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finally settled？ Is it impossible to —？ But I have no right； and I
could have no chance of succeeding。 Excuse me； Miss Dashwood。 I
believe I have been wrong in saying so much； but I hardly know
what to do； and on your prudence I have the strongest
dependence。 Tell me that it is all absolutely resolved on； that any
attempt； that in short concealment； if concealment be possible； is
all that remains。”
These words； which conveyed to Elinor a direct avowal of his
love for her sister； affected her very much。 She was not
immediately able to say anything； and even when her spirits were
recovered； she debated for a short time； on the answer it would be
most proper to give。 The real state of things between Willoughby
and her sister was so little known to herself； that in endeavouring
to explain it； she might be as liable to say too much as too little。
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Yet as she was convinced that Marianne’s affection for
Willoughby； could leave no hope of Colonel Brandon’s success；
whatever the event of that affection might be； and at the same
time wished to shield her conduct from censure； she thought it
most prudent and kind； after some consideration； to say more than
she really knew or believed。 She acknowledged； therefore； that
though she had never been informed by themselves of the terms
on which they stood with each other； of their mutual affection she
had no doubt； and of their correspondence she was not astonished
to hear。
He listened to her with silent attention； and on her ceasing to
speak； rose directly from his seat； and after saying in a voice of
emotion； “to your sister I wish all imaginable happiness； to
Willoughby that he may endeavour to deserve her；”—took leave；
and went away。
Elinor derived no comfortable feelings from this conversation；
to lessen the uneasiness of her mind on other points； she was left；
on the contrary； with a melancholy impression of Colonel
Brandon’s unhappiness； and was prevented even from wishing it
removed； by her anxiety for the very event that must confirm it。
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CHAPTER VI
othing occurred during the next three or four days； to
make Elinor regret what she had done； in applying to
N
her mother； for Willoughby neither came nor wrote。
They were engaged about the end of that time to attend Lady
Middleton to a party； from which Mrs。 Jennings was kept away by
the indisposition of her youngest daughter； and for this party；
Marianne； wholly dispirited； careless of her appearance； and
seeming equally indifferent whether she went or staid； prepared；
without one look of hope or one expression of pleasure。 She sat by
the drawing…room fire after tea； till the moment of Lady
Middleton’s arrival； without once stirring from her seat； or altering
her attitude； lost in her own thoughts； and insensible of her sister’s
presence； and when at last they were told that Lady Middleton
waited for them at the door； she started as if she had forgotten that
any one was expected。
They arrived in due time at the place of destination； and as
soon as the string of carriages before them would allow； alighted；
ascended the stairs； heard their names announced from one
landing…place to another in an audible voice； and entered a room
splendidly lit up； quite full of company； and insufferably hot。 When
they had paid their tribute of politeness by curtsying to the lady of
the house； they were permitted to mingle in the crowd； and take
their share of the heat and inconvenience； to which their arrival
must necessarily add。 After some time spent in saying little or
doing less； Lady Middleton sat down to Casino； and as Marianne
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was not in spirits for moving about； she and Elinor luckily
succeeding to chairs； placed themselves at no great distance from
the table。
They had not remained in this manner long； before Elinor
perceived Willoughby； standing within a few yards of them； in
earnest conversation with a very fashionable looking young
woman。 She soon caught his eye； and he immediately bowed； but
without attempting to speak to her； or to approach Marianne；
though he could not but see her； and then continued his discourse
with the same lady。 Elinor turned involuntarily to Marianne； to see
whether it could be unobserved by her。 At that moment she first
perceived him； and her whole countenance glowing with sudden
delight； she would have moved towards him instantly； had not her
sister caught hold of her。
“Good heavens！” she exclaimed； “he is there—he is there—Oh！
why does he not look at me？ why cannot I speak to him？”
“Pray； pray be composed；” cried Elinor； “and do not betray
what you feel to every body present。 Perhaps he has not observed
you yet。”
This however was more than she could believe herself； and to
be composed at such a moment was not only beyond the reach of
Marianne； it was beyond her wish。 She sat in an agony of
impatience which affected every feature。
At last he turned round again； and regarded them both； she
started up； and pronouncing his name in a tone of affection； held
out her hand to him。 He approached； and addressing himself
rather to Elinor than Marianne； as if wishing to avoid her eye； and
determined not to observe her attitude； inquired in a hurried
manner after Mrs。 Dashwood； and asked how long they had been
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in town。 Elinor was robbed of all presence of mind by such an
address； and was unable to say a word。 But the feelings of her
sister were instantly expressed。 Her face was crimsoned over； and
she exclaimed； in a voice of the greatest emotion； “Good God！
Willoughby； what is the meaning of this？ Have you not received
my letters？ Will you not shake hands with me？”
He could not then avoid it； but her touch seemed painful to him；
and he held her hand only for a moment。 During all this time he
was evidently struggling for composure。 Elinor watched his
countenance and saw its expression becoming more tranquil。
After a moment’s pause； he spoke with calmness。
“I did myself the honour of calling in Berkeley…street last
Tuesday； and very much regretted that I was not fortunate enough
to find yourselves and Mrs。 Jennings at home。 My card was not
lost； I hope。”
“But have you not received my notes？” cried Marianne in the
wildest anxiety。 “Here is some mistake I am sure—some dreadful
mistake。 What can be the meaning of it？ Tell me； Willoughby； for
heaven’s sake tell me； what is the matter？”
He made no reply； his complexion changed and all his
embarrassment returned； but as if； on catching the eye of the
young lady with whom he had been previously talking； he felt the
necessity of instant exertion； he recovered himself again； and after
saying； “Yes； I had the pleasure of receiving the information of
your arrival in town； which you were so good as to send me；”
turned hastily away with a slight bow and join