Mypartialitydoesnotblindme;hecertainlyisnotsohandsomeasWilloughby——butatthesametime，thereissomethingmuchmorepleasinginhiscountenance——
Therewasalwaysasomething，——ifyouremember，——inWilloughby’seyesattimes，whichIdidnotlike。”
ElinorcouldNOTrememberit;——buthermother，withoutwaitingforherassent，continued，“Andhismanners，theColonel’smannersarenotonlymorepleasingtomethanWilloughby’severwere，buttheyareofakindIwellknowtobemoresolidlyattachingtoMarianne。Theirgentleness，theirgenuineattentiontootherpeople，andtheirmanlyunstudiedsimplicityismuchmoreaccordantwithherrealdisposition，thantheliveliness——oftenartificial，andoftenill-timedoftheother。Iamverysuremyself，thathadWilloughbyturnedoutasreallyamiable，ashehasprovedhimselfthecontrary，MariannewouldyetneverhavebeensohappywithHIM，asshewillbewithColonelBrandon。”
Shepaused——Herdaughtercouldnotquiteagreewithher，butherdissentwasnotheard，andthereforegavenooffence。
“AtDelaford，shewillbewithinaneasydistanceofme，“
addedMrs。Dashwood，“evenifIremainatBarton;andinallprobability，——forIhearitisalargevillage，——indeedtherecertainlyMUSTbesomesmallhouseorcottagecloseby，thatwouldsuitusquiteaswellasourpresentsituation。”
PoorElinor！——herewasanewschemeforgettinghertoDelaford！——butherspiritwasstubborn。
“Hisfortunetoo！——foratmytimeoflifeyouknow，everybodycaresaboutTHAT;——andthoughIneitherknownordesiretoknow，whatitreallyis，Iamsureitmustbeagoodone。”
Heretheywereinterruptedbytheentranceofathirdperson，andElinorwithdrewtothinkitalloverinprivate，towishsuccesstoherfriend，andyetinwishingit，tofeelapangforWilloughby。
chapter46
CHAPTER46
Marianne’sillness，thoughweakeninginitskind，hadnotbeenlongenoughtomakeherrecoveryslow;
andwithyouth，naturalstrength，andhermother’spresenceinaid，itproceededsosmoothlyastoenablehertoremove，withinfourdaysafterthearrivalofthelatter，intoMrs。Palmer’sdressing-room。Whenthere，atherownparticularrequest，forshewasimpatienttopourforthherthankstohimforfetchinghermother，ColonelBrandonwasinvitedtovisither。
Hisemotiononenteringtheroom，inseeingheralteredlooks，andinreceivingthepalehandwhichsheimmediatelyheldouttohim，wassuch，as，inElinor’sconjecture，mustarisefromsomethingmorethanhisaffectionforMarianne，ortheconsciousnessofitsbeingknowntoothers;
andshesoondiscoveredinhismelancholyeyeandvaryingcomplexionashelookedathersister，theprobablerecurrenceofmanypastscenesofmiserytohismind，broughtbackbythatresemblancebetweenMarianneandElizaalreadyacknowledged，andnowstrengthenedbytheholloweye，thesicklyskin，thepostureofrecliningweakness，andthewarmacknowledgmentofpeculiarobligation。
Mrs。Dashwood，notlesswatchfulofwhatpassedthanherdaughter，butwithamindverydifferentlyinfluenced，andthereforewatchingtoverydifferenteffect，sawnothingintheColonel’sbehaviourbutwhatarosefromthemostsimpleandself-evidentsensations，whileintheactionsandwordsofMarianneshepersuadedherselftothinkthatsomethingmorethangratitudealreadydawned。
Attheendofanotherdayortwo，Mariannegrowingvisiblystrongereverytwelvehours，Mrs。Dashwood，urgedequallybyherownandherdaughter’swishes，begantotalkofremovingtoBarton。OnHERmeasuresdependedthoseofhertwofriends;Mrs。JenningscouldnotquitClevelandduringtheDashwoods’stay;andColonelBrandonwassoonbrought，bytheirunitedrequest，toconsiderhisownabodethereasequallydeterminate，ifnotequallyindispensable。AthisandMrs。Jennings’sunitedrequestinreturn，Mrs。Dashwoodwasprevailedontoaccepttheuseofhiscarriageonherjourneyback，forthebetteraccommodationofhersickchild;andtheColonel，atthejointinvitationofMrs。DashwoodandMrs。Jennings，whoseactivegood-naturemadeherfriendlyandhospitableforotherpeopleaswellasherself，engagedwithpleasuretoredeemitbyavisitatthecottage，inthecourseofafewweeks。
Thedayofseparationanddeparturearrived;
andMarianne，aftertakingsoparticularandlengthenedaleaveofMrs。Jennings，onesoearnestlygrateful，sofullofrespectandkindwishesasseemedduetoherownheartfromasecretacknowledgmentofpastinattention，andbiddingColonelBrandonfarewellwithacordialityofafriend，wascarefullyassistedbyhimintothecarriage，ofwhichheseemedanxiousthatsheshouldengrossatleasthalf。
Mrs。DashwoodandElinorthenfollowed，andtheotherswereleftbythemselves，totalkofthetravellers，andfeeltheirowndullness，tillMrs。Jenningswassummonedtoherchaisetotakecomfortinthegossipofhermaidforthelossofhertwoyoungcompanions;andColonelBrandonimmediatelyafterwardstookhissolitarywaytoDelaford。
TheDashwoodsweretwodaysontheroad，andMarianneboreherjourneyonboth，withoutessentialfatigue。
Everythingthatthemostzealousaffection，themostsolicitouscarecoulddotorenderhercomfortable，wastheofficeofeachwatchfulcompanion，andeachfoundtheirrewardinherbodilyease，andhercalmnessofspirits。ToElinor，theobservationofthelatterwasparticularlygrateful。She，whohadseenherweekafterweeksoconstantlysuffering，oppressedbyanguishofheartwhichshehadneithercouragetospeakof，norfortitudetoconceal，nowsawwithajoy，whichnoothercouldequallyshare，anapparentcomposureofmind，which，inbeingtheresultasshetrustedofseriousreflection，musteventuallyleadhertocontentmentandcheerfulness。
AstheyapproachedBarton，indeed，andenteredonscenesofwhicheveryfieldandeverytreebroughtsomepeculiar，somepainfulrecollection，shegrewsilentandthoughtful，andturningawayherfacefromtheirnotice，satearnestlygazingthroughthewindow。Buthere，Elinorcouldneitherwondernorblame;andwhenshesaw，assheassistedMariannefromthecarriage，thatshehadbeencrying，shesawonlyanemotiontoonaturalinitselftoraiseanythinglesstenderthanpity，andinitsunobtrusivenessentitledtopraise。Inthewholeofhersubsequentmanner，shetracedthedirectionofamindawakenedtoreasonableexertion;fornosoonerhadtheyenteredtheircommonsitting-room，thanMarianneturnedhereyesarounditwithalookofresolutefirmness，asifdeterminedatoncetoaccustomherselftothesightofeveryobjectwithwhichtheremembranceofWilloughbycouldbeconnected——Shesaidlittle，buteverysentenceaimedatcheerfulness，andthoughasighsometimesescapedher，itneverpassedawaywithouttheatonementofasmile。
Afterdinnershewouldtryherpiano-forte。Shewenttoit;
butthemusiconwhichhereyefirstrestedwasanopera，procuredforherbyWilloughby，containingsomeoftheirfavouriteduets，andbearingonitsoutwardleafherownnameinhishand-writing——Thatwouldnotdo——Sheshookherhead，putthemusicaside，andafterrunningoverthekeysforaminute，complainedoffeeblenessinherfingers，andclosedtheinstrumentagain;declaringhoweverwithfirmnessasshedidso，thatsheshouldinfuturepracticemuch。
Thenextmorningproducednoabatementinthesehappysymptoms。Onthecontrary，withamindandbodyalikestrengthenedbyrest，shelookedandspokewithmoregenuinespirit，anticipatingthepleasureofMargaret’sreturn，andtalkingofthedearfamilypartywhichwouldthenberestored，oftheirmutualpursuitsandcheerfulsociety，astheonlyhappinessworthawish。
“Whentheweatherissettled，andIhaverecoveredmystrength，“saidshe，“wewilltakelongwalkstogethereveryday。Wewillwalktothefarmattheedgeofthedown，andseehowthechildrengoon;wewillwalktoSirJohn’snewplantationsatBartonCross，andtheAbbeyland;
andwewilloftengotheoldruinsofthePriory，andtrytotraceitsfoundationsasfaraswearetoldtheyoncereached。Iknowweshallbehappy。Iknowthesummerwillpasshappilyaway。Imeannevertobelaterinrisingthansix，andfromthattimetilldinnerIshalldivideeverymomentbetweenmusicandreading。
Ihaveformedmyplan，andamdeterminedtoenteronacourseofseriousstudy。Ourownlibraryistoowellknowntome，toberesortedtoforanythingbeyondmereamusement。
ButtherearemanyworkswellworthreadingatthePark;
andthereareothersofmoremodernproductionwhichI
knowIcanborrowofColonelBrandon。Byreadingonlysixhoursa-day，Ishallgaininthecourseofatwelve-monthagreatdealofinstructionwhichInowfeelmyselftowant。”
Elinorhonouredherforaplanwhichoriginatedsonoblyasthis;thoughsmilingtoseethesameeagerfancywhichhadbeenleadinghertotheextremeoflanguidindolenceandselfishrepining，nowatworkinintroducingexcessintoaschemeofsuchrationalemploymentandvirtuousself-control。HersmilehoweverchangedtoasighwhensherememberedthatpromisetoWilloughbywasyetunfulfilled，andfearedshehadthattocommunicatewhichmightagainunsettlethemindofMarianne，andruinatleastforatimethisfairprospectofbusytranquillity。Willingthereforetodelaytheevilhour，sheresolvedtowaittillhersister’shealthweremoresecure，beforesheappointedit。
Buttheresolutionwasmadeonlytobebroken。
