chapter34
CHAPTER34
Mrs。JohnDashwoodhadsomuchconfidenceinherhusband’sjudgment，thatshewaitedtheverynextdaybothonMrs。Jenningsandherdaughter;andherconfidencewasrewardedbyfindingeventheformer，eventhewomanwithwhomhersisterswerestaying，bynomeansunworthyhernotice;andasforLadyMiddleton，shefoundheroneofthemostcharmingwomenintheworld！
LadyMiddletonwasequallypleasedwithMrs。
Dashwood。
Therewasakindofcoldheartedselfishnessonbothsides，whichmutuallyattractedthem;andtheysympathisedwitheachotherinaninsipidproprietyofdemeanor，andageneralwantofunderstanding。
Thesamemanners，however，whichrecommendedMrs。JohnDashwoodtothegoodopinionofLadyMiddletondidnotsuitthefancyofMrs。Jennings，andtoHERsheappearednothingmorethanalittleproud-lookingwomanofuncordialaddress，whometherhusband’ssisterswithoutanyaffection，andalmostwithouthavinganythingtosaytothem;
forofthequarterofanhourbestowedonBerkeleyStreet，shesatatleastsevenminutesandahalfinsilence。
Elinorwantedverymuchtoknow，thoughshedidnotchusetoask，whetherEdwardwasthenintown;
butnothingwouldhaveinducedFannyvoluntarilytomentionhisnamebeforeher，tillabletotellherthathismarriagewithMissMortonwasresolvedon，ortillherhusband’sexpectationsonColonelBrandonwereanswered;becauseshebelievedthemstillsoverymuchattachedtoeachother，thattheycouldnotbetoosedulouslydividedinwordanddeedoneveryoccasion。
Theintelligencehowever，whichSHEwouldnotgive，soonflowedfromanotherquarter。LucycameveryshortlytoclaimElinor’scompassiononbeingunabletoseeEdward，thoughhehadarrivedintownwithMr。andMrs。Dashwood。
HedarednotcometoBartlett’sBuildingsforfearofdetection，andthoughtheirmutualimpatiencetomeet，wasnottobetold，theycoulddonothingatpresentbutwrite。
Edwardassuredthemhimselfofhisbeingintown，withinaveryshorttime，bytwicecallinginBerkeleyStreet。
Twicewashiscardfoundonthetable，whentheyreturnedfromtheirmorning’sengagements。Elinorwaspleasedthathehadcalled;andstillmorepleasedthatshehadmissedhim。
TheDashwoodsweresoprodigiouslydelightedwiththeMiddletons，that，thoughnotmuchinthehabitofgivinganything，theydeterminedtogivethem——
adinner;andsoonaftertheiracquaintancebegan，invitedthemtodineinHarleyStreet，wheretheyhadtakenaverygoodhouseforthreemonths。TheirsistersandMrs。Jenningswereinvitedlikewise，andJohnDashwoodwascarefultosecureColonelBrandon，who，alwaysgladtobewheretheMissDashwoodswere，receivedhiseagercivilitieswithsomesurprise，butmuchmorepleasure。
TheyweretomeetMrs。Ferrars;butElinorcouldnotlearnwhetherhersonsweretobeoftheparty。TheexpectationofseeingHER，however，wasenoughtomakeherinterestedintheengagement;forthoughshecouldnowmeetEdward’smotherwithoutthatstronganxietywhichhadoncepromisedtoattendsuchanintroduction，thoughshecouldnowseeherwithperfectindifferenceastoheropinionofherself，herdesireofbeingincompanywithMrs。Ferrars，hercuriositytoknowwhatshewaslike，wasaslivelyasever。
Theinterestwithwhichshethusanticipatedtheparty，wassoonafterwardsincreased，morepowerfullythanpleasantly，byherhearingthattheMissSteeleswerealsotobeatit。
SowellhadtheyrecommendedthemselvestoLadyMiddleton，soagreeablehadtheirassiduitiesmadethemtoher，thatthoughLucywascertainlynotsoelegant，andhersisternotevengenteel，shewasasreadyasSirJohntoaskthemtospendaweekortwoinConduitStreet;
andithappenedtobeparticularlyconvenienttotheMissSteeles，assoonastheDashwoods’invitationwasknown，thattheirvisitshouldbeginafewdaysbeforethepartytookplace。
TheirclaimstothenoticeofMrs。JohnDashwood，astheniecesofthegentlemanwhoformanyyearshadhadthecareofherbrother，mightnothavedonemuch，however，towardsprocuringthemseatsathertable;
butasLadyMiddleton’sgueststheymustbewelcome;andLucy，whohadlongwantedtobepersonallyknowntothefamily，tohaveanearerviewoftheircharactersandherowndifficulties，andtohaveanopportunityofendeavouringtopleasethem，hadseldombeenhappierinherlife，thanshewasonreceivingMrs。JohnDashwood’scard。
OnElinoritseffectwasverydifferent。
Shebeganimmediatelytodetermine，thatEdwardwholivedwithhismother，mustbeaskedashismotherwas，toapartygivenbyhissister;andtoseehimforthefirsttime，afterallthatpassed，inthecompanyofLucy！——shehardlyknewhowshecouldbearit！
Theseapprehensions，perhaps，werenotfoundedentirelyonreason，andcertainlynotatallontruth。
Theywererelievedhowever，notbyherownrecollection，butbythegoodwillofLucy，whobelievedherselftobeinflictingaseveredisappointmentwhenshetoldherthatEdwardcertainlywouldnotbeinHarleyStreetonTuesday，andevenhopedtobecarryingthepainstillfartherbypersuadingherthathewaskeptawaybytheextremeaffectionforherself，whichhecouldnotconcealwhentheyweretogether。
TheimportantTuesdaycamethatwastointroducethetwoyoungladiestothisformidablemother-in-law。
“Pityme，dearMissDashwood！”saidLucy，astheywalkedupthestairstogether——fortheMiddletonsarrivedsodirectlyafterMrs。Jennings，thattheyallfollowedtheservantatthesametime——“Thereisnobodyherebutyou，thatcanfeelforme——IdeclareIcanhardlystand。
Goodgracious！——InamomentIshallseethepersonthatallmyhappinessdependson——thatistobemymother！”——
ElinorcouldhavegivenherimmediatereliefbysuggestingthepossibilityofitsbeingMissMorton’smother，ratherthanherown，whomtheywereabouttobehold;
butinsteadofdoingthat，sheassuredher，andwithgreatsincerity，thatshedidpityher——totheutteramazementofLucy，who，thoughreallyuncomfortableherself，hopedatleasttobeanobjectofirrepressibleenvytoElinor。
Mrs。Ferrarswasalittle，thinwoman，upright，eventoformality，inherfigure，andserious，eventosourness，inheraspect。Hercomplexionwassallow;
andherfeaturessmall，withoutbeauty，andnaturallywithoutexpression;butaluckycontractionofthebrowhadrescuedhercountenancefromthedisgraceofinsipidity，bygivingitthestrongcharactersofprideandillnature。
Shewasnotawomanofmanywords;for，unlikepeopleingeneral，sheproportionedthemtothenumberofherideas;andofthefewsyllablesthatdidescapeher，notonefelltotheshareofMissDashwood，whomsheeyedwiththespiriteddeterminationofdislikingheratallevents。
ElinorcouldnotNOWbemadeunhappybythisbehaviour——
Afewmonthsagoitwouldhavehurtherexceedingly;butitwasnotinMrs。Ferrars’powertodistressherbyitnow;——
andthedifferenceofhermannerstotheMissSteeles，adifferencewhichseemedpurposelymadetohumblehermore，onlyamusedher。Shecouldnotbutsmiletoseethegraciousnessofbothmotheranddaughtertowardstheveryperson——
forLucywasparticularlydistinguished——whomofallothers，hadtheyknownasmuchasshedid，theywouldhavebeenmostanxioustomortify;whilesheherself，whohadcomparativelynopowertowoundthem，satpointedlyslightedbyboth。
Butwhileshesmiledatagraciousnesssomisapplied，shecouldnotreflectonthemean-spiritedfollyfromwhichitsprung，norobservethestudiedattentionswithwhichtheMissSteelescourteditscontinuance，withoutthoroughlydespisingthemallfour。
Lucywasallexultationonbeingsohonorablydistinguished;andMissSteelewantedonlytobeteazedaboutDr。Davistobeperfectlyhappy。
Thedinnerwasagrandone，theservantswerenumerous，andeverythingbespoketheMistress’sinclinationforshow，andtheMaster’sabilitytosupportit。
