Chapter 39 The Miss Dashwoods had now been rather more than two months in town,
And Marianne's impatience to be gone increased every day.
Eleanor was hardly less anxious than herself for their removal.
And only so much less bent on it being effective immediately.
As she was conscious of the difficulties of so long a journey which Marianne could not be brought to acknowledge.
She began,
However,
Seriously to turn her thoughts towards its accomplishment.
And had already mentioned their wishes to their kind hostess when a plan was suggested.
Which though detaining them from home yet a few weeks longer.
Appeared to Eleanor altogether much more eligible.
Than any other.
The Palmers were to remove to Cleveland about the end of March for the Easter holidays.
And Mrs Jennings,
With both of her friends,
Received a very warm invitation from Charlotte to go with them.
This was enforced with so much real politeness by Mr.
Palmer himself.
Has joined to the very great amendment of his manners towards them.
Since her sister had been known to be unhappy.
When Eleanor told Marianne what she had done,
However,
Her first reply was not very auspicious.
Cleveland.
She cried with great agitation.
No,
I cannot go to Cleveland.
You forget,
Said Elena gently,
That its situation is not good.
That it's not in the neighborhood of but it is in Somersetshire.
No,
Eleanor,
You cannot expect me to go there.
Eleanor would not argue upon the propriety of overcoming such feelings.
And represented it therefore as a measure which would fix the time of her returning to that dear mother,
Whom she so much wished to see in a more eligible,
Comfortable manner than any other plan could do.
From Cleveland which was a few miles from Bristol.
The distance to Barton was not beyond one day.
And their mother's servant might easily come there to attend them.
Mrs Jennings was so far from being weary of her guests that she pressed them very earnestly to return with her again.
From Cleveland.
Eleanor was grateful for the attention.
But it could not alter their design,
And everything relative to their return was arranged as far as it could be.
Ah,
Colonel,
I do not know what you and I shall do without the Miss Dashwoods.
Mrs Jennings addressed to him when he first called on her after their leaving was settled.
And how forlorn we shall be when I come back.
We shall sit and gape at one another as dull as two cats.
Perhaps Mrs Jennings was in hopes to provoke him to make that offer which might give himself an escape from it.
And if so,
She had soon afterwards good reason to think her object gained.
For on Eleanor's moving to the window,
He followed her to it with a look of particular meaning.
And converse with her there for several minutes.
The effect of this discourse on Eleanor could not escape Miss Jennings' observation.
For though she was too honourable to listen.
And had even changed her seat on purpose she might not hear.
She could not keep herself from seeing that Eleanor change colour.
She attended with agitation and was too intent on what he said pursue her employment.
Some words of the colonel's inevitably reached her ear in which he seemed to be apologizing from the badness of his house.
This set the matter beyond a doubt.
What Eleanor said in reply,
She could not distinguish,
But judged from the motion of her lips,
She did not think any material objection.
Then they talked on for a few minutes longer without her catching a syllable.
When another lucky stop in Marianne's performance on the piano forte.
Brought her these words.
I am afraid it cannot take place very soon.
Said the Colonel in a calm voice.
Astonished and shocked at so unlovelike a speech.
Mrs Jennings was almost ready to cry out,
Lord!
What should him do it?
But checking her desire,
She confined herself to this silent ejaculation.
How very strange.
Sure he needn't wait to be older.
This delay on the Colonel's side,
However,
Did not seem to offend or mortify his fair companion in the least.
4.
Mrs Jennings very plainly heard Eleanor say I shall always think myself very much obliged to you.
Mrs Jennings was delighted with Eleanor's gratitude.
And only wondered the colonel should be able.
To take leave of them as he immediately did.
Atmosang4.
And go away without making her any reply.
Unbeknownst to her,
What had really passed between them was to this effect.
I have heard,
" said he with great compassion.
Of the injustice your friend Mr Ferrars has suffered from his family.
If I understand the matter right,
He's been entirely cast off by them for persevering in his engagement with a very deserving young woman.
Have I been rightly informed?
Is it so?
Eleanor told him that it was.
They're cool.
In politic cruelty,
He replied with great feeling,
Of attempting to divide two young people long attached to each other is terrible.
I have seen Mr Ferrer's two or three times in Harley Street.
I am very much pleased with him.
I understand he intends to take orders.
Will you be so good as to tell him that living at Delaford,
Now just vacant,
Is his if he thinks it's worth his acceptance?
It is a rectory,
But a small one.
The late incumbent,
I believe,
Did not make more than £200 per annum,
Though it is certainly capable of improvement.