Mariannehadbeentwoorthreedaysathome，beforetheweatherwasfineenoughforaninvalidlikeherselftoventureout。Butatlastasoft，genialmorningappeared;
suchasmighttemptthedaughter’swishesandthemother’sconfidence;andMarianne，leaningonElinor’sarm，wasauthorisedtowalkaslongasshecouldwithoutfatigue，inthelanebeforethehouse。
Thesisterssetoutatapace，slowasthefeeblenessofMarianneinanexercisehithertountriedsinceherillnessrequired;——andtheyhadadvancedonlysofarbeyondthehouseastoadmitafullviewofthehill，theimportanthillbehind，whenpausingwithhereyesturnedtowardsit，Mariannecalmlysaid，“There，exactlythere，“——pointingwithonehand，“onthatprojectingmound，——thereIfell;andthereI
firstsawWilloughby。”
Hervoicesunkwiththeword，butpresentlyrevivingsheadded，“IamthankfultofindthatIcanlookwithsolittlepainonthespot！——shallweevertalkonthatsubject，Elinor？”——
hesitatinglyitwassaid——“Orwillitbewrong？——Icantalkofitnow，Ihope，asIoughttodo。”——
Elinortenderlyinvitedhertobeopen。
“Asforregret，“saidMarianne，“Ihavedonewiththat，asfarasHEisconcerned。Idonotmeantotalktoyouofwhatmyfeelingshavebeenforhim，butwhattheyareNOW——Atpresent，ifIcouldbesatisfiedononepoint，ifIcouldbeallowedtothinkthathewasnotALWAYS
actingapart，notALWAYSdeceivingme;——butaboveall，ifIcouldbeassuredthatheneverwassoVERYwickedasmyfearshavesometimesfanciedhim，sincethestoryofthatunfortunategirl“——
Shestopt。Elinorjoyfullytreasuredherwordsassheanswered，“Ifyoucouldbeassuredofthat，youthinkyoushouldbeeasy。”
“Yes。Mypeaceofmindisdoublyinvolvedinit;——
fornotonlyisithorribletosuspectaperson，whohasbeenwhatHEhasbeentoME，ofsuchdesigns，——butwhatmustitmakemeappeartomyself？——Whatinasituationlikemine，butamostshamefullyunguardedaffectioncouldexposemeto“——
“Howthen，“askedhersister，“wouldyouaccountforhisbehaviour？”
“Iwouldsupposehim，——Oh，howgladlywouldIsupposehim，onlyfickle，very，veryfickle。”
Elinorsaidnomore。Shewasdebatingwithinherselfontheeligibilityofbeginningherstorydirectly，orpostponingittillMariannewereinstrongerhealth;——
andtheycreptonforafewminutesinsilence。
“Iamnotwishinghimtoomuchgood，“saidMarianneatlastwithasigh，“whenIwishhissecretreflectionsmaybenomoreunpleasantthanmyown。Hewillsufferenoughinthem。”
“Doyoucompareyourconductwithhis？”
“No。Icompareitwithwhatitoughttohavebeen;
Icompareitwithyours。”
“Oursituationshavebornelittleresemblance。”
“Theyhavebornemorethanourconduct——Donot，mydearestElinor，letyourkindnessdefendwhatIknowyourjudgmentmustcensure。Myillnesshasmademethink——
Ithasgivenmeleisureandcalmnessforseriousrecollection。
LongbeforeIwasenoughrecoveredtotalk，Iwasperfectlyabletoreflect。Iconsideredthepast：Isawinmyownbehaviour，sincethebeginningofouracquaintancewithhimlastautumn，nothingbutaseriesofimprudencetowardsmyself，andwantofkindnesstoothers。
Isawthatmyownfeelingshadpreparedmysufferings，andthatmywantoffortitudeunderthemhadalmostledmetothegrave。Myillness，Iwellknew，hadbeenentirelybroughtonbymyselfbysuchnegligenceofmyownhealth，asIhadfeltevenatthetimetobewrong。
HadIdied，——itwouldhavebeenself-destruction。I
didnotknowmydangertillthedangerwasremoved;
butwithsuchfeelingsasthesereflectionsgaveme，Iwonderatmyrecovery，——wonderthattheveryeagernessofmydesiretolive，tohavetimeforatonementtomyGod，andtoyouall，didnotkillmeatonce。HadIdied，——
inwhatpeculiarmiseryshouldIhaveleftyou，mynurse，myfriend，mysister！——You，whohadseenallthefretfulselfishnessofmylatterdays;whohadknownallthemurmuringsofmyheart！——HowshouldIhavelivedinYOUR
remembrance！——Mymothertoo！Howcouldyouhaveconsoledher！——Icannotexpressmyownabhorrenceofmyself。
WheneverIlookedtowardsthepast，Isawsomedutyneglected，orsomefailingindulged。Everybodyseemedinjuredbyme。
Thekindness，theunceasingkindnessofMrs。Jennings，Ihadrepaidwithungratefulcontempt。TotheMiddletons，tothePalmers，theSteeles，toeverycommonacquaintanceeven，Ihadbeeninsolentandunjust;withahearthardenedagainsttheirmerits，andatemperirritatedbytheirveryattention——ToJohn，toFanny，——yes，eventothem，littleastheydeserve，Ihadgivenlessthantheirdue。
Butyou，——youaboveall，abovemymother，hadbeenwrongedbyme。I，andonlyI，knewyourheartanditssorrows;
yettowhatdiditinfluenceme？——nottoanycompassionthatcouldbenefityouormyself——Yourexamplewasbeforeme;buttowhatavail？——WasImoreconsiderateofyouandyourcomfort？，DidIimitateyourforbearance，orlessenyourrestraints，bytakinganypartinthoseofficesofgeneralcomplaisanceorparticulargratitudewhichyouhadhithertobeenlefttodischargealone？——No;——
notlesswhenIknewyoutobeunhappy，thanwhenI
hadbelievedyouatease，didIturnawayfromeveryexertionofdutyorfriendship;scarcelyallowingsorrowtoexistbutwithme，regrettingonlyTHATheartwhichhaddesertedandwrongedme，andleavingyou，fororI
professedanunboundedaffection，tobemiserableformysake。”
Hereceasedtherapidflowofherself-reprovingspirit;
andElinor，impatienttosoothe，thoughtoohonesttoflatter，gaveherinstantlythatpraiseandsupportwhichherfranknessandhercontritionsowelldeserved。
Mariannepressedherhandandreplied，“Youareverygood——Thefuturemustbemyproof。
Ihavelaiddownmyplan，andifIamcapableofadheringtoit——myfeelingsshallbegovernedandmytemperimproved。
Theyshallnolongerworryothers，nortorturemyself。
Ishallnowlivesolelyformyfamily。You，mymother，andMargaret，musthenceforthbealltheworldtome;
youwillsharemyaffectionsentirelybetweenyou。
>Fromyou，frommyhome，Ishallneveragainhavethesmallestincitementtomove;andifIdomixinothersociety，itwillbeonlytoshewthatmyspiritishumbled，myheartamended，andthatIcanpractisethecivilities，thelesserdutiesoflife，withgentlenessandforbearance。
AsforWilloughby——tosaythatIshallsoonorthatIshalleverforgethim，wouldbeidle。Hisremembrancecanbeovercomebynochangeofcircumstancesoropinions。Butitshallberegulated，itshallbecheckedbyreligion，byreason，byconstantemployment。”
Shepaused——andaddedinalowvoice，“IfI
couldbutknowHISheart，everythingwouldbecomeeasy。”
Elinor，whohadnowbeenforsometimereflectingontheproprietyorimproprietyofspeedilyhazardinghernarration，withoutfeelingatallnearerdecisionthanatfirst，heardthis;andperceivingthatasreflectiondidnothing，resolutionmustdoall，soonfoundherselfleadingtothefact。
Shemanagedtherecital，asshehoped，withaddress;
preparedheranxiouslistenerwithcaution;relatedsimplyandhonestlythechiefpointsonwhichWilloughbygroundedhisapology;didjusticetohisrepentance，andsoftenedonlyhisprotestationsofpresentregard。
Mariannesaidnotaword——Shetrembled，hereyeswerefixedontheground，andherlipsbecamewhiterthanevensicknesshadleftthem。Athousandinquiriessprungupfromherheart，butshedarednoturgeone。
Shecaughteverysyllablewithpantingeagerness;herhand，unknowinglytoherself，closelypressedhersister’s，andtearscoveredhercheeks。
Elinor，dreadingherbeingtired，ledhertowardshome;
andtilltheyreachedthedoorofthecottage，easilyconjecturingwhathercuriositymustbethoughnoquestionwassufferedtospeakit，talkedofnothingbutWilloughby，andtheirconversationtogether;
andwascarefullyminuteineveryparticularofspeechandlook，whereminutenesscouldbesafelyindulged。
Assoonastheyenteredthehouse，Mariannewithakissofgratitudeandthesetwowordsjustarticulatethroughhertears，“Tellmama，“withdrewfromhersisterandwalkedslowlyupstairs。Elinorwouldnotattempttodisturbasolitudesoreasonableaswhatshenowsought;
andwithamindanxiouslypre-arrangingitsresult，andaresolutionofrevivingthesubjectagain，shouldMariannefailtodoit，sheturnedintotheparlourtofulfillherpartinginjunction。
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CHAPTER47
Mrs。Dashwooddidnothearunmovedthevindicationofherformerfavourite。Sherejoicedinhisbeingclearedfromsomepartofhisimputedguilt;——shewassorryforhim;——shewishedhimhappy。Butthefeelingsofthepastcouldnotberecalled——Nothingcouldrestorehimwithafaithunbroken——acharacterunblemished，toMarianne。Nothingcoulddoawaytheknowledgeofwhatthelatterhadsufferedthroughhismeans，norremovetheguiltofhisconducttowardsEliza。
Nothingcouldreplacehim，therefore，inherformeresteem，norinjuretheinterestsofColonelBrandon。
HadMrs。Dashwood，likeherdaughter，heardWilloughby’sstoryfromhimself——hadshewitnessedhisdistress，andbeenundertheinfluenceofhiscountenanceandhismanner，itisprobablethathercompassionwouldhavebeengreater。ButitwasneitherinElinor’spower，norinherwish，torousesuchfeelingsinanother，byherretailedexplanation，ashadatfirstbeencalledforthinherself。Reflectionhadgivencalmnesstoherjudgment，andsoberedherownopinionofWilloughby’sdeserts;——
