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书虫5级《理智与情感》3.英俊的陌生人

所属教程:书虫5级 理智与情感

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2022年07月22日

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3. A handsome stranger

The Miss Dashwoods now began to feel really at home at Barton. They went walking, and practised their drawing and music with far greater enjoyment than at any time since the death of their father. They did not have many visitors, except for those from Barton Park, as there were few other houses within walking distance. There was, in fact, a large, comfortable-looking house about a mile from the cottage, in the village of Allenham, but they heard that its owner, an old lady of good character called Mrs Smith, was unfortunately not well enough to mix in society.

There were beautiful walks all around them, in the green wooded valleys and on the hills behind the cottage. One morning, Marianne and Margaret, taking no notice of their mother's and Elinor's warnings of rain, decided to walk on one of these hills. They climbed to the top, delighted to see blue sky between the clouds, and laughing at the wind that caught at their hair and clothes.

Nothing in the world could be better than this!' called Marianne. 'What a pity mama and Elinor did not come with us!'

But in a few minutes the blue sky disappeared, the dark clouds gathered, and driving rain began to beat down on their faces. Surprised and disappointed, they were forced to turn back. Fortunately, they were not far from home; it was just a matter of running with all possible speed down the steep side of the hill which led to their garden gate.

At first Marianne was ahead, but a false step brought her suddenly to the ground, and Margaret, unable to stop herself, carried on down the hill and through the garden gate.

A gentleman who was out shooting was walking up the hill when Marianne's accident happened. He put down his gun and ran to help her. She had hurt her ankle, and could not stand. The gentleman offered his assistance, and in spite of Marianne's protests, took her up in his arms and carried her down the hill. He took her straight into the house and placed her carefully on a sofa in the sitting-room.

Elinor and her mother rose in astonishment as the stranger entered, carrying Marianne. While they both looked at him, secretly admiring his unusually handsome appearance, he apologized most politely for his rude entrance. Even if he had been old, ugly and vulgar, Mrs Dashwood would have been extremely grateful to him for taking care of her child, but the influence of his looks and elegance touched her deepest feelings. She thanked him again and again, and asked the name of the person to whom she owed so much. He replied that his name was Willoughby, his present home was at Allenham, and he sincerely hoped that she would allow him to call tomorrow to enquire after Miss Dashwood. Permission was immediately given, and he then departed, to make himself still more interesting, in the middle of a heavy shower of rain.

There was general admiration of his manly beauty. Marianne had seen less of his person than the others, because of her natural confusion when he lifted her in his arms, but his appearance and behaviour seemed all that was perfect to her. Her imagination was busy, her thoughts were pleasant, and the pain of a turned ankle went unnoticed.

When Sir John next visited them, he heard all about Marianne's accident, and was eagerly asked whether he knew of any gentleman of the name of Willoughby at Allenham.

Willoughby!' cried Sir John. 'Of course I do! He comes here every year. I shall invite him to dinner on Thursday.'

What sort of young man is he?'

A good man to know, I can tell you. He shoots well, and there isn't a better rider in England.'

And is that all you can say for him?' cried Marianne. 'But what does he think? What are the interests close to his heart?'

Sir John looked puzzled. 'Well, I don't know as much as that about him. But he's pleasant, and sociable, and has got the nicest little gundog I ever saw. Did you see his dogs.'

But who is he?' asked Elinor. 'Where does he come from? Where does he live? Has he a house at Allenham?'

This time Sir John had more exact answers to give. He told them Mr Willoughby had no house of his own in Devonshire, but stayed there only while visiting the old lady, Mrs Smith, at Allenham. It appeared that he was related to her, and would inherit her fortune.

Yes,' Sir John added to Elinor, 'he is well worth catching. He has a house and land in Somerset as well. And if I were you, I wouldn't allow my younger sister to have him, in spite of all this falling down hills. Miss Marianne must not expect to have all the men to herself. Brandon will be jealous, if she does not take care.'

I do not believe,' said Mrs Dashwood, smiling, 'that either of my daughters will make any attempts at what you call catching him. It is not an employment to which they have been brought up. Men are very safe with us, however rich they are. I am glad to hear, however, that he is a respectable young man, whom we can meet socially.'

