第6章

Shetreatedhertherefore，withalltheindulgentfondnessofaparenttowardsafavouritechildonthelastdayofitsholidays。Mariannewastohavethebestplacebythefire，wastobetemptedtoeatbyeverydelicacyinthehouse，andtobeamusedbytherelationofallthenewsoftheday。

HadnotElinor，inthesadcountenanceofhersister，seenachecktoallmirth，shecouldhavebeenentertainedbyMrs。Jennings’sendeavourstocureadisappointmentinlove，byavarietyofsweetmeatsandolives，andagoodfire。

Assoon，however，astheconsciousnessofallthiswasforcedbycontinualrepetitiononMarianne，shecouldstaynolonger。WithahastyexclamationofMisery，andasigntohersisternottofollowher，shedirectlygotupandhurriedoutoftheroom。

“Poorsoul！”criedMrs。Jennings，assoonasshewasgone，“howitgrievesmetoseeher！，AndIdeclareifsheisnotgoneawaywithoutfinishingherwine！，Andthedriedcherriestoo！，Lord！nothingseemstodoheranygood。

IamsureifIknewofanythingshewouldlike，Iwouldsendalloverthetownforit。Well，itistheoddestthingtome，thatamanshouldusesuchaprettygirlsoill！，Butwhenthereisplentyofmoneyononeside，andnexttononeontheother，Lordblessyou！theycarenomoreaboutsuchthings！——“

“Theladythen——MissGreyIthinkyoucalledher——

isveryrich？”

“Fiftythousandpounds，mydear。Didyoueverseeher？asmart，stylishgirltheysay，butnothandsome。

Irememberherauntverywell，BiddyHenshawe;shemarriedaverywealthyman。Butthefamilyareallrichtogether。

Fiftythousandpounds！andbyallaccounts，itwon’tcomebeforeit’swanted;fortheysayheisalltopieces。

Nowonder！dashingaboutwithhiscurricleandhunters！

Well，itdon’tsignifytalking;butwhenayoungman，bewhohewill，comesandmakeslovetoaprettygirl，andpromisesmarriage，hehasnobusinesstoflyofffromhiswordonlybecausehegrowspoor，andarichergirlisreadytohavehim。Whydon’the，insuchacase，sellhishorses，lethishouse，turnoffhisservants，andmakeathoroughreformatonce？Iwarrantyou，MissMariannewouldhavebeenreadytowaittillmatterscameround。Butthatwon’tdonow-a-days;nothinginthewayofpleasurecaneverbegivenupbytheyoungmenofthisage。”

“DoyouknowwhatkindofagirlMissGreyis？

Isshesaidtobeamiable？”

“Ineverheardanyharmofher;indeedIhardlyeverheardhermentioned;exceptthatMrs。Taylordidsaythismorning，thatonedayMissWalkerhintedtoher，thatshebelievedMr。andMrs。EllisonwouldnotbesorrytohaveMissGreymarried，forsheandMrs。Ellisoncouldneveragree。”——

“AndwhoaretheEllisons？”

“Herguardians，mydear。Butnowsheisofageandmaychooseforherself;andaprettychoiceshehasmade！——Whatnow，“afterpausingamoment——“yourpoorsisterisgonetoherownroom，Isuppose，tomoanbyherself。

Istherenothingonecangettocomforther？，Poordear，itseemsquitecrueltoletherbealone。Well，by-and-byweshallhaveafewfriends，andthatwillamuseheralittle。

Whatshallweplayat？，ShehateswhistIknow;butistherenoroundgameshecaresfor？”

“Dearma’am，thiskindnessisquiteunnecessary。

Marianne，Idaresay，willnotleaveherroomagainthisevening。IshallpersuadeherifIcantogoearlytobed，forIamsureshewantsrest。”

“Aye，Ibelievethatwillbebestforher。

Lethernameherownsupper，andgotobed。Lord！nowondershehasbeenlookingsobadandsocastdownthislastweekortwo，forthismatterIsupposehasbeenhangingoverherheadaslongasthat。Andsotheletterthatcametodayfinishedit！

Poorsoul！，IamsureifIhadhadanotionofit，Iwouldnothavejokedheraboutitforallmymoney。

Butthenyouknow，howshouldIguesssuchathing？，Imadesureofitsbeingnothingbutacommonloveletter，andyouknowyoungpeopleliketobelaughedataboutthem。Lord！

howconcernedSirJohnandmydaughterswillbewhentheyhearit！，IfIhadmysensesaboutmeImighthavecalledinConduitStreetinmywayhome，andtoldthemofit。

ButIshallseethemtomorrow。”

“ItwouldbeunnecessaryIamsure，foryoutocautionMrs。PalmerandSirJohnagainstevernamingMr。Willoughby，ormakingtheslightestallusiontowhathaspassed，beforemysister。Theirowngood-naturemustpointouttothemtherealcrueltyofappearingtoknowanythingaboutitwhensheispresent;andthelessthatmayeverbesaidtomyselfonthesubject，themoremyfeelingswillbespared，asyoumydearmadamwilleasilybelieve。”

“Oh！Lord！yes，thatIdoindeed。Itmustbeterribleforyoutohearittalkedof;andasforyoursister，IamsureIwouldnotmentionawordaboutittoherfortheworld。YousawIdidnotalldinnertime。

NomorewouldSirJohn，normydaughters，fortheyareallverythoughtfulandconsiderate;especiallyifI

givethemahint，asIcertainlywill。Formypart，Ithinkthelessthatissaidaboutsuchthings，thebetter，thesooner’tisblownoverandforgot。Andwhatdoestalkingeverdoyouknow？”

“Inthisaffairitcanonlydoharm;moresoperhapsthaninmanycasesofasimilarkind，forithasbeenattendedbycircumstanceswhich，forthesakeofeveryoneconcernedinit，makeitunfittobecomethepublicconversation。ImustdoTHISjusticetoMr。Willoughby——hehasbrokennopositiveengagementwithmysister。”

“Law，mydear！，Don’tpretendtodefendhim。

Nopositiveengagementindeed！aftertakingheralloverAllenhamHouse，andfixingontheveryroomstheyweretoliveinhereafter！”

Elinor，forhersister’ssake，couldnotpressthesubjectfarther，andshehopeditwasnotrequiredofherforWilloughby’s;since，thoughMariannemightlosemuch，hecouldgainverylittlebytheenforcementoftherealtruth。

Afterashortsilenceonbothsides，Mrs。Jennings，withallhernaturalhilarity，burstforthagain。

“Well，mydear，’tisatruesayingaboutanill-wind，foritwillbeallthebetterforColonelBrandon。

Hewillhaveheratlast;aye，thathewill。Mindme，now，iftheyan’tmarriedbyMid-summer。Lord！howhe’llchuckleoverthisnews！，Ihopehewillcometonight。

Itwillbealltooneabettermatchforyoursister。

Twothousandayearwithoutdebtordrawback——exceptthelittlelove-child，indeed;aye，Ihadforgother;

butshemaybe’prenticedoutatasmallcost，andthenwhatdoesitsignify？，Delafordisaniceplace，Icantellyou;exactlywhatIcallaniceoldfashionedplace，fullofcomfortsandconveniences;quiteshutinwithgreatgardenwallsthatarecoveredwiththebestfruit-treesinthecountry;andsuchamulberrytreeinonecorner！

Lord！howCharlotteandIdidstufftheonlytimewewerethere！，Then，thereisadove-cote，somedelightfulstew-ponds，andaveryprettycanal;andeverything，inshort，thatonecouldwishfor;and，moreover，itisclosetothechurch，andonlyaquarterofamilefromtheturnpike-road，so’tisneverdull，forifyouonlygoandsitupinanoldyewarbourbehindthehouse，youmayseeallthecarriagesthatpassalong。

Oh！’tisaniceplace！，Abutcherhardbyinthevillage，andtheparsonage-housewithinastone’sthrow。

Tomyfancy，athousandtimesprettierthanBartonPark，wheretheyareforcedtosendthreemilesfortheirmeat，andhavenotaneighbournearerthanyourmother。

Well，IshallspirituptheColonelassoonasIcan。

Oneshoulderofmutton，youknow，drivesanotherdown。

IfweCANbutputWilloughbyoutofherhead！”

“Ay，ifwecandoTHAT，Ma’am，“saidElinor，“weshalldoverywellwithorwithoutColonelBrandon。”

Andthenrising，shewentawaytojoinMarianne，whomshefound，assheexpected，inherownroom，leaning，insilentmisery，overthesmallremainsofafire，which，tillElinor’sentrance，hadbeenheronlylight。

“Youhadbetterleaveme，“wasallthenoticethathersisterreceivedfromher。

“Iwillleaveyou，“saidElinor，“ifyouwillgotobed。”Butthis，fromthemomentaryperversenessofimpatientsuffering，sheatfirstrefusedtodo。

