaslongashestaid。
Mrs。Palmer，onthecontrary，whowasstronglyendowedbynaturewithaturnforbeinguniformlycivilandhappy，washardlyseatedbeforeheradmirationoftheparlourandeverythinginitburstforth。
“Well！whatadelightfulroomthisis！Ineversawanythingsocharming！，Onlythink，Mamma，howitisimprovedsinceIwasherelast！Ialwaysthoughtitsuchasweetplace，ma’am！(turningtoMrs。Dashwood)
butyouhavemadeitsocharming！，Onlylook，sister，howdelightfuleverythingis！HowIshouldlikesuchahouseformyself！，Shouldnotyou，Mr。Palmer？”
Mr。Palmermadehernoanswer，anddidnotevenraisehiseyesfromthenewspaper。
“Mr。Palmerdoesnothearme，“saidshe，laughing;
“heneverdoessometimes。Itissoridiculous！”
ThiswasquiteanewideatoMrs。Dashwood;
shehadneverbeenusedtofindwitintheinattentionofanyone，andcouldnothelplookingwithsurpriseatthemboth。
Mrs。Jennings，inthemeantime，talkedonasloudasshecould，andcontinuedheraccountoftheirsurprise，theeveningbefore，onseeingtheirfriends，withoutceasingtilleverythingwastold。Mrs。Palmerlaughedheartilyattherecollectionoftheirastonishment，andeverybodyagreed，twoorthreetimesover，thatithadbeenquiteanagreeablesurprise。
“Youmaybelievehowgladweallweretoseethem，“
addedMrs。Jennings，leaningforwardtowardsElinor，andspeakinginalowvoiceasifshemeanttobeheardbynooneelse，thoughtheywereseatedondifferentsidesoftheroom;“but，however，Ican’thelpwishingtheyhadnottravelledquitesofast，normadesuchalongjourneyofit，fortheycameallroundbyLondonuponaccountofsomebusiness，foryouknow(noddingsignificantlyandpointingtoherdaughter)itwaswronginhersituation。
Iwantedhertostayathomeandrestthismorning，butshewouldcomewithus;shelongedsomuchtoseeyouall！”
Mrs。Palmerlaughed，andsaiditwouldnotdoheranyharm。
“SheexpectstobeconfinedinFebruary，“
continuedMrs。Jennings。
LadyMiddletoncouldnolongerenduresuchaconversation，andthereforeexertedherselftoaskMr。Palmeriftherewasanynewsinthepaper。
“No，noneatall，“hereplied，andreadon。
“HerecomesMarianne，“criedSirJohn。
“Now，Palmer，youshallseeamonstrousprettygirl。”
Heimmediatelywentintothepassage，openedthefrontdoor，andusheredherinhimself。Mrs。Jenningsaskedher，assoonassheappeared，ifshehadnotbeentoAllenham;
andMrs。Palmerlaughedsoheartilyatthequestion，astoshowsheunderstoodit。Mr。Palmerlookeduponherenteringtheroom，staredathersomeminutes，andthenreturnedtohisnewspaper。Mrs。Palmer’seyewasnowcaughtbythedrawingswhichhungroundtheroom。
Shegotuptoexaminethem。
“Oh！dear，howbeautifultheseare！，Well！
howdelightful！
Dobutlook，mama，howsweet！Ideclaretheyarequitecharming;
Icouldlookatthemforever。”Andthensittingdownagain，sheverysoonforgotthattherewereanysuchthingsintheroom。
WhenLadyMiddletonrosetogoaway，Mr。Palmerrosealso，laiddownthenewspaper，stretchedhimselfandlookedatthemallaround。
“Mylove，haveyoubeenasleep？”saidhiswife，laughing。
Hemadehernoanswer;andonlyobserved，afteragainexaminingtheroom，thatitwasverylowpitched，andthattheceilingwascrooked。Hethenmadehisbow，anddepartedwiththerest。
SirJohnhadbeenveryurgentwiththemalltospendthenextdayatthepark。Mrs。Dashwood，whodidnotchusetodinewiththemoftenerthantheydinedatthecottage，absolutelyrefusedonherownaccount;
herdaughtersmightdoastheypleased。ButtheyhadnocuriositytoseehowMr。andMrs。Palmeratetheirdinner，andnoexpectationofpleasurefromtheminanyotherway。
Theyattempted，therefore，likewise，toexcusethemselves;
theweatherwasuncertain，andnotlikelytobegood。
ButSirJohnwouldnotbesatisfied——thecarriageshouldbesentforthemandtheymustcome。LadyMiddletontoo，thoughshedidnotpresstheirmother，pressedthem。
