Page 122 (1/1)

"No, ma'am, for my mistress"

But Marianne, not convinced, took it instantly up

"It is indeed for Mrs Jennings; how provoking!"

"You are expecting a letter, then?" said Elinor, unable to be longer silent

"Yes, a little--not much"

After a short pause "You have no confidence in me, Marianne"

"Nay, Elinor, this reproach from YOU--you who have confidence in no one!"

"Me!" returned Elinor in so to tell"

"Nor I," answered Marianne with energy, "our situations then are alike

We have neither of us any thing to tell; you, because you do not co"

Elinor, distressed by this charge of reserve in herself, which she was not at liberty to do away, knew not how, under such circureater openness in Marianne

Mrs Jennings soon appeared, and the note being given her, she read it aloud It was fro their arrival in Conduit Street the night before, and requesting the co Business on Sir John's part, and a violent cold on her own, prevented their calling in Berkeley Street

The invitation was accepted; but when the hour of appointment drew near, necessary as it was in cos, that they should both attend her on such a visit, Elinor had soo, for still she had seen nothing of Willoughby; and therefore was notto run the risk of his calling again in her absence

Elinor found, when the evening was over, that disposition is not h scarcely settled in town, Sir John had contrived to collect around hi people, and to amuse them with a ball This was an affair, however, of which Lady Middleton did not approve In the country, an unpremeditated dance was very allowable; but in London, where the reputation of elegance wastoo irls, to have it known that Lady Middleton had given a sht or nine couple, with two violins, and a mere side-board collation

Mr and Mrs Palmer were of the party; from the former, whom they had not seen before since their arrival in town, as he was careful to avoid the appearance of any attention to his mother-in-law, and therefore never canition on their entrance He looked at the to knoho they were, and s frolance round the aparth--HE was not there--and she sat down, equally ill-disposed to receive or communicate pleasure After they had been assembled about an hour, Mr Palmer sauntered towards the Miss Dashwoods to express his surprise on seeing theh Colonel Brandon had been first informed of their arrival at his house, and he had hi that they were to come