sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第52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！
make Elinor regret what she had done； in applying to
N
her mother； for Willoughby neither came nor wrote。
They were engaged about the end of that time to attend Lady
Middleton to a party； from which Mrs。 Jennings was kept away by
the indisposition of her youngest daughter； and for this party；
Marianne； wholly dispirited； careless of her appearance； and
seeming equally indifferent whether she went or staid； prepared；
without one look of hope or one expression of pleasure。 She sat by
the drawing…room fire after tea； till the moment of Lady
Middleton’s arrival； without once stirring from her seat； or altering
her attitude； lost in her own thoughts； and insensible of her sister’s
presence； and when at last they were told that Lady Middleton
waited for them at the door； she started as if she had forgotten that
any one was expected。
They arrived in due time at the place of destination； and as
soon as the string of carriages before them would allow； alighted；
ascended the stairs； heard their names announced from one
landing…place to another in an audible voice； and entered a room
splendidly lit up； quite full of company； and insufferably hot。 When
they had paid their tribute of politeness by curtsying to the lady of
the house； they were permitted to mingle in the crowd； and take
their share of the heat and inconvenience； to which their arrival
must necessarily add。 After some time spent in saying little or
doing less； Lady Middleton sat down to Casino； and as Marianne
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 199…
Jane Austen： Sense and Sensibility 199
was not in spirits for moving about； she and Elinor luckily
succeeding to chairs； placed themselves at no great distance from
the table。
They had not remained in this manner long； before Elinor
perceived Willoughby； standing within a few yards of them； in
earnest conversation with a very fashionable looking young
woman。 She soon caught his eye； and he immediately bowed； but
without attempting to speak to her； or to approach Marianne；
though he could not but see her； and then continued his discourse
with the same lady。 Elinor turned involuntarily to Marianne； to see
whether it could be unobserved by her。 At that moment she first
perceived him； and her whole countenance glowing with sudden
delight； she would have moved towards him instantly； had not her
sister caught hold of her。
“Good heavens！” she exclaimed； “he is there—he is there—Oh！
why does he not look at me？ why cannot I speak to him？”
“Pray； pray be composed；” cried Elinor； “and do not betray
what you feel to every body present。 Perhaps he has not observed
you yet。”
This however was more than she could believe herself； and to
be composed at such a moment was not only beyond the reach of
Marianne； it was beyond her wish。 She sat in an agony of
impatience which affected every feature。
At last he turned round again； and regarded them both； she
started up； and pronouncing his name in a tone of affection； held
out her hand to him。 He approached； and addressing himself
rather to Elinor than Marianne； as if wishing to avoid her eye； and
determined not to observe her attitude； inquired in a hurried
manner after Mrs。 Dashwood； and asked how long they had been
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 200…
Jane Austen： Sense and Sensibility 200
in town。 Elinor was robbed of all presence of mind by such an
address； and was unable to say a word。 But the feelings of her
sister were instantly expressed。 Her face was crimsoned over； and
she exclaimed； in a voice of the greatest emotion； “Good God！
Willoughby； what is the meaning of this？ Have you not received
my letters？ Will you not shake hands with me？”
He could not then avoid it； but her touch seemed painful to him；
and he held her hand only for a moment。 During all this time he
was evidently struggling for composure。 Elinor watched his
countenance and saw its expression becoming more tranquil。
After a moment’s pause； he spoke with calmness。
“I did myself the honour of calling in Berkeley…street last
Tuesday； and very much regretted that I was not fortunate enough
to find yourselves and Mrs。 Jennings at home。 My card was not
lost； I hope。”
“But have you not received my notes？” cried Marianne in the
wildest anxiety。 “Here is some mistake I am sure—some dreadful
mistake。 What can be the meaning of it？ Tell me； Willoughby； for
heaven’s sake tell me； what is the matter？”
He made no reply； his complexion changed and all his
embarrassment returned； but as if； on catching the eye of the
young lady with whom he had been previously talking； he felt the
necessity of instant exertion； he recovered himself again； and after
saying； “Yes； I had the pleasure of receiving the information of
your arrival in town； which you were so good as to send me；”
turned hastily away with a slight bow and joined his friend。
Marianne； now looking dreadfully white； and unable to stand；
sunk into her chair； and Elinor； expecting every moment to see
her faint； tried to screen her from the observation of others； while
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 201…
Jane Austen： Sense and Sensibility 201
reviving her with lavender water。
“Go to him； Elinor；” she cried； as soon as she could speak； “and
force him to come to me。 Tell him I must see him again—must
speak to him instantly。—I cannot rest—I shall not have a
moment’s peace till this is explained—some dreadful
misapprehension or other。—Oh go to him this moment。”
“How can that be done？ No； my dearest Marianne； you must
wait。 This is not the place for explanations。 Wait only till
tomorrow。”
With difficulty however could she prevent her from following
him herself； and to persuade her to check her agitation； to wait； at
least； with the appearance of composure； till she might speak to
him with more privacy and more effect； was impossible； for
Marianne continued incessantly to give way in a low voice to the
misery of her feelings； by exclamations of wretchedness。 In a short
time Elinor saw Willoughby quit the room by the door towards the
staircase； and telling Marianne that he was gone； urged the
impossibility of speaking to him again that evening； as a fresh
argument for her to be calm。 She instantly begged her sister would
entreat Lady Middleton to take them home； as she was too
miserable to stay a minute longer。
Lady