Hersister’searnest，thoughgentlepersuasion，however，soonsoftenedhertocompliance，andElinorsawherlayherachingheadonthepillow，andasshehoped，inawaytogetsomequietrestbeforeshelefther。

Inthedrawing-room，whithershethenrepaired，shewassoonjoinedbyMrs。Jennings，withawine-glass，fullofsomething，inherhand。

“Mydear，“saidshe，entering，“IhavejustrecollectedthatIhavesomeofthefinestoldConstantiawineinthehousethateverwastasted，soIhavebroughtaglassofitforyoursister。Mypoorhusband！howfondhewasofit！

Wheneverhehadatouchofhisoldcolickygout，hesaiditdidhimmoregoodthananythingelseintheworld。

Dotakeittoyoursister。”

“DearMa’am，“repliedElinor，smilingatthedifferenceofthecomplaintsforwhichitwasrecommended，“howgoodyouare！，ButIhavejustleftMarianneinbed，and，Ihope，almostasleep;andasIthinknothingwillbeofsomuchservicetoherasrest，ifyouwillgivemeleave，Iwilldrinkthewinemyself。”

Mrs。Jennings，thoughregrettingthatshehadnotbeenfiveminutesearlier，wassatisfiedwiththecompromise;

andElinor，assheswallowedthechiefofit，reflected，thatthoughitseffectsonacolickygoutwere，atpresent，oflittleimportancetoher，itshealingpowers，onadisappointedheartmightbeasreasonablytriedonherselfasonhersister。

ColonelBrandoncameinwhilethepartywereattea，andbyhismanneroflookingroundtheroomforMarianne，Elinorimmediatelyfanciedthatheneitherexpectednorwishedtoseeherthere，and，inshort，thathewasalreadyawareofwhatoccasionedherabsence。

Mrs。Jenningswasnotstruckbythesamethought;

forsoonafterhisentrance，shewalkedacrosstheroomtothetea-tablewhereElinorpresided，andwhispered——

“TheColonellooksasgraveaseveryousee。Heknowsnothingofit;dotellhim，mydear。”

Heshortlyafterwardsdrewachairclosetoher’s，and，withalookwhichperfectlyassuredherofhisgoodinformation，inquiredafterhersister。

“Marianneisnotwell，“saidshe。”Shehasbeenindisposedallday，andwehavepersuadedhertogotobed。”

“Perhaps，then，“hehesitatinglyreplied，“whatI

heardthismorningmaybe——theremaybemoretruthinitthanIcouldbelievepossibleatfirst。”

“Whatdidyouhear？”

“Thatagentleman，whomIhadreasontothink——inshort，thataman，whomIKNEWtobeengaged——buthowshallI

tellyou？，Ifyouknowitalready，assurelyyoumust，Imaybespared。”

“Youmean，“answeredElinor，withforcedcalmness，“Mr。Willoughby’smarriagewithMissGrey。Yes，weDO

knowitall。Thisseemstohavebeenadayofgeneralelucidation，forthisverymorningfirstunfoldedittous。

Mr。Willoughbyisunfathomable！，Wheredidyouhearit？”

“Inastationer’sshopinPallMall，whereI

hadbusiness。Twoladieswerewaitingfortheircarriage，andoneofthemwasgivingtheotheranaccountoftheintendedmatch，inavoicesolittleattemptingconcealment，thatitwasimpossibleformenottohearall。ThenameofWilloughby，JohnWilloughby，frequentlyrepeated，firstcaughtmyattention;andwhatfollowedwasapositiveassertionthateverythingwasnowfinallysettledrespectinghismarriagewithMissGrey——itwasnolongertobeasecret——itwouldtakeplaceevenwithinafewweeks，withmanyparticularsofpreparationsandothermatters。

Onething，especially，Iremember，becauseitservedtoidentifythemanstillmore：——assoonastheceremonywasover，theyweretogotoCombeMagna，hisseatinSomersetshire。Myastonishment！——butitwouldbeimpossibletodescribewhatIfelt。ThecommunicativeladyIlearnt，oninquiry，forIstayedintheshoptilltheyweregone，wasaMrs。Ellison，andthat，asI

havebeensinceinformed，isthenameofMissGrey’sguardian。”

“Itis。ButhaveyoulikewiseheardthatMissGreyhasfiftythousandpounds？，Inthat，ifinanything，wemayfindanexplanation。”

“Itmaybeso;butWilloughbyiscapable——atleastIthink“——hestoppedamoment;thenaddedinavoicewhichseemedtodistrustitself，“Andyoursister——

howdidshe——“

“Hersufferingshavebeenverysevere。

Ihaveonlytohopethattheymaybeproportionatelyshort。

Ithasbeen，itisamostcruelaffliction。Tillyesterday，Ibelieve，sheneverdoubtedhisregard;andevennow，perhaps——butIamalmostconvincedthatheneverwasreallyattachedtoher。Hehasbeenverydeceitful！and，insomepoints，thereseemsahardnessofheartabouthim。”

“Ah！”saidColonelBrandon，“thereis，indeed！

Butyoursisterdoesnot——Ithinkyousaidso——shedoesnotconsiderquiteasyoudo？”

“Youknowherdisposition，andmaybelievehoweagerlyshewouldstilljustifyhimifshecould。”

Hemadenoanswer;andsoonafterwards，bytheremovalofthetea-things，andthearrangementofthecardparties，thesubjectwasnecessarilydropped。Mrs。Jennings，whohadwatchedthemwithpleasurewhiletheyweretalking，andwhoexpectedtoseetheeffectofMissDashwood’scommunication，insuchaninstantaneousgaietyonColonelBrandon’sside，asmighthavebecomeamaninthebloomofyouth，ofhopeandhappiness，sawhim，withamazement，remainthewholeeveningmoreseriousandthoughtfulthanusual。

chapter31

CHAPTER，31

Fromanightofmoresleepthanshehadexpected，Marianneawokethenextmorningtothesameconsciousnessofmiseryinwhichshehadclosedhereyes。

Elinorencouragedherasmuchaspossibletotalkofwhatshefelt;andbeforebreakfastwasready，theyhadgonethroughthesubjectagainandagain;andwiththesamesteadyconvictionandaffectionatecounselonElinor’sside，thesameimpetuousfeelingsandvaryingopinionsonMarianne’s，asbefore。SometimesshecouldbelieveWilloughbytobeasunfortunateandasinnocentasherself，andatothers，losteveryconsolationintheimpossibilityofacquittinghim。Atonemomentshewasabsolutelyindifferenttotheobservationofalltheworld，atanothershewouldsecludeherselffromitforever，andatathirdcouldresistitwithenergy。Inonething，however，shewasuniform，whenitcametothepoint，inavoiding，whereitwaspossible，thepresenceofMrs。Jennings，andinadeterminedsilencewhenobligedtoendureit。

HerheartwashardenedagainstthebeliefofMrs。Jennings’senteringintohersorrowswithanycompassion。

“No，no，no，itcannotbe，“shecried;

“shecannotfeel。Herkindnessisnotsympathy;

hergood-natureisnottenderness。Allthatshewantsisgossip，andsheonlylikesmenowbecauseIsupplyit。”

Elinorhadnotneededthistobeassuredoftheinjusticetowhichhersisterwasoftenledinheropinionofothers，bytheirritablerefinementofherownmind，andthetoogreatimportanceplacedbyheronthedelicaciesofastrongsensibility，andthegracesofapolishedmanner。

Likehalftherestoftheworld，ifmorethanhalftherebethatarecleverandgood，Marianne，withexcellentabilitiesandanexcellentdisposition，wasneitherreasonablenorcandid。Sheexpectedfromotherpeoplethesameopinionsandfeelingsasherown，andshejudgedoftheirmotivesbytheimmediateeffectoftheiractionsonherself。Thusacircumstanceoccurred，whilethesistersweretogetherintheirownroomafterbreakfast，whichsunktheheartofMrs。Jenningsstilllowerinherestimation;because，throughherownweakness，itchancedtoproveasourceoffreshpaintoherself，thoughMrs。Jenningswasgovernedinitbyanimpulseoftheutmostgoodwill。

Withaletterinheroutstretchedhand，andcountenancegailysmiling，fromthepersuasionofbringingcomfort，sheenteredtheirroom，saying，“Now，mydear，IbringyousomethingthatI

amsurewilldoyougood。”

Marianneheardenough。InonemomentherimaginationplacedbeforeheraletterfromWilloughby，fulloftendernessandcontrition，explanatoryofallthathadpassed，satisfactory，convincing;andinstantlyfollowedbyWilloughbyhimself，rushingeagerlyintotheroomtoinforce，atherfeet，bytheeloquenceofhiseyes，theassurancesofhisletter。

