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Jane Austen： Sense and Sensibility 180
CHAPTER IV
linor could not find herself in the carriage with Mrs。
Jennings； and beginning a journey to London under her
E
protection； and as her guest； without wondering at her
own situation； so short had their acquaintance with that lady been；
so wholly unsuited were they in age and disposition； and so many
had been her objections against such a measure only a few days
before！ But these objections had all； with that happy ardour of
youth which Marianne and her mother equally shared； been
overcome or overlooked； and Elinor； in spite of every occasional
doubt of Willoughby’s constancy； could not witness the rapture of
delightful expectation which filled the whole soul and beamed in
the eyes of Marianne； without feeling how blank was her own
prospect； how cheerless her own state of mind in the comparison；
and how gladly she would engage in the solicitude of Marianne’s
situation to have the same animating object in view； the same
possibility of hope。 A short； a very short time however must now
decide what Willoughby’s intentions were； in all probability he
was already in town。 Marianne’s eagerness to be gone declared
her dependence on finding him there； and Elinor was resolved not
only upon gaining every new light as to his character which her
own observation or the intelligence of others could give her； but
likewise upon watching his behaviour to her sister with such
zealous attention； as to ascertain what he was and what he meant；
before many meetings had taken place。 Should the result of her
observations be unfavourable； she was determined at all events to
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Jane Austen： Sense and Sensibility 181
open the eyes of her sister； should it be otherwise； her exertions
would be of a different nature—she must then learn to avoid every
selfish comparison； and banish every regret which might lessen
her satisfaction in the happiness of Marianne。
They were three days on their journey； and Marianne’s
behaviour as they travelled was a happy specimen of what future
complaisance and companionableness to Mrs。 Jennings might be
expected to be。 She sat in silence almost all the way； wrapt in her
own meditations； and scarcely ever voluntarily speaking； except
when any object of picturesque beauty within their view drew
from her an exclamation of delight exclusively addressed to her
sister。 To atone for this conduct therefore； Elinor took immediate
possession of the post of civility which she had assigned herself；
behaved with the greatest attention to Mrs。 Jennings； talked with
her； laughed with her； and listened to her whenever she could；
and Mrs。 Jennings on her side treated them both with all possible
kindness； was solicitous on every occasion for their ease and
enjoyment； and only disturbed that she could not make them
choose their own dinners at the inn； nor extort a confession of
their preferring salmon to cod； or boiled fowls to veal cutlets。 They
reached town by three o’clock the third day； glad to be released；
after such a journey； from the confinement of a carriage； and
ready to enjoy all the luxury of a good fire。
The house was handsome； and handsomely fitted up； and the
young ladies were immediately put in possession of a very
comfortable apartment。 It had formerly been Charlotte’s； and over
the mantelpiece still hung a landscape in coloured silks of her
performance； in proof of her having spent seven years at a great
school in town to some effect。
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As dinner was not to be ready in less than two hours from their
arrival； Elinor determined to employ the interval in writing to her
mother； and sat down for that purpose。 In a few moments
Marianne did the same。 “I am writing home； Marianne；” said
Elinor； “had not you better defer your letter for a day or two？”
“I am not going to write to my mother；” replied Marianne；
hastily； and as if wishing to avoid any farther inquiry。 Elinor said
no more； it immediately struck her that she must then be writing
to Willoughby； and the conclusion which as instantly followed was；
that however mysteriously they might wish to conduct the affair；
they must be engaged。 This conviction； though not entirely
satisfactory； gave her pleasure； and she continued her letter with
greater alacrity。 Marianne’s was finished in a very few minutes； in
length it could be no more than a note： it was then folded up；
sealed； and directed with eager rapidity。 Elinor thought she could
distinguish a large W。 in the direction； and no sooner was it
complete than Marianne； ringing the bell； requested the footman
who answered it to get that letter conveyed for her to the two…
penny post。 This decided the matter at once。
Her spirits still continued very high； but there was a flutter in
them which prevented their giving much pleasure to her sister；
and this agitation increased as the evening drew on。 She could
scarcely eat any dinner； and when they afterwards returned to the
drawing room； seemed anxiously listening to the sound of every
carriage。
It was a great satisfaction to Elinor that Mrs。 Jennings； by being
much engaged in her own room； could see little of what was
passing。 The tea things were brought in； and already had
Marianne been disappointed more than once by a rap at a
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neighbouring door； when a loud one was suddenly heard which
could not be mistaken for one at any other house； Elinor felt
secure of its announcing Willoughby’s approach； and Marianne；
starting up； moved towards the door。 Every thing was silent； this
could not be borne many seconds； she opened the door； advanced
a few steps towards the stairs； and after listening half a minute；
returned into the room in all the agitation which a conviction of
having heard him would naturally produce； in the ecstasy of her
feelings at that instant she could not help exclaiming； “Oh； Elinor；
it is Willoughby； indeed it is！” and seemed almost ready to throw
herself into his arms； when Colonel Brandon appeared。
It was too great a shock to be borne with calmness； and she
immediately left the room。 Elinor was disappointed too； but at the
same time her regard for Colonel Brandon ensured his welcome
with her； and she felt particularly hurt that a man so partial to her
sister should perceive that she experienced nothing but grief and
disappointment in seeing him。 She instantly saw that it was not
unnoticed by him； that he even observed Marianne as she quitted
the room； with such astonishment and concern； as hardly left him
the recollection of what civility demanded towards herself。
“Is your sister ill？” said he。
Elinor answered in some distress that she was； and then talked
of head…aches； low spirits； and over fatigues； and of every thing to
which she could decently attribute her sister’s behaviour。
He heard her with the most earnest attention； but seeming to
recollect himself； said no more on the subject； and began directly
to speak of his pleasure at seeing them in London； making the
usual inquiri