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concluded； they conversed with the familiarity of a long…
established acquaintance。
“Well； Marianne；” said Elinor； as soon as he had left them； “for
one morning I think you have done pretty well。 You have already
ascertained Mr。 Willoughby’s opinion in almost every matter of
importance。 You know what he thinks of Cowper and Scott； you
are certain of his estimating their beauties as he ought； and you
have received every assurance of his admiring Pope no more than
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is proper。 But how is your acquaintance to be long supported；
under such extraordinary despatch of every subject for discourse？
You will soon have exhausted each favourite topic。 Another
meeting will suffice to explain his sentiments on picturesque
beauty； and second marriages； and then you can have nothing
farther to ask。”—
“Elinor；” cried Marianne； “is this fair？ is this just？ are my ideas
so scanty？ But I see what you mean。 I have been too much at my
ease； too happy； too frank。 I have erred against every common…
place notion of decorum； I have been open and sincere where I
ought to have been reserved； spiritless； dull； and deceitful：—had I
talked only of the weather and the roads； and had I spoken only
once in ten minutes； this reproach would have been spared。”
“My love；” said her mother； “you must not be offended with
Elinor—she was only in jest。 I should scold her myself； if she were
capable of wishing to check the delight of your conversation with
our new friend。”—Marianne was softened in a moment。
Willoughby； on his side； gave every proof of his pleasure in their
acquaintance； which an evident wish of improving it could offer。
He came to them every day。 To enquire after Marianne was at first
his excuse； but the encouragement of his reception； to which every
day gave greater kindness； made such an excuse unnecessary
before it had ceased to be possible； by Marianne’s perfect
recovery。 She was confined for some days to the house； but never
had any confinement been less irksome。 Willoughby was a young
man of good abilities； quick imagination； lively spirits； and open；
affectionate manners。 He was exactly formed to engage
Marianne’s heart； for with all this； he joined not only a captivating
person； but a natural ardour of mind which was now roused and
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increased by the example of her own； and which recommended
him to her affection beyond every thing else。
His society became gradually her most exquisite enjoyment。
They read； they talked； they sang together； his musical talents
were considerable； and he read with all the sensibility and spirit
which Edward had unfortunately wanted。
In Mrs。 Dashwood’s estimation he was as faultless as in
Marianne’s； and Elinor saw nothing to censure in him but a
propensity； in which he strongly resembled and peculiarly
delighted her sister； of saying too much what he thought on every
occasion； without attention to persons or circumstances。 In hastily
forming and giving his opinion of other people； in sacrificing
general politeness to the enjoyment of undivided attention where
his heart was engaged； and in slighting too easily the forms of
worldly propriety； he displayed a want of caution which Elinor
could not approve； in spite of all that he and Marianne could say in
its support。
Marianne began now to perceive that the desperation which
had seized her at sixteen and a half； of ever seeing a man who
could satisfy her ideas of perfection； had been rash and
unjustifiable。 Willoughby was all that her fancy had delineated in
that unhappy hour and in every brighter period； as capable of
attaching her； and his behaviour declared his wishes to be in that
respect as earnest； as his abilities were strong。
Her mother too； in whose mind not one speculative thought of
their marriage had been raised； by his prospect of riches； was led
before the end of a week to hope and expect it； and secretly to
congratulate herself on having gained two such sons…in…law as
Edward and Willoughby。
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Colonel Brandon’s partiality for Marianne； which had so early
been discovered by his friends； now first became perceptible to
Elinor； when it ceased to be noticed by them。 Their attention and
wit were drawn off to his more fortunate rival； and the raillery
which the other had incurred before any partiality arose； was
removed when his feelings began really to call for the ridicule so
justly annexed to sensibility。 Elinor was obliged； though
unwillingly； to believe that the sentiments which Mrs。 Jennings
had assigned him for her own satisfaction； were now actually
excited by her sister； and that however a general resemblance of
disposition between the parties might forward the affection of Mr。
Willoughby； an equally striking opposition of character was no
hindrance to the regard of Colonel Brandon。 She saw it with
concern； for what could a silent man of five and thirty hope； when
opposed to a very lively one of five and twenty？ and as she could
not even wish him successful； she heartily wished him indifferent。
She liked him—in spite of his gravity and reserve； she beheld in
him an object of interest。 His manners； though serious； were mild；
and his reserve appeared rather the result of some oppression of
spirits than of any natural gloominess of temper。 Sir John had
dropped hints of past injuries and disappointments； which
justified her belief of his being an unfortunate man； and she
regarded him with respect and compassion。
Perhaps she pitied and esteemed him the more because he was
slighted by Willoughby and Marianne； who； prejudiced against
him for being neither lively nor young； seemed resolved to
undervalue his merits。
“Brandon is just the kind of man；” said Willoughby one day；
when they were talking of him together； “whom every body speaks
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well of； and nobody cares about； whom all are delighted to see；
and nobody remembers to talk to。”
“That is exactly what I think of him；” cried Marianne。
“Do not boast of it； however；” said Elinor； “for it is injustice in
both of you。 He is highly esteemed by all the family at the park；
and I never see him myself without taking pains to converse with
him。”
“That he is patronised by you；” replied Willoughby； “is certainly
in his favour； but as for the esteem of the others； it is a reproach in
itself。 Who would submit to the indignity of being approved by
such a woman as Lady Middleton and Mrs。 Jennings； that could
command the indifference of any body else？”
“But perhaps the abuse of such people as yourself and
Marianne will make amends for the regard of Lady Middleton and
her mother。 If their praise is censure； your censure may be praise；
for they are not more undiscerning； than you are prejudiced and
unjust。”
“In defence of your protegé you can even be saucy。”
“My protegé； as you call him； is a sensible man； and sense will
always have