Pride and Prejudice; Sense and Sensibility

Chapter 76

Marianne's savior (as Margaret called Willoughby, with exaggeration, but respect), called early the next morning to inquire.Mrs. Dashwood received him with civility and amiability, not only from Sir John's words of appreciation for Willoughby, but from her own gratitude.What he saw during the visit convinced Willoughby that the family he had come across were reasonable, gentle, loving, kind, and loving, and he did not need another visit to ascertain their loveliness. No doubt.

Miss Dashwood pointed to Eleanor.The British custom at that time was to address the eldest lady by "surname" plus "Miss", and the following second lady was called by her Christian name, or by her Christian name plus her surname.She has a delicate face, delicate features, and a graceful figure.Marianne was prettier.Although her figure was not as well-proportioned as her sister's, she was taller and more conspicuous.She had a very pretty face, and to compliment her with the usual vulgar politeness that she was a beauty was not, as usual, mere flattery, so far removed from the truth.Her complexion is darker, but because of the translucence, she looks very smooth; her eyebrows are clear and her eyes are sweet, and she smiles sweetly, which is really charming; her eyes are dark, very energetic, full of vitality and enthusiasm, and anyone who sees her will be surprised favorite.At first, however, the eyes did not dare to wink at Willoughby, for she was too ashamed to think of being carried home by him.When this feeling dissipated and her emotions calmed down, she saw that he was very gentlemanly, well-bred, frank and lively, and more importantly, when she heard him say that he also loved music and dancing, she couldn't help but feel He cast admiring glances at him.As a result, this glance made most of the second half of his visit dedicated to talking to her.

You had only to mention any one of her favorite pastimes to get Marian talking.When these things were mentioned, she could not be silent, and she spoke with neither shyness nor scruple.They immediately discovered that they both liked music and dancing, and that their views on these two passions were completely identical.Encouraged by this, Marianne wanted to examine his views further, and inquired about his reading.She brought out her favorite writers and talked happily and eloquently.A 25-year-old young man, even though he was so indifferent to reading in the past, must be a complete fool if he does not hurry to worship such excellent works now.Their hobbies are surprisingly similar.They worshiped the same books and the same chapters, and even if there was a disagreement, as long as she argued and her eyes lit up, it would disappear.Whatever she judges, he accepts; whatever she loves, he likes.For a long time before the end of the interview, they chatted freely and cordially like old friends reuniting.

"See, Marianne," said Elinor, as soon as Willoughby had left, "you have done a very good job all morning! You have found Mr. Willoughby's opinion on almost every important subject. It couldn't be more clear. You know his attitude to Cowper and Scott, and you're sure he's rightly appraised of their fine poetry. You're also absolutely sure that he's right about Pope. But if every How can you continue to communicate with each other for a long time if all the topics are ended at such a fast speed! Before long, your favorite topics will be finished one by one. When you meet again, you will know clearly views on beauty and remarriage, and then you have nothing to ask."

"Eleanor," cried Marianne, "is it fair for you to say that? Is it reasonable? Is my mind so poor? But I know what you mean. I have been too free, too gay, too outspoken. I It violates the dogma of etiquette! Instead of being so frank and sincere, I should be reticent, listless, stupid, and posing. If I just talk about the weather, talk about the road, and talk about it once every ten minutes, I won’t be punished. It's such a shame."

"My darling," said her mother, "you shouldn't be angry with Eleanor—she was only joking. If she really tried to keep you from having a pleasant conversation with our new friend, I'd scold her Yes." Immediately, Marianne calmed down.

Look at Willoughby again.Evidently he was eager to further strengthen his relationship with them.So he made it clear that it was indeed a great honor to have made their acquaintance.He comes to visit every day.At first, he used the excuse of visiting Marianne.But he was so encouraged by their growing kindness to him that, before Marianne's health was fully recovered, he had no need for such excuses.

Marianne had to stay in the house because of her injury and couldn't go out, but after a few days, she didn't feel upset at all, which was never the case.Willoughby is young and capable, quick in thinking, lively in temperament, full of energy and emotion.These qualities of his were just to Marianne's liking; for he combined his charming appearance and his fiery heart with it.This heart, now stirred by Marianne's passion, grew hotter, and won her affection more and more.

Being with him gradually became her greatest pleasure.They read, talked, and sang together.He was musically gifted to a considerable degree, and read books with a passion and life which Edward lacked at all.

Willoughby was as perfect in Mrs. Dashwood's eyes as in Marianne's.Eleanor couldn't say anything about him that was offensive, but he was very similar to her sister in many ways, that's why her sister liked him that's all.They always say what comes to mind at any time, and they speak without any scruples, regardless of the object or the occasion.He likes to make conclusions and comments on others easily, and speaks casually; once his attention is attracted by something, he will concentrate on enjoying it, disregarding the usual politeness; scoffed.Many of his actions show that he is not cautious, far from mature and stable.Although Willoughby and Marianne vigorously defend his actions, Eleanor cannot agree.

