Shethoughtitprobablethatastheylivedinthesamecounty，Mrs。PalmermightbeabletogivesomemoreparticularaccountofWilloughby’sgeneralcharacter，thancouldbegatheredfromtheMiddletons’
partialacquaintancewithhim;andshewaseagertogainfromanyone，suchaconfirmationofhismeritsasmightremovethepossibilityoffearfromMarianne。ShebeganbyinquiringiftheysawmuchofMr。WilloughbyatCleveland，andwhethertheywereintimatelyacquaintedwithhim。
“Ohdear，yes;Iknowhimextremelywell，“
repliedMrs。Palmer;——“NotthatIeverspoketohim，indeed;butIhaveseenhimforeverintown。
SomehoworotherIneverhappenedtobestayingatBartonwhilehewasatAllenham。Mamasawhimhereoncebefore;——
butIwaswithmyuncleatWeymouth。However，IdaresayweshouldhaveseenagreatdealofhiminSomersetshire，ifithadnothappenedveryunluckilythatweshouldneverhavebeeninthecountrytogether。HeisverylittleatCombe，Ibelieve;butifhewereeversomuchthere，IdonotthinkMr。Palmerwouldvisithim，forheisintheopposition，youknow，andbesidesitissuchawayoff。Iknowwhyyouinquireabouthim，verywell;
yoursisteristomarryhim。Iammonstrousgladofit，forthenIshallhaveherforaneighbouryouknow。”
“Uponmyword，“repliedElinor，“youknowmuchmoreofthematterthanIdo，ifyouhaveanyreasontoexpectsuchamatch。”
“Don’tpretendtodenyit，becauseyouknowitiswhateverybodytalksof。IassureyouIheardofitinmywaythroughtown。”
“MydearMrs。Palmer！”
“UponmyhonourIdid——ImetColonelBrandonMondaymorninginBond-street，justbeforewelefttown，andhetoldmeofitdirectly。”
“Yousurprisemeverymuch。ColonelBrandontellyouofit！，Surelyyoumustbemistaken。Togivesuchintelligencetoapersonwhocouldnotbeinterestedinit，evenifitweretrue，isnotwhatIshouldexpectColonelBrandontodo。”
“ButIdoassureyouitwasso，forallthat，andIwilltellyouhowithappened。Whenwemethim，heturnedbackandwalkedwithus;andsowebegantalkingofmybrotherandsister，andonethingandanother，andIsaidtohim，’So，Colonel，thereisanewfamilycometoBartoncottage，Ihear，andmamasendsmewordtheyareverypretty，andthatoneofthemisgoingtobemarriedtoMr。WilloughbyofCombeMagna。Isittrue，pray？forofcourseyoumustknow，asyouhavebeeninDevonshiresolately。’“
“AndwhatdidtheColonelsay？”
“Oh——hedidnotsaymuch;buthelookedasifheknewittobetrue，sofromthatmomentIsetitdownascertain。Itwillbequitedelightful，Ideclare！
Whenisittotakeplace？”
“Mr。BrandonwasverywellIhope？”
“Oh！yes，quitewell;andsofullofyourpraises，hedidnothingbutsayfinethingsofyou。”
“Iamflatteredbyhiscommendation。
Heseemsanexcellentman;andIthinkhimuncommonlypleasing。”
“SodoI——Heissuchacharmingman，thatitisquiteapityheshouldbesograveandsodull。
MammasaysHEwasinlovewithyoursistertoo——
Iassureyouitwasagreatcomplimentifhewas，forhehardlyeverfallsinlovewithanybody。”
“IsMr。WilloughbymuchknowninyourpartofSomersetshire？”saidElinor。
“Oh！yes，extremelywell;thatis，Idonotbelievemanypeopleareacquaintedwithhim，becauseCombeMagnaissofaroff;buttheyallthinkhimextremelyagreeableIassureyou。NobodyismorelikedthanMr。Willoughbywhereverhegoes，andsoyoumaytellyoursister。
Sheisamonstrousluckygirltogethim，uponmyhonour;
notbutthatheismuchmoreluckyingettingher，becausesheissoveryhandsomeandagreeable，thatnothingcanbegoodenoughforher。However，Idon’tthinkherhardlyatallhandsomerthanyou，Iassureyou;
forIthinkyoubothexcessivelypretty，andsodoesMr。PalmertooIamsure，thoughwecouldnotgethimtoownitlastnight。”
Mrs。Palmer’sinformationrespectingWilloughbywasnotverymaterial;butanytestimonyinhisfavour，howeversmall，waspleasingtoher。
“Iamsogladwearegotacquaintedatlast，“
continuedCharlotte——“AndnowIhopeweshallalwaysbegreatfriends。Youcan’tthinkhowmuchIlongedtoseeyou！
Itissodelightfulthatyoushouldliveatthecottage！
Nothingcanbelikeit，tobesure！，AndIamsogladyoursisterisgoingtobewellmarried！，IhopeyouwillbeagreatdealatCombeMagna。Itisasweetplace，byallaccounts。”
“YouhavebeenlongacquaintedwithColonelBrandon，havenotyou？”
“Yes，agreatwhile;eversincemysistermarried——
HewasaparticularfriendofSirJohn’s。Ibelieve，“
sheaddedinalowvoice，“hewouldhavebeenverygladtohavehadme，ifhecould。SirJohnandLadyMiddletonwisheditverymuch。Butmamadidnotthinkthematchgoodenoughforme，otherwiseSirJohnwouldhavementionedittotheColonel，andweshouldhavebeenmarriedimmediately。”
“DidnotColonelBrandonknowofSirJohn’sproposaltoyourmotherbeforeitwasmade？，Hadheneverownedhisaffectiontoyourself？”
“Oh，no;butifmamahadnotobjectedtoit，Idaresayhewouldhavelikeditofallthings。
Hehadnotseenmethenabovetwice，foritwasbeforeIleftschool。However，IammuchhappierasIam。
Mr。PalmeristhekindofmanIlike。”
chapter21
CHAPTER21
ThePalmersreturnedtoClevelandthenextday，andthetwofamiliesatBartonwereagainlefttoentertaineachother。Butthisdidnotlastlong;Elinorhadhardlygottheirlastvisitorsoutofherhead，hadhardlydonewonderingatCharlotte’sbeingsohappywithoutacause，atMr。Palmer’sactingsosimply，withgoodabilities，andatthestrangeunsuitablenesswhichoftenexistedbetweenhusbandandwife，beforeSirJohn’sandMrs。Jennings’sactivezealinthecauseofsociety，procuredhersomeothernewacquaintancetoseeandobserve。
Inamorning’sexcursiontoExeter，theyhadmetwithtwoyoungladies，whomMrs。Jenningshadthesatisfactionofdiscoveringtobeherrelations，andthiswasenoughforSirJohntoinvitethemdirectlytothepark，assoonastheirpresentengagementsatExeterwereover。
TheirengagementsatExeterinstantlygavewaybeforesuchaninvitation，andLadyMiddletonwasthrownintonolittlealarmonthereturnofSirJohn，byhearingthatshewasverysoontoreceiveavisitfromtwogirlswhomshehadneverseeninherlife，andofwhoseelegance，——
whosetolerablegentilityeven，shecouldhavenoproof;
fortheassurancesofherhusbandandmotheronthatsubjectwentfornothingatall。Theirbeingherrelationstoomadeitsomuchtheworse;andMrs。Jennings’sattemptsatconsolationwerethereforeunfortunatelyfounded，whensheadvisedherdaughternottocareabouttheirbeingsofashionable;becausetheywereallcousinsandmustputupwithoneanother。Asitwasimpossible，however，nowtopreventtheircoming，LadyMiddletonresignedherselftotheideaofit，withallthephilosophyofawell-bredwoman，contentingherselfwithmerelygivingherhusbandagentlereprimandonthesubjectfiveorsixtimeseveryday。
Theyoungladiesarrived：theirappearancewasbynomeansungenteelorunfashionable。Theirdresswasverysmart，theirmannersverycivil，theyweredelightedwiththehouse，andinraptureswiththefurniture，andtheyhappenedtobesodoatinglyfondofchildrenthatLadyMiddleton’sgoodopinionwasengagedintheirfavourbeforetheyhadbeenanhouratthePark。
Shedeclaredthemtobeveryagreeablegirlsindeed，whichforherladyshipwasenthusiasticadmiration。
SirJohn’sconfidenceinhisownjudgmentrosewiththisanimatedpraise，andhesetoffdirectlyforthecottagetotelltheMissDashwoodsoftheMissSteeles’arrival，andtoassurethemoftheirbeingthesweetestgirlsintheworld。Fromsuchcommendationasthis，however，therewasnotmuchtobelearned;ElinorwellknewthatthesweetestgirlsintheworldweretobemetwithineverypartofEngland，undereverypossiblevariationofform，face，temperandunderstanding。
