第7章

chapter34

CHAPTER34

Mrs。JohnDashwoodhadsomuchconfidenceinherhusband’sjudgment，thatshewaitedtheverynextdaybothonMrs。Jenningsandherdaughter;andherconfidencewasrewardedbyfindingeventheformer，eventhewomanwithwhomhersisterswerestaying，bynomeansunworthyhernotice;andasforLadyMiddleton，shefoundheroneofthemostcharmingwomenintheworld！

LadyMiddletonwasequallypleasedwithMrs。

Dashwood。

Therewasakindofcoldheartedselfishnessonbothsides，whichmutuallyattractedthem;andtheysympathisedwitheachotherinaninsipidproprietyofdemeanor，andageneralwantofunderstanding。

Thesamemanners，however，whichrecommendedMrs。JohnDashwoodtothegoodopinionofLadyMiddletondidnotsuitthefancyofMrs。Jennings，andtoHERsheappearednothingmorethanalittleproud-lookingwomanofuncordialaddress，whometherhusband’ssisterswithoutanyaffection，andalmostwithouthavinganythingtosaytothem;

forofthequarterofanhourbestowedonBerkeleyStreet，shesatatleastsevenminutesandahalfinsilence。

Elinorwantedverymuchtoknow，thoughshedidnotchusetoask，whetherEdwardwasthenintown;

butnothingwouldhaveinducedFannyvoluntarilytomentionhisnamebeforeher，tillabletotellherthathismarriagewithMissMortonwasresolvedon，ortillherhusband’sexpectationsonColonelBrandonwereanswered;becauseshebelievedthemstillsoverymuchattachedtoeachother，thattheycouldnotbetoosedulouslydividedinwordanddeedoneveryoccasion。

Theintelligencehowever，whichSHEwouldnotgive，soonflowedfromanotherquarter。LucycameveryshortlytoclaimElinor’scompassiononbeingunabletoseeEdward，thoughhehadarrivedintownwithMr。andMrs。Dashwood。

HedarednotcometoBartlett’sBuildingsforfearofdetection，andthoughtheirmutualimpatiencetomeet，wasnottobetold，theycoulddonothingatpresentbutwrite。

Edwardassuredthemhimselfofhisbeingintown，withinaveryshorttime，bytwicecallinginBerkeleyStreet。

Twicewashiscardfoundonthetable，whentheyreturnedfromtheirmorning’sengagements。Elinorwaspleasedthathehadcalled;andstillmorepleasedthatshehadmissedhim。

TheDashwoodsweresoprodigiouslydelightedwiththeMiddletons，that，thoughnotmuchinthehabitofgivinganything，theydeterminedtogivethem——

adinner;andsoonaftertheiracquaintancebegan，invitedthemtodineinHarleyStreet，wheretheyhadtakenaverygoodhouseforthreemonths。TheirsistersandMrs。Jenningswereinvitedlikewise，andJohnDashwoodwascarefultosecureColonelBrandon，who，alwaysgladtobewheretheMissDashwoodswere，receivedhiseagercivilitieswithsomesurprise，butmuchmorepleasure。

TheyweretomeetMrs。Ferrars;butElinorcouldnotlearnwhetherhersonsweretobeoftheparty。TheexpectationofseeingHER，however，wasenoughtomakeherinterestedintheengagement;forthoughshecouldnowmeetEdward’smotherwithoutthatstronganxietywhichhadoncepromisedtoattendsuchanintroduction，thoughshecouldnowseeherwithperfectindifferenceastoheropinionofherself，herdesireofbeingincompanywithMrs。Ferrars，hercuriositytoknowwhatshewaslike，wasaslivelyasever。

Theinterestwithwhichshethusanticipatedtheparty，wassoonafterwardsincreased，morepowerfullythanpleasantly，byherhearingthattheMissSteeleswerealsotobeatit。

SowellhadtheyrecommendedthemselvestoLadyMiddleton，soagreeablehadtheirassiduitiesmadethemtoher，thatthoughLucywascertainlynotsoelegant，andhersisternotevengenteel，shewasasreadyasSirJohntoaskthemtospendaweekortwoinConduitStreet;

andithappenedtobeparticularlyconvenienttotheMissSteeles，assoonastheDashwoods’invitationwasknown，thattheirvisitshouldbeginafewdaysbeforethepartytookplace。

TheirclaimstothenoticeofMrs。JohnDashwood，astheniecesofthegentlemanwhoformanyyearshadhadthecareofherbrother，mightnothavedonemuch，however，towardsprocuringthemseatsathertable;

butasLadyMiddleton’sgueststheymustbewelcome;andLucy，whohadlongwantedtobepersonallyknowntothefamily，tohaveanearerviewoftheircharactersandherowndifficulties，andtohaveanopportunityofendeavouringtopleasethem，hadseldombeenhappierinherlife，thanshewasonreceivingMrs。JohnDashwood’scard。

OnElinoritseffectwasverydifferent。

Shebeganimmediatelytodetermine，thatEdwardwholivedwithhismother，mustbeaskedashismotherwas，toapartygivenbyhissister;andtoseehimforthefirsttime，afterallthatpassed，inthecompanyofLucy！——shehardlyknewhowshecouldbearit！

Theseapprehensions，perhaps，werenotfoundedentirelyonreason，andcertainlynotatallontruth。

Theywererelievedhowever，notbyherownrecollection，butbythegoodwillofLucy，whobelievedherselftobeinflictingaseveredisappointmentwhenshetoldherthatEdwardcertainlywouldnotbeinHarleyStreetonTuesday，andevenhopedtobecarryingthepainstillfartherbypersuadingherthathewaskeptawaybytheextremeaffectionforherself，whichhecouldnotconcealwhentheyweretogether。

TheimportantTuesdaycamethatwastointroducethetwoyoungladiestothisformidablemother-in-law。

“Pityme，dearMissDashwood！”saidLucy，astheywalkedupthestairstogether——fortheMiddletonsarrivedsodirectlyafterMrs。Jennings，thattheyallfollowedtheservantatthesametime——“Thereisnobodyherebutyou，thatcanfeelforme——IdeclareIcanhardlystand。

Goodgracious！——InamomentIshallseethepersonthatallmyhappinessdependson——thatistobemymother！”——

ElinorcouldhavegivenherimmediatereliefbysuggestingthepossibilityofitsbeingMissMorton’smother，ratherthanherown，whomtheywereabouttobehold;

butinsteadofdoingthat，sheassuredher，andwithgreatsincerity，thatshedidpityher——totheutteramazementofLucy，who，thoughreallyuncomfortableherself，hopedatleasttobeanobjectofirrepressibleenvytoElinor。

Mrs。Ferrarswasalittle，thinwoman，upright，eventoformality，inherfigure，andserious，eventosourness，inheraspect。Hercomplexionwassallow;

andherfeaturessmall，withoutbeauty，andnaturallywithoutexpression;butaluckycontractionofthebrowhadrescuedhercountenancefromthedisgraceofinsipidity，bygivingitthestrongcharactersofprideandillnature。

Shewasnotawomanofmanywords;for，unlikepeopleingeneral，sheproportionedthemtothenumberofherideas;andofthefewsyllablesthatdidescapeher，notonefelltotheshareofMissDashwood，whomsheeyedwiththespiriteddeterminationofdislikingheratallevents。

ElinorcouldnotNOWbemadeunhappybythisbehaviour——

Afewmonthsagoitwouldhavehurtherexceedingly;butitwasnotinMrs。Ferrars’powertodistressherbyitnow;——

andthedifferenceofhermannerstotheMissSteeles，adifferencewhichseemedpurposelymadetohumblehermore，onlyamusedher。Shecouldnotbutsmiletoseethegraciousnessofbothmotheranddaughtertowardstheveryperson——

forLucywasparticularlydistinguished——whomofallothers，hadtheyknownasmuchasshedid，theywouldhavebeenmostanxioustomortify;whilesheherself，whohadcomparativelynopowertowoundthem，satpointedlyslightedbyboth。

Butwhileshesmiledatagraciousnesssomisapplied，shecouldnotreflectonthemean-spiritedfollyfromwhichitsprung，norobservethestudiedattentionswithwhichtheMissSteelescourteditscontinuance，withoutthoroughlydespisingthemallfour。

Lucywasallexultationonbeingsohonorablydistinguished;andMissSteelewantedonlytobeteazedaboutDr。Davistobeperfectlyhappy。

Thedinnerwasagrandone，theservantswerenumerous，andeverythingbespoketheMistress’sinclinationforshow，andtheMaster’sabilitytosupportit。

