按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
dissatisfaction at his own prospects； his uncertain behaviour
towards herself； the intimate knowledge of the Miss Steeles as to
Norland and their family connections； which had often surprised
her； the picture； the letter； the ring； formed altogether such a body
of evidence； as overcame every fear of condemning him unfairly；
and established as a fact； which no partiality could set aside； his
ill…treatment of herself。—Her resentment of such behaviour； her
indignation at having been its dupe； for a short time made her feel
only for herself； but other ideas； other considerations； soon arose。
Had Edward been intentionally deceiving her？ Had he feigned a
regard for her which he did not feel？ Was his engagement to Lucy
an engagement of the heart？ No； whatever it might once have
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 159…
Jane Austen： Sense and Sensibility 159
been； she could not believe it such at present。 His affection was all
her own。 She could not be deceived in that。 Her mother； sisters；
Fanny； all had been conscious of his regard for her at Norland； it
was not an illusion of her own vanity。 He certainly loved her。 What
a softener of the heart was this persuasion！ How much could it not
tempt her to forgive！ He had been blameable； highly blameable； in
remaining at Norland after he first felt her influence over him to
be more than it ought to be。 In that； he could not be defended； but
if he had injured her； how much more had he injured himself； if
her case were pitiable； his was hopeless。 His imprudence had
made her miserable for a while； but it seemed to have deprived
himself of all chance of ever being otherwise。 She might in time
regain tranquillity； but he； what had he to look forward to？ Could
he ever be tolerably happy with Lucy Steele； could he； were his
affection for herself out of the question； with his integrity； his
delicacy； and well…informed mind； be satisfied with a wife like
her—illiterate； artful； and selfish？
The youthful infatuation of nineteen would naturally blind him
to every thing but her beauty and good nature； but the four
succeeding years—years； which if rationally spent； give such
improvement to the understanding； must have opened his eyes to
her defects of education； while the same period of time； spent on
her side in inferior society and more frivolous pursuits； had
perhaps robbed her of that simplicity which might once have
given an interesting character to her beauty。
If in the supposition of his seeking to marry herself； his
difficulties from his mother had seemed great； how much greater
were they now likely to be； when the object of his engagement was
undoubtedly inferior in connections； and probably inferior in
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 160…
Jane Austen： Sense and Sensibility 160
fortune to herself。 These difficulties； indeed； with a heart so
alienated from Lucy； might not press very hard upon his patience；
but melancholy was the state of the person by whom the
expectation of family opposition and unkindness； could be felt as a
relief！
As these considerations occurred to her in painful succession；
she wept for him； more than for herself。 Supported by the
conviction of having done nothing to merit her present
unhappiness； and consoled by the belief that Edward had done
nothing to forfeit her esteem； she thought she could even now；
under the first smart of the heavy blow； command herself enough
to guard every suspicion of the truth from her mother and sisters。
And so well was she able to answer her own expectations； that
when she joined them at dinner only two hours after she had first
suffered the extinction of all her dearest hopes； no one would have
supposed from the appearance of the sisters； that Elinor was
mourning in secret over obstacles which must divide her for ever
from the object of her love； and that Marianne was internally
dwelling on the perfections of a man； of whose whole heart she felt
thoroughly possessed； and whom she expected to see in every
carriage which drove near their house。
The necessity of concealing from her mother and Marianne；
what had been entrusted in confidence to herself； though it
obliged her to unceasing exertion； was no aggravation of Elinor’s
distress。 On the contrary it was a relief to her； to be spared the
communication of what would give such affliction to them； and to
be saved likewise from hearing that condemnation of Edward；
which would probably flow from the excess of their partial
affection for herself； and which was more than she felt equal to
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 161…
Jane Austen： Sense and Sensibility 161
support。
From their counsel； or their conversation； she knew she could
receive no assistance； their tenderness and sorrow must add to her
distress； while her self…command would neither receive
encouragement from their example nor from their praise。 She was
stronger alone； and her own good sense so well supported her；
that her firmness was as unshaken； her appearance of
cheerfulness as invariable； as with regrets so poignant and so
fresh； it was possible for them to be。
Much as she had suffered from her first conversation with Lucy
on the subject； she soon felt an earnest wish of renewing it； and
this for more reasons than one。 She wanted to hear many
particulars of their engagement repeated again； she wanted more
clearly to understand what Lucy really felt for Edward； whether
there were any sincerity in her declaration of tender regard for
him； and she particularly wanted to convince