InspiteoftheimprovementsandadditionswhichweremakingtotheNorlandestate，andinspiteofitsownerhavingoncebeenwithinsomethousandpoundsofbeingobligedtoselloutataloss，nothinggaveanysymptomofthatindigencewhichhehadtriedtoinferfromit;——
nopovertyofanykind，exceptofconversation，appeared——
butthere，thedeficiencywasconsiderable。JohnDashwoodhadnotmuchtosayforhimselfthatwasworthhearing，andhiswifehadstillless。Buttherewasnopeculiardisgraceinthis;foritwasverymuchthecasewiththechiefoftheirvisitors，whoalmostalllabouredunderoneorotherofthesedisqualificationsforbeingagreeable——Wantofsense，eithernaturalorimproved——wantofelegance——wantofspirits——orwantoftemper。
Whentheladieswithdrewtothedrawing-roomafterdinner，thispovertywasparticularlyevident，forthegentlemenHADsuppliedthediscoursewithsomevariety——thevarietyofpolitics，inclosingland，andbreakinghorses——butthenitwasallover;andonesubjectonlyengagedtheladiestillcoffeecamein，whichwasthecomparativeheightsofHarryDashwood，andLadyMiddleton’ssecondsonWilliam，whowerenearlyofthesameage。
Hadboththechildrenbeenthere，theaffairmighthavebeendeterminedtooeasilybymeasuringthematonce;
butasHarryonlywaspresent，itwasallconjecturalassertiononbothsides;andeverybodyhadarighttobeequallypositiveintheiropinion，andtorepeatitoverandoveragainasoftenastheyliked。
Thepartiesstoodthus：
Thetwomothers，thougheachreallyconvincedthatherownsonwasthetallest，politelydecidedinfavouroftheother。
Thetwograndmothers，withnotlesspartiality，butmoresincerity，wereequallyearnestinsupportoftheirowndescendant。
Lucy，whowashardlylessanxioustopleaseoneparentthantheother，thoughttheboyswerebothremarkablytallfortheirage，andcouldnotconceivethattherecouldbethesmallestdifferenceintheworldbetweenthem;
andMissSteele，withyetgreateraddressgaveit，asfastasshecould，infavourofeach。
Elinor，havingoncedeliveredheropiniononWilliam’sside，bywhichsheoffendedMrs。FerrarsandFannystillmore，didnotseethenecessityofenforcingitbyanyfartherassertion;andMarianne，whencalledonforher’s，offendedthemall，bydeclaringthatshehadnoopiniontogive，asshehadneverthoughtaboutit。
BeforeherremovingfromNorland，Elinorhadpaintedaveryprettypairofscreensforhersister-in-law，whichbeingnowjustmountedandbroughthome，ornamentedherpresentdrawingroom;andthesescreens，catchingtheeyeofJohnDashwoodonhisfollowingtheothergentlemenintotheroom，wereofficiouslyhandedbyhimtoColonelBrandonforhisadmiration。
“Thesearedonebymyeldestsister，“saidhe;“andyou，asamanoftaste，will，Idaresay，bepleasedwiththem。
Idonotknowwhetheryouhaveeverhappenedtoseeanyofherperformancesbefore，butsheisingeneralreckonedtodrawextremelywell。”
TheColonel，thoughdisclaimingallpretensionstoconnoisseurship，warmlyadmiredthescreens，ashewouldhavedoneanythingpaintedbyMissDashwood;
andonthecuriosityoftheothersbeingofcourseexcited，theywerehandedroundforgeneralinspection。
Mrs。Ferrars，notawareoftheirbeingElinor’swork，particularlyrequestedtolookatthem;andaftertheyhadreceivedgratifyingtestimonyofLadyMiddletons’sapprobation，Fannypresentedthemtohermother，consideratelyinformingher，atthesametime，thattheyweredonebyMissDashwood。
“Hum“——saidMrs。Ferrars——“verypretty，“——andwithoutregardingthematall，returnedthemtoherdaughter。
PerhapsFannythoughtforamomentthathermotherhadbeenquiterudeenough，——for，colouringalittle，sheimmediatelysaid，“Theyareverypretty，ma’am——an’tthey？”Butthenagain，thedreadofhavingbeentoocivil，tooencouragingherself，probablycameoverher，forshepresentlyadded，“DoyounotthinktheyaresomethinginMissMorton’sstyleofpainting，Ma’am？——SheDOESpaintmostdelightfully！——Howbeautifullyherlastlandscapeisdone！”
“Beautifullyindeed！，ButSHEdoeseverythingwell。”
Mariannecouldnotbearthis——ShewasalreadygreatlydispleasedwithMrs。Ferrars;andsuchill-timedpraiseofanother，atElinor’sexpense，thoughshehadnotanynotionofwhatwasprincipallymeantbyit，provokedherimmediatelytosaywithwarmth，“Thisisadmirationofaveryparticularkind！——
whatisMissMortontous？——whoknows，orwhocares，forher？——itisElinorofwhomWEthinkandspeak。”
Andsosaying，shetookthescreensoutofhersister-in-law’shands，toadmirethemherselfastheyoughttobeadmired。
Mrs。Ferrarslookedexceedinglyangry，anddrawingherselfupmorestifflythanever，pronouncedinretortthisbitterphilippic，“MissMortonisLordMorton’sdaughter。”
Fannylookedveryangrytoo，andherhusbandwasallinafrightathissister’saudacity。ElinorwasmuchmorehurtbyMarianne’swarmththanshehadbeenbywhatproducedit;butColonelBrandon’seyes，astheywerefixedonMarianne，declaredthathenoticedonlywhatwasamiableinit，theaffectionateheartwhichcouldnotbeartoseeasisterslightedinthesmallestpoint。
Marianne’sfeelingsdidnotstophere。
ThecoldinsolenceofMrs。Ferrars’sgeneralbehaviourtohersister，seemed，toher，toforetellsuchdifficultiesanddistressestoElinor，asherownwoundedhearttaughthertothinkofwithhorror;andurgedbyastrongimpulseofaffectionatesensibility，shemovedafteramoment，tohersister’schair，andputtingonearmroundherneck，andonecheekclosetohers，saidinalow，buteager，voice，“Dear，dearElinor，don’tmindthem。
Don’tletthemmakeYOUunhappy。”
Shecouldsaynomore;herspiritswerequiteovercome，andhidingherfaceonElinor’sshoulder，sheburstintotears。Everybody’sattentionwascalled，andalmosteverybodywasconcerned——ColonelBrandonroseupandwenttothemwithoutknowingwhathedid——Mrs。Jennings，withaveryintelligent“Ah！poordear，“immediatelygaveherhersalts;andSirJohnfeltsodesperatelyenragedagainsttheauthorofthisnervousdistress，thatheinstantlychangedhisseattooneclosebyLucySteele，andgaveher，inawhisper，abriefaccountofthewholeshockingaffair。
Inafewminutes，however，Mariannewasrecoveredenoughtoputanendtothebustle，andsitdownamongtherest;thoughherspiritsretainedtheimpressionofwhathadpassed，thewholeevening。
“PoorMarianne！”saidherbrothertoColonelBrandon，inalowvoice，assoonashecouldsecurehisattention，——
“Shehasnotsuchgoodhealthashersister，——sheisverynervous，——shehasnotElinor’sconstitution;——andonemustallowthatthereissomethingverytryingtoayoungwomanwhoHASBEENabeautyinthelossofherpersonalattractions。
Youwouldnotthinkitperhaps，butMarianneWASremarkablyhandsomeafewmonthsago;quiteashandsomeasElinor——
Nowyouseeitisallgone。”
chapter35
CHAPTER35
Elinor’scuriositytoseeMrs。Ferrarswassatisfied——
Shehadfoundinhereverythingthatcouldtendtomakeafartherconnectionbetweenthefamiliesundesirable——
Shehadseenenoughofherpride，hermeanness，andherdeterminedprejudiceagainstherself，tocomprehendallthedifficultiesthatmusthaveperplexedtheengagement，andretardedthemarriage，ofEdwardandherself，hadhebeenotherwisefree;——andshehadseenalmostenoughtobethankfulforherOWNsake，thatonegreaterobstaclepreservedherfromsufferingunderanyotherofMrs。Ferrars’screation，preservedherfromalldependenceuponhercaprice，oranysolicitudeforhergoodopinion。Oratleast，ifshedidnotbringherselfquitetorejoiceinEdward’sbeingfetteredtoLucy，shedetermined，thathadLucybeenmoreamiable，sheOUGHTtohaverejoiced。