shewished，therefore，todeclareonlythesimpletruth，andlayopensuchfactsaswerereallyduetohischaracter，withoutanyembellishmentoftendernesstoleadthefancyastray。
Intheevening，whentheywereallthreetogether，Mariannebeganvoluntarilytospeakofhimagain;——
butthatitwasnotwithoutaneffort，therestless，unquietthoughtfulnessinwhichshehadbeenforsometimepreviouslysitting——herrisingcolour，asshespoke，——
andherunsteadyvoice，plainlyshewed。
“Iwishtoassureyouboth，“saidshe，“thatIseeeverything——asyoucandesiremetodo。”
Mrs。Dashwoodwouldhaveinterruptedherinstantlywithsoothingtenderness，hadnotElinor，whoreallywishedtohearhersister’sunbiasedopinion，byaneagersign，engagedhersilence。Marianneslowlycontinued——
“Itisagreatrelieftome——whatElinortoldmethismorning——IhavenowheardexactlywhatI
wishedtohear。”——Forsomemomentshervoicewaslost;
butrecoveringherself，sheadded，andwithgreatercalmnessthanbefore——“Iamnowperfectlysatisfied，Iwishfornochange。Inevercouldhavebeenhappywithhim，afterknowing，assoonerorlaterImusthaveknown，allthis——Ishouldhavehadnoconfidence，noesteem。Nothingcouldhavedoneitawaytomyfeelings。”
“Iknowit——Iknowit，“criedhermother。
“Happywithamanoflibertinepractices！——Withonewhosoinjuredthepeaceofthedearestofourfriends，andthebestofmen！——No——myMariannehasnotahearttobemadehappywithsuchaman！——Herconscience，hersensitivecounscience，wouldhavefeltallthattheconscienceofherhusbandoughttohavefelt。”
Mariannesighed，andrepeated，“Iwishfornochange。”
“Youconsiderthematter，“saidElinor，“exactlyasagoodmindandasoundunderstandingmustconsiderit;
andIdaresayyouperceive，aswellasmyself，notonlyinthis，butinmanyothercircumstances，reasonenoughtobeconvincedthatyourmarriagemusthaveinvolvedyouinmanycertaintroublesanddisappointments，inwhichyouwouldhavebeenpoorlysupportedbyanaffection，onhisside，muchlesscertain。Hadyoumarried，youmusthavebeenalwayspoor。Hisexpensivenessisacknowledgedevenbyhimself，andhiswholeconductdeclaresthatself-denialisawordhardlyunderstoodbyhim。
Hisdemandsandyourinexperiencetogether，onasmall，verysmallincome，musthavebroughtondistresseswhichwouldnotbetheLESSgrievoustoyou，fromhavingbeenentirelyunknownandunthoughtofbefore。YOURsenseofhonourandhonestywouldhaveledyou，Iknow，whenawareofyoursituation，toattemptalltheeconomythatwouldappeartoyoupossible：and，perhaps，aslongasyourfrugalityretrenchedonlyonyourowncomfort，youmighthavebeensufferedtopracticeit，butbeyondthat——
andhowlittlecouldtheutmostofyoursinglemanagementdotostoptheruinwhichhadbegunbeforeyourmarriage？——
BeyondTHAT，hadyouendeavoured，howeverreasonably，toabridgeHISenjoyments，isitnottobefeared，thatinsteadofprevailingonfeelingssoselfishtoconsenttoit，youwouldhavelessenedyourowninfluenceonhisheart，andmadehimregrettheconnectionwhichhadinvolvedhiminsuchdifficulties？”
Marianne’slipsquivered，andsherepeatedtheword“Selfish？”inatonethatimplied——“doyoureallythinkhimselfish？”
“Thewholeofhisbehaviour，“repliedElinor，“fromthebeginningtotheendoftheaffair，hasbeengroundedonselfishness。Itwasselfishnesswhichfirstmadehimsportwithyouraffections;whichafterwards，whenhisownwereengaged，madehimdelaytheconfessionofit，andwhichfinallycarriedhimfromBarton。
Hisownenjoyment，orhisownease，was，ineveryparticular，hisrulingprinciple。”
“Itisverytrue。MYhappinessneverwashisobject。”
“Atpresent，“continuedElinor，“heregretswhathehasdone。Andwhydoesheregretit？——Becausehefindsithasnotansweredtowardshimself。Ithasnotmadehimhappy。Hiscircumstancesarenowunembarrassed——hesuffersfromnoevilofthatkind;andhethinksonlythathehasmarriedawomanofalessamiabletemperthanyourself。Butdoesitfollowthathadhemarriedyou，hewouldhavebeenhappy？——Theinconvenienceswouldhavebeendifferent。Hewouldthenhavesufferedunderthepecuniarydistresseswhich，becausetheyareremoved，henowreckonsasnothing。Hewouldhavehadawifeofwhosetemperhecouldmakenocomplaint，buthewouldhavebeenalwaysnecessitous——alwayspoor;andprobablywouldsoonhavelearnedtoranktheinnumerablecomfortsofaclearestateandgoodincomeasoffarmoreimportance，eventodomestichappiness，thanthemeretemperofawife。”
“Ihavenotadoubtofit，“saidMarianne;
“andI
havenothingtoregret——nothingbutmyownfolly。”
“Rathersayyourmother’simprudence，mychild，“
saidMrs。Dashwood;“SHEmustbeanswerable。”
Mariannewouldnotletherproceed;——andElinor，satisfiedthateachfelttheirownerror，wishedtoavoidanysurveyofthepastthatmightweakenhersister’sspirits;she，therefore，pursuingthefirstsubject，immediatelycontinued，“Oneobservationmay，Ithink，befairlydrawnfromthewholeofthestory——thatallWilloughby’sdifficultieshavearisenfromthefirstoffenceagainstvirtue，inhisbehaviourtoElizaWilliams。Thatcrimehasbeentheoriginofeverylesserone，andofallhispresentdiscontents。”
Marianneassentedmostfeelinglytotheremark;
andhermotherwasledbyittoanenumerationofColonelBrandon’sinjuriesandmerits，warmasfriendshipanddesigncouldunitedlydictate。Herdaughterdidnotlook，however，asifmuchofitwereheardbyher。
Elinor，accordingtoherexpectation，sawonthetwoorthreefollowingdays，thatMariannedidnotcontinuetogainstrengthasshehaddone;butwhileherresolutionwasunsubdued，andshestilltriedtoappearcheerfulandeasy，hersistercouldsafelytrusttotheeffectoftimeuponherhealth。
Margaretreturned，andthefamilywereagainallrestoredtoeachother，againquietlysettledatthecottage;
andifnotpursuingtheirusualstudieswithquitesomuchvigouraswhentheyfirstcametoBarton，atleastplanningavigorousprosecutionoftheminfuture。
ElinorgrewimpatientforsometidingsofEdward。
ShehadheardnothingofhimsinceherleavingLondon，nothingnewofhisplans，nothingcertainevenofhispresentabode。Somelettershadpassedbetweenherandherbrother，inconsequenceofMarianne’sillness;
andinthefirstofJohn’s，therehadbeenthissentence：——
“WeknownothingofourunfortunateEdward，andcanmakenoenquiriesonsoprohibitedasubject，butconcludehimtobestillatOxford;“whichwasalltheintelligenceofEdwardaffordedherbythecorrespondence，forhisnamewasnotevenmentionedinanyofthesucceedingletters。
Shewasnotdoomed，however，tobelonginignoranceofhismeasures。
Theirman-servanthadbeensentonemorningtoExeteronbusiness;andwhen，ashewaitedattable，hehadsatisfiedtheinquiriesofhismistressastotheeventofhiserrand，thiswashisvoluntarycommunication——
“Isupposeyouknow，ma’am，thatMr。Ferrarsismarried。”
Mariannegaveaviolentstart，fixedhereyesuponElinor，sawherturningpale，andfellbackinherchairinhysterics。Mrs。Dashwood，whoseeyes，assheansweredtheservant’sinquiry，hadintuitivelytakenthesamedirection，wasshockedtoperceivebyElinor’scountenancehowmuchshereallysuffered，andamomentafterwards，alikedistressedbyMarianne’ssituation，knewnotonwhichchildtobestowherprincipalattention。
Theservant，whosawonlythatMissMariannewastakenill，hadsenseenoughtocalloneofthemaids，who，withMrs。Dashwood’sassistance，supportedherintotheotherroom。Bythattime，Mariannewasratherbetter，andhermotherleavinghertothecareofMargaretandthemaid，returnedtoElinor，who，thoughstillmuchdisordered，hadsofarrecoveredtheuseofherreasonandvoiceastobejustbeginninganinquiryofThomas，astothesourceofhisintelligence。Mrs。Dashwoodimmediatelytookallthattroubleonherself;andElinorhadthebenefitoftheinformationwithouttheexertionofseekingit。
“WhotoldyouthatMr。Ferrarswasmarried，Thomas？”
“IseeMr。Ferrarsmyself，ma’am，thismorninginExeter，andhisladytoo，MissSteeleaswas。TheywasstoppinginachaiseatthedooroftheNewLondonInn，asIwenttherewithamessagefromSallyattheParktoherbrother，whoisoneofthepost-boys。IhappenedtolookupasIwentbythechaise，andsoIseedirectlyitwastheyoungestMissSteele;soItookoffmyhat，andsheknewmeandcalledtome，andinquiredafteryou，ma’am，andtheyoungladies，especiallyMissMarianne，andbidmeIshouldgivehercomplimentsandMr。Ferrars’s，theirbestcomplimentsandservice，andhowsorrytheywastheyhadnottimetocomeonandseeyou，buttheywasinagreathurrytogoforwards，fortheywasgoingfurtherdownforalittlewhile，buthowsever，whentheycomeback，they’dmakesuretocomeandseeyou。”
“Butdidshetellyoushewasmarried，Thomas？”
“Yes，ma’am。Shesmiled，andsaidhowshehadchangedhernamesinceshewasintheseparts。
Shewasalwaysaveryaffableandfree-spokenyounglady，andverycivilbehaved。So，Imadefreetowishherjoy。”
“WasMr。Ferrarsinthecarriagewithher？”
“Yes，ma’am，Ijustseehimleaningbackinit，buthedidnotlookup;——heneverwasagentlemanmuchfortalking。”
