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have nothing to tell。”
“Nor I；” answered Marianne with energy； “our situations then
are alike。 We have neither of us any thing to tell； you； because you
do not communicate； and I； because I conceal nothing。”
Elinor； distressed by this charge of reserve in herself； which she
was not at liberty to do away； knew not how； under such
circumstances； to press for greater openness in Marianne。
Mrs。 Jennings soon appeared； and the note being given her； she
read it aloud。 It was from Lady Middleton； announcing their
arrival in Conduit…street the night before； and requesting the
company of her mother and cousins the following evening。
Business on Sir John’s part； and a violent cold on her own；
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prevented their calling in Berkeley…street。 The invitation was
accepted： but when the hour of appointment drew near； necessary
as it was in common civility to Mrs。 Jennings； that they should
both attend her on such a visit； Elinor had some difficulty in
persuading her sister to go； for still she had seen nothing of
Willoughby； and therefore was not more indisposed for
amusement abroad； than unwilling to run the risk of his calling
again in her absence。
Elinor found； when the evening was over； that disposition is not
materially altered by a change of abode； for although scarcely
settled in town； Sir John had contrived to collect around him；
nearly twenty young people； and to amuse them with a ball。 This
was an affair； however； of which Lady Middleton did not approve。
In the country； an unpremeditated dance was very allowable； but
in London； where the reputation of elegance was more important
and less easily attained； it was risking too much for the
gratification of a few girls； to have it known that Lady Middleton
had given a small dance of eight or nine couple； with two violins；
and a mere side…board collation。
Mr。 and Mrs。 Palmer were of the party； from the former； whom
they had not seen before since their arrival in town； as he was
careful to avoid the appearance of any attention to his mother…in…
law； and therefore never came near her； they received no mark of
recognition on their entrance。 He looked at them slightly； without
seeming to know who they were； and merely nodded to Mrs。
Jennings from the other side of the room。 Marianne gave one
glance round the apartment as she entered； it was enough—he was
not there—and she sat down； equally ill…disposed to receive or
communicate pleasure。 After they had been assembled about an
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hour； Mr。 Palmer sauntered towards the Miss Dashwoods to
express his surprise on seeing them in town； though Colonel
Brandon had been first informed of their arrival at his house； and
he had himself said something very droll on hearing that they
were to come。
“I thought you were both in Devonshire；” said he。
“Did you？” replied Elinor。
“When do you go back again？”
“I do not know。” And thus ended their discourse。
Never had Marianne been so unwilling to dance in her life； as
she was that evening； and never so much fatigued by the exercise。
She complained of it as they returned to Berkeley…street。
“Aye； aye；” said Mrs。 Jennings； “we know the reason of all that
very well； if a certain person who shall be nameless； had been
there； you would not have been a bit tired： and to say the truth it
was not very pretty of him not to give you the meeting when he
was invited。”
“Invited！” cried Marianne。
“So my daughter Middleton told me； for it seems Sir John met
him somewhere in the street this morning。” Marianne said no
more； but looked exceedingly hurt。 Impatient in this situation to
be doing something that might lead to her sister’s relief； Elinor
resolved to write the next morning to her mother； and hoped by
awakening her fears for the health of Marianne； to procure those
inquiries which had been so long delayed； and she was still more
eagerly bent on this measure by perceiving after breakfast on the
morrow； that Marianne was again writing to Willoughby； for she
could not suppose it to be to any other person。
About the middle of the day； Mrs。 Jennings went out by herself
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on business； and Elinor began her letter directly； while Marianne；
too restless for employment； too anxious for conversation； walked
from one window to the other； or sat down by the fire in
melancholy meditation。 Elinor was very earnest in her application
to her mother； relating all that had passed； her suspicions of
Willoughby’s inconstancy； urging her by every plea of duty and
affection to demand from Marianne an account of her real
situation with respect to him。
Her letter was scarcely finished； when a rap foretold a visitor；
and Colonel Brandon was announced。 Marianne； who had seen
him from the window； and who hated company of any kind； left
the room before he entered it。 He looked more than usually grave；
and though expressing satisfaction at finding Miss Dashwood
alone； as if he had somewhat in particular to tell her； sat for some
time without saying a word。 Elinor； persuaded that he had some
communication to make in which her sister was concerned；
impatiently expected its opening。 It was not the first time of her
feeling the same kind of conviction； for； more than once before；
beginning with the observation of “your sister looks unwell to…
day；” or “your sister seems out of spirits；” he had appeared on the
point； either of disclosing； or of inquiring； something particular
about her。 After a pause of several minutes； their silence was
broken； by his asking her in a voice of some agitation； when he
was to congratulate her on the acquisition of a brother？ Elinor was
not prepared for such a question； and having no answer ready；
was obliged to adopt the simple and common expedient； of asking
what he meant？ He tried to smile as he replied； “your sister’s
engagement to Mr。 Willoughby is very generally known。”
“It cannot be generally known；” returned Elinor； “for her own
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family do not know it。”
He looked surprised and said； “I beg your pardon； I am afraid
my inquiry has been impertinent； but I had not supposed any
secrecy intended； as they openly correspond； and their marriage is
universally talked of。”
“How can that be？ By whom can you have heard it
mentioned？”
“By many—by some of whom you know nothing； by others with
whom you are most intimate； Mrs。 Jennings； Mrs。 Palmer； and the
Middletons。 But still I might not have believed it； for where the
mind is perhaps rather unwilling to be convinced； it will always
find something to support its doubts； if I had not； when the servant
let me in to…day； accidentally seen a letter in his hand； directed to
Mr。 Willoughby in your sister’s writing。 I came to inquire； but I
was convinced before I could ask the question。 Is every thing
finally settled？ Is it impossible to —？ Bu