InspiteoftheimprovementsandadditionswhichweremakingtotheNorlandestate，andinspiteofitsownerhavingoncebeenwithinsomethousandpoundsofbeingobligedtoselloutataloss，nothinggaveanysymptomofthatindigencewhichhehadtriedtoinferfromit;——

nopovertyofanykind，exceptofconversation，appeared——

butthere，thedeficiencywasconsiderable。JohnDashwoodhadnotmuchtosayforhimselfthatwasworthhearing，andhiswifehadstillless。Buttherewasnopeculiardisgraceinthis;foritwasverymuchthecasewiththechiefoftheirvisitors，whoalmostalllabouredunderoneorotherofthesedisqualificationsforbeingagreeable——Wantofsense，eithernaturalorimproved——wantofelegance——wantofspirits——orwantoftemper。

Whentheladieswithdrewtothedrawing-roomafterdinner，thispovertywasparticularlyevident，forthegentlemenHADsuppliedthediscoursewithsomevariety——thevarietyofpolitics，inclosingland，andbreakinghorses——butthenitwasallover;andonesubjectonlyengagedtheladiestillcoffeecamein，whichwasthecomparativeheightsofHarryDashwood，andLadyMiddleton’ssecondsonWilliam，whowerenearlyofthesameage。

Hadboththechildrenbeenthere，theaffairmighthavebeendeterminedtooeasilybymeasuringthematonce;

butasHarryonlywaspresent，itwasallconjecturalassertiononbothsides;andeverybodyhadarighttobeequallypositiveintheiropinion，andtorepeatitoverandoveragainasoftenastheyliked。

Thepartiesstoodthus：

Thetwomothers，thougheachreallyconvincedthatherownsonwasthetallest，politelydecidedinfavouroftheother。

Thetwograndmothers，withnotlesspartiality，butmoresincerity，wereequallyearnestinsupportoftheirowndescendant。

Lucy，whowashardlylessanxioustopleaseoneparentthantheother，thoughttheboyswerebothremarkablytallfortheirage，andcouldnotconceivethattherecouldbethesmallestdifferenceintheworldbetweenthem;

andMissSteele，withyetgreateraddressgaveit，asfastasshecould，infavourofeach。

Elinor，havingoncedeliveredheropiniononWilliam’sside，bywhichsheoffendedMrs。FerrarsandFannystillmore，didnotseethenecessityofenforcingitbyanyfartherassertion;andMarianne，whencalledonforher’s，offendedthemall，bydeclaringthatshehadnoopiniontogive，asshehadneverthoughtaboutit。

BeforeherremovingfromNorland，Elinorhadpaintedaveryprettypairofscreensforhersister-in-law，whichbeingnowjustmountedandbroughthome，ornamentedherpresentdrawingroom;andthesescreens，catchingtheeyeofJohnDashwoodonhisfollowingtheothergentlemenintotheroom，wereofficiouslyhandedbyhimtoColonelBrandonforhisadmiration。

“Thesearedonebymyeldestsister，“saidhe;“andyou，asamanoftaste，will，Idaresay，bepleasedwiththem。

Idonotknowwhetheryouhaveeverhappenedtoseeanyofherperformancesbefore，butsheisingeneralreckonedtodrawextremelywell。”

TheColonel，thoughdisclaimingallpretensionstoconnoisseurship，warmlyadmiredthescreens，ashewouldhavedoneanythingpaintedbyMissDashwood;

andonthecuriosityoftheothersbeingofcourseexcited，theywerehandedroundforgeneralinspection。

Mrs。Ferrars，notawareoftheirbeingElinor’swork，particularlyrequestedtolookatthem;andaftertheyhadreceivedgratifyingtestimonyofLadyMiddletons’sapprobation，Fannypresentedthemtohermother，consideratelyinformingher，atthesametime，thattheyweredonebyMissDashwood。

“Hum“——saidMrs。Ferrars——“verypretty，“——andwithoutregardingthematall，returnedthemtoherdaughter。

PerhapsFannythoughtforamomentthathermotherhadbeenquiterudeenough，——for，colouringalittle，sheimmediatelysaid，“Theyareverypretty，ma’am——an’tthey？”Butthenagain，thedreadofhavingbeentoocivil，tooencouragingherself，probablycameoverher，forshepresentlyadded，“DoyounotthinktheyaresomethinginMissMorton’sstyleofpainting，Ma’am？——SheDOESpaintmostdelightfully！——Howbeautifullyherlastlandscapeisdone！”

“Beautifullyindeed！，ButSHEdoeseverythingwell。”

Mariannecouldnotbearthis——ShewasalreadygreatlydispleasedwithMrs。Ferrars;andsuchill-timedpraiseofanother，atElinor’sexpense，thoughshehadnotanynotionofwhatwasprincipallymeantbyit，provokedherimmediatelytosaywithwarmth，“Thisisadmirationofaveryparticularkind！——

whatisMissMortontous？——whoknows，orwhocares，forher？——itisElinorofwhomWEthinkandspeak。”

Andsosaying，shetookthescreensoutofhersister-in-law’shands，toadmirethemherselfastheyoughttobeadmired。

Mrs。Ferrarslookedexceedinglyangry，anddrawingherselfupmorestifflythanever，pronouncedinretortthisbitterphilippic，“MissMortonisLordMorton’sdaughter。”

Fannylookedveryangrytoo，andherhusbandwasallinafrightathissister’saudacity。ElinorwasmuchmorehurtbyMarianne’swarmththanshehadbeenbywhatproducedit;butColonelBrandon’seyes，astheywerefixedonMarianne，declaredthathenoticedonlywhatwasamiableinit，theaffectionateheartwhichcouldnotbeartoseeasisterslightedinthesmallestpoint。

Marianne’sfeelingsdidnotstophere。

ThecoldinsolenceofMrs。Ferrars’sgeneralbehaviourtohersister，seemed，toher，toforetellsuchdifficultiesanddistressestoElinor，asherownwoundedhearttaughthertothinkofwithhorror;andurgedbyastrongimpulseofaffectionatesensibility，shemovedafteramoment，tohersister’schair，andputtingonearmroundherneck，andonecheekclosetohers，saidinalow，buteager，voice，“Dear，dearElinor，don’tmindthem。

Don’tletthemmakeYOUunhappy。”

Shecouldsaynomore;herspiritswerequiteovercome，andhidingherfaceonElinor’sshoulder，sheburstintotears。Everybody’sattentionwascalled，andalmosteverybodywasconcerned——ColonelBrandonroseupandwenttothemwithoutknowingwhathedid——Mrs。Jennings，withaveryintelligent“Ah！poordear，“immediatelygaveherhersalts;andSirJohnfeltsodesperatelyenragedagainsttheauthorofthisnervousdistress，thatheinstantlychangedhisseattooneclosebyLucySteele，andgaveher，inawhisper，abriefaccountofthewholeshockingaffair。

Inafewminutes，however，Mariannewasrecoveredenoughtoputanendtothebustle，andsitdownamongtherest;thoughherspiritsretainedtheimpressionofwhathadpassed，thewholeevening。

“PoorMarianne！”saidherbrothertoColonelBrandon，inalowvoice，assoonashecouldsecurehisattention，——

“Shehasnotsuchgoodhealthashersister，——sheisverynervous，——shehasnotElinor’sconstitution;——andonemustallowthatthereissomethingverytryingtoayoungwomanwhoHASBEENabeautyinthelossofherpersonalattractions。

Youwouldnotthinkitperhaps，butMarianneWASremarkablyhandsomeafewmonthsago;quiteashandsomeasElinor——

Nowyouseeitisallgone。”

chapter35

CHAPTER35

Elinor’scuriositytoseeMrs。Ferrarswassatisfied——

Shehadfoundinhereverythingthatcouldtendtomakeafartherconnectionbetweenthefamiliesundesirable——

Shehadseenenoughofherpride，hermeanness，andherdeterminedprejudiceagainstherself，tocomprehendallthedifficultiesthatmusthaveperplexedtheengagement，andretardedthemarriage，ofEdwardandherself，hadhebeenotherwisefree;——andshehadseenalmostenoughtobethankfulforherOWNsake，thatonegreaterobstaclepreservedherfromsufferingunderanyotherofMrs。Ferrars’screation，preservedherfromalldependenceuponhercaprice，oranysolicitudeforhergoodopinion。Oratleast，ifshedidnotbringherselfquitetorejoiceinEdward’sbeingfetteredtoLucy，shedetermined，thathadLucybeenmoreamiable，sheOUGHTtohaverejoiced。

ShewonderedthatLucy’sspiritscouldbesoverymuchelevatedbythecivilityofMrs。Ferrars;——thatherinterestandhervanityshouldsoverymuchblindherastomaketheattentionwhichseemedonlypaidherbecauseshewasNOTELINOR，appearacomplimenttoherself——ortoallowhertoderiveencouragementfromapreferenceonlygivenher，becauseherrealsituationwasunknown。Butthatitwasso，hadnotonlybeendeclaredbyLucy’seyesatthetime，butwasdeclaredoveragainthenextmorningmoreopenly，foratherparticulardesire，LadyMiddletonsetherdowninBerkeleyStreetonthechanceofseeingElinoralone，totellherhowhappyshewas。

