第 24 节
作者:南方网      更新:2021-02-19 19:55      字数:9255
  which   they   had   never   happened   to   reach   in   any   of   their   walks
  before。
  Amongst       the   objects   in   the  scene;    they   soon    discovered      an
  animated one; it was a man on horseback riding towards them。 In
  a few minutes they could distinguish him to be a gentleman; and
  in a moment afterwards Marianne rapturously exclaimed;
  “It   is   he;   it   is   indeed;—I   know   it   is!”—and   was   hastening   to
  meet him; when Elinor cried out;
  “Indeed;      Marianne;       I  think    you    are    mistaken。      It  is   not
  Willoughby。 The person is not tall enough for him; and has not his
  air。”
  “He has; he has;” cried Marianne; “I am sure he has。 His air; his
  coat; his horse。 I knew how soon he would come。”
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  She    walked     eagerly    on   as  she   spoke;    and   Elinor;   to  screen
  Marianne   from   particularity;   as   she   felt   almost   certain   of   its   not
  being Willoughby; quickened her pace and kept up with her。 They
  were soon within thirty yards of the gentleman。 Marianne looked
  again; her heart sunk within her; and abruptly turning round; she
  was hurrying back; when the voices of both her sisters were raised
  to detain her; a third; almost as well known as Willoughby’s; joined
  them in begging her to stop; and she turned round with surprise to
  see and welcome Edward Ferrars。
  He was the only person in the world who could at that moment
  be forgiven for not being Willoughby; the only one who could have
  gained a smile   from   her; but  she   dispersed   her  tears   to  smile   on
  him;    and    in  her   sister’s   happiness     forgot   for   a  time    her   own
  disappointment。
  He   dismounted;   and        giving   his  horse    to   his   servant;  walked
  back   with   them   to   Barton;   whither   he   was   purposely   coming   to
  visit them。
  He    was    welcomed       by   them     all  with    great    cordiality;    but
  especially   by   Marianne;   who   showed   more   warmth   of   regard   in
  her    reception     of  him    than    even   Elinor    herself。   To    Marianne;
  indeed;   the   meeting   between   Edward   and   her   sister   was   but   a
  continuation of that unaccountable coldness which she had often
  observed at Norland in their mutual behaviour。 On Edward’s side;
  more particularly; there was a deficiency of all that a lover ought
  to   look   and   say   on   such   an   occasion。   He   was   confused;   seemed
  scarcely     sensible     of  pleasure     in   seeing    them;    looked     neither
  rapturous   nor   gay;   said   little   but   what   was   forced   from   him   by
  questions;      and    distinguished      Elinor    by   no   mark     of  affection。
  Marianne   saw   and   listened   with   increasing   surprise。   She   began
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  almost to  feel   a dislike   of   Edward;   and it  ended;   as   every  feeling
  must end with her; by carrying back her thoughts to Willoughby;
  whose manners formed a contrast sufficiently striking to those of
  his brother elect。
  After   a   short   silence   which   succeeded   the      first   surprise   and
  inquiries of meeting; Marianne asked Edward if he came directly
  from London。 No; he had been in Devonshire a fortnight。
  “A fortnight!” she repeated; surprised at his being so long in the
  same county with Elinor without seeing her before。
  He   looked    rather   distressed     as  he   added;   that   he  had    been
  staying with some friends near Plymouth。
  “Have you been lately in Sussex?” said Elinor。
  “I was at Norland about a month ago。”
  “And how does dear; dear Norland look?” cried Marianne。
  “Dear;   dear  Norland;”   said   Elinor;   “probably looks much  as   it
  always does at this time of the year。 The woods and walks thickly
  covered with dead leaves。”
  “Oh;” cried Marianne; “with what transporting sensation have I
  formerly seen them fall! How have I delighted; as I walked; to see
  them driven in showers about me by the wind! What feelings have
  they; the season; the air altogether inspired! Now there is no one
  to regard them。 They are seen only as a nuisance; swept hastily off;
  and driven as much as possible from the sight。”
  “It   is   not   every   one;”   said   Elinor;   “who   has   your   passion   for
  dead leaves。”
  “No;   my   feelings   are   not   often   shared;   not   often   understood。
  But sometimes they are。”—As she said this; she sunk into a reverie
  for   a   few   moments;—but   rousing   herself   again;   “Now;   Edward;”
  said    she;  calling   his   attention   to   the  prospect;   “here   is  Barton
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  valley。 Look up to it; and be tranquil if you can。 Look at those hills!
  Did you ever see their equals? To the left is Barton park; amongst
  those  woods   and   plantations。   You  may  see  the  end   of   the   house。
  And     there;   beneath      that   farthest   hill;  which     rises  with    such
  grandeur; is our cottage。”
  “It is a beautiful country;” he replied; “but these bottoms must
  be dirty in winter。”
  “How can you think of dirt; with such objects before you?”
  “Because;”   replied   he; smiling;   “among  the   rest   of   the   objects
  before me; I see a very dirty lane。”
  “How strange!” said Marianne to herself as she walked on。
  “Have      you    an    agreeable      neighbourhood         here?     Are    the
  Middletons pleasant people?”
  “No;   not   at   all;”   answered   Marianne;   “we   could   not   be   more
  unfortunately situated。”
  “Marianne;”   cried   her   sister;   “how   can   you   say   so?   How   can
  you be so unjust? They are a very respectable family; Mr。 Ferrars;
  and towards us have behaved in the friendliest manner。 Have you
  forgot;    Marianne;      how    many     pleasant    days    we   have    owed    to
  them?”
  “No;”   said   Marianne;   in   a   low   voice;   “nor   how   many   painful
  moments。”
  Elinor took no notice of this; and directing her attention to their
  visitor; endeavoured to support something like discourse with him;
  by    talking    of   their   present    residence;     its   conveniences;      &c。
  extorting      from    him     occasional     questions      and    remarks。      His
  coldness   and   reserve   mortified   her   severely;   she   was   vexed   and
  half angry; but resolving to regulate her behaviour to him by the
  past   rather   than    the   present;    she   avoided   every   appearance        of
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  resentment   or   displeasure;           and   treated     him    as  she   thought      he
  ought to be treated from the family connection。
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  CHAPTER XVII
  rs。   Dashwood       was    surprised    only    for  a  moment      at
  seeing     him;    for  his  coming      to  Barton     was;   in   her
  M
  opinion;   of   all   things   the   most   natural。   Her   joy   and
  expression   of   regard   long   outlived   her   wonder。   He   received   the
  kindest   welcome   from   her;   and   shyness;   coldness;   reserve   could
  not   stand   against   such   a   reception。   They   had   begun   to   fail   him
  before he entered the house; and they were quite overcome by the
  captivating  manners   of   Mrs。   Dashwood。   Indeed   a   man   could   not
  very     well   be   in   love   with    either   of   her   daughters;      without
  extending   the   passion   to   her;   and   Elinor   had   the   satisfaction   of
  seeing him soon become more like himself。 His affections seemed
  to   reanimate   towards   them   all;   and   his   interest   in   their   welfare
  again     became     perceptible。     He   was    not   in  spirits;  however;      he
  praised their house; admired its prospect; was attentive; and kind;
  but