I fear not to such amount as to afford him a very comfortable income.
Such as this is,
However,
My pleasure in presenting him to it will be very great.
Eleanor's astonishment at this commission could hardly have been greater,
Had the Colonel been really making her an offer of his hand.
Her emotion was such as Mrs Jennings had attributed to a very different cause.
But whatever minor feelings,
Less pure,
Less pleasing,
Might have a share in that emotion.
Eleanor's gratitude for the particular friendship.
Was strongly felt and warmly expressed.
She promised to undertake the commission with pleasure.
If it was really his wish to put off so inagreeable an office to another.
But at the same time,
Eleanor could not help thinking no one could so well perform it as himself.
But Colonel Brandon seemed so desirous of it being given through her means.
Edward she believed was still in town and fortunately she'd heard his address from Miss Steele.
She could undertake therefore to inform him in the course of the day.
After this had been settled,
Colonel Brandon began to talk of his own advantage,
In securing so respectable and agreeable a neighbour.
And it was then.
.
.
That he mentioned with regret.
The house was small and indifferent.
The smallest of the house,
Said Elena,
I cannot imagine any inconvenience to them,
For it will be in proportion to their family and income.
Said Mrs Jennings,
Sagaciously smiling as soon as the gentleman had withdrawn.
I do not ask you what the Colonel's been saying to you,
Though upon my honour I try to keep out of hearing.
I never was better pleased in my life,
And I wish you joy with all my heart.
" Thank you,
Ma'am.
Said Eleanor.
It's a matter of great joy to me,
And I feel the goodness of Colonel Brandon most sensibly.
There are few people who have so compassionate a heart.
I never was more astonished in my life.
Lord my dear,
" said Mrs Jennings,
I've often thought of late there was nothing more likely to happen.
You judge from your knowledge of the Colonel's general benevolence,
" said Elena.
Completely misunderstanding what she alluded to.
But at least you could not foresee the opportunity would so very soon occur.
Opportunity.
Repeated Mrs Jennings,
When a man has once made up his mind to do such a thing.
He will soon find an opportunity.
Well,
My dear,
I wish you joy of it again and again,
And if ever there was a happy couple in the world,
I think I shall soon know where to look for them.
Mean to go to Delaford after them,
I suppose?
" said Eleanor,
With a faint smile.
I,
My dear,
That I do,
" said Mrs.
Jennings,
And as to the house being a bad one,
I don't know what the Colonel would be at,
For it is as good as any one I ever saw.
You spoke of it being out of repair.
Syd Elena.
Well,
Said Mrs Jennings,
Completely at a loss.
And whose fault is that?
Why doesn't he repair it?
Then before any understanding was come to.
They were interrupted by the servants coming in to announce the carriage being at the door.
And Mrs Jennings immediately preparing to go said Well,
My dear,
I must be gone before I've had half my talk out.
But however,
We may have it all over in the evening.
For we shall be quite alone.
I do not ask you to go with me,
For I dare say your mind is too full of the matter to care for company.
And besides,
You must long to tell your sister all about it.
Certainly ma'am.
Said Elena.
I shall tell Marianne of it,
But I shall not mention it at present to anybody else.
"'Oh,
Very well,
' said Mrs Jennings,
Rather disappointed.
Then you would not have me tell it to Lucy?
No,
Ma'am,
Not even to Lucy,
If you please.
Said Eleanor,
Completely misunderstanding.
Until I've written to Mr Ferrars,
I think it ought not to be mentioned to anybody else.
I should do that directly.
It's of importance that no time should be lost with him,
For he will,
Of course,
Have much to do relative to his ordination.
Chapter 40 This speech at first puzzled Mrs Jennings exceedingly.
A few moments reflection however produced a very happy idea.
Oh,
I understand you.
She said,
Mr Ferris is to be the man.
Ah,
To be sure,
He must be ordained in readiness,
And I'm very glad to find things are so forward between you.
But my dear,
Is not this rather out of character,
Should not the colonel write himself?
It was Eleanor's turn then to not quite understand Mrs Jennings's speech.
Neither did she think it worth inquiring into.
And therefore only replied to its conclusion.
Colonel Brandon is so delicate a man,
He rather wished anyone to announce his intentions to Mr Ferreres than himself.
And so you are forced to do it.
Declared Mrs Jennings.
Well,
That is an odd kind of delicacy.
However,
I will not disturb you.
You know your own concerns best.
Goodbye,
My dear.
I've not heard of anything to please me so well since Charlotte was brought to bed.
Now Eleanor should begin.
How she should express herself in her note to Edward was now all her concern.
