sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第16章
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increased by the example of her own； and which recommended
him to her affection beyond every thing else。
His society became gradually her most exquisite enjoyment。
They read； they talked； they sang together； his musical talents
were considerable； and he read with all the sensibility and spirit
which Edward had unfortunately wanted。
In Mrs。 Dashwood’s estimation he was as faultless as in
Marianne’s； and Elinor saw nothing to censure in him but a
propensity； in which he strongly resembled and peculiarly
delighted her sister； of saying too much what he thought on every
occasion； without attention to persons or circumstances。 In hastily
forming and giving his opinion of other people； in sacrificing
general politeness to the enjoyment of undivided attention where
his heart was engaged； and in slighting too easily the forms of
worldly propriety； he displayed a want of caution which Elinor
could not approve； in spite of all that he and Marianne could say in
its support。
Marianne began now to perceive that the desperation which
had seized her at sixteen and a half； of ever seeing a man who
could satisfy her ideas of perfection； had been rash and
unjustifiable。 Willoughby was all that her fancy had delineated in
that unhappy hour and in every brighter period； as capable of
attaching her； and his behaviour declared his wishes to be in that
respect as earnest； as his abilities were strong。
Her mother too； in whose mind not one speculative thought of
their marriage had been raised； by his prospect of riches； was led
before the end of a week to hope and expect it； and secretly to
congratulate herself on having gained two such sons…in…law as
Edward and Willoughby。
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Colonel Brandon’s partiality for Marianne； which had so early
been discovered by his friends； now first became perceptible to
Elinor； when it ceased to be noticed by them。 Their attention and
wit were drawn off to his more fortunate rival； and the raillery
which the other had incurred before any partiality arose； was
removed when his feelings began really to call for the ridicule so
justly annexed to sensibility。 Elinor was obliged； though
unwillingly； to believe that the sentiments which Mrs。 Jennings
had assigned him for her own satisfaction； were now actually
excited by her sister； and that however a general resemblance of
disposition between the parties might forward the affection of Mr。
Willoughby； an equally striking opposition of character was no
hindrance to the regard of Colonel Brandon。 She saw it with
concern； for what could a silent man of five and thirty hope； when
opposed to a very lively one of five and twenty？ and as she could
not even wish him successful； she heartily wished him indifferent。
She liked him—in spite of his gravity and reserve； she beheld in
him an object of interest。 His manners； though serious； were mild；
and his reserve appeared rather the result of some oppression of
spirits than of any natural gloominess of temper。 Sir John had
dropped hints of past injuries and disappointments； which
justified her belief of his being an unfortunate man； and she
regarded him with respect and compassion。
Perhaps she pitied and esteemed him the more because he was
slighted by Willoughby and Marianne； who； prejudiced against
him for being neither lively nor young； seemed resolved to
undervalue his merits。
“Brandon is just the kind of man；” said Willoughby one day；
when they were talking of him together； “whom every body speaks
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well of； and nobody cares about； whom all are delighted to see；
and nobody remembers to talk to。”
“That is exactly what I think of him；” cried Marianne。
“Do not boast of it； however；” said Elinor； “for it is injustice in
both of you。 He is highly esteemed by all the family at the park；
and I never see him myself without taking pains to converse with
him。”
“That he is patronised by you；” replied Willoughby； “is certainly
in his favour； but as for the esteem of the others； it is a reproach in
itself。 Who would submit to the indignity of being approved by
such a woman as Lady Middleton and Mrs。 Jennings； that could
command the indifference of any body else？”
“But perhaps the abuse of such people as yourself and
Marianne will make amends for the regard of Lady Middleton and
her mother。 If their praise is censure； your censure may be praise；
for they are not more undiscerning； than you are prejudiced and
unjust。”
“In defence of your protegé you can even be saucy。”
“My protegé； as you call him； is a sensible man； and sense will
always have attractions for me。 Yes； Marianne； even in a man
between thirty and forty。 He has seen a great deal of the world；
has been abroad； has read； and has a thinking mind。 I have found
him capable of giving me much information on various subjects；
and he has always answered my inquiries with readiness of good…
breeding and good nature。”
“That is to say；” cried Marianne contemptuously； “he has told
you that in the East Indies the climate is hot； and the mosquitoes
are troublesome。”
“He would have told me so； I doubt not； had I made any such
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inquiries； but they happened to be points on which I had been
previously informed。”
“Perhaps；” said Willoughby； “his observations may have
extended to the existence of nabobs； gold mohrs； and palanquins。”
“I may venture to say that his observations have stretched
much further than your candour。 But why should you dislike
him？”
“I do not dislike him。 I consider him； on the contrary； as a very
respectable man； who has every body’s good word； and nobody’s
notice； who has more money than he can spend； more time than
he knows how to employ； and two new coats every year。”
“Add to which；” cried Marianne； “that he has neither genius；
taste； nor spirit。 That his understanding has no brilliancy； his
feelings no ardour； and his voice no expression。”
“You decide on his imperfections so much in the mass；” replied
Elinor； “and so much on the strength of your own imagination；
that the commendation I am able to give of him is