Theworkofonemomentwasdestroyedbythenext。

Thehandwritingofhermother，nevertillthenunwelcome，wasbeforeher;and，intheacutenessofthedisappointmentwhichfollowedsuchanecstasyofmorethanhope，shefeltasif，tillthatinstant，shehadneversuffered。

ThecrueltyofMrs。Jenningsnolanguage，withinherreachinhermomentsofhappiesteloquence，couldhaveexpressed;andnowshecouldreproachheronlybythetearswhichstreamedfromhereyeswithpassionateviolence——areproach，however，soentirelylostonitsobject，thataftermanyexpressionsofpity，shewithdrew，stillreferringhertotheletterofcomfort。

Buttheletter，whenshewascalmenoughtoreadit，broughtlittlecomfort。Willoughbyfilledeverypage。

Hermother，stillconfidentoftheirengagement，andrelyingaswarmlyaseveronhisconstancy，hadonlybeenrousedbyElinor’sapplication，tointreatfromMariannegreateropennesstowardsthemboth;andthis，withsuchtendernesstowardsher，suchaffectionforWilloughby，andsuchaconvictionoftheirfuturehappinessineachother，thatsheweptwithagonythroughthewholeofit。

Allherimpatiencetobeathomeagainnowreturned;

hermotherwasdearertoherthanever;dearerthroughtheveryexcessofhermistakenconfidenceinWilloughby，andshewaswildlyurgenttobegone。Elinor，unableherselftodeterminewhetheritwerebetterforMariannetobeinLondonoratBarton，offerednocounselofherownexceptofpatiencetilltheirmother’swishescouldbeknown;

andatlengthsheobtainedhersister’sconsenttowaitforthatknowledge。

Mrs。Jenningsleftthemearlierthanusual;

forshecouldnotbeeasytilltheMiddletonsandPalmerswereabletogrieveasmuchasherself;andpositivelyrefusingElinor’sofferedattendance，wentoutalonefortherestofthemorning。Elinor，withaveryheavyheart，awareofthepainshewasgoingtocommunicate，andperceiving，byMarianne’sletter，howillshehadsucceededinlayinganyfoundationforit，thensatdowntowritehermotheranaccountofwhathadpassed，andentreatherdirectionsforthefuture;whileMarianne，whocameintothedrawing-roomonMrs。Jennings’sgoingaway，remainedfixedatthetablewhereElinorwrote，watchingtheadvancementofherpen，grievingoverherforthehardshipofsuchatask，andgrievingstillmorefondlyoveritseffectonhermother。

Inthismannertheyhadcontinuedaboutaquarterofanhour，whenMarianne，whosenervescouldnotthenbearanysuddennoise，wasstartledbyarapatthedoor。

“Whocanthisbe？”criedElinor。”Soearlytoo！I

thoughtweHADbeensafe。”

Mariannemovedtothewindow——

“ItisColonelBrandon！”saidshe，withvexation。

“WeareneversafefromHIM。”

“Hewillnotcomein，asMrs。Jenningsisfromhome。”

“IwillnottrusttoTHAT，“retreatingtoherownroom。

“Amanwhohasnothingtodowithhisowntimehasnoconscienceinhisintrusiononthatofothers。”

Theeventprovedherconjectureright，thoughitwasfoundedoninjusticeanderror;forColonelBrandonDIDcomein;andElinor，whowasconvincedthatsolicitudeforMariannebroughthimthither，andwhosawTHATsolicitudeinhisdisturbedandmelancholylook，andinhisanxiousthoughbriefinquiryafterher，couldnotforgivehersisterforesteeminghimsolightly。

“ImetMrs。JenningsinBondStreet，“saidhe，afterthefirstsalutation，“andsheencouragedmetocomeon;andIwasthemoreeasilyencouraged，becauseIthoughtitprobablethatImightfindyoualone，whichIwasverydesirousofdoing。Myobject——mywish——mysolewishindesiringit——Ihope，Ibelieveitis——istobeameansofgivingcomfort;——no，Imustnotsaycomfort——notpresentcomfort——butconviction，lastingconvictiontoyoursister’smind。Myregardforher，foryourself，foryourmother——willyouallowmetoproveit，byrelatingsomecircumstanceswhichnothingbutaVERY

sincereregard——nothingbutanearnestdesireofbeinguseful——IthinkIamjustified——thoughwheresomanyhourshavebeenspentinconvincingmyselfthatIamright，istherenotsomereasontofearImaybewrong？”

Hestopped。

“Iunderstandyou，“saidElinor。”YouhavesomethingtotellmeofMr。Willoughby，thatwillopenhischaracterfarther。YourtellingitwillbethegreatestactoffriendshipthatcanbeshewnMarianne。MYgratitudewillbeinsuredimmediatelybyanyinformationtendingtothatend，andHERS

mustbegainedbyitintime。Pray，prayletmehearit。”

“Youshall;and，tobebrief，whenIquittedBartonlastOctober，——butthiswillgiveyounoidea——Imustgofartherback。Youwillfindmeaveryawkwardnarrator，MissDashwood;Ihardlyknowwheretobegin。Ashortaccountofmyself，Ibelieve，willbenecessary，anditSHALLbeashortone。Onsuchasubject，“sighingheavily，“canIhavelittletemptationtobediffuse。”

Hestoptamomentforrecollection，andthen，withanothersigh，wenton。

“Youhaveprobablyentirelyforgottenaconversation——

(itisnottobesupposedthatitcouldmakeanyimpressiononyou)——aconversationbetweenusoneeveningatBartonPark——itwastheeveningofadance——inwhichIalludedtoaladyIhadonceknown，asresembling，insomemeasure，yoursisterMarianne。”

“Indeed，“answeredElinor，“IhaveNOTforgottenit。”

Helookedpleasedbythisremembrance，andadded，“IfIamnotdeceivedbytheuncertainty，thepartialityoftenderrecollection，thereisaverystrongresemblancebetweenthem，aswellinmindasperson。Thesamewarmthofheart，thesameeagernessoffancyandspirits。

Thisladywasoneofmynearestrelations，anorphanfromherinfancy，andundertheguardianshipofmyfather。

Ourageswerenearlythesame，andfromourearliestyearswewereplayfellowsandfriends。IcannotrememberthetimewhenIdidnotloveEliza;andmyaffectionforher，aswegrewup，wassuch，asperhaps，judgingfrommypresentforlornandcheerlessgravity，youmightthinkmeincapableofhavingeverfelt。Her’s，forme，was，Ibelieve，ferventastheattachmentofyoursistertoMr。Willoughbyanditwas，thoughfromadifferentcause，nolessunfortunate。

Atseventeenshewaslosttomeforever。Shewasmarried——marriedagainstherinclinationtomybrother。

Herfortunewaslarge，andourfamilyestatemuchencumbered。

Andthis，Ifear，isallthatcanbesaidfortheconductofone，whowasatonceheruncleandguardian。

Mybrotherdidnotdeserveher;hedidnotevenloveher。

Ihadhopedthatherregardformewouldsupportherunderanydifficulty，andforsometimeitdid;butatlastthemiseryofhersituation，forsheexperiencedgreatunkindness，overcameallherresolution，andthoughshehadpromisedmethatnothing——buthowblindlyI

relate！，Ihavenevertoldyouhowthiswasbroughton。

WewerewithinafewhoursofelopingtogetherforScotland。

Thetreachery，orthefolly，ofmycousin’smaidbetrayedus。

Iwasbanishedtothehouseofarelationfardistant，andshewasallowednoliberty，nosociety，noamusement，tillmyfather’spointwasgained。Ihaddependedonherfortitudetoofar，andtheblowwasasevereone——

buthadhermarriagebeenhappy，soyoungasIthenwas，afewmonthsmusthavereconciledmetoit，oratleastIshouldnothavenowtolamentit。Thishoweverwasnotthecase。Mybrotherhadnoregardforher;

hispleasureswerenotwhattheyoughttohavebeen，andfromthefirsthetreatedherunkindly。Theconsequenceofthis，uponamindsoyoung，solively，soinexperiencedasMrs。Brandon’s，wasbuttoonatural。Sheresignedherselfatfirsttoallthemiseryofhersituation;

andhappyhaditbeenifshehadnotlivedtoovercomethoseregretswhichtheremembranceofmeoccasioned。Butcanwewonderthat，withsuchahusbandtoprovokeinconstancy，andwithoutafriendtoadviseorrestrainher(formyfatherlivedonlyafewmonthsaftertheirmarriage，andIwaswithmyregimentintheEastIndies)sheshouldfall？，HadIremainedinEngland，perhaps——butI

meanttopromotethehappinessofbothbyremovingfromherforyears，andforthatpurposehadprocuredmyexchange。Theshockwhichhermarriagehadgivenme，“

hecontinued，inavoiceofgreatagitation，“wasoftriflingweight——wasnothingtowhatIfeltwhenIheard，abouttwoyearsafterwards，ofherdivorce。ItwasTHATwhichthrewthisgloom，——evennowtherecollectionofwhatIsuffered——“