She equally feared to say too much or too little,
And she sat deliberating over her paper with a pen in her hand.
Till broken in on by the entrance of Edward himself.
He had met Mrs Jennings at the door in her way to the carriage as he came to leave his farewell card.
And she had pledged him to enter by saying Miss Dashwood wanted to speak to him on a very particular business.
Eleanor had just been congratulating herself that however difficult it might be to express herself properly by letter,
It was at least preferable to giving the information by word of mouth.
When her visitor entered.
Their astonishment and confusion were very great on his so sudden appearance.
She had not seen him before since his engagement became public.
He too was much distressed.
They sat down together in a promising state of embarrassment.
Whether he had asked her pardon for his intrusion on first coming into the room he could not recollect.
But determined to be on the safe side,
He made his apology in form as soon as he could say anything.
After taking a chair.
Mrs Jennings told me.
City.
That you wish to speak with me.
I certainly should not have intruded on you in such a manner.
Though at the same time,
I should have been extremely sorry to leave London without seeing you and your sister.
I go to Oxford tomorrow.
You would not have gone,
However,
" said Eleanor,
Recovering herself.
Without receiving our good wishes.
Even if we had not been able to give them in person.
I have something of a consequence to inform you.
I was on the point of communicating it by paper.
I have been charged with the most agreeable office.
Colonel Brandon has desired me to say he has great pleasure in offering you the living of Delaford,
Now just vacant.
And he only wishes it were more valuable.
Allow me to congratulate you,
Edward,
On having so respectable and well-judging a friend.
And to join in his wish that the living It is about 200 a year.
Were much more considerable,
And such as might better enable you to establish all your views of happiness.
What Edward felt as he listened.
He could not say himself.
For it cannot be expected that anyone else could say it for him.
He looked all the astonishment,
Which such unexpected information could not fail of exciting.
But he said only these two words.
Colonel Brandon.
Yes,
" continued Eleanor,
Gathering more resolution as some of the worse was over.
Colonel Brandon means it as a testimony of his concern for what has lately passed.
Colonel Brandon give me a living?
Can it be possible?
The unkindness of your own relations has made you astonished to find friendship anywhere.
See you then.
Replied he with a sudden consciousness.
Not to find it in you,
For I cannot be ignorant that to you,
Your goodness,
I owe it all.
You were very much mistaken.
Eleanor added.
I do assure you,
You owe it entirely to your own merit and Colonel Brander's discernment of it.
I have had no hand in it.
For a short time Edward sat deep in thought.
And it lasts as if it were rather an effort.
Colonel Brandon seems a man of great worth and respectability.
I have always heard him spoken of as such,
And your brother I know esteems him highly.
He is undoubtedly a sensible man and in his manners perfectly the gentleman.
Indeed.
Replied Eleanor.
I believe you'll find him.
All that you have heard him to be.
And as you will be such very dear neighbours,
It's particularly important he should be all this.
Edward made no answer.
But when Eleanor had turned away her head.
.
.
It gave her a look so serious,
So uncheerful.
Seem to say he might hereafter wish the distance between the parsonage and the mansion house much greater.
Colonel Brandon,
I think.
Lodges in St James's Street Then he rose from his chair.
Eleanor told him the number of the house.
I must hurry away then to give him those thanks which you will not allow me to give you.
Eleanor did not offer to detain Edward and they parted with a very earnest assurance,
On her side,
Her unceasing good wishes.
When I see him again,
Said Eleanor to herself as the door shut him out.
He shall be the husband.
Of Lucy.
Chapter 41 Edward,
Having carried his thanks to Colonel Brandon,
Proceeded with his happiness to Lucy,
And such was the excess of it by the time he reached Barclayt's buildings,
She was able to assure Mrs.
Jennings she had never seen him in such spirits before in her life.
Her own happiness and spirits were at least very certain,
And she joined Mrs Jennings most heartily in her expectation of their being all comfortably together in Delaford Parsonage before Michaelmas.
So far was she at the same time from any backwardness to give Eleanor that credit which Edward would give her,
That she spoke of her friendship for them both with a most grateful warmth.
And was ready to own all their obligation to her.
As for Colonel Brandon,
She was not only ready to worship him as a saint,
But moreover truly anxious he should be treated as one in all worldly concerns,
And secretly resolved to avail herself,
Deliford,
As far as she possibly could,
Of his servants,
His carriage,
His cows,
And his poultry.
It was now above a week since John Dashwood had called in Barclay Street.
And as since that time no notice had been taken by them of his wife's indisposition,
Beyond one verbal inquiry.
