sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第15章
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“which I particularly dislike。 I abhor every common…place phrase
by which wit is intended； and ‘setting one’s cap at a man；’ or
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‘making a conquest；’ are the most odious of all。 Their tendency is
gross and illiberal； and if their construction could ever be deemed
clever； time has long ago destroyed all its ingenuity。”
Sir John did not much understand this reproof； but he laughed
as heartily as if he did； and then replied；
“Ay； you will make conquests enough； I dare say； one way or
other。 Poor Brandon！ he is quite smitten already； and he is very
well worth setting your cap at； I can tell you； in spite of all this
tumbling about and spraining of ankles。”
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CHAPTER X
arianne’s preserver； as Margaret； with more elegance
than precision； styled Willoughby； called at the cottage
M
early the next morning to make his personal inquiries。
He was received by Mrs。 Dashwood with more than politeness；
with a kindness which Sir John’s account of him and her own
gratitude prompted； and every thing that passed during the visit
tended to assure him of the sense； elegance； mutual affection； and
domestic comfort of the family to whom accident had now
introduced him。 Of their personal charms he had not required a
second interview to be convinced。
Miss Dashwood had a delicate complexion； regular features；
and a remarkably pretty figure。 Marianne was still handsomer。
Her form； though not so correct as her sister’s； in having the
advantage of height； was more striking； and her face was so lovely；
that when in the common cant of praise； she was called a beautiful
girl； truth was less violently outraged than usually happens。 Her
skin was very brown； but； from its transparency； her complexion
was uncommonly brilliant； her features were all good； her smile
was sweet and attractive； and in her eyes； which were very dark；
there was a life； a spirit； an eagerness； which could hardly be seen
without delight。 From Willoughby their expression was at first
held back； by the embarrassment which the remembrance of his
assistance created。 But when this passed away； when her spirits
became collected； when she saw that to the perfect good…breeding
of the gentleman； he united frankness and vivacity； and above all；
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when she heard him declare； that of music and dancing he was
passionately fond； she gave him such a look of approbation as
secured the largest share of his discourse to herself for the rest of
his stay。
It was only necessary to mention any favourite amusement to
engage her to talk。 She could not be silent when such points were
introduced； and she had neither shyness nor reserve in their
discussion。 They speedily discovered that their enjoyment of
dancing and music was mutual； and that it arose from a general
conformity of judgment in all that related to either。 Encouraged by
this to a further examination of his opinions； she proceeded to
question him on the subject of books； her favourite authors were
brought forward and dwelt upon with so rapturous a delight； that
any young man of five and twenty must have been insensible
indeed； not to become an immediate convert to the excellence of
such works； however disregarded before。 Their taste was
strikingly alike。 The same books； the same passages were idolised
by each—or if any difference appeared； any objection arose； it
lasted no longer than till the force of her arguments and the
brightness of her eyes could be displayed。 He acquiesced in all her
decisions； caught all her enthusiasm； and long before his visit
concluded； they conversed with the familiarity of a long…
established acquaintance。
“Well； Marianne；” said Elinor； as soon as he had left them； “for
one morning I think you have done pretty well。 You have already
ascertained Mr。 Willoughby’s opinion in almost every matter of
importance。 You know what he thinks of Cowper and Scott； you
are certain of his estimating their beauties as he ought； and you
have received every assurance of his admiring Pope no more than
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is proper。 But how is your acquaintance to be long supported；
under such extraordinary despatch of every subject for discourse？
You will soon have exhausted each favourite topic。 Another
meeting will suffice to explain his sentiments on picturesque
beauty； and second marriages； and then you can have nothing
farther to ask。”—
“Elinor；” cried Marianne； “is this fair？ is this just？ are my ideas
so scanty？ But I see what you mean。 I have been too much at my
ease； too happy； too frank。 I have erred against every common…
place notion of decorum； I have been open and sincere where I
ought to have been reserved； spiritless； dull； and deceitful：—had I
talked only of the weather and the roads； and had I spoken only
once in ten minutes； this reproach would have been spared。”
“My love；” said her mother； “you must not be offended with
Elinor—she was only in jest。 I should scold her myself； if she were
capable of wishing to check the delight of your conversation with
our new friend。”—Marianne was softened in a moment。
Willoughby； on his side； gave every proof of his pleasure in their
acquaintance； which an evident wish of improving it could offer。
He came to them every day。 To enquire after Marianne was at first
his excuse； but the encouragement of his reception； to which every
day gave greater kindness； made such an excuse unnecessary
before it had ceased to be possible； by Marianne’s perfect
recovery。 She was confined for some days to the house； but never
had any confinement been less irksome。 Willoughby was a young
man of good abilities； quick imagination； lively spirits； and open；
affectionate manners。 He was exactly formed to engage
Marianne’s heart； for with all this； he joined not only a captivating
person； but a natural ardour of mind which was now roused and
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incre