Elinor’sheartcouldeasilyaccountforhisnotputtinghimselfforward;andMrs。Dashwoodprobablyfoundthesameexplanation。
“Wastherenooneelseinthecarriage？”
“No，ma’am，onlytheytwo。”
“Doyouknowwheretheycamefrom？”
“Theycomestraightfromtown，asMissLucy——
Mrs。Ferrarstoldme。”
“Andaretheygoingfartherwestward？”
“Yes，ma’am——butnottobidelong。Theywillsoonbebackagain，andthenthey’dbesureandcallhere。”
Mrs。Dashwoodnowlookedatherdaughter;
butElinorknewbetterthantoexpectthem。
SherecognisedthewholeofLucyinthemessage，andwasveryconfidentthatEdwardwouldnevercomenearthem。
Sheobservedinalowvoice，tohermother，thattheywereprobablygoingdowntoMr。Pratt’s，nearPlymouth。
Thomas’sintelligenceseemedover。Elinorlookedasifshewishedtohearmore。
“Didyouseethemoff，beforeyoucameaway？”
“No，ma’am——thehorseswerejustcomingout，butI
couldnotbideanylonger;Iwasafraidofbeinglate。”
“DidMrs。Ferrarslookwell？”
“Yes，ma’am，shesaidhowshewasverywell;
andtomymindshewasalwaysaveryhandsomeyounglady——andsheseemedvastlycontented。”
Mrs。Dashwoodcouldthinkofnootherquestion，andThomasandthetablecloth，nowalikeneedless，weresoonafterwardsdismissed。Mariannehadalreadysenttosay，thatsheshouldeatnothingmore。Mrs。Dashwood’sandElinor’sappetiteswereequallylost，andMargaretmightthinkherselfverywelloff，thatwithsomuchuneasinessasbothhersistershadlatelyexperienced，somuchreasonastheyhadoftenhadtobecarelessoftheirmeals，shehadneverbeenobligedtogowithoutherdinnerbefore。
Whenthedessertandthewinewerearranged，andMrs。DashwoodandElinorwereleftbythemselves，theyremainedlongtogetherinasimilarityofthoughtfulnessandsilence。Mrs。Dashwoodfearedtohazardanyremark，andventurednottoofferconsolation。ShenowfoundthatshehaderredinrelyingonElinor’srepresentationofherself;andjustlyconcludedthateverythinghadbeenexpresslysoftenedatthetime，tospareherfromanincreaseofunhappiness，sufferingasshethenhadsufferedforMarianne。Shefoundthatshehadbeenmisledbythecareful，theconsiderateattentionofherdaughter，tothinktheattachment，whichonceshehadsowellunderstood，muchslighterinreality，thanshehadbeenwonttobelieve，orthanitwasnowprovedtobe。Shefearedthatunderthispersuasionshehadbeenunjust，inattentive，nay，almostunkind，toherElinor;——
thatMarianne’saffliction，becausemoreacknowledged，moreimmediatelybeforeher，hadtoomuchengrossedhertenderness，andledherawaytoforgetthatinElinorshemighthaveadaughtersufferingalmostasmuch，certainlywithlessself-provocation，andgreaterfortitude。
chapter48
CHAPTER48
Elinornowfoundthedifferencebetweentheexpectationofanunpleasantevent，howevercertainthemindmaybetoldtoconsiderit，andcertaintyitself。Shenowfound，thatinspiteofherself，shehadalwaysadmittedahope，whileEdwardremainedsingle，thatsomethingwouldoccurtopreventhismarryingLucy;thatsomeresolutionofhisown，somemediationoffriends，orsomemoreeligibleopportunityofestablishmentforthelady，wouldarisetoassistthehappinessofall。Buthewasnowmarried;
andshecondemnedherheartforthelurkingflattery，whichsomuchheightenedthepainoftheintelligence。
Thatheshouldbemarriedsoon，before(assheimagined)
hecouldbeinorders，andconsequentlybeforehecouldbeinpossessionoftheliving，surprisedheralittleatfirst。ButshesoonsawhowlikelyitwasthatLucy，inherself-providentcare，inherhastetosecurehim，shouldoverlookeverythingbuttheriskofdelay。
Theyweremarried，marriedintown，andnowhasteningdowntoheruncle’s。WhathadEdwardfeltonbeingwithinfourmilesfromBarton，onseeinghermother’sservant，onhearingLucy’smessage！
Theywouldsoon，shesupposed，besettledatDelaford——Delaford，——thatplaceinwhichsomuchconspiredtogiveheraninterest;whichshewishedtobeacquaintedwith，andyetdesiredtoavoid。
Shesawtheminaninstantintheirparsonage-house;sawinLucy，theactive，contrivingmanager，unitingatonceadesireofsmartappearancewiththeutmostfrugality，andashamedtobesuspectedofhalfhereconomicalpractices;——
pursuingherowninterestineverythought，courtingthefavourofColonelBrandon，ofMrs。Jennings，andofeverywealthyfriend。InEdward——sheknewnotwhatshesaw，norwhatshewishedtosee;——happyorunhappy，——nothingpleasedher;sheturnedawayherheadfromeverysketchofhim。
ElinorflatteredherselfthatsomeoneoftheirconnectionsinLondonwouldwritetothemtoannouncetheevent，andgivefartherparticulars，——butdayafterdaypassedoff，andbroughtnoletter，notidings。
Thoughuncertainthatanyoneweretoblame，shefoundfaultwitheveryabsentfriend。Theywereallthoughtlessorindolent。
“WhendoyouwritetoColonelBrandon，ma’am？”
wasaninquirywhichsprungfromtheimpatienceofhermindtohavesomethinggoingon。
“Iwrotetohim，mylove，lastweek，andratherexpecttosee，thantohearfromhimagain。Iearnestlypressedhiscomingtous，andshouldnotbesurprisedtoseehimwalkintodayortomorrow，oranyday。”
Thiswasgainingsomething，somethingtolookforwardto。
ColonelBrandonmusthavesomeinformationtogive。
Scarcelyhadshesodeterminedit，whenthefigureofamanonhorsebackdrewhereyestothewindow。
Hestoptattheirgate。Itwasagentleman，itwasColonelBrandonhimself。Nowshecouldhearmore;
andshetrembledinexpectationofit。But——itwasNOTColonelBrandon——neitherhisair——norhisheight。
Wereitpossible，shemustsayitmustbeEdward。
Shelookedagain。Hehadjustdismounted;——shecouldnotbemistaken，——itWASEdward。Shemovedawayandsatdown。
“HecomesfromMr。Pratt’spurposelytoseeus。IWILLbecalm;IWILLbemistressofmyself。”
Inamomentsheperceivedthattheotherswerelikewiseawareofthemistake。ShesawhermotherandMariannechangecolour;sawthemlookatherself，andwhisperafewsentencestoeachother。Shewouldhavegiventheworldtobeabletospeak——andtomakethemunderstandthatshehopednocoolness，noslight，wouldappearintheirbehaviourtohim;——butshehadnoutterance，andwasobligedtoleavealltotheirowndiscretion。
Notasyllablepassedaloud。Theyallwaitedinsilencefortheappearanceoftheirvisitor。
Hisfootstepswereheardalongthegravelpath;inamomenthewasinthepassage，andinanotherhewasbeforethem。
Hiscountenance，asheenteredtheroom，wasnottoohappy，evenforElinor。Hiscomplexionwaswhitewithagitation，andhelookedasiffearfulofhisreception，andconsciousthathemeritednokindone。
Mrs。Dashwood，however，conforming，asshetrusted，tothewishesofthatdaughter，bywhomshethenmeantinthewarmthofherhearttobeguidedineverything，metwithalookofforcedcomplacency，gavehimherhand，andwishedhimjoy。
Hecoloured，andstammeredoutanunintelligiblereply。
Elinor’slipshadmovedwithhermother’s，and，whenthemomentofactionwasover，shewishedthatshehadshakenhandswithhimtoo。Butitwasthentoolate，andwithacountenancemeaningtobeopen，shesatdownagainandtalkedoftheweather。
Mariannehadretreatedasmuchaspossibleoutofsight，toconcealherdistress;andMargaret，understandingsomepart，butnotthewholeofthecase，thoughtitincumbentonhertobedignified，andthereforetookaseatasfarfromhimasshecould，andmaintainedastrictsilence。
WhenElinorhadceasedtorejoiceinthedrynessoftheseason，averyawfulpausetookplace。ItwasputanendtobyMrs。Dashwood，whofeltobligedtohopethathehadleftMrs。Ferrarsverywell。Inahurriedmanner，herepliedintheaffirmative。
Anotherpause。
Elinorresolvingtoexertherself，thoughfearingthesoundofherownvoice，nowsaid，“IsMrs。FerrarsatLongstaple？”
“AtLongstaple！”hereplied，withanairofsurprise——
“No，mymotherisintown。”
“Imeant，“saidElinor，takingupsomeworkfromthetable，“toinquireforMrs。EDWARDFerrars。”
Shedarednotlookup;——buthermotherandMariannebothturnedtheireyesonhim。Hecoloured，seemedperplexed，lookeddoubtingly，and，aftersomehesitation，said，——
“Perhapsyoumean——mybrother——youmeanMrs——Mrs。
ROBERTFerrars。”
“Mrs。RobertFerrars！”——wasrepeatedbyMarianneandhermotherinanaccentoftheutmostamazement;——andthoughElinorcouldnotspeak，evenHEReyeswerefixedonhimwiththesameimpatientwonder。Herosefromhisseat，andwalkedtothewindow，apparentlyfromnotknowingwhattodo;tookupapairofscissorsthatlaythere，andwhilespoilingboththemandtheirsheathbycuttingthelattertopiecesashespoke，said，inahurriedvoice，“Perhapsyoudonotknow——youmaynothaveheardthatmybrotherislatelymarriedto——totheyoungest——toMissLucySteele。”
HiswordswereechoedwithunspeakableastonishmentbyallbutElinor，whosatwithherheadleaningoverherwork，inastateofsuchagitationasmadeherhardlyknowwhereshewas。
“Yes，“saidhe，“theyweremarriedlastweek，andarenowatDawlish。”
Elinorcouldsititnolonger。Shealmostranoutoftheroom，andassoonasthedoorwasclosed，burstintotearsofjoy，whichatfirstshethoughtwouldnevercease。Edward，whohadtillthenlookedanywhere，ratherthanather，sawherhurryaway，andperhapssaw——
