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nted three months of probation would have expired; and he would either remain there as the affianced husband of Elinor; or leave Longbridge her rejected suitor。

During the past three months; Elinor had taken an important step in life; she had reached a point in experience; where she had never stood before。 The whole responsibility of deciding upon a subject; highly important to herself; and to those connected with her; had been thrown entirely upon her alone。 The fate of her whole life would be much involved in the present decision。 During the last two or three years; or in other words; since she had first discovered that Harry loved Jane; she had intended to remain single。 It seemed very improbable to her; that any one would seek to gain her affections; unless with the view of enjoying the fortune which she had now the reputation of possessing; it was only natural that she should exaggerate those personal disadvantages; which had lost the heart of him whom she had once loved so truly。 She had been so much attached to Hazlehurst; that she shrunk from the idea of ever becoming the wife of another; and she considered herself as having tacitly made choice of a single life; which her mother's letter seemed to suggest。 But as she never spoke of her views; or alluded to them; her grandfather and aunt were ignorant of this intention; and she soon began to observe with regret that they wished her to marry; and were indeed anxious that she should accept Mr。 Ellsworth。 This was the first occasion of any importance; on which their wishes and her own had been at variance; it was a new position for Elinor to be placed in。 When Mr。 Ellsworth made his proposal; it was owing to the strong; but affectionate representations of Mr。 Wyllys and Miss Agnes; that he was not immediately rejected。 Elinor was; in fact; the last person to be convinced of his regard for her; but she had known his character and standing too well to believe him a mere fortune…hunter; and after he had once offered himself; could not doubt his sincerity。 She mentioned to Miss Wyllys her previous intention of remaining single。

〃Make no rash decision; my love;〃 was the reply at the time。 〃You are too reasonable; for me to believe that you will do so; look at your own position; Elinor; you will be alone in the world; more so than most women。 Your grandfather is advanced in years; and my health warns me not to expect a long life。 I do not wish to distress you; but to place the truth plainly before you; my Elinor。 You have neither brother nor sister; Jane and Harry; your intimate companions in childhood; will be separated from you by ties and duties of their own。 What will you do; my child? An affectionate disposition like yours cannot be happy alone。 On the other hand; here is Mr。 Ellsworth; who is certainly attached to you; a man of excellent character; with every important quality that can be desired。 You say you wish to be reasonable; judge for yourself what is the wisest course under these circumstances。〃

Elinor was silent for a moment; at length she spoke。

〃It has always been one of your own lessons to me; dearest aunt; to profit by the past; to improve the present; and leave the future to Providence。 Yet; now; you would have me think of the future only; and you urge me to marry; while you are single; and happy; yourself!〃

〃Yes; my child; but I have had your grandfather and you; to make me happy and useful。 Most single women have near relatives; to whom they can attach themselves; whom it is a duty and a pleasure to love and serve; but that is not your case。 Elinor; your grandfather is very anxious you should accept Mr。 Ellsworth。〃

〃I know it;〃 said Elinor; 〃he has told me so himself。〃

〃He is anxious; dear; because from what he knows of Mr。 Ellsworth and yourself; he is convinced you would eventually be happy; he fears you hesitate from some feeling of girlish romance。 Still; we have neither of us any wish to urge you too far。 Appeal to your own good; common sense; that is all that can be desired; do not be romantic; dear; for the first time in your life;〃 continued her aunt smiling。 〃I know the wishes of your friends will have some weight with you; do not let them control you; however。 Judge for yourself; but take time to reflect; accept Mr。 Ellsworth's own propositionwait some time before you give a final answer; that is all that your grandfather and myself can ask。〃

And such had been the decision; three months being the time appointed。 Since then; both Mr。 Wyllys and Miss Agnes had carefully refrained from expressing any farther opinionthey never even alluded to the subject; but left Elinor to her own reflections。 Such at least was their intention; but their wishes were well known to her; and very possibly; unconsciously influenced their conduct and manner; in many daily trifles; in a way very evident to Elinor。 In the mean time; September had come; and the moment for final decision was at hand。 Mr。 Ellsworth's conduct throughout had been very much in his favour; he had been persevering and marked in his attentions; without annoying by his pertinacity。 Elinor had liked him; in the common sense of the word; from the first; and the better she knew him; the more cause she found to respect his principles; and amiable character。 And yet; if left to her own unbiassed judgment; she would probably have refused him at first; with no other reluctance than that of wounding for a time the feelings of a man she sincerely esteemed。

The morning that Mrs。 Creighton and Mr。 Ellsworth left Wyllys…Roof; Elinor set out to take a stroll in the field; with no other companion than her friend Bruno。 The dog seemed aware that his mistress was absent and thoughtful; more indifferent than usual to his caresses and gambols; and; after having made this observation; the sagacious animal seemed determined not to annoy her; but walked soberly at her side; or occasionally trotting on before; he would stop; turn towards her; and sit in the path; looking at her as she slowly approached。 She had left the house; in order to avoid any intrusion on her thoughts; at a moment which was an important one to her; for she had determined; that after one more thorough examination of her own feelings; her own views; and the circumstances in which she was placed; the question should be irrevocably settledwhether she were to became the wife of Mr。 Ellsworth; or to remain single。 Many persons may fancy this a very insignificant matter to decide; and one that required no such serious attention。 But to every individual; that is a highly important point; which must necessarily affect the whole future course of life; the choice which involves so intimate and indissoluble a relation; where every interest in life is identical with one's own; is surely no trifling concern。 It may well be doubted; indeed; if even with men it be not a matter of higher importance than is commonly believed; observation; we think; would lead to the opinion; that a wife's character and conduct have a deeper and more general effect on the husband's career; for good or for evil; through his opinions and actions; than the world is aware of。 This choice certainly appeared a much more formidable step to Elinor; when Mr。 Ellsworth was the individual to be accepted or rejected; than it had when Harry stood in the same position。 In one case she had to reflect; and ponder; and weigh all the different circumstances; in the other; the natural bent of her affections had decided the question before it was asked。 But Elinor had; quite lately; settled half…a…dozen similar affairs; with very little reflection indeed; and without a moment's anxiety or regret; she had just refused; with polite indifference; several proposals; from persons whom she had every reason to believe; cared a great deal for her fortune; and very little for herself。 If thought were more active than feeling; in behalf of Mr。 Ellsworth; still; thought said a great deal in his favour。 She had always liked and respected him; she believed him attached to her; her nearest friends were anxious she should give a favourable answer; there could not be a doubt that he possessed many excellent and desirable qualities。 She would not be romantic; neither would she be unjust to Mr。 Ellsworth and herself; she would not accept him; unless she could do so frankly; and without reluctance。 This; then; was the question to be decidedcould she love Mr。 Ellsworth? The free; spontaneous love; natural to early youth; she had once given to Hazlehurst; could she now offer to Mr。 Ellsworth sincere affection of another kind; less engrossing at first; less mingled with the charms of fancy; but often; perhaps on that account; more valuable; more enduring? Sincere affection of any sort; is that only which improves with age; gaining strength amid the wear and tear of life。 It was to decide this question clearly; that Elinor had desired three months' delay。 These three months had nearly passed; when she again met Mr。 Ellsworth; in what character should she receive him?

The precise train of thought pursued by Elinor; during this morning stroll; we shall not attempt to follow; but that she was fully aware of the importance of the decision was evident; by the unusual absence of manner; which seemed to have struck 

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