You are a good woman, he warmly replied. Your promise makes me easy.
Shall we see you tomorrow to dinner? said Mrs. Dashwood, when he was leaving them. I do not ask you to come in the morning, for we must walk to the park, to visit Lady Middleton.
He promised to come by four oclock.
Chapter XV
Mrs. Dashwoods visit to Lady Middleton took place the next day, and two of her daughters went with her. Marianne remained at home.
On their return from the park they found Willoughbys curricle. When they entered the passage, Marianne came hastily out of the parlour, with her handkerchief at her eyes; and ran upstairs. Surprised and alarmed they proceeded directly into the room, where they found only Willoughby, who was leaning against the mantelpiece.
Is anything the matter with her? cried Mrs. Dashwood as she entered, is she ill?
I hope not, he replied, trying to look cheerful; and with a forced smile presently added, It is I who may be ill for I am now suffering under a very heavy disappointment!
Disappointment?
Yes. Mrs. Smith has sent me on business to London. I have just received my dispatches, and taken my farewell of Allenham. I am here now to take my farewell of you.
To London! and are you going this morning?
Almost this moment.
This is very unfortunate. But Mrs. Smiths business will not detain you from us long I hope.
He coloured as he replied,
You are very kind, but I have no idea of returning into Devonshire immediately. My visits to Mrs. Smith are never repeated within the year.
And is Mrs. Smith your only friend? Is Allenham the only house in the neighbourhood to which you will be welcome? Oh Willoughby, do you wait for an invitation here?
He only replied,
You are too good.
Mrs. Dashwood looked at Elinor with surprise. Elinor felt equal amazement. For a few moments everyone was silent. Mrs. Dashwood first spoke,
I have only to add, my dear Willoughby, that at Barton cottage you will always be welcome. I will not press you to return here immediately, because you only can judge.
My engagements at present, replied Willoughby, confusedly, are of such a nature that I dare not flatter myself
He stopped. Mrs. Dashwood was too much astonished to speak, and another pause succeeded. This was broken by Willoughby, who said with a faint smile,
It is folly to linger in this manner. I will not torment myself any longer by remaining among friends whose society it is impossible for me now to enjoy.
He then hastily left the room. He stepped into his carriage, and in a minute it was out of sight.
Elinors uneasiness was equal to her mothers. She thought of what had just passed with anxiety and distrust. Willoughbys behaviour, his embarrassment, and, above all, his unwillingness to accept her mothers invitation, greatly disturbed her. Maybe some unfortunate quarrel had taken place between him and her sister. But Marianne loved him much, and a quarrel seemed almost impossible.
In about half an hour her mother returned, her eyes were red.
Our dear Willoughby is now some miles from Barton, Elinor, said she, as she sat down to work.
It is all very strange. So suddenly! Last night he was with us so happy, so cheerful, so affectionate. And now Something very important happened. He did not speak, he did not behave like himself. You saw the difference as well as I. What can it be? Can they quarrel? Why didnt he accept your invitation?
Elinor, I have explained everything to myself in the most satisfactory way. I am persuaded that Mrs. Smith suspects his regard for Marianne, disapproves of it. Perhaps because she has other views for him, This is what happened. He is aware that she disapproves the connection, he dares not therefore at present confess to her his engagement with Marianne, and he feels himself obliged to absent himself from Devonshire for a while. And now, Elinor, what have you to say?
Nothing, for you have anticipated my answer.
Oh, Elinor, how incomprehensible are your feelings! Do you suspect him of anything?
I can hardly tell. But suspicion of something unpleasant is the inevitable consequence of his behaviour. Willoughby can undoubtedly have very sufficient reasons for his conduct, and I hope that he has.
Do not blame him, however.
It may be proper to conceal their engagement (if they are engaged) from Mrs. Smith and if that is the case, it is wise for Willoughby to leave Devonshire at the moment. But this is no excuse for their concealing it from us.
Concealing it from us! My dear child, do you accuse Willoughby and Marianne of concealment? This is strange indeed.
I want no proof of their affection, said Elinor; but of their engagement I do.
Actions speak plainly. Has not his behaviour to Marianne and to all of us, for at least the last fortnight, declared that he loved and considered her as his future wife? Have we not perfectly understood each other? My Elinor, is it possible to doubt their engagement? How could such a thought occur to you? Do you suppose him really indifferent to her?
No, I cannot think that. He must and does love her I am sure.
