Shetreatedhertherefore，withalltheindulgentfondnessofaparenttowardsafavouritechildonthelastdayofitsholidays。Mariannewastohavethebestplacebythefire，wastobetemptedtoeatbyeverydelicacyinthehouse，andtobeamusedbytherelationofallthenewsoftheday。
HadnotElinor，inthesadcountenanceofhersister，seenachecktoallmirth，shecouldhavebeenentertainedbyMrs。Jennings’sendeavourstocureadisappointmentinlove，byavarietyofsweetmeatsandolives，andagoodfire。
Assoon，however，astheconsciousnessofallthiswasforcedbycontinualrepetitiononMarianne，shecouldstaynolonger。WithahastyexclamationofMisery，andasigntohersisternottofollowher，shedirectlygotupandhurriedoutoftheroom。
“Poorsoul！”criedMrs。Jennings，assoonasshewasgone，“howitgrievesmetoseeher！，AndIdeclareifsheisnotgoneawaywithoutfinishingherwine！，Andthedriedcherriestoo！，Lord！nothingseemstodoheranygood。
IamsureifIknewofanythingshewouldlike，Iwouldsendalloverthetownforit。Well，itistheoddestthingtome，thatamanshouldusesuchaprettygirlsoill！，Butwhenthereisplentyofmoneyononeside，andnexttononeontheother，Lordblessyou！theycarenomoreaboutsuchthings！——“
“Theladythen——MissGreyIthinkyoucalledher——
isveryrich？”
“Fiftythousandpounds，mydear。Didyoueverseeher？asmart，stylishgirltheysay，butnothandsome。
Irememberherauntverywell，BiddyHenshawe;shemarriedaverywealthyman。Butthefamilyareallrichtogether。
Fiftythousandpounds！andbyallaccounts，itwon’tcomebeforeit’swanted;fortheysayheisalltopieces。
Nowonder！dashingaboutwithhiscurricleandhunters！
Well，itdon’tsignifytalking;butwhenayoungman，bewhohewill，comesandmakeslovetoaprettygirl，andpromisesmarriage，hehasnobusinesstoflyofffromhiswordonlybecausehegrowspoor，andarichergirlisreadytohavehim。Whydon’the，insuchacase，sellhishorses，lethishouse，turnoffhisservants，andmakeathoroughreformatonce？Iwarrantyou，MissMariannewouldhavebeenreadytowaittillmatterscameround。Butthatwon’tdonow-a-days;nothinginthewayofpleasurecaneverbegivenupbytheyoungmenofthisage。”
“DoyouknowwhatkindofagirlMissGreyis？
Isshesaidtobeamiable？”
“Ineverheardanyharmofher;indeedIhardlyeverheardhermentioned;exceptthatMrs。Taylordidsaythismorning，thatonedayMissWalkerhintedtoher，thatshebelievedMr。andMrs。EllisonwouldnotbesorrytohaveMissGreymarried，forsheandMrs。Ellisoncouldneveragree。”——
“AndwhoaretheEllisons？”
“Herguardians，mydear。Butnowsheisofageandmaychooseforherself;andaprettychoiceshehasmade！——Whatnow，“afterpausingamoment——“yourpoorsisterisgonetoherownroom，Isuppose，tomoanbyherself。
Istherenothingonecangettocomforther？，Poordear，itseemsquitecrueltoletherbealone。Well，by-and-byweshallhaveafewfriends，andthatwillamuseheralittle。
Whatshallweplayat？，ShehateswhistIknow;butistherenoroundgameshecaresfor？”
“Dearma’am，thiskindnessisquiteunnecessary。
Marianne，Idaresay，willnotleaveherroomagainthisevening。IshallpersuadeherifIcantogoearlytobed，forIamsureshewantsrest。”
“Aye，Ibelievethatwillbebestforher。
Lethernameherownsupper，andgotobed。Lord！nowondershehasbeenlookingsobadandsocastdownthislastweekortwo，forthismatterIsupposehasbeenhangingoverherheadaslongasthat。Andsotheletterthatcametodayfinishedit！
Poorsoul！，IamsureifIhadhadanotionofit，Iwouldnothavejokedheraboutitforallmymoney。
Butthenyouknow，howshouldIguesssuchathing？，Imadesureofitsbeingnothingbutacommonloveletter，andyouknowyoungpeopleliketobelaughedataboutthem。Lord！
howconcernedSirJohnandmydaughterswillbewhentheyhearit！，IfIhadmysensesaboutmeImighthavecalledinConduitStreetinmywayhome，andtoldthemofit。
ButIshallseethemtomorrow。”
“ItwouldbeunnecessaryIamsure，foryoutocautionMrs。PalmerandSirJohnagainstevernamingMr。Willoughby，ormakingtheslightestallusiontowhathaspassed，beforemysister。Theirowngood-naturemustpointouttothemtherealcrueltyofappearingtoknowanythingaboutitwhensheispresent;andthelessthatmayeverbesaidtomyselfonthesubject，themoremyfeelingswillbespared，asyoumydearmadamwilleasilybelieve。”
“Oh！Lord！yes，thatIdoindeed。Itmustbeterribleforyoutohearittalkedof;andasforyoursister，IamsureIwouldnotmentionawordaboutittoherfortheworld。YousawIdidnotalldinnertime。
NomorewouldSirJohn，normydaughters，fortheyareallverythoughtfulandconsiderate;especiallyifI
givethemahint，asIcertainlywill。Formypart，Ithinkthelessthatissaidaboutsuchthings，thebetter，thesooner’tisblownoverandforgot。Andwhatdoestalkingeverdoyouknow？”
“Inthisaffairitcanonlydoharm;moresoperhapsthaninmanycasesofasimilarkind，forithasbeenattendedbycircumstanceswhich，forthesakeofeveryoneconcernedinit，makeitunfittobecomethepublicconversation。ImustdoTHISjusticetoMr。Willoughby——hehasbrokennopositiveengagementwithmysister。”
“Law，mydear！，Don’tpretendtodefendhim。
Nopositiveengagementindeed！aftertakingheralloverAllenhamHouse，andfixingontheveryroomstheyweretoliveinhereafter！”
Elinor，forhersister’ssake，couldnotpressthesubjectfarther，andshehopeditwasnotrequiredofherforWilloughby’s;since，thoughMariannemightlosemuch，hecouldgainverylittlebytheenforcementoftherealtruth。
Afterashortsilenceonbothsides，Mrs。Jennings，withallhernaturalhilarity，burstforthagain。
“Well，mydear，’tisatruesayingaboutanill-wind，foritwillbeallthebetterforColonelBrandon。
Hewillhaveheratlast;aye，thathewill。Mindme，now，iftheyan’tmarriedbyMid-summer。Lord！howhe’llchuckleoverthisnews！，Ihopehewillcometonight。
Itwillbealltooneabettermatchforyoursister。
Twothousandayearwithoutdebtordrawback——exceptthelittlelove-child，indeed;aye，Ihadforgother;
butshemaybe’prenticedoutatasmallcost，andthenwhatdoesitsignify？，Delafordisaniceplace，Icantellyou;exactlywhatIcallaniceoldfashionedplace，fullofcomfortsandconveniences;quiteshutinwithgreatgardenwallsthatarecoveredwiththebestfruit-treesinthecountry;andsuchamulberrytreeinonecorner！
Lord！howCharlotteandIdidstufftheonlytimewewerethere！，Then，thereisadove-cote，somedelightfulstew-ponds，andaveryprettycanal;andeverything，inshort，thatonecouldwishfor;and，moreover，itisclosetothechurch，andonlyaquarterofamilefromtheturnpike-road，so’tisneverdull，forifyouonlygoandsitupinanoldyewarbourbehindthehouse，youmayseeallthecarriagesthatpassalong。
Oh！’tisaniceplace！，Abutcherhardbyinthevillage，andtheparsonage-housewithinastone’sthrow。
Tomyfancy，athousandtimesprettierthanBartonPark，wheretheyareforcedtosendthreemilesfortheirmeat，andhavenotaneighbournearerthanyourmother。
Well，IshallspirituptheColonelassoonasIcan。
Oneshoulderofmutton，youknow，drivesanotherdown。
IfweCANbutputWilloughbyoutofherhead！”
“Ay，ifwecandoTHAT，Ma’am，“saidElinor，“weshalldoverywellwithorwithoutColonelBrandon。”
Andthenrising，shewentawaytojoinMarianne，whomshefound，assheexpected，inherownroom，leaning，insilentmisery，overthesmallremainsofafire，which，tillElinor’sentrance，hadbeenheronlylight。
“Youhadbetterleaveme，“wasallthenoticethathersisterreceivedfromher。
“Iwillleaveyou，“saidElinor，“ifyouwillgotobed。”Butthis，fromthemomentaryperversenessofimpatientsuffering，sheatfirstrefusedtodo。
Hersister’searnest，thoughgentlepersuasion，however，soonsoftenedhertocompliance，andElinorsawherlayherachingheadonthepillow，andasshehoped，inawaytogetsomequietrestbeforeshelefther。
