sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第20节
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out of all his trouble with all my heart； and a good wife into the
bargain。”
So wondered； so talked Mrs。 Jennings。 Her opinion varying
with every fresh conjecture； and all seeming equally probable as
they arose。 Elinor； though she felt really interested in the welfare
of Colonel Brandon； could not bestow all the wonder on his going
so suddenly away； which Mrs。 Jennings was desirous of her
feeling； for besides that the circumstance did not in her opinion
justify such lasting amazement or variety of speculation； her
wonder was otherwise disposed of。 It was engrossed by the
extraordinary silence of her sister and Willoughby on the subject；
which they must know to be peculiarly interesting to them all。 As
this silence continued； every day made it appear more strange and
more incompatible with the disposition of both。 Why they should
not openly acknowledge to her mother and herself； what their
constant behaviour to each other declared to have taken place；
Elinor could not imagine。
She could easily conceive that marriage might not be
immediately in their power； for though Willoughby was
independent； there was no reason to believe him rich。 His estate
had been rated by Sir John at about six or seven hundred a year；
but he lived at an expense to which that income could hardly be
equal； and he had himself often complained of his poverty。 But for
this strange kind of secrecy maintained by them relative to their
engagement； which in fact concealed nothing at all； she could not
account； and it was so wholly contradictory to their general
opinions and practice； that a doubt sometimes entered her mind of
their being really engaged； and this doubt was enough to prevent
her making any inquiry of Marianne。
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Nothing could be more expressive of attachment to them all；
than Willoughby’s behaviour。 To Marianne it had all the
distinguishing tenderness which a lover’s heart could give； and to
the rest of the family it was the affectionate attention of a son and
a brother。 The cottage seemed to be considered and loved by him
as his home； many more of his hours were spent there than at
Allenham； and if no general engagement collected them at the
park； the exercise which called him out in the morning was almost
certain of ending there； where the rest of the day was spent by
himself at the side of Marianne； and by his favourite pointer at her
feet。
One evening in particular； about a week after Colonel Brandon
left the country； his heart seemed more than usually open to every
feeling of attachment to the objects around him； and on Mrs。
Dashwood’s happening to mention her design of improving the
cottage in the spring； he warmly opposed every alteration of a
place which affection had established as perfect with him。
“What！” he exclaimed—“Improve this dear cottage！ No。 That I
will never consent to。 Not a stone must be added to its walls； not
an inch to its size； if my feelings are regarded。”
“Do not be alarmed；” said Miss Dashwood； “nothing of the kind
will be done； for my mother will never have money enough to
attempt it。”
“I am heartily glad of it；” he cried。 “May she always be poor； if
she can employ her riches no better。”
“Thank you； Willoughby。 But you may be assured that I would
not sacrifice one sentiment of local attachment of yours； or of any
one whom I loved； for all the improvements in the world。 Depend
upon it that whatever unemployed sum may remain； when I make
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up my accounts in the spring； I would even rather lay it uselessly
by than dispose of it in a manner so painful to you。 But are you
really so attached to this place as to see no defect in it？”
“I am；” said he。 “To me it is faultless。 Nay； more； I consider it as
the only form of building in which happiness is attainable； and
were I rich enough I would instantly pull Combe down； and build
it up again in the exact plan of this cottage。”
“With dark narrow stairs and a kitchen that smokes； I
suppose；” said Elinor。
“Yes；” cried he in the same eager tone； “with all and every
thing belonging to it；—in no one convenience or inconvenience
about it； should the least variation be perceptible。 Then； and then
only； under such a roof； I might perhaps be as happy at Combe as I
have been at Barton。”
“I flatter myself；” replied Elinor； “that even under the
disadvantage of better rooms and a broader staircase； you will
hereafter find your own house as faultless as you now do this。”
“There certainly are circumstances；” said Willoughby； “which
might greatly endear it to me； but this place will always have one
claim of my affection； which no other can possibly share。”
Mrs。 Dashwood looked with pleasure at Marianne； whose fine
eyes were fixed so expressively on Willoughby； as plainly denoted
how well she understood him。
“How often did I wish；” added he； “when I was at Allenham this
time twelvemonth； that Barton cottage were inhabited！ I never
passed within view of it without admiring its situation； and
grieving that no one should live in it。 How little did I then think
that the very first news I should hear from Mrs。 Smith； when I
next came into the country； would be that Barton cottage was
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taken： and I felt an immediate satisfaction and interest in the
event； which nothing but a kind of prescience of what happiness I
should experience from it； can account for。 Must it not have been
so； Marianne？” speaking to her in a lowered voice。 Then
continuing his former tone； he said； “And yet this house you would
spoil； Mrs。 Dashwood？ You would rob it of its simplicity by
imaginary improvement！ and this dear parlour in which our
acquaintance first began； and in which so many happy hours have
been since spent by us together； you would degrade to the
condition of a common entrance； and every body would be eager
to pass through the room which has hitherto contained within
itself more real accommodation and comfort than any other
apartment of the handsomest dimensions in the world could
possibly afford。”
Mrs。 Dashwood again assured him that no alteration of the kind
should be attempted。
“You are a good woman；” he warmly replied。 “Your promise
makes me easy。 Extend it a little farther； and it will make me
happy。 Tell me that not only your house will remain the same； but
that I shall ever find you and yours as unchanged as your
dwelling； and that you will always consider me with the kindness
which has made everything belonging to you so dear to me。”
The promise was readily given； and Willoughby’s behaviour
during the whole of the evening declared at once his affection and
happiness。
“Shall we see you tomorrow to dinner？” said Mrs。 Dashwood；
when he was leaving them。 “I do not ask you to come in the
morning； for we must walk to the park； to call on Lady Middleton。”
He engaged to be with them by four o’clock。
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