第20章

Little had Mrs.Dashwood or her daughters imagined when they first came into Devonshire, that so many engagements would arise to occupy their time as shortly presented themselves, or that they should have such frequent invitations and such constant visitors as to leave them little leisure for serious employment.Yet such was the case.

When Marianne was recovered, the schemes of amusement at home and abroad, which Sir John had been previously forming, were put into execution.The private balls at the park then began; and parties on the water were made and accomplished as often as a showery October would allow.

In every meeting of the kind Willoughby was included;and the ease and familiarity which naturally attended these parties were exactly calculated to give increasing intimacy to his acquaintance with the Dashwoods, to afford him opportunity of witnessing the excellencies of Marianne, of marking his animated admiration of her, and of receiving, in her behaviour to himself, the most pointed assurance of her affection.

Elinor could not be surprised at their attachment.

She only wished that it were less openly shewn; and once or twice did venture to suggest the propriety of some self-command to Marianne.But Marianne abhorred all concealment where no real disgrace could attend unreserve;and to aim at the restraint of sentiments which were not in themselves illaudable, appeared to her not merely an unnecessary effort, but a disgraceful subjection of reason to common-place and mistaken notions.

Willoughby thought the same; and their behaviour at all times, was an illustration of their opinions.

When he was present she had no eyes for any one else.

Every thing he did, was right.Every thing he said, was clever.

If their evenings at the park were concluded with cards, he cheated himself and all the rest of the party to get her a good hand.If dancing formed the amusement of the night, they were partners for half the time;and when obliged to separate for a couple of dances, were careful to stand together and scarcely spoke a word to any body else.Such conduct made them of course most exceedingly laughed at; but ridicule could not shame, and seemed hardly to provoke them.

Mrs.Dashwood entered into all their feelings with a warmth which left her no inclination for checking this excessive display of them.To her it was but the natural consequence of a strong affection in a young and ardent mind.

This was the season of happiness to Marianne.

Her heart was devoted to Willoughby, and the fond attachment to Norland, which she brought with her from Sussex, was more likely to be softened than she had thought it possible before, by the charms which his society bestowed on her present home.

Elinor's happiness was not so great.

Her heart was not so much at ease, nor her satisfaction in their amusements so pure.They afforded her no companion that could make amends for what she had left behind, nor that could teach her to think of Norland with less regret than ever.

Neither Lady Middleton nor Mrs.Jennings could supply to her the conversation she missed; although the latter was an everlasting talker, and from the first had regarded her with a kindness which ensured her a large share of her discourse.She had already repeated her own history to Elinor three or four times; and had Elinor's memory been equal to her means of improvement, she might have known very early in their acquaintance all the particulars of Mr.Jenning's last illness, and what he said to his wife a few minutes before he died.Lady Middleton was more agreeable than her mother only in being more silent.

Elinor needed little observation to perceive that her reserve was a mere calmness of manner with which sense had nothing to do.Towards her husband and mother she was the same as to them; and intimacy was therefore neither to be looked for nor desired.She had nothing to say one day that she had not said the day before.