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"At last we are alone My Elinor, you do not yet know all my happiness Colonel Brandon loves Marianne He has toldby turns both pleased and pained, surprised and not surprised, was all silent attention

"You are never like me, dear Elinor, or I should wonder at your coood toone of you as the object most desirable And I believe Marianne will be the most happy with him of the two"

Elinor was half inclined to ask her reason for thinking so, because satisfied that none founded on an is, could be given;--but her ination on any interesting subject, and therefore instead of an inquiry, she passed it off with a smile

"He opened his whole heart to me yesterday as we travelled It canedly I, youbut my child;--he could not conceal his distress; I saw that it equalledthat oes, would not justify so wariving way to irresistible feelings, made me acquainted with his earnest, tender, constant, affection for Marianne He has loved her,her"

Here, however, Elinor perceived,--not the language, not the professions of Colonel Brandon, but the natural embellishments of her htful to her as it chose

"His regard for her, infinitely surpassing anything that Willoughby ever felt or feigned, as much more warm, as more sincere or constant--which ever we are to call it--has subsisted through all the knowledge of dear Marianne's unhappy prepossession for that worthless younga hope!--could he have seen her happy with another--Such a noble mind!--such openness, such sincerity!--no one can be deceived in HIM"

"Colonel Brandon's character," said Elinor, "as an excellent man, is well established"

"I know it is"--replied her , I should be the last to encourage such affection, or even to be pleased by it But his co for me as he did, with such active, such ready friendship, is enough to prove him one of the worthiest of men"