第3章

chapter15

CHAPTER15

Mrs。Dashwood’svisittoLadyMiddletontookplacethenextday，andtwoofherdaughterswentwithher;

butMarianneexcusedherselffrombeingoftheparty，undersometriflingpretextofemployment;andhermother，whoconcludedthatapromisehadbeenmadebyWilloughbythenightbeforeofcallingonherwhiletheywereabsent，wasperfectlysatisfiedwithherremainingathome。

OntheirreturnfromtheparktheyfoundWilloughby’scurricleandservantinwaitingatthecottage，andMrs。Dashwoodwasconvincedthatherconjecturehadbeenjust。Sofaritwasallasshehadforeseen;

butonenteringthehouseshebeheldwhatnoforesighthadtaughthertoexpect。TheywerenosoonerinthepassagethanMariannecamehastilyoutoftheparlourapparentlyinviolentaffliction，withherhandkerchiefathereyes;andwithoutnoticingthemranupstairs。

Surprisedandalarmedtheyproceededdirectlyintotheroomshehadjustquitted，wheretheyfoundonlyWilloughby，whowasleaningagainstthemantel-piecewithhisbacktowardsthem。Heturnedroundontheircomingin，andhiscountenanceshewedthathestronglypartookoftheemotionwhichover-poweredMarianne。

“Isanythingthematterwithher？”criedMrs。

Dashwoodassheentered——“issheill？”

“Ihopenot，“hereplied，tryingtolookcheerful;

andwithaforcedsmilepresentlyadded，“ItisIwhomayratherexpecttobeill——forIamnowsufferingunderaveryheavydisappointment！”

“Disappointment？”

“Yes，forIamunabletokeepmyengagementwithyou。

Mrs。Smithhasthismorningexercisedtheprivilegeofrichesuponapoordependentcousin，bysendingmeonbusinesstoLondon。Ihavejustreceivedmydispatches，andtakenmyfarewellofAllenham;andbywayofexhilarationIamnowcometotakemyfarewellofyou。”

“ToLondon！——andareyougoingthismorning？”

“Almostthismoment。”

“Thisisveryunfortunate。ButMrs。Smithmustbeobliged;——andherbusinesswillnotdetainyoufromuslongIhope。”

Hecolouredashereplied，“Youareverykind，butI

havenoideaofreturningintoDevonshireimmediately。

MyvisitstoMrs。Smithareneverrepeatedwithinthetwelvemonth。”

“AndisMrs。Smithyouronlyfriend？

IsAllenhamtheonlyhouseintheneighbourhoodtowhichyouwillbewelcome？

Forshame，Willoughby，canyouwaitforaninvitationhere？”

Hiscolourincreased;andwithhiseyesfixedonthegroundheonlyreplied，“Youaretoogood。”

Mrs。DashwoodlookedatElinorwithsurprise。

Elinorfeltequalamazement。Forafewmomentseveryonewassilent。Mrs。Dashwoodfirstspoke。

“Ihaveonlytoadd，mydearWilloughby，thatatBartoncottageyouwillalwaysbewelcome;forIwillnotpressyoutoreturnhereimmediately，becauseyouonlycanjudgehowfarTHATmightbepleasingtoMrs。Smith;

andonthisheadIshallbenomoredisposedtoquestionyourjudgmentthantodoubtyourinclination。”

“Myengagementsatpresent，“repliedWilloughby，confusedly，“areofsuchanature——that——Idarenotflattermyself“——

Hestopt。Mrs。Dashwoodwastoomuchastonishedtospeak，andanotherpausesucceeded。ThiswasbrokenbyWilloughby，whosaidwithafaintsmile，“Itisfollytolingerinthismanner。Iwillnottormentmyselfanylongerbyremainingamongfriendswhosesocietyitisimpossibleformenowtoenjoy。”

Hethenhastilytookleaveofthemallandlefttheroom。Theysawhimstepintohiscarriage，andinaminuteitwasoutofsight。

Mrs。Dashwoodfelttoomuchforspeech，andinstantlyquittedtheparlourtogivewayinsolitudetotheconcernandalarmwhichthissuddendepartureoccasioned。

Elinor’suneasinesswasatleastequaltohermother’s。

Shethoughtofwhathadjustpassedwithanxietyanddistrust。

Willoughby’sbehaviourintakingleaveofthem，hisembarrassment，andaffectationofcheerfulness，and，aboveall，hisunwillingnesstoaccepthermother’sinvitation，abackwardnesssounlikealover，sounlikehimself，greatlydisturbedher。Onemomentshefearedthatnoseriousdesignhadeverbeenformedonhisside;andthenextthatsomeunfortunatequarrelhadtakenplacebetweenhimandhersister;——thedistressinwhichMariannehadquittedtheroomwassuchasaseriousquarrelcouldmostreasonablyaccountfor，thoughwhensheconsideredwhatMarianne’sloveforhimwas，aquarrelseemedalmostimpossible。

Butwhatevermightbetheparticularsoftheirseparation，hersister’safflictionwasindubitable;andshethoughtwiththetenderestcompassionofthatviolentsorrowwhichMariannewasinallprobabilitynotmerelygivingwaytoasarelief，butfeedingandencouragingasaduty。

Inabouthalfanhourhermotherreturned，andthoughhereyeswerered，hercountenancewasnotuncheerful。

“OurdearWilloughbyisnowsomemilesfromBarton，Elinor，“

saidshe，asshesatdowntowork，“andwithhowheavyaheartdoeshetravel？”

“Itisallverystrange。Sosuddenlytobegone！Itseemsbuttheworkofamoment。Andlastnighthewaswithussohappy，socheerful，soaffectionate？，Andnow，afteronlytenminutesnotice——Gonetoowithoutintendingtoreturn！——Somethingmorethanwhatbeownedtousmusthavehappened。Hedidnotspeak，hedidnotbehavelikehimself。YOUmusthaveseenthedifferenceaswellasI。

Whatcanitbe？，Cantheyhavequarrelled？，Whyelseshouldhehaveshewnsuchunwillingnesstoacceptyourinvitationhere？”——

“Itwasnotinclinationthathewanted，Elinor;

IcouldplainlyseeTHAT。Hehadnotthepowerofacceptingit。

IhavethoughtitalloverIassureyou，andIcanperfectlyaccountforeverythingthatatfirstseemedstrangetomeaswellastoyou。”

“Canyou，indeed！”

“Yes。Ihaveexplainedittomyselfinthemostsatisfactoryway;——butyou，Elinor，wholovetodoubtwhereyoucan——itwillnotsatisfyYOU，Iknow;butyoushallnottalkMEoutofmytrustinit。IampersuadedthatMrs。SmithsuspectshisregardforMarianne，disapprovesofit，(perhapsbecauseshehasotherviewsforhim，)andonthataccountiseagertogethimaway;——

andthatthebusinesswhichshesendshimofftotransactisinventedasanexcusetodismisshim。ThisiswhatI

believetohavehappened。Heis，moreover，awarethatsheDOESdisapprovetheconnection，hedaresnotthereforeatpresentconfesstoherhisengagementwithMarianne，andhefeelshimselfobliged，fromhisdependentsituation，togiveintoherschemes，andabsenthimselffromDevonshireforawhile。Youwilltellme，Iknow，thatthismayormayNOThavehappened;butIwilllistentonocavil，unlessyoucanpointoutanyothermethodofunderstandingtheaffairassatisfactoryatthis。

Andnow，Elinor，whathaveyoutosay？”

“Nothing，foryouhaveanticipatedmyanswer。”

“Thenyouwouldhavetoldme，thatitmightormightnothavehappened。Oh，Elinor，howincomprehensibleareyourfeelings！，Youhadrathertakeeviluponcreditthangood。

YouhadratherlookoutformiseryforMarianne，andguiltforpoorWilloughby，thananapologyforthelatter。

Youareresolvedtothinkhimblameable，becausehetookleaveofuswithlessaffectionthanhisusualbehaviourhasshewn。Andisnoallowancetobemadeforinadvertence，orforspiritsdepressedbyrecentdisappointment？，Arenoprobabilitiestobeaccepted，merelybecausetheyarenotcertainties？，Isnothingduetothemanwhomwehaveallsuchreasontolove，andnoreasonintheworldtothinkillof？，Tothepossibilityofmotivesunanswerableinthemselves，thoughunavoidablysecretforawhile？，And，afterall，whatisityoususpecthimof？”

“Icanhardlytellmyself。Butsuspicionofsomethingunpleasantistheinevitableconsequenceofsuchanalterationaswejustwitnessedinhim。

Thereisgreattruth，however，inwhatyouhavenowurgedoftheallowanceswhichoughttobemadeforhim，anditismywishtobecandidinmyjudgmentofeverybody。

Willoughbymayundoubtedlyhaveverysufficientreasonsforhisconduct，andIwillhopethathehas。

ButitwouldhavebeenmorelikeWilloughbytoacknowledgethematonce。Secrecymaybeadvisable;butstillI

cannothelpwonderingatitsbeingpracticedbyhim。”

“Donotblamehim，however，fordepartingfromhischaracter，wherethedeviationisnecessary。

