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Jane Austen： Sense and Sensibility 352
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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Jane Austen： Sense and Sensibility 353
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 the sight of
him； obeyed the first impulse of her heart in turning
E
instantly to quit the room； and her hand was already on
the lock； when its action was suspended by his hastily advancing；
and saying； in a voice rather of command than supplication；
“Miss Dashwood； for half an hour—for ten minutes—I entreat
you to stay。”
“No； sir；” she replied with firmness； “I shall not stay。 Your
business cannot be with me。 The servants； I suppose； forgot to tell
you that Mr。 Palmer was not in the house。”
“Had they told me；” he cried with vehemence； “that Mr。 Palmer
and all his relations were at the devil； it would not have turned me
from the door。 My business is with you； and only you。”
“With me！”—in the utmost amazement—“well； sir—be quick—
and if you can—less violent。”
“Sit down； and I will be both。”
She hesitated； she knew not what to do。 The possibility of
Colonel Brandon’s arriving and finding her there； came across
her。 But she had promised to hear him； and her curiosity no less
than her honour was engaged。 After a moment’s recollection；
therefore； concluding that prudence required dispatch； and that
her acquiescence would best promote it； she walked silently
towards the table； and sat down。 He took the opposite chair； and
for half a minute not a word was said by either。
“Pray be quick； sir”—said Elinor； impatiently—“I have no time
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Jane Austen： Sense and Sensibility 355
to spare。”
He was sitting in an attitude of deep meditation； and seemed
not to hear her。
“Your sister；” said he； with abruptness； a moment afterwards—
“is out of danger。 I heard it from the servant。 God be praised！—
But is it true？ is it really true？”
Elinor would not speak。 He repeated the inquiry with yet
greater eagerness。
“For God’s sake tell me； is she out of danger； or is she not？”
“We hope she is。”
He rose up； and walked across the room。
“Had I known as much half an hour ago—But since I am
here”—speaking with a forced vivacity as he returned to his seat—
“what does it signify？—For once； Miss Dashwood—it will be the
last time； perhaps—let us be cheerful together。—I am in a fine
mood for gaiety。—Tell me honestly”—a deeper glow
overspreading his cheeks—“do you think me most a knave or a
fool？”
Elinor looked at him with greater astonishment than ever。 She
began to think that he must be in liquor；—the strangeness of such
a visit； and of such manners； seemed no otherwise intelligible； and
with this impression she immediately rose； saying；
“Mr。 Willoughby； I advise you at present to return to Combe。—I
am not at leisure to remain with you longer。—Whatever your
business may be with me； it will be better recollected and
explained to…morrow。”
“I understand you；” he replied； with an expressive smile； and a
voice perfectly calm； “yes； I am very drunk。—A pint of porter with
my cold beef at Marlborough was enough to over…set me。”
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“At Marlborough！”—cried Elinor； more and more at a loss to
understand what he