esented themselves, or that they should have such frequent invitations and such constant visitors as to leave them little leisure for serious employment. Yet su

uded; and the ease and familiarity which naturally attended these parties were exactly calculated to give increasing intimacy to his acquaintance with the Dashwoods, to afford him oppor

rianne abhorred all concealment where no real disgrace could attend unreserve; and to aim at the restraint of sentiments which were not in themselves illaudable, appeared to her not merely an un

nd all the rest of the party to get her a good hand. If dancing formed the amusement of the night, they were partners for half the time; and when obliged to separate for a couple of dances, were

no inclination for checking this excessive display of them. To her it was b

ttachment to Norland, which she brought with her from Sussex, was more likely to be softened than

; and had Elinor's memory been equal to her means of improvement, she might have known very early in their acquaintance all the particulars of Mr. Jennings's last illness, and what he said to his wife a few minutes before he died. Lady Middleton was more agreeable than her mother only in being more silent. Elinor needed little observation to perceive that her reserve was a mere calmness of manner with which sense had nothing to do. Towards her husband and mother she was the same as to them; and intimacy was therefore neither to be looked for nor desired. She had nothing to say one

hby was out of the question. Her admiration and regard, even her sisterly regard, was all his own; but he was a lover; his attentions were wholly Marianne's, and a far less agreeable man might have been more gen

some words which accidentally dropped from him one evening at the park, when they were sitting down together by mutual consent, while the others were dancing. His

or, "her opinions

ve, she considers them

lf two wives, I know not. A few years however will settle her opinions on the reasonable basis of common sense and

ething so amiable in the prejudices of a young mind, that one is so

charms of enthusiasm and ignorance of the world cannot atone for. Her systems have all the unfortunate tendency of setting

he resumed the con

al in every body? Are those who have been disappointed in their first choice, whether from the inconstancy o

er principles. I only know that I never yet heard her adm

udged like her, but who from an inforced change-from a series of unfortunate circumstances"- Here he stopt suddenly; appeared to think that he had said too much, and by his countenance gave rise to conjectures, which might not otherwise have entered Elinor's head. The lady would probably have passed without suspicion, had he not convinced Miss Dashwood that what concerned her ough