Inthedrawing-room，whithershethenrepaired，shewassoonjoinedbyMrs。Jennings，withawine-glass，fullofsomething，inherhand。
“Mydear，“saidshe，entering，“IhavejustrecollectedthatIhavesomeofthefinestoldConstantiawineinthehousethateverwastasted，soIhavebroughtaglassofitforyoursister。Mypoorhusband！howfondhewasofit！
Wheneverhehadatouchofhisoldcolickygout，hesaiditdidhimmoregoodthananythingelseintheworld。
Dotakeittoyoursister。”
“DearMa’am，“repliedElinor，smilingatthedifferenceofthecomplaintsforwhichitwasrecommended，“howgoodyouare！，ButIhavejustleftMarianneinbed，and，Ihope，almostasleep;andasIthinknothingwillbeofsomuchservicetoherasrest，ifyouwillgivemeleave，Iwilldrinkthewinemyself。”
Mrs。Jennings，thoughregrettingthatshehadnotbeenfiveminutesearlier，wassatisfiedwiththecompromise;
andElinor，assheswallowedthechiefofit，reflected，thatthoughitseffectsonacolickygoutwere，atpresent，oflittleimportancetoher，itshealingpowers，onadisappointedheartmightbeasreasonablytriedonherselfasonhersister。
ColonelBrandoncameinwhilethepartywereattea，andbyhismanneroflookingroundtheroomforMarianne，Elinorimmediatelyfanciedthatheneitherexpectednorwishedtoseeherthere，and，inshort，thathewasalreadyawareofwhatoccasionedherabsence。
Mrs。Jenningswasnotstruckbythesamethought;
forsoonafterhisentrance，shewalkedacrosstheroomtothetea-tablewhereElinorpresided，andwhispered——
“TheColonellooksasgraveaseveryousee。Heknowsnothingofit;dotellhim，mydear。”
Heshortlyafterwardsdrewachairclosetoher’s，and，withalookwhichperfectlyassuredherofhisgoodinformation，inquiredafterhersister。
“Marianneisnotwell，“saidshe。”Shehasbeenindisposedallday，andwehavepersuadedhertogotobed。”
“Perhaps，then，“hehesitatinglyreplied，“whatI
heardthismorningmaybe——theremaybemoretruthinitthanIcouldbelievepossibleatfirst。”
“Whatdidyouhear？”
“Thatagentleman，whomIhadreasontothink——inshort，thataman，whomIKNEWtobeengaged——buthowshallI
tellyou？，Ifyouknowitalready，assurelyyoumust，Imaybespared。”
“Youmean，“answeredElinor，withforcedcalmness，“Mr。Willoughby’smarriagewithMissGrey。Yes，weDO
knowitall。Thisseemstohavebeenadayofgeneralelucidation，forthisverymorningfirstunfoldedittous。
Mr。Willoughbyisunfathomable！，Wheredidyouhearit？”
“Inastationer’sshopinPallMall，whereI
hadbusiness。Twoladieswerewaitingfortheircarriage，andoneofthemwasgivingtheotheranaccountoftheintendedmatch，inavoicesolittleattemptingconcealment，thatitwasimpossibleformenottohearall。ThenameofWilloughby，JohnWilloughby，frequentlyrepeated，firstcaughtmyattention;andwhatfollowedwasapositiveassertionthateverythingwasnowfinallysettledrespectinghismarriagewithMissGrey——itwasnolongertobeasecret——itwouldtakeplaceevenwithinafewweeks，withmanyparticularsofpreparationsandothermatters。
Onething，especially，Iremember，becauseitservedtoidentifythemanstillmore：——assoonastheceremonywasover，theyweretogotoCombeMagna，hisseatinSomersetshire。Myastonishment！——butitwouldbeimpossibletodescribewhatIfelt。ThecommunicativeladyIlearnt，oninquiry，forIstayedintheshoptilltheyweregone，wasaMrs。Ellison，andthat，asI
havebeensinceinformed，isthenameofMissGrey’sguardian。”
“Itis。ButhaveyoulikewiseheardthatMissGreyhasfiftythousandpounds？，Inthat，ifinanything，wemayfindanexplanation。”
“Itmaybeso;butWilloughbyiscapable——atleastIthink“——hestoppedamoment;thenaddedinavoicewhichseemedtodistrustitself，“Andyoursister——
howdidshe——“
“Hersufferingshavebeenverysevere。
Ihaveonlytohopethattheymaybeproportionatelyshort。
Ithasbeen，itisamostcruelaffliction。Tillyesterday，Ibelieve，sheneverdoubtedhisregard;andevennow，perhaps——butIamalmostconvincedthatheneverwasreallyattachedtoher。Hehasbeenverydeceitful！and，insomepoints，thereseemsahardnessofheartabouthim。”
“Ah！”saidColonelBrandon，“thereis，indeed！
Butyoursisterdoesnot——Ithinkyousaidso——shedoesnotconsiderquiteasyoudo？”
“Youknowherdisposition，andmaybelievehoweagerlyshewouldstilljustifyhimifshecould。”
Hemadenoanswer;andsoonafterwards，bytheremovalofthetea-things，andthearrangementofthecardparties，thesubjectwasnecessarilydropped。Mrs。Jennings，whohadwatchedthemwithpleasurewhiletheyweretalking，andwhoexpectedtoseetheeffectofMissDashwood’scommunication，insuchaninstantaneousgaietyonColonelBrandon’sside，asmighthavebecomeamaninthebloomofyouth，ofhopeandhappiness，sawhim，withamazement，remainthewholeeveningmoreseriousandthoughtfulthanusual。
chapter31
CHAPTER，31
Fromanightofmoresleepthanshehadexpected，Marianneawokethenextmorningtothesameconsciousnessofmiseryinwhichshehadclosedhereyes。
Elinorencouragedherasmuchaspossibletotalkofwhatshefelt;andbeforebreakfastwasready，theyhadgonethroughthesubjectagainandagain;andwiththesamesteadyconvictionandaffectionatecounselonElinor’sside，thesameimpetuousfeelingsandvaryingopinionsonMarianne’s，asbefore。SometimesshecouldbelieveWilloughbytobeasunfortunateandasinnocentasherself，andatothers，losteveryconsolationintheimpossibilityofacquittinghim。Atonemomentshewasabsolutelyindifferenttotheobservationofalltheworld，atanothershewouldsecludeherselffromitforever，andatathirdcouldresistitwithenergy。Inonething，however，shewasuniform，whenitcametothepoint，inavoiding，whereitwaspossible，thepresenceofMrs。Jennings，andinadeterminedsilencewhenobligedtoendureit。
HerheartwashardenedagainstthebeliefofMrs。Jennings’senteringintohersorrowswithanycompassion。
“No，no，no，itcannotbe，“shecried;
“shecannotfeel。Herkindnessisnotsympathy;
hergood-natureisnottenderness。Allthatshewantsisgossip，andsheonlylikesmenowbecauseIsupplyit。”
Elinorhadnotneededthistobeassuredoftheinjusticetowhichhersisterwasoftenledinheropinionofothers，bytheirritablerefinementofherownmind，andthetoogreatimportanceplacedbyheronthedelicaciesofastrongsensibility，andthegracesofapolishedmanner。
Likehalftherestoftheworld，ifmorethanhalftherebethatarecleverandgood，Marianne，withexcellentabilitiesandanexcellentdisposition，wasneitherreasonablenorcandid。Sheexpectedfromotherpeoplethesameopinionsandfeelingsasherown，andshejudgedoftheirmotivesbytheimmediateeffectoftheiractionsonherself。Thusacircumstanceoccurred，whilethesistersweretogetherintheirownroomafterbreakfast，whichsunktheheartofMrs。Jenningsstilllowerinherestimation;because，throughherownweakness，itchancedtoproveasourceoffreshpaintoherself，thoughMrs。Jenningswasgovernedinitbyanimpulseoftheutmostgoodwill。
Withaletterinheroutstretchedhand，andcountenancegailysmiling，fromthepersuasionofbringingcomfort，sheenteredtheirroom，saying，“Now，mydear，IbringyousomethingthatI
amsurewilldoyougood。”
Marianneheardenough。InonemomentherimaginationplacedbeforeheraletterfromWilloughby，fulloftendernessandcontrition，explanatoryofallthathadpassed，satisfactory，convincing;andinstantlyfollowedbyWilloughbyhimself，rushingeagerlyintotheroomtoinforce，atherfeet，bytheeloquenceofhiseyes，theassurancesofhisletter。
Theworkofonemomentwasdestroyedbythenext。
Thehandwritingofhermother，nevertillthenunwelcome，wasbeforeher;and，intheacutenessofthedisappointmentwhichfollowedsuchanecstasyofmorethanhope，shefeltasif，tillthatinstant，shehadneversuffered。