Hecouldsaynomore，andrisinghastilywalkedforafewminutesabouttheroom。Elinor，affectedbyhisrelation，andstillmorebyhisdistress，couldnotspeak。Hesawherconcern，andcomingtoher，tookherhand，pressedit，andkisseditwithgratefulrespect。Afewminutesmoreofsilentexertionenabledhimtoproceedwithcomposure。

“ItwasnearlythreeyearsafterthisunhappyperiodbeforeIreturnedtoEngland。Myfirstcare，whenIDIDarrive，wasofcoursetoseekforher;

butthesearchwasasfruitlessasitwasmelancholy。

Icouldnottraceherbeyondherfirstseducer，andtherewaseveryreasontofearthatshehadremovedfromhimonlytosinkdeeperinalifeofsin。Herlegalallowancewasnotadequatetoherfortune，norsufficientforhercomfortablemaintenance，andIlearntfrommybrotherthatthepowerofreceivingithadbeenmadeoversomemonthsbeforetoanotherperson。Heimagined，andcalmlycouldheimagineit，thatherextravagance，andconsequentdistress，hadobligedhertodisposeofitforsomeimmediaterelief。

Atlast，however，andafterIhadbeensixmonthsinEngland，IDIDfindher。Regardforaformerservantofmyown，whohadsincefallenintomisfortune，carriedmetovisithiminaspunging-house，wherehewasconfinedfordebt;

andthere，thesamehouse，underasimilarconfinement，wasmyunfortunatesister。Soaltered——sofaded——worndownbyacutesufferingofeverykind！hardlycouldI

believethemelancholyandsicklyfigurebeforeme，tobetheremainsofthelovely，blooming，healthfulgirl，onwhomIhadoncedoted。WhatIenduredinsobeholdingher——butIhavenorighttowoundyourfeelingsbyattemptingtodescribeit——Ihavepainedyoutoomuchalready。

Thatshewas，toallappearance，inthelaststageofaconsumption，was——yes，insuchasituationitwasmygreatestcomfort。Lifecoulddonothingforher，beyondgivingtimeforabetterpreparationfordeath;

andthatwasgiven。Isawherplacedincomfortablelodgings，andunderproperattendants;Ivisitedhereverydayduringtherestofhershortlife：Iwaswithherinherlastmoments。”

Againhestoppedtorecoverhimself;andElinorspokeherfeelingsinanexclamationoftenderconcern，atthefateofhisunfortunatefriend。

“Yoursister，Ihope，cannotbeoffended，“

saidhe，“bytheresemblanceIhavefanciedbetweenherandmypoordisgracedrelation。Theirfates，theirfortunes，cannotbethesame;andhadthenaturalsweetdispositionoftheonebeenguardedbyafirmermind，orahappiermarriage，shemighthavebeenallthatyouwilllivetoseetheotherbe。Buttowhatdoesallthislead？，Iseemtohavebeendistressingyoufornothing。

Ah！MissDashwood——asubjectsuchasthis——untouchedforfourteenyears——itisdangeroustohandleitatall！

IWILLbemorecollected——moreconcise。Shelefttomycareheronlychild，alittlegirl，theoffspringofherfirstguiltyconnection，whowasthenaboutthreeyearsold。

Shelovedthechild，andhadalwayskeptitwithher。

Itwasavalued，aprecioustrusttome;andgladlywouldIhavedischargeditinthestrictestsense，bywatchingoverhereducationmyself，hadthenatureofoursituationsallowedit;butIhadnofamily，nohome;

andmylittleElizawasthereforeplacedatschool。

IsawhertherewheneverIcould，andafterthedeathofmybrother，(whichhappenedaboutfiveyearsago，andwhichlefttomethepossessionofthefamilyproperty，)shevisitedmeatDelaford。Icalledheradistantrelation;

butIamwellawarethatIhaveingeneralbeensuspectedofamuchnearerconnectionwithher。Itisnowthreeyearsago(shehadjustreachedherfourteenthyear，)

thatIremovedherfromschool，toplaceherunderthecareofaveryrespectablewoman，residinginDorsetshire，whohadthechargeoffourorfiveothergirlsofaboutthesametimeoflife;andfortwoyearsIhadeveryreasontobepleasedwithhersituation。ButlastFebruary，almostatwelvemonthback，shesuddenlydisappeared。

Ihadallowedher，(imprudently，asithassinceturnedout，)atherearnestdesire，togotoBathwithoneofheryoungfriends，whowasattendingherfatherthereforhishealth。Iknewhimtobeaverygoodsortofman，andIthoughtwellofhisdaughter——betterthanshedeserved，for，withamostobstinateandill-judgedsecrecy，shewouldtellnothing，wouldgivenoclue，thoughshecertainlyknewall。He，herfather，awell-meaning，butnotaquick-sightedman，couldreally，Ibelieve，givenoinformation;forhehadbeengenerallyconfinedtothehouse，whilethegirlswererangingoverthetownandmakingwhatacquaintancetheychose;andhetriedtoconvinceme，asthoroughlyashewasconvincedhimself，ofhisdaughter’sbeingentirelyunconcernedinthebusiness。

Inshort，Icouldlearnnothingbutthatshewasgone;

alltherest，foreightlongmonths，waslefttoconjecture。

WhatIthought，whatIfeared，maybeimagined;andwhatI

sufferedtoo。”

“Goodheavens！”criedElinor，“coulditbe——couldWilloughby！”——

“Thefirstnewsthatreachedmeofher，“hecontinued，“cameinaletterfromherself，lastOctober。

ItwasforwardedtomefromDelaford，andIreceiveditontheverymorningofourintendedpartytoWhitwell;

andthiswasthereasonofmyleavingBartonsosuddenly，whichIamsuremustatthetimehaveappearedstrangetoeverybody，andwhichIbelievegaveoffencetosome。

LittledidMr。Willoughbyimagine，Isuppose，whenhislookscensuredmeforincivilityinbreakinguptheparty，thatIwascalledawaytothereliefofonewhomhehadmadepoorandmiserable;butHADheknownit，whatwouldithaveavailed？，Wouldhehavebeenlessgayorlesshappyinthesmilesofyoursister？，No，hehadalreadydonethat，whichnomanwhoCANfeelforanotherwoulddo。Hehadleftthegirlwhoseyouthandinnocencehehadseduced，inasituationoftheutmostdistress，withnocreditablehome，nohelp，nofriends，ignorantofhisaddress！，Hehadlefther，promisingtoreturn;heneitherreturned，norwrote，norrelievedher。”

“Thisisbeyondeverything！”exclaimedElinor。

“Hischaracterisnowbeforeyou;expensive，dissipated，andworsethanboth。Knowingallthis，asIhavenowknownitmanyweeks，guesswhatImusthavefeltonseeingyoursisterasfondofhimasever，andonbeingassuredthatshewastomarryhim：guesswhatImusthavefeltforallyoursakes。WhenIcametoyoulastweekandfoundyoualone，Icamedeterminedtoknowthetruth;

thoughirresolutewhattodowhenitWASknown。

Mybehaviourmusthaveseemedstrangetoyouthen;

butnowyouwillcomprehendit。Tosufferyoualltobesodeceived;toseeyoursister——butwhatcouldIdo？

Ihadnohopeofinterferingwithsuccess;andsometimesIthoughtyoursister’sinfluencemightyetreclaimhim。

Butnow，aftersuchdishonorableusage，whocantellwhatwerehisdesignsonher。Whatevertheymayhavebeen，however，shemaynow，andhereafterdoubtlessWILL

turnwithgratitudetowardsherowncondition，whenshecomparesitwiththatofmypoorEliza，whensheconsidersthewretchedandhopelesssituationofthispoorgirl，andpictureshertoherself，withanaffectionforhimsostrong，stillasstrongasherown，andwithamindtormentedbyself-reproach，whichmustattendherthroughlife。

Surelythiscomparisonmusthaveitsusewithher。

Shewillfeelherownsufferingstobenothing。Theyproceedfromnomisconduct，andcanbringnodisgrace。

Onthecontrary，everyfriendmustbemadestillmoreherfriendbythem。Concernforherunhappiness，andrespectforherfortitudeunderit，muststrengtheneveryattachment。Useyourowndiscretion，however，incommunicatingtoherwhatIhavetoldyou。Youmustknowbestwhatwillbeitseffect;buthadInotseriously，andfrommyheartbelieveditmightbeofservice，mightlessenherregrets，Iwouldnothavesufferedmyselftotroubleyouwiththisaccountofmyfamilyafflictions，witharecitalwhichmayseemtohavebeenintendedtoraisemyselfattheexpenseofothers。”