I remember last Christmas,' said Sir John, 'at a little dance at the Park, he danced from eight till four without once sitting down. And he was up again at eight to go shooting.'

Was he?' cried Marianne, with shining eyes. 'That is what I like, a young man who is enthusiastic and eager in all he does, who never gets tired.'

I see how it will be,' said Sir John. 'You will be interested in him now, and never think of poor Brandon.'

Marianne's rescuer, as Margaret called him, arrived at the cottage early next morning, and was received by Mrs Dashwood with more than politeness. During his visit, Willoughby rapidly became aware of the sense, elegance, affection and domestic comfort of the family to whom an accident had introduced him. Both Elinor and Marianne had pretty faces and lovely figures, but in Marianne's beautiful dark eyes burned an eager fire which drew Willoughby to her. She could not be silent when he spoke of music and dancing, and showed no shyness in their discussion. They soon discovered how many interests and opinions they shared, and long before his visit came to an end, they were talking and laughing together like old friends.

Willoughby visited Barton Cottage every day after that. At first, his intention was supposedly to enquire politely after Marianne's health, but soon he pretended no longer, and came to spend the whole day at her side, in complete enjoyment of her company. They read, they talked, they sang together, and Marianne found in Willoughby all the taste and sensibility which Edward Ferrars unfortunately lacked. Mrs Dashwood considered him as faultless as Marianne did. Even Elinor saw nothing wrong in him, except for the habit, which Marianne shared, of being too ready to express an opinion about other people, and of putting his personal pleasure above social correctness.

Marianne now began to realize she had been wrong to believe there was no such creature as the perfect man. Willoughby met her idea of perfection exactly, and his behaviour showed that he shared her wishes for their future. Her mother, too, had thoughts of their marriage, and secretly congratulated herself on having two such sons-in-law as Edward and Willoughby.

Elinor, however, was concerned to see that Mrs Jennings had been right, and Colonel Brandon appeared to be deeply in love with Marianne. What hope could there be for a silent man of thirty-five, against a sociable one of twenty-five? Perhaps she pitied him even more, because Willoughby and Marianne seemed determined to laugh at him for being old and dull.

Brandon is just the kind of man,' said Willoughby one day, 'whom everybody speaks well of, and nobody cares for.'

He is respected by all the family at the Park, however,' said Elinor sharply, 'and his conversation is always pleasant.'

But he has nothing of interest to say!' cried Marianne.

He has common sense, that is what I like about him. He is perfectly respectable, well informed, and, I believe, sincere.'

Well, Miss Dashwood,' said Willoughby, laughing, 'I have three unanswerable reasons for disliking Colonel Brandon. He told me it would rain when I wanted it to be fine, he does not approve of my new carriage, and I cannot persuade him to buy my horse. So in spite of your very sensible opinion, I shall go on disliking him for ever!'

When they moved to Barton, the Dashwoods never imagined that their days would be so completely filled with parties, visits and excursions. Sir John could not rest if there were young people to amuse, and every day there was a boat trip, or a supper party, or a drive in the countryside, or a dance at the Park. In every meeting of the kind Willoughby was included, which gave him the opportunity to develop his connection with the Dashwood family, to show his deep admiration for Marianne, and to receive, in her behaviour to himself, the clearest possible proof of her affection.

Elinor could not be surprised at their attachment. She only wished it could be less openly shown, and once or twice tried to suggest to Marianne that she should have more self-control. But Marianne, and Willoughby too, believed that real feelings should never be hidden, and that it would be false to do so. When Willoughby was present, Marianne had eyes for no one else.

Elinor's happiness was not as great as her sister's. In Devonshire she had found no companion who could make her forget the delights of her former home and Sussex friends. Only Colonel Brandon came closest to being the kind of friend she needed. He often fell into conversation with her, as he seemed to find some relief in talking to her about Marianne.

Your sister, I understand, does not approve of second attachments,' he said one evening, his eyes fixed on Marianne, who was dancing with Willoughby.

No,' replied Elinor. 'Her opinions are all romantic. She believes that we fall in love once only in our lives. But I hope that in a few years she will become more sensible.'