SirJohnwantedthewholefamilytowalktotheParkdirectlyandlookathisguests。Benevolent，philanthropicman！，Itwaspainfultohimeventokeepathirdcousintohimself。
“Docomenow，“saidhe——“praycome——youmustcome——I
declareyoushallcome——Youcan’tthinkhowyouwilllikethem。Lucyismonstrouspretty，andsogoodhumouredandagreeable！，Thechildrenareallhangingaboutheralready，asifshewasanoldacquaintance。Andtheybothlongtoseeyouofallthings，fortheyhaveheardatExeterthatyouarethemostbeautifulcreaturesintheworld;
andIhavetoldthemitisallverytrue，andagreatdealmore。YouwillbedelightedwiththemIamsure。
Theyhavebroughtthewholecoachfullofplaythingsforthechildren。Howcanyoubesocrossasnottocome？
Whytheyareyourcousins，youknow，afterafashion。
YOUaremycousins，andtheyaremywife’s，soyoumustberelated。”
ButSirJohncouldnotprevail。HecouldonlyobtainapromiseoftheircallingattheParkwithinadayortwo，andthenlefttheminamazementattheirindifference，towalkhomeandboastanewoftheirattractionstotheMissSteeles，ashehadbeenalreadyboastingoftheMissSteelestothem。
WhentheirpromisedvisittotheParkandconsequentintroductiontotheseyoungladiestookplace，theyfoundintheappearanceoftheeldest，whowasnearlythirty，withaveryplainandnotasensibleface，nothingtoadmire;
butintheother，whowasnotmorethantwoorthreeandtwenty，theyacknowledgedconsiderablebeauty;herfeatureswerepretty，andshehadasharpquickeye，andasmartnessofair，whichthoughitdidnotgiveactualeleganceorgrace，gavedistinctiontoherperson——
Theirmannerswereparticularlycivil，andElinorsoonallowedthemcreditforsomekindofsense，whenshesawwithwhatconstantandjudiciousattentiontheyweremakingthemselvesagreeabletoLadyMiddleton。
Withherchildrentheywereincontinualraptures，extollingtheirbeauty，courtingtheirnotice，andhumouringtheirwhims;andsuchoftheirtimeascouldbesparedfromtheimportunatedemandswhichthispolitenessmadeonit，wasspentinadmirationofwhateverherladyshipwasdoing，ifshehappenedtobedoinganything，orintakingpatternsofsomeelegantnewdress，inwhichherappearancethedaybeforehadthrownthemintounceasingdelight。
Fortunatelyforthosewhopaytheircourtthroughsuchfoibles，afondmother，though，inpursuitofpraiseforherchildren，themostrapaciousofhumanbeings，islikewisethemostcredulous;herdemandsareexorbitant;
butshewillswallowanything;andtheexcessiveaffectionandenduranceoftheMissSteelestowardsheroffspringwereviewedthereforebyLadyMiddletonwithoutthesmallestsurpriseordistrust。Shesawwithmaternalcomplacencyalltheimpertinentencroachmentsandmischievoustrickstowhichhercousinssubmitted。
Shesawtheirsashesuntied，theirhairpulledabouttheirears，theirwork-bagssearched，andtheirknivesandscissorsstolenaway，andfeltnodoubtofitsbeingareciprocalenjoyment。ItsuggestednoothersurprisethanthatElinorandMarianneshouldsitsocomposedlyby，withoutclaimingashareinwhatwaspassing。
“Johnisinsuchspiritstoday！”saidshe，onhistakingMissSteeles’spockethandkerchief，andthrowingitoutofwindow——“Heisfullofmonkeytricks。”
Andsoonafterwards，onthesecondboy’sviolentlypinchingoneofthesamelady’sfingers，shefondlyobserved，“HowplayfulWilliamis！”
“AndhereismysweetlittleAnnamaria，“sheadded，tenderlycaressingalittlegirlofthreeyearsold，whohadnotmadeanoiseforthelasttwominutes;
“Andsheisalwayssogentleandquiet——Neverwastheresuchaquietlittlething！”
Butunfortunatelyinbestowingtheseembraces，apininherladyship’sheaddressslightlyscratchingthechild’sneck，producedfromthispatternofgentlenesssuchviolentscreams，ascouldhardlybeoutdonebyanycreatureprofessedlynoisy。Themother’sconsternationwasexcessive;butitcouldnotsurpassthealarmoftheMissSteeles，andeverythingwasdonebyallthree，insocriticalanemergency，whichaffectioncouldsuggestaslikelytoassuagetheagoniesofthelittlesufferer。
Shewasseatedinhermother’slap，coveredwithkisses，herwoundbathedwithlavender-water，byoneoftheMissSteeles，whowasonherkneestoattendher，andhermouthstuffedwithsugarplumsbytheother。
Withsucharewardforhertears，thechildwastoowisetoceasecrying。Shestillscreamedandsobbedlustily，kickedhertwobrothersforofferingtotouchher，andalltheirunitedsoothingswereineffectualtillLadyMiddletonluckilyrememberingthatinasceneofsimilardistresslastweek，someapricotmarmaladehadbeensuccessfullyappliedforabruisedtemple，thesameremedywaseagerlyproposedforthisunfortunatescratch，andaslightintermissionofscreamsintheyoungladyonhearingit，gavethemreasontohopethatitwouldnotberejected——
Shewascarriedoutoftheroomthereforeinhermother’sarms，inquestofthismedicine，andasthetwoboyschosetofollow，thoughearnestlyentreatedbytheirmothertostaybehind，thefouryoungladieswereleftinaquietnesswhichtheroomhadnotknownformanyhours。
“Poorlittlecreatures！”saidMissSteele，assoonastheyweregone。”Itmighthavebeenaverysadaccident。”
“YetIhardlyknowhow，“criedMarianne，“unlessithadbeenundertotallydifferentcircumstances。
Butthisistheusualwayofheighteningalarm，wherethereisnothingtobealarmedatinreality。”
“WhatasweetwomanLadyMiddletonis！”saidLucySteele。
Mariannewassilent;itwasimpossibleforhertosaywhatshedidnotfeel，howevertrivialtheoccasion;
anduponElinorthereforethewholetaskoftellinglieswhenpolitenessrequiredit，alwaysfell。Shedidherbestwhenthuscalledon，byspeakingofLadyMiddletonwithmorewarmththanshefelt，thoughwithfarlessthanMissLucy。
“AndSirJohntoo，“criedtheeldersister，“whatacharmingmanheis！”
Heretoo，MissDashwood’scommendation，beingonlysimpleandjust，cameinwithoutanyeclat。Shemerelyobservedthathewasperfectlygoodhumouredandfriendly。
“Andwhatacharminglittlefamilytheyhave！
I
neversawsuchfinechildreninmylife——IdeclareI
quitedoatuponthemalready，andindeedIamalwaysdistractedlyfondofchildren。”
“Ishouldguessso，“saidElinor，withasmile，“fromwhatIhavewitnessedthismorning。”
“Ihaveanotion，“saidLucy，“youthinkthelittleMiddletonsrathertoomuchindulged;perhapstheymaybetheoutsideofenough;butitissonaturalinLadyMiddleton;
andformypart，Ilovetoseechildrenfulloflifeandspirits;Icannotbearthemiftheyaretameandquiet。”
“Iconfess，“repliedElinor，“thatwhileI
amatBartonPark，Ineverthinkoftameandquietchildrenwithanyabhorrence。”
Ashortpausesucceededthisspeech，whichwasfirstbrokenbyMissSteele，whoseemedverymuchdisposedforconversation，andwhonowsaidratherabruptly，“AndhowdoyoulikeDevonshire，MissDashwood？，IsupposeyouwereverysorrytoleaveSussex。”
Insomesurpriseatthefamiliarityofthisquestion，oratleastofthemannerinwhichitwasspoken，Elinorrepliedthatshewas。
“Norlandisaprodigiousbeautifulplace，isnotit？”
addedMissSteele。
“WehaveheardSirJohnadmireitexcessively，“
saidLucy，whoseemedtothinksomeapologynecessaryforthefreedomofhersister。
