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allow her to offer the comfort of hope。 Her heart was really
grieved。 The rapid decay； the early death of a girl so young； so
lovely as Marianne； must have struck a less interested person with
concern。 On Mrs。 Jennings’s compassion she had other claims。
She had been for three months her companion； was still under her
care； and she was known to have been greatly injured； and long
unhappy。 The distress of her sister too； particularly a favourite；
was before her；—and as for their mother； when Mrs。 Jennings
considered that Marianne might probably be to her what Charlotte
was to herself； her sympathy in her sufferings was very sincere。
Mr。 Harris was punctual in his second visit；—but he came to be
disappointed in his hopes of what the last would produce。 His
medicines had failed；—the fever was unabated； and Marianne only
more quiet—not more herself—remained in a heavy stupor。
Elinor； catching all； and more than all； his fears in a moment；
proposed to call in further advice。 But he judged it unnecessary；
he had still something more to try； some more fresh application； of
whose success he was as confident as the last； and his visit
concluded with encouraging assurances which reached the ear；
but could not enter the heart of Miss Dashwood。 She was calm；
except when she thought of her mother； but she was almost
hopeless； and in this state she continued till noon； scarcely stirring
from her sister’s bed； her thoughts wandering from one image of
grief； one suffering friend to another； and her spirits oppressed to
the utmost by the conversation of Mrs。 Jennings； who scrupled not
to attribute the severity and danger of this attack to the many
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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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