That may happen. But when a romantic young mind is forced to change, what serious results there can be! I speak from experience. I knew a young lady once who—'

Here he stopped suddenly and appeared to think he had said too much. Elinor felt almost sure that his was a story of disappointed love, and her pity for him grew.

The next morning, Elinor heard a piece of news that astonished her. Marianne told her with the greatest delight that Willoughby had promised to give her a horse, so that he and she could go riding together. She had not given a moment's thought to the cost of keeping the animal, or to what society might think of her receiving such an expensive present from a young man who was not a relation. It took Elinor some time to make her understand that she could not possibly accept the gift, but finally Marianne agreed, although unwillingly.

The next day Elinor gained a still clearer picture of Marianne's attachment to Willoughby. Margaret came excitedly to tell her that she was sure Marianne would marry Willoughby very soon.

Oh, Elinor!' she cried. 'I have such a secret to tell you. I saw them last night after tea. Mr Willoughby was begging Marianne for something, and then he cut off a long lock of her hair, kissed it, and put it in his pocket.'

Elinor now felt sure they were engaged, and was only surprised that they had not told their relations and friends.

Sir John's latest plan for their amusement was to visit a very fine house and garden, called Whitwell, the following day. A large group of them would go in carriages, taking food and drink with them in baskets, and a most enjoyable day was expected. As Whitwell belonged to Colonel Brandon's brother-in-law, the colonel would go with them; it appeared that he alone could arrange for them to visit the house.

Unfortunately, however, while they were at breakfast at the Park, where the whole party had gathered, a letter was delivered to the colonel. He looked quickly at it, and hurried out of the room without a word. In a few moments he returned, looking more serious than usual, and explained that urgent business called him to London, and he would not, therefore, be able to join the party visiting Whitwell. He would not explain further, in spite of Mrs Jennings' insistent questioning. Everybody except Elinor tried hard to persuade him to put off his business, so that the excursion could take place, but he could not be influenced, and left the house, after wishing them a good day.

As the excursion was no longer possible, it was decided that the party would drive around the countryside instead, and the carriages were ordered. Willoughby's was first, and Marianne never looked happier than when she got into it. He drove away very fast, and they were soon out of sight. Nothing more was seen of them until their return in the afternoon.

That evening, as they all sat down to dinner, Mrs Jennings spoke quietly to Marianne, but loud enough for Elinor to hear. 'I have found you out, Miss, in spite of your cleverness. I know where you spent the morning.'

Marianne blushed, and said quickly, 'Where?'

Mrs Jennings smiled knowingly. 'I hope you like your house, Miss Marianne. It is certainly very large, and when I come to see you in it, I hope you will have refurnished it. It badly needed new furniture when I was last there.'

Marianne turned away in confusion. Mrs Jennings laughed loudly, and explained that she had discovered from the servants that Marianne and Willoughby had gone to Allenham and spent a considerable time going all over Mrs Smith's house.

Elinor found this difficult to believe. Marianne had never been introduced to Mrs Smith, and it would have been very bad manners for her to enter the house while Mrs Smith was in it. However, when she asked her sister, she found that the story was true, and Marianne was quite angry with her for doubting it.

Why should I not visit the house?' cried Marianne. 'I never spent a pleasanter morning in my life!'

I am afraid,' replied Elinor, quietly but firmly, 'that whatever is pleasant is not always correct.'

After some minutes of serious thought, Marianne said, 'Perhaps, Elinor, you may be right. I should not have gone. But the rooms are lovely! There is a beautiful little sitting-room which would be delightful with modern furniture.' She would have described every room in the house if Elinor had let her.

Elinor had no time to wonder why Colonel Brandon had been so suddenly called away. All her thoughts now centred on Marianne and Willoughby's extraordinary silence about their engagement. There seemed no reason why they should not openly tell her mother and herself, even if they did not plan to marry very soon. Willoughby was not rich; indeed, he often complained he was poor, so he might have to wait for his inheritance before marrying. But this secrecy was so opposed to their general ideas of openness and honesty that Elinor began to doubt whether they were really engaged.

Nothing could express more affection for them all than Willoughby's behaviour. He seemed to consider the cottage his home, and when Mrs Dashwood mentioned the future building work she was planning, he appeared almost horrified, and begged her not to change even one stone.