Elinor’sthanksfollowedthisspeechwithgratefulearnestness;attendedtoowiththeassuranceofherexpectingmaterialadvantagetoMarianne，fromthecommunicationofwhathadpassed。

“Ihavebeenmorepained，“saidshe，“byherendeavorstoacquithimthanbyalltherest;foritirritateshermindmorethanthemostperfectconvictionofhisunworthinesscando。Now，thoughatfirstshewillsuffermuch，Iamsureshewillsoonbecomeeasier。

Haveyou，“shecontinued，afterashortsilence，“everseenMr。WilloughbysinceyoulefthimatBarton？”

“Yes，“herepliedgravely，“onceIhave。

Onemeetingwasunavoidable。”

Elinor，startledbyhismanner，lookedathimanxiously，saying，“What？haveyoumethimto——“

“Icouldmeethimnootherway。Elizahadconfessedtome，thoughmostreluctantly，thenameofherlover;

andwhenhereturnedtotown，whichwaswithinafortnightaftermyself，wemetbyappointment，hetodefend，Itopunishhisconduct。Wereturnedunwounded，andthemeeting，therefore，nevergotabroad。”

Elinorsighedoverthefanciednecessityofthis;

buttoamanandasoldiershepresumednottocensureit。

“Such，“saidColonelBrandon，afterapause，“hasbeentheunhappyresemblancebetweenthefateofmotheranddaughter！andsoimperfectlyhaveIdischargedmytrust！”

“Isshestillintown？”

“No;assoonassherecoveredfromherlying-in，forIfoundhernearherdelivery，Iremovedherandherchildintothecountry，andtheresheremains。”

Recollecting，soonafterwards，thathewasprobablydividingElinorfromhersister，heputanendtohisvisit，receivingfromheragainthesamegratefulacknowledgments，andleavingherfullofcompassionandesteemforhim。

chapter32

CHAPTER32

WhentheparticularsofthisconversationwererepeatedbyMissDashwoodtohersister，astheyverysoonwere，theeffectonherwasnotentirelysuchastheformerhadhopedtosee。NotthatMarianneappearedtodistrustthetruthofanypartofit，forshelistenedtoitallwiththemoststeadyandsubmissiveattention，madeneitherobjectionnorremark，attemptednovindicationofWilloughby，andseemedtoshewbyhertearsthatshefeltittobeimpossible。ButthoughthisbehaviourassuredElinorthattheconvictionofthisguiltWAScarriedhometohermind，thoughshesawwithsatisfactiontheeffectofit，inhernolongeravoidingColonelBrandonwhenhecalled，inherspeakingtohim，evenvoluntarilyspeaking，withakindofcompassionaterespect，andthoughshesawherspiritslessviolentlyirritatedthanbefore，shedidnotseeherlesswretched。Herminddidbecomesettled，butitwassettledinagloomydejection。

ShefeltthelossofWilloughby’scharacteryetmoreheavilythanshehadfeltthelossofhisheart;hisseductionanddesertionofMissWilliams，themiseryofthatpoorgirl，andthedoubtofwhathisdesignsmightONCEhavebeenonherself，preyedaltogethersomuchonherspirits，thatshecouldnotbringherselftospeakofwhatshefelteventoElinor;and，broodingoverhersorrowsinsilence，gavemorepaintohersisterthancouldhavebeencommunicatedbythemostopenandmostfrequentconfessionofthem。

TogivethefeelingsorthelanguageofMrs。

DashwoodonreceivingandansweringElinor’sletterwouldbeonlytogivearepetitionofwhatherdaughtershadalreadyfeltandsaid;ofadisappointmenthardlylesspainfulthanMarianne’s，andanindignationevengreaterthanElinor’s。

Longlettersfromher，quicklysucceedingeachother，arrivedtotellallthatshesufferedandthought;

toexpressheranxioussolicitudeforMarianne，andentreatshewouldbearupwithfortitudeunderthismisfortune。

BadindeedmustthenatureofMarianne’safflictionbe，whenhermothercouldtalkoffortitude！mortifyingandhumiliatingmustbetheoriginofthoseregrets，whichSHEcouldwishhernottoindulge！

Againsttheinterestofherownindividualcomfort，Mrs。DashwoodhaddeterminedthatitwouldbebetterforMariannetobeanywhere，atthattime，thanatBarton，whereeverythingwithinherviewwouldbebringingbackthepastinthestrongestandmostafflictingmanner，byconstantlyplacingWilloughbybeforeher，suchasshehadalwaysseenhimthere。Sherecommendedittoherdaughters，therefore，byallmeansnottoshortentheirvisittoMrs。Jennings;thelengthofwhich，thoughneverexactlyfixed，hadbeenexpectedbyalltocompriseatleastfiveorsixweeks。Avarietyofoccupations，ofobjects，andofcompany，whichcouldnotbeprocuredatBarton，wouldbeinevitablethere，andmightyet，shehoped，cheatMarianne，attimes，intosomeinterestbeyondherself，andevenintosomeamusement，muchastheideasofbothmightnowbespurnedbyher。

FromalldangerofseeingWilloughbyagain，hermotherconsideredhertobeatleastequallysafeintownasinthecountry，sincehisacquaintancemustnowbedroppedbyallwhocalledthemselvesherfriends。

Designcouldneverbringthemineachother’sway：

negligencecouldneverleavethemexposedtoasurprise;

andchancehadlessinitsfavourinthecrowdofLondonthanevenintheretirementofBarton，whereitmightforcehimbeforeherwhilepayingthatvisitatAllenhamonhismarriage，whichMrs。Dashwood，fromforeseeingatfirstasaprobableevent，hadbroughtherselftoexpectasacertainone。

Shehadyetanotherreasonforwishingherchildrentoremainwheretheywere;aletterfromherson-in-lawhadtoldherthatheandhiswifeweretobeintownbeforethemiddleofFebruary，andshejudgeditrightthattheyshouldsometimesseetheirbrother。

Mariannehadpromisedtobeguidedbyhermother’sopinion，andshesubmittedtoitthereforewithoutopposition，thoughitprovedperfectlydifferentfromwhatshewishedandexpected，thoughshefeltittobeentirelywrong，formedonmistakengrounds，andthatbyrequiringherlongercontinuanceinLondonitdeprivedheroftheonlypossiblealleviationofherwretchedness，thepersonalsympathyofhermother，anddoomedhertosuchsocietyandsuchscenesasmustpreventhereverknowingamoment’srest。

Butitwasamatterofgreatconsolationtoher，thatwhatbroughteviltoherselfwouldbringgoodtohersister;andElinor，ontheotherhand，suspectingthatitwouldnotbeinherpowertoavoidEdwardentirely，comfortedherselfbythinking，thatthoughtheirlongerstaywouldthereforemilitateagainstherownhappiness，itwouldbebetterforMariannethananimmediatereturnintoDevonshire。

HercarefulnessinguardinghersisterfromeverhearingWilloughby’snamementioned，wasnotthrownaway。

Marianne，thoughwithoutknowingitherself，reapedallitsadvantage;forneitherMrs。Jennings，norSirJohn，norevenMrs。Palmerherself，everspokeofhimbeforeher。

Elinorwishedthatthesameforbearancecouldhaveextendedtowardsherself，butthatwasimpossible，andshewasobligedtolistendayafterdaytotheindignationofthemall。

SirJohn，couldnothavethoughtitpossible。

“Amanofwhomhehadalwayshadsuchreasontothinkwell！

Suchagood-naturedfellow！，HedidnotbelievetherewasabolderriderinEngland！，Itwasanunaccountablebusiness。

Hewishedhimatthedevilwithallhisheart。Hewouldnotspeakanotherwordtohim，meethimwherehemight，foralltheworld！，No，notifitweretobebythesideofBartoncovert，andtheywerekeptwatchingfortwohourstogether。Suchascoundrelofafellow！suchadeceitfuldog！，ItwasonlythelasttimetheymetthathehadofferedhimoneofFolly’spuppies！andthiswastheendofit！”

Mrs。Palmer，inherway，wasequallyangry。

“Shewasdeterminedtodrophisacquaintanceimmediately，andshewasverythankfulthatshehadneverbeenacquaintedwithhimatall。ShewishedwithallherheartCombeMagnawasnotsonearCleveland;butitdidnotsignify，foritwasagreatdealtoofarofftovisit;shehatedhimsomuchthatshewasresolvednevertomentionhisnameagain，andsheshouldtelleverybodyshesaw，howgood-for-nothinghewas。”

TherestofMrs。Palmer’ssympathywasshewninprocuringalltheparticularsinherpoweroftheapproachingmarriage，andcommunicatingthemtoElinor。Shecouldsoontellatwhatcoachmaker’sthenewcarriagewasbuilding，bywhatpainterMr。Willoughby’sportraitwasdrawn，andatwhatwarehouseMissGrey’sclothesmightbeseen。

