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attendance was by this means secured； and the rest followed in
course。 Instead of talking of Edward； they came gradually to talk
only of Robert；—a subject on which he had always more to say
than on any other； and in which she soon betrayed an interest
even equal to his own； and in short； it became speedily evident to
both； that he had entirely supplanted his brother。 He was proud of
his conquest； proud of tricking Edward； and very proud of
marrying privately without his mother’s consent。 What
immediately followed is known。 They passed some months in
great happiness at Dawlish； for she had many relations and old
acquaintances to cut—and he drew several plans for magnificent
cottages；—and from thence returning to town； procured the
forgiveness of Mrs。 Ferrars； by the simple expedient of asking it；
which； at Lucy’s instigation； was adopted。 The forgiveness； at first；
indeed； as was reasonable； comprehended only Robert； and Lucy；
who had owed his mother no duty and therefore could have
transgressed none； still remained some weeks longer unpardoned。
But perseverance in humility of conduct and messages； in self…
condemnation for Robert’s offence； and gratitude for the
unkindness she was treated with； procured her in time the
haughty notice which overcame her by its graciousness； and led
soon afterwards； by rapid degrees； to the highest state of affection
and influence。 Lucy became as necessary to Mrs。 Ferrars； as either
Robert or Fanny； and while Edward was never cordially forgiven
for having once intended to marry her； and Elinor； though
superior to her in fortune and birth； was spoken of as an intruder；
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she was in every thing considered； and always openly
acknowledged； to be a favourite child。 They settled in town；
received very liberal assistance from Mrs。 Ferrars； were on the
best terms imaginable with the Dashwoods； and setting aside the
jealousies and ill…will continually subsisting between Fanny and
Lucy； in which their husbands of course took a part； as well as the
frequent domestic disagreements between Robert and Lucy
themselves； nothing could exceed the harmony in which they all
lived together。 What Edward had done to forfeit the right of eldest
son； might have puzzled many people to find out； and what Robert
had done to succeed to it； might have puzzled them still more。 It
was an arrangement； however； justified in its effects； if not in its
cause； for nothing ever appeared in Robert’s style of living or of
talking to give a suspicion of his regretting the extent of his
income； as either leaving his brother too little； or bringing himself
too much；—and if Edward might be judged from the ready
discharge of his duties in every particular； from an increasing
attachment to his wife and his home； and from the regular
cheerfulness of his spirits； he might be supposed no less contented
with his lot； no less free from every wish of an exchange。
Elinor’s marriage divided her as little from her family as could
well be contrived； without rendering the cottage at Barton entirely
useless； for her mother and sisters spent much more than half
their time with her。 Mrs。 Dashwood was acting on motives of
policy as well as pleasure in the frequency of her visits at Delaford；
for her wish of bringing Marianne and Colonel Brandon together
was hardly less earnest； though rather more liberal than what
John had expressed。 It was now her darling object。 Precious as
was the company of her daughter to her； she desired nothing so
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much as to give up its constant enjoyment to her valued friend；
and to see Marianne settled at the mansion…house was equally the
wish of Edward and Elinor。 They each felt his sorrows； and their
own obligations； and Marianne； by general consent； was to be the
reward of all。
With such a confederacy against her—with a knowledge so
intimate of his goodness—with a conviction of his fond attachment
to herself； which at last； though long after it was observable to
everybody else—burst on her—what could she do？
Marianne Dashwood was born to an extraordinary fate。 She
was born to discover the falsehood of her own opinions； and to
counteract； by her conduct； her most favourite maxims。 She was
born to overcome an affection formed so late in life as at
seventeen； and with no sentiment superior to strong esteem and
lively friendship； voluntarily to give her hand to another！—and
that other； a man who had suffered no less than herself under the
event of a former attachment； whom； two years before； she had
considered too old to be married；—and who still sought the
constitutional safeguard of a flannel waistcoat！
But so it was。 Instead of falling a sacrifice to an irresistible
passion； as once she had fondly flattered herself with expecting；—
instead of remaining even for ever with her mother； and finding
her only pleasures in retirement and study； as afterwards in her
more calm and sober judgment she had determined on；—she
found herself at nineteen； submitting to new attachments；
entering on new duties； placed in a new home； a wife； the mistress
of a family； and the patroness of a village。
Colonel Brandon was now as happy； as all those who best loved
him； believed he deserved to be；—in Marianne he was consoled for
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every past affliction；—her regard and her society restored his
mind to animation； and his spirits to cheerfulness； and that
Marianne found her own happiness in forming his； was equally the
persuasion and delight of each observing friend。 Marianne could
never love by halves； and her whole heart became； in time； as
much devoted to her husband； as it had once been to Willoughby。
Willoughby could not hear of her marriage without a pang； and
his punishment was soon afterwards complete in the voluntary
forgiveness of Mrs。 Smith； who； by stating his marriage with a
woman of character； as the source of her clemency； gave him
reason for believing that had he behaved with honour towards
Marianne； he might at once have been happy and rich。 That his
repentance of misconduct； which thus brought its own
punishment； was sincere； need not be doubted；—nor that he long
thought of Colonel Brandon with envy； and of Marianne with
regret。 But that he was for ever inconsolable； that he fled from
society； or contracted an habitual gloom of temper； or died of a
broken heart； must not be depended on—for he did neither。 He
lived to exert； and frequently to enjoy himself。 His wife was not
always out of humour； nor his home always uncomfortable； and in
his breed of horses and dogs； and in sporting of every kind； he
found no inconsiderable degree of domestic felicity。
For Marianne； however—in spite of his incivility in surviving
her loss—he always retained that decided regard which interested
him in every thing that befell her； and made