chapter25
CHAPTER25
ThoughMrs。Jenningswasinthehabitofspendingalargeportionoftheyearatthehousesofherchildrenandfriends，shewasnotwithoutasettledhabitationofherown。
Sincethedeathofherhusband，whohadtradedwithsuccessinalesselegantpartofthetown，shehadresidedeverywinterinahouseinoneofthestreetsnearPortmanSquare。
Towardsthishome，shebeganontheapproachofJanuarytoturnherthoughts，andthithersheonedayabruptly，andveryunexpectedlybythem，askedtheelderMissesDashwoodtoaccompanyher。Elinor，withoutobservingthevaryingcomplexionofhersister，andtheanimatedlookwhichspokenoindifferencetotheplan，immediatelygaveagratefulbutabsolutedenialforboth，inwhichshebelievedherselftobespeakingtheirunitedinclinations。
Thereasonallegedwastheirdeterminedresolutionofnotleavingtheirmotheratthattimeoftheyear。
Mrs。Jenningsreceivedtherefusalwithsomesurprise，andrepeatedherinvitationimmediately。
“Oh，Lord！Iamsureyourmothercanspareyouverywell，andIDObegyouwillfavourmewithyourcompany，forI’vequitesetmyheartuponit。
Don’tfancythatyouwillbeanyinconveniencetome，forIshan’tputmyselfatalloutofmywayforyou。
ItwillonlybesendingBettybythecoach，andI
hopeIcanaffordTHAT。Wethreeshallbeabletogoverywellinmychaise;andwhenweareintown，ifyoudonotliketogowhereverIdo，wellandgood，youmayalwaysgowithoneofmydaughters。Iamsureyourmotherwillnotobjecttoit;forIhavehadsuchgoodluckingettingmyownchildrenoffmyhandsthatshewillthinkmeaveryfitpersontohavethechargeofyou;
andifIdon’tgetoneofyouatleastwellmarriedbeforeIhavedonewithyou，itshallnotbemyfault。
Ishallspeakagoodwordforyoutoalltheyoungmen，youmaydependuponit。”
“Ihaveanotion，“saidSirJohn，“thatMissMariannewouldnotobjecttosuchascheme，ifhereldersisterwouldcomeintoit。Itisveryhardindeedthatsheshouldnothavealittlepleasure，becauseMissDashwooddoesnotwishit。SoIwouldadviseyoutwo，tosetofffortown，whenyouaretiredofBarton，withoutsayingawordtoMissDashwoodaboutit。”
“Nay，“criedMrs。Jennings，“IamsureIshallbemonstrousgladofMissMarianne’scompany，whetherMissDashwoodwillgoornot，onlythemorethemerriersayI，andIthoughtitwouldbemorecomfortableforthemtobetogether;because，iftheygottiredofme，theymighttalktooneanother，andlaughatmyoldwaysbehindmyback。
Butoneortheother，ifnotbothofthem，Imusthave。
Lordblessme！howdoyouthinkIcanlivepokingbymyself，IwhohavebeenalwaysusedtillthiswintertohaveCharlottewithme。Come，MissMarianne，letusstrikehandsuponthebargain，andifMissDashwoodwillchangehermindbyandbye，whysomuchthebetter。”
“Ithankyou，ma’am，sincerelythankyou，“
saidMarianne，withwarmth：“yourinvitationhasinsuredmygratitudeforever，anditwouldgivemesuchhappiness，yes，almostthegreatesthappinessIamcapableof，tobeabletoacceptit。
Butmymother，mydearest，kindestmother，——IfeelthejusticeofwhatElinorhasurged，andifsheweretobemadelesshappy，lesscomfortablebyourabsence——Oh！no，nothingshouldtemptmetoleaveher。Itshouldnot，mustnotbeastruggle。”
Mrs。JenningsrepeatedherassurancethatMrs。
Dashwoodcouldsparethemperfectlywell;andElinor，whonowunderstoodhersister，andsawtowhatindifferencetoalmosteverythingelseshewascarriedbyhereagernesstobewithWilloughbyagain，madenofartherdirectoppositiontotheplan，andmerelyreferredittohermother’sdecision，fromwhomhowevershescarcelyexpectedtoreceiveanysupportinherendeavourtopreventavisit，whichshecouldnotapproveofforMarianne，andwhichonherownaccountshehadparticularreasonstoavoid。
WhateverMariannewasdesirousof，hermotherwouldbeeagertopromote——shecouldnotexpecttoinfluencethelattertocautiousnessofconductinanaffairrespectingwhichshehadneverbeenabletoinspireherwithdistrust;andshedarednotexplainthemotiveofherowndisinclinationforgoingtoLondon。ThatMarianne，fastidiousasshewas，thoroughlyacquaintedwithMrs。Jennings’manners，andinvariablydisgustedbythem，shouldoverlookeveryinconvenienceofthatkind，shoulddisregardwhatevermustbemostwoundingtoherirritablefeelings，inherpursuitofoneobject，wassuchaproof，sostrong，sofull，oftheimportanceofthatobjecttoher，asElinor，inspiteofallthathadpassed，wasnotpreparedtowitness。
Onbeinginformedoftheinvitation，Mrs。Dashwood，persuadedthatsuchanexcursionwouldbeproductiveofmuchamusementtobothherdaughters，andperceivingthroughallheraffectionateattentiontoherself，howmuchtheheartofMariannewasinit，wouldnothearoftheirdecliningtheofferuponHERaccount;insistedontheirbothacceptingitdirectly;andthenbegantoforesee，withherusualcheerfulness，avarietyofadvantagesthatwouldaccruetothemall，fromthisseparation。
“Iamdelightedwiththeplan，“shecried，“itisexactlywhatIcouldwish。MargaretandIshallbeasmuchbenefitedbyitasyourselves。WhenyouandtheMiddletonsaregone，weshallgoonsoquietlyandhappilytogetherwithourbooksandourmusic！YouwillfindMargaretsoimprovedwhenyoucomebackagain！
Ihavealittleplanofalterationforyourbedroomstoo，whichmaynowbeperformedwithoutanyinconveniencetoanyone。ItisveryrightthatyouSHOULDgototown;
IwouldhaveeveryyoungwomanofyourconditioninlifeacquaintedwiththemannersandamusementsofLondon。
Youwillbeunderthecareofamotherlygoodsortofwoman，ofwhosekindnesstoyouIcanhavenodoubt。
Andinallprobabilityyouwillseeyourbrother，andwhatevermaybehisfaults，orthefaultsofhiswife，whenIconsiderwhosesonheis，Icannotbeartohaveyousowhollyestrangedfromeachother。”
“Thoughwithyourusualanxietyforourhappiness，“
saidElinor，“youhavebeenobviatingeveryimpedimenttothepresentschemewhichoccurredtoyou，thereisstilloneobjectionwhich，inmyopinion，cannotbesoeasilyremoved。”
Marianne’scountenancesunk。
“Andwhat，“saidMrs。Dashwood，“ismydearprudentElinorgoingtosuggest？，Whatformidableobstacleisshenowtobringforward？，Doletmehearawordabouttheexpenseofit。”
“Myobjectionisthis;thoughIthinkverywellofMrs。Jennings’sheart，sheisnotawomanwhosesocietycanafforduspleasure，orwhoseprotectionwillgiveusconsequence。”
“Thatisverytrue，“repliedhermother，“butofhersociety，separatelyfromthatofotherpeople，youwillscarcelyhaveanythingatall，andyouwillalmostalwaysappearinpublicwithLadyMiddleton。”
“IfElinorisfrightenedawaybyherdislikeofMrs。Jennings，“saidMarianne，“atleastitneednotpreventMYacceptingherinvitation。Ihavenosuchscruples，andIamsureIcouldputupwitheveryunpleasantnessofthatkindwithverylittleeffort。”
Elinorcouldnothelpsmilingatthisdisplayofindifferencetowardsthemannersofaperson，towhomshehadoftenhaddifficultyinpersuadingMariannetobehavewithtolerablepoliteness;andresolvedwithinherself，thatifhersisterpersistedingoing，shewouldgolikewise，asshedidnotthinkitproperthatMarianneshouldbelefttothesoleguidanceofherownjudgment，orthatMrs。JenningsshouldbeabandonedtothemercyofMarianneforallthecomfortofherdomestichours。
Tothisdeterminationshewasthemoreeasilyreconciled，byrecollectingthatEdwardFerrars，byLucy’saccount，wasnottobeintownbeforeFebruary;andthattheirvisit，withoutanyunreasonableabridgement，mightbepreviouslyfinished。
“IwillhaveyouBOTHgo，“saidMrs。Dashwood;
“theseobjectionsarenonsensical。YouwillhavemuchpleasureinbeinginLondon，andespeciallyinbeingtogether;
andifElinorwouldevercondescendtoanticipateenjoyment，shewouldforeseeittherefromavarietyofsources;
shewould，perhaps，expectsomefromimprovingheracquaintancewithhersister-in-law’sfamily。”
Elinorhadoftenwishedforanopportunityofattemptingtoweakenhermother’sdependenceontheattachmentofEdwardandherself，thattheshockmightbelesswhenthewholetruthwererevealed，andnowonthisattack，thoughalmosthopelessofsuccess，sheforcedherselftobeginherdesignbysaying，ascalmlyasshecould，“IlikeEdwardFerrarsverymuch，andshallalwaysbegladtoseehim;butastotherestofthefamily，itisamatterofperfectindifferencetome，whetherIameverknowntothemornot。”
Mrs。Dashwoodsmiled，andsaidnothing。
Mariannelifteduphereyesinastonishment，andElinorconjecturedthatshemightaswellhaveheldhertongue。
