Austen Said:

To some few of the company it appeared rather a bold undertaking, considering the time of year, and that it had rained every day for the last fortnight; — and Mrs. Dashwood, who had already a cold, was persuaded by Elinor to stay at home.

Their intended excursion to Whitwell turned out very different from what Elinor had expected. She was prepared to be wet through, fatigued, and frightened; but the event was still more unfortunate, for they did not go at all.

By ten o'clock the whole party was assembled at the park, where they were to breakfast. The morning was rather favourable, though it had rained all night, as the clouds were then dispersing across the sky, and the sun frequently appeared. They were all in high spirits and good humour, eager to be happy, and determined to submit to the greatest inconveniences and hardships rather than be otherwise.

While they were at breakfast the letters were brought in. Among the rest there was one for Colonel Brandon; — he took it, looked at the direction, changed colour, and immediately left the room.

said Sir John.

Nobody could tell.

said Lady Middleton.

In about five minutes he returned.

said Mrs. Jennings, as soon as he entered the room.

said Lady Middleton,

said Mrs. Jennings, without attending to her daughter's reproof.

said he, colouring a little.

said he, addressing Lady Middleton,

cried Mrs. Jennings.

he continued,

What a blow upon them all was this!

said Marianne, eagerly,

He shook his head.

said Sir John.—

said Mrs. Jennings,

said Willoughby,

Elinor then heard Willoughby say, in a low voice to Marianne,

replied Marianne.

said Sir John,

Colonel Brandon again repeated his sorrow at being the cause of disappointing the party; but at the same time declared it to be unavoidable.

added her ladyship,

cried Sir John.

cried Mrs. Jennings,

Colonel Brandon's horses were announced.

added Sir John.

He then took leave of the whole party.

To Marianne, he merely bowed and said nothing.

said Mrs. Jennings,

He wished her a good morning, and, attended by Sir John, left the room.

The complaints and lamentations which politeness had hitherto restrained, now burst forth universally; and they all agreed again and again how provoking it was to be so disappointed.

said Mrs. Jennings exultingly.

said almost every body.

asked Marianne.

Then, lowering her voice a little, she said to Elinor,

When Sir John returned,

he joined most heartily in the general regret on so unfortunate an event;

concluding

however by observing,

that

and after some consultation it was agreed, that although happiness could only be enjoyed at Whitwell, they might procure a tolerable composure of mind by driving about the country. The carriages were then ordered; Willoughby's was first, and Marianne never looked happier than when she got into it. He drove through the park very fast, and they were soon out of sight; and nothing more of them was seen till their return, which did not happen till after the return of all the rest. They both seemed delighted with their drive; but said only in general terms that they had kept in the lanes, while the others went on the downs.

It was settled that there should be a dance in the evening, and that every body should be extremely merry all day long. Some more of the Careys came to dinner, and they had the pleasure of sitting down nearly twenty to table, which Sir John observed with great contentment. Willoughby took his usual place between the two elder Miss Dashwoods. Mrs. Jennings sat on Elinor's right hand; and they had not been long seated, before she leant behind her and Willoughby, and said to Marianne, loud enough for them both to hear,

Marianne coloured, and replied very hastily,

said Willoughby,

Marianne turned away in great confusion. Mrs. Jennings laughed heartily; and Elinor found that in her resolution to know where they had been, she had actually made her own woman enquire of Mr. Willoughby's groom; and that she had by that method been informed that they had gone to Allenham, and spent a considerable time there in walking about the garden and going all over the house.

Elinor could hardly believe this to be true, as it seemed very unlikely that Willoughby should propose, or Marianne consent, to enter the house while Mrs. Smith was in it, with whom Marianne had not the smallest acquaintance.