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1Her letter was scarcely finished, when a rap foretold a visitor, and Colonel Brandon was announced. Marianne, who had
2seen him from the window, and who hated company of any kind, left the room before he entered it. He looked more than
3usually grave, and though expressing satisfaction at finding Miss Dashwood alone, as if he had somewhat in particular to
4tell her, sat for some time without saying a word. Elinor, persuaded that he had some communication to make in which her
5sister was concerned, impatiently expected its opening. It was not the first time of her feeling the same kind of
6conviction; for, more than once before, beginning with the observation of "your sister looks unwell to-day," or "your
7sister seems out of spirits," he had appeared on the point, either of disclosing, or of inquiring, something particular
8about her. After a pause of several minutes, their silence was broken, by his asking her in a voice of some agitation,
9when he was to congratulate her on the acquisition of a brother? Elinor was not prepared for such a question, and having
10no answer ready, was obliged to adopt the simple and common expedient, of asking what he meant? He tried to smile as he
11replied, "your sister's engagement to Mr. Willoughby is very generally known." "It cannot be generally known," returned
12Elinor, "for her own family do not know it." He looked surprised and said, "I beg your pardon, I am afraid my inquiry
13has been impertinent; but I had not supposed any secrecy intended, as they openly correspond, and their marriage is
14universally talked of." "How can that be? By whom can you have heard it mentioned?" "By many--by some of whom you know
15nothing, by others with whom you are most intimate, Mrs. Jennings, Mrs. Palmer, and the Middletons. But still I might
16not have believed it, for where the mind is perhaps rather unwilling to be convinced, it will always find something to
17support its doubts, if I had not, when the servant let me in today, accidentally seen a letter in his hand, directed to
18Mr. Willoughby in your sister's writing. I came to inquire, but I was convinced before I could ask the question. Is
19every thing finally settled? Is it impossible to--? But I have no right, and I could have no chance of succeeding.
20Excuse me, Miss Dashwood. I believe I have been wrong in saying so much, but I hardly know what to do, and on your
21prudence I have the strongest dependence. Tell me that it is all absolutely resolved on, that any attempt, that in short
22concealment, if concealment be possible, is all that remains." These words, which conveyed to Elinor a direct avowal of
23his love for her sister, affected her very much. She was not immediately able to say anything, and even when her spirits
24were recovered, she debated for a short time, on the answer it would be most proper to give. The real state of things
25between Willoughby and her sister was so little known to herself, that in endeavouring to explain it, she might be as
26liable to say too much as too little. Yet as she was convinced that Marianne's affection for Willoughby, could leave no
27hope of Colonel Brandon's success, whatever the event of that affection might be, and at the same time wished to shield
28her conduct from censure, she thought it most prudent and kind, after some consideration, to say more than she really
29knew or believed. She acknowledged, therefore, that though she had never been informed by themselves of the terms on
30which they stood with each other, of their mutual affection she had no doubt, and of their correspondence she was not
31astonished to hear. He listened to her with silent attention, and on her ceasing to speak, rose directly from his seat,
32and after saying in a voice of emotion, "to your sister I wish all imaginable happiness; to Willoughby that he may
33endeavour to deserve her,"--took leave, and went away. Elinor derived no comfortable feelings from this conversation, to
34lessen the uneasiness of her mind on other points; she was left, on the contrary, with a melancholy impression of
35Colonel Brandon's unhappiness, and was prevented even from wishing it removed, by her anxiety for the very event that
36must confirm it. CHAPTER XXVIII. Nothing occurred during the next three or four days, to make Elinor regret what she had
37done, in applying to her mother; for Willoughby neither came nor wrote. They were engaged about the end of that time to
38attend Lady Middleton to a party, from which Mrs. Jennings was kept away by the indisposition of her youngest daughter;
39and for this party, Marianne, wholly dispirited, careless of her appearance, and seeming equally indifferent whether she
40went or staid, prepared, without one look of hope or one expression of pleasure. She sat by the drawing-room fire after
41tea, till the moment of Lady Middleton's arrival, without once stirring from her seat, or altering her attitude, lost in
42her own thoughts, and insensible of her sister's presence; and when at last they were told that Lady Middleton waited
43for them at the door, she started as if she had forgotten that any one was expected. They arrived in due time at the
44place of destination, and as soon as the string of carriages before them would allow, alighted, ascended the stairs,
45heard their names announced from one landing-place to another in an audible voice, and entered a room splendidly lit up,
46quite full of company, and insufferably hot. When they had paid their tribute of politeness by curtsying to the lady of
47the house, they were permitted to mingle in the crowd, and take their share of the heat and inconvenience, to which
48their arrival must necessarily add. After some time spent in saying little or doing less, Lady Middleton sat down to
49Cassino, and as Marianne was not in spirits for moving about, she and Elinor luckily succeeding to chairs, placed
50themselves at no great distance from the table. They had not remained in this manner long, before Elinor perceived
51Willoughby, standing within a few yards of them, in earnest conversation with a very fashionable looking young woman.
52She soon caught his eye, and he immediately bowed, but without attempting to speak to her, or to approach Marianne,
53though he could not but see her; and then continued his discourse with the same lady. Elinor turned involuntarily to
54Marianne, to see whether it could be unobserved by her. At that moment she first perceived him, and her whole
55countenance glowing with sudden delight, she would have moved towards him instantly, had not her sister caught hold of
56her. "Good heavens!" she exclaimed, "he is there--he is there--Oh! why does he not look at me? why cannot I speak to
57him?" "Pray, pray be composed," cried Elinor, "and do not betray what you feel to every body present. Perhaps he has not
58observed you yet." This however was more than she could believe herself; and to be composed at such a moment was not
59only beyond the reach of Marianne, it was beyond her wish. She sat in an agony of impatience which affected every
60feature. At last he turned round again, and regarded them both; she started up, and pronouncing his name in a tone of
61affection, held out her hand to him. He approached, and addressing himself rather to Elinor than Marianne, as if wishing
62to avoid her eye, and determined not to observe her attitude, inquired in a hurried manner after Mrs. Dashwood, and
63asked how long they had been in town. Elinor was robbed of all presence of mind by such an address, and was unable to
64say a word. But the feelings of her sister were instantly expressed. Her face was crimsoned over, and she exclaimed, in
65a voice of the greatest emotion, "Good God! Willoughby, what is the meaning of this? Have you not received my letters?
66Will you not shake hands with me?" He could not then avoid it, but her touch seemed painful to him, and he held her hand
67only for a moment. During all this time he was evidently struggling for composure. Elinor watched his countenance and
68saw its expression becoming more tranquil. After a moment's pause, he spoke with calmness. "I did myself the honour of
69calling in Berkeley Street last Tuesday, and very much regretted that I was not fortunate enough to find yourselves and
70Mrs. Jennings at home. My card was not lost, I hope." "But have you not received my notes?" cried Marianne in the
71wildest anxiety. "Here is some mistake I am sure--some dreadful mistake. What can be the meaning of it? Tell me,
72Willoughby; for heaven's sake tell me, what is the matter?"
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