Ellen began to feel it necessary to pay her a visit.
Marianne not contented with absolutely refusing to go herself.
Was very urgent to prevent her sisters going at all.
And Mrs Jennings so much disliked Mrs John Dashwood.
That not even her curiosity to see how she looked after the late discovery could overcome her unwillingness to be in her company again.
The consequence was that Eleanor set out by herself.
Mrs Dashwood was denied.
But before the carriage could turn from the house,
Her husband accidentally came out.
He expressed great pleasure in meeting Eleanor.
And assuring her that Fanny would be very glad to see her,
Invited her to come in.
They walked upstairs into the drawing room,
But nobody was there.
Fanny's in her own room,
I suppose.
Said he.
I'll go to her presently,
For I'm sure she will not have the least objection in the world to seeing you.
Why would not Marianne come?
Eleanor made what excuse she could.
I am not sorry to see you alone.
He replied.
For I have a good deal to say to you.
This living of Colonel Brandon's,
Has he really given it to Edward?
I heard yesterday by chance and was coming to you on purpose to inquire further about it.
It is perfectly true.
Really?
Well that is very astonishing.
And now that living's fetched such a price!
What was the value of this?
About 200 a year.
Very well,
And for the next presentation to a living of that value.
Supposing the old incumbent to have been old and sickly and likely to vacate it soon.
He might have got,
I dare say,
£1400.
And how came he not to have settled that matter before this person's death?
Now indeed it would be too late to sell it,
But a man of Colonel Brandon's sense.
I suppose,
However,
Edward's only to hold the living till the person to whom the Colonel has really sold the presentation is old enough to take it.
Elenda contradicted this,
However.
And by relating she had herself been employed in conveying the offer from Colonel Brandon to Edward.
Obliged him to submit to her authority.
It is truly astonishing,
He cried after hearing what she said.
What could be the colonel's motive?
A very simple one.
Eleanor replied.
To be of use to Mr Ferrars.
Well,
Well.
Whatever Colonel Brandon may be,
Edward is a very lucky man.
You will not mention the matter to Fanny,
However.
She will not like to hear it much talked of.
Eleanor had some difficulty here to refrain from observing.
She thought Fanning might have borne with composure an acquisition of wealth to her brother,
To which neither she nor her child could be possibly impoverished.
Mrs Ferrer's?
Added he,
Knows nothing about it at present and I believe it will be best to keep it entirely concealed from her,
As long as may be.
But why should such precaution be used?
Eleanor persisted.
Yet why,
After her late behaviour,
Is she supposed to feel at all?
She has done with her son,
She has cast him off forever.
She would not be so weak as to throw away the comfort of a child,
And yet retain the anxiety of her parents.
Ah,
Eleanor,
" said John,
Your reasoning is very good but it is founded on ignorance of human nature.
When Edward's unhappy match takes place,
Depend upon it.
His mother will feel as much as if she had never discarded him.
Mrs Ferris can never forget Edward is her son.
You surprise me.
Jai Delana I should think it must nearly have escaped her memory by this time.
You wrong her exceedingly.
Mrs Ferris is one of the most affectionate mothers in the world.
Eleanor was silent.
We think now.
Continued Mr Dashwood to a short pause.
Of Robert's marrying Miss Morton.
Elinor,
Smiling at the grave and decisive importance of her brother's tone,
Calmly replied.
The lady,
I suppose,
Has no choice in the affair?
Choice?
How do you mean?
I only mean,
I suppose from your manner of speaking,
It must be the same to Miss Morton whether she marry Edward or Robert.
Certainly there can be no difference,
" said Mr Dashwood.
Robert will now,
To all intents and purposes,
Be considered as the eldest son.
They're both very agreeable young men and I do not know that one is superior to the other.
Eleanor said no more,
And John was also for a short time silent.
His reflections ended thus.
Of one thing,
My dear sister.
He took her hand.
I may assure you,
I have good reason to think whatever objections there may be against a certain connection.
It would have been far preferable to her,
And would not have given her half the vexation that this does.
I was exceedingly pleased to hear Mrs Ferris considered it in that light.
It would have been beyond comparison,
She said.
The least evil of the two.
However,
All that is quite out of the question and gone by now.
But I thought I would just tell you of this because I knew how much it must please you.
Not that you have any reason to regret,
My dear Eleanor.
There is no doubt of your doing exceedingly well.
Quite as well or better,
Perhaps,
All things considered.
Has Colonel Brandon been with you lately?
Eleanor had heard enough.
If not to gratify her vanity and raise her self-importance.
