第 91 节
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南方网 更新:2021-02-19 19:56 字数:9305
therefore watching to very different effect; saw nothing in the
Colonel’s behaviour but what arose from the most simple and self…
evident sensations; while in the actions and words of Marianne she
persuaded herself to think that something more than gratitude
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already dawned。
At the end of another day or two; Marianne growing visibly
stronger every twelve hours; Mrs。 Dashwood; urged equally by her
own and her daughter’s wishes; began to talk of removing to
Barton。 On her measures depended those of her two friends; Mrs。
Jennings could not quit Cleveland during the Dashwoods’ stay;
and Colonel Brandon was soon brought; by their united request;
to consider his own abode there as equally determinate; if not
equally indispensable。 At his and Mrs。 Jennings’s united request
in return; Mrs。 Dashwood was prevailed on to accept the use of his
carriage on her journey back; for the better accommodation of her
sick child; and the Colonel; at the joint invitation of Mrs。
Dashwood and Mrs。 Jennings; whose active good…nature made her
friendly and hospitable for other people as well as herself; engaged
with pleasure to redeem it by a visit at the cottage; in the course of
a few weeks。
The day of separation and departure arrived; and Marianne;
after taking so particular and lengthened a leave of Mrs。 Jennings;
one so earnestly grateful; so full of respect and kind wishes as
seemed due to her own heart from a secret acknowledgment of
past inattention; and bidding Colonel Brandon farewell with a
cordiality of a friend; was carefully assisted by him into the
carriage; of which he seemed anxious that she should engross at
least half。 Mrs。 Dashwood and Elinor then followed; and the others
were left by themselves; to talk of the travellers; and feel their own
dullness; till Mrs。 Jennings was summoned to her chaise to take
comfort in the gossip of her maid for the loss of her two young
companions; and Colonel Brandon immediately afterwards took
his solitary way to Delaford。
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The Dashwoods were two days on the road; and Marianne bore
her journey on both; without essential fatigue。 Every thing that the
most zealous affection; the most solicitous care could do to render
her comfortable; was the office of each watchful companion; and
each found their reward in her bodily ease; and her calmness of
spirits。 To Elinor; the observation of the latter was particularly
grateful。 She; who had seen her week after week so constantly
suffering; oppressed by anguish of heart which she had neither
courage to speak of; nor fortitude to conceal; now saw with a joy;
which no other could equally share; an apparent composure of
mind; which; in being the result as she trusted of serious
reflection; must eventually lead her to contentment and
cheerfulness。
As they approached Barton; indeed; and entered on scenes of
which every field and every tree brought some peculiar; some
painful recollection; she grew silent and thoughtful; and turning
away her face from their notice; sat earnestly gazing through the
window。 But here; Elinor could neither wonder nor blame; and
when she saw; as she assisted Marianne from the carriage; that
she had been crying; she saw only an emotion too natural in itself
to raise any thing less tender than pity; and in its unobtrusiveness
entitled to praise。 In the whole of her subsequent manner; she
traced the direction of a mind awakened to reasonable exertion;
for no sooner had they entered their common sitting…room; than
Marianne turned her eyes around it with a look of resolute
firmness; as if determined at once to accustom herself to the sight
of every object with which the remembrance of Willoughby could
be connected。—She said little; but every sentence aimed at
cheerfulness; and though a sigh sometimes escaped her; it never
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passed away without the atonement of a smile。 After dinner she
would try her pianoforté。 She went to it; but the music on which
her eye first rested was an opera; procured for her by Willoughby;
containing some of their favourite duets; and bearing on its
outward leaf her own name in his hand…writing。—That would not
do。—She shook her head; put the music aside; and after running
over the keys for a minute; complained of feebleness in her
fingers; and closed the instrument again; declaring however with
firmness as she did so; that she should in future practise much。
The next morning produced no abatement in these happy
symptoms。 On the contrary; with a mind and body alike
strengthened by rest; she looked and spoke with more genuine
spirit; anticipating the pleasure of Margaret’s return; and talking
of the dear family party which would then be restored; of their
mutual pursuits and cheerful society; as the only happiness worth
a wish。
“When the weather is settled; and I have recovered my
strength;” said she; “we will take long walks together every day。
We will walk to the farm at the edge of the down; and see how the
children go on; we will walk to Sir John’s new plantations at
Barton Cross; and the Abbeyland; and we will often go to the old
ruins of the Priory; and try to trace its foundations as far as we are
told they once reached。 I know we shall be happy。 I know the
summer will pass happily away。 I mean never to be later in rising
than six; and from that time till dinner I shall divide every moment
between music and reading。 I have formed my plan; and am
determined to enter on a course of serious study。 Our own library
is too well known to me; to be resorted to for any thing beyond
mere amusement。 But there are many works well worth reading at
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the Park; and there are others of more modern production which I
know I can borrow of Colonel Brandon。 By reading only six hours
a…day; I shall gain in the course of a twelve…month a great deal of
instruction which I now feel myself to want。”
Elinor honoured her for a plan which originated so nobly as
this; though smiling to see the same eager fancy which had been
leading her to the extreme of languid indolence and selfish
repining; now at work in introducing excess into a scheme of such
rational employment and virtuous self…control。 Her smile however
changed to a sigh when she remembered that promise to
Willoughby was yet unfulfilled; and feared she had that to
communicate which might again unsettle the mind of Marianne;
and ruin at least for a time this fair prospect of busy tranquillity。
Willing therefore to delay the evil hour; she resolved to wait till her
sister’s health were more secure; before she appointed it。 But the
resolution was made only to be broken。
Marianne had been two or three days at home; before the
weather was fine enough for an invalid like herself to venture out。
But at last a soft; genial morning appeared; such as might tempt
the daughter’s wishes and the mother’s confidence; and Marian