ThecalmandpoliteunconcernofLadyMiddletonontheoccasionwasahappyrelieftoElinor’sspirits，oppressedastheyoftenwerebytheclamorouskindnessoftheothers。ItwasagreatcomforttohertobesureofexcitingnointerestinONEpersonatleastamongtheircircleoffriends：agreatcomforttoknowthattherewasONEwhowouldmeetherwithoutfeelinganycuriosityafterparticulars，oranyanxietyforhersister’shealth。

Everyqualificationisraisedattimes，bythecircumstancesofthemoment，tomorethanitsrealvalue;

andshewassometimesworrieddownbyofficiouscondolencetorategood-breedingasmoreindispensabletocomfortthangood-nature。

LadyMiddletonexpressedhersenseoftheaffairaboutonceeveryday，ortwice，ifthesubjectoccurredveryoften，bysaying，“Itisveryshocking，indeed！”

andbythemeansofthiscontinualthoughgentlevent，wasablenotonlytoseetheMissDashwoodsfromthefirstwithoutthesmallestemotion，butverysoontoseethemwithoutrecollectingawordofthematter;

andhavingthussupportedthedignityofherownsex，andspokenherdecidedcensureofwhatwaswrongintheother，shethoughtherselfatlibertytoattendtotheinterestofherownassemblies，andthereforedetermined(thoughratheragainsttheopinionofSirJohn)

thatasMrs。Willoughbywouldatoncebeawomanofeleganceandfortune，toleavehercardwithherassoonasshemarried。

ColonelBrandon’sdelicate，unobtrusiveenquirieswereneverunwelcometoMissDashwood。Hehadabundantlyearnedtheprivilegeofintimatediscussionofhersister’sdisappointment，bythefriendlyzealwithwhichhehadendeavouredtosoftenit，andtheyalwaysconversedwithconfidence。Hischiefrewardforthepainfulexertionofdisclosingpastsorrowsandpresenthumiliations，wasgiveninthepityingeyewithwhichMariannesometimesobservedhim，andthegentlenessofhervoicewhenever(thoughitdidnotoftenhappen)

shewasobliged，orcouldobligeherselftospeaktohim。

THESEassuredhimthathisexertionhadproducedanincreaseofgood-willtowardshimself，andTHESEgaveElinorhopesofitsbeingfartheraugmentedhereafter;

butMrs。Jennings，whoknewnothingofallthis，whoknewonlythattheColonelcontinuedasgraveasever，andthatshecouldneitherprevailonhimtomaketheofferhimself，norcommissionhertomakeitforhim，began，attheendoftwodays，tothinkthat，insteadofMidsummer，theywouldnotbemarriedtillMichaelmas，andbytheendofaweekthatitwouldnotbeamatchatall。

ThegoodunderstandingbetweentheColonelandMissDashwoodseemedrathertodeclarethatthehonoursofthemulberry-tree，thecanal，andtheyewarbour，wouldallbemadeovertoHER;andMrs。Jenningshad，forsometimeceasedtothinkatallofMrs。Ferrars。

EarlyinFebruary，withinafortnightfromthereceiptofWilloughby’sletter，Elinorhadthepainfulofficeofinforminghersisterthathewasmarried。

Shehadtakencaretohavetheintelligenceconveyedtoherself，assoonasitwasknownthattheceremonywasover，asshewasdesirousthatMarianneshouldnotreceivethefirstnoticeofitfromthepublicpapers，whichshesawhereagerlyexaminingeverymorning。

Shereceivedthenewswithresolutecomposure;

madenoobservationonit，andatfirstshednotears;

butafterashorttimetheywouldburstout，andfortherestoftheday，shewasinastatehardlylesspitiablethanwhenshefirstlearnttoexpecttheevent。

TheWilloughbyslefttownassoonastheyweremarried;

andElinornowhoped，astherecouldbenodangerofherseeingeitherofthem，toprevailonhersister，whohadneveryetleftthehousesincetheblowfirstfell，togooutagainbydegreesasshehaddonebefore。

AboutthistimethetwoMissSteeles，latelyarrivedattheircousin’shouseinBartlett’sBuildings，Holburn，presentedthemselvesagainbeforetheirmoregrandrelationsinConduitandBerkeleyStreets;

andwerewelcomedbythemallwithgreatcordiality。

Elinoronlywassorrytoseethem。Theirpresencealwaysgaveherpain，andshehardlyknewhowtomakeaverygraciousreturntotheoverpoweringdelightofLucyinfindingherSTILLintown。

“IshouldhavebeenquitedisappointedifI

hadnotfoundyouhereSTILL，“saidsherepeatedly，withastrongemphasisontheword。”ButIalwaysthoughtISHOULD。

IwasalmostsureyouwouldnotleaveLondonyetawhile;

thoughyouTOLDme，youknow，atBarton，thatyoushouldnotstayaboveaMONTH。ButIthought，atthetime，thatyouwouldmostlikelychangeyourmindwhenitcametothepoint。Itwouldhavebeensuchagreatpitytohavewentawaybeforeyourbrotherandsistercame。

Andnowtobesureyouwillbeinnohurrytobegone。

IamamazinglygladyoudidnotkeeptoYOURWORD。”

Elinorperfectlyunderstoodher，andwasforcedtouseallherself-commandtomakeitappearthatshedidNOT。

“Well，mydear，“saidMrs。Jennings，“andhowdidyoutravel？”

“Notinthestage，Iassureyou，“repliedMissSteele，withquickexultation;“wecamepostalltheway，andhadaverysmartbeautoattendus。Dr。Davieswascomingtotown，andsowethoughtwe’djoinhiminapost-chaise;

andhebehavedverygenteelly，andpaidtenortwelveshillingsmorethanwedid。”

“Oh，oh！”criedMrs。Jennings;“verypretty，indeed！andtheDoctorisasingleman，Iwarrantyou。”

“Therenow，“saidMissSteele，affectedlysimpering，“everybodylaughsatmesoabouttheDoctor，andI

cannotthinkwhy。MycousinssaytheyaresureIhavemadeaconquest;butformypartIdeclareIneverthinkabouthimfromonehour’sendtoanother。’Lord！herecomesyourbeau，Nancy，’mycousinsaidt’otherday，whenshesawhimcrossingthestreettothehouse。

Mybeau，indeed！saidI——Icannotthinkwhoyoumean。

TheDoctorisnobeauofmine。”

“Aye，aye，thatisveryprettytalking——butitwon’tdo——

theDoctoristheman，Isee。”

“No，indeed！”repliedhercousin，withaffectedearnestness，“andIbegyouwillcontradictit，ifyoueverhearittalkedof。”

Mrs。JenningsdirectlygaveherthegratifyingassurancethatshecertainlywouldNOT，andMissSteelewasmadecompletelyhappy。

“Isupposeyouwillgoandstaywithyourbrotherandsister，MissDashwood，whentheycometotown，“

saidLucy，returning，afteracessationofhostilehints，tothecharge。

“No，Idonotthinkweshall。”

“Oh，yes，Idaresayyouwill。”

Elinorwouldnothumourherbyfartheropposition。

“WhatacharmingthingitisthatMrs。Dashwoodcanspareyoubothforsolongatimetogether！”

“Longatime，indeed！”interposedMrs。Jennings。

“Why，theirvisitisbutjustbegun！”

Lucywassilenced。

“Iamsorrywecannotseeyoursister，MissDashwood，“

saidMissSteele。”Iamsorrysheisnotwell——“

forMariannehadlefttheroomontheirarrival。

“Youareverygood。Mysisterwillbeequallysorrytomissthepleasureofseeingyou;butshehasbeenverymuchplaguedlatelywithnervoushead-aches，whichmakeherunfitforcompanyorconversation。”

“Oh，dear，thatisagreatpity！butsucholdfriendsasLucyandme！——IthinkshemightseeUS;

andIamsurewewouldnotspeakaword。”

Elinor，withgreatcivility，declinedtheproposal。

Hersisterwasperhapslaiddownuponthebed，orinherdressinggown，andthereforenotabletocometothem。

“Oh，ifthat’sall，“criedMissSteele，“wecanjustaswellgoandseeHER。”

Elinorbegantofindthisimpertinencetoomuchforhertemper;butshewassavedthetroubleofcheckingit，byLucy’ssharpreprimand，whichnow，asonmanyoccasions，thoughitdidnotgivemuchsweetnesstothemannersofonesister，wasofadvantageingoverningthoseoftheother。

chapter33

CHAPTER33

Aftersomeopposition，Marianneyieldedtohersister’sentreaties，andconsentedtogooutwithherandMrs。Jenningsonemorningforhalfanhour。Sheexpresslyconditioned，however，forpayingnovisits，andwoulddonomorethanaccompanythemtoGray’sinSackvilleStreet，whereElinorwascarryingonanegotiationfortheexchangeofafewold-fashionedjewelsofhermother。

