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Mrs Dashwood looked at Elinor with surprise Elinor felt equal amazement For a few moments every one was silent Mrs Dashwood first spoke
"I have only to add, e you will always be welcome; for I will not press you to return here iht be pleasing to Mrs Smith; and on this head I shall be no ehby, confusedly, "are of such a nature--that--I dare not flatter myself"-He stopt Mrs Dashas too much astonished to speak, and another pause succeeded This was broken by Willoughby, who said with a faint ser in thisa friends whose society it is impossible for me now to enjoy"
He then hastily took leave of thee, and in a ht
Mrs Dashwood felt too ive way in solitude to the concern and alarm which this sudden departure occasioned
Elinor's uneasiness was at least equal to her ht of what had just passed with anxiety and distrust Willoughby's behaviour in taking leave of them, his embarrassment, and affectation of cheerfulness, and, above all, his unwillingness to accept her mother's invitation, a backwardness so unlike a lover, so unlike hireatly disturbed her One n had ever been formed on his side; and the next that some unfortunate quarrel had taken place between him and her sister;--the distress in which Marianne had quitted the room was such as a serious quarrel could h when she considered what Marianne's love for hiht be the particulars of their separation, her sister's affliction was indubitable; and she thought with the tenderest compassion of that violent sorrohich Marianne was in all probability notas a duty
In about half an hour her h her eyes were red, her countenance was not uncheerful
"Our dear Willoughby is now some miles from Barton, Elinor," said she, as she sat down to work, "and with how heavy a heart does he travel?"
"It is all very strange So suddenly to be gone! It seeht he ith us so happy, so cheerful, so affectionate? And now, after only tento return!--So more than what he owned to us must have happened He did not speak, he did not behave like himself YOU must have seen the difference as well as I What can it be? Can they have quarrelled? Why else should he have shewn such unwillingness to accept your invitation here?"-"It was not inclination that he wanted, Elinor; I could plainly see THAT He had not the power of accepting it I have thought it all over I assure you, and I can perfectly account for every thing that at first seee to me as well as to you"