ShewonderedthatLucy’sspiritscouldbesoverymuchelevatedbythecivilityofMrs。Ferrars;——thatherinterestandhervanityshouldsoverymuchblindherastomaketheattentionwhichseemedonlypaidherbecauseshewasNOTELINOR，appearacomplimenttoherself——ortoallowhertoderiveencouragementfromapreferenceonlygivenher，becauseherrealsituationwasunknown。Butthatitwasso，hadnotonlybeendeclaredbyLucy’seyesatthetime，butwasdeclaredoveragainthenextmorningmoreopenly，foratherparticulardesire，LadyMiddletonsetherdowninBerkeleyStreetonthechanceofseeingElinoralone，totellherhowhappyshewas。
Thechanceprovedaluckyone，foramessagefromMrs。Palmersoonaftershearrived，carriedMrs。Jenningsaway。
“Mydearfriend，“criedLucy，assoonastheywerebythemselves，“Icometotalktoyouofmyhappiness。
CouldanythingbesoflatteringasMrs。Ferrars’swayoftreatingmeyesterday？，Soexceedingaffableasshewas！——YouknowhowIdreadedthethoughtsofseeingher;——
buttheverymomentIwasintroduced，therewassuchanaffabilityinherbehaviourasreallyshouldseemtosay，shehadquitetookafancytome。Nowwasnotitso？——
Yousawitall;andwasnotyouquitestruckwithit？”
“Shewascertainlyveryciviltoyou。”
“Civil！——Didyouseenothingbutonlycivility？——
Isawavastdealmore。Suchkindnessasfelltotheshareofnobodybutme！——Nopride，nohauteur，andyoursisterjustthesame——allsweetnessandaffability！”
Elinorwishedtotalkofsomethingelse，butLucystillpressedhertoownthatshehadreasonforherhappiness;
andElinorwasobligedtogoon——
“Undoubtedly，iftheyhadknownyourengagement，“
saidshe，“nothingcouldbemoreflatteringthantheirtreatmentofyou;——butasthatwasnotthecase“——
“Iguessedyouwouldsayso“——repliedLucyquickly——“buttherewasnoreasonintheworldwhyMrs。Ferrarsshouldseemtolikeme，ifshedidnot，andherlikingmeiseverything。Youshan’ttalkmeoutofmysatisfaction。Iamsureitwillallendwell，andtherewillbenodifficultiesatall，towhatI
usedtothink。Mrs。Ferrarsisacharmingwoman，andsoisyoursister。Theyarebothdelightfulwomen，indeed！——IwonderIshouldneverhearyousayhowagreeableMrs。Dashwoodwas！”
TothisElinorhadnoanswertomake，anddidnotattemptany。
“Areyouill，MissDashwood？——youseemlow——youdon’tspeak;——sureyouan’twell。”
“Ineverwasinbetterhealth。”
“Iamgladofitwithallmyheart;butreallyyoudidnotlookit。IshouldbesorrytohaveYOUill;you，thathavebeenthegreatestcomforttomeintheworld！——HeavenknowswhatIshouldhavedonewithoutyourfriendship。”——
Elinortriedtomakeacivilanswer，thoughdoubtingherownsuccess。ButitseemedtosatisfyLucy，forshedirectlyreplied，“IndeedIamperfectlyconvincedofyourregardforme，andnexttoEdward’slove，itisthegreatestcomfortIhave——PoorEdward！——Butnowthereisonegoodthing，weshallbeabletomeet，andmeetprettyoften，forLadyMiddleton’sdelightedwithMrs。Dashwood，soweshallbeagooddealinHarleyStreet，Idaresay，andEdwardspendshalfhistimewithhissister——besides，LadyMiddletonandMrs。Ferrarswillvisitnow;——
andMrs。Ferrarsandyoursisterwerebothsogoodtosaymorethanonce，theyshouldalwaysbegladtoseeme——
Theyaresuchcharmingwomen！——IamsureifeveryoutellyoursisterwhatIthinkofher，youcannotspeaktoohigh。”
ButElinorwouldnotgiveheranyencouragementtohopethatsheSHOULDtellhersister。Lucycontinued。
“IamsureIshouldhaveseenitinamoment，ifMrs。Ferrarshadtookadisliketome。Ifshehadonlymademeaformalcourtesy，forinstance，withoutsayingaword，andneverafterhadtookanynoticeofme，andneverlookedatmeinapleasantway——youknowwhatImean——ifIhadbeentreatedinthatforbiddingsortofway，Ishouldhavegaveitallupindespair。
Icouldnothavestoodit。ForwheresheDOESdislike，Iknowitismostviolent。”
Elinorwaspreventedfrommakinganyreplytothisciviltriumph，bythedoor’sbeingthrownopen，theservant’sannouncingMr。Ferrars，andEdward’simmediatelywalkingin。
Itwasaveryawkwardmoment;andthecountenanceofeachshewedthatitwasso。Theyalllookedexceedinglyfoolish;
andEdwardseemedtohaveasgreataninclinationtowalkoutoftheroomagain，astoadvancefartherintoit。
Theverycircumstance，initsunpleasantestform，whichtheywouldeachhavebeenmostanxioustoavoid，hadfallenonthem——Theywerenotonlyallthreetogether，butweretogetherwithoutthereliefofanyotherperson。
Theladiesrecoveredthemselvesfirst。ItwasnotLucy’sbusinesstoputherselfforward，andtheappearanceofsecrecymuststillbekeptup。ShecouldthereforeonlyLOOKhertenderness，andafterslightlyaddressinghim，saidnomore。
ButElinorhadmoretodo;andsoanxiouswasshe，forhissakeandherown，todoitwell，thatsheforcedherself，afteramoment’srecollection，towelcomehim，withalookandmannerthatwerealmosteasy，andalmostopen;andanotherstruggle，anothereffortstillimprovedthem。ShewouldnotallowthepresenceofLucy，northeconsciousnessofsomeinjusticetowardsherself，todeterherfromsayingthatshewashappytoseehim，andthatshehadverymuchregrettedbeingfromhome，whenhecalledbeforeinBerkeleyStreet。Shewouldnotbefrightenedfrompayinghimthoseattentionswhich，asafriendandalmostarelation，werehisdue，bytheobservanteyesofLucy，thoughshesoonperceivedthemtobenarrowlywatchingher。
Hermannersgavesomere-assurancetoEdward，andhehadcourageenoughtositdown;buthisembarrassmentstillexceededthatoftheladiesinaproportion，whichthecaserenderedreasonable，thoughhissexmightmakeitrare;
forhishearthadnottheindifferenceofLucy’s，norcouldhisconsciencehavequitetheeaseofElinor’s。
Lucy，withademureandsettledair，seemeddeterminedtomakenocontributiontothecomfortoftheothers，andwouldnotsayaword;andalmosteverythingthatWAS
said，proceededfromElinor，whowasobligedtovolunteeralltheinformationabouthermother’shealth，theircomingtotown，&c。whichEdwardoughttohaveinquiredabout，butneverdid。
Herexertionsdidnotstophere;forshesoonafterwardsfeltherselfsoheroicallydisposedastodetermine，underpretenceoffetchingMarianne，toleavetheothersbythemselves;andshereallydidit，andTHATinthehandsomestmanner，forsheloiteredawayseveralminutesonthelanding-place，withthemosthigh-mindedfortitude，beforeshewenttohersister。
Whenthatwasoncedone，however，itwastimefortherapturesofEdwardtocease;forMarianne’sjoyhurriedherintothedrawing-roomimmediately。Herpleasureinseeinghimwaslikeeveryotherofherfeelings，stronginitself，andstronglyspoken。Shemethimwithahandthatwouldbetaken，andavoicethatexpressedtheaffectionofasister。
“DearEdward！”shecried，“thisisamomentofgreathappiness！——Thiswouldalmostmakeamendsforeverything？”
Edwardtriedtoreturnherkindnessasitdeserved，butbeforesuchwitnesseshedarednotsayhalfwhathereallyfelt。Againtheyallsatdown，andforamomentortwoallweresilent;whileMariannewaslookingwiththemostspeakingtenderness，sometimesatEdwardandsometimesatElinor，regrettingonlythattheirdelightineachothershouldbecheckedbyLucy’sunwelcomepresence。
Edwardwasthefirsttospeak，anditwastonoticeMarianne’salteredlooks，andexpresshisfearofhernotfindingLondonagreewithher。
“Oh，don’tthinkofme！”sherepliedwithspiritedearnestness，thoughhereyeswerefilledwithtearsasshespoke，“don’tthinkofMYhealth。Elinoriswell，yousee。Thatmustbeenoughforusboth。”
ThisremarkwasnotcalculatedtomakeEdwardorElinormoreeasy，nortoconciliatethegoodwillofLucy，wholookedupatMariannewithnoverybenignantexpression。
“DoyoulikeLondon？”saidEdward，willingtosayanythingthatmightintroduceanothersubject。
“Notatall。Iexpectedmuchpleasureinit，butIhavefoundnone。Thesightofyou，Edward，istheonlycomfortithasafforded;andthankHeaven！youarewhatyoualwayswere！”
Shepaused——noonespoke。
“Ithink，Elinor，“shepresentlyadded，“wemustemployEdwardtotakecareofusinourreturntoBarton。
