Austen Said:

head-aches, low spirits, and over fatigues;

whether Willoughby were then in town,

if he had been in London ever since she had seen him last.

"Oh! Colonel,"

"I am monstrous glad to see you — sorry I could not come before — beg your pardon, but I have been forced to look about me a little, and settle my matters; for it is a long while since I have been at home, and you know one has always a world of little odd things to do after one has been away for any time; and then I have had Cartwright to settle with — Lord, I have been as busy as a bee ever since dinner! But pray, Colonel, how came you to conjure out that I should be in town today?"

"Oh, you did; well, and how do they all do at their house? How does Charlotte do? I warrant you she is a fine size by this time."

you will certainly see her to-morrow."

"Ay, to be sure, I thought as much. Well, Colonel, I have brought two young ladies with me, you see — that is, you see but one of them now, but there is another somewhere. Your friend, Miss Marianne, too — which you will not be sorry to hear. I do not know what you and Mr. Willoughby will do between you about her. Ay, it is a fine thing to be young and handsome. Well! I was young once, but I never was very handsome — worse luck for me. However, I got a very good husband, and I don't know what the greatest beauty can do more. Ah! poor man! he has been dead these eight years and better. But Colonel, where have you been to since we parted? And how does your business go on? Come, come, let's have no secrets among friends."

So surprised at their coming to town, though it was what she had rather expected all along; so angry at their accepting her mother's invitation after having declined her own,

she would never have forgiven them if they had not come!

"Mr. Palmer will be so happy to see you,"

"What do you think he said when he heard of your coming with Mama? I forget what it was now, but it was something so droll!"

"Has no letter been left here for me since we went out?"

"Are you quite sure of it?"

"Are you certain that no servant, no porter has left any letter or note?"

"How very odd!"

"How odd, indeed!"

"If she had not known him to be in town she would not have written to him, as she did; she would have written to Combe Magna; and if he is in town, how odd that he should neither come nor write! Oh! my dear mother, you must be wrong in permitting an engagement between a daughter so young, a man so little known, to be carried on in so doubtful, so mysterious a manner! I long to inquire; and how will MY interference be borne."

if appearances continued many days longer as unpleasant as they now were, she would represent in the strongest manner to her mother the necessity of some serious enquiry into the affair.

"If this open weather holds much longer,"

"Sir John will not like leaving Barton next week; 'tis a sad thing for sportsmen to lose a day's pleasure. Poor souls! I always pity them when they do; they seem to take it so much to heart."

"That is true,"

"I had not thought of that. This weather will keep many sportsmen in the country."

"It is charming weather for THEM indeed,"

"How much they must enjoy it! But"

"it cannot be expected to last long. At this time of the year, and after such a series of rain, we shall certainly have very little more of it. Frosts will soon set in, and in all probability with severity. In another day or two perhaps; this extreme mildness can hardly last longer — nay, perhaps it may freeze tonight!"

"At any rate,"

"I dare say we shall have Sir John and Lady Middleton in town by the end of next week."

"Ay, my dear, I'll warrant you we do. Mary always has her own way."

"And now,"

"she will write to Combe by this day's post."

"Don't you find it colder than it was in the morning, Elinor? There seems to me a very decided difference. I can hardly keep my hands warm even in my muff. It was not so yesterday, I think. The clouds seem parting too, the sun will be out in a moment, and we shall have a clear afternoon."

"Good God!"

"he has been here while we were out."

"Depend upon it, he will call again tomorrow."

"For me!"

"It is indeed for Mrs. Jennings; how provoking!"

"You are expecting a letter, then?"

"Yes, a little — not much."

"You have no confidence in me, Marianne."

"Nay, Elinor, this reproach from YOU — you who have confidence in no one!"

"Me!"

"indeed, Marianne, I have nothing to tell."

"Nor I,"

"our situations then are alike. We have neither of us any thing to tell; you, because you do not communicate, and I, because I conceal nothing."

requesting the company of her mother and cousins the following evening. Business on Sir John's part, and a violent cold on her own, prevented their calling in Berkeley Street.

it was risking too much for the gratification of a few girls, to have it known that Lady Middleton had given a small dance of eight or nine couple, with two violins, and a mere side-board collation.

said something very droll

"Did you?"

"I do not know."