Afterverylittlefartherdiscourse，itwasfinallysettledthattheinvitationshouldbefullyaccepted。
Mrs。Jenningsreceivedtheinformationwithagreatdealofjoy，andmanyassurancesofkindnessandcare;
norwasitamatterofpleasuremerelytoher。SirJohnwasdelighted;fortoaman，whoseprevailinganxietywasthedreadofbeingalone，theacquisitionoftwo，tothenumberofinhabitantsinLondon，wassomething。
EvenLadyMiddletontookthetroubleofbeingdelighted，whichwasputtingherselfratheroutofherway;
andasfortheMissSteeles，especiallyLucy，theyhadneverbeensohappyintheirlivesasthisintelligencemadethem。
Elinorsubmittedtothearrangementwhichcounteractedherwisheswithlessreluctancethanshehadexpectedtofeel。Withregardtoherself，itwasnowamatterofunconcernwhethershewenttotownornot，andwhenshesawhermothersothoroughlypleasedwiththeplan，andhersisterexhilaratedbyitinlook，voice，andmanner，restoredtoallherusualanimation，andelevatedtomorethanherusualgaiety，shecouldnotbedissatisfiedwiththecause，andwouldhardlyallowherselftodistrusttheconsequence。
Marianne’sjoywasalmostadegreebeyondhappiness，sogreatwastheperturbationofherspiritsandherimpatiencetobegone。Herunwillingnesstoquithermotherwasheronlyrestorativetocalmness;andatthemomentofpartinghergriefonthatscorewasexcessive。
Hermother’safflictionwashardlyless，andElinorwastheonlyoneofthethree，whoseemedtoconsidertheseparationasanythingshortofeternal。
TheirdeparturetookplaceinthefirstweekinJanuary。
TheMiddletonsweretofollowinaboutaweek。TheMissSteeleskepttheirstationatthepark，andweretoquititonlywiththerestofthefamily。
chapter26
CHAPTER26
ElinorcouldnotfindherselfinthecarriagewithMrs。Jennings，andbeginningajourneytoLondonunderherprotection，andasherguest，withoutwonderingatherownsituation，soshorthadtheiracquaintancewiththatladybeen，sowhollyunsuitedweretheyinageanddisposition，andsomanyhadbeenherobjectionsagainstsuchameasureonlyafewdaysbefore！Buttheseobjectionshadall，withthathappyardourofyouthwhichMarianneandhermotherequallyshared，beenovercomeoroverlooked;andElinor，inspiteofeveryoccasionaldoubtofWilloughby’sconstancy，couldnotwitnesstheraptureofdelightfulexpectationwhichfilledthewholesoulandbeamedintheeyesofMarianne，withoutfeelinghowblankwasherownprospect，howcheerlessherownstateofmindinthecomparison，andhowgladlyshewouldengageinthesolicitudeofMarianne’ssituationtohavethesameanimatingobjectinview，thesamepossibilityofhope。Ashort，averyshorttimehowevermustnowdecidewhatWilloughby’sintentionswere;inallprobabilityhewasalreadyintown。
Marianne’seagernesstobegonedeclaredherdependenceonfindinghimthere;andElinorwasresolvednotonlyupongainingeverynewlightastohischaracterwhichherownobservationortheintelligenceofotherscouldgiveher，butlikewiseuponwatchinghisbehaviourtohersisterwithsuchzealousattention，astoascertainwhathewasandwhathemeant，beforemanymeetingshadtakenplace。
Shouldtheresultofherobservationsbeunfavourable，shewasdeterminedatalleventstoopentheeyesofhersister;shoulditbeotherwise，herexertionswouldbeofadifferentnature——shemustthenlearntoavoideveryselfishcomparison，andbanisheveryregretwhichmightlessenhersatisfactioninthehappinessofMarianne。
Theywerethreedaysontheirjourney，andMarianne’sbehaviourastheytravelledwasahappyspecimenofwhatfuturecomplaisanceandcompanionablenesstoMrs。Jenningsmightbeexpectedtobe。Shesatinsilencealmostalltheway，wraptinherownmeditations，andscarcelyevervoluntarilyspeaking，exceptwhenanyobjectofpicturesquebeautywithintheirviewdrewfromheranexclamationofdelightexclusivelyaddressedtohersister。Toatoneforthisconducttherefore，Elinortookimmediatepossessionofthepostofcivilitywhichshehadassignedherself，behavedwiththegreatestattentiontoMrs。Jennings，talkedwithher，laughedwithher，andlistenedtoherwhenevershecould;andMrs。Jenningsonhersidetreatedthembothwithallpossiblekindness，wassolicitousoneveryoccasionfortheireaseandenjoyment，andonlydisturbedthatshecouldnotmakethemchoosetheirowndinnersattheinn，norextortaconfessionoftheirpreferringsalmontocod，orboiledfowlstovealcutlets。
Theyreachedtownbythreeo’clockthethirdday，gladtobereleased，aftersuchajourney，fromtheconfinementofacarriage，andreadytoenjoyalltheluxuryofagoodfire。
Thehousewashandsome，andhandsomelyfittedup，andtheyoungladieswereimmediatelyputinpossessionofaverycomfortableapartment。IthadformerlybeenCharlotte’s，andoverthemantelpiecestillhungalandscapeincolouredsilksofherperformance，inproofofherhavingspentsevenyearsatagreatschoolintowntosomeeffect。
Asdinnerwasnottobereadyinlessthantwohoursfromtheirarrival，Elinordeterminedtoemploytheintervalinwritingtohermother，andsatdownforthatpurpose。InafewmomentsMariannedidthesame。
“Iamwritinghome，Marianne，“saidElinor;“hadnotyoubetterdeferyourletterforadayortwo？”
“IamNOTgoingtowritetomymother，“
repliedMarianne，hastily，andasifwishingtoavoidanyfartherinquiry。Elinorsaidnomore;itimmediatelystruckherthatshemustthenbewritingtoWilloughby;
andtheconclusionwhichasinstantlyfollowedwas，that，howevermysteriouslytheymightwishtoconducttheaffair，theymustbeengaged。Thisconviction，thoughnotentirelysatisfactory，gaveherpleasure，andshecontinuedherletterwithgreateralacrity。
Marianne’swasfinishedinaveryfewminutes;
inlengthitcouldbenomorethananote;itwasthenfoldedup，sealed，anddirectedwitheagerrapidity。
ElinorthoughtshecoulddistinguishalargeWinthedirection;andnosoonerwasitcompletethanMarianne，ringingthebell，requestedthefootmanwhoansweredittogetthatletterconveyedforhertothetwo-pennypost。
Thisdecidedthematteratonce。
Herspiritsstillcontinuedveryhigh;buttherewasaflutterinthemwhichpreventedtheirgivingmuchpleasuretohersister，andthisagitationincreasedastheeveningdrewon。Shecouldscarcelyeatanydinner，andwhentheyafterwardsreturnedtothedrawingroom，seemedanxiouslylisteningtothesoundofeverycarriage。
ItwasagreatsatisfactiontoElinorthatMrs。Jennings，bybeingmuchengagedinherownroom，couldseelittleofwhatwaspassing。Theteathingswerebroughtin，andalreadyhadMariannebeendisappointedmorethanoncebyarapataneighbouringdoor，whenaloudonewassuddenlyheardwhichcouldnotbemistakenforoneatanyotherhouse，ElinorfeltsecureofitsannouncingWilloughby’sapproach，andMarianne，startingup，movedtowardsthedoor。
Everythingwassilent;thiscouldnotbebornemanyseconds;
sheopenedthedoor，advancedafewstepstowardsthestairs，andafterlisteninghalfaminute，returnedintotheroominalltheagitationwhichaconvictionofhavingheardhimwouldnaturallyproduce;intheecstasyofherfeelingsatthatinstantshecouldnothelpexclaiming，“Oh，Elinor，itisWilloughby，indeeditis！”andseemedalmostreadytothrowherselfintohisarms，whenColonelBrandonappeared。
Itwastoogreatashocktobebornewithcalmness，andsheimmediatelylefttheroom。Elinorwasdisappointedtoo;
butatthesametimeherregardforColonelBrandonensuredhiswelcomewithher;andshefeltparticularlyhurtthatamansopartialtohersistershouldperceivethatsheexperiencednothingbutgriefanddisappointmentinseeinghim。
Sheinstantlysawthatitwasnotunnoticedbyhim，thatheevenobservedMarianneasshequittedtheroom，withsuchastonishmentandconcern，ashardlylefthimtherecollectionofwhatcivilitydemandedtowardsherself。
“Isyoursisterill？”saidhe。
Elinoransweredinsomedistressthatshewas，andthentalkedofhead-aches，lowspirits，andoverfatigues;
andofeverythingtowhichshecoulddecentlyattributehersister’sbehaviour。
Heheardherwiththemostearnestattention，butseemingtorecollecthimself，saidnomoreonthesubject，andbegandirectlytospeakofhispleasureatseeingtheminLondon，makingtheusualinquiriesabouttheirjourney，andthefriendstheyhadleftbehind。
Inthiscalmkindofway，withverylittleinterestoneitherside，theycontinuedtotalk，bothofthemoutofspirits，andthethoughtsofbothengagedelsewhere。
