sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第17节
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impropriety in accepting a horse from my brother； than from
Willoughby。 Of John I know very little； though we have lived
together for years； but of Willoughby my judgment has long been
formed。”
Elinor thought it wisest to touch that point no more。 She knew
her sister’s temper。 Opposition on so tender a subject would only
attach her the more to her own opinion。 But by an appeal to her
affection for her mother； by representing the inconveniences
which that indulgent mother must draw on herself； if （as would
probably be the case） she consented to this increase of
establishment； Marianne was shortly subdued； and she promised
not to tempt her mother to such imprudent kindness by
mentioning the offer； and to tell Willoughby when she saw him
next； that it must be declined。
She was faithful to her word； and when Willoughby called at
the cottage； the same day； Elinor heard her express her
disappointment to him in a low voice； on being obliged to forego
the acceptance of his present。 The reasons for this alteration were
at the same time related； and they were such as to make further
entreaty on his side impossible。 His concern however was very
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apparent； and after expressing it with earnestness； he added； in
the same low voice；—“But； Marianne； the horse is still yours；
though you cannot use it now。 I shall keep it only till you can claim
it。 When you leave Barton to form your own establishment in a
more lasting home； Queen Mab shall receive you。”
This was all overheard by Miss Dashwood； and in the whole of
the sentence； in his manner of pronouncing it； and in his
addressing her sister by her christian name alone； she instantly
saw an intimacy so decided； a meaning so direct； as marked a
perfect agreement between them。 From that moment she doubted
not of their being engaged to each other； and the belief of it
created no other surprise than that she； or any of their friends；
should be left by tempers so frank； to discover it by accident。
Margaret related something to her the next day； which placed
this matter in a still clearer light。 Willoughby had spent the
preceding evening with them； and Margaret； by being left some
time in the parlour with only him and Marianne； had had
opportunity for observations； which； with a most important face；
she communicated to her eldest sister； when they were next by
themselves。
“Oh； Elinor！” she cried； “I have such a secret to tell you about
Marianne。 I am sure she will be married to Mr。 Willoughby very
soon。”
“You have said so；” replied Elinor； “almost every day since they
first met on High…church Down； and they had not known each
other a week； I believe； before you were certain that Marianne
wore his picture round her neck； but it turned out to be only the
miniature of our great uncle。”
“But indeed this is quite another thing。 I am sure they will be
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married very soon； for he has got a lock of her hair。”
“Take care； Margaret。 It may be only the hair of some great
uncle of his。”
“But； indeed； Elinor； it is Marianne’s。 I am almost sure it is； for I
saw him cut it off。 Last night after tea； when you and mama went
out of the room； they were whispering and talking together as fast
as could be； and he seemed to be begging something of her； and
presently he took up her scissors and cut off a long lock of her
hair； for it was all tumbled down her back； and he kissed it； and
folded it up in a piece of white paper； and put it into his pocket…
book。”
For such particulars； stated on such authority； Elinor could not
withhold her credit； nor was she disposed to it； for the
circumstance was in perfect unison with what she had heard and
seen herself。
Margaret’s sagacity was not always displayed in a way so
satisfactory to her sister。 When Mrs。 Jennings attacked her one
evening at the park； to give the name of the young man who was
Elinor’s particular favourite； which had been long a matter of
great curiosity to her； Margaret answered by looking at her sister；
and saying； “I must not tell； may I； Elinor？”
This of course made every body laugh； and Elinor tried to laugh
too。 But the effort was painful。 She was convinced that Margaret
had fixed on a person whose name she could not bear with
composure to become a standing joke with Mrs。 Jennings。
Marianne felt for her most sincerely； but she did more harm
than good to the cause； by turning very red and saying in an angry
manner to Margaret；
“Remember that whatever your conjectures may be； you have
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no right to repeat them。”
“I never had any conjectures about it；” replied Margaret； “it
was you who told me of it yourself。”
This increased the mirth of the company； and Margaret was
eagerly pressed to say something more。
“Oh！ pray； Miss Margaret； let us know all about it；” said Mrs。
Jennings。 “What is the gentleman’s name？”
“I must not tell； ma’am。 But I know very well what it is； and I
know where he is too。”
“Yes； yes； we can guess where he is； at his own house at
Norland to be sure。 He is the curate of the parish I dare say。”
“No； that he is not。 He is of no profession at all。”
“Margaret；” said Marianne with great warmth； “you know that
all this is an invention of your own； and that there is no such
person in existence。”
“Well； then； he is lately dead； Marianne； for I am sure there was
such a man once； and his name begins with an F。”
Most grateful did Elinor feel to Lady Middleton for observing；
at this moment； “that it rained very hard；” though she believed the
interruption to proceed less from any attention to her； than from
her ladyship’s great dislike of all such inelegant subjects of raillery
as delighted her husband and mother。 The idea however started
by her； was immediately pursued by Colonel Brandon； who was on
every occasion mindful of the feelings of others； and much was
said on the subject of rain by both of them。 Willoughby opened the
pianoforté； and asked Marianne to sit down to it； and thus amidst
the various endeavours of different people to quit the topic； it fell
to the ground。 But not so easily did Elinor recover from the alarm
into which it had thrown her。
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A party was formed this evening for going on the following day
to see a very fine place about twelve miles from Barton； belonging
to a brother…in…law of Colonel Brandon； without whose interest it
could not be seen； as the proprietor； who was then abroad； had left
strict orders on that head。 The grounds were declared to be highly
beautiful； and Sir John； who was particularly warm in their praise；
might be allowed to be a tolerable judge； for he had formed parties
to visit them； at least； twice every summer for the last ten years。
They contained a noble piece of water； a sail on which was to a
form a great part of the morning’s amusement； cold provisions
were to be taken； open carriages only to be employed； and every
thing conducted in the usual style of a complet