Inaweekortwo，Isuppose，weshallbegoing;and，Itrust，Edwardwillnotbeveryunwillingtoacceptthecharge。”
PoorEdwardmutteredsomething，butwhatitwas，nobodyknew，notevenhimself。ButMarianne，whosawhisagitation，andcouldeasilytraceittowhatevercausebestpleasedherself，wasperfectlysatisfied，andsoontalkedofsomethingelse。
“Wespentsuchaday，Edward，inHarleyStreetyesterday！，Sodull，sowretchedlydull！——ButIhavemuchtosaytoyouonthathead，whichcannotbesaidnow。”
Andwiththisadmirablediscretiondidshedefertheassuranceofherfindingtheirmutualrelativesmoredisagreeablethanever，andofherbeingparticularlydisgustedwithhismother，tilltheyweremoreinprivate。
“Butwhywereyounotthere，Edward？——Whydidyounotcome？”
“Iwasengagedelsewhere。”
“Engaged！，Butwhatwasthat，whensuchfriendsweretobemet？”
“Perhaps，MissMarianne，“criedLucy，eagertotakesomerevengeonher，“youthinkyoungmenneverstanduponengagements，iftheyhavenomindtokeepthem，littleaswellasgreat。”
Elinorwasveryangry，butMarianneseemedentirelyinsensibleofthesting;forshecalmlyreplied，“Notso，indeed;for，seriouslyspeaking，I
amverysurethatconscienceonlykeptEdwardfromHarleyStreet。
AndIreallybelieveheHASthemostdelicateconscienceintheworld;themostscrupulousinperformingeveryengagement，howeverminute，andhoweveritmaymakeagainsthisinterestorpleasure。Heisthemostfearfulofgivingpain，ofwoundingexpectation，andthemostincapableofbeingselfish，ofanybodyIeversaw。Edward，itisso，andIwillsayit。
What！areyounevertohearyourselfpraised！——Thenyoumustbenofriendofmine;forthosewhowillacceptofmyloveandesteem，mustsubmittomyopencommendation。”
Thenatureofhercommendation，inthepresentcase，however，happenedtobeparticularlyill-suitedtothefeelingsoftwothirdsofherauditors，andwassoveryunexhilaratingtoEdward，thatheverysoongotuptogoaway。
“Goingsosoon！”saidMarianne;“mydearEdward，thismustnotbe。”
Anddrawinghimalittleaside，shewhisperedherpersuasionthatLucycouldnotstaymuchlonger。
Buteventhisencouragementfailed，forhewouldgo;
andLucy，whowouldhaveoutstaidhim，hadhisvisitlastedtwohours，soonafterwardswentaway。
“Whatcanbringherheresooften？”saidMarianne，onherleavingthem。”Couldnotsheseethatwewantedhergone！——howteazingtoEdward！”
“Whyso？——wewereallhisfriends，andLucyhasbeenthelongestknowntohimofany。Itisbutnaturalthatheshouldliketoseeheraswellasourselves。”
Mariannelookedathersteadily，andsaid，“Youknow，Elinor，thatthisisakindoftalkingwhichIcannotbear。
Ifyouonlyhopetohaveyourassertioncontradicted，asImustsupposetobethecase，yououghttorecollectthatIamthelastpersonintheworldtodoit。
Icannotdescendtobetrickedoutofassurances，thatarenotreallywanted。”
Shethenlefttheroom;andElinordarednotfollowhertosaymore，forboundasshewasbyherpromiseofsecrecytoLucy，shecouldgivenoinformationthatwouldconvinceMarianne;andpainfulastheconsequencesofherstillcontinuinginanerrormightbe，shewasobligedtosubmittoit。Allthatshecouldhope，wasthatEdwardwouldnotoftenexposeherorhimselftothedistressofhearingMarianne’smistakenwarmth，nortotherepetitionofanyotherpartofthepainthathadattendedtheirrecentmeeting——andthisshehadeveryreasontoexpect。
chapter36
CHAPTER36
Withinafewdaysafterthismeeting，thenewspapersannouncedtotheworld，thattheladyofThomasPalmer，Esq。wassafelydeliveredofasonandheir;averyinterestingandsatisfactoryparagraph，atleasttoallthoseintimateconnectionswhoknewitbefore。
Thisevent，highlyimportanttoMrs。Jennings’shappiness，producedatemporaryalterationinthedisposalofhertime，andinfluenced，inalikedegree，theengagementsofheryoungfriends;forasshewishedtobeasmuchaspossiblewithCharlotte，shewentthithereverymorningassoonasshewasdressed，anddidnotreturntilllateintheevening;andtheMissDashwoods，attheparticularrequestoftheMiddletons，spentthewholeofeveryday，ineverydayinConduitStreet。Fortheirowncomforttheywouldmuchratherhaveremained，atleastallthemorning，inMrs。Jennings’shouse;butitwasnotathingtobeurgedagainstthewishesofeverybody。
TheirhourswerethereforemadeovertoLadyMiddletonandthetwoMissSteeles，bywhomtheircompany，infactwasaslittlevalued，asitwasprofessedlysought。
Theyhadtoomuchsensetobedesirablecompanionstotheformer;andbythelattertheywereconsideredwithajealouseye，asintrudingonTHEIRground，andsharingthekindnesswhichtheywantedtomonopolize。ThoughnothingcouldbemorepolitethanLadyMiddleton’sbehaviourtoElinorandMarianne，shedidnotreallylikethematall。
Becausetheyneitherflatteredherselfnorherchildren，shecouldnotbelievethemgood-natured;andbecausetheywerefondofreading，shefanciedthemsatirical：perhapswithoutexactlyknowingwhatitwastobesatirical;
butTHATdidnotsignify。Itwascensureincommonuse，andeasilygiven。
TheirpresencewasarestraintbothonherandonLucy。
Itcheckedtheidlenessofone，andthebusinessoftheother。
LadyMiddletonwasashamedofdoingnothingbeforethem，andtheflatterywhichLucywasproudtothinkofandadministeratothertimes，shefearedtheywoulddespiseherforoffering。MissSteelewastheleastdiscomposedofthethree，bytheirpresence;anditwasintheirpowertoreconcilehertoitentirely。WouldeitherofthemonlyhavegivenherafullandminuteaccountofthewholeaffairbetweenMarianneandMr。Willoughby，shewouldhavethoughtherselfamplyrewardedforthesacrificeofthebestplacebythefireafterdinner，whichtheirarrivaloccasioned。Butthisconciliationwasnotgranted;
forthoughsheoftenthrewoutexpressionsofpityforhersistertoElinor，andmorethanoncedroptareflectionontheinconstancyofbeauxbeforeMarianne，noeffectwasproduced，butalookofindifferencefromtheformer，orofdisgustinthelatter。Aneffortevenyetlightermighthavemadehertheirfriend。WouldtheyonlyhavelaughedatherabouttheDoctor！，Butsolittlewerethey，anymorethantheothers，inclinedtoobligeher，thatifSirJohndinedfromhome，shemightspendawholedaywithouthearinganyotherrailleryonthesubject，thanwhatshewaskindenoughtobestowonherself。
Allthesejealousiesanddiscontents，however，weresototallyunsuspectedbyMrs。Jennings，thatshethoughtitadelightfulthingforthegirlstobetogether;
andgenerallycongratulatedheryoungfriendseverynight，onhavingescapedthecompanyofastupidoldwomansolong。
ShejoinedthemsometimesatSirJohn’s，sometimesatherownhouse;butwhereveritwas，shealwayscameinexcellentspirits，fullofdelightandimportance，attributingCharlotte’swelldoingtoherowncare，andreadytogivesoexact，sominuteadetailofhersituation，asonlyMissSteelehadcuriosityenoughtodesire。
OnethingDIDdisturbher;andofthatshemadeherdailycomplaint。Mr。Palmermaintainedthecommon，butunfatherlyopinionamonghissex，ofallinfantsbeingalike;
andthoughshecouldplainlyperceive，atdifferenttimes，themoststrikingresemblancebetweenthisbabyandeveryoneofhisrelationsonbothsides，therewasnoconvincinghisfatherofit;nopersuadinghimtobelievethatitwasnotexactlylikeeveryotherbabyofthesameage;
norcouldheevenbebroughttoacknowledgethesimplepropositionofitsbeingthefinestchildintheworld。
Icomenowtotherelationofamisfortune，whichaboutthistimebefellMrs。JohnDashwood。
ItsohappenedthatwhilehertwosisterswithMrs。JenningswerefirstcallingonherinHarleyStreet，anotherofheracquaintancehaddroptin——acircumstanceinitselfnotapparentlylikelytoproduceeviltoher。
