sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第53章
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entreat Lady Middleton to take them home； as she was too
miserable to stay a minute longer。
Lady Middleton； though in the middle of a rubber； on being
informed that Marianne was unwell； was too polite to object for a
moment to her wish of going away； and making over her cards to a
friend； they departed as soon the carriage could be found。 Scarcely
a word was spoken during their return to Berkeley…street。
Marianne was in a silent agony； too much oppressed even for
tears； but as Mrs。 Jennings was luckily not come home； they could
go directly to their own room； where hartshorn restored her a little
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to herself。 She was soon undressed and in bed； and as she seemed
desirous of being alone； her sister then left her； and while she
waited the return of Mrs。 Jennings； had leisure enough for
thinking over the past。
That some kind of engagement had subsisted between
Willoughby and Marianne she could not doubt； and that
Willoughby was weary of it； seemed equally clear； for however
Marianne might still feed her own wishes； she could not attribute
such behaviour to mistake or misapprehension of any kind。
Nothing but a thorough change of sentiment could account for it。
Her indignation would have been still stronger than it was； had
she not witnessed that embarrassment which seemed to speak a
consciousness of his own misconduct； and prevented her from
believing him so unprincipled as to have been sporting with the
affections of her sister from the first； without any design that
would bear investigation。 Absence might have weakened his
regard； and convenience might have determined him to overcome
it； but that such a regard had formerly existed she could not bring
herself to doubt。
As for Marianne； on the pangs which so unhappy a meeting
must already have given her； and on those still more severe which
might await her in its probable consequence； she could not reflect
without the deepest concern。 Her own situation gained in the
comparison； for while she could esteem Edward as much as ever；
however they might be divided in future； her mind might be
always supported。 But every circumstance that could embitter
such an evil seemed uniting to heighten the misery of Marianne in
a final separation from Willoughby—in an immediate and
irreconcilable rupture with him。
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CHAPTER VII
efore the house…maid had lit their fire the next day； or
the sun gained any power over a cold； gloomy morning in
B
January； Marianne； only half dressed； was kneeling
against one of the window…seats for the sake of all the little light
she could command from it； and writing as fast as a continual flow
of tears would permit her。 In this situation； Elinor； roused from
sleep by her agitation and sobs； first perceived her； and after
observing her for a few moments with silent anxiety； said； in a
tone of the most considerate gentleness；
“Marianne； may I ask？”—
“No； Elinor；” she replied； “ask nothing； you will soon know all。”
The sort of desperate calmness with which this was said； lasted
no longer than while she spoke； and was immediately followed by
a return of the same excessive affliction。 It was some minutes
before she could go on with her letter； and the frequent bursts of
grief which still obliged her； at intervals； to withhold her pen； were
proofs enough of her feeling how more than probable it was that
she was writing for the last time to Willoughby。
Elinor paid her every quiet and unobtrusive attention in her
power； and she would have tried to sooth and tranquillize her still
more； had not Marianne entreated her； with all the eagerness of
the most nervous irritability； not to speak to her for the world。 In
such circumstances； it was better for both that they should not be
long together； and the restless state of Marianne’s mind not only
prevented her from remaining in the room a moment after she was
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dressed； but requiring at once solitude and continual change of
place； made her wander about the house till breakfast time；
avoiding the sight of every body。
At breakfast she neither ate； nor attempted to eat any thing；
and Elinor’s attention was then all employed； not in urging her；
not in pitying her； nor in appearing to regard her； but in
endeavouring to engage Mrs。 Jenning’s notice entirely to herself。
As this was a favourite meal with Mrs。 Jennings； it lasted a
considerable time； and they were just setting themselves； after it；
round the common working table； when a letter was delivered to
Marianne； which she eagerly caught from the servant； and；
turning of a death…like paleness； instantly ran out of the room。
Elinor； who saw as plainly by this； as if she had seen the direction；
that it must come from Willoughby； felt immediately such a
sickness at heart as made her hardly able to hold up her head； and
sat in such a general tremour as made her fear it impossible to
escape Mrs。 Jenning’s notice。 That good lady； however； saw only
that Marianne had received a letter from Willoughby； which
appeared to her a very good joke； and which she treated
accordingly； by hoping； with a laugh； that she would find it to her
liking。 Of Elinor’s distress； she was too busily employed in
measuring lengths of worsted for her rug； to see any thing at all；
and calmly continuing her talk； as soon as Marianne disappeared；
she said；
“Upon my word； I never saw a young woman so desperately in
love in my life！ My girls were nothing to her； and yet they used to
be foolish enough； but as for Miss Marianne； she is quite an
altered creature。 I hope； from the bottom of my heart； he won’t
keep her waiting much longer； for it is quite grievous to see her
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look so ill and forlorn。 Pray； when are they to be married？”
Elinor； though never less disposed to speak than at that
moment； obliged herself to answer such an attack as this； and；
therefore； trying to smile； replied； “And have
