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which Mrs。 Dashwood； from foreseeing at first as a probable event；
had brought herself to expect as a certain one。
She had yet another reason for wishing her children to remain
where they were； a letter from her son…in…law had told her that he
and his wife were to be in town before the middle of February； and
she judged it right that they should sometimes see their brother。
Marianne had promised to be guided by her mother’s opinion；
and she submitted to it therefore without opposition； though it
proved perfectly different from what she wished and expected；
though she felt it to be entirely wrong； formed on mistaken
grounds； and that by requiring her longer continuance in London
it deprived her of the only possible alleviation of her
wretchedness； the personal sympathy of her mother； and doomed
her to such society and such scenes as must prevent her ever
knowing a moment’s rest。
But it was a matter of great consolation to her； that what
brought evil to herself would bring good to her sister； and Elinor；
on the other hand； suspecting that it would not be in her power to
avoid Edward entirely； comforted herself by thinking； that though
their longer stay would therefore militate against her own
happiness； it would be better for Marianne than an immediate
return into Devonshire。
Her carefulness in guarding her sister from ever hearing
Willoughby’s name mentioned； was not thrown away。 Marianne；
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though without knowing it herself； reaped all its advantage； for
neither Mrs。 Jennings； nor Sir John； nor even Mrs。 Palmer herself；
ever spoke of him before her。 Elinor wished that the same
forbearance could have extended towards herself； but that was
impossible； and she was obliged to listen day after day to the
indignation of them all。
Sir John could not have thought it possible。 “A man of whom he
had always had such reason to think well！ Such a good…natured
fellow！ He did not believe there was a bolder rider in England！ It
was an unaccountable business。 He wished him at the devil with
all his heart。 He would not speak another word to him； meet him
where he might； for all the world！ No； not if it were to be by the
side of Barton covert； and they were kept watching for two hours
together。 Such a scoundrel of a fellow！ such a deceitful dog！ It was
only the last time they met that he had offered him one of Folly’s
puppies！ and this was the end of it！”
Mrs。 Palmer； in her way； was equally angry。 “She was
determined to drop his acquaintance immediately； and she was
very thankful that she had never been acquainted with him at all。
She wished with all her heart Combe Magna was not so near
Cleveland； but it did not signify； for it was a great deal too far off to
visit； she hated him so much that she was resolved never to
mention his name again； and she should tell everybody she saw；
how good…for…nothing he was。”
The rest of Mrs。 Palmer’s sympathy was shewn in procuring all
the particulars in her power of the approaching marriage； and
communicating them to Elinor。 She could soon tell at what
coachmaker’s the new carriage was building； by what painter Mr。
Willoughby’s portrait was drawn； and at what warehouse Miss
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Grey’s clothes might be seen。
The calm and polite unconcern of Lady Middleton on the
occasion was a happy relief to Elinor’s spirits； oppressed as they
often were by the clamorous kindness of the others。 It was a great
comfort to her to be sure of exciting no interest in one person at
least among their circle of friends； a great comfort to know that
there was one who would meet her without feeling any curiosity
after particulars； or any anxiety for her sister’s health。
Every qualification is raised at times； by the circumstances of
the moment； to more than its real value； and she was sometimes
worried down by officious condolence to rate good…breeding as
more indispensable to comfort than good…nature。
Lady Middleton expressed her sense of the affair about once
every day； or twice； if the subject occurred very often； by saying；
“It is very shocking； indeed！” and by the means of this continual
though gentle vent； was able not only to see the Miss Dashwoods
from the first without the smallest emotion； but very soon to see
them without recollecting a word of the matter； and having thus
supported the dignity of her own sex； and spoken her decided
censure of what was wrong in the other； she thought herself at
liberty to attend to the interest of her own assemblies； and
therefore determined （though rather against the opinion of Sir
John） that as Mrs。 Willoughby would at once be a woman of
elegance and fortune； to leave her card with her as soon as she
married。
Colonel Brandon’s delicate； unobtrusive inquiries were never
unwelcome to Miss Dashwood。 He had abundantly earned the
privilege of intimate discussion of her sister’s disappointment； by
the friendly zeal with which he had endeavoured to soften it； and
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they always conversed with confidence。 His chief reward for the
painful exertion of disclosing past sorrows and present
humiliations； was given in the pitying eye with which Marianne
sometimes observed him； and the gentleness of her voice
whenever （though it did not often happen） she was obliged； or
could oblige herself to speak to him。 These assured him that his
exertion had produced an increase of good…will towards himself；
and these gave Elinor hopes of its being farther augmented
hereafter； but Mrs。 Jennings； who knew nothing of all this； who
knew only that the Colonel continued as grave as ever； and that
she could neither prevail on him to make the offer himself； nor
commission her to make it for him； began； at the end of two days；
to think that； instead of Midsummer； they would not be married
till Michaelmas； and by the end of a week that it would not be a
match at all。 The good understanding between the Colonel and
Miss Dashwood seemed rather to declare that the honours of the
mulberry…tree； the canal； and the yew arbour； would all be made
over to her； and Mrs。 Jennings had； for some time ceased to think
at all of Mr。 Ferrars。
Early in February； within a fortnight from the receipt of
Willoughby’s letter； Elinor had the painful office of informing her
sister that he was married。 She had taken care to have the
intelligence conveyed to herself； as soon as it was known that the
ceremony was over； as she was desirous that Marianne should not
receive the first notice of it from the public papers； which she saw
her eagerly examining every morning。
She received the news with resolute composure； made no
observation on it； and at first shed no tears； but after a short time
they would burst out； and for the rest of the day； she was in a state
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hardly less pitiable than