ElinorwishedverymuchtoaskwhetherWilloughbywerethenintown，butshewasafraidofgivinghimpainbyanyenquiryafterhisrival;andatlength，bywayofsayingsomething，sheaskedifhehadbeeninLondoneversinceshehadseenhimlast。”Yes，“hereplied，withsomeembarrassment，“almosteversince;IhavebeenonceortwiceatDelafordforafewdays，butithasneverbeeninmypowertoreturntoBarton。”
This，andthemannerinwhichitwassaid，immediatelybroughtbacktoherremembranceallthecircumstancesofhisquittingthatplace，withtheuneasinessandsuspicionstheyhadcausedtoMrs。Jennings，andshewasfearfulthatherquestionhadimpliedmuchmorecuriosityonthesubjectthanshehadeverfelt。
Mrs。Jenningssooncamein。”Oh！Colonel，“
saidshe，withherusualnoisycheerfulness，“Iammonstrousgladtoseeyou——sorryIcouldnotcomebefore——begyourpardon，butIhavebeenforcedtolookaboutmealittle，andsettlemymatters;foritisalongwhilesinceI
havebeenathome，andyouknowonehasalwaysaworldoflittleoddthingstodoafteronehasbeenawayforanytime;andthenIhavehadCartwrighttosettlewith——
Lord，Ihavebeenasbusyasabeeeversincedinner！
Butpray，Colonel，howcameyoutoconjureoutthatIshouldbeintowntoday？”
“IhadthepleasureofhearingitatMr。Palmer’s，whereIhavebeendining。”
“Oh，youdid;well，andhowdotheyalldoattheirhouse？，HowdoesCharlottedo？，Iwarrantyousheisafinesizebythistime。”
“Mrs。Palmerappearedquitewell，andIamcommissionedtotellyou，thatyouwillcertainlyseeherto-morrow。”
“Ay，tobesure，Ithoughtasmuch。Well，Colonel，Ihavebroughttwoyoungladieswithme，yousee——thatis，youseebutoneofthemnow，butthereisanothersomewhere。
Yourfriend，MissMarianne，too——whichyouwillnotbesorrytohear。IdonotknowwhatyouandMr。Willoughbywilldobetweenyouabouther。Ay，itisafinethingtobeyoungandhandsome。Well！Iwasyoungonce，butI
neverwasveryhandsome——worseluckforme。However，Igotaverygoodhusband，andIdon’tknowwhatthegreatestbeautycandomore。Ah！poorman！hehasbeendeadtheseeightyearsandbetter。ButColonel，wherehaveyoubeentosinceweparted？，Andhowdoesyourbusinessgoon？，Come，come，let’shavenosecretsamongfriends。”
Herepliedwithhisaccustomarymildnesstoallherinquiries，butwithoutsatisfyingherinany。
Elinornowbegantomakethetea，andMariannewasobligedtoappearagain。
Afterherentrance，ColonelBrandonbecamemorethoughtfulandsilentthanhehadbeenbefore，andMrs。Jenningscouldnotprevailonhimtostaylong。
Noothervisitorappearedthatevening，andtheladieswereunanimousinagreeingtogoearlytobed。
Mariannerosethenextmorningwithrecoveredspiritsandhappylooks。Thedisappointmentoftheeveningbeforeseemedforgottenintheexpectationofwhatwastohappenthatday。TheyhadnotlongfinishedtheirbreakfastbeforeMrs。Palmer’sbarouchestoppedatthedoor，andinafewminutesshecamelaughingintotheroom：sodelightedtoseethemall，thatitwashardtosaywhethershereceivedmostpleasurefrommeetinghermotherortheMissDashwoodsagain。Sosurprisedattheircomingtotown，thoughitwaswhatshehadratherexpectedallalong;
soangryattheiracceptinghermother’sinvitationafterhavingdeclinedherown，thoughatthesametimeshewouldneverhaveforgiventhemiftheyhadnotcome！
“Mr。Palmerwillbesohappytoseeyou，“
saidshe;“WhatdoyouthinkhesaidwhenheheardofyourcomingwithMamma？，Iforgetwhatitwasnow，butitwassomethingsodroll！”
Afteranhourortwospentinwhathermothercalledcomfortablechat，orinotherwords，ineveryvarietyofinquiryconcerningalltheiracquaintanceonMrs。Jennings’sside，andinlaughterwithoutcauseonMrs。Palmer’s，itwasproposedbythelatterthattheyshouldallaccompanyhertosomeshopswhereshehadbusinessthatmorning，towhichMrs。JenningsandElinorreadilyconsented，ashavinglikewisesomepurchasestomakethemselves;
andMarianne，thoughdecliningitatfirstwasinducedtogolikewise。
Wherevertheywent，shewasevidentlyalwaysonthewatch。InBondStreetespecially，wheremuchoftheirbusinesslay，hereyeswereinconstantinquiry;
andinwhatevershopthepartywereengaged，hermindwasequallyabstractedfromeverythingactuallybeforethem，fromallthatinterestedandoccupiedtheothers。
Restlessanddissatisfiedeverywhere，hersistercouldneverobtainheropinionofanyarticleofpurchase，howeveritmightequallyconcernthemboth：shereceivednopleasurefromanything;wasonlyimpatienttobeathomeagain，andcouldwithdifficultygovernhervexationatthetediousnessofMrs。Palmer，whoseeyewascaughtbyeverythingpretty，expensive，ornew;whowaswildtobuyall，coulddetermineonnone，anddawdledawayhertimeinraptureandindecision。
Itwaslateinthemorningbeforetheyreturnedhome;
andnosoonerhadtheyenteredthehousethanMariannefleweagerlyupstairs，andwhenElinorfollowed，shefoundherturningfromthetablewithasorrowfulcountenance，whichdeclaredthatnoWilloughbyhadbeenthere。
“Hasnoletterbeenlefthereformesincewewentout？”
saidshetothefootmanwhothenenteredwiththeparcels。
Shewasansweredinthenegative。”Areyouquitesureofit？”shereplied。”Areyoucertainthatnoservant，noporterhasleftanyletterornote？”
Themanrepliedthatnonehad。
“Howveryodd！”saidshe，inalowanddisappointedvoice，assheturnedawaytothewindow。
“Howodd，indeed！”repeatedElinorwithinherself，regardinghersisterwithuneasiness。”Ifshehadnotknownhimtobeintownshewouldnothavewrittentohim，asshedid;shewouldhavewrittentoCombeMagna;
andifheisintown，howoddthatheshouldneithercomenorwrite！，Oh！mydearmother，youmustbewronginpermittinganengagementbetweenadaughtersoyoung，amansolittleknown，tobecarriedoninsodoubtful，somysteriousamanner！，Ilongtoinquire;andhowwillMY
interferencebeborne。”
Shedetermined，aftersomeconsideration，thatifappearancescontinuedmanydayslongerasunpleasantastheynowwere，shewouldrepresentinthestrongestmannertohermotherthenecessityofsomeseriousenquiryintotheaffair。
Mrs。PalmerandtwoelderlyladiesofMrs。
Jennings’sintimateacquaintance，whomshehadmetandinvitedinthemorning，dinedwiththem。Theformerleftthemsoonafterteatofulfillhereveningengagements;
andElinorwasobligedtoassistinmakingawhisttablefortheothers。Mariannewasofnouseontheseoccasions，asshewouldneverlearnthegame;butthoughhertimewasthereforeatherowndisposal，theeveningwasbynomeansmoreproductiveofpleasuretoherthantoElinor，foritwasspentinalltheanxietyofexpectationandthepainofdisappointment。Shesometimesendeavouredforafewminutestoread;butthebookwassoonthrownaside，andshereturnedtothemoreinterestingemploymentofwalkingbackwardsandforwardsacrosstheroom，pausingforamomentwhenevershecametothewindow，inhopesofdistinguishingthelong-expectedrap。
chapter27
CHAPTER27
“Ifthisopenweatherholdsmuchlonger，“saidMrs。Jennings，whentheymetatbreakfastthefollowingmorning，“SirJohnwillnotlikeleavingBartonnextweek;
’tisasadthingforsportsmentoloseaday’spleasure。
Poorsouls！，Ialwayspitythemwhentheydo;theyseemtotakeitsomuchtoheart。”
“Thatistrue，“criedMarianne，inacheerfulvoice，andwalkingtothewindowasshespoke，toexaminetheday。
“Ihadnotthoughtofthat。Thisweatherwillkeepmanysportsmeninthecountry。”
Itwasaluckyrecollection，allhergoodspiritswererestoredbyit。”ItischarmingweatherforTHEMindeed，“
shecontinued，asshesatdowntothebreakfasttablewithahappycountenance。”Howmuchtheymustenjoyit！But“(withalittlereturnofanxiety)“itcannotbeexpectedtolastlong。Atthistimeoftheyear，andaftersuchaseriesofrain，weshallcertainlyhaveverylittlemoreofit。Frostswillsoonsetin，andinallprobabilitywithseverity。Inanotherdayortwoperhaps;thisextrememildnesscanhardlylastlonger——nay，perhapsitmayfreezetonight！”
“Atanyrate，“saidElinor，wishingtopreventMrs。Jenningsfromseeinghersister’sthoughtsasclearlyasshedid，“IdaresayweshallhaveSirJohnandLadyMiddletonintownbytheendofnextweek。”
“Ay，mydear，I’llwarrantyouwedo。
Maryalwayshasherownway。”
“Andnow，“silentlyconjecturedElinor，“shewillwritetoCombebythisday’spost。”
ButifsheDID，theletterwaswrittenandsentawaywithaprivacywhicheludedallherwatchfulnesstoascertainthefact。Whateverthetruthofitmightbe，andfarasElinorwasfromfeelingthoroughcontentmentaboutit，yetwhileshesawMarianneinspirits，shecouldnotbeveryuncomfortableherself。AndMariannewasinspirits;
