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the objects surrounding them； were now become familiar；
and the ordinary pursuits which had given to Norland half its
charms were engaged in again with far greater enjoyment than
Norland had been able to afford； since the loss of their father。 Sir
John Middleton； who called on them every day for the first
fortnight； and who was not in the habit of seeing much occupation
at home； could not conceal his amazement on finding them always
employed。
Their visitors； except those from Barton Park； were not many；
for； in spite of Sir John’s urgent entreaties that they would mix
more in the neighbourhood； and repeated assurances of his
carriage being always at their service； the independence of Mrs。
Dashwood’s spirit overcame the wish of society for her children；
and she was resolute in declining to visit any family beyond the
distance of a walk。 There were but few who could be so classed；
and it was not all of them that were attainable。 About a mile and a
half from the cottage； along the narrow winding valley of
Allenham； which issued from that of Barton； as formerly
described； the girls had； in one of their earliest walks； discovered
an ancient respectable looking mansion which； by reminding them
a little of Norland； interested their imagination and made them
wish to be better acquainted with it。 But they learnt； on inquiry；
that its possessor； an elderly lady of very good character； was
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unfortunately too infirm to mix with the world； and never stirred
from home。
The whole country about them abounded in beautiful walks。
The high downs which invited them from almost every window of
the cottage to seek the exquisite enjoyment of air on their
summits； were a happy alternative when the dirt of the valleys
beneath shut up their superior beauties； and towards one of these
hills did Marianne and Margaret one memorable morning direct
their steps； attracted by the partial sunshine of a showery sky； and
unable longer to bear the confinement which the settled rain of
the two preceding days had occasioned。 The weather was not
tempting enough to draw the two others from their pencil and
their book； in spite of Marianne’s declaration that the day would
be lastingly fair； and that every threatening cloud would be drawn
off from their hills； and the two girls set off together。
They gaily ascended the downs； rejoicing in their own
penetration at every glimpse of blue sky； and when they caught in
their faces the animating gales of a high south…westerly wind； they
pitied the fears which had prevented their mother and Elinor from
sharing such delightful sensations。
“Is there a felicity in the world；” said Marianne； “superior to
this？—Margaret； we will walk here at least two hours。”
Margaret agreed； and they pursued their way against the wind；
resisting it with laughing delight for about twenty minutes longer；
when suddenly the clouds united over their heads； and a driving
rain set full in their face。—Chagrined and surprised； they were
obliged； though unwillingly； to turn back； for no shelter was
nearer than their own house。 One consolation however remained
for them； to which the exigence of the moment gave more than
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usual propriety； it was that of running with all possible speed
down the steep side of the hill which led immediately to their
garden gate。
They set off。 Marianne had at first the advantage； but a false
step brought her suddenly to the ground； and Margaret； unable to
stop herself to assist her； was involuntarily hurried along； and
reached the bottom in safety。
A gentleman carrying a gun； with two pointers playing round
him； was passing up the hill and within a few yards of Marianne；
when her accident happened。 He put down his gun and ran to her
assistance。 She had raised herself from the ground； but her foot
had been twisted in her fall； and she was scarcely able to stand。
The gentleman offered his services； and perceiving that her
modesty declined what her situation rendered necessary； took her
up in his arms without farther delay； and carried her down the
hill。 Then passing through the garden； the gate of which had been
left open by Margaret； he bore her directly into the house； whither
Margaret was just arrived； and quitted not his hold till he had
seated her in a chair in the parlour。
Elinor and her mother rose up in amazement at their entrance；
and while the eyes of both were fixed on him with an evident
wonder and a secret admiration which equally sprung from his
appearance； he apologised for his intrusion by relating its cause； in
a manner so frank and so graceful that his person； which was
uncommonly handsome； received additional charms from his
voice and expression。 Had he been even old； ugly； and vulgar； the
gratitude and kindness of Mrs。 Dashwood would have been
secured by any act of attention to her child； but the influence of
youth； beauty； and elegance； gave an interest to the action which
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came home to her feelings。
She thanked him again and again； and with a sweetness of
address which always attended her； invited him to be seated。 But
this he declined； as he was dirty and wet。 Mrs。 Dashwood then
begged to know to whom she was obliged。 His name； he replied；
was Willoughby； and his present home was at Allenham； from
whence he hoped she would allow him the honour of calling
tomorrow to enquire after Miss Dashwood。 The honour was
readily granted； and he then departed； to make himself still more
interesting； in the midst of an heavy rain。
His manly beauty and more than common gracefulness were
instantly the theme of general admiration； and the laugh which his
gallantry raised against Marianne received particular spirit from
his exterior attractions。—Marianne herself had seen less of his
person that the rest； for the confusion which crimsoned over her
face； on his lifting her up； had robbed her of the power of
regarding him after their entering the house。 But she had seen
enough of him to join in all the admiration of the others； and with
an energy which always adorned her praise。 His person and air
were equal to what her fancy had ever drawn for the hero of a
favourite story； and in his carrying her into the house with so little
previous formality； there was a rapidity of thought which
particularly recommended the action to her。 Every circumstance
belonging to him was interesting。 His name was good； his
residence was in their favourite village； and she soon found out
that of all manly dresses a shooting…jacket was the most becoming。
Her imagination was busy； her reflections were pleasant； and the
pain of a sprained ankle was disregarded。
Sir John called on them as soon as the next interval of fair
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weather that morning allowed