ButyoureallydoadmitthejusticeofwhatIhavesaidinhisdefence？——Iamhappy——andheisacquitted。”

“Notentirely。Itmaybepropertoconcealtheirengagement(iftheyAREengaged)fromMrs。Smith——

andifthatisthecase，itmustbehighlyexpedientforWilloughbytobebutlittleinDevonshireatpresent。

Butthisisnoexcusefortheirconcealingitfromus。”

“Concealingitfromus！mydearchild，doyouaccuseWilloughbyandMarianneofconcealment？Thisisstrangeindeed，whenyoureyeshavebeenreproachingthemeverydayforincautiousness。”

“Iwantnoproofoftheiraffection，“saidElinor;

“butoftheirengagementIdo。”

“Iamperfectlysatisfiedofboth。”

“Yetnotasyllablehasbeensaidtoyouonthesubject，byeitherofthem。”

“Ihavenotwantedsyllableswhereactionshavespokensoplainly。HasnothisbehaviourtoMarianneandtoallofus，foratleastthelastfortnight，declaredthathelovedandconsideredherashisfuturewife，andthathefeltforustheattachmentofthenearestrelation？，Havewenotperfectlyunderstoodeachother？

Hasnotmyconsentbeendailyaskedbyhislooks，hismanner，hisattentiveandaffectionaterespect？，MyElinor，isitpossibletodoubttheirengagement？，Howcouldsuchathoughtoccurtoyou？，HowisittobesupposedthatWilloughby，persuadedashemustbeofyoursister’slove，shouldleaveher，andleaveherperhapsformonths，withouttellingherofhisaffection;——thattheyshouldpartwithoutamutualexchangeofconfidence？”

“Iconfess，“repliedElinor，“thateverycircumstanceexceptONEisinfavouroftheirengagement;

butthatONEisthetotalsilenceofbothonthesubject，andwithmeitalmostoutweighseveryother。”

“Howstrangethisis！，YoumustthinkwretchedlyindeedofWilloughby，if，afterallthathasopenlypassedbetweenthem，youcandoubtthenatureofthetermsonwhichtheyaretogether。

Hashebeenactingapartinhisbehaviourtoyoursisterallthistime？，Doyousupposehimreallyindifferenttoher？”

“No，Icannotthinkthat。HemustanddoesloveherIamsure。”

“Butwithastrangekindoftenderness，ifhecanleaveherwithsuchindifference，suchcarelessnessofthefuture，asyouattributetohim。”

“Youmustremember，mydearmother，thatI

haveneverconsideredthismatterascertain。Ihavehadmydoubts，Iconfess;buttheyarefainterthantheywere，andtheymaysoonbeentirelydoneaway。Ifwefindtheycorrespond，everyfearofminewillberemoved。”

“Amightyconcessionindeed！，Ifyouweretoseethematthealtar，youwouldsupposetheyweregoingtobemarried。Ungraciousgirl！，ButIrequirenosuchproof。

Nothinginmyopinionhaseverpassedtojustifydoubt;

nosecrecyhasbeenattempted;allhasbeenuniformlyopenandunreserved。Youcannotdoubtyoursister’swishes。

ItmustbeWilloughbythereforewhomyoususpect。Butwhy？

Ishenotamanofhonourandfeeling？Hastherebeenanyinconsistencyonhissidetocreatealarm？canhebedeceitful？”

“Ihopenot，Ibelievenot，“criedElinor。

“IloveWilloughby，sincerelylovehim;andsuspicionofhisintegritycannotbemorepainfultoyourselfthantome。

Ithasbeeninvoluntary，andIwillnotencourageit。

Iwasstartled，Iconfess，bythealterationinhismannersthismorning;——hedidnotspeaklikehimself，anddidnotreturnyourkindnesswithanycordiality。

Butallthismaybeexplainedbysuchasituationofhisaffairsasyouhavesupposed。Hehadjustpartedfrommysister，hadseenherleavehiminthegreatestaffliction;

andifhefeltobliged，fromafearofoffendingMrs。Smith，toresistthetemptationofreturningheresoon，andyetawarethatbydecliningyourinvitation，bysayingthathewasgoingawayforsometime，heshouldseemtoactanungenerous，asuspiciouspartbyourfamily，bemightwellbeembarrassedanddisturbed。Insuchacase，aplainandopenavowalofhisdifficultieswouldhavebeenmoretohishonourIthink，aswellasmoreconsistentwithhisgeneralcharacter;——butIwillnotraiseobjectionsagainstanyone’sconductonsoilliberalafoundation，asadifferenceinjudgmentfrommyself，oradeviationfromwhatImaythinkrightandconsistent。”

“Youspeakveryproperly。Willoughbycertainlydoesnotdeservetobesuspected。ThoughWEhavenotknownhimlong，heisnostrangerinthispartoftheworld;

andwhohaseverspokentohisdisadvantage？，Hadhebeeninasituationtoactindependentlyandmarryimmediately，itmighthavebeenoddthatheshouldleaveuswithoutacknowledgingeverythingtomeatonce：butthisisnotthecase。

Itisanengagementinsomerespectsnotprosperouslybegun，fortheirmarriagemustbeataveryuncertaindistance;

andevensecrecy，asfarasitcanbeobserved，maynowbeveryadvisable。”

TheywereinterruptedbytheentranceofMargaret;

andElinorwasthenatlibertytothinkovertherepresentationsofhermother，toacknowledgetheprobabilityofmany，andhopeforthejusticeofall。

TheysawnothingofMariannetilldinnertime，whensheenteredtheroomandtookherplaceatthetablewithoutsayingaword。Hereyeswereredandswollen;

anditseemedasifhertearswereeventhenrestrainedwithdifficulty。Sheavoidedthelooksofthemall，couldneithereatnorspeak，andaftersometime，onhermother’ssilentlypressingherhandwithtendercompassion，hersmalldegreeoffortitudewasquiteovercome，sheburstintotearsandlefttheroom。

Thisviolentoppressionofspiritscontinuedthewholeevening。Shewaswithoutanypower，becauseshewaswithoutanydesireofcommandoverherself。

TheslightestmentionofanythingrelativetoWilloughbyoverpoweredherinaninstant;andthoughherfamilyweremostanxiouslyattentivetohercomfort，itwasimpossibleforthem，iftheyspokeatall，tokeepclearofeverysubjectwhichherfeelingsconnectedwithhim。

chapter16

CHAPTER16

MariannewouldhavethoughtherselfveryinexcusablehadshebeenabletosleepatallthefirstnightafterpartingfromWilloughby。Shewouldhavebeenashamedtolookherfamilyinthefacethenextmorning，hadshenotrisenfromherbedinmoreneedofreposethanwhenshelaydowninit。Butthefeelingswhichmadesuchcomposureadisgrace，leftherinnodangerofincurringit。Shewasawakethewholenight，andsheweptthegreatestpartofit。Shegotupwithaheadache，wasunabletotalk，andunwillingtotakeanynourishment;

givingpaineverymomenttohermotherandsisters，andforbiddingallattemptatconsolationfromeither。

Hersensibilitywaspotentenough！

Whenbreakfastwasovershewalkedoutbyherself，andwanderedaboutthevillageofAllenham，indulgingtherecollectionofpastenjoymentandcryingoverthepresentreverseforthechiefofthemorning。

Theeveningpassedoffintheequalindulgenceoffeeling。

SheplayedovereveryfavouritesongthatshehadbeenusedtoplaytoWilloughby，everyairinwhichtheirvoiceshadbeenoftenestjoined，andsatattheinstrumentgazingoneverylineofmusicthathehadwrittenoutforher，tillherheartwassoheavythatnofarthersadnesscouldbegained;andthisnourishmentofgriefwaseverydayapplied。Shespentwholehoursatthepianofortealternatelysingingandcrying;hervoiceoftentotallysuspendedbyhertears。Inbookstoo，aswellasinmusic，shecourtedthemiserywhichacontrastbetweenthepastandpresentwascertainofgiving。Shereadnothingbutwhattheyhadbeenusedtoreadtogether。

Suchviolenceofafflictionindeedcouldnotbesupportedforever;itsunkwithinafewdaysintoacalmermelancholy;

buttheseemployments，towhichshedailyrecurred，hersolitarywalksandsilentmeditations，stillproducedoccasionaleffusionsofsorrowaslivelyasever。

NoletterfromWilloughbycame;andnoneseemedexpectedbyMarianne。Hermotherwassurprised，andElinoragainbecameuneasy。ButMrs。Dashwoodcouldfindexplanationswhenevershewantedthem，whichatleastsatisfiedherself。

“Remember，Elinor，“saidshe，“howveryoftenSirJohnfetchesourlettershimselffromthepost，andcarriesthemtoit。Wehavealreadyagreedthatsecrecymaybenecessary，andwemustacknowledgethatitcouldnotbemaintainediftheircorrespondenceweretopassthroughSirJohn’shands。”

Elinorcouldnotdenythetruthofthis，andshetriedtofindinitamotivesufficientfortheirsilence。

Buttherewasonemethodsodirect，sosimple，andinheropinionsoeligibleofknowingtherealstateoftheaffair，andofinstantlyremovingallmystery，thatshecouldnothelpsuggestingittohermother。

