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stopt suddenly； appeared to think that he had said too much； and
by his countenance gave rise to conjectures； which might not
otherwise have entered Elinor’s head。 The lady would probably
have passed without suspicion； had he not convinced Miss
Dashwood that what concerned her ought not to escape his lips。
As it was； it required but a slight effort of fancy to connect his
emotion with the tender recollection of past regard。 Elinor
attempted no more。 But Marianne； in her place； would not have
done so little。 The whole story would have been speedily formed
under her active imagination； and every thing established in the
most melancholy order of disastrous love。
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CHAPTER XII
s Elinor and Marianne were walking together the next
Amorning the latter communicated a piece of news to her
sister； which in spite of all that she knew before of
Marianne’s imprudence and want of thought； surprised her by its
extravagant testimony of both。 Marianne told her； with the
greatest delight； that Willoughby had given her a horse； one that
he had bred himself on his estate in Somersetshire； and which was
exactly calculated to carry a woman。 Without considering that it
was not in her mother’s plan to keep any horse； that if she were to
alter her resolution in favour of this gift； she must buy another for
the servant； and keep a servant to ride it； and after all； build a
stable to receive them； she had accepted the present without
hesitation； and told her sister of it in raptures。
“He intends to send his groom into Somersetshire immediately
for it；” she added； “and when it arrives we will ride every day。 You
shall share its use with me。 Imagine to yourself； my dear Elinor；
the delight of a gallop on some of these downs。”
Most unwilling was she to awaken from such a dream of felicity
to comprehend all the unhappy truths which attended the affair；
and for some time she refused to submit to them。 As to an
additional servant； the expense would be a trifle； mama she was
sure would never object to it； and any horse would do for him； he
might always get one at the park； as to a stable； the merest shed
would be sufficient。 Elinor then ventured to doubt the propriety of
her receiving such a present from a man so little； or at least so
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lately known to her。 This was too much。
“You are mistaken； Elinor；” said she warmly； “in supposing I
know very little of Willoughby。 I have not known him long indeed；
but I am much better acquainted with him； than I am with any
other creature in the world； except yourself and mama。 It is not
time or opportunity that is to determine intimacy；—it is
disposition alone。 Seven years would be insufficient to make some
people acquainted with each other； and seven days are more than
enough for others。 I should hold myself guilty of greater
impropriety in accepting a horse from my brother； than from
Willoughby。 Of John I know very little； though we have lived
together for years； but of Willoughby my judgment has long been
formed。”
Elinor thought it wisest to touch that point no more。 She knew
her sister’s temper。 Opposition on so tender a subject would only
attach her the more to her own opinion。 But by an appeal to her
affection for her mother； by representing the inconveniences
which that indulgent mother must draw on herself； if （as would
probably be the case） she consented to this increase of
establishment； Marianne was shortly subdued； and she promised
not to tempt her mother to such imprudent kindness by
mentioning the offer； and to tell Willoughby when she saw him
next； that it must be declined。
She was faithful to her word； and when Willoughby called at
the cottage； the same day； Elinor heard her express her
disappointment to him in a low voice； on being obliged to forego
the acceptance of his present。 The reasons for this alteration were
at the same time related； and they were such as to make further
entreaty on his side impossible。 His concern however was very
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apparent； and after expressing it with earnestness； he added； in
the same low voice；—“But； Marianne； the horse is still yours；
though you cannot use it now。 I shall keep it only till you can claim
it。 When you leave Barton to form your own establishment in a
more lasting home； Queen Mab shall receive you。”
This was all overheard by Miss Dashwood； and in the whole of
the sentence； in his manner of pronouncing it； and in his
addressing her sister by her christian name alone； she instantly
saw an intimacy so decided； a meaning so direct； as marked a
perfect agreement between them。 From that moment she doubted
not of their being engaged to each other； and the belief of it
created no other surprise than that she； or any of their friends；
should be left by tempers so frank； to discover it by accident。
Margaret related something to her the next day； which placed
this matter in a still clearer light。 Willoughby had spent the
preceding evening with them； and Margaret； by being left some
time in the parlour with only him and Marianne； had had
opportunity for observations； which； with a most important face；
she communicated to her eldest sister； when