No, Mrs Dashwood!' he cried. 'Do not spoil this house! It is perfect as it is! Remember what happiness I have known here! Promise me you will change nothing, nothing at all!'

To please him, Mrs Dashwood dutifully promised.

I am glad of your promise. Now I would ask you one more thing. Tell me that not only your home will remain the same, but that I shall always find you and your family unchanged, and that you will always consider me with the kindness which has made you all so dear to me.'

The promise was given, and Willoughby's behaviour that evening was a proof of his happiness in their society.

* * *

driving adj. violent, intense or forceful 猛烈的

enquire after to ask someone about how they are and what they are doing 问候

gundog n. a dog trained to find and bring back dead birds shot for sport (受过训练能寻找并带回被射杀禽鸟的)猎狗

rescuer n. a person who saves another 救助者

unanswerable adj. definitely true and therefore impossible to argue against 无可辩驳的

conversation n. an informal talk in which people exchange news, feelings and thoughts (非正式的)谈话,交谈

lock n. a length or curl of hair 一束长发

insistent adj. repetitive and persistent 重复的,持续的

knowingly adv. in a way that knows you know something secret or embarrassing 会意地

dutifully adv. in a way of doing what you are expected to do 顺从地

3.英俊的陌生人

达什伍德家的小姐们现在已经开始习惯了巴顿。她们一起出去散步,练习绘画和乐器,自父亲去世后她们从没这样快乐过。除了巴顿庄园的人,她们很少有客人,因为附近徒步可及的范围内也没有什么其他的人家。其实,在离她们大约一英里的艾伦汉姆村有一座漂亮的大房子,她们听说房子的主人史密斯夫人是一位好心肠的老太太,可是她身体不好,不宜参加社交活动。

在树林茂密的翠绿山谷中和小屋后边的山上,到处都是漂亮的林荫小道。一天清晨,尽管母亲和埃莉诺警告说要下雨,玛丽安娜和玛格利特还是决定去其中一座小山上散步。她们爬到山顶,兴奋地看着蓝天白云,吹拂在她们头发和衣裙上的风把她俩逗得开怀大笑。

“世界上没有比这更好的了!”玛丽安娜喊道,“真可惜妈妈和埃莉诺没跟我们一块儿来!”

但是不一会儿,蓝天就消失得无影无踪,乌云聚集起来,倾盆大雨朝她们劈头盖脸地袭来。吃惊而失望的两个人被迫往回赶。幸运的是她们并没有走得离家太远,只要从小山较陡的一面全速冲下去就是她们花园的大门了。

起先玛丽安娜跑在前面,但她一脚踩空突然跌倒在地上,而玛格利特跑得停不下来,一路冲下山坡,冲进了花园里。

玛丽安娜出事时,一位外出打猎的绅士正沿着山坡上来。他放下猎枪跑向她。她扭了脚,站不起来。那位绅士向她伸出援手,尽管玛丽安娜表示反对,他还是把她抱下了山,又径直将她抱进屋里,小心翼翼地放在客厅的沙发上。

这个陌生人抱着玛丽安娜进屋时,埃莉诺和她母亲吃惊地站了起来。当她俩看着他,并暗暗欣赏他那英俊非凡的外表时,他非常礼貌地为自己冒昧地闯入向她们道歉。即使他苍老、丑陋、粗俗,达什伍德夫人也会为他对她女儿的照料而感激不尽,而现在他的相貌和气质深深地打动了她。她反复向他道谢,并询问这位恩人的姓名。他回答他姓威洛比,目前住在艾伦汉姆,之后又真诚地表示希望她能允许他明天来问候达什伍德小姐。他的请求立即得到了满足,然后他就转身离去了。他在倾盆大雨中消失的背影使人对他更感兴趣了。

大家都被他的阳刚之美所倾倒。被他抱在怀里时玛丽安娜一直处于一种迷茫状态,对他的观察不如其他人那么仔细,但是他的长相和举止在她看来似乎很完美。她的想象力得到了充分的激发,脑子里充满了令人愉悦的念头,完全没有注意到脚踝处的疼痛。

约翰爵士来看望她们的时候,听了玛丽安娜出事的经过。他被急切地问及是否认识一位住在艾伦汉姆村、姓威洛比的先生。

“威洛比!”约翰爵士叫道,“我当然认识他!他每年都来这儿。我要请他星期四来共进晚餐。”

“他是个什么样的年轻人?”

