Austen Said:

Willoughby had given her a horse, one that he had bred himself on his estate in Somersetshire, and which was exactly calculated to carry a woman.

"He intends to send his groom into Somersetshire immediately for it,"

"and when it arrives we will ride every day. You shall share its use with me. Imagine to yourself, my dear Elinor, the delight of a gallop on some of these downs."

As to an additional servant, the expense would be a trifle; Mama she was sure would never object to it; and any horse would do for HIM; he might always get one at the park; as to a stable, the merest shed would be sufficient.

to doubt the propriety of her receiving such a present from a man so little, or at least so lately known to her.

"You are mistaken, Elinor,"

"in supposing I know very little of Willoughby. I have not known him long indeed, but I am much better acquainted with him, than I am with any other creature in the world, except yourself and mama. It is not time or opportunity that is to determine intimacy; — it is disposition alone. Seven years would be insufficient to make some people acquainted with each other, and seven days are more than enough for others. I should hold myself guilty of greater impropriety in accepting a horse from my brother, than from Willoughby. Of John I know very little, though we have lived together for years; but of Willoughby my judgment has long been formed."

to tell Willoughby when she saw him next, that it must be declined.

on being obliged to forego the acceptance of his present.

"But, Marianne, the horse is still yours, though you cannot use it now. I shall keep it only till you can claim it. When you leave Barton to form your own establishment in a more lasting home, Queen Mab shall receive you."

"Oh, Elinor!"

"I have such a secret to tell you about Marianne. I am sure she will be married to Mr. Willoughby very soon."

"You have said so,"

"almost every day since they first met on High-church Down; and they had not known each other a week, I believe, before

you were certain that

Marianne wore his picture round her neck;

but it turned out to be only the miniature of our great uncle."

"But indeed this is quite another thing. I am sure they will be married very soon, for he has got a lock of her hair."

"Take care, Margaret. It may be only the hair of some great uncle of HIS."

"But, indeed, Elinor, it is Marianne's. I am almost sure it is, for I saw him cut it off. Last night after tea, when you and mama went out of the room, they were whispering and talking together as fast as could be, and he seemed to be begging something of her, and presently he took up her scissors and cut off a long lock of her hair, for it was all tumbled down her back; and he kissed it, and folded it up in a piece of white paper; and put it into his pocket-book."

"I must not tell, may I, Elinor?"

"Remember that whatever your conjectures may be, you have no right to repeat them."

"I never had any conjectures about it,"

"it was you who told me of it yourself."

"I must not tell, ma'am. But I know very well what it is; and I know where he is too."

"No, THAT he is not. He is of no profession at all."

"Margaret,"

"you know that all this is an invention of your own, and that there is no such person in existence."

"Well, then, he is lately dead, Marianne, for I am sure there was such a man once, and his name begins with an F."

"None at all, ma'am, I thank you."

"No, ma'am. It came from town, and is merely a letter of business."

"No, indeed, it is not."

"Whom do you mean, ma'am?"

"I am particularly sorry, ma'am,"

"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."

"But if you write a note to the housekeeper, Mr. Brandon,"

"will it not be sufficient?"

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

"You would not be six hours later,"

"if you were to defer your journey till our return."

"I cannot afford to lose ONE hour." —

"There are some people who cannot bear a party of pleasure. Brandon is one of them. He was afraid of catching cold I dare say, and invented this trick for getting out of it. I would lay fifty guineas the letter was of his own writing."

"I have no doubt of it,"

"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."

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

"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?"

"I am afraid, none at all."