ThecrueltyofMrs。Jenningsnolanguage，withinherreachinhermomentsofhappiesteloquence，couldhaveexpressed;andnowshecouldreproachheronlybythetearswhichstreamedfromhereyeswithpassionateviolence——areproach，however，soentirelylostonitsobject，thataftermanyexpressionsofpity，shewithdrew，stillreferringhertotheletterofcomfort。
Buttheletter，whenshewascalmenoughtoreadit，broughtlittlecomfort。Willoughbyfilledeverypage。
Hermother，stillconfidentoftheirengagement，andrelyingaswarmlyaseveronhisconstancy，hadonlybeenrousedbyElinor’sapplication，tointreatfromMariannegreateropennesstowardsthemboth;andthis，withsuchtendernesstowardsher，suchaffectionforWilloughby，andsuchaconvictionoftheirfuturehappinessineachother，thatsheweptwithagonythroughthewholeofit。
Allherimpatiencetobeathomeagainnowreturned;
hermotherwasdearertoherthanever;dearerthroughtheveryexcessofhermistakenconfidenceinWilloughby，andshewaswildlyurgenttobegone。Elinor，unableherselftodeterminewhetheritwerebetterforMariannetobeinLondonoratBarton，offerednocounselofherownexceptofpatiencetilltheirmother’swishescouldbeknown;
andatlengthsheobtainedhersister’sconsenttowaitforthatknowledge。
Mrs。Jenningsleftthemearlierthanusual;
forshecouldnotbeeasytilltheMiddletonsandPalmerswereabletogrieveasmuchasherself;andpositivelyrefusingElinor’sofferedattendance，wentoutalonefortherestofthemorning。Elinor，withaveryheavyheart，awareofthepainshewasgoingtocommunicate，andperceiving，byMarianne’sletter，howillshehadsucceededinlayinganyfoundationforit，thensatdowntowritehermotheranaccountofwhathadpassed，andentreatherdirectionsforthefuture;whileMarianne，whocameintothedrawing-roomonMrs。Jennings’sgoingaway，remainedfixedatthetablewhereElinorwrote，watchingtheadvancementofherpen，grievingoverherforthehardshipofsuchatask，andgrievingstillmorefondlyoveritseffectonhermother。
Inthismannertheyhadcontinuedaboutaquarterofanhour，whenMarianne，whosenervescouldnotthenbearanysuddennoise，wasstartledbyarapatthedoor。
“Whocanthisbe？”criedElinor。”Soearlytoo！I
thoughtweHADbeensafe。”
Mariannemovedtothewindow——
“ItisColonelBrandon！”saidshe，withvexation。
“WeareneversafefromHIM。”
“Hewillnotcomein，asMrs。Jenningsisfromhome。”
“IwillnottrusttoTHAT，“retreatingtoherownroom。
“Amanwhohasnothingtodowithhisowntimehasnoconscienceinhisintrusiononthatofothers。”
Theeventprovedherconjectureright，thoughitwasfoundedoninjusticeanderror;forColonelBrandonDIDcomein;andElinor，whowasconvincedthatsolicitudeforMariannebroughthimthither，andwhosawTHATsolicitudeinhisdisturbedandmelancholylook，andinhisanxiousthoughbriefinquiryafterher，couldnotforgivehersisterforesteeminghimsolightly。
“ImetMrs。JenningsinBondStreet，“saidhe，afterthefirstsalutation，“andsheencouragedmetocomeon;andIwasthemoreeasilyencouraged，becauseIthoughtitprobablethatImightfindyoualone，whichIwasverydesirousofdoing。Myobject——mywish——mysolewishindesiringit——Ihope，Ibelieveitis——istobeameansofgivingcomfort;——no，Imustnotsaycomfort——notpresentcomfort——butconviction，lastingconvictiontoyoursister’smind。Myregardforher，foryourself，foryourmother——willyouallowmetoproveit，byrelatingsomecircumstanceswhichnothingbutaVERY
sincereregard——nothingbutanearnestdesireofbeinguseful——IthinkIamjustified——thoughwheresomanyhourshavebeenspentinconvincingmyselfthatIamright，istherenotsomereasontofearImaybewrong？”
Hestopped。
“Iunderstandyou，“saidElinor。”YouhavesomethingtotellmeofMr。Willoughby，thatwillopenhischaracterfarther。YourtellingitwillbethegreatestactoffriendshipthatcanbeshewnMarianne。MYgratitudewillbeinsuredimmediatelybyanyinformationtendingtothatend，andHERS
mustbegainedbyitintime。Pray，prayletmehearit。”
“Youshall;and，tobebrief，whenIquittedBartonlastOctober，——butthiswillgiveyounoidea——Imustgofartherback。Youwillfindmeaveryawkwardnarrator，MissDashwood;Ihardlyknowwheretobegin。Ashortaccountofmyself，Ibelieve，willbenecessary，anditSHALLbeashortone。Onsuchasubject，“sighingheavily，“canIhavelittletemptationtobediffuse。”
Hestoptamomentforrecollection，andthen，withanothersigh，wenton。
“Youhaveprobablyentirelyforgottenaconversation——
(itisnottobesupposedthatitcouldmakeanyimpressiononyou)——aconversationbetweenusoneeveningatBartonPark——itwastheeveningofadance——inwhichIalludedtoaladyIhadonceknown，asresembling，insomemeasure，yoursisterMarianne。”
“Indeed，“answeredElinor，“IhaveNOTforgottenit。”
Helookedpleasedbythisremembrance，andadded，“IfIamnotdeceivedbytheuncertainty，thepartialityoftenderrecollection，thereisaverystrongresemblancebetweenthem，aswellinmindasperson。Thesamewarmthofheart，thesameeagernessoffancyandspirits。
Thisladywasoneofmynearestrelations，anorphanfromherinfancy，andundertheguardianshipofmyfather。
Ourageswerenearlythesame，andfromourearliestyearswewereplayfellowsandfriends。IcannotrememberthetimewhenIdidnotloveEliza;andmyaffectionforher，aswegrewup，wassuch，asperhaps，judgingfrommypresentforlornandcheerlessgravity，youmightthinkmeincapableofhavingeverfelt。Her’s，forme，was，Ibelieve，ferventastheattachmentofyoursistertoMr。Willoughbyanditwas，thoughfromadifferentcause，nolessunfortunate。
Atseventeenshewaslosttomeforever。Shewasmarried——marriedagainstherinclinationtomybrother。
Herfortunewaslarge，andourfamilyestatemuchencumbered。
Andthis，Ifear，isallthatcanbesaidfortheconductofone，whowasatonceheruncleandguardian。
Mybrotherdidnotdeserveher;hedidnotevenloveher。
Ihadhopedthatherregardformewouldsupportherunderanydifficulty，andforsometimeitdid;butatlastthemiseryofhersituation，forsheexperiencedgreatunkindness，overcameallherresolution，andthoughshehadpromisedmethatnothing——buthowblindlyI
relate！，Ihavenevertoldyouhowthiswasbroughton。
WewerewithinafewhoursofelopingtogetherforScotland。
Thetreachery，orthefolly，ofmycousin’smaidbetrayedus。
Iwasbanishedtothehouseofarelationfardistant，andshewasallowednoliberty，nosociety，noamusement，tillmyfather’spointwasgained。Ihaddependedonherfortitudetoofar，andtheblowwasasevereone——
buthadhermarriagebeenhappy，soyoungasIthenwas，afewmonthsmusthavereconciledmetoit，oratleastIshouldnothavenowtolamentit。Thishoweverwasnotthecase。Mybrotherhadnoregardforher;
hispleasureswerenotwhattheyoughttohavebeen，andfromthefirsthetreatedherunkindly。Theconsequenceofthis，uponamindsoyoung，solively，soinexperiencedasMrs。Brandon’s，wasbuttoonatural。Sheresignedherselfatfirsttoallthemiseryofhersituation;
andhappyhaditbeenifshehadnotlivedtoovercomethoseregretswhichtheremembranceofmeoccasioned。Butcanwewonderthat，withsuchahusbandtoprovokeinconstancy，andwithoutafriendtoadviseorrestrainher(formyfatherlivedonlyafewmonthsaftertheirmarriage，andIwaswithmyregimentintheEastIndies)sheshouldfall？，HadIremainedinEngland，perhaps——butI
meanttopromotethehappinessofbothbyremovingfromherforyears，andforthatpurposehadprocuredmyexchange。Theshockwhichhermarriagehadgivenme，“
hecontinued，inavoiceofgreatagitation，“wasoftriflingweight——wasnothingtowhatIfeltwhenIheard，abouttwoyearsafterwards，ofherdivorce。ItwasTHATwhichthrewthisgloom，——evennowtherecollectionofwhatIsuffered——“