Whentheystoppedatthedoor，Mrs。Jenningsrecollectedthattherewasaladyattheotherendofthestreetonwhomsheoughttocall;andasshehadnobusinessatGray’s，itwasresolved，thatwhileheryoungfriendstransactedtheir’s，sheshouldpayhervisitandreturnforthem。

Onascendingthestairs，theMissDashwoodsfoundsomanypeoplebeforethemintheroom，thattherewasnotapersonatlibertytotendtotheirorders;andtheywereobligedtowait。Allthatcouldbedonewas，tositdownatthatendofthecounterwhichseemedtopromisethequickestsuccession;onegentlemanonlywasstandingthere，anditisprobablethatElinorwasnotwithouthopeofexcitinghispolitenesstoaquickerdespatch。

Butthecorrectnessofhiseye，andthedelicacyofhistaste，provedtobebeyondhispoliteness。

Hewasgivingordersforatoothpick-caseforhimself，andtillitssize，shape，andornamentsweredetermined，allofwhich，afterexamininganddebatingforaquarterofanhourovereverytoothpick-caseintheshop，werefinallyarrangedbyhisowninventivefancy，hehadnoleisuretobestowanyotherattentiononthetwoladies，thanwhatwascomprisedinthreeorfourverybroadstares;

akindofnoticewhichservedtoimprintonElinortheremembranceofapersonandface，ofstrong，natural，sterlinginsignificance，thoughadornedinthefirststyleoffashion。

Mariannewassparedfromthetroublesomefeelingsofcontemptandresentment，onthisimpertinentexaminationoftheirfeatures，andonthepuppyismofhismannerindecidingonallthedifferenthorrorsofthedifferenttoothpick-casespresentedtohisinspection，byremainingunconsciousofitall;forshewasaswellabletocollectherthoughtswithinherself，andbeasignorantofwhatwaspassingaroundher，inMr。Gray’sshop，asinherownbedroom。

Atlasttheaffairwasdecided。Theivory，thegold，andthepearls，allreceivedtheirappointment，andthegentlemanhavingnamedthelastdayonwhichhisexistencecouldbecontinuedwithoutthepossessionofthetoothpick-case，drewonhisgloveswithleisurelycare，andbestowinganotherglanceontheMissDashwoods，butsuchaoneasseemedrathertodemandthanexpressadmiration，walkedoffwithahappyairofrealconceitandaffectedindifference。

Elinorlostnotimeinbringingherbusinessforward，wasonthepointofconcludingit，whenanothergentlemanpresentedhimselfatherside。Sheturnedhereyestowardshisface，andfoundhimwithsomesurprisetobeherbrother。

TheiraffectionandpleasureinmeetingwasjustenoughtomakeaverycreditableappearanceinMr。Gray’sshop。

JohnDashwoodwasreallyfarfrombeingsorrytoseehissistersagain;itrathergavethemsatisfaction;

andhisinquiriesaftertheirmotherwererespectfulandattentive。

ElinorfoundthatheandFannyhadbeenintowntwodays。

“Iwishedverymuchtocalluponyouyesterday，“

saidhe，“butitwasimpossible，forwewereobligedtotakeHarrytoseethewildbeastsatExeterExchange;

andwespenttherestofthedaywithMrs。Ferrars。

Harrywasvastlypleased。THISmorningIhadfullyintendedtocallonyou，ifIcouldpossiblyfindasparehalfhour，butonehasalwayssomuchtodoonfirstcomingtotown。

IamcomeheretobespeakFannyaseal。ButtomorrowI

thinkIshallcertainlybeabletocallinBerkeleyStreet，andbeintroducedtoyourfriendMrs。Jennings。

Iunderstandsheisawomanofverygoodfortune。

AndtheMiddletonstoo，youmustintroducemetoTHEM。

Asmymother-in-law’srelations，Ishallbehappytoshowthemeveryrespect。Theyareexcellentneighbourstoyouinthecountry，Iunderstand。”

“Excellentindeed。Theirattentiontoourcomfort，theirfriendlinessineveryparticular，ismorethanI

canexpress。”

“Iamextremelygladtohearit，uponmyword;

extremelygladindeed。Butsoitoughttobe;theyarepeopleoflargefortune，theyarerelatedtoyou，andeverycivilityandaccommodationthatcanservetomakeyoursituationpleasantmightbereasonablyexpected。

Andsoyouaremostcomfortablysettledinyourlittlecottageandwantfornothing！，Edwardbroughtusamostcharmingaccountoftheplace：themostcompletethingofitskind，hesaid，thateverwas，andyouallseemedtoenjoyitbeyondanything。Itwasagreatsatisfactiontoustohearit，Iassureyou。”

Elinordidfeelalittleashamedofherbrother;

andwasnotsorrytobesparedthenecessityofansweringhim，bythearrivalofMrs。Jennings’sservant，whocametotellherthathismistresswaitedforthematthedoor。

Mr。Dashwoodattendedthemdownstairs，wasintroducedtoMrs。Jenningsatthedoorofhercarriage，andrepeatinghishopeofbeingabletocallonthemthenextday，tookleave。

Hisvisitwasdulypaid。Hecamewithapretenceatanapologyfromtheirsister-in-law，fornotcomingtoo;

“butshewassomuchengagedwithhermother，thatreallyshehadnoleisureforgoinganywhere。”，Mrs。Jennings，however，assuredhimdirectly，thatsheshouldnotstanduponceremony，fortheywereallcousins，orsomethinglikeit，andsheshouldcertainlywaitonMrs。JohnDashwoodverysoon，andbringhersisterstoseeher。

HismannerstoTHEM，thoughcalm，wereperfectlykind;

toMrs。Jennings，mostattentivelycivil;andonColonelBrandon’scominginsoonafterhimself，heeyedhimwithacuriositywhichseemedtosay，thatheonlywantedtoknowhimtoberich，tobeequallyciviltoHIM。

Afterstayingwiththemhalfanhour，heaskedElinortowalkwithhimtoConduitStreet，andintroducehimtoSirJohnandLadyMiddleton。Theweatherwasremarkablyfine，andshereadilyconsented。Assoonastheywereoutofthehouse，hisenquiriesbegan。

“WhoisColonelBrandon？，Isheamanoffortune？”

“Yes;hehasverygoodpropertyinDorsetshire。”

“Iamgladofit。Heseemsamostgentlemanlikeman;

andIthink，Elinor，Imaycongratulateyouontheprospectofaveryrespectableestablishmentinlife。”

“Me，brother！whatdoyoumean？”

“Helikesyou。Iobservedhimnarrowly，andamconvincedofit。Whatistheamountofhisfortune？”

“Ibelieveabouttwothousandayear。”

“Twothousanda-year;“andthenworkinghimselfuptoapitchofenthusiasticgenerosity，headded，“Elinor，IwishwithallmyheartitwereTWICEasmuch，foryoursake。”

“IndeedIbelieveyou，“repliedElinor;“butIamverysurethatColonelBrandonhasnotthesmallestwishofmarryingME。”

“Youaremistaken，Elinor;youareverymuchmistaken。

Averylittletroubleonyoursidesecureshim。

Perhapsjustatpresenthemaybeundecided;thesmallnessofyourfortunemaymakehimhangback;hisfriendsmayalladvisehimagainstit。Butsomeofthoselittleattentionsandencouragementswhichladiescansoeasilygivewillfixhim，inspiteofhimself。Andtherecanbenoreasonwhyyoushouldnottryforhim。Itisnottobesupposedthatanypriorattachmentonyourside——inshort，youknowastoanattachmentofthatkind，itisquiteoutofthequestion，theobjectionsareinsurmountable——

youhavetoomuchsensenottoseeallthat。ColonelBrandonmustbetheman;andnocivilityshallbewantingonmyparttomakehimpleasedwithyouandyourfamily。

Itisamatchthatmustgiveuniversalsatisfaction。

Inshort，itisakindofthingthat“——loweringhisvoicetoanimportantwhisper——“willbeexceedinglywelcometoALLPARTIES。”Recollectinghimself，however，headded，“Thatis，Imeantosay——yourfriendsarealltrulyanxioustoseeyouwellsettled;Fannyparticularly，forshehasyourinterestverymuchatheart，Iassureyou。

Andhermothertoo，Mrs。Ferrars，averygood-naturedwoman，Iamsureitwouldgivehergreatpleasure;shesaidasmuchtheotherday。”

Elinorwouldnotvouchsafeanyanswer。

“Itwouldbesomethingremarkable，now，“hecontinued，“somethingdroll，ifFannyshouldhaveabrotherandI

asistersettlingatthesametime。Andyetitisnotveryunlikely。”

“IsMr。EdwardFerrars，“saidElinor，withresolution，“goingtobemarried？”