“他是个很值得结识的人,这点我敢打包票。他打猎技术高超,还是全英格兰数一数二的骑手。”

“这就是你对他的全部了解吗?”玛丽安娜叫道,“他有些什么想法?他感兴趣的又是什么呢?”

约翰爵士看起来很困惑。“我对他的了解可没有那么多。不过他讨人喜欢、爱好交际,还养了一只小猎犬,是我见过的最漂亮的。你看到他的狗了吗?”

“可他到底是谁呢?”埃莉诺问道,“他是哪里人?他住在哪儿?他在艾伦汉姆有房子吗?”

这一次,约翰爵士终于能够给出准确的回答了。他告诉她们威洛比先生在德文郡没有属于他自己的房子,他来艾伦汉姆看望史密斯夫人时才暂住在这儿。他似乎是她的亲戚,并且将继承她的财产。

“是的,”约翰爵士向埃莉诺补充说道,“他真的很值得你好好抓住。他在萨默塞特郡也拥有房子和地产。如果我是你的话,就不会让妹妹得到他,就算是她跌下山坡才认识了他。玛丽安娜小姐可不要期望一人占有所有男士。她不小心行事的话,布兰登会嫉妒的。”

“我不认为,”达什伍德夫人微笑着说道,“我的哪个女儿会试图像你说的那样去‘抓住他’。她们从小到大都没人教她们这样做。不管多么富有的男士,和我们相处都是安全的,但我很高兴听你说他是个值得尊敬的年轻人,我们今后可以和他多交往。”

“我记得去年的圣诞节,”约翰爵士说道,“在庄园举行的一次小型舞会上,他从晚上8点一直跳到第二天凌晨4点,根本没有坐下来休息过。第二天8点钟他又起床出去打猎了。”

“是吗?”玛丽安娜喊道,她的眼睛闪闪发光,“我就喜欢做什么事都充满激情、永远不知疲倦的年轻人。”

“我明白是怎么一回事了,”约翰爵士说道,“你现在对他着迷了,心里根本没有可怜的布兰登。”

那个被玛格利特称作“玛丽安娜的救星”的人第二天一早来到小屋,并受到了达什伍德夫人热情的招待。这次拜访使威洛比很快发现,通过一起意外事件结识的这家人通情达理、举止文雅、相亲相爱、安安逸逸。埃莉诺和玛丽安娜都有漂亮的脸蛋和窈窕的身材。但玛丽安娜美丽的黑色眸子中的火焰更吸引他。在他谈论音乐和舞蹈时她从不保持沉默,在谈话时也从不害羞。他俩很快就发现彼此有着许多相同的兴趣和观点。他来了没多久,两人就已经像老朋友那样在一起谈笑风生了。

在那之后,威洛比每天都来巴顿小屋做客。起初,他只是礼节性地问候玛丽安娜的健康状况,但他很快就不再假装,而是整天陪在她身边,尽情享受她的陪伴。他们一块儿读书、交谈、唱歌,而玛丽安娜发现威洛比身上有着爱德华·费拉尔斯所缺乏的品位和情感。达什伍德夫人也像玛丽安娜那样认为他几乎无可挑剔。就连埃莉诺在他身上也找不出什么缺点,除了玛丽安娜也有的那种喜欢对别人评头论足和将自己的快乐凌驾于社交准则之上的习惯。

玛丽安娜现在开始意识到她原先认为世上没有完美男人的想法是错的。威洛比恰好符合她对完美一词的定义。而他的一举一动都表现出他对他们的未来抱有和她一样的期待。她母亲也有让他们结婚的念头,而且暗自庆幸自己能有爱德华和威洛比这样两位好女婿。

然而埃莉诺担忧地发现詹宁斯夫人的判断是正确的,布兰登上校看来确实深深爱着玛丽安娜。可是在一位善交际的25岁男人面前,一位不善言辞的35岁男人能有什么希望呢?威洛比与玛丽安娜似乎决心联手嘲笑他既老又呆,这使得埃莉诺更加同情他了。