Hecouldsaynomore，andrisinghastilywalkedforafewminutesabouttheroom。Elinor，affectedbyhisrelation，andstillmorebyhisdistress，couldnotspeak。Hesawherconcern，andcomingtoher，tookherhand，pressedit，andkisseditwithgratefulrespect。Afewminutesmoreofsilentexertionenabledhimtoproceedwithcomposure。
“ItwasnearlythreeyearsafterthisunhappyperiodbeforeIreturnedtoEngland。Myfirstcare，whenIDIDarrive，wasofcoursetoseekforher;
butthesearchwasasfruitlessasitwasmelancholy。
Icouldnottraceherbeyondherfirstseducer，andtherewaseveryreasontofearthatshehadremovedfromhimonlytosinkdeeperinalifeofsin。Herlegalallowancewasnotadequatetoherfortune，norsufficientforhercomfortablemaintenance，andIlearntfrommybrotherthatthepowerofreceivingithadbeenmadeoversomemonthsbeforetoanotherperson。Heimagined，andcalmlycouldheimagineit，thatherextravagance，andconsequentdistress，hadobligedhertodisposeofitforsomeimmediaterelief。
Atlast，however，andafterIhadbeensixmonthsinEngland，IDIDfindher。Regardforaformerservantofmyown，whohadsincefallenintomisfortune，carriedmetovisithiminaspunging-house，wherehewasconfinedfordebt;
andthere，thesamehouse，underasimilarconfinement，wasmyunfortunatesister。Soaltered——sofaded——worndownbyacutesufferingofeverykind！hardlycouldI
believethemelancholyandsicklyfigurebeforeme，tobetheremainsofthelovely，blooming，healthfulgirl，onwhomIhadoncedoted。WhatIenduredinsobeholdingher——butIhavenorighttowoundyourfeelingsbyattemptingtodescribeit——Ihavepainedyoutoomuchalready。
Thatshewas，toallappearance，inthelaststageofaconsumption，was——yes，insuchasituationitwasmygreatestcomfort。Lifecoulddonothingforher，beyondgivingtimeforabetterpreparationfordeath;
andthatwasgiven。Isawherplacedincomfortablelodgings，andunderproperattendants;Ivisitedhereverydayduringtherestofhershortlife：Iwaswithherinherlastmoments。”
Againhestoppedtorecoverhimself;andElinorspokeherfeelingsinanexclamationoftenderconcern，atthefateofhisunfortunatefriend。
“Yoursister，Ihope，cannotbeoffended，“
saidhe，“bytheresemblanceIhavefanciedbetweenherandmypoordisgracedrelation。Theirfates，theirfortunes，cannotbethesame;andhadthenaturalsweetdispositionoftheonebeenguardedbyafirmermind，orahappiermarriage，shemighthavebeenallthatyouwilllivetoseetheotherbe。Buttowhatdoesallthislead？，Iseemtohavebeendistressingyoufornothing。
Ah！MissDashwood——asubjectsuchasthis——untouchedforfourteenyears——itisdangeroustohandleitatall！
IWILLbemorecollected——moreconcise。Shelefttomycareheronlychild，alittlegirl，theoffspringofherfirstguiltyconnection，whowasthenaboutthreeyearsold。
Shelovedthechild，andhadalwayskeptitwithher。
Itwasavalued，aprecioustrusttome;andgladlywouldIhavedischargeditinthestrictestsense，bywatchingoverhereducationmyself，hadthenatureofoursituationsallowedit;butIhadnofamily，nohome;
andmylittleElizawasthereforeplacedatschool。
IsawhertherewheneverIcould，andafterthedeathofmybrother，(whichhappenedaboutfiveyearsago，andwhichlefttomethepossessionofthefamilyproperty，)shevisitedmeatDelaford。Icalledheradistantrelation;
butIamwellawarethatIhaveingeneralbeensuspectedofamuchnearerconnectionwithher。Itisnowthreeyearsago(shehadjustreachedherfourteenthyear，)
thatIremovedherfromschool，toplaceherunderthecareofaveryrespectablewoman，residinginDorsetshire，whohadthechargeoffourorfiveothergirlsofaboutthesametimeoflife;andfortwoyearsIhadeveryreasontobepleasedwithhersituation。ButlastFebruary，almostatwelvemonthback，shesuddenlydisappeared。
Ihadallowedher，(imprudently，asithassinceturnedout，)atherearnestdesire，togotoBathwithoneofheryoungfriends，whowasattendingherfatherthereforhishealth。Iknewhimtobeaverygoodsortofman，andIthoughtwellofhisdaughter——betterthanshedeserved，for，withamostobstinateandill-judgedsecrecy，shewouldtellnothing，wouldgivenoclue，thoughshecertainlyknewall。He，herfather，awell-meaning，butnotaquick-sightedman，couldreally，Ibelieve，givenoinformation;forhehadbeengenerallyconfinedtothehouse，whilethegirlswererangingoverthetownandmakingwhatacquaintancetheychose;andhetriedtoconvinceme，asthoroughlyashewasconvincedhimself，ofhisdaughter’sbeingentirelyunconcernedinthebusiness。
Inshort，Icouldlearnnothingbutthatshewasgone;
alltherest，foreightlongmonths，waslefttoconjecture。
WhatIthought，whatIfeared，maybeimagined;andwhatI
sufferedtoo。”
“Goodheavens！”criedElinor，“coulditbe——couldWilloughby！”——
“Thefirstnewsthatreachedmeofher，“hecontinued，“cameinaletterfromherself，lastOctober。
ItwasforwardedtomefromDelaford，andIreceiveditontheverymorningofourintendedpartytoWhitwell;
andthiswasthereasonofmyleavingBartonsosuddenly，whichIamsuremustatthetimehaveappearedstrangetoeverybody，andwhichIbelievegaveoffencetosome。
LittledidMr。Willoughbyimagine，Isuppose，whenhislookscensuredmeforincivilityinbreakinguptheparty，thatIwascalledawaytothereliefofonewhomhehadmadepoorandmiserable;butHADheknownit，whatwouldithaveavailed？，Wouldhehavebeenlessgayorlesshappyinthesmilesofyoursister？，No，hehadalreadydonethat，whichnomanwhoCANfeelforanotherwoulddo。Hehadleftthegirlwhoseyouthandinnocencehehadseduced，inasituationoftheutmostdistress，withnocreditablehome，nohelp，nofriends，ignorantofhisaddress！，Hehadlefther，promisingtoreturn;heneitherreturned，norwrote，norrelievedher。”
“Thisisbeyondeverything！”exclaimedElinor。
“Hischaracterisnowbeforeyou;expensive，dissipated，andworsethanboth。Knowingallthis，asIhavenowknownitmanyweeks，guesswhatImusthavefeltonseeingyoursisterasfondofhimasever，andonbeingassuredthatshewastomarryhim：guesswhatImusthavefeltforallyoursakes。WhenIcametoyoulastweekandfoundyoualone，Icamedeterminedtoknowthetruth;
thoughirresolutewhattodowhenitWASknown。
Mybehaviourmusthaveseemedstrangetoyouthen;
butnowyouwillcomprehendit。Tosufferyoualltobesodeceived;toseeyoursister——butwhatcouldIdo？
Ihadnohopeofinterferingwithsuccess;andsometimesIthoughtyoursister’sinfluencemightyetreclaimhim。
Butnow，aftersuchdishonorableusage，whocantellwhatwerehisdesignsonher。Whatevertheymayhavebeen，however，shemaynow，andhereafterdoubtlessWILL
turnwithgratitudetowardsherowncondition，whenshecomparesitwiththatofmypoorEliza，whensheconsidersthewretchedandhopelesssituationofthispoorgirl，andpictureshertoherself，withanaffectionforhimsostrong，stillasstrongasherown，andwithamindtormentedbyself-reproach，whichmustattendherthroughlife。
Surelythiscomparisonmusthaveitsusewithher。
Shewillfeelherownsufferingstobenothing。Theyproceedfromnomisconduct，andcanbringnodisgrace。
Onthecontrary，everyfriendmustbemadestillmoreherfriendbythem。Concernforherunhappiness，andrespectforherfortitudeunderit，muststrengtheneveryattachment。Useyourowndiscretion，however，incommunicatingtoherwhatIhavetoldyou。Youmustknowbestwhatwillbeitseffect;buthadInotseriously，andfrommyheartbelieveditmightbeofservice，mightlessenherregrets，Iwouldnothavesufferedmyselftotroubleyouwiththisaccountofmyfamilyafflictions，witharecitalwhichmayseemtohavebeenintendedtoraisemyselfattheexpenseofothers。”
Elinor’sthanksfollowedthisspeechwithgratefulearnestness;attendedtoowiththeassuranceofherexpectingmaterialadvantagetoMarianne，fromthecommunicationofwhathadpassed。
