sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第94章
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weeks of previous indisposition which Marianne’s disappointment
had brought on。 Elinor felt all the reasonableness of the idea； and
it gave fresh misery to her reflections。
About noon； however； she began—but with a caution—a dread
of disappointment which for some time kept her silent； even to her
friend—to fancy； to hope she could perceive a slight amendment in
her sister’s pulse；—she waited； watched； and examined it again
and again；—and at last； with an agitation more difficult to bury
under exterior calmness； than all her foregoing distress； ventured
to communicate her hopes。 Mrs。 Jennings； though forced； on
examination； to acknowledge a temporary revival； tried to keep
her young friend from indulging a thought of its continuance；—
and Elinor； conning over every injunction of distrust； told herself
likewise not to hope。 But it was too late。 Hope had already
entered； and feeling all its anxious flutter； she bent over her sister
to watch—she hardly knew for what。 Half an hour passed away；
and the favourable symptom yet blessed her。 Others even arose to
confirm it。 Her breath； her skin； her lips； all flattered Elinor with
signs of amendment； and Marianne fixed her eyes on her with a
rational； though languid； gaze。 Anxiety and hope now oppressed
her in equal degrees； and left her no moment of tranquillity till the
arrival of Mr。 Harris at four o’clock；—when his assurances； his
felicitations on a recovery in her sister even surpassing his
expectation； gave her confidence； comfort； and tears of joy。
Marianne was in every respect materially better； and he
declared her entirely out of danger。 Mrs。 Jennings； perhaps
satisfied with the partial justification of her forebodings which had
been found in their late alarm； allowed herself to trust in his
judgment； and admitted； with unfeigned joy； and soon with
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unequivocal cheerfulness； the probability of an entire recovery。
Elinor could not be cheerful。 Her joy was of a different kind；
and led to any thing rather than to gaiety。 Marianne restored to
life； health； friends； and to her doting mother； was an idea to fill
her heart with sensations of exquisite comfort； and expand it in
fervent gratitude；—but it lead to no outward demonstrations of
joy； no words； no smiles。 All within Elinor’s breast was satisfaction；
silent and strong。
She continued by the side of her sister； with little intermission
the whole afternoon； calming every fear； satisfying every inquiry of
her enfeebled spirits； supplying every succour； and watching
almost every look and every breath。 The possibility of a relapse
would of course； in some moments； occur to remind her of what
anxiety was—but when she saw； on her frequent and minute
examination； that every symptom of recovery continued； and saw
Marianne at six o’clock sink into a quiet； steady； and to all
appearance comfortable； sleep； she silenced every doubt。
The time was now drawing on； when Colonel Brandon might be
expected back。 At ten o’clock； she trusted； or at least not much
later her mother would be relieved from the dreadful suspense in
which she must now be travelling towards them。 The Colonel；
too！—perhaps scarcely less an object of pity！—Oh！—how slow was
the progress of time which yet kept them in ignorance！
At seven o’clock； leaving Marianne still sweetly asleep； she
joined Mrs。 Jennings in the drawing…room to tea。 Of breakfast she
had been kept by her fears； and of dinner by their sudden reverse；
from eating much；—and the present refreshment； therefore； with
such feelings of content as she brought to it； was particularly
welcome。 Mrs。 Jennings would have persuaded her； at its
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conclusion； to take some rest before her mother’s arrival； and
allow her to take her place by Marianne； but Elinor had no sense
of fatigue； no capability of sleep at that moment about her； and she
was not to be kept away from her sister an unnecessary instant。
Mrs。 Jennings therefore attending her up stairs into the sick
chamber； to satisfy herself that all continued right； left her there
again to her charge and her thoughts； and retired to her own room
to write letters and sleep。
The night was cold and stormy。 The wind roared round the
house； and the rain beat against the windows； but Elinor； all
happiness within； regarded it not。 Marianne slept through every
blast； and the travellers—they had a rich reward in store； for every
present inconvenience。
The clock struck eight。 Had it been ten； Elinor would have been
convinced that at that moment she heard a carriage driving up to
the house； and so strong was the persuasion that she did； in spite
of the almost impossibility of their being already come； that she
moved into the adjoining dressing…closet and opened a window
shutter； to be satisfied of the truth。 She instantly saw that her ears
had not deceived her。 The flaring lamps of a carriage were
immediately in view。 By their uncertain light she thought she
could discern it to be drawn by four horses； and this； while it told
the excess of her poor mother’s alarm； gave some explanation to
such unexpected rapidity。
Never in her life had Elinor found it so difficult to be calm； as at
that moment。 The knowledge of what her mother must be feeling
as the carriage stopt at the door—of her doubt—her dread—
perhaps her despair！—and of what she had to tell！—with such
knowledge it was impossible to be calm。 All that remained to be
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done was to be speedy； and therefore staying only till she could
leave Mrs。 Jennings’s maid with her sister； she hurried down
stairs。
The bustle in the vestibule； as she passed along an inner lobby；
assured her that they were already in the house。 She rushed to the
drawing…room；—she entered it；—and saw only Willoughby。
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CHAPTER VIII
linor； starting back with a look of horror at
