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countenance with which she entered； and an attempt at cordiality
in her behaviour to herself。 She even proceeded so far as to be
concerned to find that Elinor and her sister were so soon to leave
town； as she had hoped to see more of them；—an exertion in
which her husband； who attended her into the room； and hung
enamoured over her accents； seemed to distinguish every thing
that was most affectionate and graceful。
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CHAPTER VI
ne other short call in Harley…street； in which Elinor
received her brother’s congratulations on their travelling
O
so far towards Barton without any expense； and on
Colonel Brandon’s being to follow them to Cleveland in a day or
two； completed the intercourse of the brother and sisters in
town；—and a faint invitation from Fanny； to come to Norland
whenever it should happen to be in their way； which of all things
was the most unlikely to occur； with a more warm； though less
public； assurance； from John to Elinor； of the promptitude with
which he should come to see her at Delaford； was all that foretold
any meeting in the country。
It amused her to observe that all her friends seemed
determined to send her to Delaford；—a place； in which； of all
others； she would now least chuse to visit； or wish to reside； for not
only was it considered as her future home by her brother and Mrs。
Jennings； but even Lucy； when they parted； gave her a pressing
invitation to visit her there。
Very early in April； and tolerably early in the day； the two
parties from Hanover…square and Berkeley…street set out from
their respective homes； to meet； by appointment； on the road。 For
the convenience of Charlotte and her child； they were to be more
than two days on their journey； and Mr。 Palmer； travelling more
expeditiously with Colonel Brandon； was to join them at Cleveland
soon after their arrival。
Marianne； few as had been her hours of comfort in London； and
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eager as she had long been to quit it； could not； when it came to
the point； bid adieu to the house in which she had for the last time
enjoyed those hopes； and that confidence； in Willoughby； which
were now extinguished for ever； without great pain。 Nor could she
leave the place in which Willoughby remained； busy in new
engagements； and new schemes； in which she could have no share；
without shedding many tears。
Elinor’s satisfaction； at the moment of removal； was more
positive。 She had no such object for her lingering thoughts to fix
on； she left no creature behind； from whom it would give her a
moment’s regret to be divided for ever； she was pleased to be free
herself from the persecution of Lucy’s friendship； she was grateful
for bringing her sister away unseen by Willoughby since his
marriage； and she looked forward with hope to what a few months
of tranquility at Barton might do towards restoring Marianne’s
peace of mind； and confirming her own。
Their journey was safely performed。 The second day brought
them into the cherished； or the prohibited； county of Somerset； for
as such was it dwelt on by turns in Marianne’s imagination； and in
the forenoon of the third they drove up to Cleveland。
Cleveland was a spacious； modern…built house； situated on a
sloping lawn。 It had no park； but the pleasure…grounds were
tolerably extensive； and like every other place of the same degree
of importance； it had its open shrubbery； and closer wood walk； a
road of smooth gravel winding round a plantation； led to the front；
the lawn was dotted over with timber； the house itself was under
the guardianship of the fir； the mountain…ash； and the acacia； and
a thick screen of them altogether； interspersed with tall Lombardy
poplars； shut out the offices。
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Marianne entered the house with a heart swelling with emotion
from the consciousness of being only eighty miles from Barton；
and not thirty from Combe Magna； and before she had been five
minutes within its walls； while the others were busily helping
Charlotte to show her child to the housekeeper； she quitted it
again； stealing away through the winding shrubberies； now just
beginning to be in beauty； to gain a distant eminence； where； from
its Grecian temple； her eye； wandering over a wide tract of country
to the south…east； could fondly rest on the farthest ridge of hills in
the horizon； and fancy that from their summits Combe Magna
might be seen。
In such moments of precious； invaluable misery； she rejoiced in
tears of agony to be at Cleveland； and as she returned by a
different circuit to the house； feeling all the happy privilege of
country liberty； of wandering from place to place in free and
luxurious solitude； she resolved to spend almost every hour of
every day while she remained with the Palmers； in the indulgence
of such solitary rambles。
She returned just in time to join the others as they quitted the
house； on an excursion through its more immediate premises； and
the rest of the morning was easily whiled away； in lounging round
the kitchen garden； examining the bloom upon its walls； and
listening to the gardener’s lamentations upon blights； in dawdling
through the green…house； where the loss of her favourite plants；
unwarily exposed； and nipped by the lingering frost； raised the
laughter of Charlotte；—and in visiting her poultry…yard； where； in
the disappointed hopes of her dairy…maid； by hens forsaking their
nests； or being stolen by a fox； or in the rapid decrease of a
promising young brood； she found fresh sources of merriment。
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The morning was fine and dry； and Marianne； in her plan of
employment abroad； had not calculated for any change of weather
during their stay at Cleveland。 With great surprise therefore； did
she find herself prevented by a settled rain from going out again
after dinner。 She had depended on a twilight walk to the Grecian
temple； and perhaps all over the grounds； and an evening merely
cold or damp would not have deterred her from it； but a heavy and
settled rain even she could not fancy dry or pleasant weather for
walking。
Their party was small； and the hours passed quietly away。 Mrs。
Palmer had her child； and Mrs。 Jennings her carpet…work； they
talked of the friends they had left behind； arranged Lady
Middleton’s engagements； and wondered whether Mr。 Palmer and
Colonel Brandon would get farther than Reading that night。
Elinor； however little concerned in it； joined in their discourse；
and Marianne； who had the knack of finding her way in every
house to the library； however it might be avoided by the family in
general； soon procured herself a book。
Nothing was wanting on Mrs。 Palmer’s side that constant and
friendly good humour could do； to make them feel themselves
welcome。 The openness and heartiness of her manner more than
atoned for that want of recollection and elegance which made her
often deficient in the forms of politeness； her kindness；
recommended by so pretty a face； was engaging； her folly； though
evident was not disgusting；