“Ihavebeenmorepained，“saidshe，“byherendeavorstoacquithimthanbyalltherest;foritirritateshermindmorethanthemostperfectconvictionofhisunworthinesscando。Now，thoughatfirstshewillsuffermuch，Iamsureshewillsoonbecomeeasier。
Haveyou，“shecontinued，afterashortsilence，“everseenMr。WilloughbysinceyoulefthimatBarton？”
“Yes，“herepliedgravely，“onceIhave。
Onemeetingwasunavoidable。”
Elinor，startledbyhismanner，lookedathimanxiously，saying，“What？haveyoumethimto——“
“Icouldmeethimnootherway。Elizahadconfessedtome，thoughmostreluctantly，thenameofherlover;
andwhenhereturnedtotown，whichwaswithinafortnightaftermyself，wemetbyappointment，hetodefend，Itopunishhisconduct。Wereturnedunwounded，andthemeeting，therefore，nevergotabroad。”
Elinorsighedoverthefanciednecessityofthis;
buttoamanandasoldiershepresumednottocensureit。
“Such，“saidColonelBrandon，afterapause，“hasbeentheunhappyresemblancebetweenthefateofmotheranddaughter！andsoimperfectlyhaveIdischargedmytrust！”
“Isshestillintown？”
“No;assoonassherecoveredfromherlying-in，forIfoundhernearherdelivery，Iremovedherandherchildintothecountry，andtheresheremains。”
Recollecting，soonafterwards，thathewasprobablydividingElinorfromhersister，heputanendtohisvisit，receivingfromheragainthesamegratefulacknowledgments，andleavingherfullofcompassionandesteemforhim。
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CHAPTER32
WhentheparticularsofthisconversationwererepeatedbyMissDashwoodtohersister，astheyverysoonwere，theeffectonherwasnotentirelysuchastheformerhadhopedtosee。NotthatMarianneappearedtodistrustthetruthofanypartofit，forshelistenedtoitallwiththemoststeadyandsubmissiveattention，madeneitherobjectionnorremark，attemptednovindicationofWilloughby，andseemedtoshewbyhertearsthatshefeltittobeimpossible。ButthoughthisbehaviourassuredElinorthattheconvictionofthisguiltWAScarriedhometohermind，thoughshesawwithsatisfactiontheeffectofit，inhernolongeravoidingColonelBrandonwhenhecalled，inherspeakingtohim，evenvoluntarilyspeaking，withakindofcompassionaterespect，andthoughshesawherspiritslessviolentlyirritatedthanbefore，shedidnotseeherlesswretched。Herminddidbecomesettled，butitwassettledinagloomydejection。
ShefeltthelossofWilloughby’scharacteryetmoreheavilythanshehadfeltthelossofhisheart;hisseductionanddesertionofMissWilliams，themiseryofthatpoorgirl，andthedoubtofwhathisdesignsmightONCEhavebeenonherself，preyedaltogethersomuchonherspirits，thatshecouldnotbringherselftospeakofwhatshefelteventoElinor;and，broodingoverhersorrowsinsilence，gavemorepaintohersisterthancouldhavebeencommunicatedbythemostopenandmostfrequentconfessionofthem。
TogivethefeelingsorthelanguageofMrs。
DashwoodonreceivingandansweringElinor’sletterwouldbeonlytogivearepetitionofwhatherdaughtershadalreadyfeltandsaid;ofadisappointmenthardlylesspainfulthanMarianne’s，andanindignationevengreaterthanElinor’s。
Longlettersfromher，quicklysucceedingeachother，arrivedtotellallthatshesufferedandthought;
toexpressheranxioussolicitudeforMarianne，andentreatshewouldbearupwithfortitudeunderthismisfortune。
BadindeedmustthenatureofMarianne’safflictionbe，whenhermothercouldtalkoffortitude！mortifyingandhumiliatingmustbetheoriginofthoseregrets，whichSHEcouldwishhernottoindulge！
Againsttheinterestofherownindividualcomfort，Mrs。DashwoodhaddeterminedthatitwouldbebetterforMariannetobeanywhere，atthattime，thanatBarton，whereeverythingwithinherviewwouldbebringingbackthepastinthestrongestandmostafflictingmanner，byconstantlyplacingWilloughbybeforeher，suchasshehadalwaysseenhimthere。Sherecommendedittoherdaughters，therefore，byallmeansnottoshortentheirvisittoMrs。Jennings;thelengthofwhich，thoughneverexactlyfixed，hadbeenexpectedbyalltocompriseatleastfiveorsixweeks。Avarietyofoccupations，ofobjects，andofcompany，whichcouldnotbeprocuredatBarton，wouldbeinevitablethere，andmightyet，shehoped，cheatMarianne，attimes，intosomeinterestbeyondherself，andevenintosomeamusement，muchastheideasofbothmightnowbespurnedbyher。
FromalldangerofseeingWilloughbyagain，hermotherconsideredhertobeatleastequallysafeintownasinthecountry，sincehisacquaintancemustnowbedroppedbyallwhocalledthemselvesherfriends。
Designcouldneverbringthemineachother’sway：
negligencecouldneverleavethemexposedtoasurprise;
andchancehadlessinitsfavourinthecrowdofLondonthanevenintheretirementofBarton，whereitmightforcehimbeforeherwhilepayingthatvisitatAllenhamonhismarriage，whichMrs。Dashwood，fromforeseeingatfirstasaprobableevent，hadbroughtherselftoexpectasacertainone。
Shehadyetanotherreasonforwishingherchildrentoremainwheretheywere;aletterfromherson-in-lawhadtoldherthatheandhiswifeweretobeintownbeforethemiddleofFebruary，andshejudgeditrightthattheyshouldsometimesseetheirbrother。
Mariannehadpromisedtobeguidedbyhermother’sopinion，andshesubmittedtoitthereforewithoutopposition，thoughitprovedperfectlydifferentfromwhatshewishedandexpected，thoughshefeltittobeentirelywrong，formedonmistakengrounds，andthatbyrequiringherlongercontinuanceinLondonitdeprivedheroftheonlypossiblealleviationofherwretchedness，thepersonalsympathyofhermother，anddoomedhertosuchsocietyandsuchscenesasmustpreventhereverknowingamoment’srest。
Butitwasamatterofgreatconsolationtoher，thatwhatbroughteviltoherselfwouldbringgoodtohersister;andElinor，ontheotherhand，suspectingthatitwouldnotbeinherpowertoavoidEdwardentirely，comfortedherselfbythinking，thatthoughtheirlongerstaywouldthereforemilitateagainstherownhappiness，itwouldbebetterforMariannethananimmediatereturnintoDevonshire。
HercarefulnessinguardinghersisterfromeverhearingWilloughby’snamementioned，wasnotthrownaway。
Marianne，thoughwithoutknowingitherself，reapedallitsadvantage;forneitherMrs。Jennings，norSirJohn，norevenMrs。Palmerherself，everspokeofhimbeforeher。
Elinorwishedthatthesameforbearancecouldhaveextendedtowardsherself，butthatwasimpossible，andshewasobligedtolistendayafterdaytotheindignationofthemall。
SirJohn，couldnothavethoughtitpossible。
“Amanofwhomhehadalwayshadsuchreasontothinkwell！
Suchagood-naturedfellow！，HedidnotbelievetherewasabolderriderinEngland！，Itwasanunaccountablebusiness。
Hewishedhimatthedevilwithallhisheart。Hewouldnotspeakanotherwordtohim，meethimwherehemight，foralltheworld！，No，notifitweretobebythesideofBartoncovert，andtheywerekeptwatchingfortwohourstogether。Suchascoundrelofafellow！suchadeceitfuldog！，ItwasonlythelasttimetheymetthathehadofferedhimoneofFolly’spuppies！andthiswastheendofit！”
Mrs。Palmer，inherway，wasequallyangry。
“Shewasdeterminedtodrophisacquaintanceimmediately，andshewasverythankfulthatshehadneverbeenacquaintedwithhimatall。ShewishedwithallherheartCombeMagnawasnotsonearCleveland;butitdidnotsignify，foritwasagreatdealtoofarofftovisit;shehatedhimsomuchthatshewasresolvednevertomentionhisnameagain，andsheshouldtelleverybodyshesaw，howgood-for-nothinghewas。”