Thechanceprovedaluckyone，foramessagefromMrs。Palmersoonaftershearrived，carriedMrs。Jenningsaway。

“Mydearfriend，“criedLucy，assoonastheywerebythemselves，“Icometotalktoyouofmyhappiness。

CouldanythingbesoflatteringasMrs。Ferrars’swayoftreatingmeyesterday？，Soexceedingaffableasshewas！——YouknowhowIdreadedthethoughtsofseeingher;——

buttheverymomentIwasintroduced，therewassuchanaffabilityinherbehaviourasreallyshouldseemtosay，shehadquitetookafancytome。Nowwasnotitso？——

Yousawitall;andwasnotyouquitestruckwithit？”

“Shewascertainlyveryciviltoyou。”

“Civil！——Didyouseenothingbutonlycivility？——

Isawavastdealmore。Suchkindnessasfelltotheshareofnobodybutme！——Nopride，nohauteur，andyoursisterjustthesame——allsweetnessandaffability！”

Elinorwishedtotalkofsomethingelse，butLucystillpressedhertoownthatshehadreasonforherhappiness;

andElinorwasobligedtogoon——

“Undoubtedly，iftheyhadknownyourengagement，“

saidshe，“nothingcouldbemoreflatteringthantheirtreatmentofyou;——butasthatwasnotthecase“——

“Iguessedyouwouldsayso“——repliedLucyquickly——“buttherewasnoreasonintheworldwhyMrs。Ferrarsshouldseemtolikeme，ifshedidnot，andherlikingmeiseverything。Youshan’ttalkmeoutofmysatisfaction。Iamsureitwillallendwell，andtherewillbenodifficultiesatall，towhatI

usedtothink。Mrs。Ferrarsisacharmingwoman，andsoisyoursister。Theyarebothdelightfulwomen，indeed！——IwonderIshouldneverhearyousayhowagreeableMrs。Dashwoodwas！”

TothisElinorhadnoanswertomake，anddidnotattemptany。

“Areyouill，MissDashwood？——youseemlow——youdon’tspeak;——sureyouan’twell。”

“Ineverwasinbetterhealth。”

“Iamgladofitwithallmyheart;butreallyyoudidnotlookit。IshouldbesorrytohaveYOUill;you，thathavebeenthegreatestcomforttomeintheworld！——HeavenknowswhatIshouldhavedonewithoutyourfriendship。”——

Elinortriedtomakeacivilanswer，thoughdoubtingherownsuccess。ButitseemedtosatisfyLucy，forshedirectlyreplied，“IndeedIamperfectlyconvincedofyourregardforme，andnexttoEdward’slove，itisthegreatestcomfortIhave——PoorEdward！——Butnowthereisonegoodthing，weshallbeabletomeet，andmeetprettyoften，forLadyMiddleton’sdelightedwithMrs。Dashwood，soweshallbeagooddealinHarleyStreet，Idaresay，andEdwardspendshalfhistimewithhissister——besides，LadyMiddletonandMrs。Ferrarswillvisitnow;——

andMrs。Ferrarsandyoursisterwerebothsogoodtosaymorethanonce，theyshouldalwaysbegladtoseeme——

Theyaresuchcharmingwomen！——IamsureifeveryoutellyoursisterwhatIthinkofher，youcannotspeaktoohigh。”

ButElinorwouldnotgiveheranyencouragementtohopethatsheSHOULDtellhersister。Lucycontinued。

“IamsureIshouldhaveseenitinamoment，ifMrs。Ferrarshadtookadisliketome。Ifshehadonlymademeaformalcourtesy，forinstance，withoutsayingaword，andneverafterhadtookanynoticeofme，andneverlookedatmeinapleasantway——youknowwhatImean——ifIhadbeentreatedinthatforbiddingsortofway，Ishouldhavegaveitallupindespair。

Icouldnothavestoodit。ForwheresheDOESdislike，Iknowitismostviolent。”

Elinorwaspreventedfrommakinganyreplytothisciviltriumph，bythedoor’sbeingthrownopen，theservant’sannouncingMr。Ferrars，andEdward’simmediatelywalkingin。

Itwasaveryawkwardmoment;andthecountenanceofeachshewedthatitwasso。Theyalllookedexceedinglyfoolish;

andEdwardseemedtohaveasgreataninclinationtowalkoutoftheroomagain，astoadvancefartherintoit。

Theverycircumstance，initsunpleasantestform，whichtheywouldeachhavebeenmostanxioustoavoid，hadfallenonthem——Theywerenotonlyallthreetogether，butweretogetherwithoutthereliefofanyotherperson。

Theladiesrecoveredthemselvesfirst。ItwasnotLucy’sbusinesstoputherselfforward，andtheappearanceofsecrecymuststillbekeptup。ShecouldthereforeonlyLOOKhertenderness，andafterslightlyaddressinghim，saidnomore。

ButElinorhadmoretodo;andsoanxiouswasshe，forhissakeandherown，todoitwell，thatsheforcedherself，afteramoment’srecollection，towelcomehim，withalookandmannerthatwerealmosteasy，andalmostopen;andanotherstruggle，anothereffortstillimprovedthem。ShewouldnotallowthepresenceofLucy，northeconsciousnessofsomeinjusticetowardsherself，todeterherfromsayingthatshewashappytoseehim，andthatshehadverymuchregrettedbeingfromhome，whenhecalledbeforeinBerkeleyStreet。Shewouldnotbefrightenedfrompayinghimthoseattentionswhich，asafriendandalmostarelation，werehisdue，bytheobservanteyesofLucy，thoughshesoonperceivedthemtobenarrowlywatchingher。

Hermannersgavesomere-assurancetoEdward，andhehadcourageenoughtositdown;buthisembarrassmentstillexceededthatoftheladiesinaproportion，whichthecaserenderedreasonable，thoughhissexmightmakeitrare;

forhishearthadnottheindifferenceofLucy’s，norcouldhisconsciencehavequitetheeaseofElinor’s。

Lucy，withademureandsettledair，seemeddeterminedtomakenocontributiontothecomfortoftheothers，andwouldnotsayaword;andalmosteverythingthatWAS

said，proceededfromElinor，whowasobligedtovolunteeralltheinformationabouthermother’shealth，theircomingtotown，&c。whichEdwardoughttohaveinquiredabout，butneverdid。

Herexertionsdidnotstophere;forshesoonafterwardsfeltherselfsoheroicallydisposedastodetermine，underpretenceoffetchingMarianne，toleavetheothersbythemselves;andshereallydidit，andTHATinthehandsomestmanner，forsheloiteredawayseveralminutesonthelanding-place，withthemosthigh-mindedfortitude，beforeshewenttohersister。

Whenthatwasoncedone，however，itwastimefortherapturesofEdwardtocease;forMarianne’sjoyhurriedherintothedrawing-roomimmediately。Herpleasureinseeinghimwaslikeeveryotherofherfeelings，stronginitself，andstronglyspoken。Shemethimwithahandthatwouldbetaken，andavoicethatexpressedtheaffectionofasister。

“DearEdward！”shecried，“thisisamomentofgreathappiness！——Thiswouldalmostmakeamendsforeverything？”

Edwardtriedtoreturnherkindnessasitdeserved，butbeforesuchwitnesseshedarednotsayhalfwhathereallyfelt。Againtheyallsatdown，andforamomentortwoallweresilent;whileMariannewaslookingwiththemostspeakingtenderness，sometimesatEdwardandsometimesatElinor，regrettingonlythattheirdelightineachothershouldbecheckedbyLucy’sunwelcomepresence。

Edwardwasthefirsttospeak，anditwastonoticeMarianne’salteredlooks，andexpresshisfearofhernotfindingLondonagreewithher。

“Oh，don’tthinkofme！”sherepliedwithspiritedearnestness，thoughhereyeswerefilledwithtearsasshespoke，“don’tthinkofMYhealth。Elinoriswell，yousee。Thatmustbeenoughforusboth。”

ThisremarkwasnotcalculatedtomakeEdwardorElinormoreeasy，nortoconciliatethegoodwillofLucy，wholookedupatMariannewithnoverybenignantexpression。

“DoyoulikeLondon？”saidEdward，willingtosayanythingthatmightintroduceanothersubject。

“Notatall。Iexpectedmuchpleasureinit，butIhavefoundnone。Thesightofyou，Edward，istheonlycomfortithasafforded;andthankHeaven！youarewhatyoualwayswere！”

Shepaused——noonespoke。

“Ithink，Elinor，“shepresentlyadded，“wemustemployEdwardtotakecareofusinourreturntoBarton。