“IthinkeveryoneMUSTadmireit，“repliedElinor，“whoeversawtheplace;thoughitisnottobesupposedthatanyonecanestimateitsbeautiesaswedo。”
“Andhadyouagreatmanysmartbeauxthere？
I
supposeyouhavenotsomanyinthispartoftheworld;
formypart，Ithinktheyareavastadditionalways。”
“Butwhyshouldyouthink，“saidLucy，lookingashamedofhersister，“thattherearenotasmanygenteelyoungmeninDevonshireasSussex？”
“Nay，mydear，I’msureIdon’tpretendtosaythattherean’t。I’msurethere’savastmanysmartbeauxinExeter;
butyouknow，howcouldItellwhatsmartbeauxtheremightbeaboutNorland;andIwasonlyafraidtheMissDashwoodsmightfinditdullatBarton，iftheyhadnotsomanyastheyusedtohave。Butperhapsyouyoungladiesmaynotcareaboutthebeaux，andhadasliefbewithoutthemaswiththem。Formypart，Ithinktheyarevastlyagreeable，providedtheydresssmartandbehavecivil。
ButIcan’tbeartoseethemdirtyandnasty。Nowthere’sMr。RoseatExeter，aprodigioussmartyoungman，quiteabeau，clerktoMr。Simpson，youknow，andyetifyoudobutmeethimofamorning，heisnotfittobeseen——
Isupposeyourbrotherwasquiteabeau，MissDashwood，beforehemarried，ashewassorich？”
“Uponmyword，“repliedElinor，“Icannottellyou，forIdonotperfectlycomprehendthemeaningoftheword。
ButthisIcansay，thatifheeverwasabeaubeforehemarried，heisonestillforthereisnotthesmallestalterationinhim。”
“Oh！dear！oneneverthinksofmarriedmen’sbeingbeaux——theyhavesomethingelsetodo。”
“Lord！Anne，“criedhersister，“youcantalkofnothingbutbeaux;——youwillmakeMissDashwoodbelieveyouthinkofnothingelse。”Andthentoturnthediscourse，shebeganadmiringthehouseandthefurniture。
ThisspecimenoftheMissSteeleswasenough。
Thevulgarfreedomandfollyoftheeldestlefthernorecommendation，andasElinorwasnotblindedbythebeauty，ortheshrewdlookoftheyoungest，toherwantofrealeleganceandartlessness，sheleftthehousewithoutanywishofknowingthembetter。
NotsotheMissSteeles——TheycamefromExeter，wellprovidedwithadmirationfortheuseofSirJohnMiddleton，hisfamily，andallhisrelations，andnoniggardlyproportionwasnowdealtouttohisfaircousins，whomtheydeclaredtobethemostbeautiful，elegant，accomplished，andagreeablegirlstheyhadeverbeheld，andwithwhomtheywereparticularlyanxioustobebetteracquainted——
Andtobebetteracquaintedtherefore，Elinorsoonfoundwastheirinevitablelot，forasSirJohnwasentirelyonthesideoftheMissSteeles，theirpartywouldbetoostrongforopposition，andthatkindofintimacymustbesubmittedto，whichconsistsofsittinganhourortwotogetherinthesameroomalmosteveryday。
SirJohncoulddonomore;buthedidnotknowthatanymorewasrequired：tobetogetherwas，inhisopinion，tobeintimate，andwhilehiscontinualschemesfortheirmeetingwereeffectual，hehadnotadoubtoftheirbeingestablishedfriends。
Todohimjustice，hedideverythinginhispowertopromotetheirunreserve，bymakingtheMissSteelesacquaintedwithwhateverhekneworsupposedofhiscousins’
situationsinthemostdelicateparticulars，——andElinorhadnotseenthemmorethantwice，beforetheeldestofthemwishedherjoyonhersister’shavingbeensoluckyastomakeaconquestofaverysmartbeausinceshecametoBarton。
“’Twillbeafinethingtohavehermarriedsoyoungtobesure，“saidshe，“andIhearheisquiteabeau，andprodigioushandsome。AndIhopeyoumayhaveasgoodluckyourselfsoon，——butperhapsyoumayhaveafriendinthecorneralready。”
ElinorcouldnotsupposethatSirJohnwouldbemoreniceinproclaiminghissuspicionsofherregardforEdward，thanhehadbeenwithrespecttoMarianne;indeeditwasratherhisfavouritejokeofthetwo，asbeingsomewhatnewerandmoreconjectural;andsinceEdward’svisit，theyhadneverdinedtogetherwithouthisdrinkingtoherbestaffectionswithsomuchsignificancyandsomanynodsandwinks，astoexcitegeneralattention。TheletterF——
hadbeenlikewiseinvariablybroughtforward，andfoundproductiveofsuchcountlessjokes，thatitscharacterasthewittiestletterinthealphabethadbeenlongestablishedwithElinor。
TheMissSteeles，assheexpected，hadnowallthebenefitofthesejokes，andintheeldestofthemtheyraisedacuriositytoknowthenameofthegentlemanalludedto，which，thoughoftenimpertinentlyexpressed，wasperfectlyofapiecewithhergeneralinquisitivenessintotheconcernsoftheirfamily。ButSirJohndidnotsportlongwiththecuriositywhichhedelightedtoraise，forhehadatleastasmuchpleasureintellingthename，asMissSteelehadinhearingit。
“HisnameisFerrars，“saidhe，inaveryaudiblewhisper;
“butpraydonottellit，forit’sagreatsecret。”
“Ferrars！”repeatedMissSteele;“Mr。Ferrarsisthehappyman，ishe？What！yoursister-in-law’sbrother，MissDashwood？averyagreeableyoungmantobesure;
Iknowhimverywell。”
“Howcanyousayso，Anne？”criedLucy，whogenerallymadeanamendmenttoallhersister’sassertions。
“Thoughwehaveseenhimonceortwiceatmyuncle’s，itisrathertoomuchtopretendtoknowhimverywell。”
Elinorheardallthiswithattentionandsurprise。
“Andwhowasthisuncle？，Wheredidhelive？，Howcametheyacquainted？”Shewishedverymuchtohavethesubjectcontinued，thoughshedidnotchusetojoininitherself;
butnothingmoreofitwassaid，andforthefirsttimeinherlife，shethoughtMrs。Jenningsdeficienteitherincuriosityafterpettyinformation，orinadispositiontocommunicateit。ThemannerinwhichMissSteelehadspokenofEdward，increasedhercuriosity;foritstruckherasbeingratherill-natured，andsuggestedthesuspicionofthatlady’sknowing，orfancyingherselftoknowsomethingtohisdisadvantage——Buthercuriositywasunavailing，fornofarthernoticewastakenofMr。Ferrars’snamebyMissSteelewhenalludedto，orevenopenlymentionedbySirJohn。
chapter22
CHAPTER22
Marianne，whohadnevermuchtolerationforanythinglikeimpertinence，vulgarity，inferiorityofparts，orevendifferenceoftastefromherself，wasatthistimeparticularlyill-disposed，fromthestateofherspirits，tobepleasedwiththeMissSteeles，ortoencouragetheiradvances;andtotheinvariablecoldnessofherbehaviourtowardsthem，whichcheckedeveryendeavouratintimacyontheirside，Elinorprincipallyattributedthatpreferenceofherselfwhichsoonbecameevidentinthemannersofboth，butespeciallyofLucy，whomissednoopportunityofengagingherinconversation，orofstrivingtoimprovetheiracquaintancebyaneasyandfrankcommunicationofhersentiments。
Lucywasnaturallyclever;herremarkswereoftenjustandamusing;andasacompanionforhalfanhourElinorfrequentlyfoundheragreeable;butherpowershadreceivednoaidfromeducation：shewasignorantandilliterate;andherdeficiencyofallmentalimprovement，herwantofinformationinthemostcommonparticulars，couldnotbeconcealedfromMissDashwood，inspiteofherconstantendeavourtoappeartoadvantage。Elinorsaw，andpitiedherfor，theneglectofabilitieswhicheducationmighthaverenderedsorespectable;butshesaw，withlesstendernessoffeeling，thethoroughwantofdelicacy，ofrectitude，andintegrityofmind，whichherattentions，herassiduities，herflatteriesattheParkbetrayed;
andshecouldhavenolastingsatisfactioninthecompanyofapersonwhojoinedinsinceritywithignorance;