Butwhiletheimaginationsofotherpeoplewillcarrythemawaytoformwrongjudgmentsofourconduct，andtodecideonitbyslightappearances，one’shappinessmustinsomemeasurebealwaysatthemercyofchance。
Inthepresentinstance，thislast-arrivedladyallowedherfancytosofaroutruntruthandprobability，thatonmerelyhearingthenameoftheMissDashwoods，andunderstandingthemtobeMr。Dashwood’ssisters，sheimmediatelyconcludedthemtobestayinginHarleyStreet;
andthismisconstructionproducedwithinadayortwoafterwards，cardsofinvitationforthemaswellasfortheirbrotherandsister，toasmallmusicalpartyatherhouse。Theconsequenceofwhichwas，thatMrs。JohnDashwoodwasobligedtosubmitnotonlytotheexceedinglygreatinconvenienceofsendinghercarriagefortheMissDashwoods，but，whatwasstillworse，mustbesubjecttoalltheunpleasantnessofappearingtotreatthemwithattention：andwhocouldtellthattheymightnotexpecttogooutwithherasecondtime？，Thepowerofdisappointingthem，itwastrue，mustalwaysbeher’s。
Butthatwasnotenough;forwhenpeoplearedeterminedonamodeofconductwhichtheyknowtobewrong，theyfeelinjuredbytheexpectationofanythingbetterfromthem。
Mariannehadnowbeenbroughtbydegrees，somuchintothehabitofgoingouteveryday，thatitwasbecomeamatterofindifferencetoher，whethershewentornot：
andshepreparedquietlyandmechanicallyforeveryevening’sengagement，thoughwithoutexpectingthesmallestamusementfromany，andveryoftenwithoutknowing，tillthelastmoment，whereitwastotakeher。
Toherdressandappearanceshewasgrownsoperfectlyindifferent，asnottobestowhalftheconsiderationonit，duringthewholeofhertoilet，whichitreceivedfromMissSteeleinthefirstfiveminutesoftheirbeingtogether，whenitwasfinished。NothingescapedHERminuteobservationandgeneralcuriosity;shesaweverything，andaskedeverything;wasnevereasytillsheknewthepriceofeverypartofMarianne’sdress;couldhaveguessedthenumberofhergownsaltogetherwithbetterjudgmentthanMarianneherself，andwasnotwithouthopesoffindingoutbeforetheyparted，howmuchherwashingcostperweek，andhowmuchshehadeveryyeartospenduponherself。
Theimpertinenceofthesekindofscrutinies，moreover，wasgenerallyconcludedwithacompliment，whichthoughmeantasitsdouceur，wasconsideredbyMarianneasthegreatestimpertinenceofall;forafterundergoinganexaminationintothevalueandmakeofhergown，thecolourofhershoes，andthearrangementofherhair，shewasalmostsureofbeingtoldthatupon“herwordshelookedvastlysmart，andshedaredtosayshewouldmakeagreatmanyconquests。”
Withsuchencouragementasthis，wasshedismissedonthepresentoccasion，toherbrother’scarriage;
whichtheywerereadytoenterfiveminutesafteritstoppedatthedoor，apunctualitynotveryagreeabletotheirsister-in-law，whohadprecededthemtothehouseofheracquaintance，andwastherehopingforsomedelayontheirpartthatmightinconvenienceeitherherselforhercoachman。
Theeventsofthiseveningwerenotveryremarkable。
Theparty，likeothermusicalparties，comprehendedagreatmanypeoplewhohadrealtastefortheperformance，andagreatmanymorewhohadnoneatall;andtheperformersthemselveswere，asusual，intheirownestimation，andthatoftheirimmediatefriends，thefirstprivateperformersinEngland。
AsElinorwasneithermusical，noraffectingtobeso，shemadenoscrupleofturninghereyesfromthegrandpianoforte，wheneveritsuitedher，andunrestrainedevenbythepresenceofaharp，andvioloncello，wouldfixthematpleasureonanyotherobjectintheroom。Inoneoftheseexcursiveglancessheperceivedamongagroupofyoungmen，theveryhe，whohadgiventhemalectureontoothpick-casesatGray’s。Sheperceivedhimsoonafterwardslookingatherself，andspeakingfamiliarlytoherbrother;andhadjustdeterminedtofindouthisnamefromthelatter，whentheybothcametowardsher，andMr。DashwoodintroducedhimtoherasMr。RobertFerrars。
Headdressedherwitheasycivility，andtwistedhisheadintoabowwhichassuredherasplainlyaswordscouldhavedone，thathewasexactlythecoxcombshehadheardhimdescribedtobebyLucy。Happyhaditbeenforher，ifherregardforEdwardhaddependedlessonhisownmerit，thanonthemeritofhisnearestrelations！，Forthenhisbrother’sbowmusthavegiventhefinishingstroketowhattheill-humourofhismotherandsisterwouldhavebegun。Butwhileshewonderedatthedifferenceofthetwoyoungmen，shedidnotfindthattheemptinessofconceitoftheone，putheroutofallcharitywiththemodestyandworthoftheother。
WhytheyWEREdifferent，Robertexclaimedtoherhimselfinthecourseofaquarterofanhour’sconversation;
for，talkingofhisbrother，andlamentingtheextremeGAUCHERIEwhichhereallybelievedkepthimfrommixinginpropersociety，hecandidlyandgenerouslyattributeditmuchlesstoanynaturaldeficiency，thantothemisfortuneofaprivateeducation;whilehehimself，thoughprobablywithoutanyparticular，anymaterialsuperioritybynature，merelyfromtheadvantageofapublicschool，wasaswellfittedtomixintheworldasanyotherman。
“Uponmysoul，“headded，“Ibelieveitisnothingmore;
andsoIoftentellmymother，whensheisgrievingaboutit。’MydearMadam，’Ialwayssaytoher，’youmustmakeyourselfeasy。Theevilisnowirremediable，andithasbeenentirelyyourowndoing。Whywouldyoubepersuadedbymyuncle，SirRobert，againstyourownjudgment，toplaceEdwardunderprivatetuition，atthemostcriticaltimeofhislife？，IfyouhadonlysenthimtoWestminsteraswellasmyself，insteadofsendinghimtoMr。Pratt’s，allthiswouldhavebeenprevented。’
ThisisthewayinwhichIalwaysconsiderthematter，andmymotherisperfectlyconvincedofhererror。”
Elinorwouldnotopposehisopinion，because，whatevermightbehergeneralestimationoftheadvantageofapublicschool，shecouldnotthinkofEdward’sabodeinMr。Pratt’sfamily，withanysatisfaction。
“YouresideinDevonshire，Ithink，“——washisnextobservation，“inacottagenearDawlish。”
Elinorsethimrightastoitssituation;
anditseemedrathersurprisingtohimthatanybodycouldliveinDevonshire，withoutlivingnearDawlish。
Hebestowedhisheartyapprobationhoweverontheirspeciesofhouse。
“Formyownpart，“saidhe，“Iamexcessivelyfondofacottage;thereisalwayssomuchcomfort，somucheleganceaboutthem。AndIprotest，ifIhadanymoneytospare，Ishouldbuyalittlelandandbuildonemyself，withinashortdistanceofLondon，whereImightdrivemyselfdownatanytime，andcollectafewfriendsaboutme，andbehappy。Iadviseeverybodywhoisgoingtobuild，tobuildacottage。MyfriendLordCourtlandcametometheotherdayonpurposetoaskmyadvice，andlaidbeforemethreedifferentplansofBonomi’s。
Iwastodecideonthebestofthem。’MydearCourtland，’
saidI，immediatelythrowingthemallintothefire，’donotadopteitherofthem，butbyallmeansbuildacottage。’
AndthatIfancy，willbetheendofit。
“Somepeopleimaginethattherecanbenoaccommodations，nospaceinacottage;butthisisallamistake。
IwaslastmonthatmyfriendElliott’s，nearDartford。
LadyElliottwishedtogiveadance。’Buthowcanitbedone？’saidshe;’mydearFerrars，dotellmehowitistobemanaged。Thereisnotaroominthiscottagethatwillholdtencouple，andwherecanthesupperbe？’
Iimmediatelysawthattherecouldbenodifficultyinit，soIsaid，’MydearLadyElliott，donotbeuneasy。
Thediningparlourwilladmiteighteencouplewithease;
card-tablesmaybeplacedinthedrawing-room;thelibrarymaybeopenforteaandotherrefreshments;andletthesupperbesetoutinthesaloon。’，LadyElliottwasdelightedwiththethought。Wemeasuredthedining-room，andfounditwouldholdexactlyeighteencouple，andtheaffairwasarrangedpreciselyaftermyplan。Sothat，infact，yousee，ifpeopledobutknowhowtosetaboutit，everycomfortmaybeaswellenjoyedinacottageasinthemostspaciousdwelling。”