TherestofMrs。Palmer’ssympathywasshewninprocuringalltheparticularsinherpoweroftheapproachingmarriage，andcommunicatingthemtoElinor。Shecouldsoontellatwhatcoachmaker’sthenewcarriagewasbuilding，bywhatpainterMr。Willoughby’sportraitwasdrawn，andatwhatwarehouseMissGrey’sclothesmightbeseen。
ThecalmandpoliteunconcernofLadyMiddletonontheoccasionwasahappyrelieftoElinor’sspirits，oppressedastheyoftenwerebytheclamorouskindnessoftheothers。ItwasagreatcomforttohertobesureofexcitingnointerestinONEpersonatleastamongtheircircleoffriends：agreatcomforttoknowthattherewasONEwhowouldmeetherwithoutfeelinganycuriosityafterparticulars，oranyanxietyforhersister’shealth。
Everyqualificationisraisedattimes，bythecircumstancesofthemoment，tomorethanitsrealvalue;
andshewassometimesworrieddownbyofficiouscondolencetorategood-breedingasmoreindispensabletocomfortthangood-nature。
LadyMiddletonexpressedhersenseoftheaffairaboutonceeveryday，ortwice，ifthesubjectoccurredveryoften，bysaying，“Itisveryshocking，indeed！”
andbythemeansofthiscontinualthoughgentlevent，wasablenotonlytoseetheMissDashwoodsfromthefirstwithoutthesmallestemotion，butverysoontoseethemwithoutrecollectingawordofthematter;
andhavingthussupportedthedignityofherownsex，andspokenherdecidedcensureofwhatwaswrongintheother，shethoughtherselfatlibertytoattendtotheinterestofherownassemblies，andthereforedetermined(thoughratheragainsttheopinionofSirJohn)
thatasMrs。Willoughbywouldatoncebeawomanofeleganceandfortune，toleavehercardwithherassoonasshemarried。
ColonelBrandon’sdelicate，unobtrusiveenquirieswereneverunwelcometoMissDashwood。Hehadabundantlyearnedtheprivilegeofintimatediscussionofhersister’sdisappointment，bythefriendlyzealwithwhichhehadendeavouredtosoftenit，andtheyalwaysconversedwithconfidence。Hischiefrewardforthepainfulexertionofdisclosingpastsorrowsandpresenthumiliations，wasgiveninthepityingeyewithwhichMariannesometimesobservedhim，andthegentlenessofhervoicewhenever(thoughitdidnotoftenhappen)
shewasobliged，orcouldobligeherselftospeaktohim。
THESEassuredhimthathisexertionhadproducedanincreaseofgood-willtowardshimself，andTHESEgaveElinorhopesofitsbeingfartheraugmentedhereafter;
butMrs。Jennings，whoknewnothingofallthis，whoknewonlythattheColonelcontinuedasgraveasever，andthatshecouldneitherprevailonhimtomaketheofferhimself，norcommissionhertomakeitforhim，began，attheendoftwodays，tothinkthat，insteadofMidsummer，theywouldnotbemarriedtillMichaelmas，andbytheendofaweekthatitwouldnotbeamatchatall。
ThegoodunderstandingbetweentheColonelandMissDashwoodseemedrathertodeclarethatthehonoursofthemulberry-tree，thecanal，andtheyewarbour，wouldallbemadeovertoHER;andMrs。Jenningshad，forsometimeceasedtothinkatallofMrs。Ferrars。
EarlyinFebruary，withinafortnightfromthereceiptofWilloughby’sletter，Elinorhadthepainfulofficeofinforminghersisterthathewasmarried。
Shehadtakencaretohavetheintelligenceconveyedtoherself，assoonasitwasknownthattheceremonywasover，asshewasdesirousthatMarianneshouldnotreceivethefirstnoticeofitfromthepublicpapers，whichshesawhereagerlyexaminingeverymorning。
Shereceivedthenewswithresolutecomposure;
madenoobservationonit，andatfirstshednotears;
butafterashorttimetheywouldburstout，andfortherestoftheday，shewasinastatehardlylesspitiablethanwhenshefirstlearnttoexpecttheevent。
TheWilloughbyslefttownassoonastheyweremarried;
andElinornowhoped，astherecouldbenodangerofherseeingeitherofthem，toprevailonhersister，whohadneveryetleftthehousesincetheblowfirstfell，togooutagainbydegreesasshehaddonebefore。
AboutthistimethetwoMissSteeles，latelyarrivedattheircousin’shouseinBartlett’sBuildings，Holburn，presentedthemselvesagainbeforetheirmoregrandrelationsinConduitandBerkeleyStreets;
andwerewelcomedbythemallwithgreatcordiality。
Elinoronlywassorrytoseethem。Theirpresencealwaysgaveherpain，andshehardlyknewhowtomakeaverygraciousreturntotheoverpoweringdelightofLucyinfindingherSTILLintown。
“IshouldhavebeenquitedisappointedifI
hadnotfoundyouhereSTILL，“saidsherepeatedly，withastrongemphasisontheword。”ButIalwaysthoughtISHOULD。
IwasalmostsureyouwouldnotleaveLondonyetawhile;
thoughyouTOLDme，youknow，atBarton，thatyoushouldnotstayaboveaMONTH。ButIthought，atthetime，thatyouwouldmostlikelychangeyourmindwhenitcametothepoint。Itwouldhavebeensuchagreatpitytohavewentawaybeforeyourbrotherandsistercame。
Andnowtobesureyouwillbeinnohurrytobegone。
IamamazinglygladyoudidnotkeeptoYOURWORD。”
Elinorperfectlyunderstoodher，andwasforcedtouseallherself-commandtomakeitappearthatshedidNOT。
“Well，mydear，“saidMrs。Jennings，“andhowdidyoutravel？”
“Notinthestage，Iassureyou，“repliedMissSteele，withquickexultation;“wecamepostalltheway，andhadaverysmartbeautoattendus。Dr。Davieswascomingtotown，andsowethoughtwe’djoinhiminapost-chaise;
andhebehavedverygenteelly，andpaidtenortwelveshillingsmorethanwedid。”
“Oh，oh！”criedMrs。Jennings;“verypretty，indeed！andtheDoctorisasingleman，Iwarrantyou。”
“Therenow，“saidMissSteele，affectedlysimpering，“everybodylaughsatmesoabouttheDoctor，andI
cannotthinkwhy。MycousinssaytheyaresureIhavemadeaconquest;butformypartIdeclareIneverthinkabouthimfromonehour’sendtoanother。’Lord！herecomesyourbeau，Nancy，’mycousinsaidt’otherday，whenshesawhimcrossingthestreettothehouse。
Mybeau，indeed！saidI——Icannotthinkwhoyoumean。
TheDoctorisnobeauofmine。”
“Aye，aye，thatisveryprettytalking——butitwon’tdo——
theDoctoristheman，Isee。”
“No，indeed！”repliedhercousin，withaffectedearnestness，“andIbegyouwillcontradictit，ifyoueverhearittalkedof。”
Mrs。JenningsdirectlygaveherthegratifyingassurancethatshecertainlywouldNOT，andMissSteelewasmadecompletelyhappy。
“Isupposeyouwillgoandstaywithyourbrotherandsister，MissDashwood，whentheycometotown，“
saidLucy，returning，afteracessationofhostilehints，tothecharge。
“No，Idonotthinkweshall。”
“Oh，yes，Idaresayyouwill。”
Elinorwouldnothumourherbyfartheropposition。
“WhatacharmingthingitisthatMrs。Dashwoodcanspareyoubothforsolongatimetogether！”
“Longatime，indeed！”interposedMrs。Jennings。
“Why，theirvisitisbutjustbegun！”
Lucywassilenced。
“Iamsorrywecannotseeyoursister，MissDashwood，“
saidMissSteele。”Iamsorrysheisnotwell——“
forMariannehadlefttheroomontheirarrival。
“Youareverygood。Mysisterwillbeequallysorrytomissthepleasureofseeingyou;butshehasbeenverymuchplaguedlatelywithnervoushead-aches，whichmakeherunfitforcompanyorconversation。”
“Oh，dear，thatisagreatpity！butsucholdfriendsasLucyandme！——IthinkshemightseeUS;
andIamsurewewouldnotspeakaword。”
Elinor，withgreatcivility，declinedtheproposal。
Hersisterwasperhapslaiddownuponthebed，orinherdressinggown，andthereforenotabletocometothem。
“Oh，ifthat’sall，“criedMissSteele，“wecanjustaswellgoandseeHER。”
Elinorbegantofindthisimpertinencetoomuchforhertemper;butshewassavedthetroubleofcheckingit，byLucy’ssharpreprimand，whichnow，asonmanyoccasions，thoughitdidnotgivemuchsweetnesstothemannersofonesister，wasofadvantageingoverningthoseoftheother。
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CHAPTER33
Aftersomeopposition，Marianneyieldedtohersister’sentreaties，andconsentedtogooutwithherandMrs。Jenningsonemorningforhalfanhour。Sheexpresslyconditioned，however，forpayingnovisits，andwoulddonomorethanaccompanythemtoGray’sinSackvilleStreet，whereElinorwascarryingonanegotiationfortheexchangeofafewold-fashionedjewelsofhermother。
