Austen Said:

“He is a happy man!”

“But where are you going, Eleanor? Why do you choose that cold, damp path to it? Miss Morland will get wet. Our best way is across the park.”

“our friends from Fullerton.”

“I have many pamphlets to finish,”

“before I can close my eyes, and perhaps may be poring over the affairs of the nation for hours after you are asleep. Can either of us be more meetly employed? My eyes will be blinding for the good of others, and yours preparing by rest for future mischief.”

“Eleanor”

“Well, well, we will take our chance some one of those days. There is no need to fix. You are not to put yourself at all out of your way. Whatever you may happen to have in the house will be enough. I think I can answer for the young ladies making allowance for a bachelor’s table. Let me see; Monday will be a busy day with you, we will not come on Monday; and Tuesday will be a busy one with me. I expect my surveyor from Brockham with his report in the morning; and afterwards I cannot in decency fail attending the club. I really could not face my acquaintance if I stayed away now; for, as I am known to be in the country, it would be taken exceedingly amiss; and it is a rule with me, Miss Morland, never to give offence to any of my neighbours, if a small sacrifice of time and attention can prevent it. They are a set of very worthy men. They have half a buck from Northanger twice a year; and I dine with them whenever I can. Tuesday, therefore, we may say is out of the question. But on Wednesday, I think, Henry, you may expect us; and we shall be with you early, that we may have time to look about us. Two hours and three quarters will carry us to Woodston, I suppose; we shall be in the carriage by ten; so, about a quarter before one on Wednesday, you may look for us.”

“We are not calling it a good house,”

“We are not comparing it with Fullerton and Northanger — we are considering it as a mere parsonage, small and confined, we allow, but decent, perhaps, and habitable; and altogether not inferior to the generality; or, in other words, I believe there are few country parsonages in England half so good. It may admit of improvement, however. Far be it from me to say otherwise; and anything in reason — a bow thrown out, perhaps — though, between ourselves, if there is one thing more than another my aversion, it is a patched-on bow.”

“I trust,”

“You like it — you approve it as an object — it is enough. Henry, remember that Robinson is spoken to about it. The cottage remains.”

“Your Ladyship!”

"Willoughby!"

"what, is HE in the country? That is good news however; I will ride over tomorrow, and ask him to dinner on Thursday."

"Know him! to be sure I do. Why, he is down here every year."

"As good a kind of fellow as ever lived, I assure you. A very decent shot, and there is not a bolder rider in England."

"Upon my soul,"

"I do not know much about him as to all THAT. But he is a pleasant, good humoured fellow, and has got the nicest little black bitch of a pointer I ever saw. Was she out with him today?"

"Yes, yes, he is very well worth catching I can tell you, Miss Dashwood; he has a pretty little estate of his own in Somersetshire besides; and if I were you, I would not give him up to my younger sister, in spite of all this tumbling down hills. Miss Marianne must not expect to have all the men to herself. Brandon will be jealous, if she does not take care."

"He is as good a sort of fellow, I believe, as ever lived,"

"I remember last Christmas at a little hop at the park, he danced from eight o'clock till four, without once sitting down."

"Yes; and he was up again at eight to ride to covert."

"Aye, aye, I see how it will be,"

"I see how it will be. You will be setting your cap at him now, and never think of poor Brandon."

"Ay, you will make conquests enough, I dare say, one way or other. Poor Brandon! he is quite smitten already, and he is very well worth setting your cap at, I can tell you, in spite of all this tumbling about and spraining of ankles."

"What is the matter with Brandon?"

"We must go,"

"It shall not be put off when we are so near it. You cannot go to town till tomorrow, Brandon, that is all."

"There is no persuading you to change your mind, Brandon, I know of old,"

"when once you are determined on anything. But, however, I hope you will think better of it. Consider, here are the two Miss Careys come over from Newton, the three Miss Dashwoods walked up from the cottage, and Mr. Willoughby got up two hours before his usual time, on purpose to go to Whitwell."

"Well, then, when will you come back again?"

"Oh! he must and shall come back,"

"If he is not here by the end of the week, I shall go after him."

"I do not want to pry into other men's concerns. I suppose it is something he is ashamed of."

"You do not go to town on horseback, do you?"

"Well, as you are resolved to go, I wish you a good journey. But you had better change your mind."

"You MUST drink tea with us to night,"

"for we shall be quite alone — and tomorrow you must absolutely dine with us, for we shall be a large party."

"I wish with all my soul,"

"that Willoughby were among us again."

"Well,"

"we have brought you some strangers. How do you like them?"

"Never mind if they do. It is only the Palmers. Charlotte is very pretty, I can tell you. You may see her if you look this way."

"Where is Marianne? Has she run away because we are come? I see her instrument is open."

"Here comes Marianne,"

"Now, Palmer, you shall see a monstrous pretty girl."

"I am afraid, Miss Marianne,"

"you have not been able to take your usual walk to Allenham today."

"My dear,"

"it is very provoking that we should be so few. Why did not you ask the Gilberts to come to us today?"