But with a strange kind of tenderness, if he can leave her with such indifference, such carelessness of the future, as you attribute to him.
You must remember, my dear mother, that I have never considered this matter as certain. I have had my doubts.
If you see them at the altar, you will suppose they are going to be married. Ungracious girl! But I require no such proof. You cannot doubt your sisters wishes. It must be Willoughby therefore whom you suspect. But why? Is he not a man of honour and feeling? Can he be deceitful?
I hope not, I believe not, cried Elinor. I love Willoughby, sincerely love him; and suspicion of his integrity cannot be more painful to yourself than to me. It was involuntary, and I will not encourage it.
You speak very properly. Willoughby certainly does not deserve to be suspected. Though we have not known him long, he is no stranger in this part of the world. Who has ever spoken to his disadvantage?
They were interrupted by the entrance of Margaret. They did not see Marianne till dinner time, when she entered the room and took her place at the table without a word. Her eyes were red and swollen. She avoided the looks of them all, she did not eat, and after some time, she burst into tears and left the room.
Chapter XVI
Marianne was awake the whole night, and she wept a lot. She got up with a headache, and was unable to talk.
When breakfast was over she walked out by herself, and wandered about the village of Allenham. Then she spent hours at the pianoforte alternately singing and crying. No letter from Willoughby came. Mariannes mother was surprised, and Elinor again became uneasy. But Mrs. Dashwood found explanations whenever she wanted them,
Remember, Elinor, said she, how very often Sir John fetches our letters himself from the post, and carries them to it. We have already agreed that secrecy may be necessary.
Why do you not ask Marianne at once, said Elinor, whether she is or she is not engaged to Willoughby?
I will not ask such a question. If they are not engaged, such an enquiry will inflict distress! At any rate it will be most ungenerous. I know Mariannes heart: I know that she dearly loves me, and that is enough.
It was several days before Willoughbys name was mentioned before Marianne. Sir John and Mrs. Jennings, indeed, were not very nice; their witticisms added pain to many painful hours. One morning, Marianne joined her sisters in their usual walk, instead of wandering away by herself. Elinor and Marianne walked along the road through the valley, chiefly in silence. Beyond the entrance of the valley, they stopped to look around them, and examine a prospect which formed the distance of their view from the cottage.
Amongst the objects, they soon discovered a man on horseback riding towards them. In a few minutes Marianne rapturously exclaimed,
It is he; it is indeed! I know it is! and was hastening to meet him, when Elinor cried out,
Indeed, Marianne, I think you are mistaken. It is not Willoughby. The person is not tall enough.
It is he, cried Marianne, I am sure he has. His coat, his horse. I know that!
They walked and were soon within thirty yards of the gentleman. Marianne looked again, and welcomed Edward Ferrars.
He dismounted, and giving his horse to his servant, walked back with them to Barton.
He was welcomed by them all with great cordiality, but especially by Marianne, who showed more warmth than even Elinor herself. After a short silence which succeeded the first surprise and enquiries of meeting, Marianne asked Edward if he came directly from London. No, he had been in Devonshire a fortnight.
A fortnight! she repeated, surprised.
He looked rather distressed as he added, that he was staying with some friends near Plymouth.
Elinor talked of their present residence, its conveniences and so on. His coldness and reserve mortified her severely; she was vexed and half angry.
Chapter XVII
Mrs. Dashwood was surprised only for a moment. Edwards arrival was, in her opinion, of all things the most natural.
What are Mrs. Ferrarss views for you at present, Edward? said she, when dinner was over; are you still going to be a great orator?
No. I hope my mother is now convinced that I have no talents for a public life!
But how will your fame be established? How will you become famous? You may find it a difficult matter.
I shall not attempt it. I have no wish to be distinguished; and have every reason to hope I never shall. Thank Heaven!
You have no ambition, I know. Your wishes are all moderate.
As moderate as those of the rest of the world, I believe. I wish as well as everybody else to be happy; but, like everybody else it must be in my own way. Greatness will not make me so.
Yes! cried Marianne. What have wealth or grandeur to do with happiness?
Grandeur has nothing, said Elinor, but wealth has much to do with it.
Elinor! said Marianne, money can only give happiness where there is nothing else to give it.
Marianne has no shyness at all, said Elinor.
Shyness is only the effect of a sense of inferiority, replied Edward.
And you are reserved, said Marianne, and that is worse.
Reserved! Am I reserved, Marianne? Edward asked.
Yes, very.