“Itisnotactuallysettled，butthereissuchathinginagitation。Hehasamostexcellentmother。

Mrs。Ferrars，withtheutmostliberality，willcomeforward，andsettleonhimathousandayear，ifthematchtakesplace。TheladyistheHon。MissMorton，onlydaughterofthelateLordMorton，withthirtythousandpounds。

Averydesirableconnectiononbothsides，andIhavenotadoubtofitstakingplaceintime。Athousanda-yearisagreatdealforamothertogiveaway，tomakeoverforever;butMrs。Ferrarshasanoblespirit。Togiveyouanotherinstanceofherliberality：——Theotherday，assoonaswecametotown，awarethatmoneycouldnotbeveryplentywithusjustnow，sheputbank-notesintoFanny’shandstotheamountoftwohundredpounds。

Andextremelyacceptableitis，forwemustliveatagreatexpensewhilewearehere。”

Hepausedforherassentandcompassion;andsheforcedherselftosay，“Yourexpensesbothintownandcountrymustcertainlybeconsiderable;butyourincomeisalargeone。”

“Notsolarge，Idaresay，asmanypeoplesuppose。

Idonotmeantocomplain，however;itisundoubtedlyacomfortableone，andIhopewillintimebebetter。

TheenclosureofNorlandCommon，nowcarryingon，isamostseriousdrain。AndthenIhavemadealittlepurchasewithinthishalfyear;EastKinghamFarm，youmustremembertheplace，whereoldGibsonusedtolive。

Thelandwassoverydesirableformeineveryrespect，soimmediatelyadjoiningmyownproperty，thatIfeltitmydutytobuyit。Icouldnothaveansweredittomyconsciencetoletitfallintoanyotherhands。Amanmustpayforhisconvenience;anditHAScostmeavastdealofmoney。”

“Morethanyouthinkitreallyandintrinsicallyworth。”

“Why，Ihopenotthat。Imighthavesolditagain，thenextday，formorethanIgave：but，withregardtothepurchase-money，Imighthavebeenveryunfortunateindeed;

forthestockswereatthattimesolow，thatifIhadnothappenedtohavethenecessarysuminmybanker’shands，Imusthavesoldouttoverygreatloss。”

Elinorcouldonlysmile。

“OthergreatandinevitableexpensestoowehavehadonfirstcomingtoNorland。Ourrespectedfather，asyouwellknow，bequeathedalltheStanhilleffectsthatremainedatNorland(andveryvaluabletheywere)

toyourmother。Farbeitfrommetorepineathisdoingso;hehadanundoubtedrighttodisposeofhisownpropertyashechose，but，inconsequenceofit，wehavebeenobligedtomakelargepurchasesoflinen，china，&c。tosupplytheplaceofwhatwastakenaway。

Youmayguess，afteralltheseexpenses，howveryfarwemustbefrombeingrich，andhowacceptableMrs。Ferrars’skindnessis。”

“Certainly，“saidElinor;“andassistedbyherliberality，Ihopeyoumayyetlivetobeineasycircumstances。”

“Anotheryearortwomaydomuchtowardsit，“

hegravelyreplied;“buthoweverthereisstillagreatdealtobedone。ThereisnotastonelaidofFanny’sgreen-house，andnothingbuttheplanoftheflower-gardenmarkedout。”

“Whereisthegreen-housetobe？”

“Upontheknollbehindthehouse。Theoldwalnuttreesareallcomedowntomakeroomforit。

Itwillbeaveryfineobjectfrommanypartsofthepark，andtheflower-gardenwillslopedownjustbeforeit，andbeexceedinglypretty。Wehaveclearedawayalltheoldthornsthatgrewinpatchesoverthebrow。”

Elinorkeptherconcernandhercensuretoherself;

andwasverythankfulthatMariannewasnotpresent，tosharetheprovocation。

Havingnowsaidenoughtomakehispovertyclear，andtodoawaythenecessityofbuyingapairofear-ringsforeachofhissisters，inhisnextvisitatGray’shisthoughtstookacheerfullerturn，andhebegantocongratulateElinoronhavingsuchafriendasMrs。Jennings。

“Sheseemsamostvaluablewomanindeed——Herhouse，herstyleofliving，allbespeakanexceedinggoodincome;

anditisanacquaintancethathasnotonlybeenofgreatusetoyouhitherto，butintheendmayprovemateriallyadvantageous——Herinvitingyoutotowniscertainlyavastthinginyourfavour;andindeed，itspeaksaltogethersogreataregardforyou，thatinallprobabilitywhenshediesyouwillnotbeforgotten——

Shemusthaveagreatdealtoleave。”

“Nothingatall，Ishouldrathersuppose;forshehasonlyherjointure，whichwilldescendtoherchildren。”

“Butitisnottobeimaginedthatshelivesuptoherincome。FewpeopleofcommonprudencewilldoTHAT;

andwhatevershesaves，shewillbeabletodisposeof。”

“Anddoyounotthinkitmorelikelythatsheshouldleaveittoherdaughters，thantous？”

“Herdaughtersarebothexceedinglywellmarried，andthereforeIcannotperceivethenecessityofherrememberingthemfarther。Whereas，inmyopinion，byhertakingsomuchnoticeofyou，andtreatingyouinthiskindofway，shehasgivenyouasortofclaimonherfutureconsideration，whichaconscientiouswomanwouldnotdisregard。Nothingcanbekinderthanherbehaviour;

andshecanhardlydoallthis，withoutbeingawareoftheexpectationitraises。”

“Butsheraisesnoneinthosemostconcerned。

Indeed，brother，youranxietyforourwelfareandprosperitycarriesyoutoofar。”

“Why，tobesure，“saidhe，seemingtorecollecthimself，“peoplehavelittle，haveverylittleintheirpower。

But，mydearElinor，whatisthematterwithMarianne？——

shelooksveryunwell，haslosthercolour，andisgrownquitethin。Issheill？”

“Sheisnotwell，shehashadanervouscomplaintonherforseveralweeks。”

“Iamsorryforthat。Athertimeoflife，anythingofanillnessdestroysthebloomforever！

Her’shasbeenaveryshortone！，ShewasashandsomeagirllastSeptember，asIeversaw;andaslikelytoattracttheman。Therewassomethinginherstyleofbeauty，topleasethemparticularly。IrememberFannyusedtosaythatshewouldmarrysoonerandbetterthanyoudid;

notbutwhatsheisexceedinglyfondofYOU，butsoithappenedtostrikeher。Shewillbemistaken，however。

IquestionwhetherMarianneNOW，willmarryamanworthmorethanfiveorsixhundreda-year，attheutmost，andIamverymuchdeceivedifYOUdonotdobetter。

Dorsetshire！，IknowverylittleofDorsetshire;but，mydearElinor，Ishallbeexceedinglygladtoknowmoreofit;

andIthinkIcananswerforyourhavingFannyandmyselfamongtheearliestandbestpleasedofyourvisitors。”

ElinortriedveryseriouslytoconvincehimthattherewasnolikelihoodofhermarryingColonelBrandon;

butitwasanexpectationoftoomuchpleasuretohimselftoberelinquished，andhewasreallyresolvedonseekinganintimacywiththatgentleman，andpromotingthemarriagebyeverypossibleattention。Hehadjustcompunctionenoughforhavingdonenothingforhissistershimself，tobeexceedinglyanxiousthateverybodyelseshoulddoagreatdeal;andanofferfromColonelBrandon，oralegacyfromMrs。Jennings，wastheeasiestmeansofatoningforhisownneglect。

TheywereluckyenoughtofindLadyMiddletonathome，andSirJohncameinbeforetheirvisitended。

Abundanceofcivilitiespassedonallsides。SirJohnwasreadytolikeanybody，andthoughMr。Dashwooddidnotseemtoknowmuchabouthorses，hesoonsethimdownasaverygood-naturedfellow：whileLadyMiddletonsawenoughoffashioninhisappearancetothinkhisacquaintanceworthhaving;andMr。Dashwoodwentawaydelightedwithboth。

“IshallhaveacharmingaccounttocarrytoFanny，“saidhe，ashewalkedbackwithhissister。

“LadyMiddletonisreallyamostelegantwoman！，SuchawomanasIamsureFannywillbegladtoknow。

AndMrs。Jenningstoo，anexceedinglywell-behavedwoman，thoughnotsoelegantasherdaughter。YoursisterneednothaveanyscrupleevenofvisitingHER，which，tosaythetruth，hasbeenalittlethecase，andverynaturally;

forweonlyknewthatMrs。Jenningswasthewidowofamanwhohadgotallhismoneyinalowway;andFannyandMrs。Ferrarswerebothstronglyprepossessed，thatneithershenorherdaughtersweresuchkindofwomenasFannywouldliketoassociatewith。ButnowIcancarryheramostsatisfactoryaccountofboth。”