“WhydoyounotaskMarianneatonce，“saidshe，“whethersheisorsheisnotengagedtoWilloughby？，Fromyou，hermother，andsokind，soindulgentamother，thequestioncouldnotgiveoffence。Itwouldbethenaturalresultofyouraffectionforher。Sheusedtobeallunreserve，andtoyoumoreespecially。”

“Iwouldnotasksuchaquestionfortheworld。

Supposingitpossiblethattheyarenotengaged，whatdistresswouldnotsuchanenquiryinflict！，Atanyrateitwouldbemostungenerous。Ishouldneverdeserveherconfidenceagain，afterforcingfromheraconfessionofwhatismeantatpresenttobeunacknowledgedtoanyone。

IknowMarianne’sheart：Iknowthatshedearlylovesme，andthatIshallnotbethelasttowhomtheaffairismadeknown，whencircumstancesmaketherevealmentofiteligible。

Iwouldnotattempttoforcetheconfidenceofanyone;

ofachildmuchless;becauseasenseofdutywouldpreventthedenialwhichherwishesmightdirect。”

Elinorthoughtthisgenerosityoverstrained，consideringhersister’syouth，andurgedthematterfarther，butinvain;commonsense，commoncare，commonprudence，wereallsunkinMrs。Dashwood’sromanticdelicacy。

ItwasseveraldaysbeforeWilloughby’snamewasmentionedbeforeMariannebyanyofherfamily;

SirJohnandMrs。Jennings，indeed，werenotsonice;

theirwitticismsaddedpaintomanyapainfulhour;——

butoneevening，Mrs。Dashwood，accidentallytakingupavolumeofShakespeare，exclaimed，“WehaveneverfinishedHamlet，Marianne;ourdearWilloughbywentawaybeforewecouldgetthroughit。

Wewillputitby，thatwhenhecomesagain……Butitmaybemonths，perhaps，beforeTHAThappens。”

“Months！”criedMarianne，withstrongsurprise。

“No——normanyweeks。”

Mrs。Dashwoodwassorryforwhatshehadsaid;

butitgaveElinorpleasure，asitproducedareplyfromMariannesoexpressiveofconfidenceinWilloughbyandknowledgeofhisintentions。

Onemorning，aboutaweekafterhisleavingthecountry，Mariannewasprevailedontojoinhersistersintheirusualwalk，insteadofwanderingawaybyherself。

Hithertoshehadcarefullyavoidedeverycompanioninherrambles。Ifhersistersintendedtowalkonthedowns，shedirectlystoleawaytowardsthelanes;iftheytalkedofthevalley，shewasasspeedyinclimbingthehills，andcouldneverbefoundwhentheotherssetoff。

ButatlengthshewassecuredbytheexertionsofElinor，whogreatlydisapprovedsuchcontinualseclusion。Theywalkedalongtheroadthroughthevalley，andchieflyinsilence，forMarianne’sMINDcouldnotbecontrolled，andElinor，satisfiedwithgainingonepoint，wouldnotthenattemptmore。

Beyondtheentranceofthevalley，wherethecountry，thoughstillrich，waslesswildandmoreopen，alongstretchoftheroadwhichtheyhadtravelledonfirstcomingtoBarton，laybeforethem;andonreachingthatpoint，theystoppedtolookaroundthem，andexamineaprospectwhichformedthedistanceoftheirviewfromthecottage，fromaspotwhichtheyhadneverhappenedtoreachinanyoftheirwalksbefore。

Amongsttheobjectsinthescene，theysoondiscoveredananimatedone;itwasamanonhorsebackridingtowardsthem。

Inafewminutestheycoulddistinguishhimtobeagentleman;

andinamomentafterwardsMariannerapturouslyexclaimed，“Itishe;itisindeed;——Iknowitis！”——andwashasteningtomeethim，whenElinorcriedout，“Indeed，Marianne，Ithinkyouaremistaken。

ItisnotWilloughby。Thepersonisnottallenoughforhim，andhasnothisair。”

“Hehas，hehas，“criedMarianne，“Iamsurehehas。

Hisair，hiscoat，hishorse。Iknewhowsoonhewouldcome。”

Shewalkedeagerlyonasshespoke;andElinor，toscreenMariannefromparticularity，asshefeltalmostcertainofitsnotbeingWilloughby，quickenedherpaceandkeptupwithher。Theyweresoonwithinthirtyyardsofthegentleman。Mariannelookedagain;

herheartsunkwithinher;andabruptlyturninground，shewashurryingback，whenthevoicesofbothhersisterswereraisedtodetainher;athird，almostaswellknownasWilloughby’s，joinedtheminbegginghertostop，andsheturnedroundwithsurprisetoseeandwelcomeEdwardFerrars。

HewastheonlypersonintheworldwhocouldatthatmomentbeforgivenfornotbeingWilloughby;

theonlyonewhocouldhavegainedasmilefromher;

butshedispersedhertearstosmileonHIM，andinhersister’shappinessforgotforatimeherowndisappointment。

Hedismounted，andgivinghishorsetohisservant，walkedbackwiththemtoBarton，whitherhewaspurposelycomingtovisitthem。

Hewaswelcomedbythemallwithgreatcordiality，butespeciallybyMarianne，whoshowedmorewarmthofregardinherreceptionofhimthanevenElinorherself。

ToMarianne，indeed，themeetingbetweenEdwardandhersisterwasbutacontinuationofthatunaccountablecoldnesswhichshehadoftenobservedatNorlandintheirmutualbehaviour。

OnEdward’sside，moreparticularly，therewasadeficiencyofallthataloveroughttolookandsayonsuchanoccasion。

Hewasconfused，seemedscarcelysensibleofpleasureinseeingthem，lookedneitherrapturousnorgay，saidlittlebutwhatwasforcedfromhimbyquestions，anddistinguishedElinorbynomarkofaffection。

Mariannesawandlistenedwithincreasingsurprise。

ShebeganalmosttofeeladislikeofEdward;anditended，aseveryfeelingmustendwithher，bycarryingbackherthoughtstoWilloughby，whosemannersformedacontrastsufficientlystrikingtothoseofhisbrotherelect。

Afterashortsilencewhichsucceededthefirstsurpriseandenquiriesofmeeting，MarianneaskedEdwardifhecamedirectlyfromLondon。No，hehadbeeninDevonshireafortnight。

“Afortnight！”sherepeated，surprisedathisbeingsolonginthesamecountywithElinorwithoutseeingherbefore。

Helookedratherdistressedasheadded，thathehadbeenstayingwithsomefriendsnearPlymouth。

“HaveyoubeenlatelyinSussex？”saidElinor。

“IwasatNorlandaboutamonthago。”

“Andhowdoesdear，dearNorlandlook？”criedMarianne。

“Dear，dearNorland，“saidElinor，“probablylooksmuchasitalwaysdoesatthistimeoftheyear。

Thewoodsandwalksthicklycoveredwithdeadleaves。”

“Oh，“criedMarianne，“withwhattransportingsensationhaveIformerlyseenthemfall！，HowhaveIdelighted，asIwalked，toseethemdriveninshowersaboutmebythewind！，Whatfeelingshavethey，theseason，theairaltogetherinspired！，Nowthereisnoonetoregardthem。

Theyareseenonlyasanuisance，swepthastilyoff，anddrivenasmuchaspossiblefromthesight。”

“Itisnoteveryone，“saidElinor，“whohasyourpassionfordeadleaves。”

“No;myfeelingsarenotoftenshared，notoftenunderstood。ButSOMETIMEStheyare。”——Asshesaidthis，shesunkintoareverieforafewmoments;——butrousingherselfagain，“Now，Edward，“saidshe，callinghisattentiontotheprospect，“hereisBartonvalley。Lookuptoit，andbetranquilifyoucan。Lookatthosehills！

Didyoueverseetheirequals？，TotheleftisBartonpark，amongstthosewoodsandplantations。Youmayseetheendofthehouse。Andthere，beneaththatfarthesthill，whichriseswithsuchgrandeur，isourcottage。”

“Itisabeautifulcountry，“hereplied;“butthesebottomsmustbedirtyinwinter。”

“Howcanyouthinkofdirt，withsuchobjectsbeforeyou？”

“Because，“repliedhe，smiling，“amongtherestoftheobjectsbeforeme，Iseeaverydirtylane。”

“Howstrange！”saidMariannetoherselfasshewalkedon。

“Haveyouanagreeableneighbourhoodhere？

AretheMiddletonspleasantpeople？”

“No，notall，“answeredMarianne;“wecouldnotbemoreunfortunatelysituated。”

“Marianne，“criedhersister，“howcanyousayso？Howcanyoubesounjust？，Theyareaveryrespectablefamily，Mr。Ferrars;

andtowardsushavebehavedinthefriendliestmanner。Haveyouforgot，Marianne，howmanypleasantdayswehaveowedtothem？”

“No，“saidMarianne，inalowvoice，“norhowmanypainfulmoments。”

