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him； and she particularly wanted to convince Lucy； by her
readiness to enter on the matter again； and her calmness in
conversing on it； that she was no otherwise interested in it than as
a friend； which she very much feared her involuntary agitation； in
their morning discourse； must have left at least doubtful。 That
Lucy was disposed to be jealous of her； appeared very probable； it
was plain that Edward had always spoken highly in her praise； not
merely from Lucy’s assertion； but from her venturing to trust her
on so short a personal acquaintance； with a secret so confessedly
and evidently important。 And even Sir John’s joking intelligence
must have had some weight。 But indeed； while Elinor remained so
well assured within herself of being really beloved by Edward； it
required no other consideration of probabilities to make it natural
that Lucy should be jealous； and that she was so； her very
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confidence was a proof。 What other reason for the disclosure of the
affair could there be； but that Elinor might be informed by it of
Lucy’s superior claims on Edward； and be taught to avoid him in
future？ She had little difficulty in understanding thus much of her
rival’s intentions； and while she was firmly resolved to act by her
as every principle of honour and honesty directed； to combat her
own affection for Edward and to see him as little as possible； she
could not deny herself the comfort of endeavouring to convince
Lucy that her heart was unwounded。 And as she could now have
nothing more painful to hear on the subject than had already been
told； she did not mistrust her own ability of going through a
repetition of particulars with composure。
But it was not immediately that an opportunity of doing so
could be commanded； though Lucy was as well disposed as herself
to take advantage of any that occurred； for the weather was not
often fine enough to allow of their joining in a walk； where they
might most easily separate themselves from the others； and
though they met at least every other evening either at the park or
cottage； and chiefly at the former； they could not be supposed to
meet for the sake of conversation。 Such a thought would never
enter either Sir John or Lady Middleton’s head； and therefore
very little leisure was ever given for a general chat； and none at all
for particular discourse。 They met for the sake of eating； drinking；
and laughing together； playing at cards； or consequences； or any
other game that was sufficiently noisy。
One or two meetings of this kind had taken place； without
affording Elinor any chance of engaging Lucy in private； when Sir
John called at the cottage one morning； to beg in the name of
charity； that they would all dine with Lady Middleton that day； as
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he was obliged to attend the club at Exeter； and she would
otherwise be quite alone； except her mother and the two Miss
Steeles。 Elinor； who foresaw a fairer opening for the point she had
in view； in such a party as this was likely to be； more at liberty
among themselves under the tranquil and well…bred direction of
Lady Middleton than when her husband united them together in
one noisy purpose； immediately accepted the invitation； Margaret；
with her mother’s permission； was equally compliant； and
Marianne； though always unwilling to join any of their parties； was
persuaded by her mother； who could not bear to have her seclude
herself from any chance of amusement； to go likewise。
The young ladies went； and Lady Middleton was happily
preserved from the frightful solitude which had threatened her。
The insipidity of the meeting was exactly such as Elinor had
expected； it produced not one novelty of thought or expression；
and nothing could be less interesting than the whole of their
discourse both in the dining parlour and drawing room： to the
latter； the children accompanied them； and while they remained
there； she was too well convinced of the impossibility of engaging
Lucy’s attention to attempt it。 They quitted it only with the
removal of the tea…things。 The card…table was then placed； and
Elinor began to wonder at herself for having ever entertained a
hope of finding time for conversation at the park。 They all rose up
in preparation for a round game。
“I am glad；” said Lady Middleton to Lucy； “you are not going to
finish poor little Annamaria’s basket this evening； for I am sure it
must hurt your eyes to work fillagree by candlelight。 And we will
make the dear little love some amends for her disappointment to…
morrow； and then I hope she will not much mind it。”
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This hint was enough； Lucy recollected herself instantly and
replied； “Indeed you are very much mistaken； Lady Middleton； I
am only waiting to know whether you can make your party
without me； or I should have been at my fillagree already。 I would
not disappoint the little angel for all the world； and if you want me
at the card…table now； I am resolved to finish the basket after
supper。”
“You are very good； I hope it won’t hurt your eyes—will you
ring the bell for some working candles？ My poor little girl would
be sadly disappointed； I know； if the basket was not finished to…
morrow； for though I told her it certainly would not； I am sure she
depends upon having it done。”
Lucy directly drew her work table near her and reseated herself
with an alacrity and cheerfulness which seemed to infer that she
could taste no greater delight than in making a fillagree basket for
a