Austen Said:

"that I should receive this letter today, for it is on business which requires my immediate attendance in town."

"My own loss is great,"

"in being obliged to leave so agreeable a party; but I am the more concerned, as I fear my presence is necessary to gain your admittance at Whitwell."

"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."

"I wish it could be so easily settled. But it is not in my power to delay my journey for one day!"

"I cannot afford to lose ONE hour." —

"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?"

"You are very obliging. But it is so uncertain, when I may have it in my power to return, that I dare not engage for it at all."

"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?"

"No. Only to Honiton. I shall then go post."

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

"I assure you it is not in my power."

"Is there no chance of my seeing you and your sisters in town this winter, Miss Dashwood?"

"Then I must bid you farewell for a longer time than I should wish to do."

"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?"

"Do come now,"

"pray come — you must come — I declare you shall come — You can't think how you will like them. Lucy is monstrous pretty, and so good humoured and agreeable! The children are all hanging about her already, as if she was an old acquaintance. And they both long to see you of all things, for they have heard at Exeter that you are the most beautiful creatures in the world; and I have told them it is all very true, and a great deal more. You will be delighted with them I am sure. They have brought the whole coach full of playthings for the children. How can you be so cross as not to come? Why they are your cousins, you know, after a fashion. YOU are my cousins, and they are my wife's, so you must be related."

"His name is Ferrars,"

"but pray do not tell it, for it's a great secret."

"I have a notion,"

"that Miss Marianne would not object to such a scheme, if her elder sister would come into it. It is very hard indeed that she should not have a little pleasure, because Miss Dashwood does not wish it. So I would advise you two, to set off for town, when you are tired of Barton, without saying a word to Miss Dashwood about it."

"Is your sister ill?"

"Yes,"

"almost ever since; I have been once or twice at Delaford for a few days, but it has never been in my power to return to Barton."

"I had the pleasure of hearing it at Mr. Palmer's, where I have been dining."

"Mrs. Palmer appeared quite well, and I am commissioned to tell you, that

"your sister looks unwell to-day,"

"your sister seems out of spirits,"

"your sister's engagement to Mr. Willoughby is very generally known."

"I beg your pardon, I am afraid my inquiry has been impertinent; but I had not supposed any secrecy intended, as they openly correspond, and their marriage is universally talked of."

"By many — by some of whom you know nothing, by others with whom you are most intimate, Mrs. Jennings, Mrs. Palmer, and the Middletons. But still I might not have believed it, for where the mind is perhaps rather unwilling to be convinced, it will always find something to support its doubts, if I had not, when the servant let me in today, accidentally seen a letter in his hand, directed to Mr. Willoughby in your sister's writing. I came to inquire, but I was convinced before I could ask the question. Is every thing finally settled? Is it impossible to-? But I have no right, and I could have no chance of succeeding. Excuse me, Miss Dashwood. I believe I have been wrong in saying so much, but I hardly know what to do, and on your prudence I have the strongest dependence. Tell me that it is all absolutely resolved on, that any attempt, that in short concealment, if concealment be possible, is all that remains."