orevenheard，heremotion;forimmediatelyafterwardshefellintoareverie，whichnoremarks，noinquiries，noaffectionateaddressofMrs。Dashwoodcouldpenetrate，andatlast，withoutsayingaword，quittedtheroom，andwalkedouttowardsthevillage——leavingtheothersinthegreatestastonishmentandperplexityonachangeinhissituation，sowonderfulandsosudden;——aperplexitywhichtheyhadnomeansoflesseningbutbytheirownconjectures。
chapter49
CHAPTER49
Unaccountable，however，asthecircumstancesofhisreleasemightappeartothewholefamily，itwascertainthatEdwardwasfree;andtowhatpurposethatfreedomwouldbeemployedwaseasilypre-determinedbyall;——forafterexperiencingtheblessingsofONEimprudentengagement，contractedwithouthismother’sconsent，ashehadalreadydoneformorethanfouryears，nothinglesscouldbeexpectedofhiminthefailureofTHAT，thantheimmediatecontractionofanother。
HiserrandatBarton，infact，wasasimpleone。
ItwasonlytoaskElinortomarryhim;——andconsideringthathewasnotaltogetherinexperiencedinsuchaquestion，itmightbestrangethatheshouldfeelsouncomfortableinthepresentcaseashereallydid，somuchinneedofencouragementandfreshair。
Howsoonhehadwalkedhimselfintotheproperresolution，however，howsoonanopportunityofexercisingitoccurred，inwhatmannerheexpressedhimself，andhowhewasreceived，neednotbeparticularlytold。
Thisonlyneedbesaid;——thatwhentheyallsatdowntotableatfouro’clock，aboutthreehoursafterhisarrival，hehadsecuredhislady，engagedhermother’sconsent，andwasnotonlyintherapturousprofessionofthelover，but，intherealityofreasonandtruth，oneofthehappiestofmen。Hissituationindeedwasmorethancommonlyjoyful。Hehadmorethantheordinarytriumphofacceptedlovetoswellhisheart，andraisehisspirits。Hewasreleasedwithoutanyreproachtohimself，fromanentanglementwhichhadlongformedhismisery，fromawomanwhomhehadlongceasedtolove;——
andelevatedatoncetothatsecuritywithanother，whichhemusthavethoughtofalmostwithdespair，assoonashehadlearnttoconsideritwithdesire。
Hewasbrought，notfromdoubtorsuspense，butfrommiserytohappiness;——andthechangewasopenlyspokeninsuchagenuine，flowing，gratefulcheerfulness，ashisfriendshadneverwitnessedinhimbefore。
HisheartwasnowopentoElinor，allitsweaknesses，allitserrorsconfessed，andhisfirstboyishattachmenttoLucytreatedwithallthephilosophicdignityoftwenty-four。
“Itwasafoolish，idleinclinationonmyside，“
saidhe，“theconsequenceofignoranceoftheworld——
andwantofemployment。HadmybrothergivenmesomeactiveprofessionwhenIwasremovedateighteenfromthecareofMr。Pratt，Ithink——nay，Iamsure，itwouldneverhavehappened;forthoughIleftLongstaplewithwhatIthought，atthetime，amostunconquerablepreferenceforhisniece，yethadIthenhadanypursuit，anyobjecttoengagemytimeandkeepmeatadistancefromherforafewmonths，Ishouldverysoonhaveoutgrownthefanciedattachment，especiallybymixingmorewiththeworld，asinsuchcaseImusthavedone。
Butinsteadofhavinganythingtodo，insteadofhavinganyprofessionchosenforme，orbeingallowedtochuseanymyself，Ireturnedhometobecompletelyidle;andforthefirsttwelvemonthafterwardsIhadnoteventhenominalemployment，whichbelongingtotheuniversitywouldhavegivenme;
forIwasnotenteredatOxfordtillIwasnineteen。
Ihadthereforenothingintheworldtodo，buttofancymyselfinlove;andasmymotherdidnotmakemyhomeineveryrespectcomfortable，asIhadnofriend，nocompanioninmybrother，anddislikednewacquaintance，itwasnotunnaturalformetobeveryoftenatLongstaple，whereIalwaysfeltmyselfathome，andwasalwayssureofawelcome;andaccordinglyIspentthegreatestpartofmytimetherefromeighteentonineteen：Lucyappearedeverythingthatwasamiableandobliging。Shewasprettytoo——atleastIthoughtsoTHEN;andIhadseensolittleofotherwomen，thatIcouldmakenocomparisons，andseenodefects。Consideringeverything，therefore，Ihope，foolishasourengagementwas，foolishasithassinceineverywaybeenproved，itwasnotatthetimeanunnaturaloraninexcusablepieceoffolly。”
ThechangewhichafewhourshadwroughtinthemindsandthehappinessoftheDashwoods，wassuch——sogreat——aspromisedthemall，thesatisfactionofasleeplessnight。
Mrs。Dashwood，toohappytobecomfortable，knewnothowtoloveEdward，norpraiseElinorenough，howtobeenoughthankfulforhisreleasewithoutwoundinghisdelicacy，norhowatoncetogivethemleisureforunrestrainedconversationtogether，andyetenjoy，asshewished，thesightandsocietyofboth。
MariannecouldspeakHERhappinessonlybytears。
Comparisonswouldoccur——regretswouldarise;——andherjoy，thoughsincereasherloveforhersister，wasofakindtogiveherneitherspiritsnorlanguage。
ButElinor——howareHERfeelingstobedescribed？——FromthemomentoflearningthatLucywasmarriedtoanother，thatEdwardwasfree，tothemomentofhisjustifyingthehopeswhichhadsoinstantlyfollowed，shewaseverythingbyturnsbuttranquil。Butwhenthesecondmomenthadpassed，whenshefoundeverydoubt，everysolicituderemoved，comparedhersituationwithwhatsolatelyithadbeen，——sawhimhonourablyreleasedfromhisformerengagement，sawhiminstantlyprofitingbytherelease，toaddressherselfanddeclareanaffectionastender，asconstantasshehadeversupposedittobe，——shewasoppressed，shewasovercomebyherownfelicity;——
andhappilydisposedasisthehumanmindtobeeasilyfamiliarizedwithanychangeforthebetter，itrequiredseveralhourstogivesedatenesstoherspirits，oranydegreeoftranquillitytoherheart。
Edwardwasnowfixedatthecottageatleastforaweek;——forwhateverotherclaimsmightbemadeonhim，itwasimpossiblethatlessthanaweekshouldbegivenuptotheenjoymentofElinor’scompany，orsufficetosayhalfthatwastobesaidofthepast，thepresent，andthefuture;——forthoughaveryfewhoursspentinthehardlaborofincessanttalkingwilldespatchmoresubjectsthancanreallybeincommonbetweenanytworationalcreatures，yetwithloversitisdifferent。
BetweenTHEMnosubjectisfinished，nocommunicationisevenmade，tillithasbeenmadeatleasttwentytimesover。
Lucy’smarriage，theunceasingandreasonablewonderamongthemall，formedofcourseoneoftheearliestdiscussionsofthelovers;——andElinor’sparticularknowledgeofeachpartymadeitappeartoherineveryview，asoneofthemostextraordinaryandunaccountablecircumstancesshehadeverheard。Howtheycouldbethrowntogether，andbywhatattractionRobertcouldbedrawnontomarryagirl，ofwhosebeautyshehadherselfheardhimspeakwithoutanyadmiration，——agirltooalreadyengagedtohisbrother，andonwhoseaccountthatbrotherhadbeenthrownoffbyhisfamily——itwasbeyondhercomprehensiontomakeout。Toherownheartitwasadelightfulaffair，toherimaginationitwasevenaridiculousone，buttoherreason，herjudgment，itwascompletelyapuzzle。
Edwardcouldonlyattemptanexplanationbysupposing，that，perhaps，atfirstaccidentallymeeting，thevanityoftheonehadbeensoworkedonbytheflatteryoftheother，astoleadbydegreestoalltherest。
ElinorrememberedwhatRoberthadtoldherinHarleyStreet，ofhisopinionofwhathisownmediationinhisbrother’saffairsmighthavedone，ifappliedtointime。
SherepeatedittoEdward。
“THATwasexactlylikeRobert，“——washisimmediateobservation——“AndTHAT，“hepresentlyadded，“mightperhapsbeinHISheadwhentheacquaintancebetweenthemfirstbegan。AndLucyperhapsatfirstmightthinkonlyofprocuringhisgoodofficesinmyfavour。
Otherdesignsmightafterwardarise。”
Howlongithadbeencarryingonbetweenthem，however，hewasequallyatalosswithherselftomakeout;
foratOxford，wherehehadremainedforchoiceeversincehisquittingLondon，hehadhadnomeansofhearingofherbutfromherself，andherletterstotheverylastwereneitherlessfrequent，norlessaffectionatethanusual。
Notthesmallestsuspicion，therefore，hadeveroccurredtopreparehimforwhatfollowed;——andwhenatlastitburstonhiminaletterfromLucyherself，hehadbeenforsometime，hebelieved，halfstupifiedbetweenthewonder，thehorror，andthejoyofsuchadeliverance。
HeputtheletterintoElinor’shands。
“DEARSIR，“BeingverysureIhavelonglostyouraffections，Ihavethoughtmyselfatlibertytobestowmyownonanother，andhavenodoubtofbeingashappywithhimasIonceusedtothinkImightbewithyou;
butIscorntoacceptahandwhiletheheartwasanother’s。Sincerelywishyouhappyinyourchoice，anditshallnotbemyfaultifwearenotalwaysgoodfriends，asournearrelationshipnowmakesproper。IcansafelysayIoweyounoill-will，andamsureyouwillbetoogeneroustodousanyilloffices。Yourbrotherhasgainedmyaffectionsentirely，andaswecouldnotlivewithoutoneanother，wearejustreturnedfromthealtar，andarenowonourwaytoDawlishforafewweeks，whichplaceyourdearbrotherhasgreatcuriositytosee，butthoughtIwouldfirsttroubleyouwiththesefewlines，andshallalwaysremain，“Yoursincerewell-wisher，friend，andsister，“LUCYFERRARS。