happyinthemildnessoftheweather，andstillhappierinherexpectationofafrost。
ThemorningwaschieflyspentinleavingcardsatthehousesofMrs。Jennings’sacquaintancetoinformthemofherbeingintown;andMariannewasallthetimebusyinobservingthedirectionofthewind，watchingthevariationsoftheskyandimagininganalterationintheair。
“Don’tyoufinditcolderthanitwasinthemorning，Elinor？Thereseemstomeaverydecideddifference。
Icanhardlykeepmyhandswarmeveninmymuff。Itwasnotsoyesterday，Ithink。Thecloudsseempartingtoo，thesunwillbeoutinamoment，andweshallhaveaclearafternoon。”
Elinorwasalternatelydivertedandpained;
butMariannepersevered，andsaweverynightinthebrightnessofthefire，andeverymorningintheappearanceoftheatmosphere，thecertainsymptomsofapproachingfrost。
TheMissDashwoodshadnogreaterreasontobedissatisfiedwithMrs。Jennings’sstyleofliving，andsetofacquaintance，thanwithherbehaviourtothemselves，whichwasinvariablykind。Everythinginherhouseholdarrangementswasconductedonthemostliberalplan，andexceptingafewoldcityfriends，whom，toLadyMiddleton’sregret，shehadneverdropped，shevisitednoonetowhomanintroductioncouldatalldiscomposethefeelingsofheryoungcompanions。Pleasedtofindherselfmorecomfortablysituatedinthatparticularthanshehadexpected，Elinorwasverywillingtocompoundforthewantofmuchrealenjoymentfromanyoftheireveningparties，which，whetherathomeorabroad，formedonlyforcards，couldhavelittletoamuseher。
ColonelBrandon，whohadageneralinvitationtothehouse，waswiththemalmosteveryday;hecametolookatMarianneandtalktoElinor，whooftenderivedmoresatisfactionfromconversingwithhimthanfromanyotherdailyoccurrence，butwhosawatthesametimewithmuchconcernhiscontinuedregardforhersister。
Shefeareditwasastrengtheningregard。ItgrievedhertoseetheearnestnesswithwhichheoftenwatchedMarianne，andhisspiritswerecertainlyworsethanwhenatBarton。
Aboutaweekaftertheirarrival，itbecamecertainthatWilloughbywasalsoarrived。Hiscardwasonthetablewhentheycameinfromthemorning’sdrive。
“GoodGod！”criedMarianne，“hehasbeenherewhilewewereout。”，Elinor，rejoicedtobeassuredofhisbeinginLondon，nowventuredtosay，“Dependuponit，hewillcallagaintomorrow。”，ButMarianneseemedhardlytohearher，andonMrs。Jenning’sentrance，escapedwiththepreciouscard。
Thisevent，whileitraisedthespiritsofElinor，restoredtothoseofhersisterall，andmorethanall，theirformeragitation。Fromthismomenthermindwasneverquiet;theexpectationofseeinghimeveryhouroftheday，madeherunfitforanything。Sheinsistedonbeingleftbehind，thenextmorning，whentheotherswentout。
Elinor’sthoughtswerefullofwhatmightbepassinginBerkeleyStreetduringtheirabsence;butamoment’sglanceathersisterwhentheyreturnedwasenoughtoinformher，thatWilloughbyhadpaidnosecondvisitthere。
Anotewasjustthenbroughtin，andlaidonthetable，“Forme！”criedMarianne，steppinghastilyforward。
“No，ma’am，formymistress。”
ButMarianne，notconvinced，tookitinstantlyup。
“ItisindeedforMrs。Jennings;howprovoking！”
“Youareexpectingaletter，then？”saidElinor，unabletobelongersilent。
“Yes，alittle——notmuch。”
Afterashortpause。”Youhavenoconfidenceinme，Marianne。”
“Nay，Elinor，thisreproachfromYOU——youwhohaveconfidenceinnoone！”
“Me！”returnedElinorinsomeconfusion;“indeed，Marianne，Ihavenothingtotell。”
“NorI，“answeredMariannewithenergy，“oursituationsthenarealike。Wehaveneitherofusanythingtotell;
you，becauseyoudonotcommunicate，andI，becauseIconcealnothing。”
Elinor，distressedbythischargeofreserveinherself，whichshewasnotatlibertytodoaway，knewnothow，undersuchcircumstances，topressforgreateropennessinMarianne。
Mrs。Jenningssoonappeared，andthenotebeinggivenher，shereaditaloud。ItwasfromLadyMiddleton，announcingtheirarrivalinConduitStreetthenightbefore，andrequestingthecompanyofhermotherandcousinsthefollowingevening。BusinessonSirJohn’spart，andaviolentcoldonherown，preventedtheircallinginBerkeleyStreet。Theinvitationwasaccepted;
butwhenthehourofappointmentdrewnear，necessaryasitwasincommoncivilitytoMrs。Jennings，thattheyshouldbothattendheronsuchavisit，Elinorhadsomedifficultyinpersuadinghersistertogo，forstillshehadseennothingofWilloughby;andthereforewasnotmoreindisposedforamusementabroad，thanunwillingtoruntheriskofhiscallingagaininherabsence。
Elinorfound，whentheeveningwasover，thatdispositionisnotmateriallyalteredbyachangeofabode，foralthoughscarcelysettledintown，SirJohnhadcontrivedtocollectaroundhim，nearlytwentyyoungpeople，andtoamusethemwithaball。Thiswasanaffair，however，ofwhichLadyMiddletondidnotapprove。
Inthecountry，anunpremeditateddancewasveryallowable;
butinLondon，wherethereputationofelegancewasmoreimportantandlesseasilyattained，itwasriskingtoomuchforthegratificationofafewgirls，tohaveitknownthatLadyMiddletonhadgivenasmalldanceofeightorninecouple，withtwoviolins，andamereside-boardcollation。
Mr。andMrs。Palmerwereoftheparty;fromtheformer，whomtheyhadnotseenbeforesincetheirarrivalintown，ashewascarefultoavoidtheappearanceofanyattentiontohismother-in-law，andthereforenevercamenearher，theyreceivednomarkofrecognitionontheirentrance。
Helookedatthemslightly，withoutseemingtoknowwhotheywere，andmerelynoddedtoMrs。Jenningsfromtheothersideoftheroom。Mariannegaveoneglanceroundtheapartmentassheentered：itwasenough——HE
wasnotthere——andshesatdown，equallyill-disposedtoreceiveorcommunicatepleasure。Aftertheyhadbeenassembledaboutanhour，Mr。PalmersaunteredtowardstheMissDashwoodstoexpresshissurpriseonseeingthemintown，thoughColonelBrandonhadbeenfirstinformedoftheirarrivalathishouse，andhehadhimselfsaidsomethingverydrollonhearingthattheyweretocome。
“IthoughtyouwerebothinDevonshire，“saidhe。
“Didyou？”repliedElinor。
“Whendoyougobackagain？”
“Idonotknow。”Andthusendedtheirdiscourse。
NeverhadMariannebeensounwillingtodanceinherlife，asshewasthatevening，andneversomuchfatiguedbytheexercise。ShecomplainedofitastheyreturnedtoBerkeleyStreet。
“Aye，aye，“saidMrs。Jennings，“weknowthereasonofallthatverywell;ifacertainpersonwhoshallbenameless，hadbeenthere，youwouldnothavebeenabittired：andtosaythetruthitwasnotveryprettyofhimnottogiveyouthemeetingwhenhewasinvited。”
“Invited！”criedMarianne。
“SomydaughterMiddletontoldme，foritseemsSirJohnmethimsomewhereinthestreetthismorning。”
Mariannesaidnomore，butlookedexceedinglyhurt。
Impatientinthissituationtobedoingsomethingthatmightleadtohersister’srelief，Elinorresolvedtowritethenextmorningtohermother，andhopedbyawakeningherfearsforthehealthofMarianne，toprocurethoseinquirieswhichhadbeensolongdelayed;
andshewasstillmoreeagerlybentonthismeasurebyperceivingafterbreakfastonthemorrow，thatMariannewasagainwritingtoWilloughby，forshecouldnotsupposeittobetoanyotherperson。
Aboutthemiddleoftheday，Mrs。Jenningswentoutbyherselfonbusiness，andElinorbeganherletterdirectly，whileMarianne，toorestlessforemployment，tooanxiousforconversation，walkedfromonewindowtotheother，orsatdownbythefireinmelancholymeditation。
Elinorwasveryearnestinherapplicationtohermother，relatingallthathadpassed，hersuspicionsofWilloughby’sinconstancy，urgingherbyeverypleaofdutyandaffectiontodemandfromMarianneanaccountofherrealsituationwithrespecttohim。
Herletterwasscarcelyfinished，whenarapforetoldavisitor，andColonelBrandonwasannounced。
Marianne，whohadseenhimfromthewindow，andwhohatedcompanyofanykind，lefttheroombeforeheenteredit。
Helookedmorethanusuallygrave，andthoughexpressingsatisfactionatfindingMissDashwoodalone，asifhehadsomewhatinparticulartotellher，satforsometimewithoutsayingaword。Elinor，persuadedthathehadsomecommunicationtomakeinwhichhersisterwasconcerned，impatientlyexpecteditsopening。
Itwasnotthefirsttimeofherfeelingthesamekindofconviction;for，morethanoncebefore，beginningwiththeobservationof“yoursisterlooksunwellto-day，“
