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morning； for we must walk to the park； to call on Lady Middleton。”
He engaged to be with them by four o’clock。
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CHAPTER XV
rs。 Dashwood’s visit to Lady Middleton took place the
next day； and two of her daughters went with her； but
M
Marianne excused herself from being of the party；
under some trifling pretext of employment； and her mother； who
concluded that a promise had been made by Willoughby the night
before of calling on her while they were absent； was perfectly
satisfied with her remaining at home。
On their return from the park they found Willoughby’s curricle
and servant in waiting at the cottage； and Mrs。 Dashwood was
convinced that her conjecture had been just。 So far it was all as
she had foreseen； but on entering the house she beheld what no
foresight had taught her to expect。 They were no sooner in the
passage than Marianne came hastily out of the parlour apparently
in violent affliction； with her handkerchief at her eyes； and
without noticing them ran up stairs。 Surprised and alarmed they
proceeded directly into the room she had just quitted； where they
found only Willoughby； who was leaning against the mantel…piece
with his back towards them。 He turned round on their coming in；
and his countenance shewed that he strongly partook of the
emotion which over…powered Marianne。
“Is anything the matter with her？” cried Mrs。 Dashwood as she
entered—“is she ill？”
“I hope not；” he replied； trying to look cheerful； and with a
forced smile presently added； “It is I who may rather expect to be
ill—for I am now suffering under a very heavy disappointment！”
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“Disappointment？”
“Yes； for I am unable to keep my engagement with you。 Mrs。
Smith has this morning exercised the privilege of riches upon a
poor dependent cousin； by sending me on business to London。 I
have just received my dispatches； and taken my farewell of
Allenham； and by way of exhilaration I am now come to take my
farewell of you。”
“To London！—and are you going this morning？”
“Almost this moment。”
“This is very unfortunate。 But Mrs。 Smith must be obliged；—
and her business will not detain you from us long I hope。”
He coloured as he replied； “You are very kind； but I have no
idea of returning into Devonshire immediately。 My visits to Mrs。
Smith are never repeated within the twelvemonth。”
“And is Mrs。 Smith your only friend？ Is Allenham the only
house in the neighbourhood to which you will be welcome？ For
shame； Willoughby。 Can you wait for an invitation here？”
His colour increased； and with his eyes fixed on the ground he
only replied； “You are too good。”
Mrs。 Dashwood looked at Elinor with surprise。 Elinor felt equal
amazement。 For a few moments every one was silent。 Mrs。
Dashwood first spoke。
“I have only to add； my dear Willoughby； that at Barton cottage
you will always be welcome； for I will not press you to return here
immediately； because you only can judge how far that might be
pleasing to Mrs。 Smith； and on this head I shall be no more
disposed to question your judgment than to doubt your
inclination。”
“My engagements at present；” replied Willoughby； confusedly；
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“are of such a nature—that—I dare not flatter myself”—
He stopt。 Mrs。 Dashwood was too much astonished to speak；
and another pause succeeded。 This was broken by Willoughby；
who said with a faint smile； “It is folly to linger in this manner。 I
will not torment myself any longer by remaining among friends
whose society it is impossible for me now to enjoy。”
He then hastily took leave of them all and left the room。 They
saw him step into his carriage； and in a minute it was out of sight。
Mrs。 Dashwood felt too much for speech； and instantly quitted
the parlour to give way in solitude to the concern and alarm which
this sudden departure occasioned。
Elinor’s uneasiness was at least equal to her mother’s。 She
thought of what had just passed with anxiety and distrust。
Willoughby’s behaviour in taking leave of them； his
embarrassment； and affectation of cheerfulness； and； above all； his
unwillingness to accept her mother’s invitation； a backwardness so
unlike a lover； so unlike himself； greatly disturbed her。 One
moment she feared that no serious design had ever been formed
on his side； and the next that some unfortunate quarrel had taken
place between him and her sister；—the distress in which
Marianne had quitted the room was such as a serious quarrel
could most reasonably account for； though when she considered
what Marianne’s love for him was； a quarrel seemed almost
impossible。
But whatever might be the particulars of their separation； her
sister’s affliction was indubitable； and she thought with the
tenderest compassion of that violent sorrow which Marianne was
in all probability not merely giving way to as a relief； but feeding
and encouraging as a duty。
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In about half an hour her mother returned； and though her eyes
were red； her countenance was not uncheerful。
“Our dear Willoughby is now some miles from Barton； Elinor；”
said she； as she sat down to work； “and with how heavy a heart
does he travel？”
“It is all very strange。 So suddenly to be gone！ It seems but the
work of a moment。 And last night he was with us so happy； so
cheerful； so affectionate？ And now； after only ten minutes notice—
Gone too without intending to return！—Something more than
what he owned to us must have happened。 He did not speak； he
did not behave like himself。 You must have seen the difference as
well as I。 What can it be？ Can they have quarrelled？ Why else
should he have shewn such unwillingness to accept your invitation
here？”—
“It was not inclination that he wanted； Elinor； I could plainly
see that。 He had not the power of accepting it。 I have thought it all
over I assure you； and I can perfectly account for every thing that
at first seemed strange to me as well as to you。”
“Can you； indeed！”
“Yes。 I have explained it to myself in the most satisfactory
way；—but you； Elinor； who love to doubt where you can—it will
not satisfy you； I know； but you shall not talk me out of my trust in
it。 I am persuaded that Mrs。 Smith suspects his regard for
Marianne； disapproves of it； （perhaps because she has other views
for him；） and on that account is eager to get him away；—and that
the business which she sends him off to transact is invented as an
excuse to dismiss him。 This is what I believe to have happened。 He
is； moreover； aware that she does disapprove the connection； he
dares not therefore at present confess to her his engagement with
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Marianne； and he feels himself obliged； from his dependent
situation； to give into her schemes； and absent himself from
Devonshire for