“Ihaveburntallyourletters，andwillreturnyourpicturethefirstopportunity。Pleasetodestroymyscrawls——buttheringwithmyhairyouareverywelcometokeep。”
Elinorreadandreturneditwithoutanycomment。
“Iwillnotaskyouropinionofitasacomposition，“
saidEdward——“ForworldswouldnotIhavehadaletterofhersseenbyYOUinformerdays——Inasisteritisbadenough，butinawife！——howIhaveblushedoverthepagesofherwriting！——andIbelieveImaysaythatsincethefirsthalfyearofourfoolish——business——thisistheonlyletterIeverreceivedfromher，ofwhichthesubstancemademeanyamendsforthedefectofthestyle。”
“Howeveritmayhavecomeabout，“saidElinor，afterapause，——“theyarecertainlymarried。Andyourmotherhasbroughtonherselfamostappropriatepunishment。
TheindependenceshesettledonRobert，throughresentmentagainstyou，hasputitinhispowertomakehisownchoice;
andshehasactuallybeenbribingonesonwithathousanda-year，todotheverydeedwhichshedisinheritedtheotherforintendingtodo。Shewillhardlybelesshurt，Isuppose，byRobert’smarryingLucy，thanshewouldhavebeenbyyourmarryingher。”
“Shewillbemorehurtbyit，forRobertalwayswasherfavourite——Shewillbemorehurtbyit，andonthesameprinciplewillforgivehimmuchsooner。”
Inwhatstatetheaffairstoodatpresentbetweenthem，Edwardknewnot，fornocommunicationwithanyofhisfamilyhadyetbeenattemptedbyhim。HehadquittedOxfordwithinfourandtwentyhoursafterLucy’sletterarrived，andwithonlyoneobjectbeforehim，thenearestroadtoBarton，hadhadnoleisuretoformanyschemeofconduct，withwhichthatroaddidnotholdthemostintimateconnection。
HecoulddonothingtillhewereassuredofhisfatewithMissDashwood;andbyhisrapidityinseekingTHATfate，itistobesupposed，inspiteofthejealousywithwhichhehadoncethoughtofColonelBrandon，inspiteofthemodestywithwhichheratedhisowndeserts，andthepolitenesswithwhichhetalkedofhisdoubts，hedidnot，uponthewhole，expectaverycruelreception。
Itwashisbusiness，however，tosaythatheDID，andhesaiditveryprettily。Whathemightsayonthesubjectatwelvemonthafter，mustbereferredtotheimaginationofhusbandsandwives。
ThatLucyhadcertainlymeanttodeceive，togooffwithaflourishofmaliceagainsthiminhermessagebyThomas，wasperfectlycleartoElinor;andEdwardhimself，nowthoroughlyenlightenedonhercharacter，hadnoscrupleinbelievinghercapableoftheutmostmeannessofwantonill-nature。Thoughhiseyeshadbeenlongopened，evenbeforehisacquaintancewithElinorbegan，toherignoranceandawantofliberalityinsomeofheropinions——
theyhadbeenequallyimputed，byhim，toherwantofeducation;andtillherlastletterreachedhim，hehadalwaysbelievedhertobeawell-disposed，good-heartedgirl，andthoroughlyattachedtohimself。
Nothingbutsuchapersuasioncouldhavepreventedhisputtinganendtoanengagement，which，longbeforethediscoveryofitlaidhimopentohismother’sanger，hadbeenacontinualsourceofdisquietandregrettohim。
“Ithoughtitmyduty，“saidhe，“independentofmyfeelings，togivehertheoptionofcontinuingtheengagementornot，whenIwasrenouncedbymymother，andstoodtoallappearancewithoutafriendintheworldtoassistme。
Insuchasituationasthat，wherethereseemednothingtotempttheavariceorthevanityofanylivingcreature，howcouldIsuppose，whenshesoearnestly，sowarmlyinsistedonsharingmyfate，whateveritmightbe，thatanythingbutthemostdisinterestedaffectionwasherinducement？
Andevennow，Icannotcomprehendonwhatmotivesheacted，orwhatfanciedadvantageitcouldbetoher，tobefetteredtoamanforwhomshehadnotthesmallestregard，andwhohadonlytwothousandpoundsintheworld。
ShecouldnotforeseethatColonelBrandonwouldgivemealiving。”
“No;butshemightsupposethatsomethingwouldoccurinyourfavour;thatyourownfamilymightintimerelent。
Andatanyrate，shelostnothingbycontinuingtheengagement，forshehasprovedthatitfetteredneitherherinclinationnorheractions。Theconnectionwascertainlyarespectableone，andprobablygainedherconsiderationamongherfriends;and，ifnothingmoreadvantageousoccurred，itwouldbebetterforhertomarryYOUthanbesingle。”
Edwardwas，ofcourse，immediatelyconvincedthatnothingcouldhavebeenmorenaturalthanLucy’sconduct，normoreself-evidentthanthemotiveofit。
Elinorscoldedhim，harshlyasladiesalwaysscoldtheimprudencewhichcomplimentsthemselves，forhavingspentsomuchtimewiththematNorland，whenhemusthavefelthisowninconstancy。
“Yourbehaviourwascertainlyverywrong，“
saidshe;
“because——tosaynothingofmyownconviction，ourrelationswereallledawaybyittofancyandexpectWHAT，asyouwereTHENsituated，couldneverbe。”
Hecouldonlypleadanignoranceofhisownheart，andamistakenconfidenceintheforceofhisengagement。
“Iwassimpleenoughtothink，thatbecausemyFAITH
wasplightedtoanother，therecouldbenodangerinmybeingwithyou;andthattheconsciousnessofmyengagementwastokeepmyheartassafeandsacredasmyhonour。IfeltthatIadmiredyou，butItoldmyselfitwasonlyfriendship;
andtillIbegantomakecomparisonsbetweenyourselfandLucy，IdidnotknowhowfarIwasgot。Afterthat，Isuppose，IWASwronginremainingsomuchinSussex，andtheargumentswithwhichIreconciledmyselftotheexpediencyofit，werenobetterthanthese：——Thedangerismyown;Iamdoingnoinjurytoanybodybutmyself。”
Elinorsmiled，andshookherhead。
EdwardheardwithpleasureofColonelBrandon’sbeingexpectedattheCottage，ashereallywishednotonlytobebetteracquaintedwithhim，buttohaveanopportunityofconvincinghimthathenolongerresentedhisgivinghimthelivingofDelaford——“Which，atpresent，“
saidhe，“afterthankssoungraciouslydeliveredasminewereontheoccasion，hemustthinkIhaveneverforgivenhimforoffering。”
NOWhefeltastonishedhimselfthathehadneveryetbeentotheplace。Butsolittleinteresthadbetakeninthematter，thatheowedallhisknowledgeofthehouse，garden，andglebe，extentoftheparish，conditionoftheland，andrateofthetithes，toElinorherself，whohadheardsomuchofitfromColonelBrandon，andhearditwithsomuchattention，astobeentirelymistressofthesubject。
Onequestionafterthisonlyremainedundecided，betweenthem，onedifficultyonlywastobeovercome。
Theywerebroughttogetherbymutualaffection，withthewarmestapprobationoftheirrealfriends;
theirintimateknowledgeofeachotherseemedtomaketheirhappinesscertain——andtheyonlywantedsomethingtoliveupon。Edwardhadtwothousandpounds，andElinorone，which，withDelafordliving，wasallthattheycouldcalltheirown;foritwasimpossiblethatMrs。Dashwoodshouldadvanceanything;andtheywereneitherofthemquiteenoughinlovetothinkthatthreehundredandfiftypoundsa-yearwouldsupplythemwiththecomfortsoflife。
Edwardwasnotentirelywithouthopesofsomefavourablechangeinhismothertowardshim;andonTHAT
herestedfortheresidueoftheirincome。ButElinorhadnosuchdependence;forsinceEdwardwouldstillbeunabletomarryMissMorton，andhischusingherselfhadbeenspokenofinMrs。Ferrars’sflatteringlanguageasonlyalesserevilthanhischusingLucySteele，shefearedthatRobert’soffencewouldservenootherpurposethantoenrichFanny。
AboutfourdaysafterEdward’sarrivalColonelBrandonappeared，tocompleteMrs。Dashwood’ssatisfaction，andtogiveherthedignityofhaving，forthefirsttimesinceherlivingatBarton，morecompanywithherthanherhousewouldhold。Edwardwasallowedtoretaintheprivilegeoffirstcomer，andColonelBrandonthereforewalkedeverynighttohisoldquartersatthePark;
fromwhenceheusuallyreturnedinthemorning，earlyenoughtointerruptthelovers’firsttete-a-tetebeforebreakfast。
Athreeweeks’residenceatDelaford，where，inhiseveninghoursatleast，hehadlittletodobuttocalculatethedisproportionbetweenthirty-sixandseventeen，broughthimtoBartoninatemperofmindwhichneededalltheimprovementinMarianne’slooks，allthekindnessofherwelcome，andalltheencouragementofhermother’slanguage，tomakeitcheerful。
Amongsuchfriends，however，andsuchflattery，hedidrevive。
NorumourofLucy’smarriagehadyetreachedhim：——heknewnothingofwhathadpassed;andthefirsthoursofhisvisitwereconsequentlyspentinhearingandinwondering。
EverythingwasexplainedtohimbyMrs。Dashwood，andhefoundfreshreasontorejoiceinwhathehaddoneforMr。Ferrars，sinceeventuallyitpromotedtheinterestofElinor。
Itwouldbeneedlesstosay，thatthegentlemenadvancedinthegoodopinionofeachother，astheyadvancedineachother’sacquaintance，foritcouldnotbeotherwise。
Theirresemblanceingoodprinciplesandgoodsense，indispositionandmannerofthinking，wouldprobablyhavebeensufficienttounitetheminfriendship，withoutanyotherattraction;buttheirbeinginlovewithtwosisters，andtwosistersfondofeachother，madethatmutualregardinevitableandimmediate，whichmightotherwisehavewaitedtheeffectoftimeandjudgment。
Thelettersfromtown，whichafewdaysbeforewouldhavemadeeverynerveinElinor’sbodythrillwithtransport，nowarrivedtobereadwithlessemotionthatmirth。
