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1"No, that he is not. He is of no profession at all." "Margaret," said Marianne with great warmth, "you know that all
2this is an invention of your own, and that there is no such person in existence." "Well, then, he is lately dead,
3Marianne, for I am sure there was such a man once, and his name begins with an F." Most grateful did Elinor feel to Lady
4Middleton for observing, at this moment, "that it rained very hard," though she believed the interruption to proceed
5less from any attention to her, than from her ladyship's great dislike of all such inelegant subjects of raillery as
6delighted her husband and mother. The idea however started by her, was immediately pursued by Colonel Brandon, who was
7on every occasion mindful of the feelings of others; and much was said on the subject of rain by both of them.
8Willoughby opened the piano-forte, and asked Marianne to sit down to it; and thus amidst the various endeavours of
9different people to quit the topic, it fell to the ground. But not so easily did Elinor recover from the alarm into
10which it had thrown her. A party was formed this evening for going on the following day to see a very fine place about
11twelve miles from Barton, belonging to a brother-in-law of Colonel Brandon, without whose interest it could not be seen,
12as the proprietor, who was then abroad, had left strict orders on that head. The grounds were declared to be highly
13beautiful, and Sir John, who was particularly warm in their praise, might be allowed to be a tolerable judge, for he had
14formed parties to visit them, at least, twice every summer for the last ten years. They contained a noble piece of
15water; a sail on which was to form a great part of the morning's amusement; cold provisions were to be taken, open
16carriages only to be employed, and every thing conducted in the usual style of a complete party of pleasure. To some few
17of the company it appeared rather a bold undertaking, considering the time of year, and that it had rained every day for
18the last fortnight;--and Mrs. Dashwood, who had already a cold, was persuaded by Elinor to stay at home. CHAPTER XIII.
19Their intended excursion to Whitwell turned out very different from what Elinor had expected. She was prepared to be wet
20through, fatigued, and frightened; but the event was still more unfortunate, for they did not go at all. By ten o'clock
21the whole party was assembled at the park, where they were to breakfast. The morning was rather favourable, though it
22had rained all night, as the clouds were then dispersing across the sky, and the sun frequently appeared. They were all
23in high spirits and good humour, eager to be happy, and determined to submit to the greatest inconveniences and
24hardships rather than be otherwise. While they were at breakfast the letters were brought in. Among the rest there was
25one for Colonel Brandon;--he took it, looked at the direction, changed colour, and immediately left the room. "What is
26the matter with Brandon?" said Sir John. Nobody could tell. "I hope he has had no bad news," said Lady Middleton. "It
27must be something extraordinary that could make Colonel Brandon leave my breakfast table so suddenly." In about five
28minutes he returned. "No bad news, Colonel, I hope;" said Mrs. Jennings, as soon as he entered the room. "None at all,
29ma'am, I thank you." "Was it from Avignon? I hope it is not to say that your sister is worse." "No, ma'am. It came from
30town, and is merely a letter of business." "But how came the hand to discompose you so much, if it was only a letter of
31business? Come, come, this won't do, Colonel; so let us hear the truth of it." "My dear madam," said Lady Middleton,
32"recollect what you are saying." "Perhaps it is to tell you that your cousin Fanny is married?" said Mrs. Jennings,
33without attending to her daughter's reproof. "No, indeed, it is not." "Well, then, I know who it is from, Colonel. And I
34hope she is well." "Whom do you mean, ma'am?" said he, colouring a little. "Oh! you know who I mean." "I am particularly
35sorry, ma'am," said he, addressing Lady Middleton, "that I should receive this letter today, for it is on business which
36requires my immediate attendance in town." "In town!" cried Mrs. Jennings. "What can you have to do in town at this time
37of year?" "My own loss is great," he continued, "in being obliged to leave so agreeable a party; but I am the more
38concerned, as I fear my presence is necessary to gain your admittance at Whitwell." What a blow upon them all was this!
39"But if you write a note to the housekeeper, Mr. Brandon," said Marianne, eagerly, "will it not be sufficient?" He shook
40his head. "We must go," said Sir John.--"It shall not be put off when we are so near it. You cannot go to town till
41tomorrow, Brandon, that is all." "I wish it could be so easily settled. But it is not in my power to delay my journey
42for one day!" "If you would but let us know what your business is," said Mrs. Jennings, "we might see whether it could
43be put off or not." "You would not be six hours later," said Willoughby, "if you were to defer your journey till our
44return." "I cannot afford to lose one hour." Elinor then heard Willoughby say, in a low voice to Marianne, "There are
45some people who cannot bear a party of pleasure. Brandon is one of them. He was afraid of catching cold I dare say, and
46invented this trick for getting out of it. I would lay fifty guineas the letter was of his own writing." "I have no
47doubt of it," replied Marianne. "There is no persuading you to change your mind, Brandon, I know of old," said Sir John,
48"when once you are determined on anything. But, however, I hope you will think better of it. Consider, here are the two
49Miss Careys come over from Newton, the three Miss Dashwoods walked up from the cottage, and Mr. Willoughby got up two
50hours before his usual time, on purpose to go to Whitwell." Colonel Brandon again repeated his sorrow at being the cause
51of disappointing the party; but at the same time declared it to be unavoidable. "Well, then, when will you come back
52again?" "I hope we shall see you at Barton," added her ladyship, "as soon as you can conveniently leave town; and we
53must put off the party to Whitwell till you return." "You are very obliging. But it is so uncertain, when I may have it
54in my power to return, that I dare not engage for it at all." "Oh! he must and shall come back," cried Sir John. "If he
55is not here by the end of the week, I shall go after him." "Ay, so do, Sir John," cried Mrs. Jennings, "and then perhaps
56you may find out what his business is." "I do not want to pry into other men's concerns. I suppose it is something he is
57ashamed of." Colonel Brandon's horses were announced. "You do not go to town on horseback, do you?" added Sir John. "No.
58Only to Honiton. I shall then go post." "Well, as you are resolved to go, I wish you a good journey. But you had better
59change your mind." "I assure you it is not in my power." He then took leave of the whole party. "Is there no chance of
60my seeing you and your sisters in town this winter, Miss Dashwood?" "I am afraid, none at all." "Then I must bid you
61farewell for a longer time than I should wish to do." To Marianne, he merely bowed and said nothing. "Come Colonel,"
62said Mrs. Jennings, "before you go, do let us know what you are going about." He wished her a good morning, and,
63attended by Sir John, left the room. The complaints and lamentations which politeness had hitherto restrained, now burst
64forth universally; and they all agreed again and again how provoking it was to be so disappointed. "I can guess what his
65business is, however," said Mrs. Jennings exultingly. "Can you, ma'am?" said almost every body. "Yes; it is about Miss
66Williams, I am sure." "And who is Miss Williams?" asked Marianne. "What! do not you know who Miss Williams is? I am sure
67you must have heard of her before. She is a relation of the Colonel's, my dear; a very near relation. We will not say
68how near, for fear of shocking the young ladies." Then, lowering her voice a little, she said to Elinor, "She is his
69natural daughter." "Indeed!"
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