sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第114章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
useless； for her mother and sisters spent much more than half
their time with her。 Mrs。 Dashwood was acting on motives of
policy as well as pleasure in the frequency of her visits at Delaford；
for her wish of bringing Marianne and Colonel Brandon together
was hardly less earnest； though rather more liberal than what
John had expressed。 It was now her darling object。 Precious as
was the company of her daughter to her； she desired nothing so
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 424…
Jane Austen： Sense and Sensibility 424
much as to give up its constant enjoyment to her valued friend；
and to see Marianne settled at the mansion…house was equally the
wish of Edward and Elinor。 They each felt his sorrows； and their
own obligations； and Marianne； by general consent； was to be the
reward of all。
With such a confederacy against her—with a knowledge so
intimate of his goodness—with a conviction of his fond attachment
to herself； which at last； though long after it was observable to
everybody else—burst on her—what could she do？
Marianne Dashwood was born to an extraordinary fate。 She
was born to discover the falsehood of her own opinions； and to
counteract； by her conduct； her most favourite maxims。 She was
born to overcome an affection formed so late in life as at
seventeen； and with no sentiment superior to strong esteem and
lively friendship； voluntarily to give her hand to another！—and
that other； a man who had suffered no less than herself under the
event of a former attachment； whom； two years before； she had
considered too old to be married；—and who still sought the
constitutional safeguard of a flannel waistcoat！
But so it was。 Instead of falling a sacrifice to an irresistible
passion； as once she had fondly flattered herself with expecting；—
instead of remaining even for ever with her mother； and finding
her only pleasures in retirement and study； as afterwards in her
more calm and sober judgment she had determined on；—she
found herself at nineteen； submitting to new attachments；
entering on new duties； placed in a new home； a wife； the mistress
of a family； and the patroness of a village。
Colonel Brandon was now as happy； as all those who best loved
him； believed he deserved to be；—in Marianne he was consoled for
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 425…
Jane Austen： Sense and Sensibility 425
every past affliction；—her regard and her society restored his
mind to animation； and his spirits to cheerfulness； and that
Marianne found her own happiness in forming his； was equally the
persuasion and delight of each observing friend。 Marianne could
never love by halves； and her whole heart became； in time； as
much devoted to her husband； as it had once been to Willoughby。
Willoughby could not hear of her marriage without a pang； and
his punishment was soon afterwards complete in the voluntary
forgiveness of Mrs。 Smith； who； by stating his marriage with a
woman of character； as the source of her clemency； gave him
reason for believing that had he behaved with honour towards
Marianne； he might at once have been happy and rich。 That his
repentance of misconduct； which thus brought its own
punishment； was sincere； need not be doubted；—nor that he long
thought of Colonel Brandon with envy； and of Marianne with
regret。 But that he was for ever inconsolable； that he fled from
society； or contracted an habitual gloom of temper； or died of a
broken heart； must not be depended on—for he did neither。 He
lived to exert； and frequently to enjoy himself。 His wife was not
always out of humour； nor his home always uncomfortable； and in
his breed of horses and dogs； and in sporting of every kind； he
found no inconsiderable degree of domestic felicity。
For Marianne； however—in spite of his incivility in surviving
her loss—he always retained that decided regard which interested
him in every thing that befell her； and made her his secret
standard of perfection in woman；—and many a rising beauty
would be slighted by him in after…days as bearing no comparison
with Mrs。 Brandon。
Mrs。 Dashwood was prudent enough to remain at the cottage；
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 426…
Jane Austen： Sense and Sensibility 426
without attempting a removal to Delaford； and fortunately for Sir
John and Mrs。 Jennings； when Marianne was taken from them；
Margaret had reached an age highly suitable for dancing； and not
very ineligible for being supposed to have a lover。
Between Barton and Delaford； there was that constant
communication which strong family affection would naturally
dictate；—and among the merits and the happiness of Elinor and
Marianne； let it not be ranked as the least considerable； that
though sisters； and living almost within sight of each other； they
could live without disagreement between themselves； or
producing coolness between their husbands。
FINIS
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