Mrs。Jenningswrotetotellthewonderfultale，toventherhonestindignationagainstthejiltinggirl，andpourforthhercompassiontowardspoorMr。Edward，who，shewassure，hadquitedotedupontheworthlesshussy，andwasnow，byallaccounts，almostbroken-hearted，atOxford——
“Idothink，“shecontinued，“nothingwasevercarriedonsosly;foritwasbuttwodaysbeforeLucycalledandsatacoupleofhourswithme。Notasoulsuspectedanythingofthematter，notevenNancy，who，poorsoul！
camecryingtomethedayafter，inagreatfrightforfearofMrs。Ferrars，aswellasnotknowinghowtogettoPlymouth;forLucyitseemsborrowedallhermoneybeforeshewentofftobemarried，onpurposewesupposetomakeashowwith，andpoorNancyhadnotsevenshillingsintheworld;——soIwasverygladtogiveherfiveguineastotakeherdowntoExeter，whereshethinksofstayingthreeorfourweekswithMrs。Burgess，inhopes，asItellher，tofallinwiththeDoctoragain。
AndImustsaythatLucy’scrossnessnottotakethemalongwiththeminthechaiseisworsethanall。
PoorMr。Edward！Icannotgethimoutofmyhead，butyoumustsendforhimtoBarton，andMissMariannemusttrytocomforthim。”
Mr。Dashwood’sstrainsweremoresolemn。
Mrs。Ferrarswasthemostunfortunateofwomen——poorFannyhadsufferedagoniesofsensibility——andheconsideredtheexistenceofeach，undersuchablow，withgratefulwonder。Robert’soffencewasunpardonable，butLucy’swasinfinitelyworse。NeitherofthemwereeveragaintobementionedtoMrs。Ferrars;andeven，ifshemighthereafterbeinducedtoforgiveherson，hiswifeshouldneverbeacknowledgedasherdaughter，norbepermittedtoappearinherpresence。Thesecrecywithwhicheverythinghadbeencarriedonbetweenthem，wasrationallytreatedasenormouslyheighteningthecrime，because，hadanysuspicionofitoccurredtotheothers，propermeasureswouldhavebeentakentopreventthemarriage;andhecalledonElinortojoinwithhiminregrettingthatLucy’sengagementwithEdwardhadnotratherbeenfulfilled，thanthatsheshouldthusbethemeansofspreadingmiseryfartherinthefamily——
Hethuscontinued：
“Mrs。FerrarshasneveryetmentionedEdward’sname，whichdoesnotsurpriseus;but，toourgreatastonishment，notalinehasbeenreceivedfromhimontheoccasion。
Perhaps，however，heiskeptsilentbyhisfearofoffending，andIshall，therefore，givehimahint，byalinetoOxford，thathissisterandIboththinkaletterofpropersubmissionfromhim，addressedperhapstoFanny，andbyhershewntohermother，mightnotbetakenamiss;
forweallknowthetendernessofMrs。Ferrars’sheart，andthatshewishesfornothingsomuchastobeongoodtermswithherchildren。”
ThisparagraphwasofsomeimportancetotheprospectsandconductofEdward。Itdeterminedhimtoattemptareconciliation，thoughnotexactlyinthemannerpointedoutbytheirbrotherandsister。
“Aletterofpropersubmission！”repeatedhe;
“wouldtheyhavemebegmymother’spardonforRobert’singratitudetoHER，andbreachofhonourtoME？——Icanmakenosubmission——Iamgrownneitherhumblenorpenitentbywhathaspassed——Iamgrownveryhappy;
butthatwouldnotinterest——IknowofnosubmissionthatISproperformetomake。”
“Youmaycertainlyasktobeforgiven，“saidElinor，“becauseyouhaveoffended;——andIshouldthinkyoumightNOWventuresofarastoprofesssomeconcernforhavingeverformedtheengagementwhichdrewonyouyourmother’sanger。”
Heagreedthathemight。
“Andwhenshehasforgivenyou，perhapsalittlehumilitymaybeconvenientwhileacknowledgingasecondengagement，almostasimprudentinHEReyesasthefirst。”
Hehadnothingtourgeagainstit，butstillresistedtheideaofaletterofpropersubmission;
andtherefore，tomakeiteasiertohim，ashedeclaredamuchgreaterwillingnesstomakemeanconcessionsbywordofmouththanonpaper，itwasresolvedthat，insteadofwritingtoFanny，heshouldgotoLondon，andpersonallyintreathergoodofficesinhisfavour——
“AndiftheyreallyDOinterestthemselves，“saidMarianne，inhernewcharacterofcandour，“inbringingaboutareconciliation，IshallthinkthatevenJohnandFannyarenotentirelywithoutmerit。”
AfteravisitonColonelBrandon’ssideofonlythreeorfourdays，thetwogentlemenquittedBartontogether——
TheyweretogoimmediatelytoDelaford，thatEdwardmighthavesomepersonalknowledgeofhisfuturehome，andassisthispatronandfriendindecidingonwhatimprovementswereneededtoit;andfromthence，afterstayingthereacoupleofnights，hewastoproceedonhisjourneytotown。
chapter50
CHAPTER50
AfteraproperresistanceonthepartofMrs。
Ferrars，justsoviolentandsosteadyastopreserveherfromthatreproachwhichshealwaysseemedfearfulofincurring，thereproachofbeingtooamiable，Edwardwasadmittedtoherpresence，andpronouncedtobeagainherson。
Herfamilyhadoflatebeenexceedinglyfluctuating。
Formanyyearsofherlifeshehadhadtwosons;
butthecrimeandannihilationofEdwardafewweeksago，hadrobbedherofone;thesimilarannihilationofRoberthadleftherforafortnightwithoutany;andnow，bytheresuscitationofEdward，shehadoneagain。
Inspiteofhisbeingallowedoncemoretolive，however，hedidnotfeelthecontinuanceofhisexistencesecure，tillhehadrevealedhispresentengagement;
forthepublicationofthatcircumstance，hefeared，mightgiveasuddenturntohisconstitution，andcarryhimoffasrapidlyasbefore。Withapprehensivecautionthereforeitwasrevealed，andhewaslistenedtowithunexpectedcalmness。Mrs。FerrarsatfirstreasonablyendeavouredtodissuadehimfrommarryingMissDashwood，byeveryargumentinherpower;——toldhim，thatinMissMortonhewouldhaveawomanofhigherrankandlargerfortune;——
andenforcedtheassertion，byobservingthatMissMortonwasthedaughterofanoblemanwiththirtythousandpounds，whileMissDashwoodwasonlythedaughterofaprivategentlemanwithnomorethanTHREE;butwhenshefoundthat，thoughperfectlyadmittingthetruthofherrepresentation，hewasbynomeansinclinedtobeguidedbyit，shejudgeditwisest，fromtheexperienceofthepast，tosubmit——andtherefore，aftersuchanungraciousdelayassheowedtoherowndignity，andasservedtopreventeverysuspicionofgood-will，sheissuedherdecreeofconsenttothemarriageofEdwardandElinor。
Whatshewouldengagetodotowardsaugmentingtheirincomewasnexttobeconsidered;andhereitplainlyappeared，thatthoughEdwardwasnowheronlyson，hewasbynomeanshereldest;forwhileRobertwasinevitablyendowedwithathousandpoundsa-year，notthesmallestobjectionwasmadeagainstEdward’stakingordersforthesakeoftwohundredandfiftyattheutmost;
norwasanythingpromisedeitherforthepresentorinfuture，beyondthetenthousandpounds，whichhadbeengivenwithFanny。
Itwasasmuch，however，aswasdesired，andmorethanwasexpected，byEdwardandElinor;
andMrs。Ferrarsherself，byhershufflingexcuses，seemedtheonlypersonsurprisedathernotgivingmore。
Withanincomequitesufficienttotheirwantsthussecuredtothem，theyhadnothingtowaitforafterEdwardwasinpossessionoftheliving，butthereadinessofthehouse，towhichColonelBrandon，withaneagerdesirefortheaccommodationofElinor，wasmakingconsiderableimprovements;andafterwaitingsometimefortheircompletion，afterexperiencing，asusual，athousanddisappointmentsanddelaysfromtheunaccountabledilatorinessoftheworkmen，Elinor，asusual，brokethroughthefirstpositiveresolutionofnotmarryingtilleverythingwasready，andtheceremonytookplaceinBartonchurchearlyintheautumn。
ThefirstmonthaftertheirmarriagewasspentwiththeirfriendattheMansion-house;fromwhencetheycouldsuperintendtheprogressoftheParsonage，anddirecteverythingastheylikedonthespot;——
couldchusepapers，projectshrubberies，andinventasweep。
Mrs。Jennings’sprophecies，thoughratherjumbledtogether，werechieflyfulfilled;forshewasabletovisitEdwardandhiswifeintheirParsonagebyMichaelmas，andshefoundinElinorandherhusband，asshereallybelieved，oneofthehappiestcouplesintheworld。Theyhadinfactnothingtowishfor，butthemarriageofColonelBrandonandMarianne，andratherbetterpasturagefortheircows。
Theywerevisitedontheirfirstsettlingbyalmostalltheirrelationsandfriends。Mrs。Ferrarscametoinspectthehappinesswhichshewasalmostashamedofhavingauthorised;andeventheDashwoodswereattheexpenseofajourneyfromSussextodothemhonour。
“IwillnotsaythatIamdisappointed，mydearsister，“
saidJohn，astheywerewalkingtogetheronemorningbeforethegatesofDelafordHouse，“THATwouldbesayingtoomuch，forcertainlyyouhavebeenoneofthemostfortunateyoungwomenintheworld，asitis。But，Iconfess，itwouldgivemegreatpleasuretocallColonelBrandonbrother。
Hispropertyhere，hisplace，hishouse，everythingisinsuchrespectableandexcellentcondition！——andhiswoods！——I
havenotseensuchtimberanywhereinDorsetshire，asthereisnowstandinginDelafordHanger！——Andthough，perhaps，Mariannemaynotseemexactlythepersontoattracthim——