To agitate her nerves and fill her mind.
She was therefore glad to be spared from the necessity of saying much in reply,
And from the danger of hearing anything more from her brother.
By the entrance of Mr Robert Ferrars.
After a few moments chat.
John Dashwood.
Recollecting that Fanny was yet uninformed of his sister's being there,
Quitted the room.
And Eleanor was left to improve her acquaintance with Robert.
Who,
By the gay unconcern,
The happy self-complacency of his manner.
Was confirming her most unfavorable opinion of his head and heart.
They had scarcely been two minutes by themselves before he began to speak of Edward.
For he had too heard of the living and was very inquisitive on the subject.
Eleanor repeated the particulars of it as she had given them to John.
And their effect on Robert,
Though very different.
Was not less striking than it has been on him.
He laughed most immoderately.
The idea of Edwards being a clergyman diverted him beyond measure.
And when to that was added the fanciful imagery of Edward reading prayers in a white surplus and publishing the bans of marriage between John Smith and Mary Brown,
He could conceive nothing more ridiculous.
We may treat it as a joke.
He said at last,
But upon my soul it's a most serious business.
" Poor Edward.
He's ruined forever.
You must not judge of him,
Miss Dashwood,
From your slight acquaintance.
His manners are certainly not the happiest in nature.
But we are not all born,
You know,
With the same powers and the same address.
I declare and protest to you,
I never was so shocked in my life as when it all burst forth.
I could not believe it.
My mother was the first person who told me of it,
And immediately I said to her,
Dear madam,
I do not know what you may intend to do on the occasion,
But as for myself,
I must say,
If Edward does marry this young woman,
I'll never see him again.
Poor Edward,
He's done for himself completely.
But as I directly said to my mother,
I'm not in the least surprised at it.
From his style of education,
It was always to be expected.
Have you ever seen the lady?
Our Stellina.
Yes,
Said Robert,
Once when she was staying in this house.
The merest awkward country girl without style or elegance and almost without beauty.
Just the kind of girl I should suppose likely to captivate poor Edward.
I offered immediately as soon as my mother related the affair to me to talk to him myself and dissuade him from the match.
But it was too late then.
If I had been informed of it a few hours earlier,
I certainly should have represented it to Edward in a very strong light.
My dear fellow,
I should have said,
You're making a most disgraceful connection and such as one as your family are unanimous in disapproving.
He must be starved,
You know.
That is certain.
Absolutely starved.
Robert had just settled this point with great composure when the entrance of Mrs John Dashwood put an end to the subject.
But though she never spoke of it out of her own family.
Eleanor could see its influence on her mind,
In the something-like confusion of 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 Eleanor and her sister were so soon to leave town.
As she had hoped to see more of them.
An exertion which her husband seemed to distinguish everything.
That was most affectionate.
And graceful.
Chapter 42 One other short call in Harley Street,
In which Eleanor received her brother's congratulations on their travelling 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 Normland whenever it should happen to be in their way.
With a more warm,
Though less public assurance from John to Eleanor,
Of the promptitude with which he should come to see her at Delaford,
Was all that foretold any meeting in the country.
Very early in April,
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 traveling most expediently.
With Colonel Brandon.
Was to join them to Cleveland soon after their arrival.
Marianne could not bid adieu to the house in which she had for the last time enjoyed these 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 without shedding many tears.
Eleanor was more positive.
She had no such object for her lingering thoughts to fix on.
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 tranquillity at Barton might do towards restoring Marianne's peace of mind.
And confirming our own.
The second day brought them into the cherished or the prohibited county of Somerset.
And in the full moon of the 3rd they drove up to Cleveland.
Caveland was a spacious modern built house situated on a sloping lawn.
It had its open shrubbery and a road of smooth gravel winding round a plantation led to the front.
Marianne entered the house with a heart swelling with emotion from the consciousness of being only 80 miles from Barton and not 30 from Coombe Magna.
And before she had been five minutes within its walls.
She quitted it again,
Stealing away through the winding shrubberies,
Now just beginning to be in beauty.
To gain a distance eminence.
Where from its Grecian temple her eye,
Wandering over a wide tract of country to the southeast,
Could fondly rest on the furthest ridge of hills in the horizon.
And fancy that from their summit,
Kuhn Magna might be seen.
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.
In dawdling through the greenhouse where the loss of her favourite plants unwarily exposed and nipped by the lingering frost.
Raise the laughter of Charlotte.
The morning was fine and dry,
And Marianne had not calculated for any change of weather during this stay.
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.
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 and wondered whether Mr.
