Pride and Prejudice; Sense and Sensibility

Chapter 79 The Uncharacteristic Colonel
All had been intent on visiting Whitwell, but it turned out to be quite beyond Eleanor's expectations.She had been prepared to be drenched, exhausted, and terrified; but it turned out to be worse than that, because they never made it.

Around ten o'clock, the tourists gathered at Barton Manor to prepare for breakfast.Although it rained all night, the weather was fine in the morning, the clouds in the sky were gradually dispersing, and the sun appeared from time to time.Everyone was in high spirits and joy, impatient to have some fun, and determined that they would not hesitate to go against the odds.

While everyone was eating breakfast, the postman brought several letters, one of which was addressed to Colonel Bland.He got the letter, read the name and address on the letter, immediately changed his face, and walked out of the room.

"What's the matter with Brand?" asked Sir John.

No one can tell.

"I hope it's not bad news," said Mrs. Middleton. "There must be something important, otherwise Colonel Bland would not have left my table so suddenly."

After about 5 minutes, he came back again.

"There is no bad news, Colonel, I suppose," said Mrs. Jennings, as soon as he entered the room.

"Absolutely not, ma'am, thank you."

"It's from Avignon, a city in the south of France. I hope it doesn't say that your sister's condition is getting worse."

"No, ma'am. It's from London. It's just an official letter."

"If it's just an official letter, how can it upset you so much? Come, come, it's impossible. Colonel, you'd better tell us the truth."

"My dear mother," said Lady Middleton, "what you say."

"Perhaps to tell you that your cousin is getting married?" said Mrs. Jennings, ignoring her daughter's rebuke.

"No, that's really not the case."

"Oh, then, I know who sent it. I wish her well, Colonel."

"Who are you talking about, ma'am?" asked the colonel, blushing a little.

"Oh! You know who I'm talking about."

"I am very sorry, ma'am," said the colonel to Lady Middleton, "that I should have received this letter today. It is an official letter to go to London at once."

"Go to town!" cried Mrs. Jennings. "What will you be doing in London at this time of year?"

"We are all on such good terms," ​​continued the Colonel, "that it is a great loss to me to leave you. I am even more disturbed that you will need my personal introduction to Whitwell if you are to enter Whitwell."

This is a blow to the head for everyone!
"Mr. Bland, you write a note to the housekeeper there," said Marianne impatiently, "isn't that all right?"

The colonel shook his head. "We must go," said Sir John. "That's the time to start, so there's no delay. Brand, you can wait until tomorrow to go to London, that's all."

"I also hope that it can be settled so easily. But I have no right to postpone the trip, not even for a day!"

"Just tell us what's the matter with you," said Mrs. Jennings, "and we'll see if your delay is right."

"If you wait until we come back," said Willoughby, "you will be six hours late at the most."

"I can't lose an hour."

At this moment Elinor heard Willoughby whispering to Marianne: "There are some people who just don't want to join in the fun. Bland is one of them. I'm sure he played it out of fear of catching a cold." It's the best way to get a cicada out of its shell. I'll bet fifty guineas that he wrote that letter himself."

"I have no doubt of that," replied Marianne.

"I've known, Brand," said Sir John, "that once you've made up your mind, you can't be persuaded to change it. Still, I hope you'll give it some thought. You see, here's something from Newton Two Miss Careys, three Miss Dashwood from the cottage, and Mr Willoughby, who got up two hours earlier than usual to go to Whitwell."

Colonel Bland once again expressed his regret that the meeting had failed due to his own reasons and that everyone was disappointed, but at the same time he explained that there was really no way to do it.

"Well, when are you coming back?"

"We'll be waiting for you at Barton," went on Lady Middleton, "and I hope you'll get out of there as soon as you get your bowels. We'll be sure to wait for your return before going to Whitwell."

"Thank you for your kindness. But I don't know when I can get away, so I dare not agree rashly."

"Oh! he must come back," cried Sir John, "and if he doesn't come back by the end of the week, I'll go and find him."

"Yes, go to him, Sir John," cried Mrs. Jennings, "and perhaps you will find out what he is doing then."

"I don't want to find out what other people are doing, I think, I think it's something he can't talk about."

The servant announced that Colonel Bland's horse was ready.

"You're not going to ride to London?" Sir John went on.

"Yes—I only rode as far as Honiton, and then took a stagecoach."

"Well, since you're determined to go, I wish you the best of luck. But you'd better change your mind."

"Honestly, there's nothing I can do."

He then bid farewell to the crowd.

"Miss Dashwood, is there no chance of seeing you and your sister in town this winter?"

"I'm afraid there won't be a chance."

"So we've been apart longer than I'd like."

He only bowed to Marianne, but said nothing.

"Well, Colonel," said Mrs. Jennings, "before you go, tell us what you're going to do."

The colonel said "good-bye" to her, and, accompanied by Sir John, left the room.

The grievances and complaints that everyone had been suppressing just now out of politeness have now all vented out.They said over and over again that it was annoying to encounter such a disappointment.

