sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第101章
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of you as the object most desirable。 And I believe Marianne will be
the most happy with him of the two。”
Elinor was half inclined to ask her reason for thinking so；
because satisfied that none founded on an impartial consideration
of their age； characters； or feelings； could be given；—but her
mother must always be carried away by her imagination on any
interesting subject； and therefore instead of an inquiry； she passed
it off with a smile。
“He opened his whole heart to me yesterday as we travelled。 It
came out quite unawares； quite undesignedly。 I； you may well
believe； could talk of nothing but my child；—he could not conceal
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his distress； I saw that it equalled my own； and he perhaps；
thinking that mere friendship； as the world now goes； would not
justify so warm a sympathy—or rather； not thinking at all； I
suppose—giving way to irresistible feelings； made me acquainted
with his earnest； tender； constant； affection for Marianne。 He has
loved her； my Elinor； ever since the first moment of seeing her。”
Here； however； Elinor perceived；—not the language； not the
professions of Colonel Brandon； but the natural embellishments of
her mother’s active fancy； which fashioned every thing delightful
to her； as it chose。
“His regard for her； infinitely surpassing anything that
Willoughby ever felt or feigned； as much more warm； as more
sincere or constant—which ever we are to call it—has subsisted
through all the knowledge of dear Marianne’s unhappy
prepossession for that worthless young man！—and without
selfishness—without encouraging a hope！—could he have seen her
happy with another—Such a noble mind！—such openness； such
sincerity！—no one can be deceived in him。”
“Colonel Brandon’s character；” said Elinor； “as an excellent
man； is well established。”
“I know it is”—replied her mother seriously； “or after such a
warning； I should be the last to encourage such affection； or even
to be pleased by it。 But his coming for me as he did； with such
active； such ready friendship； is enough to prove him one of the
worthiest of men。”
“His character； however；” answered Elinor； “does not rest on
one act of kindness； to which his affection for Marianne； were
humanity out of the case； would have prompted him。 To Mrs。
Jennings； to the Middletons； he has been long and intimately
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known； they equally love and respect him； and even my own
knowledge of him； though lately acquired； is very considerable；
and so highly do I value and esteem him； that if Marianne can be
happy with him； I shall be as ready as yourself to think our
connection the greatest blessing to us in the world。 What answer
did you give him？—Did you allow him to hope？”
“Oh！ my love； I could not then talk of hope to him or to myself。
Marianne might at that moment be dying。 But he did not ask for
hope or encouragement。 His was an involuntary confidence； an
irrepressible effusion to a soothing friend—not an application to a
parent。 Yet after a time I did say； for at first I was quite
overcome—that if she lived； as I trusted she might； my greatest
happiness would lie in promoting their marriage； and since our
arrival； since our delightful security； I have repeated it to him
more fully； have given him every encouragement in my power。
Time； a very little time； I tell him； will do everything；—Marianne’s
heart is not to be wasted for ever on such a man as Willoughby。—
His own merits must soon secure it。”
“To judge from the Colonel’s spirits； however； you have not yet
made him equally sanguine。”
“No。—He thinks Marianne’s affection too deeply rooted for any
change in it under a great length of time； and even supposing her
heart again free； is too diffident of himself to believe； that with
such a difference of age and disposition he could ever attach her。
There； however； he is quite mistaken。 His age is only so much
beyond hers as to be an advantage； as to make his character and
principles fixed；—and his disposition； I am well convinced； is
exactly the very one to make your sister happy。 And his person；
his manners too； are all in his favour。 My partiality does not blind
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me； he certainly is not so handsome as Willoughby—but at the
same time； there is something much more pleasing in his
countenance。—There was always a something；—if you
remember；—in Willoughby’s eyes at times； which I did not like。”
Elinor could not remember it；—but her mother； without waiting
for her assent； continued；
“And his manners； the Colonel’s manners are not only more
pleasing to me than Willoughby’s ever were； but they are of a kind
I well know to be more solidly attaching to Marianne。 Their
gentleness； their genuine attention to other people； and their
manly unstudied simplicity is much more accordant with her real
disposition； than the liveliness—often artificial； and often ill…timed
of the other。 I am very sure myself； that had Willoughby turned
out as really amiable； as he has proved himself the contrary；
Marianne would yet never have been so happy with him； as she
will be with Colonel Brandon。”
She paused。—Her daughter could not quite agree with her； but
her dissent was not heard； and therefore gave no offence。
“At Delaford； she will be within an easy distance of me；” added
Mrs。 Dashwood； “even if I remain at Barton； and in all
probability；—for I hear it is a large village；—indeed there certainly
must be some small house or cottage close by； that would suit us
quite as well as our present situation。”
Poor Elinor！—here was a new scheme for getting her to
Delaford！—but her spirit was stubborn。
“His fortune too！—for at my time of life you know； everybody
cares about that；—and though I neither know nor desire to know；
what it really is； I am sure it must be a good one。”
Here they were interrupted by the entrance of a third person；
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and Elinor withdrew to think it all over in private； to wish success
to her frie
