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“Do not be alarmed；” said Miss Dashwood； “nothing of the kind
will be done； for my mother will never have money enough to
attempt it。”
“I am heartily glad of it；” he cried。 “May she always be poor； if
she can employ her riches no better。”
“Thank you； Willoughby。 But you may be assured that I would
not sacrifice one sentiment of local attachment of yours； or of any
one whom I loved； for all the improvements in the world。 Depend
upon it that whatever unemployed sum may remain； when I make
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up my accounts in the spring； I would even rather lay it uselessly
by than dispose of it in a manner so painful to you。 But are you
really so attached to this place as to see no defect in it？”
“I am；” said he。 “To me it is faultless。 Nay； more； I consider it as
the only form of building in which happiness is attainable； and
were I rich enough I would instantly pull Combe down； and build
it up again in the exact plan of this cottage。”
“With dark narrow stairs and a kitchen that smokes； I
suppose；” said Elinor。
“Yes；” cried he in the same eager tone； “with all and every
thing belonging to it；—in no one convenience or inconvenience
about it； should the least variation be perceptible。 Then； and then
only； under such a roof； I might perhaps be as happy at Combe as I
have been at Barton。”
“I flatter myself；” replied Elinor； “that even under the
disadvantage of better rooms and a broader staircase； you will
hereafter find your own house as faultless as you now do this。”
“There certainly are circumstances；” said Willoughby； “which
might greatly endear it to me； but this place will always have one
claim of my affection； which no other can possibly share。”
Mrs。 Dashwood looked with pleasure at Marianne； whose fine
eyes were fixed so expressively on Willoughby； as plainly denoted
how well she understood him。
“How often did I wish；” added he； “when I was at Allenham this
time twelvemonth； that Barton cottage were inhabited！ I never
passed within view of it without admiring its situation； and
grieving that no one should live in it。 How little did I then think
that the very first news I should hear from Mrs。 Smith； when I
next came into the country； would be that Barton cottage was
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taken： and I felt an immediate satisfaction and interest in the
event； which nothing but a kind of prescience of what happiness I
should experience from it； can account for。 Must it not have been
so； Marianne？” speaking to her in a lowered voice。 Then
continuing his former tone； he said； “And yet this house you would
spoil； Mrs。 Dashwood？ You would rob it of its simplicity by
imaginary improvement！ and this dear parlour in which our
acquaintance first began； and in which so many happy hours have
been since spent by us together； you would degrade to the
condition of a common entrance； and every body would be eager
to pass through the room which has hitherto contained within
itself more real accommodation and comfort than any other
apartment of the handsomest dimensions in the world could
possibly afford。”
Mrs。 Dashwood again assured him that no alteration of the kind
should be attempted。
“You are a good woman；” he warmly replied。 “Your promise
makes me easy。 Extend it a little farther； and it will make me
happy。 Tell me that not only your house will remain the same； but
that I shall ever find you and yours as unchanged as your
dwelling； and that you will always consider me with the kindness
which has made everything belonging to you so dear to me。”
The promise was readily given； and Willoughby’s behaviour
during the whole of the evening declared at once his affection and
happiness。
“Shall we see you tomorrow to dinner？” said Mrs。 Dashwood；
when he was leaving them。 “I do not ask you to come in the
morning； for we must walk to the park； to call on Lady Middleton。”
He engaged to be with them by four o’clock。
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CHAPTER XV
rs。 Dashwood’s visit to Lady Middleton took place the
next day； and two of her daughters went with her； but
M
Marianne excused herself from being of the party；
under some trifling pretext of employment； and her mother； who
concluded that a promise had been made by Willoughby the night
before of calling on her while they were absent； was perfectly
satisfied with her remaining at home。
On their return from the park they found Willoughby’s curricle
and servant in waiting at the cottage； and Mrs。 Dashwood was
convinced that her conjecture had been just。 So far it was all as
she had foreseen； but on entering the house she beheld what no
foresight had taught her to expect。 They were no sooner in the
passage than Marianne came hastily out of the parlour apparently
in violent affliction； with her handkerchief at her eyes； and
without noticing them ran up stairs。 Surprised and alarmed they
proceeded directly into the room she had just quitted； where they
found only Willoughby； who was leaning against the mantel…piece
with his back towards them。 He turned round on their coming in；
and his countenance shewed that he strongly partook of the
emotion which over…powered Marianne。
“Is anything the matter with her？” cried Mrs。 Dashwood as she
entered—“is she ill？”
“I hope not；” he replied； trying to look cheerful； and with a
forced smile presently added； “It is I who may rather expect to be
ill—for I am now suffering