Whentheystoppedatthedoor，Mrs。Jenningsrecollectedthattherewasaladyattheotherendofthestreetonwhomsheoughttocall;andasshehadnobusinessatGray’s，itwasresolved，thatwhileheryoungfriendstransactedtheir’s，sheshouldpayhervisitandreturnforthem。
Onascendingthestairs，theMissDashwoodsfoundsomanypeoplebeforethemintheroom，thattherewasnotapersonatlibertytotendtotheirorders;andtheywereobligedtowait。Allthatcouldbedonewas，tositdownatthatendofthecounterwhichseemedtopromisethequickestsuccession;onegentlemanonlywasstandingthere，anditisprobablethatElinorwasnotwithouthopeofexcitinghispolitenesstoaquickerdespatch。
Butthecorrectnessofhiseye，andthedelicacyofhistaste，provedtobebeyondhispoliteness。
Hewasgivingordersforatoothpick-caseforhimself，andtillitssize，shape，andornamentsweredetermined，allofwhich，afterexamininganddebatingforaquarterofanhourovereverytoothpick-caseintheshop，werefinallyarrangedbyhisowninventivefancy，hehadnoleisuretobestowanyotherattentiononthetwoladies，thanwhatwascomprisedinthreeorfourverybroadstares;
akindofnoticewhichservedtoimprintonElinortheremembranceofapersonandface，ofstrong，natural，sterlinginsignificance，thoughadornedinthefirststyleoffashion。
Mariannewassparedfromthetroublesomefeelingsofcontemptandresentment，onthisimpertinentexaminationoftheirfeatures，andonthepuppyismofhismannerindecidingonallthedifferenthorrorsofthedifferenttoothpick-casespresentedtohisinspection，byremainingunconsciousofitall;forshewasaswellabletocollectherthoughtswithinherself，andbeasignorantofwhatwaspassingaroundher，inMr。Gray’sshop，asinherownbedroom。
Atlasttheaffairwasdecided。Theivory，thegold，andthepearls，allreceivedtheirappointment，andthegentlemanhavingnamedthelastdayonwhichhisexistencecouldbecontinuedwithoutthepossessionofthetoothpick-case，drewonhisgloveswithleisurelycare，andbestowinganotherglanceontheMissDashwoods，butsuchaoneasseemedrathertodemandthanexpressadmiration，walkedoffwithahappyairofrealconceitandaffectedindifference。
Elinorlostnotimeinbringingherbusinessforward，wasonthepointofconcludingit，whenanothergentlemanpresentedhimselfatherside。Sheturnedhereyestowardshisface，andfoundhimwithsomesurprisetobeherbrother。
TheiraffectionandpleasureinmeetingwasjustenoughtomakeaverycreditableappearanceinMr。Gray’sshop。
JohnDashwoodwasreallyfarfrombeingsorrytoseehissistersagain;itrathergavethemsatisfaction;
andhisinquiriesaftertheirmotherwererespectfulandattentive。
ElinorfoundthatheandFannyhadbeenintowntwodays。
“Iwishedverymuchtocalluponyouyesterday，“
saidhe，“butitwasimpossible，forwewereobligedtotakeHarrytoseethewildbeastsatExeterExchange;
andwespenttherestofthedaywithMrs。Ferrars。
Harrywasvastlypleased。THISmorningIhadfullyintendedtocallonyou，ifIcouldpossiblyfindasparehalfhour，butonehasalwayssomuchtodoonfirstcomingtotown。
IamcomeheretobespeakFannyaseal。ButtomorrowI
thinkIshallcertainlybeabletocallinBerkeleyStreet，andbeintroducedtoyourfriendMrs。Jennings。
Iunderstandsheisawomanofverygoodfortune。
AndtheMiddletonstoo，youmustintroducemetoTHEM。
Asmymother-in-law’srelations，Ishallbehappytoshowthemeveryrespect。Theyareexcellentneighbourstoyouinthecountry，Iunderstand。”
“Excellentindeed。Theirattentiontoourcomfort，theirfriendlinessineveryparticular，ismorethanI
canexpress。”
“Iamextremelygladtohearit，uponmyword;
extremelygladindeed。Butsoitoughttobe;theyarepeopleoflargefortune，theyarerelatedtoyou，andeverycivilityandaccommodationthatcanservetomakeyoursituationpleasantmightbereasonablyexpected。
Andsoyouaremostcomfortablysettledinyourlittlecottageandwantfornothing！，Edwardbroughtusamostcharmingaccountoftheplace：themostcompletethingofitskind，hesaid，thateverwas，andyouallseemedtoenjoyitbeyondanything。Itwasagreatsatisfactiontoustohearit，Iassureyou。”
Elinordidfeelalittleashamedofherbrother;
andwasnotsorrytobesparedthenecessityofansweringhim，bythearrivalofMrs。Jennings’sservant，whocametotellherthathismistresswaitedforthematthedoor。
Mr。Dashwoodattendedthemdownstairs，wasintroducedtoMrs。Jenningsatthedoorofhercarriage，andrepeatinghishopeofbeingabletocallonthemthenextday，tookleave。
Hisvisitwasdulypaid。Hecamewithapretenceatanapologyfromtheirsister-in-law，fornotcomingtoo;
“butshewassomuchengagedwithhermother，thatreallyshehadnoleisureforgoinganywhere。”，Mrs。Jennings，however，assuredhimdirectly，thatsheshouldnotstanduponceremony，fortheywereallcousins，orsomethinglikeit，andsheshouldcertainlywaitonMrs。JohnDashwoodverysoon，andbringhersisterstoseeher。
HismannerstoTHEM，thoughcalm，wereperfectlykind;
toMrs。Jennings，mostattentivelycivil;andonColonelBrandon’scominginsoonafterhimself，heeyedhimwithacuriositywhichseemedtosay，thatheonlywantedtoknowhimtoberich，tobeequallyciviltoHIM。
Afterstayingwiththemhalfanhour，heaskedElinortowalkwithhimtoConduitStreet，andintroducehimtoSirJohnandLadyMiddleton。Theweatherwasremarkablyfine，andshereadilyconsented。Assoonastheywereoutofthehouse，hisenquiriesbegan。
“WhoisColonelBrandon？，Isheamanoffortune？”
“Yes;hehasverygoodpropertyinDorsetshire。”
“Iamgladofit。Heseemsamostgentlemanlikeman;
andIthink，Elinor，Imaycongratulateyouontheprospectofaveryrespectableestablishmentinlife。”
“Me，brother！whatdoyoumean？”
“Helikesyou。Iobservedhimnarrowly，andamconvincedofit。Whatistheamountofhisfortune？”
“Ibelieveabouttwothousandayear。”
“Twothousanda-year;“andthenworkinghimselfuptoapitchofenthusiasticgenerosity，headded，“Elinor，IwishwithallmyheartitwereTWICEasmuch，foryoursake。”
“IndeedIbelieveyou，“repliedElinor;“butIamverysurethatColonelBrandonhasnotthesmallestwishofmarryingME。”
“Youaremistaken，Elinor;youareverymuchmistaken。
Averylittletroubleonyoursidesecureshim。
Perhapsjustatpresenthemaybeundecided;thesmallnessofyourfortunemaymakehimhangback;hisfriendsmayalladvisehimagainstit。Butsomeofthoselittleattentionsandencouragementswhichladiescansoeasilygivewillfixhim，inspiteofhimself。Andtherecanbenoreasonwhyyoushouldnottryforhim。Itisnottobesupposedthatanypriorattachmentonyourside——inshort，youknowastoanattachmentofthatkind，itisquiteoutofthequestion，theobjectionsareinsurmountable——
youhavetoomuchsensenottoseeallthat。ColonelBrandonmustbetheman;andnocivilityshallbewantingonmyparttomakehimpleasedwithyouandyourfamily。
Itisamatchthatmustgiveuniversalsatisfaction。
Inshort，itisakindofthingthat“——loweringhisvoicetoanimportantwhisper——“willbeexceedinglywelcometoALLPARTIES。”Recollectinghimself，however，headded，“Thatis，Imeantosay——yourfriendsarealltrulyanxioustoseeyouwellsettled;Fannyparticularly，forshehasyourinterestverymuchatheart，Iassureyou。
Andhermothertoo，Mrs。Ferrars，averygood-naturedwoman，Iamsureitwouldgivehergreatpleasure;shesaidasmuchtheotherday。”
Elinorwouldnotvouchsafeanyanswer。
“Itwouldbesomethingremarkable，now，“hecontinued，“somethingdroll，ifFannyshouldhaveabrotherandI
asistersettlingatthesametime。Andyetitisnotveryunlikely。”