Elinoragreedtoitall，forshedidnotthinkhedeservedthecomplimentofrationalopposition。
AsJohnDashwoodhadnomorepleasureinmusicthanhiseldestsister，hismindwasequallyatlibertytofixonanythingelse;andathoughtstruckhimduringtheevening，whichhecommunicatedtohiswife，forherapprobation，whentheygothome。TheconsiderationofMrs。Dennison’smistake，insupposinghissisterstheirguests，hadsuggestedtheproprietyoftheirbeingreallyinvitedtobecomesuch，whileMrs。Jenning’sengagementskeptherfromhome。
Theexpensewouldbenothing，theinconveniencenotmore;
anditwasaltogetheranattentionwhichthedelicacyofhisconsciencepointedouttoberequisitetoitscompleteenfranchisementfromhispromisetohisfather。
Fannywasstartledattheproposal。
“Idonotseehowitcanbedone，“saidshe，“withoutaffrontingLadyMiddleton，fortheyspendeverydaywithher;otherwiseIshouldbeexceedinglygladtodoit。
YouknowIamalwaysreadytopaythemanyattentioninmypower，asmytakingthemoutthiseveningshews。
ButtheyareLadyMiddleton’svisitors。HowcanIaskthemawayfromher？”
Herhusband，butwithgreathumility，didnotseetheforceofherobjection。”TheyhadalreadyspentaweekinthismannerinConduitStreet，andLadyMiddletoncouldnotbedispleasedattheirgivingthesamenumberofdaystosuchnearrelations。”
Fannypausedamoment，andthen，withfreshvigor，said，“MyloveIwouldaskthemwithallmyheart，ifitwasinmypower。ButIhadjustsettledwithinmyselftoasktheMissSteelestospendafewdayswithus。
Theyareverywellbehaved，goodkindofgirls;andIthinktheattentionisduetothem，astheiruncledidsoverywellbyEdward。Wecanaskyoursisterssomeotheryear，youknow;buttheMissSteelesmaynotbeintownanymore。
Iamsureyouwilllikethem;indeed，youDOlikethem，youknow，verymuchalready，andsodoesmymother;andtheyaresuchfavouriteswithHarry！”
Mr。Dashwoodwasconvinced。HesawthenecessityofinvitingtheMissSteelesimmediately，andhisconsciencewaspacifiedbytheresolutionofinvitinghissistersanotheryear;atthesametime，however，slylysuspectingthatanotheryearwouldmaketheinvitationneedless，bybringingElinortotownasColonelBrandon’swife，andMarianneasTHEIRvisitor。
Fanny，rejoicinginherescape，andproudofthereadywitthathadprocuredit，wrotethenextmorningtoLucy，torequesthercompanyandhersister’s，forsomedays，inHarleyStreet，assoonasLadyMiddletoncouldsparethem。
ThiswasenoughtomakeLucyreallyandreasonablyhappy。
Mrs。Dashwoodseemedactuallyworkingforher，herself;
cherishingallherhopes，andpromotingallherviews！
SuchanopportunityofbeingwithEdwardandhisfamilywas，aboveallthings，themostmaterialtoherinterest，andsuchaninvitationthemostgratifyingtoherfeelings！，Itwasanadvantagethatcouldnotbetoogratefullyacknowledged，nortoospeedilymadeuseof;
andthevisittoLadyMiddleton，whichhadnotbeforehadanypreciselimits，wasinstantlydiscoveredtohavebeenalwaysmeanttoendintwodays’time。
WhenthenotewasshowntoElinor，asitwaswithintenminutesafteritsarrival，itgaveher，forthefirsttime，someshareintheexpectationsofLucy;forsuchamarkofuncommonkindness，vouchsafedonsoshortanacquaintance，seemedtodeclarethatthegood-willtowardsherarosefromsomethingmorethanmerelymaliceagainstherself;
andmightbebrought，bytimeandaddress，todoeverythingthatLucywished。HerflatteryhadalreadysubduedtheprideofLadyMiddleton，andmadeanentryintothecloseheartofMrs。JohnDashwood;andthesewereeffectsthatlaidopentheprobabilityofgreater。
TheMissSteelesremovedtoHarleyStreet，andallthatreachedElinoroftheirinfluencethere，strengthenedherexpectationoftheevent。SirJohn，whocalledonthemmorethanonce，broughthomesuchaccountsofthefavourtheywerein，asmustbeuniversallystriking。
Mrs。Dashwoodhadneverbeensomuchpleasedwithanyyoungwomeninherlife，asshewaswiththem;hadgiveneachofthemaneedlebookmadebysomeemigrant;
calledLucybyherChristianname;anddidnotknowwhethersheshouldeverbeabletopartwiththem。
chapter37
CHAPTER37
Mrs。Palmerwassowellattheendofafortnight，thathermotherfeltitnolongernecessarytogiveupthewholeofhertimetoher;and，contentingherselfwithvisitingheronceortwiceaday，returnedfromthatperiodtoherownhome，andherownhabits，inwhichshefoundtheMissDashwoodsveryreadytoressumetheirformershare。
AboutthethirdorfourthmorningaftertheirbeingthusresettledinBerkeleyStreet，Mrs。Jennings，onreturningfromherordinaryvisittoMrs。Palmer，enteredthedrawing-room，whereElinorwassittingbyherself，withanairofsuchhurryingimportanceaspreparedhertohearsomethingwonderful;andgivinghertimeonlytoformthatidea，begandirectlytojustifyit，bysaying，“Lord！mydearMissDashwood！haveyouheardthenews？”
“No，ma’am。Whatisit？”
“Somethingsostrange！，Butyoushallhearitall——
WhenIgottoMr。Palmer’s，IfoundCharlottequiteinafussaboutthechild。Shewassureitwasveryill——itcried，andfretted，andwasalloverpimples。
SoIlookedatitdirectly，and，’Lord！mydear，’
saysI，’itisnothingintheworld，buttheredgum——’
andnursesaidjustthesame。ButCharlotte，shewouldnotbesatisfied，soMr。Donavanwassentfor;andluckilyhehappenedtojustcomeinfromHarleyStreet，sohesteppedoverdirectly，andassoonaseverhesawthechild，besaidjustaswedid，thatitwasnothingintheworldbuttheredgum，andthenCharlottewaseasy。Andso，justashewasgoingawayagain，itcameintomyhead，IamsureIdonotknowhowIhappenedtothinkofit，butitcameintomyheadtoaskhimiftherewasanynews。
Souponthat，hesmirked，andsimpered，andlookedgrave，andseemedtoknowsomethingorother，andatlasthesaidinawhisper，’Forfearanyunpleasantreportshouldreachtheyoungladiesunderyourcareastotheirsister’sindisposition，Ithinkitadvisabletosay，thatIbelievethereisnogreatreasonforalarm;IhopeMrs。Dashwoodwilldoverywell。’“
“What！isFannyill？”
“ThatisexactlywhatIsaid，mydear。
’Lord！’saysI，’isMrs。Dashwoodill？’Sothenitallcameout;andthelongandtheshortofthematter，byallIcanlearn，seemstobethis。Mr。EdwardFerrars，theveryyoungmanIusedtojokewithyouabout(buthowever，asitturnsout，Iammonstrousgladtherewasneveranythinginit)，Mr。EdwardFerrars，itseems，hasbeenengagedabovethistwelvemonthtomycousinLucy！——There’sforyou，mydear！——Andnotacreatureknowingasyllableofthematter，exceptNancy！——Couldyouhavebelievedsuchathingpossible？——
Thereisnogreatwonderintheirlikingoneanother;
butthatmattersshouldbebroughtsoforwardbetweenthem，andnobodysuspectit！——THATisstrange！——Ineverhappenedtoseethemtogether，orIamsureIshouldhavefounditoutdirectly。Well，andsothiswaskeptagreatsecret，forfearofMrs。Ferrars，andneithershenoryourbrotherorsistersuspectedawordofthematter;——
tillthisverymorning，poorNancy，who，youknow，isawell-meaningcreature，butnoconjurer，poptitallout。
’Lord！’thinksshetoherself，’theyareallsofondofLucy，tobesuretheywillmakenodifficultyaboutit;’
andso，awayshewenttoyoursister，whowassittingallaloneathercarpet-work，littlesuspectingwhatwastocome——forshehadjustbeensayingtoyourbrother，onlyfiveminutesbefore，thatshethoughttomakeamatchbetweenEdwardandsomeLord’sdaughterorother，Iforgetwho。
Soyoumaythinkwhatablowitwastoallhervanityandpride。Shefellintoviolenthystericsimmediately，withsuchscreamsasreachedyourbrother’sears，ashewassittinginhisowndressing-roomdownstairs，thinkingaboutwritingalettertohisstewardinthecountry。