"I can guess his business, though," said Mrs. Jennings, beaming.

"Really, ma'am?" said almost unanimously.

"Really, I think it must be about Miss Williams."

"Who is Miss Williams?" asked Marianne.

"What? You don't know who Miss Williams is? I thought you must have heard about her before! She's a relation of the Colonel's, my dear--a very close relation. We can't tell how As a short way, lest you frighten the ladies." Then, lowering her voice a little, she said to Elinor: "She is his illegitimate daughter."

"real!"

"Oh! yes. Looks like the colonel at first. The colonel will probably leave her all his property."

Sir John, on his return, regretted the misfortune as much as the rest, but at last suggested that, since they were all together, they must do something to enjoy themselves.After discussion, it was agreed that although the only way to have fun was in Whitwell, it was also possible to go for a drive in the country to relax.Immediately the master ordered the carriage to be harnessed.Willoughby's car took the lead, and Marianne looked happier than ever as she got into his car.Willoughby drove swiftly across the estate, and in an instant was out of sight.The two disappeared without a trace as soon as they left, and they didn't return until everyone came back.It seemed that the two had a great time strolling around, but they only said in general: Everyone went up the hill, and they have been driving on the trails down the mountain.

It was then agreed that a dance would be held in the evening, to complete the day's joy.A few more people came to Carey's house, and there were nearly 20 people for dinner. Sir John was very proud of this scene.Willoughby took his place, as usual, between Miss Dashwood and Miss Dashwood.Mrs. Jennings sat at Eleanor's right.No sooner had they been seated than she turned round behind Elinor and Willoughby, and spoke to Marianne, in a voice neither too high nor too low, which happened to be within hearing of both of them: "Though you hide so well, Ghost, but I found out your secret anyway. I know where you were in the morning."

Marianne blushed, and hurriedly replied, "Where did you go?"

"Don't you know," said Willoughby, "that we went out in my carriage?"

"Yes, yes, Mr. Daredevil, I know all about that, but I must find out where you've been. Miss Marianne, I hope you like your house very much. I know It's a big house, and when I visit in the future, I hope you can renovate it, when I went there six years ago, it should have been refurbished."

Marianne turned her face away in panic.Mrs. Jennings could not help laughing happily.Elinor found that the lady, eager to find out where the two had gone, had asked her maid to ask Willoughby's coachman, and learned that they were going to Allenham Park. Well, first wandered around in the garden, then went to the house to look around, and spent a long time there.

Eleanor could hardly believe such a thing could happen.Since Marianne did not know Mrs. Smith, it seemed unlikely that Willoughby would offer the invitation, and that Marianne would accept the invitation to visit the estate, since the lady was at home.

As soon as they were out of the dining room, Eleanor asked Marianne about it.To her great astonishment, she found that all that Mrs. Jennings had said was true.Marianne was also extremely angry at her disbelief.

"Eleanor, why do you think we haven't been there, haven't seen the house? Don't you always yearn to go there and see it?"

"Yes, Marianne, but I shall not go in with Mrs. Smith at home, and with no company but Mr. Willoughby."

"But Mr. Willoughby was the only one who had the right to show me the house, as we were traveling in an open carriage, and it was impossible for another person to be seated. I never enjoyed my visit so much as I did this morning." .”

"I am afraid," replied Elinor, "that what pleases one does not necessarily justify it."

"On the contrary, Eleanor, there is no stronger proof. If I had done something wrong, I would have known it then, for we always know when we do wrong." , and if I knew I was wrong, I would certainly not be happy."

"However, my dear Marianne, you have been sneered at by this incident, and shouldn't you think that you have acted a little carelessly?"

"If Mrs. Jennings said a few rude words to prove that other people have behaved wrongly, we all have troubles all the time in our lives. Whether she praises or criticizes, I don't care. I am in Mrs. Smith's garden. I do not know what I'm doing wrong with walking in the house, and seeing her house. Mr. Willoughby will have both the garden and the house some day, and—"

"Even if it were yours some day, Marianne, it would not be right for you to do so."

Hearing what her sister said, Marianne couldn't help but blushed.It was evident, however, that it pleased her at the same time.She thought carefully for about ten minutes, then walked up to her sister, and said kindly: "Eleanor, maybe I really didn't think about going to Allenham, but Mr. Willoughby must take me there to see It's a nice house, to tell you the truth. Upstairs there is a very handsome drawing-room, not too big or too small, which is suitable for all occasions, and would be more desirable with new furniture. It is A corner room with windows on two sides. From one side the window looks across the cricket field lawn behind the house to a fine wood on the front slope. From the other side the church and The village, and beyond that are those mountains and mountains that we used to admire. At first, I didn't think there was anything particularly good about this room, because the furniture looked really shabby. However, if it was matched with new furniture-Wei Robbie says it will cost two or three hundred pounds, and it will be one of the most comfortable summer-rooms in England."

Had no one interrupted, and Eleanor had listened to her, Marianne would have described with relish every room in the house.

(End of this chapter)