sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第47章
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Marianne’s joy was almost a degree beyond happiness； so great
was the perturbation of her spirits and her impatience to be gone。
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Her unwillingness to quit her mother was her only restorative to
calmness； and at the moment of parting her grief on that score was
excessive。 Her mother’s affliction was hardly less； and Elinor was
the only one of the three； who seemed to consider the separation
as any thing short of eternal。
Their departure took place in the first week in January。 The
Middletons were to follow in about a week。 The Miss Steeles kept
their station at the park； and were to quit it only with the rest of
the family。
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CHAPTER IV
linor could not find herself in the carriage with Mrs。
Jennings； and beginning a journey to London under her
E
protection； and as her guest； without wondering at her
own situation； so short had their acquaintance with that lady been；
so wholly unsuited were they in age and disposition； and so many
had been her objections against such a measure only a few days
before！ But these objections had all； with that happy ardour of
youth which Marianne and her mother equally shared； been
overcome or overlooked； and Elinor； in spite of every occasional
doubt of Willoughby’s constancy； could not witness the rapture of
delightful expectation which filled the whole soul and beamed in
the eyes of Marianne； without feeling how blank was her own
prospect； how cheerless her own state of mind in the comparison；
and how gladly she would engage in the solicitude of Marianne’s
situation to have the same animating object in view； the same
possibility of hope。 A short； a very short time however must now
decide what Willoughby’s intentions were； in all probability he
was already in town。 Marianne’s eagerness to be gone declared
her dependence on finding him there； and Elinor was resolved not
only upon gaining every new light as to his character which her
own observation or the intelligence of others could give her； but
likewise upon watching his behaviour to her sister with such
zealous attention； as to ascertain what he was and what he meant；
before many meetings had taken place。 Should the result of her
observations be unfavourable； she was determined at all events to
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open the eyes of her sister； should it be otherwise； her exertions
would be of a different nature—she must then learn to avoid every
selfish comparison； and banish every regret which might lessen
her satisfaction in the happiness of Marianne。
They were three days on their journey； and Marianne’s
behaviour as they travelled was a happy specimen of what future
complaisance and companionableness to Mrs。 Jennings might be
expected to be。 She sat in silence almost all the way； wrapt in her
own meditations； and scarcely ever voluntarily speaking； except
when any object of picturesque beauty within their view drew
from her an exclamation of delight exclusively addressed to her
sister。 To atone for this conduct therefore； Elinor took immediate
possession of the post of civility which she had assigned herself；
behaved with the greatest attention to Mrs。 Jennings； talked with
her； laughed with her； and listened to her whenever she could；
and Mrs。 Jennings on her side treated them both with all possible
kindness； was solicitous on every occasion for their ease and
enjoyment； and only disturbed that she could not make them
choose their own dinners at the inn； nor extort a confession of
their preferring salmon to cod； or boiled fowls to veal cutlets。 They
reached town by three o’clock the third day； glad to be released；
after such a journey； from the confinement of a carriage； and
ready to enjoy all the luxury of a good fire。
The house was handsome； and handsomely fitted up； and the
young ladies were immediately put in possession of a very
comfortable apartment。 It had formerly been Charlotte’s； and over
the mantelpiece still hung a landscape in coloured silks of her
performance； in proof of her having spent seven years at a great
school in town to some effect。
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As dinner was not to be ready in less than two hours from their
arrival； Elinor determined to employ the interval in writing to her
mother； and sat down for that purpose。 In a few moments
Marianne did the same。 “I am writing home； Marianne；” said
Elinor； “had not you better defer your letter for a day or two？”
“I am not going to write to my mother；” replied Marianne；
hastily； and as if wishing to avoid any farther inquiry。 Elinor said
no more； it immediately struck her that she must then be writing
to Willoughby； and the conclusion which as instantly followed was；
that however mysteriously they might wish to conduct the affair；
they must be engaged。 This conviction； though not entirely
satisfactory； gave her pleasure； and she continued her letter with
greater alacrity。 Marianne’s was finished in a very few minutes； in
length it could be no more than a note： it was then folded up；
sealed； and directed with eager rapidity。 Elinor thought she could
distinguish a large W。 in the direction； and no sooner was it
complete than Marianne； ringing the bell； requested the footman
who answered it to get that letter conveyed for her to the two…
penny post。 This decided the matter at once。
Her spirits still continued very high； but there was a flutter in
them which prevented their giving much pleasure to her sister；
and this agitation increased as the evening drew on。 She could
scarcely eat any dinner； and when they afterwards returned to the
drawing room； seemed anxiously listening to the sound of every
carriage。
It was a great satisfaction to Elinor that Mrs。 Jennings； by being
much engaged in her own room； could see little of what was
passing。 The tea things were brought in； and already had
Marianne been disappointed more than once by a rap at a
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neighbo