whosewantofinstructionpreventedtheirmeetinginconversationontermsofequality，andwhoseconducttowardothersmadeeveryshewofattentionanddeferencetowardsherselfperfectlyvalueless。
“Youwillthinkmyquestionanoddone，Idaresay，“
saidLucytoheroneday，astheywerewalkingtogetherfromtheparktothecottage——“butpray，areyoupersonallyacquaintedwithyoursister-in-law’smother，Mrs。Ferrars？”
ElinorDIDthinkthequestionaveryoddone，andhercountenanceexpressedit，assheansweredthatshehadneverseenMrs。Ferrars。
“Indeed！”repliedLucy;“Iwonderatthat，forI
thoughtyoumusthaveseenheratNorlandsometimes。
Then，perhaps，youcannottellmewhatsortofawomansheis？”
“No，“returnedElinor，cautiousofgivingherrealopinionofEdward’smother，andnotverydesirousofsatisfyingwhatseemedimpertinentcuriosity——
“Iknownothingofher。”
“Iamsureyouthinkmeverystrange，forenquiringaboutherinsuchaway，“saidLucy，eyeingElinorattentivelyasshespoke;“butperhapstheremaybereasons——IwishImightventure;buthoweverIhopeyouwilldomethejusticeofbelievingthatIdonotmeantobeimpertinent。”
Elinormadeheracivilreply，andtheywalkedonforafewminutesinsilence。ItwasbrokenbyLucy，whorenewedthesubjectagainbysaying，withsomehesitation，“Icannotbeartohaveyouthinkmeimpertinentlycurious。
IamsureIwouldratherdoanythingintheworldthanbethoughtsobyapersonwhosegoodopinionissowellworthhavingasyours。AndIamsureIshouldnothavethesmallestfearoftrustingYOU;indeed，IshouldbeverygladofyouradvicehowtomanageinsuchanduncomfortablesituationasIam;but，however，thereisnooccasiontotroubleYOU。
IamsorryyoudonothappentoknowMrs。Ferrars。”
“IamsorryIdoNOT，“saidElinor，ingreatastonishment，“ifitcouldbeofanyusetoYOUtoknowmyopinionofher。
ButreallyIneverunderstoodthatyouwereatallconnectedwiththatfamily，andthereforeIamalittlesurprised，Iconfess，atsoseriousaninquiryintohercharacter。”
“Idaresayyouare，andIamsureIdonotatallwonderatit。ButifIdaredtellyouall，youwouldnotbesomuchsurprised。Mrs。Ferrarsiscertainlynothingtomeatpresent——butthetimeMAYcome——howsoonitwillcomemustdependuponherself——whenwemaybeveryintimatelyconnected。”
Shelookeddownasshesaidthis，amiablybashful，withonlyonesideglanceathercompaniontoobserveitseffectonher。
“Goodheavens！”criedElinor，“whatdoyoumean？
AreyouacquaintedwithMr。RobertFerrars？，Canyoube？”
Andshedidnotfeelmuchdelightedwiththeideaofsuchasister-in-law。
“No，“repliedLucy，“nottoMr。ROBERTFerrars——I
neversawhiminmylife;but，“fixinghereyesuponElinor，“tohiseldestbrother。”
WhatfeltElinoratthatmoment？Astonishment，thatwouldhavebeenaspainfulasitwasstrong，hadnotanimmediatedisbeliefoftheassertionattendedit。
SheturnedtowardsLucyinsilentamazement，unabletodivinethereasonorobjectofsuchadeclaration;andthoughhercomplexionvaried，shestoodfirminincredulity，andfeltinnodangerofanhystericalfit，oraswoon。
“Youmaywellbesurprised，“continuedLucy;
“fortobesureyoucouldhavehadnoideaofitbefore;
forIdaresayheneverdroppedthesmallesthintofittoyouoranyofyourfamily;becauseitwasalwaysmeanttobeagreatsecret，andIamsurehasbeenfaithfullykeptsobymetothishour。NotasoulofallmyrelationsknowofitbutAnne，andInevershouldhavementionedittoyou，ifIhadnotfeltthegreatestdependenceintheworlduponyoursecrecy;andIreallythoughtmybehaviourinaskingsomanyquestionsaboutMrs。Ferrarsmustseemsoodd，thatitoughttobeexplained。
AndIdonotthinkMr。Ferrarscanbedispleased，whenheknowsIhavetrustedyou，becauseIknowhehasthehighestopinionintheworldofallyourfamily，andlooksuponyourselfandtheotherMissDashwoodsquiteashisownsisters。”——Shepaused。
Elinorforafewmomentsremainedsilent。
Herastonishmentatwhatsheheardwasatfirsttoogreatforwords;butatlengthforcingherselftospeak，andtospeakcautiously，shesaid，withcalmnessofmanner，whichtolerablywellconcealedhersurpriseandsolicitude——
“MayIaskifyourengagementisoflongstanding？”
“Wehavebeenengagedthesefouryears。”
“Fouryears！”
“Yes。”
Elinor，thoughgreatlyshocked，stillfeltunabletobelieveit。
“Ididnotknow，“saidshe，“thatyouwereevenacquaintedtilltheotherday。”
“Ouracquaintance，however，isofmanyyearsdate。
Hewasundermyuncle’scare，youknow，aconsiderablewhile。”
“Youruncle！”
“Yes;Mr。Pratt。DidyouneverhearhimtalkofMr。Pratt？”
“IthinkIhave，“repliedElinor，withanexertionofspirits，whichincreasedwithherincreaseofemotion。
“Hewasfouryearswithmyuncle，wholivesatLongstaple，nearPlymouth。Itwasthereouracquaintancebegun，formysisterandmewasoftenstayingwithmyuncle，anditwasthereourengagementwasformed，thoughnottillayearafterhehadquittedasapupil;buthewasalmostalwayswithusafterwards。Iwasveryunwillingtoenterintoit，asyoumayimagine，withouttheknowledgeandapprobationofhismother;butIwastooyoung，andlovedhimtoowell，tobesoprudentasIoughttohavebeen——
Thoughyoudonotknowhimsowellasme，MissDashwood，youmusthaveseenenoughofhimtobesensibleheisverycapableofmakingawomansincerelyattachedtohim。”
“Certainly，“answeredElinor，withoutknowingwhatshesaid;butafteramoment’sreflection，sheadded，withrevivedsecurityofEdward’shonourandlove，andhercompanion’sfalsehood——“EngagedtoMr。EdwardFerrars！——Iconfessmyselfsototallysurprisedatwhatyoutellme，thatreally——Ibegyourpardon;
butsurelytheremustbesomemistakeofpersonorname。
WecannotmeanthesameMr。Ferrars。”
“Wecanmeannoother，“criedLucy，smiling。
“Mr。EdwardFerrars，theeldestsonofMrs。Ferrars，ofParkStreet，andbrotherofyoursister-in-law，Mrs。JohnDashwood，isthepersonImean;youmustallowthatIamnotlikelytobedeceivedastothenameofthemanonwhoallmyhappinessdepends。”
“Itisstrange，“repliedElinor，inamostpainfulperplexity，“thatIshouldneverhaveheardhimevenmentionyourname。”
“No;consideringoursituation，itwasnotstrange。
Ourfirstcarehasbeentokeepthemattersecret——
Youknewnothingofme，ormyfamily，and，therefore，therecouldbenoOCCASIONforevermentioningmynametoyou;and，ashewasalwaysparticularlyafraidofhissister’ssuspectinganything，THATwasreasonenoughforhisnotmentioningit。”
Shewassilent——Elinor’ssecuritysunk;butherself-commanddidnotsinkwithit。
“Fouryearsyouhavebeenengaged，“saidshewithafirmvoice。
“Yes;andheavenknowshowmuchlongerwemayhavetowait。PoorEdward！，Itputshimquiteoutofheart。”
Thentakingasmallminiaturefromherpocket，sheadded，“Topreventthepossibilityofmistake，besogoodastolookatthisface。Itdoesnotdohimjustice，tobesure，butyetIthinkyoucannotbedeceivedastothepersonitwasdrewfor——Ihavehaditabovethesethreeyears。”
Sheputitintoherhandsasshespoke;andwhenElinorsawthepainting，whateverotherdoubtsherfearofatoohastydecision，orherwishofdetectingfalsehoodmightsuffertolingerinhermind，shecouldhavenoneofitsbeingEdward’sface。Shereturneditalmostinstantly，acknowledgingthelikeness。
“Ihaveneverbeenable，“continuedLucy，“togivehimmypictureinreturn，whichIamverymuchvexedat，forhehasbeenalwayssoanxioustogetit！，ButIamdeterminedtosetforittheveryfirstopportunity。”