Palmer and Colonel Brandon would get further than Reading that night.
Eleanor,
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 were engaging.
Her folly,
Though evident,
Was not disgusting because it was not conceited.
And Elinor could have forgiven everything but her loss.
The two gentlemen arrive the next day to a very late dinner.
Eleanor had seen so little of Mr.
Palmer.
And in that little had seen so much variety in his address to her sister and herself.
That she knew not what to expect to find him in his own family.
She found him,
However,
Perfectly the gentleman in his behaviour to all his visitors.
And only occasionally rude to his wife and her mother.
She found him very capable of being a pleasant companion,
And only prevented from being so always by too great an aptitude to fancy himself as much superior to people in general.
As he must feel himself to be Mrs Jennings and Charlotte.
She liked him,
However,
Upon the whole much better than she had expected.
And in her heart was not sorry that she could like him no more.
Of Edward,
She now received intelligence from Colonel Brandon.
Treating her at once as the disinterested friend of Mr Ferrer's and the kind confidante of himself.
Taught to her a great deal of the parsonage at Delaford.
Described its deficiencies and told her what he meant to do himself towards removing them.
His behaviour to her in this.
His open pleasure in meeting her after an absence of only ten days.
Might very well justify Mrs Jennings' persuasion of his attachment.
And would have been enough,
Perhaps,
Had not Elinor still was from the first.
Believe Marianne his real favourite.
Make her suspect it herself.
But as it was,
Such a notion had scarcely ever entered her head.
Except by Mrs Jennings's suggestion.
And she could not help believing herself the nicest observer of the two.
And while his looks of anxious solicitude on Marianne's feeling the beginning of a heavy cold.
Because unexpressed by words entirely escaped the latter lady's observation.
She could discover in them the quick feelings and needless alarm of a lover.
Two delightful twilight walks on the third and fourth evenings of her being there,
Assisted by the still greater imprudence of sitting in her wet shoes and stockings,
Had given Marianne a cold so violent.
As though for a day or two trifled with or denied.
Would force itself by increasing ailments on the concern of everybody.
And the notice of herself.
Though heavy and feverish with a pain in her limbs,
A cough and a sore throat.
A good night's rest was to cure her entirely.
And it was with difficulty that Eleanor prevailed on her when she went to bed.
To try one or two of the simplest of the remedies.
Chapter 43 Marianne got up the next morning at her usual time.
To every inquiry replied that she was better and tried to prove herself so by engaging in her accustomary employments.
But a day spent in sitting shivering over the fire did not speak much in favour of her amendments.
And when at last she went early to bed,
More and more indisposed,
Colonel Brandon was only astonished at her sister's composure.
Who trusted like Marianne to the certainty and efficiency of sleep.
It felt no real alarm.
A very restless and feverish night,
However,
Disappointed the expectations of both.
And when Marianne,
After persisting in rising,
Confessed herself unable to sit up.
Eleanor was very ready to adopt Mrs Jennings' advice of sending for the Palmer's apothecary.
He came.
Examined his patient.
And though encouraging Miss Dashwood to expect,
A very few days would restore her sister to health.
Yet allowing the word infection to pass his lips gave instant alarm to Mrs.
Palmer on her baby's account.
Mrs Jennings,
Who had been inclined from the first to think Marianne's complaint more serious than Eleanor.
Now looked very grave on Mr Harris's report.
And confirming Charlotte's fees and cautions.
Urged the necessity of her immediate removal with her infant.
Her departure therefore was fixed on.
And within an hour after Mr.
Harris's arrival,
She set off with her little boy and his nurse for the house of a near relation of Mr.
Palmer's,
Who lived a few miles on the other side of Bath.
Whither her husband promised at her earnest entreaty.
To join her in a day or two.
Mrs Jennings,
With a kindness of heart which made Eleanor really love her,
Declared her resolution of not stirring from Cleveland as long as Marianne remained ill.
And Eleanor found her on every occasion a most willing and active helpmate.
Desirous to share in all her fatigues,
And often by her better experience in nursing of material use.
Poor Marianne could no longer hope that tomorrow would find her recovered.
And the idea of what tomorrow would have produced but for this unlucky illness made every ailment more severe.
For on that day they were to have begun their journey home,
And were to have taken their mother by surprise on the following forenoon.
The little that she said was all in lamentation of this inevitable delay.
Though Eleanor tried to raise her spirits and make her believe,
As she then really believed herself.
That it would be a very short one.
The next day produced little or no alteration in the state of the patient.
Their party was now further reduced,
For Mr.
Palmer was persuaded at last by Colonel Brandon.
