Pride and Prejudice; Sense and Sensibility

Chapter 119 The Unfamiliar Visitor

Eleanor found that no matter how certain an unfortunate thing would happen in her heart, there was a difference between expecting it and after it happened.She found that, when Edward was unmarried, she could not help hoping that some circumstance would prevent him from marrying Lucy; Encountering a more suitable romantic relationship will make everyone happy.But now he was married, and Elinor reproached herself for the chance which greatly increased the pain of the news.

At first she was a little surprised that he had not yet been ordained (she thought) and had become a priest, so he married so soon before he could receive a priest's benefice.But she soon realized that Lucy, out of foresight and careful planning for herself, had to do everything in order to catch him as soon as possible, lest procrastination would produce changes, and she married in a hurry.They were married in the city and are now hurrying to her uncle's house.How did Edward feel when he came within four miles of Barton, met her mother's valet, and heard Lucy's message?
They would soon settle down at Delaford, Elinor thought--Delaford, the place where so many people had managed to interest her, and wanted her to go, which she wanted to know and which she wanted to avoid.For a moment she seemed to see them living in the parsonage, Lucy managing the house assiduously and shrewdly, mixing her love of pomp with industriousness, lest anyone should see that she was scrimpling.She single-mindedly pursued her own interests, and tried her best to curry favor with Colonel Bland, Mrs. Jennings, and every rich friend.As for Edward, she could not imagine what it would be like, nor would she wish to think whether he was happy or not--it would not please her anyway.She simply didn't think about what he looked like.

Elinor fully expected that some of their London relations would write to mention the matter, and give further details.Who would have thought that every day passed, and there was still no news.She couldn't say who to blame, so she blamed all the absent friends.They are either inconsiderate or lazy. "Mother, when will you write to Colonel Bland?" she asked suddenly, eager for a solution.

"My dear boy, I wrote last week. I am not expecting his reply, but expecting him to come. I earnestly urge him to come to us as soon as possible. Maybe he will come today, tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow."

This worked well, and gave Eleanor hope.Colonel Bland must have some news.

Just as Eleanor had this hope, a figure on a horse floated over, and she couldn't help looking out the window.The man stopped at the door.He was a gentleman, and it was Colonel Bland.Now, she can hear more of the situation.She trembled in anticipation.But—this was not Colonel Bland—neither his manner nor his figure.If it was, she would say it must be Edward.She looked again, he had just dismounted.She couldn't be mistaken—it was Edward.She moved away from the window and sat down. "He came over from the Pratt house to see us. I must be calm, I must be in control."

For a split second, for a split second, she could see that others, too, knew she was wrong.She saw her mother's and Marianne's countenance change, and she saw that they were all looking at her, and whispering something to each other.She wished she could tell them--to make them understand that she hoped they would never snub him and slight him, but she said nothing and left them to their own devices.

No one said anything.They all silently waited for the guest to appear.First he heard his footsteps on the gravel road; in an instant he was in the hallway; in an instant he was standing in front of them.

Edward did not look very happy when he entered the room, even in Elinor's opinion.His face was pale with embarrassment, and it seemed that he was afraid of being ignored, as if he knew he didn't deserve it.Mrs. Dashwood, however, rejoiced, stepped forward with a forced smile, and offered him her hand, wishing him happiness, which, she believed, would suit her daughter's wishes.

Edward blushed, and stammered a reply, unable to understand what he said.Eleanor's lips moved with her mother's, and after she finished, she wished she could shake hands with him too.But it was too late by then, so she tried to look as open as possible, sat down again, and talked about the weather.

Marianne drew back as much as she could, into a hidden place where no one could see her grieving.Margaret, who knew a little, but not all, felt that it was her duty to preserve her dignity, so she took the seat farthest from him and remained silent.

After Eleanor expresses her joy at the good weather of the season, there is a very awkward silence.Mrs. Dashwood broke her silence by expressing the hope that Mrs. Ferrars would be well when Edward left.Edward hastily answered in the affirmative.

There is nothing more to say.

Although Eleanor was afraid to hear her own voice, she said bravely:

"Is Mrs. Ferrars at Longstaple?"

"In Longstaple!" he answered, with much wonder. "No, my mother is in the city."

"I mean," said Elinor, taking her sewing from the table, "ask about Mrs. Edward Ferrars."

Eleanor dared not look up, but both her mother and Marianne looked at Edward averted.Edward blushed, as if puzzled, looked around in surprise, hesitated for a while, and said:

"Perhaps you mean--my brother--you mean--Mrs. Robert Ferrars."

"Mrs. Robert Ferrars!" repeated Marianne and her mother, in tones of great surprise.Eleanor, though speechless, fixed her eyes on Edward with equal eagerness and wonder.Edward got up from his seat and went to the window, obviously not knowing what to do.He picked up a pair of scissors that had been lying there, and while he was talking, he cut the scissors, and not only cut the scissors into pieces, but also broke the scissors. At this moment, he said hastily:

"Perhaps you don't know—maybe you haven't heard—that my brother recently married the second lady—Miss Lucy Steele."

Except for Eleanor, everyone present repeated his words with expressions of indescribable surprise.Elinor alone sat with her head bent over her sewing, hardly knowing where she was.

"Yes," said Edward, "they were married last week, and are at Dawlish now."

Eleanor could sit still no longer.She almost ran out of the house, weeping with joy and bitterness as soon as the door closed.She thought at first that the tears of joy would never stop.Edward had not looked at her, saw her hurrying away now, and perhaps saw--even heard her agitated emotion, for afterwards he was absorbed in his own thoughts, and Mrs. Dashwood had nothing to say, no questions to ask. No matter how kindly you greet him, you can't break this contemplation.At last he left the room without a word, and set off for the village, where those who remained were amazed and bewildered at such a wonderful and sudden change in his condition--and this enigma There is no other way to solve it, they can only rely on their own guesses to solve it.

(End of this chapter)