or“yoursisterseemsoutofspirits，“hehadappearedonthepoint，eitherofdisclosing，orofinquiring，somethingparticularabouther。Afterapauseofseveralminutes，theirsilencewasbroken，byhisaskingherinavoiceofsomeagitation，whenhewastocongratulateherontheacquisitionofabrother？，Elinorwasnotpreparedforsuchaquestion，andhavingnoanswerready，wasobligedtoadoptthesimpleandcommonexpedient，ofaskingwhathemeant？，Hetriedtosmileashereplied，“yoursister’sengagementtoMr。Willoughbyisverygenerallyknown。”
“Itcannotbegenerallyknown，“returnedElinor，“forherownfamilydonotknowit。”
Helookedsurprisedandsaid，“Ibegyourpardon，Iamafraidmyinquiryhasbeenimpertinent;butIhadnotsupposedanysecrecyintended，astheyopenlycorrespond，andtheirmarriageisuniversallytalkedof。”
“Howcanthatbe？Bywhomcanyouhavehearditmentioned？”
“Bymany——bysomeofwhomyouknownothing，byotherswithwhomyouaremostintimate，Mrs。Jennings，Mrs。Palmer，andtheMiddletons。ButstillImightnothavebelievedit，forwherethemindisperhapsratherunwillingtobeconvinced，itwillalwaysfindsomethingtosupportitsdoubts，ifIhadnot，whentheservantletmeintoday，accidentallyseenaletterinhishand，directedtoMr。Willoughbyinyoursister’swriting。Icametoinquire，butIwasconvincedbeforeIcouldaskthequestion。
Iseverythingfinallysettled？，Isitimpossibleto-？
ButIhavenoright，andIcouldhavenochanceofsucceeding。
Excuseme，MissDashwood。IbelieveIhavebeenwronginsayingsomuch，butIhardlyknowwhattodo，andonyourprudenceIhavethestrongestdependence。Tellmethatitisallabsolutelyresolvedon，thatanyattempt，thatinshortconcealment，ifconcealmentbepossible，isallthatremains。”
Thesewords，whichconveyedtoElinoradirectavowalofhisloveforhersister，affectedherverymuch。
Shewasnotimmediatelyabletosayanything，andevenwhenherspiritswererecovered，shedebatedforashorttime，ontheansweritwouldbemostpropertogive。
TherealstateofthingsbetweenWilloughbyandhersisterwassolittleknowntoherself，thatinendeavouringtoexplainit，shemightbeasliabletosaytoomuchastoolittle。YetasshewasconvincedthatMarianne’saffectionforWilloughby，couldleavenohopeofColonelBrandon’ssuccess，whatevertheeventofthataffectionmightbe，andatthesametimewishedtoshieldherconductfromcensure，shethoughtitmostprudentandkind，aftersomeconsideration，tosaymorethanshereallykneworbelieved。Sheacknowledged，therefore，thatthoughshehadneverbeeninformedbythemselvesofthetermsonwhichtheystoodwitheachother，oftheirmutualaffectionshehadnodoubt，andoftheircorrespondenceshewasnotastonishedtohear。
Helistenedtoherwithsilentattention，andonherceasingtospeak，rosedirectlyfromhisseat，andaftersayinginavoiceofemotion，“toyoursisterIwishallimaginablehappiness;toWilloughbythathemayendeavourtodeserveher，“——tookleave，andwentaway。
Elinorderivednocomfortablefeelingsfromthisconversation，tolessentheuneasinessofhermindonotherpoints;shewasleft，onthecontrary，withamelancholyimpressionofColonelBrandon’sunhappiness，andwaspreventedevenfromwishingitremoved，byheranxietyfortheveryeventthatmustconfirmit。
chapter28
CHAPTER28
Nothingoccurredduringthenextthreeorfourdays，tomakeElinorregretwhatshehaddone，inapplyingtohermother;forWilloughbyneithercamenorwrote。
TheywereengagedabouttheendofthattimetoattendLadyMiddletontoaparty，fromwhichMrs。Jenningswaskeptawaybytheindispositionofheryoungestdaughter;
andforthisparty，Marianne，whollydispirited，carelessofherappearance，andseemingequallyindifferentwhethershewentorstaid，prepared，withoutonelookofhopeoroneexpressionofpleasure。Shesatbythedrawing-roomfireaftertea，tillthemomentofLadyMiddleton’sarrival，withoutoncestirringfromherseat，oralteringherattitude，lostinherownthoughts，andinsensibleofhersister’spresence;andwhenatlasttheyweretoldthatLadyMiddletonwaitedforthematthedoor，shestartedasifshehadforgottenthatanyonewasexpected。
Theyarrivedinduetimeattheplaceofdestination，andassoonasthestringofcarriagesbeforethemwouldallow，alighted，ascendedthestairs，heardtheirnamesannouncedfromonelanding-placetoanotherinanaudiblevoice，andenteredaroomsplendidlylitup，quitefullofcompany，andinsufferablyhot。Whentheyhadpaidtheirtributeofpolitenessbycurtsyingtotheladyofthehouse，theywerepermittedtomingleinthecrowd，andtaketheirshareoftheheatandinconvenience，towhichtheirarrivalmustnecessarilyadd。Aftersometimespentinsayinglittleordoingless，LadyMiddletonsatdowntoCassino，andasMariannewasnotinspiritsformovingabout，sheandElinorluckilysucceedingtochairs，placedthemselvesatnogreatdistancefromthetable。
Theyhadnotremainedinthismannerlong，beforeElinorperceivedWilloughby，standingwithinafewyardsofthem，inearnestconversationwithaveryfashionablelookingyoungwoman。Shesooncaughthiseye，andheimmediatelybowed，butwithoutattemptingtospeaktoher，ortoapproachMarianne，thoughhecouldnotbutseeher;
andthencontinuedhisdiscoursewiththesamelady。
ElinorturnedinvoluntarilytoMarianne，toseewhetheritcouldbeunobservedbyher。Atthatmomentshefirstperceivedhim，andherwholecountenanceglowingwithsuddendelight，shewouldhavemovedtowardshiminstantly，hadnothersistercaughtholdofher。
“Goodheavens！”sheexclaimed，“heisthere——heisthere——Oh！whydoeshenotlookatme？whycannotIspeaktohim？”
“Pray，praybecomposed，“criedElinor，“anddonotbetraywhatyoufeeltoeverybodypresent。
Perhapshehasnotobservedyouyet。”
Thishoweverwasmorethanshecouldbelieveherself;
andtobecomposedatsuchamomentwasnotonlybeyondthereachofMarianne，itwasbeyondherwish。Shesatinanagonyofimpatiencewhichaffectedeveryfeature。
Atlastheturnedroundagain，andregardedthemboth;
shestartedup，andpronouncinghisnameinatoneofaffection，heldoutherhandtohim。Heapproached，andaddressinghimselfrathertoElinorthanMarianne，asifwishingtoavoidhereye，anddeterminednottoobserveherattitude，inquiredinahurriedmannerafterMrs。Dashwood，andaskedhowlongtheyhadbeenintown。
Elinorwasrobbedofallpresenceofmindbysuchanaddress，andwasunabletosayaword。Butthefeelingsofhersisterwereinstantlyexpressed。Herfacewascrimsonedover，andsheexclaimed，inavoiceofthegreatestemotion，“GoodGod！Willoughby，whatisthemeaningofthis？
Haveyounotreceivedmyletters？，Willyounotshakehandswithme？”
Hecouldnotthenavoidit，buthertouchseemedpainfultohim，andheheldherhandonlyforamoment。
Duringallthistimehewasevidentlystrugglingforcomposure。
Elinorwatchedhiscountenanceandsawitsexpressionbecomingmoretranquil。Afteramoment’spause，hespokewithcalmness。
“IdidmyselfthehonourofcallinginBerkeleyStreetlastTuesday，andverymuchregrettedthatIwasnotfortunateenoughtofindyourselvesandMrs。Jenningsathome。Mycardwasnotlost，Ihope。”
“Buthaveyounotreceivedmynotes？”criedMarianneinthewildestanxiety。”HereissomemistakeIamsure——somedreadfulmistake。Whatcanbethemeaningofit？，Tellme，Willoughby;forheaven’ssaketellme，whatisthematter？”
Hemadenoreply;hiscomplexionchangedandallhisembarrassmentreturned;butasif，oncatchingtheeyeoftheyoungladywithwhomhehadbeenpreviouslytalking，hefeltthenecessityofinstantexertion，herecoveredhimselfagain，andaftersaying，“Yes，Ihadthepleasureofreceivingtheinformationofyourarrivalintown，whichyouweresogoodastosendme，“turnedhastilyawaywithaslightbowandjoinedhisfriend。
Marianne，nowlookingdreadfullywhite，andunabletostand，sunkintoherchair，andElinor，expectingeverymomenttoseeherfaint，triedtoscreenherfromtheobservationofothers，whilerevivingherwithlavenderwater。
“Gotohim，Elinor，“shecried，assoonasshecouldspeak，“andforcehimtocometome。TellhimImustseehimagain——mustspeaktohiminstantly——
Icannotrest——Ishallnothaveamoment’speacetillthisisexplained——somedreadfulmisapprehensionorother——
Ohgotohimthismoment。”
“Howcanthatbedone？No，mydearestMarianne，youmustwait。Thisisnottheplaceforexplanations。
Waitonlytilltomorrow。”