Elinortooknonoticeofthis;anddirectingherattentiontotheirvisitor，endeavouredtosupportsomethinglikediscoursewithhim，bytalkingoftheirpresentresidence，itsconveniences，&c。extortingfromhimoccasionalquestionsandremarks。Hiscoldnessandreservemortifiedherseverely;shewasvexedandhalfangry;

butresolvingtoregulateherbehaviourtohimbythepastratherthanthepresent，sheavoidedeveryappearanceofresentmentordispleasure，andtreatedhimasshethoughtheoughttobetreatedfromthefamilyconnection。

chapter17

CHAPTER17

Mrs。Dashwoodwassurprisedonlyforamomentatseeinghim;forhiscomingtoBartonwas，inheropinion，ofallthingsthemostnatural。Herjoyandexpressionofregardlongoutlivedherwonder。Hereceivedthekindestwelcomefromher;andshyness，coldness，reservecouldnotstandagainstsuchareception。Theyhadbeguntofailhimbeforeheenteredthehouse，andtheywerequiteovercomebythecaptivatingmannersofMrs。Dashwood。Indeedamancouldnotverywellbeinlovewitheitherofherdaughters，withoutextendingthepassiontoher;andElinorhadthesatisfactionofseeinghimsoonbecomemorelikehimself。

Hisaffectionsseemedtoreanimatetowardsthemall，andhisinterestintheirwelfareagainbecameperceptible。

Hewasnotinspirits，however;hepraisedtheirhouse，admireditsprospect，wasattentive，andkind;butstillhewasnotinspirits。Thewholefamilyperceivedit，andMrs。Dashwood，attributingittosomewantofliberalityinhismother，satdowntotableindignantagainstallselfishparents。

“WhatareMrs。Ferrars’sviewsforyouatpresent，Edward？”

saidshe，whendinnerwasoverandtheyhaddrawnroundthefire;“areyoustilltobeagreatoratorinspiteofyourself？”

“No。IhopemymotherisnowconvincedthatIhavenomoretalentsthaninclinationforapubliclife！”

“Buthowisyourfametobeestablished？forfamousyoumustbetosatisfyallyourfamily;andwithnoinclinationforexpense，noaffectionforstrangers，noprofession，andnoassurance，youmayfinditadifficultmatter。”

“Ishallnotattemptit。Ihavenowishtobedistinguished;andhaveeveryreasontohopeInevershall。

ThankHeaven！Icannotbeforcedintogeniusandeloquence。”

“Youhavenoambition，Iwellknow。Yourwishesareallmoderate。”

“Asmoderateasthoseoftherestoftheworld，Ibelieve。Iwishaswellaseverybodyelsetobeperfectlyhappy;but，likeeverybodyelseitmustbeinmyownway。Greatnesswillnotmakemeso。”

“Strangethatitwould！”criedMarianne。

“Whathavewealthorgrandeurtodowithhappiness？”

“Grandeurhasbutlittle，“saidElinor，“butwealthhasmuchtodowithit。”

“Elinor，forshame！”saidMarianne，“moneycanonlygivehappinesswherethereisnothingelsetogiveit。

Beyondacompetence，itcanaffordnorealsatisfaction，asfarasmereselfisconcerned。”

“Perhaps，“saidElinor，smiling，“wemaycometothesamepoint。YOURcompetenceandMYwealthareverymuchalike，Idaresay;andwithoutthem，astheworldgoesnow，weshallbothagreethateverykindofexternalcomfortmustbewanting。Yourideasareonlymorenoblethanmine。Come，whatisyourcompetence？”

“Abouteighteenhundredortwothousandayear;

notmorethanTHAT。”

Elinorlaughed。”TWOthousandayear！

ONEismywealth！Iguessedhowitwouldend。”

“Andyettwothousanda-yearisaverymoderateincome，“

saidMarianne。”Afamilycannotwellbemaintainedonasmaller。IamsureIamnotextravagantinmydemands。

Aproperestablishmentofservants，acarriage，perhapstwo，andhunters，cannotbesupportedonless。”

Elinorsmiledagain，tohearhersisterdescribingsoaccuratelytheirfutureexpensesatCombeMagna。

“Hunters！”repeatedEdward——“butwhymustyouhavehunters？，Everybodydoesnothunt。”

Mariannecolouredasshereplied，“Butmostpeopledo。”

“Iwish，“saidMargaret，strikingoutanovelthought，“thatsomebodywouldgiveusallalargefortuneapiece！”

“Ohthattheywould！”criedMarianne，hereyessparklingwithanimation，andhercheeksglowingwiththedelightofsuchimaginaryhappiness。

“Weareallunanimousinthatwish，Isuppose，“

saidElinor，“inspiteoftheinsufficiencyofwealth。”

“Ohdear！”criedMargaret，“howhappyIshouldbe！

IwonderwhatIshoulddowithit！”

Mariannelookedasifshehadnodoubtonthatpoint。

“Ishouldbepuzzledtospendsolargeafortunemyself，“

saidMrs。Dashwood，“ifmychildrenwerealltoberichmyhelp。”

“Youmustbeginyourimprovementsonthishouse，“

observedElinor，“andyourdifficultieswillsoonvanish。”

“WhatmagnificentorderswouldtravelfromthisfamilytoLondon，“saidEdward，“insuchanevent！，Whatahappydayforbooksellers，music-sellers，andprint-shops！，You，MissDashwood，wouldgiveageneralcommissionforeverynewprintofmerittobesentyou——andasforMarianne，Iknowhergreatnessofsoul，therewouldnotbemusicenoughinLondontocontenther。Andbooks！——Thomson，Cowper，Scott——shewouldbuythemalloverandoveragain：shewouldbuyupeverycopy，Ibelieve，topreventtheirfallingintounworthyhands;andshewouldhaveeverybookthattellsherhowtoadmireanoldtwistedtree。

Shouldnotyou，Marianne？，Forgiveme，ifIamverysaucy。

ButIwaswillingtoshewyouthatIhadnotforgotourolddisputes。”

“Ilovetoberemindedofthepast，Edward——whetheritbemelancholyorgay，Ilovetorecallit——andyouwillneveroffendmebytalkingofformertimes。

Youareveryrightinsupposinghowmymoneywouldbespent——someofit，atleast——myloosecashwouldcertainlybeemployedinimprovingmycollectionofmusicandbooks。”

“Andthebulkofyourfortunewouldbelaidoutinannuitiesontheauthorsortheirheirs。”

“No，Edward，Ishouldhavesomethingelsetodowithit。”

“Perhaps，then，youwouldbestowitasarewardonthatpersonwhowrotetheablestdefenceofyourfavouritemaxim，thatnoonecaneverbeinlovemorethanonceintheirlife——youropiniononthatpointisunchanged，Ipresume？”

“Undoubtedly。Atmytimeoflifeopinionsaretolerablyfixed。

ItisnotlikelythatIshouldnowseeorhearanythingtochangethem。”

“Marianneisassteadfastasever，yousee，“

saidElinor，“sheisnotatallaltered。”

“Sheisonlygrownalittlemoregravethanshewas。”

“Nay，Edward，“saidMarianne，“youneednotreproachme。

Youarenotverygayyourself。”

“Whyshouldyouthinkso！”repliedhe，withasigh。

“ButgaietyneverwasapartofMYcharacter。”

“NordoIthinkitapartofMarianne’s，“saidElinor;

“Ishouldhardlycallheralivelygirl——sheisveryearnest，veryeagerinallshedoes——sometimestalksagreatdealandalwayswithanimation——butsheisnotoftenreallymerry。”

“Ibelieveyouareright，“hereplied，“andyetI

havealwayssetherdownasalivelygirl。”

“Ihavefrequentlydetectedmyselfinsuchkindofmistakes，“

saidElinor，“inatotalmisapprehensionofcharacterinsomepointorother：fancyingpeoplesomuchmoregayorgrave，oringeniousorstupidthantheyreallyare，andIcanhardlytellwhyorinwhatthedeceptionoriginated。

Sometimesoneisguidedbywhattheysayofthemselves，andveryfrequentlybywhatotherpeoplesayofthem，withoutgivingoneselftimetodeliberateandjudge。”

“ButIthoughtitwasright，Elinor，“saidMarianne，“tobeguidedwhollybytheopinionofotherpeople。

Ithoughtourjudgmentsweregivenusmerelytobesubservienttothoseofneighbours。Thishasalwaysbeenyourdoctrine，Iamsure。”

“No，Marianne，never。Mydoctrinehasneveraimedatthesubjectionoftheunderstanding。AllIhaveeverattemptedtoinfluencehasbeenthebehaviour。

Youmustnotconfoundmymeaning。Iamguilty，Iconfess，ofhavingoftenwishedyoutotreatouracquaintanceingeneralwithgreaterattention;butwhenhaveIadvisedyoutoadopttheirsentimentsortoconformtotheirjudgmentinseriousmatters？”

“Youhavenotbeenabletobringyoursisterovertoyourplanofgeneralcivility，“saidEdwardtoElinor，“Doyougainnoground？”