To perform his promise of following his way.
And while he was prepared to go,
Colonel Brandon himself began to talk of going likewise.
Here,
However,
The kindness of Mrs Jennings interposed most acceptably,
For to send the Colonel away while his love was in so much uneasiness on her sister's account,
Would be to deprive them both,
She thought.
Of every comfort.
And therefore telling him at once his stay in Cleveland was necessary to herself.
That she should want him to play at P.
K.
Of an evening,
While Miss Dashwood was above with her sister,
Etc.
She urged him so strongly to remain,
That he could not long even affect a demur.
Marianne was kept in ignorance of all these arrangements.
She knew not that she had been the means of sending the owners of Cleveland away.
It gave her no surprise she saw nothing of Mrs.
Palmer,
And as it gave her likewise no concern,
She never mentioned her name.
Two days passed from the time of Mr Palmer's departure,
And her situation continued with little variation.
Mr.
Harris,
Who attended her every day,
Talked boldly of a speedy recovery.
And Miss Dashwood was equally sanguine.
Mrs Jennings had determined Marianne would never get over it,
And Colonel Brandon tried to reason himself out of fears.
Which the different judgement of the apothecary seemed to render absurd.
He could not expel from his mind the persuasion that he should see Marianne no more.
On the morning of the third day,
However,
When Mr Harris arrived,
He declared his patient materially better.
Her pulse was stronger and every symptom more favourable than on the preceding visit.
But the day did not close so auspiciously as it began.
Towards the evening,
Marianne became ill again,
Growing more heavy,
Restless and uncomfortable than before.
Her sister,
However,
Still sanguine,
Was willing to attribute the change to nothing more than the fatigue of having sat up.
To have her bed made.
Carefully administering the cordials prescribed,
Saw her with satisfaction sink at last into a slumber from which she expected the most beneficial effects.
Her sleep,
Though not so quiet as Eleanor wished to see it,
Lasted a considerable time,
And she resolved to sit with her during the whole of it.
Mrs Jennings knowing nothing of any change in the patient.
Went unusually early to bed and Eleanor remained alone with Marianne.
The repose of the latter became more and more disturbed,
And her sister,
Hearing the frequent but inarticulate sounds of complaint which passed her lips,
Was almost wishing to rouse her from so painful a slumber.
When Marianne,
Suddenly awakened by some accidental noise in the house,
Started hastily up.
And with feverish wildness cried out.
Is my ma coming?
Not yet.
Replied Eleanor,
Concealing her terror and assisting Marianne to lie down again.
But she will be here,
I hope,
Before it's too long.
But she must not go round by London.
Cried Marianne.
I shall never see her if she goes round by London.
Eleanor perceived with alarm she was not quite herself.
And eagerly felt her pulse.
It was lower and quicker than ever,
And Marianne was still talking wildly.
And Eleanor's alarm increased so rapidly as to determine her on sending instantly for Mr.
Harris and dispatching a letter for Barton for her mother.
To consult with Colonel Brandon on the best means of effecting the latter was a thought which immediately followed the resolution of its performance.
And she hastened down to the drawing room,
Where she knew he was generally to be found.
It was no time for hesitation.
Her fears and her difficulties were immediately before him.
Her fears,
He had no courage,
No confidence to attempt the remoulot.
And he listened to them in silent despondence.
But her difficulties were instantly obviated,
For with a readiness that seemed to speak the occasion.
Colonel Brandon offered himself as a messenger who should fetch Mrs Dashwood.
Eleanor thanked him with brief though fervent gratitude,
And while he went to hurry off his servant with a message to Mr.
Harris,
And an order for posthorses directly,
He wrote a few lines to her mother.
The comfort of such a friend at that moment is Colonel Brandon.
Of such a companion for her mother,
How gratefully was it felt.
As far as the shock of such a summons could be lessened to her,
His presence,
His manners,
His assistance,
Would lessen it.
Not a moment was lost in delay of any kind.
The horses arrived even before they were expected,
And Colonel Brandon,
Only pressing her hand with a look of solemnity,
Hurried into the carriage.
It was then about twelve o'clock.
And Eleanor returned to her sister's apartment to wait for the arrival of the apothecary and to watch by her the rest of the night.
Hour after hour passed away in sleepless pain and delirium on Marianne's side.
And in the most cruel anxiety on Eleanor's.
Before Mr.
Harris appeared.
Marianne's ideas were still at intervals fixed incoherently on her mother.
And whenever she mentioned her name,
It gave a pang to the heart of poor Eleanor,
Who fancied that all relief might soon be in vain.
