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In a few minutes, however, Marianne was recovered enough to put an end to the bustle, and sit down among the rest; though her spirits retained the impression of what had passed, the whole evening.
“Poor Marianne!” said her brother to Colonel Brandon, in a low voice, as soon as he could secure his attention,–
“She has not such good health as her sister,–she is very nervous,–she has not Elinor’s constitution;–and one must allow that there is something very trying to a young woman who HAS BEEN a beauty in the loss of her personal attractions.
You would not think it perhaps, but Marianne WAS remarkably handsome a few months ago; quite as handsome as Elinor.–
Now you see it is all gone.”
CHAPTER 35
Elinor’s curiosity to see Mrs. Ferrars was satisfied.–
She had found in her every thing that could tend to make a farther connection between the families undesirable.–
She had seen enough of her pride, her meanness, and her determined prejudice against herself, to comprehend all the difficulties that must have perplexed the engagement, and retarded the marriage, of Edward and herself, had he been otherwise free;–and she had seen almost enough to be thankful for her OWN sake, that one greater obstacle preserved her from suffering under any other of Mrs. Ferrars’s creation, preserved her from all dependence upon her caprice, or any solicitude for her good opinion. Or at least, if she did not bring herself quite to rejoice in Edward’s being fettered to Lucy, she determined, that had Lucy been more amiable, she OUGHT to have rejoiced.
She wondered that Lucy’s spirits could be so very much elevated by the civility of Mrs. Ferrars;–that her interest and her vanity should so very much blind her as to make the attention which seemed only paid her because she was NOT ELINOR, appear a compliment to herself–or to allow her to derive encouragement from a preference only given her, because her real situation was unknown. But that it was so, had not only been declared by Lucy’s eyes at the time, but was declared over again the next morning more openly, for at her particular desire, Lady Middleton set her down in Berkeley Street on the chance of seeing Elinor alone, to tell her how happy she was.
The chance proved a lucky one, for a message from Mrs. Palmer soon after she arrived, carried Mrs. Jennings away.
“My dear friend,” cried Lucy, as soon as they were by themselves, “I come to talk to you of my happiness.
Could anything be so flattering as Mrs. Ferrars’s way of treating me yesterday? So exceeding affable as she was!–You know how I dreaded the thoughts of seeing her;–
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but the very moment I was introduced, there was such an affability in her behaviour as really should seem to say, she had quite took a fancy to me. Now was not it so?–
You saw it all; and was not you quite struck with it?”
“She was certainly very civil to you.”
“Civil!–Did you see nothing but only civility?–
I saw a vast deal more. Such kindness as fell to the share of nobody but me!–No pride, no hauteur, and your sister just the same–all sweetness and affability!”
Elinor wished to talk of something else, but Lucy still pressed her to own that she had reason for her happiness; and Elinor was obliged to go on.–
“Undoubtedly, if they had known your engagement,”
said she, “nothing could be more flattering than their treatment of you;–but as that was not the case”–
“I guessed you would say so”–replied Lucy quickly–“but there was no reason in the world why Mrs. Ferrars should seem to like me, if she did not, and her liking me is every thing. You shan’t talk me out of my satisfaction. I am sure it will all end well, and there will be no difficulties at all, to what I used to think. Mrs. Ferrars is a charming woman, and so is your sister. They are both delightful women, indeed!–I wonder I should never hear you say how agreeable Mrs. Dashwood was!”
To this Elinor had no answer to make, and did not attempt any.