“Quitethecontrary，“repliedElinor，lookingexpressivelyatMarianne。

“Myjudgment，“hereturned，“isallonyoursideofthequestion;butIamafraidmypracticeismuchmoreonyoursister’s。Ineverwishtooffend，butI

amsofoolishlyshy，thatIoftenseemnegligent，whenIamonlykeptbackbymynaturalawkwardness。

IhavefrequentlythoughtthatImusthavebeenintendedbynaturetobefondoflowcompany，Iamsolittleatmyeaseamongstrangersofgentility！”

“Mariannehasnotshynesstoexcuseanyinattentionofhers，“saidElinor。

“Sheknowsherownworthtoowellforfalseshame，“

repliedEdward。”Shynessisonlytheeffectofasenseofinferiorityinsomewayorother。IfIcouldpersuademyselfthatmymannerswereperfectlyeasyandgraceful，Ishouldnotbeshy。”

“Butyouwouldstillbereserved，“saidMarianne，“andthatisworse。”

Edwardstarted——“Reserved！AmIreserved，Marianne？”

“Yes，very。”

“Idonotunderstandyou，“repliedhe，colouring。

“Reserved！——how，inwhatmanner？，WhatamItotellyou？

Whatcanyousuppose？”

Elinorlookedsurprisedathisemotion;buttryingtolaughoffthesubject，shesaidtohim，“Donotyouknowmysisterwellenoughtounderstandwhatshemeans？

Donotyouknowshecallseveryonereservedwhodoesnottalkasfast，andadmirewhatsheadmiresasrapturouslyasherself？”

Edwardmadenoanswer。Hisgravityandthoughtfulnessreturnedonhimintheirfullestextent——andhesatforsometimesilentanddull。

chapter18

CHAPTER18

Elinorsaw，withgreatuneasinessthelowspiritsofherfriend。Hisvisitaffordedherbutaverypartialsatisfaction，whilehisownenjoymentinitappearedsoimperfect。Itwasevidentthathewasunhappy;

shewisheditwereequallyevidentthathestilldistinguishedherbythesameaffectionwhichonceshehadfeltnodoubtofinspiring;buthithertothecontinuanceofhispreferenceseemedveryuncertain;

andthereservednessofhismannertowardshercontradictedonemomentwhatamoreanimatedlookhadintimatedtheprecedingone。

HejoinedherandMarianneinthebreakfast-roomthenextmorningbeforetheothersweredown;andMarianne，whowasalwayseagertopromotetheirhappinessasfarasshecould，soonleftthemtothemselves。Butbeforeshewashalfwayupstairssheheardtheparlourdooropen，and，turninground，wasastonishedtoseeEdwardhimselfcomeout。

“Iamgoingintothevillagetoseemyhorses，“

saidbe，“asyouarenotyetreadyforbreakfast;Ishallbebackagainpresently。”

***

Edwardreturnedtothemwithfreshadmirationofthesurroundingcountry;inhiswalktothevillage，hehadseenmanypartsofthevalleytoadvantage;

andthevillageitself，inamuchhighersituationthanthecottage，affordedageneralviewofthewhole，whichhadexceedinglypleasedhim。ThiswasasubjectwhichensuredMarianne’sattention，andshewasbeginningtodescribeherownadmirationofthesescenes，andtoquestionhimmoreminutelyontheobjectsthathadparticularlystruckhim，whenEdwardinterruptedherbysaying，“Youmustnotenquiretoofar，Marianne——rememberIhavenoknowledgeinthepicturesque，andIshalloffendyoubymyignoranceandwantoftasteifwecometoparticulars。Ishallcallhillssteep，whichoughttobebold;surfacesstrangeanduncouth，whichoughttobeirregularandrugged;

anddistantobjectsoutofsight，whichoughtonlytobeindistinctthroughthesoftmediumofahazyatmosphere。

YoumustbesatisfiedwithsuchadmirationasIcanhonestlygive。Icallitaveryfinecountry——thehillsaresteep，thewoodsseemfulloffinetimber，andthevalleylookscomfortableandsnug——withrichmeadowsandseveralneatfarmhousesscatteredhereandthere。Itexactlyanswersmyideaofafinecountry，becauseitunitesbeautywithutility——andIdaresayitisapicturesqueonetoo，becauseyouadmireit;Icaneasilybelieveittobefullofrocksandpromontories，greymossandbrushwood，butthesearealllostonme。

Iknownothingofthepicturesque。”

“Iamafraiditisbuttootrue，“saidMarianne;

“butwhyshouldyouboastofit？”

“Isuspect，“saidElinor，“thattoavoidonekindofaffectation，Edwardherefallsintoanother。Becausehebelievesmanypeoplepretendtomoreadmirationofthebeautiesofnaturethantheyreallyfeel，andisdisgustedwithsuchpretensions，heaffectsgreaterindifferenceandlessdiscriminationinviewingthemhimselfthanhepossesses。

Heisfastidiousandwillhaveanaffectationofhisown。”

“Itisverytrue，“saidMarianne，“thatadmirationoflandscapesceneryisbecomeamerejargon。

Everybodypretendstofeelandtriestodescribewiththetasteandeleganceofhimwhofirstdefinedwhatpicturesquebeautywas。Idetestjargonofeverykind，andsometimesIhavekeptmyfeelingstomyself，becauseIcouldfindnolanguagetodescribetheminbutwhatwaswornandhackneyedoutofallsenseandmeaning。”

“Iamconvinced，“saidEdward，“thatyoureallyfeelallthedelightinafineprospectwhichyouprofesstofeel。But，inreturn，yoursistermustallowmetofeelnomorethanIprofess。Ilikeafineprospect，butnotonpicturesqueprinciples。Idonotlikecrooked，twisted，blastedtrees。Iadmirethemmuchmoreiftheyaretall，straight，andflourishing。Idonotlikeruined，tatteredcottages。Iamnotfondofnettlesorthistles，orheathblossoms。Ihavemorepleasureinasnugfarm-housethanawatch-tower——andatroopoftidy，happyvillagespleasemebetterthanthefinestbandittiintheworld。”

MariannelookedwithamazementatEdward，withcompassionathersister。Elinoronlylaughed。

Thesubjectwascontinuednofarther;andMarianneremainedthoughtfullysilent，tillanewobjectsuddenlyengagedherattention。ShewassittingbyEdward，andintakinghisteafromMrs。Dashwood，hishandpassedsodirectlybeforeher，astomakearing，withaplaitofhairinthecentre，veryconspicuousononeofhisfingers。

“Ineversawyouweararingbefore，Edward，“

shecried。

“IsthatFanny’shair？Irememberherpromisingtogiveyousome。ButIshouldhavethoughtherhairhadbeendarker。”

Mariannespokeinconsideratelywhatshereallyfelt——

butwhenshesawhowmuchshehadpainedEdward，herownvexationatherwantofthoughtcouldnotbesurpassedbyhis。Hecolouredverydeeply，andgivingamomentaryglanceatElinor，replied，“Yes;itismysister’shair。

Thesettingalwayscastsadifferentshadeonit，youknow。”

Elinorhadmethiseye，andlookedconsciouslikewise。

Thatthehairwasherown，sheinstantaneouslyfeltaswellsatisfiedasMarianne;theonlydifferenceintheirconclusionswas，thatwhatMarianneconsideredasafreegiftfromhersister，Elinorwasconsciousmusthavebeenprocuredbysometheftorcontrivanceunknowntoherself。

Shewasnotinahumour，however，toregarditasanaffront，andaffectingtotakenonoticeofwhatpassed，byinstantlytalkingofsomethingelse，sheinternallyresolvedhenceforwardtocatcheveryopportunityofeyeingthehairandofsatisfyingherself，beyondalldoubt，thatitwasexactlytheshadeofherown。

Edward’sembarrassmentlastedsometime，anditendedinanabsenceofmindstillmoresettled。

Hewasparticularlygravethewholemorning。

Marianneseverelycensuredherselfforwhatshehadsaid;

butherownforgivenessmighthavebeenmorespeedy，hadsheknownhowlittleoffenceithadgivenhersister。

Beforethemiddleoftheday，theywerevisitedbySirJohnandMrs。Jennings，who，havingheardofthearrivalofagentlemanatthecottage，cametotakeasurveyoftheguest。Withtheassistanceofhismother-in-law，SirJohnwasnotlongindiscoveringthatthenameofFerrarsbeganwithanF。andthispreparedafuturemineofrailleryagainstthedevotedElinor，whichnothingbutthenewnessoftheiracquaintancewithEdwardcouldhavepreventedfrombeingimmediatelysprung。But，asitwas，sheonlylearned，fromsomeverysignificantlooks，howfartheirpenetration，foundedonMargaret’sinstructions，extended。

SirJohnnevercametotheDashwoodswithouteitherinvitingthemtodineattheparkthenextday，ortodrinkteawiththemthatevening。Onthepresentoccasion，forthebetterentertainmentoftheirvisitor，towardswhoseamusementhefelthimselfboundtocontribute，hewishedtoengagethemforboth。

“YouMUSTdrinkteawithustonight，“saidhe，“forweshallbequitealone——andtomorrowyoumustabsolutelydinewithus，forweshallbealargeparty。”