I do not understand you, replied he. Reserved! How, in what manner? What must I tell you? What can you suppose?
Elinor looked surprised at his emotion; but trying to laugh, she said to him,
Do not you know my sister well enough to understand what she means? Do not you know she calls everyone reserved who does not talk as fast, and admire what she admires as rapturously as herself?
Edward made no answer. His gravity and thoughtfulness returned on him, and he sat for some time silent and dull.
Chapter XVIII
Elinor saw, with great uneasiness the low spirits of her friend. It was evident that he was unhappy.
He joined her and Marianne in the breakfast-room the next morning before the others were down. Marianne soon left them to themselves. But after few steps she heard the parlour door open, and, turning round, was astonished to see Edward himself come out.
I am going into the village to see my horses, said he, as you are not yet ready for breakfast; I shall be back again presently.
Edward returned to them with fresh admiration of the surrounding country; in his walk to the village, he had seen many parts of the valley. Marianne began to describe her own admiration of these parts, and to question him, when Edward interrupted her,
You must not enquire, Marianne. I shall offend you by my ignorance. I shall call hills steep, not bold; surfaces strange and uncouth, not irregular and rugged. I know nothing of the picturesque.
I am afraid it is true, said Marianne; but why do you boast of it?
I suspect, said Elinor, that to avoid one kind of affectation, Edward here falls into another.
I am convinced, said Edward, that you really feel all the delight. But your sister must allow me to feel no more than I profess. I do not like crooked, twisted, blasted trees. I admire them much more if they are tall, straight, and flourishing. I do not like ruined, tattered cottages. I am not fond of nettles or thistles, or heath blossoms. I have more pleasure in a snug farm-house than a watch-tower. Happy villagers please me better than the finest banditti in the world.
Marianne looked with amazement at Edward, with compassion at her sister. Elinor only laughed.
Marianne remained thoughtfully silent, till a new object suddenly engaged her attention. She was sitting by Edward, and his hand passed so directly before her. She saw a ring, with a plait of hair in the centre.
I never saw you wear a ring before, Edward, she cried. Is that Fannys hair? But I think her hair is darker.
Edward coloured very deeply, and giving a momentary glance at Elinor, replied,
Yes; it is my sisters hair.
Elinor met his eye, and thought that the hair was her own. But where and how did he get it?
Edwards embarrassment lasted some time. He was particularly grave the whole morning.
Before the middle of the day, Sir John and Mrs. Jennings visited them. With the assistance of his mother-in-law, Sir John was not long in discovering that the name of Ferrars began with an F, preparing ground for future jokes.
Sir John never came to the Dashwoods without either inviting them to dine at the park the next day, or to drink tea with them that evening.
You must drink tea with us tonight, said he, we shall be quite alone and tomorrow you must absolutely dine with us, we shall be a large party.
And after that a dance, said Mrs. Jennings. And that will tempt you, Miss Marianne.
A dance! cried Marianne. Impossible! Who will dance?
Who! Yourselves, and the Careys, and Whitakers.
Chapter XIX
Edward remained a week at the cottage. His spirits, during the last two or three days, were greatly improved. He valued their kindness beyond anything, and his greatest happiness was there. He had no pleasure at Norland; he detested towns; but either to Norland or London, he must go. Yet, he must leave them at the end of a week, in spite of their wishes and his own. Elinor was disappointed, however, and vexed, and sometimes displeased with his uncertain behaviour to herself.
I think, Edward, said Mrs. Dashwood, as they were at breakfast the last morning, you will be a happier man if you have any profession to engage your time and give an interest to your plans and actions.
I assure you, he replied, that I have long thought on this point, as you think now. It has been, and is, and probably will always be a heavy misfortune to me, that I have had no necessary business to engage me, no profession to give me employment. We never agreed in our choice of a profession. I always preferred the church, as I still do. But that was not smart enough for my family. They recommended the army. I have been idle since my Oxford studies.
Elinor sat down to her drawing-table as soon as he was out of the house, busily employed herself the whole day. Elinor found time every day to think of Edward, and of Edwards behaviour, with tenderness, pity, approbation, censure, and doubt.
One morning, soon after Edwards leaving, she was quite alone. She drew her eyes to the window, and she saw a large party walking up to the door. Amongst them were Sir John and Lady Middleton and Mrs. Jennings, but there were two others, a gentleman and lady, who were quite unknown to her. She was sitting near the window, and as soon as Sir John perceived her, he stepped across the turf, and spoke to her.