“Youarequiteintheright，“repliedElinorcalmly。
Theythenproceededafewpacesinsilence。Lucyspokefirst。
“Iamsure，“saidshe，“Ihavenodoubtintheworldofyourfaithfullykeepingthissecret，becauseyoumustknowofwhatimportanceitistous，nottohaveitreachhismother;forshewouldneverapproveofit，Idaresay。
Ishallhavenofortune，andIfancysheisanexceedingproudwoman。”
“Icertainlydidnotseekyourconfidence，“
saidElinor;
“butyoudomenomorethanjusticeinimaginingthatI
maybedependedon。Yoursecretissafewithme;
butpardonmeifIexpresssomesurpriseatsounnecessaryacommunication。Youmustatleasthavefeltthatmybeingacquaintedwithitcouldnotaddtoitssafety。”
Asshesaidthis，shelookedearnestlyatLucy，hopingtodiscoversomethinginhercountenance;perhapsthefalsehoodofthegreatestpartofwhatshehadbeensaying;
butLucy’scountenancesufferednochange。
“IwasafraidyouwouldthinkIwastakingagreatlibertywithyou，“saidshe，“intellingyouallthis。
Ihavenotknownyoulongtobesure，personallyatleast，butIhaveknownyouandallyourfamilybydescriptionagreatwhile;andassoonasIsawyou，Ifeltalmostasifyouwasanoldacquaintance。Besidesinthepresentcase，IreallythoughtsomeexplanationwasduetoyouaftermymakingsuchparticularinquiriesaboutEdward’smother;
andIamsounfortunate，thatIhavenotacreaturewhoseadviceIcanask。Anneistheonlypersonthatknowsofit，andshehasnojudgmentatall;indeed，shedoesmeagreatdealmoreharmthangood，forIaminconstantfearofherbetrayingme。Shedoesnotknowhowtoholdhertongue，asyoumustperceive，andIamsureIwasinthegreatestfrightintheworldt’otherday，whenEdward’snamewasmentionedbySirJohn，lestsheshouldoutwithitall。
Youcan’tthinkhowmuchIgothroughinmymindfromitaltogether。IonlywonderthatIamaliveafterwhatIhavesufferedforEdward’ssaketheselastfouryears。
Everythinginsuchsuspenseanduncertainty;andseeinghimsoseldom——wecanhardlymeetabovetwicea-year。
IamsureIwondermyheartisnotquitebroke。”
Hereshetookoutherhandkerchief;butElinordidnotfeelverycompassionate。
“Sometimes。”continuedLucy，afterwipinghereyes，“Ithinkwhetheritwouldnotbebetterforusbothtobreakoffthematterentirely。”，Asshesaidthis，shelookeddirectlyathercompanion。”ButthenatothertimesIhavenotresolutionenoughforit——
Icannotbearthethoughtsofmakinghimsomiserable，asIknowtheverymentionofsuchathingwoulddo。
Andonmyownaccounttoo——sodearasheistome——Idon’tthinkIcouldbeequaltoit。Whatwouldyouadvisemetodoinsuchacase，MissDashwood？，Whatwouldyoudoyourself？”
“Pardonme，“repliedElinor，startledbythequestion;
“butIcangiveyounoadviceundersuchcircumstances。
Yourownjudgmentmustdirectyou。”
“Tobesure，“continuedLucy，afterafewminutessilenceonbothsides，“hismothermustprovideforhimsometimeorother;butpoorEdwardissocastdownbyit！
Didyounotthinkhimdreadfullow-spiritedwhenhewasatBarton？，HewassomiserablewhenheleftusatLongstaple，togotoyou，thatIwasafraidyouwouldthinkhimquiteill。”
“Didhecomefromyouruncle’s，then，whenhevisitedus？”
“Oh，yes;hehadbeenstayingafortnightwithus。
Didyouthinkhecamedirectlyfromtown？”
“No，“repliedElinor，mostfeelinglysensibleofeveryfreshcircumstanceinfavourofLucy’sveracity;
“Irememberhetoldus，thathehadbeenstayingafortnightwithsomefriendsnearPlymouth。”
Sherememberedtoo，herownsurpriseatthetime，athismentioningnothingfartherofthosefriends，athistotalsilencewithrespecteventotheirnames。
“Didnotyouthinkhimsadlyoutofspirits？”
repeatedLucy。
“Wedid，indeed，particularlysowhenhefirstarrived。”
“Ibeggedhimtoexerthimselfforfearyoushouldsuspectwhatwasthematter;butitmadehimsomelancholy，notbeingabletostaymorethanafortnightwithus，andseeingmesomuchaffected——
Poorfellow！——Iamafraiditisjustthesamewithhimnow;
forhewritesinwretchedspirits。IheardfromhimjustbeforeIleftExeter;“takingaletterfromherpocketandcarelesslyshowingthedirectiontoElinor。
“Youknowhishand，Idaresay，acharmingoneitis;
butthatisnotwrittensowellasusual——Hewastired，Idaresay，forhehadjustfilledthesheettomeasfullaspossible。”
ElinorsawthatitWAShishand，andshecoulddoubtnolonger。Thispicture，shehadallowedherselftobelieve，mighthavebeenaccidentallyobtained;itmightnothavebeenEdward’sgift;butacorrespondencebetweenthembyletter，couldsubsistonlyunderapositiveengagement，couldbeauthorisedbynothingelse;forafewmoments，shewasalmostovercome——herheartsunkwithinher，andshecouldhardlystand;butexertionwasindispensablynecessary;
andshestruggledsoresolutelyagainsttheoppressionofherfeelings，thathersuccesswasspeedy，andforthetimecomplete。
“Writingtoeachother，“saidLucy，returningtheletterintoherpocket，“istheonlycomfortwehaveinsuchlongseparations。Yes，Ihaveoneothercomfortinhispicture，butpoorEdwardhasnotevenTHAT。
Ifhehadbutmypicture，hesaysheshouldbeeasy。
IgavehimalockofmyhairsetinaringwhenhewasatLongstaplelast，andthatwassomecomforttohim，hesaid，butnotequaltoapicture。Perhapsyoumightnoticetheringwhenyousawhim？”
“Idid，“saidElinor，withacomposureofvoice，underwhichwasconcealedanemotionanddistressbeyondanythingshehadeverfeltbefore。Shewasmortified，shocked，confounded。
Fortunatelyforher，theyhadnowreachedthecottage，andtheconversationcouldbecontinuednofarther。
Aftersittingwiththemafewminutes，theMissSteelesreturnedtothePark，andElinorwasthenatlibertytothinkandbewretched。
chapter23
CHAPTER23
HoweversmallElinor’sgeneraldependenceonLucy’sveracitymightbe，itwasimpossibleforheronseriousreflectiontosuspectitinthepresentcase，wherenotemptationcouldbeanswerabletothefollyofinventingafalsehoodofsuchadescription。WhatLucyhadassertedtobetrue，therefore，Elinorcouldnot，darednotlongerdoubt;supportedasitwastoooneverysidebysuchprobabilitiesandproofs，andcontradictedbynothingbutherownwishes。TheiropportunityofacquaintanceinthehouseofMr。Prattwasafoundationfortherest，atonceindisputableandalarming;andEdward’svisitnearPlymouth，hismelancholystateofmind，hisdissatisfactionathisownprospects，hisuncertainbehaviourtowardsherself，theintimateknowledgeoftheMissSteelesastoNorlandandtheirfamilyconnections，whichhadoftensurprisedher，thepicture，theletter，thering，formedaltogethersuchabodyofevidence，asovercameeveryfearofcondemninghimunfairly，andestablishedasafact，whichnopartialitycouldsetaside，hisill-treatmentofherself——Herresentmentofsuchbehaviour，herindignationathavingbeenitsdupe，forashorttimemadeherfeelonlyforherself;
butotherideas，otherconsiderations，soonarose。
HadEdwardbeenintentionallydeceivingher？，Hadhefeignedaregardforherwhichhedidnotfeel？，WashisengagementtoLucyanengagementoftheheart？，No;whateveritmightoncehavebeen，shecouldnotbelieveitsuchatpresent。
Hisaffectionwasallherown。Shecouldnotbedeceivedinthat。Hermother，sisters，Fanny，allhadbeenconsciousofhisregardforheratNorland;itwasnotanillusionofherownvanity。Hecertainlylovedher。