Mrs。Jenningsenforcedthenecessity。

“Andwhoknowsbutyoumayraiseadance，“saidshe。”AndthatwilltemptYOU，MissMarianne。”

“Adance！”criedMarianne。”Impossible！

Whoistodance？”

“Who！whyyourselves，andtheCareys，andWhitakerstobesure——What！youthoughtnobodycoulddancebecauseacertainpersonthatshallbenamelessisgone！”

“Iwishwithallmysoul，“criedSirJohn，“thatWilloughbywereamongusagain。”

This，andMarianne’sblushing，gavenewsuspicionstoEdward。”AndwhoisWilloughby？”saidhe，inalowvoice，toMissDashwood，bywhomhewassitting。

Shegavehimabriefreply。Marianne’scountenancewasmorecommunicative。Edwardsawenoughtocomprehend，notonlythemeaningofothers，butsuchofMarianne’sexpressionsashadpuzzledhimbefore;andwhentheirvisitorsleftthem，hewentimmediatelyroundher，andsaid，inawhisper，“Ihavebeenguessing。ShallItellyoumyguess？”

“Whatdoyoumean？”

“ShallItellyou。”

“Certainly。”

“Wellthen;IguessthatMr。Willoughbyhunts。”

Mariannewassurprisedandconfused，yetshecouldnothelpsmilingatthequietarchnessofhismanner，andafteramoment’ssilence，said，“Oh，Edward！Howcanyou？——ButthetimewillcomeIhope……Iamsureyouwilllikehim。”

“Idonotdoubtit，“repliedhe，ratherastonishedatherearnestnessandwarmth;forhadhenotimaginedittobeajokeforthegoodofheracquaintanceingeneral，foundedonlyonasomethingoranothingbetweenMr。Willoughbyandherself，hewouldnothaveventuredtomentionit。

chapter19

CHAPTER19

Edwardremainedaweekatthecottage;hewasearnestlypressedbyMrs。Dashwoodtostaylonger;but，asifhewerebentonlyonself-mortification，heseemedresolvedtobegonewhenhisenjoymentamonghisfriendswasattheheight。Hisspirits，duringthelasttwoorthreedays，thoughstillveryunequal，weregreatlyimproved——hegrewmoreandmorepartialtothehouseandenvirons——neverspokeofgoingawaywithoutasigh——declaredhistimetobewhollydisengaged——evendoubtedtowhatplaceheshouldgowhenheleftthem——butstill，gohemust。

Neverhadanyweekpassedsoquickly——hecouldhardlybelieveittobegone。Hesaidsorepeatedly;otherthingshesaidtoo，whichmarkedtheturnofhisfeelingsandgavethelietohisactions。HehadnopleasureatNorland;

hedetestedbeingintown;buteithertoNorlandorLondon，hemustgo。Hevaluedtheirkindnessbeyondanything，andhisgreatesthappinesswasinbeingwiththem。

Yet，hemustleavethemattheendofaweek，inspiteoftheirwishesandhisown，andwithoutanyrestraintonhistime。

Elinorplacedallthatwasastonishinginthiswayofactingtohismother’saccount;anditwashappyforherthathehadamotherwhosecharacterwassoimperfectlyknowntoher，astobethegeneralexcuseforeverythingstrangeonthepartofherson。

Disappointed，however，andvexedasshewas，andsometimesdispleasedwithhisuncertainbehaviourtoherself，shewasverywelldisposedonthewholetoregardhisactionswithallthecandidallowancesandgenerousqualifications，whichhadbeenrathermorepainfullyextortedfromher，forWilloughby’sservice，byhermother。Hiswantofspirits，ofopenness，andofconsistency，weremostusuallyattributedtohiswantofindependence，andhisbetterknowledgeofMrs。Ferrars’sdispositionanddesigns。

Theshortnessofhisvisit，thesteadinessofhispurposeinleavingthem，originatedinthesamefetteredinclination，thesameinevitablenecessityoftemporizingwithhismother。

Theoldwell-establishedgrievanceofdutyagainstwill，parentagainstchild，wasthecauseofall。Shewouldhavebeengladtoknowwhenthesedifficultiesweretocease，thisoppositionwastoyield，——whenMrs。Ferrarswouldbereformed，andhersonbeatlibertytobehappy。

ButfromsuchvainwishesshewasforcedtoturnforcomforttotherenewalofherconfidenceinEdward’saffection，totheremembranceofeverymarkofregardinlookorwordwhichfellfromhimwhileatBarton，andabovealltothatflatteringproofofitwhichheconstantlyworeroundhisfinger。

“Ithink，Edward，“saidMrs。Dashwood，astheywereatbreakfastthelastmorning，“youwouldbeahappiermanifyouhadanyprofessiontoengageyourtimeandgiveaninteresttoyourplansandactions。Someinconveniencetoyourfriends，indeed，mightresultfromit——youwouldnotbeabletogivethemsomuchofyourtime。

But(withasmile)youwouldbemateriallybenefitedinoneparticularatleast——youwouldknowwheretogowhenyouleftthem。”

“Idoassureyou，“hereplied，“thatIhavelongthoughtonthispoint，asyouthinknow。Ithasbeen，andis，andprobablywillalwaysbeaheavymisfortunetome，thatIhavehadnonecessarybusinesstoengageme，noprofessiontogivemeemployment，oraffordmeanythinglikeindependence。Butunfortunatelymyownnicety，andthenicetyofmyfriends，havemademewhatIam，anidle，helplessbeing。Wenevercouldagreeinourchoiceofaprofession。Ialwayspreferredthechurch，asIstilldo。Butthatwasnotsmartenoughformyfamily。

Theyrecommendedthearmy。Thatwasagreatdealtoosmartforme。Thelawwasallowedtobegenteelenough;manyyoungmen，whohadchambersintheTemple，madeaverygoodappearanceinthefirstcircles，anddroveabouttowninveryknowinggigs。ButIhadnoinclinationforthelaw，eveninthislessabstrusestudyofit，whichmyfamilyapproved。Asforthenavy，ithadfashiononitsside，butIwastoooldwhenthesubjectwasfirststartedtoenterit——and，atlength，astherewasnonecessityformyhavinganyprofessionatall，asImightbeasdashingandexpensivewithoutaredcoatonmybackaswithone，idlenesswaspronouncedonthewholetobemostadvantageousandhonourable，andayoungmanofeighteenisnotingeneralsoearnestlybentonbeingbusyastoresistthesolicitationsofhisfriendstodonothing。IwasthereforeenteredatOxfordandhavebeenproperlyidleeversince。”

“Theconsequenceofwhich，Isuppose，willbe，“

saidMrs。Dashwood，“sinceleisurehasnotpromotedyourownhappiness，thatyoursonswillbebroughtuptoasmanypursuits，employments，professions，andtradesasColumella’s。”

“Theywillbebroughtup，“saidhe，inaseriousaccent，“tobeasunlikemyselfasispossible。Infeeling，inaction，incondition，ineverything。”

“Come，come;thisisallaneffusionofimmediatewantofspirits，Edward。Youareinamelancholyhumour，andfancythatanyoneunlikeyourselfmustbehappy。

Butrememberthatthepainofpartingfromfriendswillbefeltbyeverybodyattimes，whateverbetheireducationorstate。Knowyourownhappiness。Youwantnothingbutpatience——orgiveitamorefascinatingname，callithope。Yourmotherwillsecuretoyou，intime，thatindependenceyouaresoanxiousfor;itisherduty，anditwill，itmusterelongbecomeherhappinesstopreventyourwholeyouthfrombeingwastedindiscontent。

Howmuchmaynotafewmonthsdo？”

“Ithink，“repliedEdward，“thatImaydefymanymonthstoproduceanygoodtome。”

Thisdespondingturnofmind，thoughitcouldnotbecommunicatedtoMrs。Dashwood，gaveadditionalpaintothemallintheparting，whichshortlytookplace，andleftanuncomfortableimpressiononElinor’sfeelingsespecially，whichrequiredsometroubleandtimetosubdue。Butasitwasherdeterminationtosubdueit，andtopreventherselffromappearingtosuffermorethanwhatallherfamilysufferedonhisgoingaway，shedidnotadoptthemethodsojudiciouslyemployedbyMarianne，onasimilaroccasion，toaugmentandfixhersorrow，byseekingsilence，solitudeandidleness。Theirmeanswereasdifferentastheirobjects，andequallysuitedtotheadvancementofeach。

Elinorsatdowntoherdrawing-tableassoonashewasoutofthehouse，busilyemployedherselfthewholeday，neithersoughtnoravoidedthementionofhisname，appearedtointerestherselfalmostasmuchaseverinthegeneralconcernsofthefamily，andif，bythisconduct，shedidnotlessenherowngrief，itwasatleastpreventedfromunnecessaryincrease，andhermotherandsistersweresparedmuchsolicitudeonheraccount。

Suchbehaviourasthis，soexactlythereverseofherown，appearednomoremeritorioustoMarianne，thanherownhadseemedfaultytoher。Thebusinessofself-commandshesettledveryeasily;——withstrongaffectionsitwasimpossible，withcalmonesitcouldhavenomerit。Thathersister’saffectionsWEREcalm，shedarednotdeny，thoughsheblushedtoacknowledgeit;

andofthestrengthofherown，shegaveaverystrikingproof，bystilllovingandrespectingthatsister，inspiteofthismortifyingconviction。