Inaweekortwo，Isuppose，weshallbegoing;and，Itrust，Edwardwillnotbeveryunwillingtoacceptthecharge。”

PoorEdwardmutteredsomething，butwhatitwas，nobodyknew，notevenhimself。ButMarianne，whosawhisagitation，andcouldeasilytraceittowhatevercausebestpleasedherself，wasperfectlysatisfied，andsoontalkedofsomethingelse。

“Wespentsuchaday，Edward，inHarleyStreetyesterday！，Sodull，sowretchedlydull！——ButIhavemuchtosaytoyouonthathead，whichcannotbesaidnow。”

Andwiththisadmirablediscretiondidshedefertheassuranceofherfindingtheirmutualrelativesmoredisagreeablethanever，andofherbeingparticularlydisgustedwithhismother，tilltheyweremoreinprivate。

“Butwhywereyounotthere，Edward？——Whydidyounotcome？”

“Iwasengagedelsewhere。”

“Engaged！，Butwhatwasthat，whensuchfriendsweretobemet？”

“Perhaps，MissMarianne，“criedLucy，eagertotakesomerevengeonher，“youthinkyoungmenneverstanduponengagements，iftheyhavenomindtokeepthem，littleaswellasgreat。”

Elinorwasveryangry，butMarianneseemedentirelyinsensibleofthesting;forshecalmlyreplied，“Notso，indeed;for，seriouslyspeaking，I

amverysurethatconscienceonlykeptEdwardfromHarleyStreet。

AndIreallybelieveheHASthemostdelicateconscienceintheworld;themostscrupulousinperformingeveryengagement，howeverminute，andhoweveritmaymakeagainsthisinterestorpleasure。Heisthemostfearfulofgivingpain，ofwoundingexpectation，andthemostincapableofbeingselfish，ofanybodyIeversaw。Edward，itisso，andIwillsayit。

What！areyounevertohearyourselfpraised！——Thenyoumustbenofriendofmine;forthosewhowillacceptofmyloveandesteem，mustsubmittomyopencommendation。”

Thenatureofhercommendation，inthepresentcase，however，happenedtobeparticularlyill-suitedtothefeelingsoftwothirdsofherauditors，andwassoveryunexhilaratingtoEdward，thatheverysoongotuptogoaway。

“Goingsosoon！”saidMarianne;“mydearEdward，thismustnotbe。”

Anddrawinghimalittleaside，shewhisperedherpersuasionthatLucycouldnotstaymuchlonger。

Buteventhisencouragementfailed，forhewouldgo;

andLucy，whowouldhaveoutstaidhim，hadhisvisitlastedtwohours，soonafterwardswentaway。

“Whatcanbringherheresooften？”saidMarianne，onherleavingthem。”Couldnotsheseethatwewantedhergone！——howteazingtoEdward！”

“Whyso？——wewereallhisfriends，andLucyhasbeenthelongestknowntohimofany。Itisbutnaturalthatheshouldliketoseeheraswellasourselves。”

Mariannelookedathersteadily，andsaid，“Youknow，Elinor，thatthisisakindoftalkingwhichIcannotbear。

Ifyouonlyhopetohaveyourassertioncontradicted，asImustsupposetobethecase，yououghttorecollectthatIamthelastpersonintheworldtodoit。

Icannotdescendtobetrickedoutofassurances，thatarenotreallywanted。”

Shethenlefttheroom;andElinordarednotfollowhertosaymore，forboundasshewasbyherpromiseofsecrecytoLucy，shecouldgivenoinformationthatwouldconvinceMarianne;andpainfulastheconsequencesofherstillcontinuinginanerrormightbe，shewasobligedtosubmittoit。Allthatshecouldhope，wasthatEdwardwouldnotoftenexposeherorhimselftothedistressofhearingMarianne’smistakenwarmth，nortotherepetitionofanyotherpartofthepainthathadattendedtheirrecentmeeting——andthisshehadeveryreasontoexpect。

chapter36

CHAPTER36

Withinafewdaysafterthismeeting，thenewspapersannouncedtotheworld，thattheladyofThomasPalmer，Esq。wassafelydeliveredofasonandheir;averyinterestingandsatisfactoryparagraph，atleasttoallthoseintimateconnectionswhoknewitbefore。

Thisevent，highlyimportanttoMrs。Jennings’shappiness，producedatemporaryalterationinthedisposalofhertime，andinfluenced，inalikedegree，theengagementsofheryoungfriends;forasshewishedtobeasmuchaspossiblewithCharlotte，shewentthithereverymorningassoonasshewasdressed，anddidnotreturntilllateintheevening;andtheMissDashwoods，attheparticularrequestoftheMiddletons，spentthewholeofeveryday，ineverydayinConduitStreet。Fortheirowncomforttheywouldmuchratherhaveremained，atleastallthemorning，inMrs。Jennings’shouse;butitwasnotathingtobeurgedagainstthewishesofeverybody。

TheirhourswerethereforemadeovertoLadyMiddletonandthetwoMissSteeles，bywhomtheircompany，infactwasaslittlevalued，asitwasprofessedlysought。

Theyhadtoomuchsensetobedesirablecompanionstotheformer;andbythelattertheywereconsideredwithajealouseye，asintrudingonTHEIRground，andsharingthekindnesswhichtheywantedtomonopolize。ThoughnothingcouldbemorepolitethanLadyMiddleton’sbehaviourtoElinorandMarianne，shedidnotreallylikethematall。

Becausetheyneitherflatteredherselfnorherchildren，shecouldnotbelievethemgood-natured;andbecausetheywerefondofreading，shefanciedthemsatirical：perhapswithoutexactlyknowingwhatitwastobesatirical;

butTHATdidnotsignify。Itwascensureincommonuse，andeasilygiven。

TheirpresencewasarestraintbothonherandonLucy。

Itcheckedtheidlenessofone，andthebusinessoftheother。

LadyMiddletonwasashamedofdoingnothingbeforethem，andtheflatterywhichLucywasproudtothinkofandadministeratothertimes，shefearedtheywoulddespiseherforoffering。MissSteelewastheleastdiscomposedofthethree，bytheirpresence;anditwasintheirpowertoreconcilehertoitentirely。WouldeitherofthemonlyhavegivenherafullandminuteaccountofthewholeaffairbetweenMarianneandMr。Willoughby，shewouldhavethoughtherselfamplyrewardedforthesacrificeofthebestplacebythefireafterdinner，whichtheirarrivaloccasioned。Butthisconciliationwasnotgranted;

forthoughsheoftenthrewoutexpressionsofpityforhersistertoElinor，andmorethanoncedroptareflectionontheinconstancyofbeauxbeforeMarianne，noeffectwasproduced，butalookofindifferencefromtheformer，orofdisgustinthelatter。Aneffortevenyetlightermighthavemadehertheirfriend。WouldtheyonlyhavelaughedatherabouttheDoctor！，Butsolittlewerethey，anymorethantheothers，inclinedtoobligeher，thatifSirJohndinedfromhome，shemightspendawholedaywithouthearinganyotherrailleryonthesubject，thanwhatshewaskindenoughtobestowonherself。

Allthesejealousiesanddiscontents，however，weresototallyunsuspectedbyMrs。Jennings，thatshethoughtitadelightfulthingforthegirlstobetogether;

andgenerallycongratulatedheryoungfriendseverynight，onhavingescapedthecompanyofastupidoldwomansolong。

ShejoinedthemsometimesatSirJohn’s，sometimesatherownhouse;butwhereveritwas，shealwayscameinexcellentspirits，fullofdelightandimportance，attributingCharlotte’swelldoingtoherowncare，andreadytogivesoexact，sominuteadetailofhersituation，asonlyMissSteelehadcuriosityenoughtodesire。

OnethingDIDdisturbher;andofthatshemadeherdailycomplaint。Mr。Palmermaintainedthecommon，butunfatherlyopinionamonghissex，ofallinfantsbeingalike;

andthoughshecouldplainlyperceive，atdifferenttimes，themoststrikingresemblancebetweenthisbabyandeveryoneofhisrelationsonbothsides，therewasnoconvincinghisfatherofit;nopersuadinghimtobelievethatitwasnotexactlylikeeveryotherbabyofthesameage;

norcouldheevenbebroughttoacknowledgethesimplepropositionofitsbeingthefinestchildintheworld。

Icomenowtotherelationofamisfortune，whichaboutthistimebefellMrs。JohnDashwood。

ItsohappenedthatwhilehertwosisterswithMrs。JenningswerefirstcallingonherinHarleyStreet，anotherofheracquaintancehaddroptin——acircumstanceinitselfnotapparentlylikelytoproduceeviltoher。

Butwhiletheimaginationsofotherpeoplewillcarrythemawaytoformwrongjudgmentsofourconduct，andtodecideonitbyslightappearances，one’shappinessmustinsomemeasurebealwaysatthemercyofchance。

