Page 116 (1/1)

It was too great a shock to be borne with calmness, and she immediately left the rooard for Colonel Brandon ensured his welcome with her; and she felt particularly hurt that a man so partial to her sister should perceive that she experienced nothing but grief and disappoint him She instantly saw that it was not unnoticed by him, that he even observed Marianne as she quitted the room, with such astonishment and concern, as hardly left him the recollection of what civility demanded towards herself

"Is your sister ill?" said he

Elinor answered in some distress that she was, and then talked of head-aches, low spirits, and over fatigues; and of every thing to which she could decently attribute her sister's behaviour

He heard her with theto recollect hian directly to speak of his pleasure at seeing the the usual inquiries about their journey, and the friends they had left behind

In this calm kind of ith very little interest on either side, they continued to talk, both of theed elsewhere Elinor wished very hby were then in town, but she was afraid of giving hith, by way of saying so, she asked if he had been in London ever since she had seen him last

"Yes," he replied, with some embarrassment, "almost ever since; I have been once or twice at Delaford for a few days, but it has never been in my power to return to Barton"

This, and the ht back to her re that place, with the uneasiness and suspicions they had caused to Mrs Jennings, and she was fearful that her question had implied much more curiosity on the subject than she had ever felt

Mrs Jennings soon came in "Oh! Colonel," said she, with her usual noisy cheerfulness, "I alad to see you--sorry I could not co your pardon, but I have been forced to look aboutwhile since I have been at hos to do after one has been away for any tiht to settle with-- Lord, I have been as busy as a bee ever since dinner!