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were always the same； and though she did not oppose the parties
arranged by her husband； provided every thing were conducted in
style and her two eldest children attended her； she never appeared
to receive more enjoyment from them than she might have
experienced in sitting at home；—and so little did her presence add
to the pleasure of the others； by any share in their conversation；
that they were sometimes only reminded of her being amongst
them by her solicitude about her troublesome boys。
In Colonel Brandon alone； of all her new acquaintance； did
Elinor find a person who could in any degree claim the respect of
abilities； excite the interest of friendship； or give pleasure as a
companion。 Willoughby was out of the question。 Her admiration
and regard； even her sisterly regard； was all his own； but he was a
lover； his attentions were wholly Marianne’s； and a far less
agreeable man might have been more generally pleasing。 Colonel
Brandon； unfortunately for himself； had no such encouragement
to think only of Marianne； and in conversing with Elinor he found
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the greatest consolation for the indifference of her sister。
Elinor’s compassion for him increased； as she had reason to
suspect that the misery of disappointed love had already been
known to him。 This suspicion was given by some words which
accidentally dropped from him one evening at the park； when they
were sitting down together by mutual consent； while the others
were dancing。 His eyes were fixed on Marianne； and； after a
silence of some minutes； he said； with a faint smile； “Your sister； I
understand； does not approve of second attachments。”
“No；” replied Elinor； “her opinions are all romantic。”
“Or rather； as I believe； she considers them impossible to exist。”
“I believe she does。 But how she contrives it without reflecting
on the character of her own father； who had himself two wives； I
know not。 A few years however will settle her opinions on the
reasonable basis of common sense and observation； and then they
may be more easy to define and to justify than they now are； by
any body but herself。”
“This will probably be the case；” he replied； “and yet there is
something so amiable in the prejudices of a young mind； that one
is sorry to see them give way to the reception of more general
opinions。”
“I cannot agree with you there；” said Elinor。 “There are
inconveniences attending such feelings as Marianne’s； which all
the charms of enthusiasm and ignorance of the world cannot atone
for。 Her systems have all the unfortunate tendency of setting
propriety at nought； and a better acquaintance with the world is
what I look forward to as her greatest possible advantage。”
After a short pause he resumed the conversation by saying—
“Does your sister make no distinction in her objections against
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a second attachment？ or is it equally criminal in every body？ Are
those who have been disappointed in their first choice； whether
from the inconstancy of its object； or the perverseness of
circumstances； to be equally indifferent during the rest of their
lives？”
“Upon my word； I am not acquainted with the minutia of her
principles。 I only know that I never yet heard her admit any
instance of a second attachment’s being pardonable。”
“This；” said he； “cannot hold； but a change； a total change of
sentiments—No； no； do not desire it；—for when the romantic
refinements of a young mind are obliged to give way； how
frequently are they succeeded by such opinions as are but too
common； and too dangerous！ I speak from experience。 I once
knew a lady who in temper and mind greatly resembled your
sister； who thought and judged like her； but who from an inforced
change—from a series of unfortunate circumstances”—Here he
stopt suddenly； appeared to think that he had said too much； and
by his countenance gave rise to conjectures； which might not
otherwise have entered Elinor’s head。 The lady would probably
have passed without suspicion； had he not convinced Miss
Dashwood that what concerned her ought not to escape his lips。
As it was； it required but a slight effort of fancy to connect his
emotion with the tender recollection of past regard。 Elinor
attempted no more。 But Marianne； in her place； would not have
done so little。 The whole story would have been speedily formed
under her active imagination； and every thing established in the
most melancholy order of disastrous love。
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CHAPTER XII
s Elinor and Marianne were walking together the next
Amorning the latter communicated a piece of news to her
sister； which in spite of all that she knew before of
Marianne’s imprudence and want of thought； surprised her by its
extravagant testimony of both。 Marianne told her； with the
greatest delight； that Willoughby had given her a horse； one that
he had bred himself on his estate in Somersetshire； and which was
exactly calculated to carry a woman。 Without considering that it
was not in her mother’s plan to keep any horse； that if she were to
alter her resolution in favour of this gift； she must buy another for
the servant； and keep a servant to ride it； and after all； build a
stable to receive them； she had accepted the present without
hesitation； and told her sister of it in raptures。
“He intends to send his groom into Somersetshire immediately
for it；” she added； “and when it arrives we will ride every day。 You
shall share its use with me。 Imagine to yourself； my dear Elinor；
the delight of a gallop on some of these downs。”
Most unwilling was she to awaken from such a dream of felicity
to comprehend all the unhappy truths which attended the affair；
and for some time she refused to submit to them。 As to an
additional servant； the expense would be a trifle； mama she was
sure would never object to it； and any horse would do for him； he
might always get one at the park； as to a stable； the merest shed
would be sufficient。 Elinor then ventured to doubt the propriety of
her receiving such a present from a man so little； or at least so
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lately known to her。 This was too much。
“You are mistaken； Elinor；” said she warmly； “in supposing I
know very little of Willoughby。 I have not known him long indeed；
but I am much better acquainted with him； than I am with any
other creature in the world； except yourself and mama。 It is not
time or opportunity that is to determine intimacy；—it is
disposition alone。 Seven years would be insufficient to make some
people acquainted with each other； and seven days are more than
enough for others。 I should hold myself guilty of greater
impropriety in accepting a horse from my brother； than from
Willoughby。 Of John I