Withoutshuttingherselfupfromherfamily，orleavingthehouseindeterminedsolitudetoavoidthem，orlyingawakethewholenighttoindulgemeditation，ElinorfoundeverydayaffordedherleisureenoughtothinkofEdward，andofEdward’sbehaviour，ineverypossiblevarietywhichthedifferentstateofherspiritsatdifferenttimescouldproduce，——withtenderness，pity，approbation，censure，anddoubt。Thereweremomentsinabundance，when，ifnotbytheabsenceofhermotherandsisters，atleastbythenatureoftheiremployments，conversationwasforbiddenamongthem，andeveryeffectofsolitudewasproduced。Hermindwasinevitablyatliberty;herthoughtscouldnotbechainedelsewhere;

andthepastandthefuture，onasubjectsointeresting，mustbebeforeher，mustforceherattention，andengrosshermemory，herreflection，andherfancy。

Fromareverieofthiskind，asshesatatherdrawing-table，shewasrousedonemorning，soonafterEdward’sleavingthem，bythearrivalofcompany。

Shehappenedtobequitealone。Theclosingofthelittlegate，attheentranceofthegreencourtinfrontofthehouse，drewhereyestothewindow，andshesawalargepartywalkinguptothedoor。AmongstthemwereSirJohnandLadyMiddletonandMrs。Jennings，butthereweretwoothers，agentlemanandlady，whowerequiteunknowntoher。Shewassittingnearthewindow，andassoonasSirJohnperceivedher，helefttherestofthepartytotheceremonyofknockingatthedoor，andsteppingacrosstheturf，obligedhertoopenthecasementtospeaktohim，thoughthespacewassoshortbetweenthedoorandthewindow，astomakeithardlypossibletospeakatonewithoutbeingheardattheother。

“Well，“saidhe，“wehavebroughtyousomestrangers。

Howdoyoulikethem？”

“Hush！theywillhearyou。”

“Nevermindiftheydo。ItisonlythePalmers。

Charlotteisverypretty，Icantellyou。Youmayseeherifyoulookthisway。”

AsElinorwascertainofseeingherinacoupleofminutes，withouttakingthatliberty，shebeggedtobeexcused。

“WhereisMarianne？Hassherunawaybecausewearecome？Iseeherinstrumentisopen。”

“Sheiswalking，Ibelieve。”

TheywerenowjoinedbyMrs。Jennings，whohadnotpatienceenoughtowaittillthedoorwasopenedbeforeshetoldHERstory。Shecamehallooingtothewindow，“Howdoyoudo，mydear？，HowdoesMrs。Dashwooddo？

Andwhereareyoursisters？，What！allalone！youwillbegladofalittlecompanytositwithyou。

Ihavebroughtmyothersonanddaughtertoseeyou。

Onlythinkoftheircomingsosuddenly！，IthoughtIheardacarriagelastnight，whileweweredrinkingourtea，butitneverenteredmyheadthatitcouldbethem。

IthoughtofnothingbutwhetheritmightnotbeColonelBrandoncomebackagain;soIsaidtoSirJohn，IdothinkIhearacarriage;perhapsitisColonelBrandoncomebackagain“——

Elinorwasobligedtoturnfromher，inthemiddleofherstory，toreceivetherestoftheparty;LadyMiddletonintroducedthetwostrangers;Mrs。DashwoodandMargaretcamedownstairsatthesametime，andtheyallsatdowntolookatoneanother，whileMrs。Jenningscontinuedherstoryasshewalkedthroughthepassageintotheparlour，attendedbySirJohn。

Mrs。PalmerwasseveralyearsyoungerthanLadyMiddleton，andtotallyunlikeherineveryrespect。

Shewasshortandplump，hadaveryprettyface，andthefinestexpressionofgoodhumourinitthatcouldpossiblybe。Hermannerswerebynomeanssoelegantashersister’s，buttheyweremuchmoreprepossessing。

Shecameinwithasmile，smiledallthetimeofhervisit，exceptwhenshelaughed，andsmiledwhenshewentaway。

Herhusbandwasagravelookingyoungmanoffiveorsixandtwenty，withanairofmorefashionandsensethanhiswife，butoflesswillingnesstopleaseorbepleased。

Heenteredtheroomwithalookofself-consequence，slightlybowedtotheladies，withoutspeakingaword，and，afterbrieflysurveyingthemandtheirapartments，tookupanewspaperfromthetable，andcontinuedtoreaditaslongashestaid。

Mrs。Palmer，onthecontrary，whowasstronglyendowedbynaturewithaturnforbeinguniformlycivilandhappy，washardlyseatedbeforeheradmirationoftheparlourandeverythinginitburstforth。

“Well！whatadelightfulroomthisis！Ineversawanythingsocharming！，Onlythink，Mamma，howitisimprovedsinceIwasherelast！Ialwaysthoughtitsuchasweetplace，ma’am！(turningtoMrs。Dashwood)

butyouhavemadeitsocharming！，Onlylook，sister，howdelightfuleverythingis！HowIshouldlikesuchahouseformyself！，Shouldnotyou，Mr。Palmer？”

Mr。Palmermadehernoanswer，anddidnotevenraisehiseyesfromthenewspaper。

“Mr。Palmerdoesnothearme，“saidshe，laughing;

“heneverdoessometimes。Itissoridiculous！”

ThiswasquiteanewideatoMrs。Dashwood;

shehadneverbeenusedtofindwitintheinattentionofanyone，andcouldnothelplookingwithsurpriseatthemboth。

Mrs。Jennings，inthemeantime，talkedonasloudasshecould，andcontinuedheraccountoftheirsurprise，theeveningbefore，onseeingtheirfriends，withoutceasingtilleverythingwastold。Mrs。Palmerlaughedheartilyattherecollectionoftheirastonishment，andeverybodyagreed，twoorthreetimesover，thatithadbeenquiteanagreeablesurprise。

“Youmaybelievehowgladweallweretoseethem，“

addedMrs。Jennings，leaningforwardtowardsElinor，andspeakinginalowvoiceasifshemeanttobeheardbynooneelse，thoughtheywereseatedondifferentsidesoftheroom;“but，however，Ican’thelpwishingtheyhadnottravelledquitesofast，normadesuchalongjourneyofit，fortheycameallroundbyLondonuponaccountofsomebusiness，foryouknow(noddingsignificantlyandpointingtoherdaughter)itwaswronginhersituation。

Iwantedhertostayathomeandrestthismorning，butshewouldcomewithus;shelongedsomuchtoseeyouall！”

Mrs。Palmerlaughed，andsaiditwouldnotdoheranyharm。

“SheexpectstobeconfinedinFebruary，“

continuedMrs。Jennings。

LadyMiddletoncouldnolongerenduresuchaconversation，andthereforeexertedherselftoaskMr。Palmeriftherewasanynewsinthepaper。

“No，noneatall，“hereplied，andreadon。

“HerecomesMarianne，“criedSirJohn。

“Now，Palmer，youshallseeamonstrousprettygirl。”

Heimmediatelywentintothepassage，openedthefrontdoor，andusheredherinhimself。Mrs。Jenningsaskedher，assoonassheappeared，ifshehadnotbeentoAllenham;

andMrs。Palmerlaughedsoheartilyatthequestion，astoshowsheunderstoodit。Mr。Palmerlookeduponherenteringtheroom，staredathersomeminutes，andthenreturnedtohisnewspaper。Mrs。Palmer’seyewasnowcaughtbythedrawingswhichhungroundtheroom。

Shegotuptoexaminethem。

“Oh！dear，howbeautifultheseare！，Well！

howdelightful！

Dobutlook，mama，howsweet！Ideclaretheyarequitecharming;

Icouldlookatthemforever。”Andthensittingdownagain，sheverysoonforgotthattherewereanysuchthingsintheroom。

WhenLadyMiddletonrosetogoaway，Mr。Palmerrosealso，laiddownthenewspaper，stretchedhimselfandlookedatthemallaround。

“Mylove，haveyoubeenasleep？”saidhiswife，laughing。

Hemadehernoanswer;andonlyobserved，afteragainexaminingtheroom，thatitwasverylowpitched，andthattheceilingwascrooked。Hethenmadehisbow，anddepartedwiththerest。

SirJohnhadbeenveryurgentwiththemalltospendthenextdayatthepark。Mrs。Dashwood，whodidnotchusetodinewiththemoftenerthantheydinedatthecottage，absolutelyrefusedonherownaccount;

herdaughtersmightdoastheypleased。ButtheyhadnocuriositytoseehowMr。andMrs。Palmeratetheirdinner，andnoexpectationofpleasurefromtheminanyotherway。

Theyattempted，therefore，likewise，toexcusethemselves;

theweatherwasuncertain，andnotlikelytobegood。

ButSirJohnwouldnotbesatisfied——thecarriageshouldbesentforthemandtheymustcome。LadyMiddletontoo，thoughshedidnotpresstheirmother，pressedthem。