Inthepresentinstance，thislast-arrivedladyallowedherfancytosofaroutruntruthandprobability，thatonmerelyhearingthenameoftheMissDashwoods，andunderstandingthemtobeMr。Dashwood’ssisters，sheimmediatelyconcludedthemtobestayinginHarleyStreet;

andthismisconstructionproducedwithinadayortwoafterwards，cardsofinvitationforthemaswellasfortheirbrotherandsister，toasmallmusicalpartyatherhouse。Theconsequenceofwhichwas，thatMrs。JohnDashwoodwasobligedtosubmitnotonlytotheexceedinglygreatinconvenienceofsendinghercarriagefortheMissDashwoods，but，whatwasstillworse，mustbesubjecttoalltheunpleasantnessofappearingtotreatthemwithattention：andwhocouldtellthattheymightnotexpecttogooutwithherasecondtime？，Thepowerofdisappointingthem，itwastrue，mustalwaysbeher’s。

Butthatwasnotenough;forwhenpeoplearedeterminedonamodeofconductwhichtheyknowtobewrong，theyfeelinjuredbytheexpectationofanythingbetterfromthem。

Mariannehadnowbeenbroughtbydegrees，somuchintothehabitofgoingouteveryday，thatitwasbecomeamatterofindifferencetoher，whethershewentornot：

andshepreparedquietlyandmechanicallyforeveryevening’sengagement，thoughwithoutexpectingthesmallestamusementfromany，andveryoftenwithoutknowing，tillthelastmoment，whereitwastotakeher。

Toherdressandappearanceshewasgrownsoperfectlyindifferent，asnottobestowhalftheconsiderationonit，duringthewholeofhertoilet，whichitreceivedfromMissSteeleinthefirstfiveminutesoftheirbeingtogether，whenitwasfinished。NothingescapedHERminuteobservationandgeneralcuriosity;shesaweverything，andaskedeverything;wasnevereasytillsheknewthepriceofeverypartofMarianne’sdress;couldhaveguessedthenumberofhergownsaltogetherwithbetterjudgmentthanMarianneherself，andwasnotwithouthopesoffindingoutbeforetheyparted，howmuchherwashingcostperweek，andhowmuchshehadeveryyeartospenduponherself。

Theimpertinenceofthesekindofscrutinies，moreover，wasgenerallyconcludedwithacompliment，whichthoughmeantasitsdouceur，wasconsideredbyMarianneasthegreatestimpertinenceofall;forafterundergoinganexaminationintothevalueandmakeofhergown，thecolourofhershoes，andthearrangementofherhair，shewasalmostsureofbeingtoldthatupon“herwordshelookedvastlysmart，andshedaredtosayshewouldmakeagreatmanyconquests。”

Withsuchencouragementasthis，wasshedismissedonthepresentoccasion，toherbrother’scarriage;

whichtheywerereadytoenterfiveminutesafteritstoppedatthedoor，apunctualitynotveryagreeabletotheirsister-in-law，whohadprecededthemtothehouseofheracquaintance，andwastherehopingforsomedelayontheirpartthatmightinconvenienceeitherherselforhercoachman。

Theeventsofthiseveningwerenotveryremarkable。

Theparty，likeothermusicalparties，comprehendedagreatmanypeoplewhohadrealtastefortheperformance，andagreatmanymorewhohadnoneatall;andtheperformersthemselveswere，asusual，intheirownestimation，andthatoftheirimmediatefriends，thefirstprivateperformersinEngland。

AsElinorwasneithermusical，noraffectingtobeso，shemadenoscrupleofturninghereyesfromthegrandpianoforte，wheneveritsuitedher，andunrestrainedevenbythepresenceofaharp，andvioloncello，wouldfixthematpleasureonanyotherobjectintheroom。Inoneoftheseexcursiveglancessheperceivedamongagroupofyoungmen，theveryhe，whohadgiventhemalectureontoothpick-casesatGray’s。Sheperceivedhimsoonafterwardslookingatherself，andspeakingfamiliarlytoherbrother;andhadjustdeterminedtofindouthisnamefromthelatter，whentheybothcametowardsher，andMr。DashwoodintroducedhimtoherasMr。RobertFerrars。

Headdressedherwitheasycivility，andtwistedhisheadintoabowwhichassuredherasplainlyaswordscouldhavedone，thathewasexactlythecoxcombshehadheardhimdescribedtobebyLucy。Happyhaditbeenforher，ifherregardforEdwardhaddependedlessonhisownmerit，thanonthemeritofhisnearestrelations！，Forthenhisbrother’sbowmusthavegiventhefinishingstroketowhattheill-humourofhismotherandsisterwouldhavebegun。Butwhileshewonderedatthedifferenceofthetwoyoungmen，shedidnotfindthattheemptinessofconceitoftheone，putheroutofallcharitywiththemodestyandworthoftheother。

WhytheyWEREdifferent，Robertexclaimedtoherhimselfinthecourseofaquarterofanhour’sconversation;

for，talkingofhisbrother，andlamentingtheextremeGAUCHERIEwhichhereallybelievedkepthimfrommixinginpropersociety，hecandidlyandgenerouslyattributeditmuchlesstoanynaturaldeficiency，thantothemisfortuneofaprivateeducation;whilehehimself，thoughprobablywithoutanyparticular，anymaterialsuperioritybynature，merelyfromtheadvantageofapublicschool，wasaswellfittedtomixintheworldasanyotherman。

“Uponmysoul，“headded，“Ibelieveitisnothingmore;

andsoIoftentellmymother，whensheisgrievingaboutit。’MydearMadam，’Ialwayssaytoher，’youmustmakeyourselfeasy。Theevilisnowirremediable，andithasbeenentirelyyourowndoing。Whywouldyoubepersuadedbymyuncle，SirRobert，againstyourownjudgment，toplaceEdwardunderprivatetuition，atthemostcriticaltimeofhislife？，IfyouhadonlysenthimtoWestminsteraswellasmyself，insteadofsendinghimtoMr。Pratt’s，allthiswouldhavebeenprevented。’

ThisisthewayinwhichIalwaysconsiderthematter，andmymotherisperfectlyconvincedofhererror。”

Elinorwouldnotopposehisopinion，because，whatevermightbehergeneralestimationoftheadvantageofapublicschool，shecouldnotthinkofEdward’sabodeinMr。Pratt’sfamily，withanysatisfaction。

“YouresideinDevonshire，Ithink，“——washisnextobservation，“inacottagenearDawlish。”

Elinorsethimrightastoitssituation;

anditseemedrathersurprisingtohimthatanybodycouldliveinDevonshire，withoutlivingnearDawlish。

Hebestowedhisheartyapprobationhoweverontheirspeciesofhouse。

“Formyownpart，“saidhe，“Iamexcessivelyfondofacottage;thereisalwayssomuchcomfort，somucheleganceaboutthem。AndIprotest，ifIhadanymoneytospare，Ishouldbuyalittlelandandbuildonemyself，withinashortdistanceofLondon，whereImightdrivemyselfdownatanytime，andcollectafewfriendsaboutme，andbehappy。Iadviseeverybodywhoisgoingtobuild，tobuildacottage。MyfriendLordCourtlandcametometheotherdayonpurposetoaskmyadvice，andlaidbeforemethreedifferentplansofBonomi’s。

Iwastodecideonthebestofthem。’MydearCourtland，’

saidI，immediatelythrowingthemallintothefire，’donotadopteitherofthem，butbyallmeansbuildacottage。’

AndthatIfancy，willbetheendofit。

“Somepeopleimaginethattherecanbenoaccommodations，nospaceinacottage;butthisisallamistake。

IwaslastmonthatmyfriendElliott’s，nearDartford。

LadyElliottwishedtogiveadance。’Buthowcanitbedone？’saidshe;’mydearFerrars，dotellmehowitistobemanaged。Thereisnotaroominthiscottagethatwillholdtencouple，andwherecanthesupperbe？’

Iimmediatelysawthattherecouldbenodifficultyinit，soIsaid，’MydearLadyElliott，donotbeuneasy。

Thediningparlourwilladmiteighteencouplewithease;

card-tablesmaybeplacedinthedrawing-room;thelibrarymaybeopenforteaandotherrefreshments;andletthesupperbesetoutinthesaloon。’，LadyElliottwasdelightedwiththethought。Wemeasuredthedining-room，andfounditwouldholdexactlyeighteencouple，andtheaffairwasarrangedpreciselyaftermyplan。Sothat，infact，yousee，ifpeopledobutknowhowtosetaboutit，everycomfortmaybeaswellenjoyedinacottageasinthemostspaciousdwelling。”

Elinoragreedtoitall，forshedidnotthinkhedeservedthecomplimentofrationalopposition。