Withdifficultyhowevercouldshepreventherfromfollowinghimherself;andtopersuadehertocheckheragitation，towait，atleast，withtheappearanceofcomposure，tillshemightspeaktohimwithmoreprivacyandmoreeffect，wasimpossible;forMariannecontinuedincessantlytogivewayinalowvoicetothemiseryofherfeelings，byexclamationsofwretchedness。
InashorttimeElinorsawWilloughbyquittheroombythedoortowardsthestaircase，andtellingMariannethathewasgone，urgedtheimpossibilityofspeakingtohimagainthatevening，asafreshargumentforhertobecalm。
SheinstantlybeggedhersisterwouldentreatLadyMiddletontotakethemhome，asshewastoomiserabletostayaminutelonger。
LadyMiddleton，thoughinthemiddleofarubber，onbeinginformedthatMariannewasunwell，wastoopolitetoobjectforamomenttoherwishofgoingaway，andmakingoverhercardstoafriend，theydepartedassoonthecarriagecouldbefound。ScarcelyawordwasspokenduringtheirreturntoBerkeleyStreet。
Mariannewasinasilentagony，toomuchoppressedevenfortears;butasMrs。Jenningswasluckilynotcomehome，theycouldgodirectlytotheirownroom，wherehartshornrestoredheralittletoherself。Shewassoonundressedandinbed，andassheseemeddesirousofbeingalone，hersisterthenlefther，andwhileshewaitedthereturnofMrs。Jennings，hadleisureenoughforthinkingoverthepast。
ThatsomekindofengagementhadsubsistedbetweenWilloughbyandMarianneshecouldnotdoubt，andthatWilloughbywaswearyofit，seemedequallyclear;
forhoweverMariannemightstillfeedherownwishes，SHEcouldnotattributesuchbehaviourtomistakeormisapprehensionofanykind。Nothingbutathoroughchangeofsentimentcouldaccountforit。Herindignationwouldhavebeenstillstrongerthanitwas，hadshenotwitnessedthatembarrassmentwhichseemedtospeakaconsciousnessofhisownmisconduct，andpreventedherfrombelievinghimsounprincipledastohavebeensportingwiththeaffectionsofhersisterfromthefirst，withoutanydesignthatwouldbearinvestigation。
Absencemighthaveweakenedhisregard，andconveniencemighthavedeterminedhimtoovercomeit，butthatsucharegardhadformerlyexistedshecouldnotbringherselftodoubt。
AsforMarianne，onthepangswhichsounhappyameetingmustalreadyhavegivenher，andonthosestillmoreseverewhichmightawaitherinitsprobableconsequence，shecouldnotreflectwithoutthedeepestconcern。
Herownsituationgainedinthecomparison;forwhileshecouldESTEEMEdwardasmuchasever，howevertheymightbedividedinfuture，hermindmightbealwayssupported。
ButeverycircumstancethatcouldembittersuchanevilseemedunitingtoheightenthemiseryofMarianneinafinalseparationfromWilloughby——inanimmediateandirreconcilablerupturewithhim。
chapter29
CHAPTER29
Beforethehouse-maidhadlittheirfirethenextday，orthesungainedanypoweroveracold，gloomymorninginJanuary，Marianne，onlyhalfdressed，waskneelingagainstoneofthewindow-seatsforthesakeofallthelittlelightshecouldcommandfromit，andwritingasfastasacontinualflowoftearswouldpermither。
Inthissituation，Elinor，rousedfromsleepbyheragitationandsobs，firstperceivedher;andafterobservingherforafewmomentswithsilentanxiety，said，inatoneofthemostconsiderategentleness，“Marianne，mayIask-？”
“No，Elinor，“shereplied，“asknothing;youwillsoonknowall。”
Thesortofdesperatecalmnesswithwhichthiswassaid，lastednolongerthanwhileshespoke，andwasimmediatelyfollowedbyareturnofthesameexcessiveaffliction。
Itwassomeminutesbeforeshecouldgoonwithherletter，andthefrequentburstsofgriefwhichstillobligedher，atintervals，towithholdherpen，wereproofsenoughofherfeelinghowmorethanprobableitwasthatshewaswritingforthelasttimetoWilloughby。
Elinorpaidhereveryquietandunobtrusiveattentioninherpower;andshewouldhavetriedtosoothandtranquilizeherstillmore，hadnotMarianneentreatedher，withalltheeagernessofthemostnervousirritability，nottospeaktoherfortheworld。Insuchcircumstances，itwasbetterforboththattheyshouldnotbelongtogether;
andtherestlessstateofMarianne’smindnotonlypreventedherfromremainingintheroomamomentaftershewasdressed，butrequiringatoncesolitudeandcontinualchangeofplace，madeherwanderaboutthehousetillbreakfasttime，avoidingthesightofeverybody。
Atbreakfastsheneitherate，norattemptedtoeatanything;andElinor’sattentionwasthenallemployed，notinurgingher，notinpityingher，norinappearingtoregardher，butinendeavouringtoengageMrs。Jenning’snoticeentirelytoherself。
AsthiswasafavouritemealwithMrs。Jennings，itlastedaconsiderabletime，andtheywerejustsettingthemselves，afterit，roundthecommonworkingtable，whenaletterwasdeliveredtoMarianne，whichsheeagerlycaughtfromtheservant，and，turningofadeath-likepaleness，instantlyranoutoftheroom。Elinor，whosawasplainlybythis，asifshehadseenthedirection，thatitmustcomefromWilloughby，feltimmediatelysuchasicknessatheartasmadeherhardlyabletoholdupherhead，andsatinsuchageneraltremourasmadeherfearitimpossibletoescapeMrs。Jenning’snotice。Thatgoodlady，however，sawonlythatMariannehadreceivedaletterfromWilloughby，whichappearedtoheraverygoodjoke，andwhichshetreatedaccordingly，byhoping，withalaugh，thatshewouldfindittoherliking。OfElinor’sdistress，shewastoobusilyemployedinmeasuringlengthsofworstedforherrug，toseeanythingatall;andcalmlycontinuinghertalk，assoonasMariannedisappeared，shesaid，“Uponmyword，Ineversawayoungwomansodesperatelyinloveinmylife！，MYgirlswerenothingtoher，andyettheyusedtobefoolishenough;butasforMissMarianne，sheisquiteanalteredcreature。
Ihope，fromthebottomofmyheart，hewon’tkeepherwaitingmuchlonger，foritisquitegrievoustoseeherlooksoillandforlorn。Pray，whenaretheytobemarried？”
Elinor，thoughneverlessdisposedtospeakthanatthatmoment，obligedherselftoanswersuchanattackasthis，and，therefore，tryingtosmile，replied，“Andhaveyoureally，Ma’am，talkedyourselfintoapersuasionofmysister’sbeingengagedtoMr。Willoughby？，Ithoughtithadbeenonlyajoke，butsoseriousaquestionseemstoimplymore;andImustbeg，therefore，thatyouwillnotdeceiveyourselfanylonger。Idoassureyouthatnothingwouldsurprisememorethantohearoftheirbeinggoingtobemarried。”
“Forshame，forshame，MissDashwood！howcanyoutalkso？，Don’tweallknowthatitmustbeamatch，thattheywereoverheadandearsinlovewitheachotherfromthefirstmomenttheymet？，DidnotIseethemtogetherinDevonshireeveryday，andalldaylong;anddidnotI
knowthatyoursistercametotownwithmeonpurposetobuyweddingclothes？，Come，come，thiswon’tdo。
Becauseyouaresoslyaboutityourself，youthinknobodyelsehasanysenses;butitisnosuchthing，Icantellyou，forithasbeenknownallovertownthiseversolong。
ItelleverybodyofitandsodoesCharlotte。”
“Indeed，Ma’am，“saidElinor，veryseriously，“youaremistaken。Indeed，youaredoingaveryunkindthinginspreadingthereport，andyouwillfindthatyouhavethoughyouwillnotbelievemenow。”
Mrs。Jenningslaughedagain，butElinorhadnotspiritstosaymore，andeageratalleventstoknowwhatWilloughbyhadwritten，hurriedawaytotheirroom，where，onopeningthedoor，shesawMariannestretchedonthebed，almostchokedbygrief，oneletterinherhand，andtwoorthreeotherslayingbyher。Elinordrewnear，butwithoutsayingaword;andseatingherselfonthebed，tookherhand，kissedheraffectionatelyseveraltimes，andthengavewaytoaburstoftears，whichatfirstwasscarcelylessviolentthanMarianne’s。Thelatter，thoughunabletospeak，seemedtofeelallthetendernessofthisbehaviour，andaftersometimethusspentinjointaffliction，sheputallthelettersintoElinor’shands;
andthencoveringherfacewithherhandkerchief，almostscreamedwithagony。Elinor，whoknewthatsuchgrief，shockingasitwastowitnessit，musthaveitscourse，watchedbyhertillthisexcessofsufferinghadsomewhatspentitself，andthenturningeagerlytoWilloughby’sletter，readasfollows：
“BondStreet，January。
