sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第31章
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that Lucy should be jealous； and that she was so； her very
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confidence was a proof。 What other reason for the disclosure of the
affair could there be； but that Elinor might be informed by it of
Lucy’s superior claims on Edward； and be taught to avoid him in
future？ She had little difficulty in understanding thus much of her
rival’s intentions； and while she was firmly resolved to act by her
as every principle of honour and honesty directed； to combat her
own affection for Edward and to see him as little as possible； she
could not deny herself the comfort of endeavouring to convince
Lucy that her heart was unwounded。 And as she could now have
nothing more painful to hear on the subject than had already been
told； she did not mistrust her own ability of going through a
repetition of particulars with composure。
But it was not immediately that an opportunity of doing so
could be commanded； though Lucy was as well disposed as herself
to take advantage of any that occurred； for the weather was not
often fine enough to allow of their joining in a walk； where they
might most easily separate themselves from the others； and
though they met at least every other evening either at the park or
cottage； and chiefly at the former； they could not be supposed to
meet for the sake of conversation。 Such a thought would never
enter either Sir John or Lady Middleton’s head； and therefore
very little leisure was ever given for a general chat； and none at all
for particular discourse。 They met for the sake of eating； drinking；
and laughing together； playing at cards； or consequences； or any
other game that was sufficiently noisy。
One or two meetings of this kind had taken place； without
affording Elinor any chance of engaging Lucy in private； when Sir
John called at the cottage one morning； to beg in the name of
charity； that they would all dine with Lady Middleton that day； as
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he was obliged to attend the club at Exeter； and she would
otherwise be quite alone； except her mother and the two Miss
Steeles。 Elinor； who foresaw a fairer opening for the point she had
in view； in such a party as this was likely to be； more at liberty
among themselves under the tranquil and well…bred direction of
Lady Middleton than when her husband united them together in
one noisy purpose； immediately accepted the invitation； Margaret；
with her mother’s permission； was equally compliant； and
Marianne； though always unwilling to join any of their parties； was
persuaded by her mother； who could not bear to have her seclude
herself from any chance of amusement； to go likewise。
The young ladies went； and Lady Middleton was happily
preserved from the frightful solitude which had threatened her。
The insipidity of the meeting was exactly such as Elinor had
expected； it produced not one novelty of thought or expression；
and nothing could be less interesting than the whole of their
discourse both in the dining parlour and drawing room： to the
latter； the children accompanied them； and while they remained
there； she was too well convinced of the impossibility of engaging
Lucy’s attention to attempt it。 They quitted it only with the
removal of the tea…things。 The card…table was then placed； and
Elinor began to wonder at herself for having ever entertained a
hope of finding time for conversation at the park。 They all rose up
in preparation for a round game。
“I am glad；” said Lady Middleton to Lucy； “you are not going to
finish poor little Annamaria’s basket this evening； for I am sure it
must hurt your eyes to work fillagree by candlelight。 And we will
make the dear little love some amends for her disappointment to…
morrow； and then I hope she will not much mind it。”
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This hint was enough； Lucy recollected herself instantly and
replied； “Indeed you are very much mistaken； Lady Middleton； I
am only waiting to know whether you can make your party
without me； or I should have been at my fillagree already。 I would
not disappoint the little angel for all the world； and if you want me
at the card…table now； I am resolved to finish the basket after
supper。”
“You are very good； I hope it won’t hurt your eyes—will you
ring the bell for some working candles？ My poor little girl would
be sadly disappointed； I know； if the basket was not finished to…
morrow； for though I told her it certainly would not； I am sure she
depends upon having it done。”
Lucy directly drew her work table near her and reseated herself
with an alacrity and cheerfulness which seemed to infer that she
could taste no greater delight than in making a fillagree basket for
a spoilt child。
Lady Middleton proposed a rubber of Casino to the others。 No
one made any objection but Marianne； who with her usual
inattention to the forms of general civility； exclaimed； “Your
Ladyship will have the goodness to excuse me—you know I detest
cards。 I shall go to the pianoforté； I have not touched it since it was
tuned。” And without farther ceremony； she turned away and
walked to the instrument。
Lady Middleton looked as if she thanked heaven that she had
never made so rude a speech。
“Marianne can never keep long from that instrument you know；
ma’am；” said Elinor； endeavouring to smooth away the offence；
“and I do not much wonder at it； for it is the very best toned
pianoforté I ever heard。”
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The remaining five were now to draw their cards。
“Perhaps；” continued Elinor； “if I should happen to cut out； I
may be of some use to Miss Lucy Steele； in rolling her papers for
her； and there is so much still to be done to the basket； that it must
be impossible I think for her labour singly； to finish it this evening。
I should like the work exceedingly； if she would allow me a share
in it。”
“Indeed I shall be very much obliged to you for your help；”
cried Lucy； “for I find there is more to be done to it than I thought
there was； and it would be a shocking thing to disappoint dear
Annamaria after all。”
“Oh！ that would be terrible； indeed；” said Miss Steele—“Dear
little soul； how I do love her！”
“You are very kind；” said Lady Middleton to Elinor： “and as
you really like the work； perhaps you will be as well pleased not to
cut in till another rubber； or will you take your chance now？”
Elinor joyfully profited by the first of these proposals； and thus
by a little of that address which Marianne could never condescend
to practise； gained her own end； and pleased Lady Middleton at
the same time。 Lucy made room for her with ready attention； and
the two fair rivals were thus seated side by side at the same table；
and； with the utmost harmony； engaged in forwarding the same
work。 The pianoforté at which Marianne； wrapped up in her own
music and her own thoughts； had by this time forgotten that any
body was in the room besides herself； was luckily so near them
that Miss Dashwood now judged she might safely； under the
shelter of its noise； introduce the interesting subject； without any
risk of being heard at the card…table。
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CHAPTER II
n a firm； though cautious tone； Elinor thus began。
I “I should be undeserving of the confidence you have
honoured me with； if I felt no desire for its continuance； or no
farther curiosity on its subject。 I will not apologize therefore for
bringing it forward again。”
“Thank you；” cried Lucy warmly； “for breaking the ice； you
have set my heart at ease by it； for I was somehow or other afraid I
had offended you by what I told you that Monday。”
“Offended me！ How could you suppose so？ Believe me；” and
Elinor spoke it with the truest sincerity； “nothing could be farther
from my intention than to give you such an idea。 Could you have a
motive for the trust； that was not honourable and flattering to
me？”
“And yet I do assure you；” replied Lucy； her little sharp eyes
full of meaning； “there seemed to me to be a coldness and
displeasure in your manner that made me quite uncomfortable。 I
felt sure that you was angry with me； and have been quarrelling
with myself ever since； for having took such a liberty as to trouble
you with my affairs。 But I am very glad to find it was only my own
fancy； and that you really do not blame me。 If you knew what a
consolation it was to me to relieve my heart speaking to you of
what I am always thinking of every moment of my life； your
compassion would make you overlook every thing else I am sure。”
“Indeed；