AsJohnDashwoodhadnomorepleasureinmusicthanhiseldestsister，hismindwasequallyatlibertytofixonanythingelse;andathoughtstruckhimduringtheevening，whichhecommunicatedtohiswife，forherapprobation，whentheygothome。TheconsiderationofMrs。Dennison’smistake，insupposinghissisterstheirguests，hadsuggestedtheproprietyoftheirbeingreallyinvitedtobecomesuch，whileMrs。Jenning’sengagementskeptherfromhome。

Theexpensewouldbenothing，theinconveniencenotmore;

anditwasaltogetheranattentionwhichthedelicacyofhisconsciencepointedouttoberequisitetoitscompleteenfranchisementfromhispromisetohisfather。

Fannywasstartledattheproposal。

“Idonotseehowitcanbedone，“saidshe，“withoutaffrontingLadyMiddleton，fortheyspendeverydaywithher;otherwiseIshouldbeexceedinglygladtodoit。

YouknowIamalwaysreadytopaythemanyattentioninmypower，asmytakingthemoutthiseveningshews。

ButtheyareLadyMiddleton’svisitors。HowcanIaskthemawayfromher？”

Herhusband，butwithgreathumility，didnotseetheforceofherobjection。”TheyhadalreadyspentaweekinthismannerinConduitStreet，andLadyMiddletoncouldnotbedispleasedattheirgivingthesamenumberofdaystosuchnearrelations。”

Fannypausedamoment，andthen，withfreshvigor，said，“MyloveIwouldaskthemwithallmyheart，ifitwasinmypower。ButIhadjustsettledwithinmyselftoasktheMissSteelestospendafewdayswithus。

Theyareverywellbehaved，goodkindofgirls;andIthinktheattentionisduetothem，astheiruncledidsoverywellbyEdward。Wecanaskyoursisterssomeotheryear，youknow;buttheMissSteelesmaynotbeintownanymore。

Iamsureyouwilllikethem;indeed，youDOlikethem，youknow，verymuchalready，andsodoesmymother;andtheyaresuchfavouriteswithHarry！”

Mr。Dashwoodwasconvinced。HesawthenecessityofinvitingtheMissSteelesimmediately，andhisconsciencewaspacifiedbytheresolutionofinvitinghissistersanotheryear;atthesametime，however，slylysuspectingthatanotheryearwouldmaketheinvitationneedless，bybringingElinortotownasColonelBrandon’swife，andMarianneasTHEIRvisitor。

Fanny，rejoicinginherescape，andproudofthereadywitthathadprocuredit，wrotethenextmorningtoLucy，torequesthercompanyandhersister’s，forsomedays，inHarleyStreet，assoonasLadyMiddletoncouldsparethem。

ThiswasenoughtomakeLucyreallyandreasonablyhappy。

Mrs。Dashwoodseemedactuallyworkingforher，herself;

cherishingallherhopes，andpromotingallherviews！

SuchanopportunityofbeingwithEdwardandhisfamilywas，aboveallthings，themostmaterialtoherinterest，andsuchaninvitationthemostgratifyingtoherfeelings！，Itwasanadvantagethatcouldnotbetoogratefullyacknowledged，nortoospeedilymadeuseof;

andthevisittoLadyMiddleton，whichhadnotbeforehadanypreciselimits，wasinstantlydiscoveredtohavebeenalwaysmeanttoendintwodays’time。

WhenthenotewasshowntoElinor，asitwaswithintenminutesafteritsarrival，itgaveher，forthefirsttime，someshareintheexpectationsofLucy;forsuchamarkofuncommonkindness，vouchsafedonsoshortanacquaintance，seemedtodeclarethatthegood-willtowardsherarosefromsomethingmorethanmerelymaliceagainstherself;

andmightbebrought，bytimeandaddress，todoeverythingthatLucywished。HerflatteryhadalreadysubduedtheprideofLadyMiddleton，andmadeanentryintothecloseheartofMrs。JohnDashwood;andthesewereeffectsthatlaidopentheprobabilityofgreater。

TheMissSteelesremovedtoHarleyStreet，andallthatreachedElinoroftheirinfluencethere，strengthenedherexpectationoftheevent。SirJohn，whocalledonthemmorethanonce，broughthomesuchaccountsofthefavourtheywerein，asmustbeuniversallystriking。

Mrs。Dashwoodhadneverbeensomuchpleasedwithanyyoungwomeninherlife，asshewaswiththem;hadgiveneachofthemaneedlebookmadebysomeemigrant;

calledLucybyherChristianname;anddidnotknowwhethersheshouldeverbeabletopartwiththem。

chapter37

CHAPTER37

Mrs。Palmerwassowellattheendofafortnight，thathermotherfeltitnolongernecessarytogiveupthewholeofhertimetoher;and，contentingherselfwithvisitingheronceortwiceaday，returnedfromthatperiodtoherownhome，andherownhabits，inwhichshefoundtheMissDashwoodsveryreadytoressumetheirformershare。

AboutthethirdorfourthmorningaftertheirbeingthusresettledinBerkeleyStreet，Mrs。Jennings，onreturningfromherordinaryvisittoMrs。Palmer，enteredthedrawing-room，whereElinorwassittingbyherself，withanairofsuchhurryingimportanceaspreparedhertohearsomethingwonderful;andgivinghertimeonlytoformthatidea，begandirectlytojustifyit，bysaying，“Lord！mydearMissDashwood！haveyouheardthenews？”

“No，ma’am。Whatisit？”

“Somethingsostrange！，Butyoushallhearitall——

WhenIgottoMr。Palmer’s，IfoundCharlottequiteinafussaboutthechild。Shewassureitwasveryill——itcried，andfretted，andwasalloverpimples。

SoIlookedatitdirectly，and，’Lord！mydear，’

saysI，’itisnothingintheworld，buttheredgum——’

andnursesaidjustthesame。ButCharlotte，shewouldnotbesatisfied，soMr。Donavanwassentfor;andluckilyhehappenedtojustcomeinfromHarleyStreet，sohesteppedoverdirectly，andassoonaseverhesawthechild，besaidjustaswedid，thatitwasnothingintheworldbuttheredgum，andthenCharlottewaseasy。Andso，justashewasgoingawayagain，itcameintomyhead，IamsureIdonotknowhowIhappenedtothinkofit，butitcameintomyheadtoaskhimiftherewasanynews。

Souponthat，hesmirked，andsimpered，andlookedgrave，andseemedtoknowsomethingorother，andatlasthesaidinawhisper，’Forfearanyunpleasantreportshouldreachtheyoungladiesunderyourcareastotheirsister’sindisposition，Ithinkitadvisabletosay，thatIbelievethereisnogreatreasonforalarm;IhopeMrs。Dashwoodwilldoverywell。’“

“What！isFannyill？”

“ThatisexactlywhatIsaid，mydear。

’Lord！’saysI，’isMrs。Dashwoodill？’Sothenitallcameout;andthelongandtheshortofthematter，byallIcanlearn，seemstobethis。Mr。EdwardFerrars，theveryyoungmanIusedtojokewithyouabout(buthowever，asitturnsout，Iammonstrousgladtherewasneveranythinginit)，Mr。EdwardFerrars，itseems，hasbeenengagedabovethistwelvemonthtomycousinLucy！——There’sforyou，mydear！——Andnotacreatureknowingasyllableofthematter，exceptNancy！——Couldyouhavebelievedsuchathingpossible？——

Thereisnogreatwonderintheirlikingoneanother;

butthatmattersshouldbebroughtsoforwardbetweenthem，andnobodysuspectit！——THATisstrange！——Ineverhappenedtoseethemtogether，orIamsureIshouldhavefounditoutdirectly。Well，andsothiswaskeptagreatsecret，forfearofMrs。Ferrars，andneithershenoryourbrotherorsistersuspectedawordofthematter;——

tillthisverymorning，poorNancy，who，youknow，isawell-meaningcreature，butnoconjurer，poptitallout。

’Lord！’thinksshetoherself，’theyareallsofondofLucy，tobesuretheywillmakenodifficultyaboutit;’

andso，awayshewenttoyoursister，whowassittingallaloneathercarpet-work，littlesuspectingwhatwastocome——forshehadjustbeensayingtoyourbrother，onlyfiveminutesbefore，thatshethoughttomakeamatchbetweenEdwardandsomeLord’sdaughterorother，Iforgetwho。

Soyoumaythinkwhatablowitwastoallhervanityandpride。Shefellintoviolenthystericsimmediately，withsuchscreamsasreachedyourbrother’sears，ashewassittinginhisowndressing-roomdownstairs，thinkingaboutwritingalettertohisstewardinthecountry。

Soupheflewdirectly，andaterriblescenetookplace，forLucywascometothembythattime，littledreamingwhatwasgoingon。Poorsoul！，IpityHER。AndImustsay，Ithinkshewasusedveryhardly;foryoursisterscoldedlikeanyfury，andsoondroveherintoafaintingfit。