yetIthinkitwouldaltogetherbeadvisableforyoutohavethemnowfrequentlystayingwithyou，forasColonelBrandonseemsagreatdealathome，nobodycantellwhatmayhappen——for，whenpeoplearemuchthrowntogether，andseelittleofanybodyelse——anditwillalwaysbeinyourpowertosetherofftoadvantage，andsoforth;——
inshort，youmayaswellgiveherachance——Youunderstandme。”——
ButthoughMrs。FerrarsDIDcometoseethem，andalwaystreatedthemwiththemake-believeofdecentaffection，theywereneverinsultedbyherrealfavourandpreference。
THATwasduetothefollyofRobert，andthecunningofhiswife;anditwasearnedbythembeforemanymonthshadpassedaway。Theselfishsagacityofthelatter，whichhadatfirstdrawnRobertintothescrape，wastheprincipalinstrumentofhisdeliverancefromit;
forherrespectfulhumility，assiduousattentions，andendlessflatteries，assoonasthesmallestopeningwasgivenfortheirexercise，reconciledMrs。Ferrarstohischoice，andre-establishedhimcompletelyinherfavour。
ThewholeofLucy’sbehaviourintheaffair，andtheprosperitywhichcrownedit，therefore，maybeheldforthasamostencouraginginstanceofwhatanearnest，anunceasingattentiontoself-interest，howeveritsprogressmaybeapparentlyobstructed，willdoinsecuringeveryadvantageoffortune，withnoothersacrificethanthatoftimeandconscience。WhenRobertfirstsoughtheracquaintance，andprivatelyvisitedherinBartlett’sBuildings，itwasonlywiththeviewimputedtohimbyhisbrother。
Hemerelymeanttopersuadehertogiveuptheengagement;
andastherecouldbenothingtoovercomebuttheaffectionofboth，henaturallyexpectedthatoneortwointerviewswouldsettlethematter。Inthatpoint，however，andthatonly，heerred;——forthoughLucysoongavehimhopesthathiseloquencewouldconvinceherinTIME，anothervisit，anotherconversation，wasalwayswantedtoproducethisconviction。Somedoubtsalwayslingeredinhermindwhentheyparted，whichcouldonlyberemovedbyanotherhalfhour’sdiscoursewithhimself。
Hisattendancewasbythismeanssecured，andtherestfollowedincourse。InsteadoftalkingofEdward，theycamegraduallytotalkonlyofRobert，——asubjectonwhichhehadalwaysmoretosaythanonanyother，andinwhichshesoonbetrayedaninterestevenequaltohisown;andinshort，itbecamespeedilyevidenttoboth，thathehadentirelysupplantedhisbrother。
Hewasproudofhisconquest，proudoftrickingEdward，andveryproudofmarryingprivatelywithouthismother’sconsent。Whatimmediatelyfollowedisknown。
TheypassedsomemonthsingreathappinessatDawlish;
forshehadmanyrelationsandoldacquaintancestocut——andhedrewseveralplansformagnificentcottages;——
andfromthencereturningtotown，procuredtheforgivenessofMrs。Ferrars，bythesimpleexpedientofaskingit，which，atLucy’sinstigation，wasadopted。Theforgiveness，atfirst，indeed，aswasreasonable，comprehendedonlyRobert;
andLucy，whohadowedhismothernodutyandthereforecouldhavetransgressednone，stillremainedsomeweekslongerunpardoned。Butperseveranceinhumilityofconductandmessages，inself-condemnationforRobert’soffence，andgratitudefortheunkindnessshewastreatedwith，procuredherintimethehaughtynoticewhichovercameherbyitsgraciousness，andledsoonafterwards，byrapiddegrees，tothehigheststateofaffectionandinfluence。
LucybecameasnecessarytoMrs。Ferrars，aseitherRobertorFanny;andwhileEdwardwasnevercordiallyforgivenforhavingonceintendedtomarryher，andElinor，thoughsuperiortoherinfortuneandbirth，wasspokenofasanintruder，SHEwasineverythingconsidered，andalwaysopenlyacknowledged，tobeafavouritechild。
Theysettledintown，receivedveryliberalassistancefromMrs。Ferrars，wereonthebesttermsimaginablewiththeDashwoods;andsettingasidethejealousiesandill-willcontinuallysubsistingbetweenFannyandLucy，inwhichtheirhusbandsofcoursetookapart，aswellasthefrequentdomesticdisagreementsbetweenRobertandLucythemselves，nothingcouldexceedtheharmonyinwhichtheyalllivedtogether。
WhatEdwardhaddonetoforfeittherightofeldestson，mighthavepuzzledmanypeopletofindout;andwhatRoberthaddonetosucceedtoit，mighthavepuzzledthemstillmore。Itwasanarrangement，however，justifiedinitseffects，ifnotinitscause;fornothingeverappearedinRobert’sstyleoflivingoroftalkingtogiveasuspicionofhisregrettingtheextentofhisincome，aseitherleavinghisbrothertoolittle，orbringinghimselftoomuch;——andifEdwardmightbejudgedfromthereadydischargeofhisdutiesineveryparticular，fromanincreasingattachmenttohiswifeandhishome，andfromtheregularcheerfulnessofhisspirits，hemightbesupposednolesscontentedwithhislot，nolessfreefromeverywishofanexchange。
Elinor’smarriagedividedheraslittlefromherfamilyascouldwellbecontrived，withoutrenderingthecottageatBartonentirelyuseless，forhermotherandsistersspentmuchmorethanhalftheirtimewithher。
Mrs。DashwoodwasactingonmotivesofpolicyaswellaspleasureinthefrequencyofhervisitsatDelaford;
forherwishofbringingMarianneandColonelBrandontogetherwashardlylessearnest，thoughrathermoreliberalthanwhatJohnhadexpressed。Itwasnowherdarlingobject。
Preciousaswasthecompanyofherdaughtertoher，shedesirednothingsomuchastogiveupitsconstantenjoymenttohervaluedfriend;andtoseeMariannesettledatthemansion-housewasequallythewishofEdwardandElinor。
Theyeachfelthissorrows，andtheirownobligations，andMarianne，bygeneralconsent，wastobetherewardofall。
Withsuchaconfederacyagainsther——withaknowledgesointimateofhisgoodness——withaconvictionofhisfondattachmenttoherself，whichatlast，thoughlongafteritwasobservabletoeverybodyelse——burstonher——whatcouldshedo？
MarianneDashwoodwasborntoanextraordinaryfate。
Shewasborntodiscoverthefalsehoodofherownopinions，andtocounteract，byherconduct，hermostfavouritemaxims。
Shewasborntoovercomeanaffectionformedsolateinlifeasatseventeen，andwithnosentimentsuperiortostrongesteemandlivelyfriendship，voluntarilytogiveherhandtoanother！——andTHATother，amanwhohadsufferednolessthanherselfundertheeventofaformerattachment，whom，twoyearsbefore，shehadconsideredtoooldtobemarried，——andwhostillsoughttheconstitutionalsafeguardofaflannelwaistcoat！
Butsoitwas。Insteadoffallingasacrificetoanirresistiblepassion，asonceshehadfondlyflatteredherselfwithexpecting，——insteadofremainingevenforeverwithhermother，andfindingheronlypleasuresinretirementandstudy，asafterwardsinhermorecalmandsoberjudgmentshehaddeterminedon，——
shefoundherselfatnineteen，submittingtonewattachments，enteringonnewduties，placedinanewhome，awife，themistressofafamily，andthepatronessofavillage。
ColonelBrandonwasnowashappy，asallthosewhobestlovedhim，believedhedeservedtobe;——inMariannehewasconsoledforeverypastaffliction;——herregardandhersocietyrestoredhismindtoanimation，andhisspiritstocheerfulness;andthatMariannefoundherownhappinessinforminghis，wasequallythepersuasionanddelightofeachobservingfriend。Mariannecouldneverlovebyhalves;andherwholeheartbecame，intime，asmuchdevotedtoherhusband，asithadoncebeentoWilloughby。
Willoughbycouldnothearofhermarriagewithoutapang;andhispunishmentwassoonafterwardscompleteinthevoluntaryforgivenessofMrs。Smith，who，bystatinghismarriagewithawomanofcharacter，asthesourceofherclemency，gavehimreasonforbelievingthathadhebehavedwithhonourtowardsMarianne，hemightatoncehavebeenhappyandrich。Thathisrepentanceofmisconduct，whichthusbroughtitsownpunishment，wassincere，neednotbedoubted;——northathelongthoughtofColonelBrandonwithenvy，andofMariannewithregret。Butthathewasforeverinconsolable，thathefledfromsociety，orcontractedanhabitualgloomoftemper，ordiedofabrokenheart，mustnotbedependedon——forhedidneither。
Helivedtoexert，andfrequentlytoenjoyhimself。
Hiswifewasnotalwaysoutofhumour，norhishomealwaysuncomfortable;andinhisbreedofhorsesanddogs，andinsportingofeverykind，hefoundnoinconsiderabledegreeofdomesticfelicity。
ForMarianne，however——inspiteofhisincivilityinsurvivingherloss——healwaysretainedthatdecidedregardwhichinterestedhimineverythingthatbefellher，andmadeherhissecretstandardofperfectioninwoman;——
andmanyarisingbeautywouldbeslightedbyhiminafter-daysasbearingnocomparisonwithMrs。Brandon。
Mrs。Dashwoodwasprudentenoughtoremainatthecottage，withoutattemptingaremovaltoDelaford;andfortunatelyforSirJohnandMrs。Jennings，whenMariannewastakenfromthem，Margarethadreachedanagehighlysuitablefordancing，andnotveryineligibleforbeingsupposedtohavealover。
BetweenBartonandDelaford，therewasthatconstantcommunicationwhichstrongfamilyaffectionwouldnaturallydictate;——andamongthemeritsandthehappinessofElinorandMarianne，letitnotberankedastheleastconsiderable，thatthoughsisters，andlivingalmostwithinsightofeachother，theycouldlivewithoutdisagreementbetweenthemselves，orproducingcoolnessbetweentheirhusbands。
THEEND