Whatasofteneroftheheartwasthispersuasion！，Howmuchcoulditnottempthertoforgive！，Hehadbeenblamable，highlyblamable，inremainingatNorlandafterhefirstfeltherinfluenceoverhimtobemorethanitoughttobe。Inthat，hecouldnotbedefended;butifhehadinjuredher，howmuchmorehadheinjuredhimself;
ifhercasewerepitiable，hiswashopeless。
Hisimprudencehadmadehermiserableforawhile;butitseemedtohavedeprivedhimselfofallchanceofeverbeingotherwise。Shemightintimeregaintranquillity;
butHE，whathadhetolookforwardto？，CouldheeverbetolerablyhappywithLucySteele;couldhe，werehisaffectionforherselfoutofthequestion，withhisintegrity，hisdelicacy，andwell-informedmind，besatisfiedwithawifelikeher——illiterate，artful，andselfish？
Theyouthfulinfatuationofnineteenwouldnaturallyblindhimtoeverythingbutherbeautyandgoodnature;
butthefoursucceedingyears——years，whichifrationallyspent，givesuchimprovementtotheunderstanding，musthaveopenedhiseyestoherdefectsofeducation，whilethesameperiodoftime，spentonhersideininferiorsocietyandmorefrivolouspursuits，hadperhapsrobbedherofthatsimplicitywhichmightoncehavegivenaninterestingcharactertoherbeauty。
Ifinthesuppositionofhisseekingtomarryherself，hisdifficultiesfromhismotherhadseemedgreat，howmuchgreaterweretheynowlikelytobe，whentheobjectofhisengagementwasundoubtedlyinferiorinconnections，andprobablyinferiorinfortunetoherself。
Thesedifficulties，indeed，withaheartsoalienatedfromLucy，mightnotpressveryharduponhispatience;
butmelancholywasthestateofthepersonbywhomtheexpectationoffamilyoppositionandunkindness，couldbefeltasarelief！
Astheseconsiderationsoccurredtoherinpainfulsuccession，sheweptforhim，morethanforherself。
Supportedbytheconvictionofhavingdonenothingtomeritherpresentunhappiness，andconsoledbythebeliefthatEdwardhaddonenothingtoforfeitheresteem，shethoughtshecouldevennow，underthefirstsmartoftheheavyblow，commandherselfenoughtoguardeverysuspicionofthetruthfromhermotherandsisters。
Andsowellwassheabletoanswerherownexpectations，thatwhenshejoinedthematdinneronlytwohoursaftershehadfirstsufferedtheextinctionofallherdearesthopes，noonewouldhavesupposedfromtheappearanceofthesisters，thatElinorwasmourninginsecretoverobstacleswhichmustdivideherforeverfromtheobjectofherlove，andthatMariannewasinternallydwellingontheperfectionsofaman，ofwhosewholeheartshefeltthoroughlypossessed，andwhomsheexpectedtoseeineverycarriagewhichdroveneartheirhouse。
ThenecessityofconcealingfromhermotherandMarianne，whathadbeenentrustedinconfidencetoherself，thoughitobligedhertounceasingexertion，wasnoaggravationofElinor’sdistress。Onthecontraryitwasarelieftoher，tobesparedthecommunicationofwhatwouldgivesuchafflictiontothem，andtobesavedlikewisefromhearingthatcondemnationofEdward，whichwouldprobablyflowfromtheexcessoftheirpartialaffectionforherself，andwhichwasmorethanshefeltequaltosupport。
Fromtheircounsel，ortheirconversation，sheknewshecouldreceivenoassistance，theirtendernessandsorrowmustaddtoherdistress，whileherself-commandwouldneitherreceiveencouragementfromtheirexamplenorfromtheirpraise。Shewasstrongeralone，andherowngoodsensesowellsupportedher，thatherfirmnesswasasunshaken，herappearanceofcheerfulnessasinvariable，aswithregretssopoignantandsofresh，itwaspossibleforthemtobe。
MuchasshehadsufferedfromherfirstconversationwithLucyonthesubject，shesoonfeltanearnestwishofrenewingit;andthisformorereasonsthanone。
Shewantedtohearmanyparticularsoftheirengagementrepeatedagain，shewantedmoreclearlytounderstandwhatLucyreallyfeltforEdward，whethertherewereanysincerityinherdeclarationoftenderregardforhim，andsheparticularlywantedtoconvinceLucy，byherreadinesstoenteronthematteragain，andhercalmnessinconversingonit，thatshewasnootherwiseinterestedinitthanasafriend，whichsheverymuchfearedherinvoluntaryagitation，intheirmorningdiscourse，musthaveleftatleastdoubtful。ThatLucywasdisposedtobejealousofherappearedveryprobable：itwasplainthatEdwardhadalwaysspokenhighlyinherpraise，notmerelyfromLucy’sassertion，butfromherventuringtotrustheronsoshortapersonalacquaintance，withasecretsoconfessedlyandevidentlyimportant。
AndevenSirJohn’sjokingintelligencemusthavehadsomeweight。Butindeed，whileElinorremainedsowellassuredwithinherselfofbeingreallybelovedbyEdward，itrequirednootherconsiderationofprobabilitiestomakeitnaturalthatLucyshouldbejealous;
andthatshewasso，herveryconfidencewasaproof。
Whatotherreasonforthedisclosureoftheaffaircouldtherebe，butthatElinormightbeinformedbyitofLucy’ssuperiorclaimsonEdward，andbetaughttoavoidhiminfuture？，Shehadlittledifficultyinunderstandingthusmuchofherrival’sintentions，andwhileshewasfirmlyresolvedtoactbyheraseveryprincipleofhonourandhonestydirected，tocombatherownaffectionforEdwardandtoseehimaslittleaspossible;shecouldnotdenyherselfthecomfortofendeavouringtoconvinceLucythatherheartwasunwounded。Andasshecouldnowhavenothingmorepainfultohearonthesubjectthanhadalreadybeentold，shedidnotmistrustherownabilityofgoingthrougharepetitionofparticularswithcomposure。
Butitwasnotimmediatelythatanopportunityofdoingsocouldbecommanded，thoughLucywasaswelldisposedasherselftotakeadvantageofanythatoccurred;
fortheweatherwasnotoftenfineenoughtoallowoftheirjoininginawalk，wheretheymightmosteasilyseparatethemselvesfromtheothers;andthoughtheymetatleasteveryothereveningeitherattheparkorcottage，andchieflyattheformer，theycouldnotbesupposedtomeetforthesakeofconversation。
SuchathoughtwouldneverentereitherSirJohnorLadyMiddleton’shead;andthereforeverylittleleisurewasevergivenforageneralchat，andnoneatallforparticulardiscourse。Theymetforthesakeofeating，drinking，andlaughingtogether，playingatcards，orconsequences，oranyothergamethatwassufficientlynoisy。
Oneortwomeetingsofthiskindhadtakenplace，withoutaffordingElinoranychanceofengagingLucyinprivate，whenSirJohncalledatthecottageonemorning，tobeg，inthenameofcharity，thattheywouldalldinewithLadyMiddletonthatday，ashewasobligedtoattendtheclubatExeter，andshewouldotherwisebequitealone，excepthermotherandthetwoMissSteeles。
Elinor，whoforesawafaireropeningforthepointshehadinview，insuchapartyasthiswaslikelytobe，moreatlibertyamongthemselvesunderthetranquilandwell-breddirectionofLadyMiddletonthanwhenherhusbandunitedthemtogetherinonenoisypurpose，immediatelyacceptedtheinvitation;Margaret，withhermother’spermission，wasequallycompliant，andMarianne，thoughalwaysunwillingtojoinanyoftheirparties，waspersuadedbyhermother，whocouldnotbeartohavehersecludeherselffromanychanceofamusement，togolikewise。
Theyoungladieswent，andLadyMiddletonwashappilypreservedfromthefrightfulsolitudewhichhadthreatenedher。