Mrs。JenningsandMrs。Palmerjoinedtheirentreaties，allseemedequallyanxioustoavoidafamilyparty;andtheyoungladieswereobligedtoyield。
“Whyshouldtheyaskus？”saidMarianne，assoonastheyweregone。”Therentofthiscottageissaidtobelow;
butwehaveitonveryhardterms，ifwearetodineattheparkwheneveranyoneisstayingeitherwiththem，orwithus。”
“Theymeannolesstobecivilandkindtousnow，“
saidElinor，“bythesefrequentinvitations，thanbythosewhichwereceivedfromthemafewweeksago。
Thealterationisnotinthem，iftheirpartiesaregrowntediousanddull。Wemustlookforthechangeelsewhere。”
chapter20
CHAPTER20
AstheMissDashwoodsenteredthedrawing-roomoftheparkthenextday，atonedoor，Mrs。Palmercamerunninginattheother，lookingasgoodhumouredandmerryasbefore。
Shetookthemallmostaffectionatelybythehand，andexpressedgreatdelightinseeingthemagain。
“Iamsogladtoseeyou！”saidshe，seatingherselfbetweenElinorandMarianne，“foritissobadadayIwasafraidyoumightnotcome，whichwouldbeashockingthing，aswegoawayagaintomorrow。Wemustgo，fortheWestonscometousnextweekyouknow。Itwasquiteasuddenthingourcomingatall，andIknewnothingofittillthecarriagewascomingtothedoor，andthenMr。PalmeraskedmeifI
wouldgowithhimtoBarton。Heissodroll！Henevertellsmeanything！Iamsosorrywecannotstaylonger;
howeverweshallmeetagainintownverysoon，Ihope。”
Theywereobligedtoputanendtosuchanexpectation。
“Notgototown！”criedMrs。Palmer，withalaugh，“Ishallbequitedisappointedifyoudonot。Icouldgetthenicesthouseinworldforyou，nextdoortoours，inHanover-square。Youmustcome，indeed。IamsureIshallbeveryhappytochaperonyouatanytimetillIamconfined，ifMrs。Dashwoodshouldnotliketogointopublic。”
Theythankedher;butwereobligedtoresistallherentreaties。
“Oh，mylove，“criedMrs。Palmertoherhusband，whojustthenenteredtheroom——“youmusthelpmetopersuadetheMissDashwoodstogototownthiswinter。”
Herlovemadenoanswer;andafterslightlybowingtotheladies，begancomplainingoftheweather。
“Howhorridallthisis！”saidhe。”Suchweathermakeseverythingandeverybodydisgusting。Dullnessisasmuchproducedwithindoorsaswithout，byrain。
Itmakesonedetestallone’sacquaintance。WhatthedevildoesSirJohnmeanbynothavingabilliardroominhishouse？，Howfewpeopleknowwhatcomfortis！，SirJohnisasstupidastheweather。”
Therestofthecompanysoondroptin。
“Iamafraid，MissMarianne，“saidSirJohn，“youhavenotbeenabletotakeyourusualwalktoAllenhamtoday。”
Mariannelookedverygraveandsaidnothing。
“Oh，don’tbesoslybeforeus，“saidMrs。
Palmer;
“forweknowallaboutit，Iassureyou;andIadmireyourtasteverymuch，forIthinkheisextremelyhandsome。
Wedonotliveagreatwayfromhiminthecountry，youknow。
Notabovetenmiles，Idaresay。”
“Muchnearerthirty，“saidherhusband。
“Ah，well！thereisnotmuchdifference。
Ineverwasathishouse;buttheysayitisasweetprettyplace。”
“AsvileaspotasIeversawinmylife，“
saidMr。Palmer。
Marianneremainedperfectlysilent，thoughhercountenancebetrayedherinterestinwhatwassaid。
“Isitveryugly？”continuedMrs。Palmer——“thenitmustbesomeotherplacethatissoprettyIsuppose。”
Whentheywereseatedinthediningroom，SirJohnobservedwithregretthattheywereonlyeightalltogether。
“Mydear，“saidhetohislady，“itisveryprovokingthatweshouldbesofew。WhydidnotyouasktheGilbertstocometoustoday？”
“DidnotItellyou，SirJohn，whenyouspoketomeaboutitbefore，thatitcouldnotbedone？，Theydinedwithuslast。”
“YouandI，SirJohn，“saidMrs。Jennings，“shouldnotstanduponsuchceremony。”
“Thenyouwouldbeveryill-bred，“criedMr。
Palmer。
“Myloveyoucontradicteverybody，“saidhiswifewithherusuallaugh。”Doyouknowthatyouarequiterude？”
“IdidnotknowIcontradictedanybodyincallingyourmotherill-bred。”