Soupheflewdirectly，andaterriblescenetookplace，forLucywascometothembythattime，littledreamingwhatwasgoingon。Poorsoul！，IpityHER。AndImustsay，Ithinkshewasusedveryhardly;foryoursisterscoldedlikeanyfury，andsoondroveherintoafaintingfit。
Nancy，shefelluponherknees，andcriedbitterly;
andyourbrother，hewalkedabouttheroom，andsaidhedidnotknowwhattodo。Mrs。Dashwooddeclaredtheyshouldnotstayaminutelongerinthehouse，andyourbrotherwasforcedtogodownuponHISkneestoo，topersuadehertoletthemstaytilltheyhadpackeduptheirclothes。THENshefellintohystericsagain，andhewassofrightenedthathewouldsendforMr。Donavan，andMr。Donavanfoundthehouseinallthisuproar。
Thecarriagewasatthedoorreadytotakemypoorcousinsaway，andtheywerejuststeppinginashecameoff;poorLucyinsuchacondition，hesays，shecouldhardlywalk;andNancy，shewasalmostasbad。
Ideclare，Ihavenopatiencewithyoursister;andIhope，withallmyheart，itwillbeamatchinspiteofher。
Lord！whatatakingpoorMr。Edwardwillbeinwhenhehearsofit！，Tohavehisloveusedsoscornfully！fortheysayheismonstrousfondofher，aswellhemay。
Ishouldnotwonder，ifhewastobeinthegreatestpassion！——andMr。Donavanthinksjustthesame。HeandI
hadagreatdealoftalkaboutit;andthebestofallis，thatheisgonebackagaintoHarleyStreet，thathemaybewithincallwhenMrs。Ferrarsistoldofit，forshewassentforassoonasevermycousinsleftthehouse，foryoursisterwassureSHEwouldbeinhystericstoo;
andsoshemay，forwhatIcare。Ihavenopityforeitherofthem。Ihavenonotionofpeople’smakingsuchato-doaboutmoneyandgreatness。ThereisnoreasononearthwhyMr。EdwardandLucyshouldnotmarry;
forIamsureMrs。Ferrarsmayaffordtodoverywellbyherson，andthoughLucyhasnexttonothingherself，sheknowsbetterthananybodyhowtomakethemostofeverything;Idaresay，ifMrs。Ferrarswouldonlyallowhimfivehundreda-year，shewouldmakeasgoodanappearancewithitasanybodyelsewouldwitheight。
Lord！howsnugtheymightliveinsuchanothercottageasyours——oralittlebigger——withtwomaids，andtwomen;
andIbelieveIcouldhelpthemtoahousemaid，formyBettyhasasisteroutofplace，thatwouldfitthemexactly。”
HereMrs。Jenningsceased，andasElinorhadhadtimeenoughtocollectherthoughts，shewasabletogivesuchananswer，andmakesuchobservations，asthesubjectmightnaturallybesupposedtoproduce。
Happytofindthatshewasnotsuspectedofanyextraordinaryinterestinit;thatMrs。Jennings(asshehadoflateoftenhopedmightbethecase)hadceasedtoimagineheratallattachedtoEdward;andhappyabovealltherest，intheabsenceofMarianne，shefeltverywellabletospeakoftheaffairwithoutembarrassment，andtogiveherjudgment，asshebelieved，withimpartialityontheconductofeveryoneconcernedinit。
Shecouldhardlydeterminewhatherownexpectationofitseventreallywas;thoughsheearnestlytriedtodriveawaythenotionofitsbeingpossibletoendotherwiseatlast，thaninthemarriageofEdwardandLucy。
WhatMrs。Ferrarswouldsayanddo，thoughtherecouldnotbeadoubtofitsnature，shewasanxioustohear;
andstillmoreanxioustoknowhowEdwardwouldconducthimself。ForHIMshefeltmuchcompassion;——
forLucyverylittle——anditcosthersomepainstoprocurethatlittle;——fortherestofthepartynoneatall。
AsMrs。Jenningscouldtalkonnoothersubject，ElinorsoonsawthenecessityofpreparingMarianneforitsdiscussion。Notimewastobelostinundeceivingher，inmakingheracquaintedwiththerealtruth，andinendeavouringtobringhertohearittalkedofbyothers，withoutbetrayingthatshefeltanyuneasinessforhersister，oranyresentmentagainstEdward。
Elinor’sofficewasapainfulone——Shewasgoingtoremovewhatshereallybelievedtobehersister’schiefconsolation，——togivesuchparticularsofEdwardasshefearedwouldruinhimforeverinhergoodopinion，-andtomakeMarianne，byaresemblanceintheirsituations，whichtoHERfancywouldseemstrong，feelallherowndisappointmentoveragain。Butunwelcomeassuchataskmustbe，itwasnecessarytobedone，andElinorthereforehastenedtoperformit。
Shewasveryfarfromwishingtodwellonherownfeelings，ortorepresentherselfassufferingmuch，anyotherwisethanastheself-commandshehadpractisedsinceherfirstknowledgeofEdward’sengagement，mightsuggestahintofwhatwaspracticabletoMarianne。
Hernarrationwasclearandsimple;andthoughitcouldnotbegivenwithoutemotion，itwasnotaccompaniedbyviolentagitation，norimpetuousgrief——THATbelongedrathertothehearer，forMariannelistenedwithhorror，andcriedexcessively。Elinorwastobethecomforterofothersinherowndistresses，nolessthanintheirs;
andallthecomfortthatcouldbegivenbyassurancesofherowncomposureofmind，andaveryearnestvindicationofEdwardfromeverychargebutofimprudence，wasreadilyoffered。
ButMarianneforsometimewouldgivecredittoneither。
EdwardseemedasecondWilloughby;andacknowledgingasElinordid，thatsheHADlovedhimmostsincerely，couldshefeellessthanherself！，AsforLucySteele，sheconsideredhersototallyunamiable，soabsolutelyincapableofattachingasensibleman，thatshecouldnotbepersuadedatfirsttobelieve，andafterwardstopardon，anyformeraffectionofEdwardforher。
Shewouldnotevenadmitittohavebeennatural;
andElinorlefthertobeconvincedthatitwasso，bythatwhichonlycouldconvinceher，abetterknowledgeofmankind。
Herfirstcommunicationhadreachednofartherthantostatethefactoftheengagement，andthelengthoftimeithadexisted——Marianne’sfeelingshadthenbrokenin，andputanendtoallregularityofdetail;andforsometimeallthatcouldbedonewastosootheherdistress，lessenheralarms，andcombatherresentment。Thefirstquestiononherside，whichledtofartherparticulars，was，“Howlonghasthisbeenknowntoyou，Elinor？
hashewrittentoyou？”
“Ihaveknownitthesefourmonths。WhenLucyfirstcametoBartonParklastNovember，shetoldmeinconfidenceofherengagement。”
Atthesewords，Marianne’seyesexpressedtheastonishmentwhichherlipscouldnotutter。Afterapauseofwonder，sheexclaimed——
“Fourmonths！——Haveyouknownofthisfourmonths？”
Elinorconfirmedit。
“What！——whileattendingmeinallmymisery，hasthisbeenonyourheart？——AndIhavereproachedyouforbeinghappy！”——
“ItwasnotfitthatyoushouldthenknowhowmuchIwasthereverse！”
“Fourmonths！”——criedMarianneagain——“Socalm！——
socheerful！——howhaveyoubeensupported？”——
“ByfeelingthatIwasdoingmyduty——MypromisetoLucy，obligedmetobesecret。Iowedittoher，therefore，toavoidgivinganyhintofthetruth;andIowedittomyfamilyandfriends，nottocreateinthemasolicitudeaboutme，whichitcouldnotbeinmypowertosatisfy。”
Marianneseemedmuchstruck。
“Ihaveveryoftenwishedtoundeceiveyourselfandmymother，“addedElinor;“andonceortwiceIhaveattemptedit;——
butwithoutbetrayingmytrust，Inevercouldhaveconvincedyou。”
“Fourmonths！——andyetyoulovedhim！”——
“Yes。ButIdidnotloveonlyhim;——andwhilethecomfortofotherswasdeartome，IwasgladtosparethemfromknowinghowmuchIfelt。Now，Icanthinkandspeakofitwithlittleemotion。Iwouldnothaveyousufferonmyaccount;
forIassureyouInolongersuffermateriallymyself。
Ihavemanythingstosupportme。Iamnotconsciousofhavingprovokedthedisappointmentbyanyimprudenceofmyown，Ihaveborneitasmuchaspossiblewithoutspreadingitfarther。IacquitEdwardofessentialmisconduct。
Iwishhimveryhappy;andIamsosureofhisalwaysdoinghisduty，thatthoughnowhemayharboursomeregret，intheendhemustbecomeso。Lucydoesnotwantsense，andthatisthefoundationonwhicheverythinggoodmaybebuilt——Andafterall，Marianne，afterallthatisbewitchingintheideaofasingleandconstantattachment，andallthatcanbesaidofone’shappinessdependingentirelyonanyparticularperson，itisnotmeant——itisnotfit——itisnotpossiblethatitshouldbeso——
