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which they had never happened to reach in any of their walks
before。
Amongst the objects in the scene； they soon discovered an
animated one； it was a man on horseback riding towards them。 In
a few minutes they could distinguish him to be a gentleman； and
in a moment afterwards Marianne rapturously exclaimed；
“It is he； it is indeed；—I know it is！”—and was hastening to
meet him； when Elinor cried out；
“Indeed； Marianne； I think you are mistaken。 It is not
Willoughby。 The person is not tall enough for him； and has not his
air。”
“He has； he has；” cried Marianne； “I am sure he has。 His air； his
coat； his horse。 I knew how soon he would come。”
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She walked eagerly on as she spoke； and Elinor； to screen
Marianne from particularity； as she felt almost certain of its not
being Willoughby； quickened her pace and kept up with her。 They
were soon within thirty yards of the gentleman。 Marianne looked
again； her heart sunk within her； and abruptly turning round； she
was hurrying back； when the voices of both her sisters were raised
to detain her； a third； almost as well known as Willoughby’s； joined
them in begging her to stop； and she turned round with surprise to
see and welcome Edward Ferrars。
He was the only person in the world who could at that moment
be forgiven for not being Willoughby； the only one who could have
gained a smile from her； but she dispersed her tears to smile on
him； and in her sister’s happiness forgot for a time her own
disappointment。
He dismounted； and giving his horse to his servant； walked
back with them to Barton； whither he was purposely coming to
visit them。
He was welcomed by them all with great cordiality； but
especially by Marianne； who showed more warmth of regard in
her reception of him than even Elinor herself。 To Marianne；
indeed； the meeting between Edward and her sister was but a
continuation of that unaccountable coldness which she had often
observed at Norland in their mutual behaviour。 On Edward’s side；
more particularly； there was a deficiency of all that a lover ought
to look and say on such an occasion。 He was confused； seemed
scarcely sensible of pleasure in seeing them； looked neither
rapturous nor gay； said little but what was forced from him by
questions； and distinguished Elinor by no mark of affection。
Marianne saw and listened with increasing surprise。 She began
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almost to feel a dislike of Edward； and it ended； as every feeling
must end with her； by carrying back her thoughts to Willoughby；
whose manners formed a contrast sufficiently striking to those of
his brother elect。
After a short silence which succeeded the first surprise and
inquiries of meeting； Marianne asked Edward if he came directly
from London。 No； he had been in Devonshire a fortnight。
“A fortnight！” she repeated； surprised at his being so long in the
same county with Elinor without seeing her before。
He looked rather distressed as he added； that he had been
staying with some friends near Plymouth。
“Have you been lately in Sussex？” said Elinor。
“I was at Norland about a month ago。”
“And how does dear； dear Norland look？” cried Marianne。
“Dear； dear Norland；” said Elinor； “probably looks much as it
always does at this time of the year。 The woods and walks thickly
covered with dead leaves。”
“Oh；” cried Marianne； “with what transporting sensation have I
formerly seen them fall！ How have I delighted； as I walked； to see
them driven in showers about me by the wind！ What feelings have
they； the season； the air altogether inspired！ Now there is no one
to regard them。 They are seen only as a nuisance； swept hastily off；
and driven as much as possible from the sight。”
“It is not every one；” said Elinor； “who has your passion for
dead leaves。”
“No； my feelings are not often shared； not often understood。
But sometimes they are。”—As she said this； she sunk into a reverie
for a few moments；—but rousing herself again； “Now； Edward；”
said she； calling his attention to the prospect； “here is Barton
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valley。 Look up to it； and be tranquil if you can。 Look at those hills！
Did you ever see their equals？ To the left is Barton park； amongst
those woods and plantations。 You may see the end of the house。
And there； beneath that farthest hill； which rises with such
grandeur； is our cottage。”
“It is a beautiful country；” he replied； “but these bottoms must
be dirty in winter。”
“How can you think of dirt； with such objects before you？”
“Because；” replied he； smiling； “among the rest of the objects
before me； I see a very dirty lane。”
“How strange！” said Marianne to herself as she walked on。
“Have you an agreeable neighbourhood here？ Are the
Middletons pleasant people？”
“No； not at all；” answered Marianne； “we could not be more
unfortunately situated。”
“Marianne；” cried her sister； “how can you say so？ How can
you be so unjust？ They are a very respectable family； Mr。 Ferrars；
and towards us have behaved in the friendliest manner。 Have you
forgot； Marianne； how many pleasant days we have owed to
them？”
“No；” said Marianne； in a low voice； “nor how many painful
moments。”
Elinor took no notice of this； and directing her attention to their
visitor； endeavoured to support something like discourse with him；
by talking of their present residence； its conveniences； &c。
extorting from him occasional questions and remarks。 His
coldness and reserve mortified her severely； she was vexed and
half angry； but resolving to regulate her behaviour to him by the
past rather than the present； she avoided every appearance of
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resentment or displeasure； and treated him as she thought he
ought to be treated from the family connection。
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CHAPTER XVII
rs。 Dashwood was surprised only for a moment at
seeing him； for his coming to Barton was； in her
M
opinion； of all things the most natural。 Her joy and
expression of regard long outlived her wonder。 He received the
kindest welcome from her； and shyness； coldness； reserve could
not stand against such a reception。 They had begun to fail him
before he entered the house； and they were quite overcome by the
captivating manners of Mrs。 Dashwood。 Indeed a man could not
very well be in love with either of her daughters； without
extending the passion to her； and Elinor had the satisfaction of
seeing him soon become more like himself。 His affections seemed
to reanimate towards them all； and his interest in their welfare
again became perceptible。 He was not in spirits； however； he
praised their house； admired its prospect； was attentive； and kind；
but