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1If in the supposition of his seeking to marry herself, his difficulties from his mother had seemed great, how much
2greater were they now likely to be, when the object of his engagement was undoubtedly inferior in connections, and
3probably inferior in fortune to herself. These difficulties, indeed, with a heart so alienated from Lucy, might not
4press very hard upon his patience; but melancholy was the state of the person by whom the expectation of family
5opposition and unkindness, could be felt as a relief! As these considerations occurred to her in painful succession, she
6wept for him, more than for herself. Supported by the conviction of having done nothing to merit her present
7unhappiness, and consoled by the belief that Edward had done nothing to forfeit her esteem, she thought she could even
8now, under the first smart of the heavy blow, command herself enough to guard every suspicion of the truth from her
9mother and sisters. And so well was she able to answer her own expectations, that when she joined them at dinner only
10two hours after she had first suffered the extinction of all her dearest hopes, no one would have supposed from the
11appearance of the sisters, that Elinor was mourning in secret over obstacles which must divide her for ever from the
12object of her love, and that Marianne was internally dwelling on the perfections of a man, of whose whole heart she felt
13thoroughly possessed, and whom she expected to see in every carriage which drove near their house. The necessity of
14concealing from her mother and Marianne, what had been entrusted in confidence to herself, though it obliged her to
15unceasing exertion, was no aggravation of Elinor's distress. On the contrary it was a relief to her, to be spared the
16communication of what would give such affliction to them, and to be saved likewise from hearing that condemnation of
17Edward, which would probably flow from the excess of their partial affection for herself, and which was more than she
18felt equal to support. From their counsel, or their conversation, she knew she could receive no assistance, their
19tenderness and sorrow must add to her distress, while her self-command would neither receive encouragement from their
20example nor from their praise. She was stronger alone, and her own good sense so well supported her, that her firmness
21was as unshaken, her appearance of cheerfulness as invariable, as with regrets so poignant and so fresh, it was possible
22for them to be. Much as she had suffered from her first conversation with Lucy on the subject, she soon felt an earnest
23wish of renewing it; and this for more reasons than one. She wanted to hear many particulars of their engagement
24repeated again, she wanted more clearly to understand what Lucy really felt for Edward, whether there were any sincerity
25in her declaration of tender regard for him, and she particularly wanted to convince Lucy, by her readiness to enter on
26the matter again, and her calmness in conversing on it, that she was no otherwise interested in it than as a friend,
27which she very much feared her involuntary agitation, in their morning discourse, must have left at least doubtful. That
28Lucy was disposed to be jealous of her appeared very probable: it was plain that Edward had always spoken highly in her
29praise, not merely from Lucy's assertion, but from her venturing to trust her on so short a personal acquaintance, with
30a secret so confessedly and evidently important. And even Sir John's joking intelligence must have had some weight. But
31indeed, while Elinor remained so well assured within herself of being really beloved by Edward, it required no other
32consideration of probabilities to make it natural that Lucy should be jealous; and that she was so, her very confidence
33was a proof. What other reason for the disclosure of the affair could there be, but that Elinor might be informed by it
34of Lucy's superior claims on Edward, and be taught to avoid him in future? She had little difficulty in understanding
35thus much of her rival's intentions, and while she was firmly resolved to act by her as every principle of honour and
36honesty directed, to combat her own affection for Edward and to see him as little as possible; she could not deny
37herself the comfort of endeavouring to convince Lucy that her heart was unwounded. And as she could now have nothing
38more painful to hear on the subject than had already been told, she did not mistrust her own ability of going through a
39repetition of particulars with composure. But it was not immediately that an opportunity of doing so could be commanded,
40though Lucy was as well disposed as herself to take advantage of any that occurred; for the weather was not often fine
41enough to allow of their joining in a walk, where they might most easily separate themselves from the others; and though
42they met at least every other evening either at the park or cottage, and chiefly at the former, they could not be
43supposed to meet for the sake of conversation. Such a thought would never enter either Sir John or Lady Middleton's
44head; and therefore very little leisure was ever given for a general chat, and none at all for particular discourse.
45They met for the sake of eating, drinking, and laughing together, playing at cards, or consequences, or any other game
46that was sufficiently noisy. One or two meetings of this kind had taken place, without affording Elinor any chance of
47engaging Lucy in private, when Sir John called at the cottage one morning, to beg, in the name of charity, that they
48would all dine with Lady Middleton that day, as he was obliged to attend the club at Exeter, and she would otherwise be
49quite alone, except her mother and the two Miss Steeles. Elinor, who foresaw a fairer opening for the point she had in
50view, in such a party as this was likely to be, more at liberty among themselves under the tranquil and well-bred
51direction of Lady Middleton than when her husband united them together in one noisy purpose, immediately accepted the
52invitation; Margaret, with her mother's permission, was equally compliant, and Marianne, though always unwilling to join
53any of their parties, was persuaded by her mother, who could not bear to have her seclude herself from any chance of
54amusement, to go likewise. The young ladies went, and Lady Middleton was happily preserved from the frightful solitude
55which had threatened her. The insipidity of the meeting was exactly such as Elinor had expected; it produced not one
56novelty of thought or expression, and nothing could be less interesting than the whole of their discourse both in the
57dining parlour and drawing room: to the latter, the children accompanied them, and while they remained there, she was
58too well convinced of the impossibility of engaging Lucy's attention to attempt it. They quitted it only with the
59removal of the tea-things. The card-table was then placed, and Elinor began to wonder at herself for having ever
60entertained a hope of finding time for conversation at the park. They all rose up in preparation for a round game. "I am
61glad," said Lady Middleton to Lucy, "you are not going to finish poor little Annamaria's basket this evening; for I am
62sure it must hurt your eyes to work filigree by candlelight. And we will make the dear little love some amends for her
63disappointment to-morrow, and then I hope she will not much mind it." This hint was enough, Lucy recollected herself
64instantly and replied, "Indeed you are very much mistaken, Lady Middleton; I am only waiting to know whether you can
65make your party without me, or I should have been at my filigree already. I would not disappoint the little angel for
66all the world: and if you want me at the card-table now, I am resolved to finish the basket after supper." "You are very
67good, I hope it won't hurt your eyes--will you ring the bell for some working candles? My poor little girl would be
68sadly disappointed, I know, if the basket was not finished tomorrow, for though I told her it certainly would not, I am
69sure she depends upon having it done." Lucy directly drew her work table near her and reseated herself with an alacrity
70and cheerfulness which seemed to infer that she could taste no greater delight than in making a filigree basket for a
71spoilt child. Lady Middleton proposed a rubber of Casino to the others. No one made any objection but Marianne, who with
72her usual inattention to the forms of general civility, exclaimed, "Your Ladyship will have the goodness to excuse
73me--you know I detest cards. I shall go to the piano-forte; I have not touched it since it was tuned." And without
74farther ceremony, she turned away and walked to the instrument.
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