Nancy，shefelluponherknees，andcriedbitterly;

andyourbrother，hewalkedabouttheroom，andsaidhedidnotknowwhattodo。Mrs。Dashwooddeclaredtheyshouldnotstayaminutelongerinthehouse，andyourbrotherwasforcedtogodownuponHISkneestoo，topersuadehertoletthemstaytilltheyhadpackeduptheirclothes。THENshefellintohystericsagain，andhewassofrightenedthathewouldsendforMr。Donavan，andMr。Donavanfoundthehouseinallthisuproar。

Thecarriagewasatthedoorreadytotakemypoorcousinsaway，andtheywerejuststeppinginashecameoff;poorLucyinsuchacondition，hesays，shecouldhardlywalk;andNancy，shewasalmostasbad。

Ideclare，Ihavenopatiencewithyoursister;andIhope，withallmyheart，itwillbeamatchinspiteofher。

Lord！whatatakingpoorMr。Edwardwillbeinwhenhehearsofit！，Tohavehisloveusedsoscornfully！fortheysayheismonstrousfondofher，aswellhemay。

Ishouldnotwonder，ifhewastobeinthegreatestpassion！——andMr。Donavanthinksjustthesame。HeandI

hadagreatdealoftalkaboutit;andthebestofallis，thatheisgonebackagaintoHarleyStreet，thathemaybewithincallwhenMrs。Ferrarsistoldofit，forshewassentforassoonasevermycousinsleftthehouse，foryoursisterwassureSHEwouldbeinhystericstoo;

andsoshemay，forwhatIcare。Ihavenopityforeitherofthem。Ihavenonotionofpeople’smakingsuchato-doaboutmoneyandgreatness。ThereisnoreasononearthwhyMr。EdwardandLucyshouldnotmarry;

forIamsureMrs。Ferrarsmayaffordtodoverywellbyherson，andthoughLucyhasnexttonothingherself，sheknowsbetterthananybodyhowtomakethemostofeverything;Idaresay，ifMrs。Ferrarswouldonlyallowhimfivehundreda-year，shewouldmakeasgoodanappearancewithitasanybodyelsewouldwitheight。

Lord！howsnugtheymightliveinsuchanothercottageasyours——oralittlebigger——withtwomaids，andtwomen;

andIbelieveIcouldhelpthemtoahousemaid，formyBettyhasasisteroutofplace，thatwouldfitthemexactly。”

HereMrs。Jenningsceased，andasElinorhadhadtimeenoughtocollectherthoughts，shewasabletogivesuchananswer，andmakesuchobservations，asthesubjectmightnaturallybesupposedtoproduce。

Happytofindthatshewasnotsuspectedofanyextraordinaryinterestinit;thatMrs。Jennings(asshehadoflateoftenhopedmightbethecase)hadceasedtoimagineheratallattachedtoEdward;andhappyabovealltherest，intheabsenceofMarianne，shefeltverywellabletospeakoftheaffairwithoutembarrassment，andtogiveherjudgment，asshebelieved，withimpartialityontheconductofeveryoneconcernedinit。

Shecouldhardlydeterminewhatherownexpectationofitseventreallywas;thoughsheearnestlytriedtodriveawaythenotionofitsbeingpossibletoendotherwiseatlast，thaninthemarriageofEdwardandLucy。

WhatMrs。Ferrarswouldsayanddo，thoughtherecouldnotbeadoubtofitsnature，shewasanxioustohear;

andstillmoreanxioustoknowhowEdwardwouldconducthimself。ForHIMshefeltmuchcompassion;——

forLucyverylittle——anditcosthersomepainstoprocurethatlittle;——fortherestofthepartynoneatall。

AsMrs。Jenningscouldtalkonnoothersubject，ElinorsoonsawthenecessityofpreparingMarianneforitsdiscussion。Notimewastobelostinundeceivingher，inmakingheracquaintedwiththerealtruth，andinendeavouringtobringhertohearittalkedofbyothers，withoutbetrayingthatshefeltanyuneasinessforhersister，oranyresentmentagainstEdward。

Elinor’sofficewasapainfulone——Shewasgoingtoremovewhatshereallybelievedtobehersister’schiefconsolation，——togivesuchparticularsofEdwardasshefearedwouldruinhimforeverinhergoodopinion，-andtomakeMarianne，byaresemblanceintheirsituations，whichtoHERfancywouldseemstrong，feelallherowndisappointmentoveragain。Butunwelcomeassuchataskmustbe，itwasnecessarytobedone，andElinorthereforehastenedtoperformit。

Shewasveryfarfromwishingtodwellonherownfeelings，ortorepresentherselfassufferingmuch，anyotherwisethanastheself-commandshehadpractisedsinceherfirstknowledgeofEdward’sengagement，mightsuggestahintofwhatwaspracticabletoMarianne。

Hernarrationwasclearandsimple;andthoughitcouldnotbegivenwithoutemotion，itwasnotaccompaniedbyviolentagitation，norimpetuousgrief——THATbelongedrathertothehearer，forMariannelistenedwithhorror，andcriedexcessively。Elinorwastobethecomforterofothersinherowndistresses，nolessthanintheirs;

andallthecomfortthatcouldbegivenbyassurancesofherowncomposureofmind，andaveryearnestvindicationofEdwardfromeverychargebutofimprudence，wasreadilyoffered。

ButMarianneforsometimewouldgivecredittoneither。

EdwardseemedasecondWilloughby;andacknowledgingasElinordid，thatsheHADlovedhimmostsincerely，couldshefeellessthanherself！，AsforLucySteele，sheconsideredhersototallyunamiable，soabsolutelyincapableofattachingasensibleman，thatshecouldnotbepersuadedatfirsttobelieve，andafterwardstopardon，anyformeraffectionofEdwardforher。

Shewouldnotevenadmitittohavebeennatural;

andElinorlefthertobeconvincedthatitwasso，bythatwhichonlycouldconvinceher，abetterknowledgeofmankind。

Herfirstcommunicationhadreachednofartherthantostatethefactoftheengagement，andthelengthoftimeithadexisted——Marianne’sfeelingshadthenbrokenin，andputanendtoallregularityofdetail;andforsometimeallthatcouldbedonewastosootheherdistress，lessenheralarms，andcombatherresentment。Thefirstquestiononherside，whichledtofartherparticulars，was，“Howlonghasthisbeenknowntoyou，Elinor？

hashewrittentoyou？”

“Ihaveknownitthesefourmonths。WhenLucyfirstcametoBartonParklastNovember，shetoldmeinconfidenceofherengagement。”

Atthesewords，Marianne’seyesexpressedtheastonishmentwhichherlipscouldnotutter。Afterapauseofwonder，sheexclaimed——

“Fourmonths！——Haveyouknownofthisfourmonths？”

Elinorconfirmedit。

“What！——whileattendingmeinallmymisery，hasthisbeenonyourheart？——AndIhavereproachedyouforbeinghappy！”——

“ItwasnotfitthatyoushouldthenknowhowmuchIwasthereverse！”

“Fourmonths！”——criedMarianneagain——“Socalm！——

socheerful！——howhaveyoubeensupported？”——

“ByfeelingthatIwasdoingmyduty——MypromisetoLucy，obligedmetobesecret。Iowedittoher，therefore，toavoidgivinganyhintofthetruth;andIowedittomyfamilyandfriends，nottocreateinthemasolicitudeaboutme，whichitcouldnotbeinmypowertosatisfy。”

Marianneseemedmuchstruck。

“Ihaveveryoftenwishedtoundeceiveyourselfandmymother，“addedElinor;“andonceortwiceIhaveattemptedit;——

butwithoutbetrayingmytrust，Inevercouldhaveconvincedyou。”

“Fourmonths！——andyetyoulovedhim！”——

“Yes。ButIdidnotloveonlyhim;——andwhilethecomfortofotherswasdeartome，IwasgladtosparethemfromknowinghowmuchIfelt。Now，Icanthinkandspeakofitwithlittleemotion。Iwouldnothaveyousufferonmyaccount;

forIassureyouInolongersuffermateriallymyself。

Ihavemanythingstosupportme。Iamnotconsciousofhavingprovokedthedisappointmentbyanyimprudenceofmyown，Ihaveborneitasmuchaspossiblewithoutspreadingitfarther。IacquitEdwardofessentialmisconduct。

Iwishhimveryhappy;andIamsosureofhisalwaysdoinghisduty，thatthoughnowhemayharboursomeregret，intheendhemustbecomeso。Lucydoesnotwantsense，andthatisthefoundationonwhicheverythinggoodmaybebuilt——Andafterall，Marianne，afterallthatisbewitchingintheideaofasingleandconstantattachment，andallthatcanbesaidofone’shappinessdependingentirelyonanyparticularperson，itisnotmeant——itisnotfit——itisnotpossiblethatitshouldbeso——