Mrs。JenningsandMrs。Palmerjoinedtheirentreaties，allseemedequallyanxioustoavoidafamilyparty;andtheyoungladieswereobligedtoyield。

“Whyshouldtheyaskus？”saidMarianne，assoonastheyweregone。”Therentofthiscottageissaidtobelow;

butwehaveitonveryhardterms，ifwearetodineattheparkwheneveranyoneisstayingeitherwiththem，orwithus。”

“Theymeannolesstobecivilandkindtousnow，“

saidElinor，“bythesefrequentinvitations，thanbythosewhichwereceivedfromthemafewweeksago。

Thealterationisnotinthem，iftheirpartiesaregrowntediousanddull。Wemustlookforthechangeelsewhere。”

chapter20

CHAPTER20

AstheMissDashwoodsenteredthedrawing-roomoftheparkthenextday，atonedoor，Mrs。Palmercamerunninginattheother，lookingasgoodhumouredandmerryasbefore。

Shetookthemallmostaffectionatelybythehand，andexpressedgreatdelightinseeingthemagain。

“Iamsogladtoseeyou！”saidshe，seatingherselfbetweenElinorandMarianne，“foritissobadadayIwasafraidyoumightnotcome，whichwouldbeashockingthing，aswegoawayagaintomorrow。Wemustgo，fortheWestonscometousnextweekyouknow。Itwasquiteasuddenthingourcomingatall，andIknewnothingofittillthecarriagewascomingtothedoor，andthenMr。PalmeraskedmeifI

wouldgowithhimtoBarton。Heissodroll！Henevertellsmeanything！Iamsosorrywecannotstaylonger;

howeverweshallmeetagainintownverysoon，Ihope。”

Theywereobligedtoputanendtosuchanexpectation。

“Notgototown！”criedMrs。Palmer，withalaugh，“Ishallbequitedisappointedifyoudonot。Icouldgetthenicesthouseinworldforyou，nextdoortoours，inHanover-square。Youmustcome，indeed。IamsureIshallbeveryhappytochaperonyouatanytimetillIamconfined，ifMrs。Dashwoodshouldnotliketogointopublic。”

Theythankedher;butwereobligedtoresistallherentreaties。

“Oh，mylove，“criedMrs。Palmertoherhusband，whojustthenenteredtheroom——“youmusthelpmetopersuadetheMissDashwoodstogototownthiswinter。”

Herlovemadenoanswer;andafterslightlybowingtotheladies，begancomplainingoftheweather。

“Howhorridallthisis！”saidhe。”Suchweathermakeseverythingandeverybodydisgusting。Dullnessisasmuchproducedwithindoorsaswithout，byrain。

Itmakesonedetestallone’sacquaintance。WhatthedevildoesSirJohnmeanbynothavingabilliardroominhishouse？，Howfewpeopleknowwhatcomfortis！，SirJohnisasstupidastheweather。”

Therestofthecompanysoondroptin。

“Iamafraid，MissMarianne，“saidSirJohn，“youhavenotbeenabletotakeyourusualwalktoAllenhamtoday。”

Mariannelookedverygraveandsaidnothing。

“Oh，don’tbesoslybeforeus，“saidMrs。

Palmer;

“forweknowallaboutit，Iassureyou;andIadmireyourtasteverymuch，forIthinkheisextremelyhandsome。

Wedonotliveagreatwayfromhiminthecountry，youknow。

Notabovetenmiles，Idaresay。”

“Muchnearerthirty，“saidherhusband。

“Ah，well！thereisnotmuchdifference。

Ineverwasathishouse;buttheysayitisasweetprettyplace。”

“AsvileaspotasIeversawinmylife，“

saidMr。Palmer。

Marianneremainedperfectlysilent，thoughhercountenancebetrayedherinterestinwhatwassaid。

“Isitveryugly？”continuedMrs。Palmer——“thenitmustbesomeotherplacethatissoprettyIsuppose。”

Whentheywereseatedinthediningroom，SirJohnobservedwithregretthattheywereonlyeightalltogether。

“Mydear，“saidhetohislady，“itisveryprovokingthatweshouldbesofew。WhydidnotyouasktheGilbertstocometoustoday？”

“DidnotItellyou，SirJohn，whenyouspoketomeaboutitbefore，thatitcouldnotbedone？，Theydinedwithuslast。”

“YouandI，SirJohn，“saidMrs。Jennings，“shouldnotstanduponsuchceremony。”

“Thenyouwouldbeveryill-bred，“criedMr。

Palmer。

“Myloveyoucontradicteverybody，“saidhiswifewithherusuallaugh。”Doyouknowthatyouarequiterude？”

“IdidnotknowIcontradictedanybodyincallingyourmotherill-bred。”

“Ay，youmayabusemeasyouplease，“saidthegood-naturedoldlady，“youhavetakenCharlotteoffmyhands，andcannotgiveherbackagain。SothereIhavethewhiphandofyou。”

Charlottelaughedheartilytothinkthatherhusbandcouldnotgetridofher;andexultinglysaid，shedidnotcarehowcrosshewastoher，astheymustlivetogether。Itwasimpossibleforanyonetobemorethoroughlygood-natured，ormoredeterminedtobehappythanMrs。Palmer。Thestudiedindifference，insolence，anddiscontentofherhusbandgavehernopain;

andwhenhescoldedorabusedher，shewashighlydiverted。

“Mr。Palmerissodroll！”saidshe，inawhisper，toElinor。”Heisalwaysoutofhumour。”

Elinorwasnotinclined，afteralittleobservation，togivehimcreditforbeingsogenuinelyandunaffectedlyill-naturedorill-bredashewishedtoappear。

Histempermightperhapsbealittlesouredbyfinding，likemanyothersofhissex，thatthroughsomeunaccountablebiasinfavourofbeauty，hewasthehusbandofaverysillywoman，——butsheknewthatthiskindofblunderwastoocommonforanysensiblemantobelastinglyhurtbyit——

Itwasratherawishofdistinction，shebelieved，whichproducedhiscontemptuoustreatmentofeverybody，andhisgeneralabuseofeverythingbeforehim。

Itwasthedesireofappearingsuperiortootherpeople。

Themotivewastoocommontobewonderedat;butthemeans，howevertheymightsucceedbyestablishinghissuperiorityinill-breeding，werenotlikelytoattachanyonetohimexcepthiswife。

“Oh，mydearMissDashwood，“saidMrs。Palmersoonafterwards，“Ihavegotsuchafavourtoaskofyouandyoursister。

WillyoucomeandspendsometimeatClevelandthisChristmas？，Now，praydo，——andcomewhiletheWestonsarewithus。YoucannotthinkhowhappyIshallbe！，Itwillbequitedelightful！——Mylove，“applyingtoherhusband，“don’tyoulongtohavetheMissDashwoodscometoCleveland？”

“Certainly，“hereplied，withasneer——“IcameintoDevonshirewithnootherview。”

“Therenow，“——saidhislady，“youseeMr。Palmerexpectsyou;soyoucannotrefusetocome。”

Theybotheagerlyandresolutelydeclinedherinvitation。

“Butindeedyoumustandshallcome。

Iamsureyouwilllikeitofallthings。TheWestonswillbewithus，anditwillbequitedelightful。YoucannotthinkwhatasweetplaceClevelandis;andwearesogaynow，forMr。Palmerisalwaysgoingaboutthecountrycanvassingagainsttheelection;andsomanypeoplecametodinewithusthatIneversawbefore，itisquitecharming！，But，poorfellow！itisveryfatiguingtohim！forheisforcedtomakeeverybodylikehim。”

Elinorcouldhardlykeephercountenanceassheassentedtothehardshipofsuchanobligation。

“Howcharmingitwillbe，“saidCharlotte，“whenheisinParliament！——won’tit？HowIshalllaugh！，ItwillbesoridiculoustoseeallhislettersdirectedtohimwithanM。P——Butdoyouknow，hesays，hewillneverfrankforme？，Hedeclareshewon’t。Don’tyou，Mr。Palmer？”

Mr。Palmertooknonoticeofher。

“Hecannotbearwriting，youknow，“shecontinued——

“hesaysitisquiteshocking。”

“No，“saidhe，“Ineversaidanythingsoirrational。

Don’tpalmallyourabusesoflanguagesuponme。”

“Therenow;youseehowdrollheis。

Thisisalwaysthewaywithhim！，Sometimeshewon’tspeaktomeforhalfadaytogether，andthenhecomesoutwithsomethingsodroll——allaboutanythingintheworld。”

ShesurprisedElinorverymuchastheyreturnedintothedrawing-room，byaskingherwhethershedidnotlikeMr。Palmerexcessively。

“Certainly，“saidElinor;“heseemsveryagreeable。”

“Well——Iamsogladyoudo。Ithoughtyouwould，heissopleasant;andMr。PalmerisexcessivelypleasedwithyouandyoursistersIcantellyou，andyoucan’tthinkhowdisappointedhewillbeifyoudon’tcometoCleveland——Ican’timaginewhyyoushouldobjecttoit。”

Elinorwasagainobligedtodeclineherinvitation;

andbychangingthesubject，putastoptoherentreaties。