sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第11节
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was very much in love with Marianne Dashwood。 She rather
suspected it to be so； on the very first evening of their being
together； from his listening so attentively while she sang to them；
and when the visit was returned by the Middletons’ dining at the
cottage； the fact was ascertained by his listening to her again。 It
must be so。 She was perfectly convinced of it。 It would be an
excellent match； for he was rich； and she was handsome。 Mrs。
Jennings had been anxious to see Colonel Brandon well married；
ever since her connection with Sir John first brought him to her
knowledge； and she was always anxious to get a good husband for
every pretty girl。
The immediate advantage to herself was by no means
inconsiderable； for it supplied her with endless jokes against them
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both。 At the park she laughed at the colonel； and in the cottage at
Marianne。 To the former her raillery was probably； as far as it
regarded only himself； perfectly indifferent； but to the latter it was
at first incomprehensible； and when its object was understood； she
hardly knew whether most to laugh at its absurdity； or censure its
impertinence； for she considered it as an unfeeling reflection on
the colonel’s advanced years； and on his forlorn condition as an
old bachelor。
Mrs。 Dashwood； who could not think a man five years younger
than herself； so exceedingly ancient as he appeared to the youthful
fancy of her daughter； ventured to clear Mrs。 Jennings from the
probability of wishing to throw ridicule on his age。
“But at least； mama； you cannot deny the absurdity of the
accusation； though you may not think it intentionally ill…natured。
Colonel Brandon is certainly younger than Mrs。 Jennings； but he
is old enough to be my father； and if he were ever animated
enough to be in love； must have long outlived every sensation of
the kind。 It is too ridiculous！ When is a man to be safe from such
wit； if age and infirmity will not protect him？”
“Infirmity！” said Elinor； “do you call Colonel Brandon infirm？ I
can easily suppose that his age may appear much greater to you
than to my mother； but you can hardly deceive yourself as to his
having the use of his limbs！”
“Did not you hear him complain of the rheumatism？ and is not
that the commonest infirmity of declining life？”
“My dearest child；” said her mother； laughing； “at this rate you
must be in continual terror of my decay； and it must seem to you a
miracle that my life has been extended to the advanced age of
forty。”
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“Mama； you are not doing me justice。 I know very well that
Colonel Brandon is not old enough to make his friends yet
apprehensive of losing him in the course of nature。 He may live
twenty years longer。 But thirty…five has nothing to do with
matrimony。”
“Perhaps；” said Elinor； “thirty…five and seventeen had better
not have any thing to do with matrimony together。 But if there
should by any chance happen to be a woman who is single at
seven and twenty； I should not think Colonel Brandon’s being
thirty…five any objection to his marrying her。”
“A woman of seven and twenty；” said Marianne； after pausing a
moment； “can never hope to feel or inspire affection again； and if
her home be uncomfortable； or her fortune small； I can suppose
that she might bring herself to submit to the offices of a nurse； for
the sake of the provision and security of a wife。 In his marrying
such a woman therefore there would be nothing unsuitable。 It
would be a compact of convenience； and the world would be
satisfied。 In my eyes it would be no marriage at all； but that would
be nothing。 To me it would seem only a commercial exchange； in
which each wished to be benefited at the expense of the other。”
“It would be impossible； I know；” replied Elinor； “to convince
you that a woman of seven and twenty could feel for a man of
thirty…five anything near enough to love； to make him a desirable
companion to her。 But I must object to your dooming Colonel
Brandon and his wife to the constant confinement of a sick
chamber； merely because he chanced to complain yesterday （a
very cold damp day） of a slight rheumatic feel in one of his
shoulders。”
“But he talked of flannel waistcoats；” said Marianne； “and with
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me a flannel waistcoat is invariably connected with aches； cramps；
rheumatisms； and every species of ailment that can afflict the old
and the feeble。”
“Had he been only in a violent fever； you would not have
despised him half so much。 Confess； Marianne； is not there
something interesting to you in the flushed cheek； hollow eye； and
quick pulse of a fever？”
Soon after this； upon Elinor’s leaving the room； “Mama；” said
Marianne； “I have an alarm on the subject of illness； which I
cannot conceal from you。 I am sure Edward Ferrars is not well。 We
have now been here almost a fortnight； and yet he does not come。
Nothing but real indisposition could occasion this extraordinary
delay。 What else can detain him at Norland？”
“Had you any idea of his coming so soon？” said Mrs。 Dashwood。
I
“ had none。 On the contrary； if I have felt any anxiety at all on the
subject； it has been in recollecting that he sometimes showed a
want of pleasure and readiness in accepting my invitation； when I
talked of his coming to Barton。 Does Elinor expect him already？”
“I have never mentioned it to her； but of course she must。”
“I rather think you are mistaken； for when I was talking to her
yesterday of getting a new grate for the spare bedchamber； she
observed that there was no immediate hurry for it； as it was not
likely that the room would be wanted for some time。”
“How strange this is！ what can be the meaning of it！ But the
whole of their behaviour to each other has been unaccountable！
How cold； how composed were their last adieus！ How languid
their conversation the last evening of their being together！ In
Edward’s farewell there was no distinction between Elinor and
me： it was the good wishes of an affectionate brother to both。
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Twice did I leave them purposely together in the course of the last
morning； and each time did he most unaccountably follow me out
of the room。 And Elinor； in quitting Norland and Edward； cried
not as I did。 Even now her self…command is invariable。 When is
she dejected or melancholy？ When does she try to avoid society； or
appear restless and dissatisfied in it？”
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CHAPTER IX
he Dashwoods were now settled at Barton with tolerable
comfort to themselves。 The house and the garden； with all
T
the objects surrounding them； were now become familiar；
and the ordinary pursuits which had given to Norland half its