EdwardwillmarryLucy;hewillmarryawomansuperiorinpersonandunderstandingtohalfhersex;andtimeandhabitwillteachhimtoforgetthatheeverthoughtanothersuperiortoHER。”——
“Ifsuchisyourwayofthinking，“saidMarianne，“ifthelossofwhatismostvaluedissoeasilytobemadeupbysomethingelse，yourresolution，yourself-command，are，perhaps，alittlelesstobewonderedat——Theyarebroughtmorewithinmycomprehension。”
“Iunderstandyou——YoudonotsupposethatIhaveeverfeltmuch——Forfourmonths，Marianne，Ihavehadallthishangingonmymind，withoutbeingatlibertytospeakofittoasinglecreature;knowingthatitwouldmakeyouandmymothermostunhappywheneveritwereexplainedtoyou，yetunabletoprepareyouforitintheleast——
Itwastoldme，——itwasinamannerforcedonmebytheverypersonherself，whosepriorengagementruinedallmyprospects;andtoldme，asIthought，withtriumph——
Thisperson’ssuspicions，therefore，Ihavehadtooppose，byendeavouringtoappearindifferentwhereIhavebeenmostdeeplyinterested;——andithasnotbeenonlyonce;——Ihavehadherhopesandexultationtolistentoagainandagain——
IhaveknownmyselftobedividedfromEdwardforever，withouthearingonecircumstancethatcouldmakemelessdesiretheconnection——Nothinghasprovedhimunworthy;
norhasanythingdeclaredhimindifferenttome——
Ihavehadtocontendagainsttheunkindnessofhissister，andtheinsolenceofhismother;andhavesufferedthepunishmentofanattachment，withoutenjoyingitsadvantages——
Andallthishasbeengoingonatatime，when，asyouknowtoowell，ithasnotbeenmyonlyunhappiness——
Ifyoucanthinkmecapableofeverfeeling——surelyyoumaysupposethatIhavesufferedNOW。ThecomposureofmindwithwhichIhavebroughtmyselfatpresenttoconsiderthematter，theconsolationthatIhavebeenwillingtoadmit，havebeentheeffectofconstantandpainfulexertion;——theydidnotspringupofthemselves;——
theydidnotoccurtorelievemyspiritsatfirst——
No，Marianne——THEN，ifIhadnotbeenboundtosilence，perhapsnothingcouldhavekeptmeentirely——notevenwhatI
owedtomydearestfriends——fromopenlyshewingthatIwasVERYunhappy。”——
Mariannewasquitesubdued——
“Oh！Elinor，“shecried，“youhavemademehatemyselfforever——HowbarbaroushaveIbeentoyou！——
you，whohavebeenmyonlycomfort，whohavebornewithmeinallmymisery，whohaveseemedtobeonlysufferingforme！——Isthismygratitude？——IsthistheonlyreturnI
canmakeyou？——Becauseyourmeritcriesoutuponmyself，Ihavebeentryingtodoitaway。”
Thetenderestcaressesfollowedthisconfession。
Insuchaframeofmindasshewasnowin，Elinorhadnodifficultyinobtainingfromherwhateverpromisesherequired;andatherrequest，Marianneengagednevertospeakoftheaffairtoanyonewiththeleastappearanceofbitterness;——tomeetLucywithoutbetrayingthesmallestincreaseofdisliketoher;——andeventoseeEdwardhimself，ifchanceshouldbringthemtogether，withoutanydiminutionofherusualcordiality——
Theseweregreatconcessions;——butwhereMariannefeltthatshehadinjured，noreparationcouldbetoomuchforhertomake。
Sheperformedherpromiseofbeingdiscreet，toadmiration——SheattendedtoallthatMrs。Jenningshadtosayuponthesubject，withanunchangingcomplexion，dissentedfromherinnothing，andwasheardthreetimestosay，“Yes，ma’am。”——ShelistenedtoherpraiseofLucywithonlymovingfromonechairtoanother，andwhenMrs。JenningstalkedofEdward’saffection，itcostheronlyaspasminherthroat——Suchadvancestowardsheroisminhersister，madeElinorfeelequaltoanythingherself。
Thenextmorningbroughtafarthertrialofit，inavisitfromtheirbrother，whocamewithamostseriousaspecttotalkoverthedreadfulaffair，andbringthemnewsofhiswife。
“Youhaveheard，Isuppose，“saidhewithgreatsolemnity，assoonashewasseated，“oftheveryshockingdiscoverythattookplaceunderourroofyesterday。”
Theyalllookedtheirassent;itseemedtooawfulamomentforspeech。
“Yoursister，“hecontinued，“hassuffereddreadfully。
Mrs。Ferrarstoo——inshortithasbeenasceneofsuchcomplicateddistress——butIwillhopethatthestormmaybeweatheredwithoutourbeinganyofusquiteovercome。
PoorFanny！shewasinhystericsallyesterday。
ButIwouldnotalarmyoutoomuch。Donavansaysthereisnothingmateriallytobeapprehended;herconstitutionisagoodone，andherresolutionequaltoanything。
Shehasborneitall，withthefortitudeofanangel！
Shesaysshenevershallthinkwellofanybodyagain;
andonecannotwonderatit，afterbeingsodeceived！——
meetingwithsuchingratitude，wheresomuchkindnesshadbeenshewn，somuchconfidencehadbeenplaced！，Itwasquiteoutofthebenevolenceofherheart，thatshehadaskedtheseyoungwomentoherhouse;merelybecauseshethoughttheydeservedsomeattention，wereharmless，well-behavedgirls，andwouldbepleasantcompanions;
forotherwisewebothwishedverymuchtohaveinvitedyouandMariannetobewithus，whileyourkindfriendthere，wasattendingherdaughter。Andnowtobesorewarded！
’Iwish，withallmyheart，’sayspoorFannyinheraffectionateway，’thatwehadaskedyoursistersinsteadofthem。’“
Herehestoppedtobethanked;whichbeingdone，hewenton。
“WhatpoorMrs。Ferrarssuffered，whenfirstFannybrokeittoher，isnottobedescribed。Whileshewiththetruestaffectionhadbeenplanningamosteligibleconnectionforhim，wasittobesupposedthathecouldbeallthetimesecretlyengagedtoanotherperson！——suchasuspicioncouldneverhaveenteredherhead！，IfshesuspectedANYprepossessionelsewhere，itcouldnotbeinTHATquarter。’THERE，tobesure，’saidshe，’Imighthavethoughtmyselfsafe。’Shewasquiteinanagony。
Weconsultedtogether，however，astowhatshouldbedone，andatlastshedeterminedtosendforEdward。
Hecame。ButIamsorrytorelatewhatensued。
AllthatMrs。Ferrarscouldsaytomakehimputanendtotheengagement，assistedtooasyoumaywellsupposebymyarguments，andFanny’sentreaties，wasofnoavail。Duty，affection，everythingwasdisregarded。
IneverthoughtEdwardsostubborn，sounfeelingbefore。
Hismotherexplainedtohimherliberaldesigns，incaseofhismarryingMissMorton;toldhimshewouldsettleonhimtheNorfolkestate，which，clearofland-tax，bringsinagoodthousanda-year;offeredeven，whenmattersgrewdesperate，tomakeittwelvehundred;andinoppositiontothis，ifhestillpersistedinthislowconnection，representedtohimthecertainpenurythatmustattendthematch。Hisowntwothousandpoundssheprotestedshouldbehisall;shewouldneverseehimagain;andsofarwouldshebefromaffordinghimthesmallestassistance，thatifheweretoenterintoanyprofessionwithaviewofbettersupport，shewoulddoallinherpowertopreventhimadvancinginit。”
HereMarianne，inanecstasyofindignation，clappedherhandstogether，andcried，“GraciousGod！
canthisbepossible！”
“Wellmayyouwonder，Marianne，“repliedherbrother，“attheobstinacywhichcouldresistsuchargumentsasthese。
Yourexclamationisverynatural。”
Mariannewasgoingtoretort，butsherememberedherpromises，andforbore。
“Allthis，however，“hecontinued，“wasurgedinvain。
Edwardsaidverylittle;butwhathedidsay，wasinthemostdeterminedmanner。Nothingshouldprevailonhimtogiveuphisengagement。Hewouldstandtoit，costhimwhatitmight。”
“Then，“criedMrs。Jenningswithbluntsincerity，nolongerabletobesilent，“hehasactedlikeanhonestman！Ibegyourpardon，Mr。Dashwood，butifhehaddoneotherwise，Ishouldhavethoughthimarascal。
Ihavesomelittleconcerninthebusiness，aswellasyourself，forLucySteeleismycousin，andIbelievethereisnotabetterkindofgirlintheworld，noronewhomoredeservesagoodhusband。”
