sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第12章
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Jane Austen： Sense and Sensibility 45
attention； and she felt a respect for him on the occasion； which the
others had reasonably forfeited by their shameless want of taste。
His pleasure in music； though it amounted not to that ecstatic
delight which alone could sympathize with her own； was estimable
when contrasted against the horrible insensibility of the others；
and she was reasonable enough to allow that a man of five and
thirty might well have outlived all acuteness of feeling and every
exquisite power of enjoyment。 She was perfectly disposed to make
every allowance for the colonel’s advanced state of life which
humanity required。
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CHAPTER VIII
rs。 Jennings was a widow with an ample jointure。 She
had only two daughters； both of whom she had lived to
M
see respectably married； and she had now therefore
nothing to do but to marry all the rest of the world。 In the
promotion of this object she was zealously active； as far as her
ability reached； and missed no opportunity of projecting weddings
among all the young people of her acquaintance。 She was
remarkably quick in the discovery of attachments； and had
enjoyed the advantage of raising the blushes and the vanity of
many a young lady by insinuations of her power over such a young
man； and this kind of discernment enabled her soon after her
arrival at Barton decisively to pronounce that Colonel Brandon
was very much in love with Marianne Dashwood。 She rather
suspected it to be so； on the very first evening of their being
together； from his listening so attentively while she sang to them；
and when the visit was returned by the Middletons’ dining at the
cottage； the fact was ascertained by his listening to her again。 It
must be so。 She was perfectly convinced of it。 It would be an
excellent match； for he was rich； and she was handsome。 Mrs。
Jennings had been anxious to see Colonel Brandon well married；
ever since her connection with Sir John first brought him to her
knowledge； and she was always anxious to get a good husband for
every pretty girl。
The immediate advantage to herself was by no means
inconsiderable； for it supplied her with endless jokes against them
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Jane Austen： Sense and Sensibility 47
both。 At the park she laughed at the colonel； and in the cottage at
Marianne。 To the former her raillery was probably； as far as it
regarded only himself； perfectly indifferent； but to the latter it was
at first incomprehensible； and when its object was understood； she
hardly knew whether most to laugh at its absurdity； or censure its
impertinence； for she considered it as an unfeeling reflection on
the colonel’s advanced years； and on his forlorn condition as an
old bachelor。
Mrs。 Dashwood； who could not think a man five years younger
than herself； so exceedingly ancient as he appeared to the youthful
fancy of her daughter； ventured to clear Mrs。 Jennings from the
probability of wishing to throw ridicule on his age。
“But at least； mama； you cannot deny the absurdity of the
accusation； though you may not think it intentionally ill…natured。
Colonel Brandon is certainly younger than Mrs。 Jennings； but he
is old enough to be my father； and if he were ever animated
enough to be in love； must have long outlived every sensation of
the kind。 It is too ridiculous！ When is a man to be safe from such
wit； if age and infirmity will not protect him？”
“Infirmity！” said Elinor； “do you call Colonel Brandon infirm？ I
can easily suppose that his age may appear much greater to you
than to my mother； but you can hardly deceive yourself as to his
having the use of his limbs！”
“Did not you hear him complain of the rheumatism？ and is not
that the commonest infirmity of declining life？”
“My dearest child；” said her mother； laughing； “at this rate you
must be in continual terror of my decay； and it must seem to you a
miracle that my life has been extended to the advanced age of
forty。”
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“Mama； you are not doing me justice。 I know very well that
Colonel Brandon is not old enough to make his friends yet
apprehensive of losing him in the course of nature。 He may live
twenty years longer。 But thirty…five has nothing to do with
matrimony。”
“Perhaps；” said Elinor； “thirty…five and seventeen had better
not have any thing to do with matrimony together。 But if there
should by any chance happen to be a woman who is single at
seven and twenty； I should not think Colonel Brandon’s being
thirty…five any objection to his marrying her。”
“A woman of seven and twenty；” said Marianne； after pausing a
moment； “can never hope to feel or inspire affection again； and if
her home be uncomfortable； or her fortune small； I can suppose
that she might bring herself to submit to the offices of a nurse； for
the sake of the provision and security of a wife。 In his marrying
such a woman therefore there would be nothing unsuitable。 It
would be a compact of convenience； and the world would be
satisfied。 In my eyes it would be no marriage at all； but that would
be nothing。 To me it would seem only a commercial exchange； in
which each wished to be benefited at the expense of the other。”
“It would be impossible； I know；” replied Elinor； “to convince
you that a woman of seven and twenty could feel for a man of
thirty…five anything near enough to love； to make him a desirable
companion to her。 But I must object to your dooming Colonel
Brandon and his wife to the constant confinement of a sick
chamber； merely because he chanced to complain yesterday （a
very cold damp day） of a slight rheumatic feel in one of his
shoulders。”
“But he talked of flannel waistcoats；” said Marianne； “and with
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me a flannel waistcoat is invariably connected with aches； cramps；
rheumatisms； and every species of ailment that can afflict the old
and the feeble。”
“Had he been only in a violent fever； you would not have
despised