“MYDEARMADAM，“Ihavejusthadthehonourofreceivingyourletter，forwhichIbegtoreturnmysincereacknowledgments。Iammuchconcernedtofindtherewasanythinginmybehaviourlastnightthatdidnotmeetyourapprobation;andthoughIamquiteatalosstodiscoverinwhatpointIcouldbesounfortunateastooffendyou，IentreatyourforgivenessofwhatIcanassureyoutohavebeenperfectlyunintentional。IshallneverreflectonmyformeracquaintancewithyourfamilyinDevonshirewithoutthemostgratefulpleasure，andflattermyselfitwillnotbebrokenbyanymistakeormisapprehensionofmyactions。Myesteemforyourwholefamilyisverysincere;butifIhavebeensounfortunateastogiverisetoabeliefofmorethanIfelt，ormeanttoexpress，Ishallreproachmyselffornothavingbeenmoreguardedinmyprofessionsofthatesteem。ThatIshouldeverhavemeantmoreyouwillallowtobeimpossible，whenyouunderstandthatmyaffectionshavebeenlongengagedelsewhere，anditwillnotbemanyweeks，Ibelieve，beforethisengagementisfulfilled。ItiswithgreatregretthatIobeyyourcommandsinreturningtheletterswithwhichIhavebeenhonouredfromyou，andthelockofhair，whichyousoobliginglybestowedonme。
“Iam，dearMadam，“Yourmostobedient，“humbleservant，“JOHNWILLOUGHBY。”
WithwhatindignationsuchaletterasthismustbereadbyMissDashwood，maybeimagined。Thoughaware，beforeshebeganit，thatitmustbringaconfessionofhisinconstancy，andconfirmtheirseparationforever，shewasnotawarethatsuchlanguagecouldbesufferedtoannounceit;norcouldshehavesupposedWilloughbycapableofdepartingsofarfromtheappearanceofeveryhonourableanddelicatefeeling——sofarfromthecommondecorumofagentleman，astosendalettersoimpudentlycruel：aletterwhich，insteadofbringingwithhisdesireofareleaseanyprofessionsofregret，acknowledgednobreachoffaith，deniedallpeculiaraffectionwhatever——
aletterofwhicheverylinewasaninsult，andwhichproclaimeditswritertobedeepinhardenedvillainy。
Shepausedoveritforsometimewithindignantastonishment;thenreaditagainandagain;buteveryperusalonlyservedtoincreaseherabhorrenceoftheman，andsobitterwereherfeelingsagainsthim，thatshedarednottrustherselftospeak，lestshemightwoundMariannestilldeeperbytreatingtheirdisengagement，notasalosstoherofanypossiblegoodbutasanescapefromtheworstandmostirremediableofallevils，aconnection，forlife，withanunprincipledman，asadeliverancethemostreal，ablessingthemostimportant。
Inherearnestmeditationsonthecontentsoftheletter，onthedepravityofthatmindwhichcoulddictateit，andprobably，ontheverydifferentmindofaverydifferentperson，whohadnootherconnectionwhateverwiththeaffairthanwhatherheartgavehimwitheverythingthatpassed，Elinorforgottheimmediatedistressofhersister，forgotthatshehadthreelettersonherlapyetunread，andsoentirelyforgothowlongshehadbeenintheroom，thatwhenonhearingacarriagedriveuptothedoor，shewenttothewindowtoseewhocouldbecomingsounreasonablyearly，shewasallastonishmenttoperceiveMrs。Jennings’schariot，whichsheknewhadnotbeenorderedtillone。DeterminednottoquitMarianne，thoughhopelessofcontributing，atpresent，toherease，shehurriedawaytoexcuseherselffromattendingMrs。Jennings，onaccountofhersisterbeingindisposed。
Mrs。Jennings，withathoroughlygood-humouredconcernforitscause，admittedtheexcusemostreadily，andElinor，afterseeinghersafeoff，returnedtoMarianne，whomshefoundattemptingtorisefromthebed，andwhomshereachedjustintimetopreventherfromfallingonthefloor，faintandgiddyfromalongwantofproperrestandfood;
foritwasmanydayssinceshehadanyappetite，andmanynightssinceshehadreallyslept;andnow，whenhermindwasnolongersupportedbythefeverofsuspense，theconsequenceofallthiswasfeltinanachinghead，aweakenedstomach，andageneralnervousfaintness。
Aglassofwine，whichElinorprocuredforherdirectly，madehermorecomfortable，andshewasatlastabletoexpresssomesenseofherkindness，bysaying，“PoorElinor！howunhappyImakeyou！”
“Ionlywish，“repliedhersister，“therewereanythingICOULDdo，whichmightbeofcomforttoyou。”
This，aseverythingelsewouldhavebeen，wastoomuchforMarianne，whocouldonlyexclaim，intheanguishofherheart，“Oh！Elinor，Iammiserable，indeed，“beforehervoicewasentirelylostinsobs。
Elinorcouldnolongerwitnessthistorrentofunresistedgriefinsilence。
“Exertyourself，dearMarianne，“shecried，“ifyouwouldnotkillyourselfandallwholoveyou。
Thinkofyourmother;thinkofhermiserywhileYOUsuffer：
forhersakeyoumustexertyourself。”
“Icannot，Icannot，“criedMarianne;“leaveme，leaveme，ifIdistressyou;leaveme，hateme，forgetme！
butdonottorturemeso。Oh！howeasyforthose，whohavenosorrowoftheirowntotalkofexertion！，Happy，happyElinor，YOUcannothaveanideaofwhatIsuffer。”
“DoyoucallMEhappy，Marianne？，Ah！
ifyouknew！——Andcanyoubelievemetobeso，whileIseeyousowretched！”
“Forgiveme，forgiveme，“throwingherarmsroundhersister’sneck;“Iknowyoufeelforme;Iknowwhataheartyouhave;butyetyouare——youmustbehappy;
Edwardlovesyou——what，ohwhat，candoawaysuchhappinessasthat？”
“Many，manycircumstances，“saidElinor，solemnly。
“No，no，no，“criedMariannewildly，“helovesyou，andonlyyou。YouCANhavenogrief。”
“IcanhavenopleasurewhileIseeyouinthisstate。”
“Andyouwillneverseemeotherwise。
Mineisamiserywhichnothingcandoaway。”
“Youmustnottalkso，Marianne。Haveyounocomforts？nofriends？，Isyourlosssuchasleavesnoopeningforconsolation？，Muchasyousuffernow，thinkofwhatyouwouldhavesufferedifthediscoveryofhischaracterhadbeendelayedtoalaterperiod——
ifyourengagementhadbeencarriedonformonthsandmonths，asitmighthavebeen，beforehechosetoputanendtoit。
Everyadditionaldayofunhappyconfidence，onyourside，wouldhavemadetheblowmoredreadful。”
“Engagement！”criedMarianne，“therehasbeennoengagement。”
“Noengagement！”
“No，heisnotsounworthyasyoubelievehim。
Hehasbrokennofaithwithme。”
“Buthetoldyouthathelovedyou。”
“Yes——no——neverabsolutely。Itwaseverydayimplied，butneverprofessedlydeclared。SometimesIthoughtithadbeen——butitneverwas。”
“Yetyouwrotetohim？”——
“Yes——couldthatbewrongafterallthathadpassed？——
ButIcannottalk。”
Elinorsaidnomore，andturningagaintothethreeletterswhichnowraisedamuchstrongercuriositythanbefore，directlyranoverthecontentsofall。
Thefirst，whichwaswhathersisterhadsenthimontheirarrivalintown，wastothiseffect。
BerkeleyStreet，January。
“Howsurprisedyouwillbe，Willoughby，onreceivingthis;andIthinkyouwillfeelsomethingmorethansurprise，whenyouknowthatIamintown。
Anopportunityofcominghither，thoughwithMrs。
Jennings，wasatemptationwecouldnotresist。
Iwishyoumayreceivethisintimetocomehereto-night，butIwillnotdependonit。
AtanyrateIshallexpectyouto-morrow。Forthepresent，adieu。
“M。D。”
Hersecondnote，whichhadbeenwrittenonthemorningafterthedanceattheMiddletons’，wasinthesewords：——
“Icannotexpressmydisappointmentinhavingmissedyouthedaybeforeyesterday，normyastonishmentatnothavingreceivedanyanswertoanotewhichIsentyouaboveaweekago。Ihavebeenexpectingtohearfromyou，andstillmoretoseeyou，everyhouroftheday。Praycallagainassoonaspossible，andexplainthereasonofmyhavingexpectedthisinvain。Youhadbettercomeearlieranothertime，becausewearegenerallyoutbyone。
WewerelastnightatLadyMiddleton’s，wheretherewasadance。
Ihavebeentoldthatyouwereaskedtobeoftheparty。Butcoulditbeso？，Youmustbeverymuchalteredindeedsinceweparted，ifthatcouldbethecase，andyounotthere。ButIwillnotsupposethispossible，andIhopeverysoontoreceiveyourpersonalassuranceofitsbeingotherwise。
“M。D。”
Thecontentsofherlastnotetohimwerethese：——
“WhatamItoimagine，Willoughby，byyourbehaviourlastnight？，AgainIdemandanexplanationofit。Iwaspreparedtomeetyouwiththepleasurewhichourseparationnaturallyproduced，withthefamiliaritywhichourintimacyatBartonappearedtometojustify。Iwasrepulsedindeed！
Ihavepassedawretchednightinendeavouringtoexcuseaconductwhichcanscarcelybecalledlessthaninsulting;butthoughIhavenotyetbeenabletoformanyreasonableapologyforyourbehaviour，Iamperfectlyreadytohearyourjustificationofit。Youhaveperhapsbeenmisinformed，orpurposelydeceived，insomethingconcerningme，whichmayhaveloweredmeinyouropinion。Tellmewhatitis，explainthegroundsonwhichyouacted，andIshallbesatisfied，inbeingabletosatisfyyou。