“Ay，youmayabusemeasyouplease，“saidthegood-naturedoldlady，“youhavetakenCharlotteoffmyhands，andcannotgiveherbackagain。SothereIhavethewhiphandofyou。”
Charlottelaughedheartilytothinkthatherhusbandcouldnotgetridofher;andexultinglysaid，shedidnotcarehowcrosshewastoher，astheymustlivetogether。Itwasimpossibleforanyonetobemorethoroughlygood-natured，ormoredeterminedtobehappythanMrs。Palmer。Thestudiedindifference，insolence，anddiscontentofherhusbandgavehernopain;
andwhenhescoldedorabusedher，shewashighlydiverted。
“Mr。Palmerissodroll！”saidshe，inawhisper，toElinor。”Heisalwaysoutofhumour。”
Elinorwasnotinclined，afteralittleobservation，togivehimcreditforbeingsogenuinelyandunaffectedlyill-naturedorill-bredashewishedtoappear。
Histempermightperhapsbealittlesouredbyfinding，likemanyothersofhissex，thatthroughsomeunaccountablebiasinfavourofbeauty，hewasthehusbandofaverysillywoman，——butsheknewthatthiskindofblunderwastoocommonforanysensiblemantobelastinglyhurtbyit——
Itwasratherawishofdistinction，shebelieved，whichproducedhiscontemptuoustreatmentofeverybody，andhisgeneralabuseofeverythingbeforehim。
Itwasthedesireofappearingsuperiortootherpeople。
Themotivewastoocommontobewonderedat;butthemeans，howevertheymightsucceedbyestablishinghissuperiorityinill-breeding，werenotlikelytoattachanyonetohimexcepthiswife。
“Oh，mydearMissDashwood，“saidMrs。Palmersoonafterwards，“Ihavegotsuchafavourtoaskofyouandyoursister。
WillyoucomeandspendsometimeatClevelandthisChristmas？，Now，praydo，——andcomewhiletheWestonsarewithus。YoucannotthinkhowhappyIshallbe！，Itwillbequitedelightful！——Mylove，“applyingtoherhusband，“don’tyoulongtohavetheMissDashwoodscometoCleveland？”
“Certainly，“hereplied，withasneer——“IcameintoDevonshirewithnootherview。”
“Therenow，“——saidhislady，“youseeMr。Palmerexpectsyou;soyoucannotrefusetocome。”
Theybotheagerlyandresolutelydeclinedherinvitation。
“Butindeedyoumustandshallcome。
Iamsureyouwilllikeitofallthings。TheWestonswillbewithus，anditwillbequitedelightful。YoucannotthinkwhatasweetplaceClevelandis;andwearesogaynow，forMr。Palmerisalwaysgoingaboutthecountrycanvassingagainsttheelection;andsomanypeoplecametodinewithusthatIneversawbefore，itisquitecharming！，But，poorfellow！itisveryfatiguingtohim！forheisforcedtomakeeverybodylikehim。”
Elinorcouldhardlykeephercountenanceassheassentedtothehardshipofsuchanobligation。
“Howcharmingitwillbe，“saidCharlotte，“whenheisinParliament！——won’tit？HowIshalllaugh！，ItwillbesoridiculoustoseeallhislettersdirectedtohimwithanM。P——Butdoyouknow，hesays，hewillneverfrankforme？，Hedeclareshewon’t。Don’tyou，Mr。Palmer？”
Mr。Palmertooknonoticeofher。
“Hecannotbearwriting，youknow，“shecontinued——
“hesaysitisquiteshocking。”
“No，“saidhe，“Ineversaidanythingsoirrational。
Don’tpalmallyourabusesoflanguagesuponme。”
“Therenow;youseehowdrollheis。
Thisisalwaysthewaywithhim！，Sometimeshewon’tspeaktomeforhalfadaytogether，andthenhecomesoutwithsomethingsodroll——allaboutanythingintheworld。”
ShesurprisedElinorverymuchastheyreturnedintothedrawing-room，byaskingherwhethershedidnotlikeMr。Palmerexcessively。
“Certainly，“saidElinor;“heseemsveryagreeable。”
“Well——Iamsogladyoudo。Ithoughtyouwould，heissopleasant;andMr。PalmerisexcessivelypleasedwithyouandyoursistersIcantellyou，andyoucan’tthinkhowdisappointedhewillbeifyoudon’tcometoCleveland——Ican’timaginewhyyoushouldobjecttoit。”
Elinorwasagainobligedtodeclineherinvitation;
andbychangingthesubject，putastoptoherentreaties。