TheinsipidityofthemeetingwasexactlysuchasElinorhadexpected;itproducednotonenoveltyofthoughtorexpression，andnothingcouldbelessinterestingthanthewholeoftheirdiscoursebothinthediningparlouranddrawingroom：tothelatter，thechildrenaccompaniedthem，andwhiletheyremainedthere，shewastoowellconvincedoftheimpossibilityofengagingLucy’sattentiontoattemptit。Theyquitteditonlywiththeremovalofthetea-things。Thecard-tablewasthenplaced，andElinorbegantowonderatherselfforhavingeverentertainedahopeoffindingtimeforconversationatthepark。Theyallroseupinpreparationforaroundgame。
“Iamglad，“saidLadyMiddletontoLucy，“youarenotgoingtofinishpoorlittleAnnamaria’sbasketthisevening;forIamsureitmusthurtyoureyestoworkfiligreebycandlelight。Andwewillmakethedearlittlelovesomeamendsforherdisappointmentto-morrow，andthenIhopeshewillnotmuchmindit。”
Thishintwasenough，Lucyrecollectedherselfinstantlyandreplied，“Indeedyouareverymuchmistaken，LadyMiddleton;Iamonlywaitingtoknowwhetheryoucanmakeyourpartywithoutme，orIshouldhavebeenatmyfiligreealready。Iwouldnotdisappointthelittleangelforalltheworld：andifyouwantmeatthecard-tablenow，Iamresolvedtofinishthebasketaftersupper。”
“Youareverygood，Ihopeitwon’thurtyoureyes——
willyouringthebellforsomeworkingcandles？
Mypoorlittlegirlwouldbesadlydisappointed，Iknow，ifthebasketwasnotfinishedtomorrow，forthoughI
toldheritcertainlywouldnot，Iamsureshedependsuponhavingitdone。”
Lucydirectlydrewherworktablenearherandreseatedherselfwithanalacrityandcheerfulnesswhichseemedtoinferthatshecouldtastenogreaterdelightthaninmakingafiligreebasketforaspoiltchild。
LadyMiddletonproposedarubberofCasinototheothers。
NoonemadeanyobjectionbutMarianne，whowithherusualinattentiontotheformsofgeneralcivility，exclaimed，“YourLadyshipwillhavethegoodnesstoexcuseME——youknowIdetestcards。Ishallgotothepiano-forte;
Ihavenottoucheditsinceitwastuned。”，Andwithoutfartherceremony，sheturnedawayandwalkedtotheinstrument。
LadyMiddletonlookedasifshethankedheaventhatSHEhadnevermadesorudeaspeech。
“Mariannecanneverkeeplongfromthatinstrumentyouknow，ma’am，“saidElinor，endeavouringtosmoothawaytheoffence;“andIdonotmuchwonderatit;foritistheverybesttonedpiano-forteIeverheard。”
Theremainingfivewerenowtodrawtheircards。
“Perhaps，“continuedElinor，“ifIshouldhappentocutout，ImaybeofsomeusetoMissLucySteele，inrollingherpapersforher;andthereissomuchstilltobedonetothebasket，thatitmustbeimpossibleIthinkforherlaboursingly，tofinishitthisevening。
Ishouldliketheworkexceedingly，ifshewouldallowmeashareinit。”
“IndeedIshallbeverymuchobligedtoyouforyourhelp，“criedLucy，“forIfindthereismoretobedonetoitthanIthoughttherewas;anditwouldbeashockingthingtodisappointdearAnnamariaafterall。”
“Oh！thatwouldbeterrible，indeed，“saidMissSteele——
“Dearlittlesoul，howIdoloveher！”
“Youareverykind，“saidLadyMiddletontoElinor;
“andasyoureallylikethework，perhapsyouwillbeaswellpleasednottocutintillanotherrubber，orwillyoutakeyourchancenow？”
Elinorjoyfullyprofitedbythefirstoftheseproposals，andthusbyalittleofthataddresswhichMariannecouldnevercondescendtopractise，gainedherownend，andpleasedLadyMiddletonatthesametime。Lucymaderoomforherwithreadyattention，andthetwofairrivalswerethusseatedsidebysideatthesametable，and，withtheutmostharmony，engagedinforwardingthesamework。
ThepianoforteatwhichMarianne，wrappedupinherownmusicandherownthoughts，hadbythistimeforgottenthatanybodywasintheroombesidesherself，wasluckilysonearthemthatMissDashwoodnowjudgedshemightsafely，undertheshelterofitsnoise，introducetheinterestingsubject，withoutanyriskofbeingheardatthecard-table。
chapter24
CHAPTER24
Inafirm，thoughcautioustone，Elinorthusbegan。
“Ishouldbeundeservingoftheconfidenceyouhavehonouredmewith，ifIfeltnodesireforitscontinuance，ornofarthercuriosityonitssubject。Iwillnotapologizethereforeforbringingitforwardagain。”
“Thankyou，“criedLucywarmly，“forbreakingtheice;youhavesetmyheartateasebyit;forIwassomehoworotherafraidIhadoffendedyoubywhatI
toldyouthatMonday。”
“Offendedme！Howcouldyousupposeso？Believeme，“
andElinorspokeitwiththetruestsincerity，“nothingcouldbefartherfrommyintentionthantogiveyousuchanidea。Couldyouhaveamotiveforthetrust，thatwasnothonourableandflatteringtome？”
“AndyetIdoassureyou，“repliedLucy，herlittlesharpeyesfullofmeaning，“thereseemedtometobeacoldnessanddispleasureinyourmannerthatmademequiteuncomfortable。Ifeltsurethatyouwasangrywithme;
andhavebeenquarrellingwithmyselfeversince，forhavingtooksuchalibertyastotroubleyouwithmyaffairs。
ButIamverygladtofinditwasonlymyownfancy，andthatyoureallydonotblameme。IfyouknewwhataconsolationitwastometorelievemyheartspeakingtoyouofwhatIamalwaysthinkingofeverymomentofmylife，yourcompassionwouldmakeyouoverlookeverythingelseIamsure。”
“Indeed，Icaneasilybelievethatitwasaverygreatrelieftoyou，toacknowledgeyoursituationtome，andbeassuredthatyoushallneverhavereasontorepentit。
Yourcaseisaveryunfortunateone;youseemtometobesurroundedwithdifficulties，andyouwillhaveneedofallyourmutualaffectiontosupportyouunderthem。
Mr。Ferrars，Ibelieve，isentirelydependentonhismother。”
“Hehasonlytwothousandpoundsofhisown;
itwouldbemadnesstomarryuponthat，thoughformyownpart，Icouldgiveupeveryprospectofmorewithoutasigh。
Ihavebeenalwaysusedtoaverysmallincome，andcouldstrugglewithanypovertyforhim;butIlovehimtoowelltobetheselfishmeansofrobbinghim，perhaps，ofallthathismothermightgivehimifhemarriedtopleaseher。
Wemustwait，itmaybeformanyyears。Withalmosteveryothermanintheworld，itwouldbeanalarmingprospect;
butEdward’saffectionandconstancynothingcandeprivemeofIknow。”
“Thatconvictionmustbeeverythingtoyou;
andheisundoubtedlysupportedbythesametrustinyour’s。
Ifthestrengthofyourreciprocalattachmenthadfailed，asbetweenmanypeople，andundermanycircumstancesitnaturallywouldduringafouryears’engagement，yoursituationwouldhavebeenpitiable，indeed。”
Lucyherelookedup;butElinorwascarefulinguardinghercountenancefromeveryexpressionthatcouldgiveherwordsasuspicioustendency。
“Edward’sloveforme，“saidLucy，“hasbeenprettywellputtothetest，byourlong，verylongabsencesincewewerefirstengaged，andithasstoodthetrialsowell，thatIshouldbeunpardonabletodoubtitnow。
Icansafelysaythathehasnevergavemeonemoment’salarmonthataccountfromthefirst。”
Elinorhardlyknewwhethertosmileorsighatthisassertion。
Lucywenton。”Iamratherofajealoustempertoobynature，andfromourdifferentsituationsinlife，fromhisbeingsomuchmoreintheworldthanme，andourcontinualseparation，Iwasenoughinclinedforsuspicion，tohavefoundoutthetruthinaninstant，iftherehadbeentheslightestalterationinhisbehaviourtomewhenwemet，oranylownessofspiritsthatIcouldnotaccountfor，orifhehadtalkedmoreofoneladythananother，orseemedinanyrespectlesshappyatLongstaplethanheusedtobe。IdonotmeantosaythatIamparticularlyobservantorquick-sightedingeneral，butinsuchacaseIamsureIcouldnotbedeceived。”