Itwouldgrievemeindeedtobeobligedtothinkillofyou;butifIamtodoit，ifIamtolearnthatyouarenotwhatwehavehithertobelievedyou，thatyourregardforusallwasinsincere，thatyourbehaviourtomewasintendedonlytodeceive，letitbetoldassoonaspossible。Myfeelingsareatpresentinastateofdreadfulindecision;
Iwishtoacquityou，butcertaintyoneithersidewillbeeasetowhatInowsuffer。Ifyoursentimentsarenolongerwhattheywere，youwillreturnmynotes，andthelockofmyhairwhichisinyourpossession。
“M。D。”
Thatsuchletters，sofullofaffectionandconfidence，couldhavebeensoanswered，Elinor，forWilloughby’ssake，wouldhavebeenunwillingtobelieve。Buthercondemnationofhimdidnotblindhertotheimproprietyoftheirhavingbeenwrittenatall;andshewassilentlygrievingovertheimprudencewhichhadhazardedsuchunsolicitedproofsoftenderness，notwarrantedbyanythingpreceding，andmostseverelycondemnedbytheevent，whenMarianne，perceivingthatshehadfinishedtheletters，observedtoherthattheycontainednothingbutwhatanyonewouldhavewritteninthesamesituation。
“Ifeltmyself，“sheadded，“tobeassolemnlyengagedtohim，asifthestrictestlegalcovenanthadboundustoeachother。”
“Icanbelieveit，“saidElinor;“butunfortunatelyhedidnotfeelthesame。”
“HeDIDfeelthesame，Elinor——forweeksandweekshefeltit。Iknowhedid。Whatevermayhavechangedhimnow，(andnothingbuttheblackestartemployedagainstmecanhavedoneit)，Iwasonceasdeartohimasmyownsoulcouldwish。
Thislockofhair，whichnowhecansoreadilygiveup，wasbeggedofmewiththemostearnestsupplication。
Hadyouseenhislook，hismanner，hadyouheardhisvoiceatthatmoment！，HaveyouforgotthelasteveningofourbeingtogetheratBarton？，Themorningthatwepartedtoo！，Whenhetoldmethatitmightbemanyweeksbeforewemetagain——hisdistress——canIeverforgethisdistress？”
Foramomentortwoshecouldsaynomore;
butwhenthisemotionhadpassedaway，sheadded，inafirmertone，“Elinor，Ihavebeencruellyused;butnotbyWilloughby。”
“DearestMarianne，whobuthimself？，Bywhomcanhehavebeeninstigated？”
“Byalltheworld，ratherthanbyhisownheart。
Icouldratherbelieveeverycreatureofmyacquaintanceleaguedtogethertoruinmeinhisopinion，thanbelievehisnaturecapableofsuchcruelty。Thiswomanofwhomhewrites——whoevershebe——oranyone，inshort，butyourowndearself，mama，andEdward，mayhavebeensobarbaroustobelyme。Beyondyouthree，isthereacreatureintheworldwhomIwouldnotrathersuspectofevilthanWilloughby，whoseheartIknowsowell？”
Elinorwouldnotcontend，andonlyreplied，“Whoevermayhavebeensodetestablyyourenemy，letthembecheatedoftheirmalignanttriumph，mydearsister，byseeinghownoblytheconsciousnessofyourowninnocenceandgoodintentionssupportsyourspirits。
Itisareasonableandlaudablepridewhichresistssuchmalevolence。”
“No，no，“criedMarianne，“miserysuchasminehasnopride。IcarenotwhoknowsthatIamwretched。
Thetriumphofseeingmesomaybeopentoalltheworld。
Elinor，Elinor，theywhosufferlittlemaybeproudandindependentastheylike——mayresistinsult，orreturnmortification——butIcannot。Imustfeel——Imustbewretched——andtheyarewelcometoenjoytheconsciousnessofitthatcan。”
“Butformymother’ssakeandmine——“
“Iwoulddomorethanformyown。ButtoappearhappywhenIamsomiserable——Oh！whocanrequireit？”
Againtheywerebothsilent。Elinorwasemployedinwalkingthoughtfullyfromthefiretothewindow，fromthewindowtothefire，withoutknowingthatshereceivedwarmthfromone，ordiscerningobjectsthroughtheother;andMarianne，seatedatthefootofthebed，withherheadleaningagainstoneofitsposts，againtookupWilloughby’sletter，and，aftershudderingovereverysentence，exclaimed——
“Itistoomuch！Oh，Willoughby，Willoughby，couldthisbeyours！，Cruel，cruel——nothingcanacquityou。Elinor，nothingcan。Whateverhemighthaveheardagainstme——
oughthenottohavesuspendedhisbelief？oughthenottohavetoldmeofit，tohavegivenmethepowerofclearingmyself？’Thelockofhair，(repeatingitfromtheletter，)
whichyousoobliginglybestowedonme’——Thatisunpardonable。
Willoughby，wherewasyourheartwhenyouwrotethosewords？
Oh，barbarouslyinsolent！——Elinor，canhebejustified？”
“No，Marianne，innopossibleway。”
“Andyetthiswoman——whoknowswhatherartmayhavebeen？——howlongitmayhavebeenpremeditated，andhowdeeplycontrivedbyher！——Whoisshe？——Whocanshebe？——WhomdidIeverhearhimtalkofasyoungandattractiveamonghisfemaleacquaintance？——Oh！noone，noone——hetalkedtomeonlyofmyself。”
Anotherpauseensued;Mariannewasgreatlyagitated，anditendedthus。
“Elinor，Imustgohome。Imustgoandcomfortmama。
Cannotwebegoneto-morrow？”
“To-morrow，Marianne！”
“Yes，whyshouldIstayhere？IcameonlyforWilloughby’ssake——andnowwhocaresforme？Whoregardsme？”
“Itwouldbeimpossibletogoto-morrow。WeoweMrs。Jenningsmuchmorethancivility;andcivilityofthecommonestkindmustpreventsuchahastyremovalasthat。”
“Wellthen，anotherdayortwo，perhaps;butIcannotstayherelong，Icannotstaytoendurethequestionsandremarksofallthesepeople。TheMiddletonsandPalmers——howamItobeartheirpity？，ThepityofsuchawomanasLadyMiddleton！，Oh，whatwouldHEsaytothat！”
Elinoradvisedhertoliedownagain，andforamomentshedidso;butnoattitudecouldgiveherease;
andinrestlesspainofmindandbodyshemovedfromoneposturetoanother，tillgrowingmoreandmorehysterical，hersistercouldwithdifficultykeepheronthebedatall，andforsometimewasfearfulofbeingconstrainedtocallforassistance。Somelavenderdrops，however，whichshewasatlengthpersuadedtotake，wereofuse;andfromthattimetillMrs。Jenningsreturned，shecontinuedonthebedquietandmotionless。
chapter30
CHAPTER30
Mrs。Jenningscameimmediatelytotheirroomonherreturn，andwithoutwaitingtohaveherrequestofadmittanceanswered，openedthedoorandwalkedinwithalookofrealconcern。
“Howdoyoudomydear？”——saidsheinavoiceofgreatcompassiontoMarianne，whoturnedawayherfacewithoutattemptingtoanswer。
“Howisshe，MissDashwood？——Poorthing！shelooksverybad——
Nowonder。Ay，itisbuttootrue。Heistobemarriedverysoon——agood-for-nothingfellow！，Ihavenopatiencewithhim。Mrs。Taylortoldmeofithalfanhourago，andshewastolditbyaparticularfriendofMissGreyherself，elseIamsureIshouldnothavebelievedit;
andIwasalmostreadytosinkasitwas。Well，saidI，allIcansayis，thatifthisbetrue，hehasusedayoungladyofmyacquaintanceabominablyill，andI
wishwithallmysoulhiswifemayplaguehisheartout。
AndsoIshallalwayssay，mydear，youmaydependonit。
Ihavenonotionofmen’sgoingoninthisway;andifeverImeethimagain，Iwillgivehimsuchadressingashehasnothadthismanyaday。Butthereisonecomfort，mydearMissMarianne;heisnottheonlyyoungmanintheworldworthhaving;andwithyourprettyfaceyouwillneverwantadmirers。Well，poorthing！，Iwon’tdisturbheranylonger，forshehadbetterhavehercryoutatonceandhavedonewith。TheParrysandSandersonsluckilyarecomingtonightyouknow，andthatwillamuseher。”
Shethenwentaway，walkingontiptoeoutoftheroom，asifshesupposedheryoungfriend’safflictioncouldbeincreasedbynoise。
Marianne，tothesurpriseofhersister，determinedondiningwiththem。Elinorevenadvisedheragainstit。But“no，shewouldgodown;shecouldbearitverywell，andthebustleaboutherwouldbeless。”，Elinor，pleasedtohavehergovernedforamomentbysuchamotive，thoughbelievingithardlypossiblethatshecouldsitoutthedinner，saidnomore;
andadjustingherdressforheraswellasshecould，whileMariannestillremainedonthebed，wasreadytoassistherintothediningroomassoonastheyweresummonedtoit。
Whenthere，thoughlookingmostwretchedly，sheatemoreandwascalmerthanhersisterhadexpected。
Hadshetriedtospeak，orhadshebeenconsciousofhalfMrs。Jennings’swell-meantbutill-judgedattentionstoher，thiscalmnesscouldnothavebeenmaintained;
butnotasyllableescapedherlips;andtheabstractionofherthoughtspreservedherinignoranceofeverythingthatwaspassingbeforeher。
Elinor，whodidjusticetoMrs。Jennings’skindness，thoughitseffusionswereoftendistressing，andsometimesalmostridiculous，madeherthoseacknowledgments，andreturnedherthosecivilities，whichhersistercouldnotmakeorreturnforherself。TheirgoodfriendsawthatMariannewasunhappy，andfeltthateverythingwasduetoherwhichmightmakeheratalllessso。