“IsMr。EdwardFerrars，“saidElinor，withresolution，“goingtobemarried？”
“Itisnotactuallysettled，butthereissuchathinginagitation。Hehasamostexcellentmother。
Mrs。Ferrars，withtheutmostliberality，willcomeforward，andsettleonhimathousandayear，ifthematchtakesplace。TheladyistheHon。MissMorton，onlydaughterofthelateLordMorton，withthirtythousandpounds。
Averydesirableconnectiononbothsides，andIhavenotadoubtofitstakingplaceintime。Athousanda-yearisagreatdealforamothertogiveaway，tomakeoverforever;butMrs。Ferrarshasanoblespirit。Togiveyouanotherinstanceofherliberality：——Theotherday，assoonaswecametotown，awarethatmoneycouldnotbeveryplentywithusjustnow，sheputbank-notesintoFanny’shandstotheamountoftwohundredpounds。
Andextremelyacceptableitis，forwemustliveatagreatexpensewhilewearehere。”
Hepausedforherassentandcompassion;andsheforcedherselftosay，“Yourexpensesbothintownandcountrymustcertainlybeconsiderable;butyourincomeisalargeone。”
“Notsolarge，Idaresay，asmanypeoplesuppose。
Idonotmeantocomplain，however;itisundoubtedlyacomfortableone，andIhopewillintimebebetter。
TheenclosureofNorlandCommon，nowcarryingon，isamostseriousdrain。AndthenIhavemadealittlepurchasewithinthishalfyear;EastKinghamFarm，youmustremembertheplace，whereoldGibsonusedtolive。
Thelandwassoverydesirableformeineveryrespect，soimmediatelyadjoiningmyownproperty，thatIfeltitmydutytobuyit。Icouldnothaveansweredittomyconsciencetoletitfallintoanyotherhands。Amanmustpayforhisconvenience;anditHAScostmeavastdealofmoney。”
“Morethanyouthinkitreallyandintrinsicallyworth。”
“Why，Ihopenotthat。Imighthavesolditagain，thenextday，formorethanIgave：but，withregardtothepurchase-money，Imighthavebeenveryunfortunateindeed;
forthestockswereatthattimesolow，thatifIhadnothappenedtohavethenecessarysuminmybanker’shands，Imusthavesoldouttoverygreatloss。”
Elinorcouldonlysmile。
“OthergreatandinevitableexpensestoowehavehadonfirstcomingtoNorland。Ourrespectedfather，asyouwellknow，bequeathedalltheStanhilleffectsthatremainedatNorland(andveryvaluabletheywere)
toyourmother。Farbeitfrommetorepineathisdoingso;hehadanundoubtedrighttodisposeofhisownpropertyashechose，but，inconsequenceofit，wehavebeenobligedtomakelargepurchasesoflinen，china，&c。tosupplytheplaceofwhatwastakenaway。
Youmayguess，afteralltheseexpenses，howveryfarwemustbefrombeingrich，andhowacceptableMrs。Ferrars’skindnessis。”
“Certainly，“saidElinor;“andassistedbyherliberality，Ihopeyoumayyetlivetobeineasycircumstances。”
“Anotheryearortwomaydomuchtowardsit，“
hegravelyreplied;“buthoweverthereisstillagreatdealtobedone。ThereisnotastonelaidofFanny’sgreen-house，andnothingbuttheplanoftheflower-gardenmarkedout。”
“Whereisthegreen-housetobe？”
“Upontheknollbehindthehouse。Theoldwalnuttreesareallcomedowntomakeroomforit。
Itwillbeaveryfineobjectfrommanypartsofthepark，andtheflower-gardenwillslopedownjustbeforeit，andbeexceedinglypretty。Wehaveclearedawayalltheoldthornsthatgrewinpatchesoverthebrow。”
Elinorkeptherconcernandhercensuretoherself;
andwasverythankfulthatMariannewasnotpresent，tosharetheprovocation。
Havingnowsaidenoughtomakehispovertyclear，andtodoawaythenecessityofbuyingapairofear-ringsforeachofhissisters，inhisnextvisitatGray’shisthoughtstookacheerfullerturn，andhebegantocongratulateElinoronhavingsuchafriendasMrs。Jennings。
“Sheseemsamostvaluablewomanindeed——Herhouse，herstyleofliving，allbespeakanexceedinggoodincome;
anditisanacquaintancethathasnotonlybeenofgreatusetoyouhitherto，butintheendmayprovemateriallyadvantageous——Herinvitingyoutotowniscertainlyavastthinginyourfavour;andindeed，itspeaksaltogethersogreataregardforyou，thatinallprobabilitywhenshediesyouwillnotbeforgotten——
Shemusthaveagreatdealtoleave。”
“Nothingatall，Ishouldrathersuppose;forshehasonlyherjointure，whichwilldescendtoherchildren。”
“Butitisnottobeimaginedthatshelivesuptoherincome。FewpeopleofcommonprudencewilldoTHAT;
andwhatevershesaves，shewillbeabletodisposeof。”
“Anddoyounotthinkitmorelikelythatsheshouldleaveittoherdaughters，thantous？”
“Herdaughtersarebothexceedinglywellmarried，andthereforeIcannotperceivethenecessityofherrememberingthemfarther。Whereas，inmyopinion，byhertakingsomuchnoticeofyou，andtreatingyouinthiskindofway，shehasgivenyouasortofclaimonherfutureconsideration，whichaconscientiouswomanwouldnotdisregard。Nothingcanbekinderthanherbehaviour;
andshecanhardlydoallthis，withoutbeingawareoftheexpectationitraises。”
“Butsheraisesnoneinthosemostconcerned。
Indeed，brother，youranxietyforourwelfareandprosperitycarriesyoutoofar。”
“Why，tobesure，“saidhe，seemingtorecollecthimself，“peoplehavelittle，haveverylittleintheirpower。
But，mydearElinor，whatisthematterwithMarianne？——
shelooksveryunwell，haslosthercolour，andisgrownquitethin。Issheill？”
“Sheisnotwell，shehashadanervouscomplaintonherforseveralweeks。”
“Iamsorryforthat。Athertimeoflife，anythingofanillnessdestroysthebloomforever！
Her’shasbeenaveryshortone！，ShewasashandsomeagirllastSeptember，asIeversaw;andaslikelytoattracttheman。Therewassomethinginherstyleofbeauty，topleasethemparticularly。IrememberFannyusedtosaythatshewouldmarrysoonerandbetterthanyoudid;
notbutwhatsheisexceedinglyfondofYOU，butsoithappenedtostrikeher。Shewillbemistaken，however。
IquestionwhetherMarianneNOW，willmarryamanworthmorethanfiveorsixhundreda-year，attheutmost，andIamverymuchdeceivedifYOUdonotdobetter。
Dorsetshire！，IknowverylittleofDorsetshire;but，mydearElinor，Ishallbeexceedinglygladtoknowmoreofit;
andIthinkIcananswerforyourhavingFannyandmyselfamongtheearliestandbestpleasedofyourvisitors。”
ElinortriedveryseriouslytoconvincehimthattherewasnolikelihoodofhermarryingColonelBrandon;
butitwasanexpectationoftoomuchpleasuretohimselftoberelinquished，andhewasreallyresolvedonseekinganintimacywiththatgentleman，andpromotingthemarriagebyeverypossibleattention。Hehadjustcompunctionenoughforhavingdonenothingforhissistershimself，tobeexceedinglyanxiousthateverybodyelseshoulddoagreatdeal;andanofferfromColonelBrandon，oralegacyfromMrs。Jennings，wastheeasiestmeansofatoningforhisownneglect。
TheywereluckyenoughtofindLadyMiddletonathome，andSirJohncameinbeforetheirvisitended。
Abundanceofcivilitiespassedonallsides。SirJohnwasreadytolikeanybody，andthoughMr。Dashwooddidnotseemtoknowmuchabouthorses，hesoonsethimdownasaverygood-naturedfellow：whileLadyMiddletonsawenoughoffashioninhisappearancetothinkhisacquaintanceworthhaving;andMr。Dashwoodwentawaydelightedwithboth。
“IshallhaveacharmingaccounttocarrytoFanny，“saidhe，ashewalkedbackwithhissister。
“LadyMiddletonisreallyamostelegantwoman！，SuchawomanasIamsureFannywillbegladtoknow。
AndMrs。Jenningstoo，anexceedinglywell-behavedwoman，thoughnotsoelegantasherdaughter。YoursisterneednothaveanyscrupleevenofvisitingHER，which，tosaythetruth，hasbeenalittlethecase，andverynaturally;
forweonlyknewthatMrs。Jenningswasthewidowofamanwhohadgotallhismoneyinalowway;andFannyandMrs。Ferrarswerebothstronglyprepossessed，thatneithershenorherdaughtersweresuchkindofwomenasFannywouldliketoassociatewith。ButnowIcancarryheramostsatisfactoryaccountofboth。”