EdwardwillmarryLucy;hewillmarryawomansuperiorinpersonandunderstandingtohalfhersex;andtimeandhabitwillteachhimtoforgetthatheeverthoughtanothersuperiortoHER。”——

“Ifsuchisyourwayofthinking，“saidMarianne，“ifthelossofwhatismostvaluedissoeasilytobemadeupbysomethingelse，yourresolution，yourself-command，are，perhaps，alittlelesstobewonderedat——Theyarebroughtmorewithinmycomprehension。”

“Iunderstandyou——YoudonotsupposethatIhaveeverfeltmuch——Forfourmonths，Marianne，Ihavehadallthishangingonmymind，withoutbeingatlibertytospeakofittoasinglecreature;knowingthatitwouldmakeyouandmymothermostunhappywheneveritwereexplainedtoyou，yetunabletoprepareyouforitintheleast——

Itwastoldme，——itwasinamannerforcedonmebytheverypersonherself，whosepriorengagementruinedallmyprospects;andtoldme，asIthought，withtriumph——

Thisperson’ssuspicions，therefore，Ihavehadtooppose，byendeavouringtoappearindifferentwhereIhavebeenmostdeeplyinterested;——andithasnotbeenonlyonce;——Ihavehadherhopesandexultationtolistentoagainandagain——

IhaveknownmyselftobedividedfromEdwardforever，withouthearingonecircumstancethatcouldmakemelessdesiretheconnection——Nothinghasprovedhimunworthy;

norhasanythingdeclaredhimindifferenttome——

Ihavehadtocontendagainsttheunkindnessofhissister，andtheinsolenceofhismother;andhavesufferedthepunishmentofanattachment，withoutenjoyingitsadvantages——

Andallthishasbeengoingonatatime，when，asyouknowtoowell，ithasnotbeenmyonlyunhappiness——

Ifyoucanthinkmecapableofeverfeeling——surelyyoumaysupposethatIhavesufferedNOW。ThecomposureofmindwithwhichIhavebroughtmyselfatpresenttoconsiderthematter，theconsolationthatIhavebeenwillingtoadmit，havebeentheeffectofconstantandpainfulexertion;——theydidnotspringupofthemselves;——

theydidnotoccurtorelievemyspiritsatfirst——

No，Marianne——THEN，ifIhadnotbeenboundtosilence，perhapsnothingcouldhavekeptmeentirely——notevenwhatI

owedtomydearestfriends——fromopenlyshewingthatIwasVERYunhappy。”——

Mariannewasquitesubdued——

“Oh！Elinor，“shecried，“youhavemademehatemyselfforever——HowbarbaroushaveIbeentoyou！——

you，whohavebeenmyonlycomfort，whohavebornewithmeinallmymisery，whohaveseemedtobeonlysufferingforme！——Isthismygratitude？——IsthistheonlyreturnI

canmakeyou？——Becauseyourmeritcriesoutuponmyself，Ihavebeentryingtodoitaway。”

Thetenderestcaressesfollowedthisconfession。

Insuchaframeofmindasshewasnowin，Elinorhadnodifficultyinobtainingfromherwhateverpromisesherequired;andatherrequest，Marianneengagednevertospeakoftheaffairtoanyonewiththeleastappearanceofbitterness;——tomeetLucywithoutbetrayingthesmallestincreaseofdisliketoher;——andeventoseeEdwardhimself，ifchanceshouldbringthemtogether，withoutanydiminutionofherusualcordiality——

Theseweregreatconcessions;——butwhereMariannefeltthatshehadinjured，noreparationcouldbetoomuchforhertomake。

Sheperformedherpromiseofbeingdiscreet，toadmiration——SheattendedtoallthatMrs。Jenningshadtosayuponthesubject，withanunchangingcomplexion，dissentedfromherinnothing，andwasheardthreetimestosay，“Yes，ma’am。”——ShelistenedtoherpraiseofLucywithonlymovingfromonechairtoanother，andwhenMrs。JenningstalkedofEdward’saffection，itcostheronlyaspasminherthroat——Suchadvancestowardsheroisminhersister，madeElinorfeelequaltoanythingherself。

Thenextmorningbroughtafarthertrialofit，inavisitfromtheirbrother，whocamewithamostseriousaspecttotalkoverthedreadfulaffair，andbringthemnewsofhiswife。

“Youhaveheard，Isuppose，“saidhewithgreatsolemnity，assoonashewasseated，“oftheveryshockingdiscoverythattookplaceunderourroofyesterday。”

Theyalllookedtheirassent;itseemedtooawfulamomentforspeech。

“Yoursister，“hecontinued，“hassuffereddreadfully。

Mrs。Ferrarstoo——inshortithasbeenasceneofsuchcomplicateddistress——butIwillhopethatthestormmaybeweatheredwithoutourbeinganyofusquiteovercome。

PoorFanny！shewasinhystericsallyesterday。

ButIwouldnotalarmyoutoomuch。Donavansaysthereisnothingmateriallytobeapprehended;herconstitutionisagoodone，andherresolutionequaltoanything。

Shehasborneitall，withthefortitudeofanangel！

Shesaysshenevershallthinkwellofanybodyagain;

andonecannotwonderatit，afterbeingsodeceived！——

meetingwithsuchingratitude，wheresomuchkindnesshadbeenshewn，somuchconfidencehadbeenplaced！，Itwasquiteoutofthebenevolenceofherheart，thatshehadaskedtheseyoungwomentoherhouse;merelybecauseshethoughttheydeservedsomeattention，wereharmless，well-behavedgirls，andwouldbepleasantcompanions;

forotherwisewebothwishedverymuchtohaveinvitedyouandMariannetobewithus，whileyourkindfriendthere，wasattendingherdaughter。Andnowtobesorewarded！

’Iwish，withallmyheart，’sayspoorFannyinheraffectionateway，’thatwehadaskedyoursistersinsteadofthem。’“

Herehestoppedtobethanked;whichbeingdone，hewenton。

“WhatpoorMrs。Ferrarssuffered，whenfirstFannybrokeittoher，isnottobedescribed。Whileshewiththetruestaffectionhadbeenplanningamosteligibleconnectionforhim，wasittobesupposedthathecouldbeallthetimesecretlyengagedtoanotherperson！——suchasuspicioncouldneverhaveenteredherhead！，IfshesuspectedANYprepossessionelsewhere，itcouldnotbeinTHATquarter。’THERE，tobesure，’saidshe，’Imighthavethoughtmyselfsafe。’Shewasquiteinanagony。

Weconsultedtogether，however，astowhatshouldbedone，andatlastshedeterminedtosendforEdward。

Hecame。ButIamsorrytorelatewhatensued。

AllthatMrs。Ferrarscouldsaytomakehimputanendtotheengagement，assistedtooasyoumaywellsupposebymyarguments，andFanny’sentreaties，wasofnoavail。Duty，affection，everythingwasdisregarded。

IneverthoughtEdwardsostubborn，sounfeelingbefore。

Hismotherexplainedtohimherliberaldesigns，incaseofhismarryingMissMorton;toldhimshewouldsettleonhimtheNorfolkestate，which，clearofland-tax，bringsinagoodthousanda-year;offeredeven，whenmattersgrewdesperate，tomakeittwelvehundred;andinoppositiontothis，ifhestillpersistedinthislowconnection，representedtohimthecertainpenurythatmustattendthematch。Hisowntwothousandpoundssheprotestedshouldbehisall;shewouldneverseehimagain;andsofarwouldshebefromaffordinghimthesmallestassistance，thatifheweretoenterintoanyprofessionwithaviewofbettersupport，shewoulddoallinherpowertopreventhimadvancinginit。”

HereMarianne，inanecstasyofindignation，clappedherhandstogether，andcried，“GraciousGod！

canthisbepossible！”

“Wellmayyouwonder，Marianne，“repliedherbrother，“attheobstinacywhichcouldresistsuchargumentsasthese。

Yourexclamationisverynatural。”

Mariannewasgoingtoretort，butsherememberedherpromises，andforbore。

“Allthis，however，“hecontinued，“wasurgedinvain。

Edwardsaidverylittle;butwhathedidsay，wasinthemostdeterminedmanner。Nothingshouldprevailonhimtogiveuphisengagement。Hewouldstandtoit，costhimwhatitmight。”

“Then，“criedMrs。Jenningswithbluntsincerity，nolongerabletobesilent，“hehasactedlikeanhonestman！Ibegyourpardon，Mr。Dashwood，butifhehaddoneotherwise，Ishouldhavethoughthimarascal。

Ihavesomelittleconcerninthebusiness，aswellasyourself，forLucySteeleismycousin，andIbelievethereisnotabetterkindofgirlintheworld，noronewhomoredeservesagoodhusband。”