Marianne is beginning to realize now how irrational it was, how flippant her despair had been when she was sixteen and a half, because she thought she would never meet the perfect man she wanted .And when her mood plummeted or she was happy, Willoughby's appearance made her very happy, because he was exactly the perfect person in her fantasy that she could fall in love with.And his actions have shown that his ability is extraordinary, and his desire in this respect is no less fervent.

Her mother had not at first conceived of Marianne's marriage to Willoughby on account of his future fortune.But in less than a week now, she couldn't help feeling hope and expectation, and she was secretly glad that she had found two good sons-in-law like Edward and Willoughby.

Colonel Bland's admiration for Marianne, which his friends had long since discovered, was indifferent to the matter, and their attention and banter were diverted to the Colonel's rival.But Eleanor finally noticed the Colonel's love for Marianne.Before the Colonel felt affection, people made fun of him, and when he was really in love, and should have been laughed at, no one made fun of him.Mrs. Jennings had asserted that he had developed feelings for Marianne, and now Elinor was obliged to admit that the Colonel's feelings had actually been aroused by her sister.Although they agree with each other, Willoughby develops feelings for Marianne, but the incompatibility of the two parties' personalities does not prevent Colonel Bland from developing a good impression of Marianne.This worries her deeply: What hope is there for a quiet 35-year-old competing with a 25-year-old who is full of energy?Well, since I can't wish the Colonel success, I sincerely hope that he won't be too infatuated with Marianne, Eleanor thought in her heart that she was thinking of the Colonel in this way.She liked him--despite his stately reserve, she cared about him.His demeanor, though serious and formal, was also gentle.Although he was reserved, she felt that his nature should not be like this, and it was more likely that he had suffered some kind of mental blow.Sir John had hinted that he had been wounded and frustrated before.This gave her reason to think that he was really an unfortunate man, and it was for this reason that she was full of respect and sympathy for him.and Marianne and Willoughby, who were prejudiced against the Colonel as old-fashioned, both in mind and in manner, seemed to wish to belittle his merits.

"There is a man whom everyone praises with words, but no one likes him at heart; everyone is glad to see him, but no one thinks to talk to him," said Willoughby one day, when they were discussing him together. , "Bland is that kind of person."

"That's just my opinion!" cried Marianne.

"You mustn't go too far, though," said Elinor. "You're both unfair. The Bartons hold him in such high regard that I myself always try to have a little talk with him whenever I see him." .”

"It is his honor to be favored by you," replied Hampey, "of course. But to speak of respect for him is a humiliation in itself. No one will make trouble for himself, and Mrs. Middleton And a woman like Mrs. Jennings? That would be a disgrace, and only invite indifference to him."

"But perhaps the disapproval of him from people like you and Marianne may make up for the compliments of Lady Middleton and her mother, whose compliments are disgraceful, and your reproaches are approbation." ; for they are not so blind as you are to your prejudices."

"In order to protect your protégé, you have become so sarcastic."

"My protege (in your terms) was a very reasonable man; and reason has always been attractive to me. Yes, Marianne, even if he were a man of three or forty, So. He has seen a lot of the world, has been abroad, has read a lot of books, and is good at thinking. I found that he can provide me with a lot of lessons on various issues. When he answered my questions, he was always very crisp, Demonstrates good upbringing and disposition."

"That is to say," cried Marianne, in a tone of contempt, "that he told you that the East Indies are very hot, and that mosquitoes are a nuisance."

"I'm sure he would have told me that if I had asked him these questions. Unfortunately, I already knew all of this."

"Perhaps," said Willoughby, "he could go on a little further, and talk of Naibobu's name for a great Indian rich man when he came back from India. And the old gold coins of Moher India. And the Oriental palanquin."

"I may venture to say that what you can say is beyond comparison with his extensive knowledge. But why do you hate him?"

"I don't hate him. I think he is a very respectable person. Everyone praises him, but no one pays attention to him. He has more money than ever, and he has more time than ever. Get two new coats."

"Besides that," cried Marianne, "he has neither talent nor taste, nor vitality. His ideas are not brilliant, his heart is without enthusiasm, and his voice is flat."

"You have given him so many faults, according to your arbitrary imagination," replied Eleanor, "that my praise of him seems flat and dull by comparison. All I can say is that he is a very A reasonable man, well-educated, well-informed, well-behaved, and, I believe, good-natured."

"Miss Dashwood," cried Willoughby, "you are very indebted to me. You have been trying to persuade me to change my mind, to accept your opinion against my will. But it is impossible. Whatever No matter how much rhetoric you use, you will find that I stick to my ideas. I have three irrefutable reasons why I don't like Colonel Bland: First, I hope the weather will be fine, but he wants to Threatened me that it would rain; second, he found fault with my carriage curtains; third, he would not buy my brown mare no matter what I said. But if I say his character is otherwise is beyond reproach, and if it pleases you to say this, I will admit it at any time. However, it takes a little effort for me to admit it, so you should pay for it, and that is, please don't Take away that privilege from me, which is that I can continue to dislike him."

(End of this chapter)