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“My protegé； as you call him； is a sensible man； and sense will
always have attractions for me。 Yes； Marianne； even in a man
between thirty and forty。 He has seen a great deal of the world；
has been abroad； has read； and has a thinking mind。 I have found
him capable of giving me much information on various subjects；
and he has always answered my inquiries with readiness of good…
breeding and good nature。”
“That is to say；” cried Marianne contemptuously； “he has told
you that in the East Indies the climate is hot； and the mosquitoes
are troublesome。”
“He would have told me so； I doubt not； had I made any such
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inquiries； but they happened to be points on which I had been
previously informed。”
“Perhaps；” said Willoughby； “his observations may have
extended to the existence of nabobs； gold mohrs； and palanquins。”
“I may venture to say that his observations have stretched
much further than your candour。 But why should you dislike
him？”
“I do not dislike him。 I consider him； on the contrary； as a very
respectable man； who has every body’s good word； and nobody’s
notice； who has more money than he can spend； more time than
he knows how to employ； and two new coats every year。”
“Add to which；” cried Marianne； “that he has neither genius；
taste； nor spirit。 That his understanding has no brilliancy； his
feelings no ardour； and his voice no expression。”
“You decide on his imperfections so much in the mass；” replied
Elinor； “and so much on the strength of your own imagination；
that the commendation I am able to give of him is comparatively
cold and insipid。 I can only pronounce him to be a sensible man；
well…bred； well…informed； of gentle address； and； I believe；
possessing an amiable heart。”
“Miss Dashwood；” cried Willoughby； “you are now using me
unkindly。 You are endeavouring to disarm me by reason； and to
convince me against my will。 But it will not do。 You shall find me
as stubborn as you can be artful。 I have three unanswerable
reasons for disliking Colonel Brandon： he threatened me with rain
when I wanted it to be fine； he has found fault with the hanging of
my curricle； and I cannot persuade him to buy my brown mare。 If
it will be any satisfaction to you； however； to be told； that I believe
his character to be in other respects irreproachable； I am ready to
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confess it。 And in return for an acknowledgment； which must give
me some pain； you cannot deny me the privilege of disliking him
as much as ever。”
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CHAPTER XI
ittle had Mrs。 Dashwood or her daughters imagined when
they first came into Devonshire； that so many
L
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
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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