“Allthis，“thoughtElinor，“isverypretty;
butitcanimposeuponneitherofus。”
“Butwhat，“saidsheafterashortsilence，“areyourviews？orhaveyounonebutthatofwaitingforMrs。Ferrars’sdeath，whichisamelancholyandshockingextremity？——Ishersondeterminedtosubmittothis，andtoallthetediousnessofthemanyyearsofsuspenseinwhichitmayinvolveyou，ratherthanruntheriskofherdispleasureforawhilebyowningthetruth？”
“Ifwecouldbecertainthatitwouldbeonlyforawhile！，ButMrs。Ferrarsisaveryheadstrongproudwoman，andinherfirstfitofangeruponhearingit，wouldverylikelysecureeverythingtoRobert，andtheideaofthat，forEdward’ssake，frightensawayallmyinclinationforhastymeasures。”
“Andforyourownsaketoo，oryouarecarryingyourdisinterestednessbeyondreason。”
LucylookedatElinoragain，andwassilent。
“DoyouknowMr。RobertFerrars？”askedElinor。
“Notatall——Ineversawhim;butIfancyheisveryunlikehisbrother——sillyandagreatcoxcomb。”
“Agreatcoxcomb！”repeatedMissSteele，whoseearhadcaughtthosewordsbyasuddenpauseinMarianne’smusic——
“Oh，theyaretalkingoftheirfavouritebeaux，Idaresay。”
“Nosister，“criedLucy，“youaremistakenthere，ourfavouritebeauxareNOTgreatcoxcombs。”
“IcananswerforitthatMissDashwood’sisnot，“
saidMrs。Jennings，laughingheartily;“forheisoneofthemodestest，prettiestbehavedyoungmenIeversaw;
butasforLucy，sheissuchaslylittlecreature，thereisnofindingoutwhoSHElikes。”
“Oh，“criedMissSteele，lookingsignificantlyroundatthem，“IdaresayLucy’sbeauisquiteasmodestandprettybehavedasMissDashwood’s。”
Elinorblushedinspiteofherself。Lucybitherlip，andlookedangrilyathersister。Amutualsilencetookplaceforsometime。Lucyfirstputanendtoitbysayinginalowertone，thoughMariannewasthengivingthemthepowerfulprotectionofaverymagnificentconcerto——
“Iwillhonestlytellyouofoneschemewhichhaslatelycomeintomyhead，forbringingmatterstobear;
indeedIamboundtoletyouintothesecret，foryouareapartyconcerned。IdaresayyouhaveseenenoughofEdwardtoknowthathewouldpreferthechurchtoeveryotherprofession;nowmyplanisthatheshouldtakeordersassoonashecan，andthenthroughyourinterest，whichIamsureyouwouldbekindenoughtouseoutoffriendshipforhim，andIhopeoutofsomeregardtome，yourbrothermightbepersuadedtogivehimNorlandliving;
whichIunderstandisaverygoodone，andthepresentincumbentnotlikelytoliveagreatwhile。Thatwouldbeenoughforustomarryupon，andwemighttrusttotimeandchancefortherest。”
“Ishouldalwaysbehappy，“repliedElinor，“toshowanymarkofmyesteemandfriendshipforMr。Ferrars;
butdoyounotperceivethatmyinterestonsuchanoccasionwouldbeperfectlyunnecessary？，HeisbrothertoMrs。JohnDashwood——THATmustberecommendationenoughtoherhusband。”
“ButMrs。JohnDashwoodwouldnotmuchapproveofEdward’sgoingintoorders。”
“ThenIrathersuspectthatmyinterestwoulddoverylittle。”
Theywereagainsilentformanyminutes。
AtlengthLucyexclaimedwithadeepsigh，“Ibelieveitwouldbethewisestwaytoputanendtothebusinessatoncebydissolvingtheengagement。
Weseemsobesetwithdifficultiesoneveryside，thatthoughitwouldmakeusmiserableforatime，weshouldbehappierperhapsintheend。Butyouwillnotgivemeyouradvice，MissDashwood？”
“No，“answeredElinor，withasmile，whichconcealedveryagitatedfeelings，“onsuchasubjectIcertainlywillnot。Youknowverywellthatmyopinionwouldhavenoweightwithyou，unlessitwereonthesideofyourwishes。”
“Indeedyouwrongme，“repliedLucy，withgreatsolemnity;“IknownobodyofwhosejudgmentIthinksohighlyasIdoofyours;andIdoreallybelieve，thatifyouwastosaytome，’IadviseyoubyallmeanstoputanendtoyourengagementwithEdwardFerrars，itwillbemoreforthehappinessofbothofyou，’
Ishouldresolveupondoingitimmediately。”
ElinorblushedfortheinsincerityofEdward’sfuturewife，andreplied，“ThiscomplimentwouldeffectuallyfrightenmefromgivinganyopiniononthesubjecthadIformedone。Itraisesmyinfluencemuchtoohigh;
thepowerofdividingtwopeoplesotenderlyattachedistoomuchforanindifferentperson。”
“’Tisbecauseyouareanindifferentperson，“
saidLucy，withsomepique，andlayingaparticularstressonthosewords，“thatyourjudgmentmightjustlyhavesuchweightwithme。
Ifyoucouldbesupposedtobebiasedinanyrespectbyyourownfeelings，youropinionwouldnotbeworthhaving。”
Elinorthoughtitwisesttomakenoanswertothis，lesttheymightprovokeeachothertoanunsuitableincreaseofeaseandunreserve;andwasevenpartlydeterminednevertomentionthesubjectagain。Anotherpausethereforeofmanyminutes’duration，succeededthisspeech，andLucywasstillthefirsttoendit。
“Shallyoubeintownthiswinter，MissDashwood？”
saidshewithallheraccustomarycomplacency。
“Certainlynot。”
“Iamsorryforthat，“returnedtheother，whilehereyesbrightenedattheinformation，“itwouldhavegavemesuchpleasuretomeetyouthere！
ButIdaresayyouwillgoforallthat。Tobesure，yourbrotherandsisterwillaskyoutocometothem。”
“Itwillnotbeinmypowertoaccepttheirinvitationiftheydo。”
“Howunluckythatis！Ihadquitedependeduponmeetingyouthere。AnneandmearetogothelatterendofJanuarytosomerelationswhohavebeenwantingustovisitthemtheseseveralyears！，ButIonlygoforthesakeofseeingEdward。HewillbethereinFebruary，otherwiseLondonwouldhavenocharmsforme;Ihavenotspiritsforit。”
Elinorwassooncalledtothecard-tablebytheconclusionofthefirstrubber，andtheconfidentialdiscourseofthetwoladieswasthereforeatanend，towhichbothofthemsubmittedwithoutanyreluctance，fornothinghadbeensaidoneithersidetomakethemdislikeeachotherlessthantheyhaddonebefore;
andElinorsatdowntothecardtablewiththemelancholypersuasionthatEdwardwasnotonlywithoutaffectionforthepersonwhowastobehiswife;butthathehadnoteventhechanceofbeingtolerablyhappyinmarriage，whichsincereaffectiononHERsidewouldhavegiven，forself-interestalonecouldinduceawomantokeepamantoanengagement，ofwhichsheseemedsothoroughlyawarethathewasweary。
FromthistimethesubjectwasneverrevivedbyElinor，andwhenenteredonbyLucy，whoseldommissedanopportunityofintroducingit，andwasparticularlycarefultoinformherconfidante，ofherhappinesswhenevershereceivedaletterfromEdward，itwastreatedbytheformerwithcalmnessandcaution，anddismissedassoonascivilitywouldallow;
forshefeltsuchconversationstobeanindulgencewhichLucydidnotdeserve，andwhichweredangeroustoherself。
ThevisitoftheMissSteelesatBartonParkwaslengthenedfarbeyondwhatthefirstinvitationimplied。
Theirfavourincreased;theycouldnotbespared;
SirJohnwouldnothearoftheirgoing;andinspiteoftheirnumerousandlongarrangedengagementsinExeter，inspiteoftheabsolutenecessityofreturningtofulfillthemimmediately，whichwasinfullforceattheendofeveryweek，theywereprevailedontostaynearlytwomonthsatthepark，andtoassistintheduecelebrationofthatfestivalwhichrequiresamorethanordinaryshareofprivateballsandlargedinnerstoproclaimitsimportance。