That everything had been delayed too long.
And pictured to herself her suffering mother arriving too late to see this darling child.
Or to see her rational.
She was on the point of sending a game for Mr Harris when he arrived.
His opinion,
However,
Made some little amends for his delay,
For though acknowledging a very unexpected and unpleasant alteration in his patient,
He would not allow the danger to be material.
And talk to the relief which a fresh mode of treatment must procure with a confidence which in a lesser degree was communicated to Eleanor.
He promised to call again in the course of three or four hours.
And left both the patient and her anxious attendant more composed than he had found them.
With strong concern did Mrs Jennings hear in the morning of what had passed.
Her former apprehensions left her no doubt of the events.
And though trying to speak comfort to Eleanor,
Her conviction of her sister's danger would not allow her to offer the comfort of hope.
The rapid decay.
The early death of a girl so young and lovely as Marianne must have struck a less interested person with concern.
On Mrs Jennings' compassion,
She had other claims.
She had been for three months her companion.
Was still under her care and she was known to have been greatly injured and long unhappy.
Mr Harris was punctual in his second visit,
But he came to be disappointed in his hopes of what the last would produce.
His medicines had failed.
The fever was annihilated.
And Marianne only more quiet.
Not most herself.
Remained in a heavy stupor.
Eleanor proposed to call in further advice,
But Mr Harris judged it unnecessary.
He had some fresh application,
Of whose success he was almost as confident as the last,
He said.
And his visit concluded with encouraging assurances which reached the ear.
But could not enter the heart of Miss Dashwood.
About noon,
However,
She began to fancy she could receive a slight amendment in her sister's pulse.
She waited,
Watched and examined it again and again.
And at last with an agitation more difficult to bury under exterior calmness than all her forgoing distress.
Venture to communicate her hopes.
Mrs Jennings though forced on examination to acknowledge a temporary revival.
Tried to keep her young friend from indulging the thought of its continuance.
And Eleanor,
Conning over every injunction of distrust,
Told herself likewise not to hope.
But it was too late.
Hope had already entered.
Half an hour passed away and the favourable symptom yet blessed her.
Others even arose to confirm it.
Her breath,
Her skin,
Her lips all flattered Eleanor with signs of amendment.
And Marianne fixed her eyes on her with a rational,
Though languid gaze.
Anxiety and hope now oppressed her in equal degrees and left her no moment of tranquillity until the arrival of Mr Harris at four o'clock.
When his assurances gave her confidence.
Comfort and tears of joy.
Marianne was in every respect materially better,
And he declared her entirely out of danger.
Eleanor could not be cheerful.
Her joy was of a different kind.
Marianne restored to life,
Health,
Friends and her doting mother.
Was an idea to fill her heart with sensations of exquisite comfort.
But it led to no outward demonstrations of joy.
Pull within Eleanor's breast.
Was satisfaction.
Silent and strong.
She continued by the side of her sister with little intermission the whole afternoon.
Watching almost every look and every breath.
At six o'clock,
Marianne sank into a quiet,
Steady,
And to all appearances comfortable sleep.
Which silenced every doubt.
The time was now drawing on when Colonel Brandon might be expected back.
At ten o'clock,
Ellen trusted,
Or at least not much later,
Her mother would be relieved from the dreadful suspense in which she must now be travelling towards them.
At seven o'clock,
Leaving Marianne still sweetly asleep.
She joined Mrs Jennings in the drawing room to tea.
The night was cold and stormy,
But Eleanor,
All happiness within,
Regarded it not.
Marianne slept through every blast,
And the travellers had a rich reward in store for every present inconvenience.
The clock struck eight.
Had it been ten,
Eleanor would have been convinced she heard a carriage driving up to the house.
And so strong was the persuasion that she did.
In spite of the almost impossibility of their being already come.
She opened a window shutter to be satisfied of the truth.
The flaring lamps of a carriage were immediately in view.
By their uncertain light,
She thought she could discern it to be drawn by four horses.
And this,
While it told of the excess of her poor mother's alarm,
Gave some explanation to such unexpected rapidity.
Never in her life had Eleanor found it so difficult to be calm as in that moment.
The knowledge of what her mother must be feeling as the carriage stopped at the door.
Of her doubt,
Her dread,
Perhaps her despair,
And of what she,
Eleanor,
Had to tell.
With such knowledge it was impossible to be calm.
All that remained to be done was to be speedy,
And therefore Eleanor hurried downstairs.
She rushed forwards towards the drawing room.
She entered it.
But there,
To her great surprise.
.
.
Stood Willoughby.
