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it。 Mrs。 Jennings； knowing nothing of any change in the patient；
went unusually early to bed； her maid； who was one of the
principal nurses； was recreating herself in the housekeeper’s
room； and Elinor remained alone with Marianne。
The repose of the latter became more and more disturbed； and
her sister； who watched； with unremitting attention her continual
change of posture； and heard the frequent but inarticulate sounds
of complaint which passed her lips； was almost wishing to rouse
her from so painful a slumber； when Marianne； suddenly
awakened by some accidental noise in the house； started hastily
up； and； with feverish wildness； cried out；—
“Is mama coming？—”
“Not yet；” cried the other； concealing her terror； and assisting
Marianne to lie down again； “but she will be here； I hope； before it
is long。 It is a great way； you know； from hence to Barton。”
“But she must not go round by London；” cried Marianne； in the
same hurried manner。 “I shall never see her； if she goes by
London。”
Elinor perceived with alarm that she was not quite herself； and；
while attempting to soothe her； eagerly felt her pulse。 It was lower
and quicker than ever！ and Marianne； still talking wildly of mama；
her alarm increased so rapidly； as to determine her on sending
instantly for Mr。 Harris； and despatching a messenger to Barton
for her mother。 To consult with Colonel Brandon on the best
means of effecting the latter； was a thought which immediately
followed the resolution of its performance； and as soon as she had
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rung up the maid to take her place by her sister； she hastened
down to the drawing…room； where she knew he was generally to be
found at a much later hour than the present。
It was no time for hesitation。 Her fears and her difficulties were
immediately before him。 Her fears； he had no courage； no
confidence to attempt the removal of；—he listened to them in
silent despondence；—but her difficulties were instantly obviated；
for with a readiness that seemed to speak the occasion； and the
service pre…arranged in his mind； he offered himself as the
messenger who should fetch Mrs。 Dashwood。 Elinor made no
resistance that was not easily overcome。 She thanked him with
brief； though fervent gratitude； and while he went to hurry off his
servant with a message to Mr。 Harris； and an order for post…horses
directly； she wrote a few lines to her mother。
The comfort of such a friend at that moment as Colonel
Brandon—or such a companion for her mother；—how gratefully
was it felt！—a companion whose judgment would guide； whose
attendance must relieve； and whose friendship might soothe
her！—as far as the shock of such a summons could be lessened to
her； his presence； his manners； his assistance； would lessen it。
He； meanwhile； whatever he might feel； acted with all the
firmness of a collected mind； made every necessary arrangement
with the utmost despatch； and calculated with exactness the time
in which she might look for his return。 Not a moment was lost in
delay of any kind。 The horses arrived； even before they were
expected； and Colonel Brandon only pressing her hand with a look
of solemnity； and a few words spoken too low to reach her ear；
hurried into the carriage。 It was then about twelve o’clock； and she
returned to her sister’s apartment to wait for the arrival of the
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apothecary； and to watch by her the rest of the night。 It was a
night of almost equal suffering to both。 Hour after hour passed
away in sleepless pain and delirium on Marianne’s side； and in the
most cruel anxiety on Elinor’s； before Mr。 Harris appeared。 Her
apprehensions once raised； paid by their excess for all her former
security； and the servant who sat up with her； for she would not
allow Mrs。 Jennings to be called； only tortured her more； by hints
of what her mistress had always thought。
Marianne’s ideas were still； at intervals； fixed incoherently on
her mother； and whenever she mentioned her name； it gave a
pang to the heart of poor Elinor； who； reproaching herself for
having trifled with so many days of illness； and wretched for some
immediate relief； fancied that all relief might soon be in vain； that
every thing had been delayed too long； and pictured to herself her
suffering mother arriving too late to see this darling child； or to see
her rational。
She was on the point of sending again for Mr。 Harris； or if he
could not come； for some other advice； when the former—but not
till after five o’clock—arrived。 His opinion； however； made some
little amends for his delay； for though acknowledging a very
unexpected and unpleasant alteration in his patient； he would not
allow the danger to be material； and talked of the relief which a
fresh mode of treatment must procure； with a confidence which； in
a lesser degree； was communicated to Elinor。 He promised to call
again in the course of three or four hours； and left both the patient
and her anxious attendant more composed than he had found
them。
With strong concern； and with many reproaches for not being
called to their aid； did Mrs。 Jennings hear in the morning of what
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had passed。 Her former apprehensions； now with greater reason
restored； left her no doubt of the event； and though trying to speak
comfort to Elinor； her conviction of her sister’s danger would not
allow her to offer the comfort of hope。 Her heart was really
grieved。