sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第83节
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servant with a message to Mr。 Harris； and an order for post…horses
directly； she wrote a few lines to her mother。
The comfort of such a friend at that moment as Colonel
Brandon—or such a companion for her mother；—how gratefully
was it felt！—a companion whose judgment would guide； whose
attendance must relieve； and whose friendship might soothe
her！—as far as the shock of such a summons could be lessened to
her； his presence； his manners； his assistance； would lessen it。
He； meanwhile； whatever he might feel； acted with all the
firmness of a collected mind； made every necessary arrangement
with the utmost despatch； and calculated with exactness the time
in which she might look for his return。 Not a moment was lost in
delay of any kind。 The horses arrived； even before they were
expected； and Colonel Brandon only pressing her hand with a look
of solemnity； and a few words spoken too low to reach her ear；
hurried into the carriage。 It was then about twelve o’clock； and she
returned to her sister’s apartment to wait for the arrival of the
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apothecary； and to watch by her the rest of the night。 It was a
night of almost equal suffering to both。 Hour after hour passed
away in sleepless pain and delirium on Marianne’s side； and in the
most cruel anxiety on Elinor’s； before Mr。 Harris appeared。 Her
apprehensions once raised； paid by their excess for all her former
security； and the servant who sat up with her； for she would not
allow Mrs。 Jennings to be called； only tortured her more； by hints
of what her mistress had always thought。
Marianne’s ideas were still； at intervals； fixed incoherently on
her mother； and whenever she mentioned her name； it gave a
pang to the heart of poor Elinor； who； reproaching herself for
having trifled with so many days of illness； and wretched for some
immediate relief； fancied that all relief might soon be in vain； that
every thing had been delayed too long； and pictured to herself her
suffering mother arriving too late to see this darling child； or to see
her rational。
She was on the point of sending again for Mr。 Harris； or if he
could not come； for some other advice； when the former—but not
till after five o’clock—arrived。 His opinion； however； made some
little amends for his delay； for though acknowledging a very
unexpected and unpleasant alteration in his patient； he would not
allow the danger to be material； and talked of the relief which a
fresh mode of treatment must procure； with a confidence which； in
a lesser degree； was communicated to Elinor。 He promised to call
again in the course of three or four hours； and left both the patient
and her anxious attendant more composed than he had found
them。
With strong concern； and with many reproaches for not being
called to their aid； did Mrs。 Jennings hear in the morning of what
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had passed。 Her former apprehensions； now with greater reason
restored； left her no doubt of the event； and though trying to speak
comfort to Elinor； her conviction of her sister’s danger would not
allow her to offer the comfort of hope。 Her heart was really
grieved。 The rapid decay； the early death of a girl so young； so
lovely as Marianne； must have struck a less interested person with
concern。 On Mrs。 Jennings’s compassion she had other claims。
She had been for three months her companion； was still under her
care； and she was known to have been greatly injured； and long
unhappy。 The distress of her sister too； particularly a favourite；
was before her；—and as for their mother； when Mrs。 Jennings
considered that Marianne might probably be to her what Charlotte
was to herself； her sympathy in her sufferings was very sincere。
Mr。 Harris was punctual in his second visit；—but he came to be
disappointed in his hopes of what the last would produce。 His
medicines had failed；—the fever was unabated； and Marianne only
more quiet—not more herself—remained in a heavy stupor。
Elinor； catching all； and more than all； his fears in a moment；
proposed to call in further advice。 But he judged it unnecessary；
he had still something more to try； some more fresh application； of
whose success he was as confident as the last； and his visit
concluded with encouraging assurances which reached the ear；
but could not enter the heart of Miss Dashwood。 She was calm；
except when she thought of her mother； but she was almost
hopeless； and in this state she continued till noon； scarcely stirring
from her sister’s bed； her thoughts wandering from one image of
grief； one suffering friend to another； and her spirits oppressed to
the utmost by the conversation of Mrs。 Jennings； who scrupled not
to attribute the severity and danger of this attack to the many
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weeks of previous indisposition which Marianne’s disappointment
had brought on。 Elinor felt all the reasonableness of the idea； and
it gave fresh misery to her reflections。
About noon； however； she began—but with a caution—a dread
of disappointment which for some time kept her silent； even to her
friend—to fancy； to hope she could perceive a slight amendment in
her sister’s pulse；—she waited； watched； and examined it again
and again；—and at last； with an agitation more difficult to bury
under exterior calmness； than all her foregoing distress； ventured
to communicate her hopes。 Mrs。 Jennings； though forced； on
examination； to acknowledge a temporary revival； tried to keep
her young friend from indulging a thought of its continuance；—
and Elinor； conning over every injunction of distrust； told herself
likewise not to hope。 But it was too late。 Hope had already
entered； and feeling all its anxious flutter； she bent over her sister
to watch—she hardly knew for what。 Half an hour passed away；
and the favourable symptom yet blessed her。 Others even arose to
confirm it。 Her breath； her skin； her lips； all flattered Elinor with
signs of amendment； and Marianne fixed her eyes on her with a
rational； though languid； gaze。 Anxiety and hope now oppressed
her in equal degrees； and left her no moment of tranquillity till the
arrival of Mr。 Harris at four o’clock；—when his assurances； his
felicitations on a recovery in her sister even surpassing his
expectation； gave her confidence； comfort； and tears of joy。
Marianne was in every respect materially better； and he
declared her entirely out of danger。 Mrs。 Jennings； perhaps
satisfied with the partial justification of her forebodings which had
been found in their late alarm； allowed herself to trust in his
judgment； and admitted； with unfeigned joy； and soon with
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unequivocal cheerfulness； the probability of an entire recovery。
Elinor could not be cheerful。 Her joy was of a different kind；
and led to any thing rather than to gaiety。 Marianne restored to
life； health； friends； and to her doting mother； was an idea to fill
her heart with sensations of exquisite comfort； and e