“布兰登就是那种人,”威洛比有一天说道,“每个人都说他好,但没有人真的在乎他。”

“但是巴顿庄园全家上下都很尊敬他,”埃莉诺尖锐地答道,“而且与他交谈总是令人愉快。”

“但他说话没有任何趣味!”玛丽安娜叫道。

“他很有判断力,这是我喜欢他的地方。他值得尊敬,见闻广博,而且我认为他很真诚。”

“好吧,达什伍德小姐,”威洛比笑着说道,“我有三个无可辩驳的不喜欢布兰登的理由。我希望有个好天气的时候他告诉我要下雨,他不喜欢我的新马车,还有我无法说服他买我的马。所以尽管你的意见很有道理,我还是会继续不喜欢他!”

搬来巴顿时,达什伍德一家从来不曾想过她们的生活会像现在这样排满了聚会、来访和出行。只要有年轻人在,约翰爵士就不会闲着。每天都会有各式各样的活动,不是去划船,就是举行晚宴聚会;不是去乡间坐车兜风,就是在庄园举行舞会。每个活动威洛比都会参加,这使他有机会跟达什伍德一家更多地接触,有机会向玛丽安娜表达深深的爱慕,并在她对他的一举一动中获得最明确的爱的证明。

埃莉诺对他俩之间的感情一点儿也不感到吃惊。她只是希望这种感情表露得再含蓄一些,她几次试图向玛丽安娜暗示,让她更加自持一些。但是玛丽安娜和威洛比都认为真正的感情无需任何掩饰,因为这样做是虚假的。威洛比在场的时候,玛丽安娜从不看其他人一眼。

埃莉诺过得不像妹妹那样快乐。在德文郡她没有找到哪个人能让她忘却从前的家和在萨塞克斯郡的朋友们曾带给她的快乐。只有布兰登上校最接近她所需要的那种朋友。他们经常在一起聊天,与她谈论玛丽安娜似乎能给他一些慰藉。

“我想你妹妹不赞成第二次的感情。”一天晚上他看着正在和威洛比跳舞的玛丽安娜说道。

“对,”埃莉诺回答,“她的头脑里都是浪漫的想法。她认为人一生中只会爱一次。但我希望再过几年她能变得更理性些。”

“这有可能。但如果一个浪漫的女孩被迫做出改变,可能会产生多么严重的后果啊!我这话是经验之谈。我曾经认识一个年轻女子,她……”

说到这儿他突然停了下来,似乎认为自己已经说得太多了。埃莉诺几乎肯定他要讲的是一段失意的恋情。她变得更加同情他了。

第二天早上,埃莉诺听到了一则令她吃惊的消息。玛丽安娜异常兴奋地告诉她,威洛比已经许诺要送她一匹马,这样他们就能一起骑马出去了。她根本不曾考虑养那头牲畜的开销,也没想过她接受一位与她非亲非故的年轻人赠送的如此厚礼会让周围的人怎样想。埃莉诺花了不少时间才让玛丽安娜明白她不能接受这件礼物。虽然心里不情愿,但玛丽安娜最后还是同意了。

次日,埃莉诺对玛丽安娜与威洛比的感情有了更进一步的认识。玛格利特激动地跑来告诉她说她肯定玛丽安娜很快就会嫁给威洛比了。

“哦,埃莉诺!”她喊道,“我有个秘密要告诉你。昨晚喝完茶我看到他俩了。威洛比先生正在向玛丽安娜请求着什么,然后他剪下她长长的一绺头发,亲吻了它并把它放进口袋里。”

埃莉诺现在确信他们已经订婚了,但对他们还没有通知亲友感到惊讶。

约翰爵士最新的娱乐计划是第二天去一座名叫惠特韦尔的漂亮宅邸及其花园游玩。一大帮人将乘坐马车前往那里,带上装满食物和饮料的野餐篮子。他们期待在那里度过美好的一天。惠特韦尔的主人是布兰登上校的妹夫,因此上校也将随行前往。似乎只有他能安排他们访问那里。

然而不幸的是,当大伙儿在巴顿庄园集合吃早饭的时候,一封信送到了布兰登上校的手中。他匆匆扫了一眼就一言不发地急忙走出房间。过了一会儿他回来时看上去比平时更严肃。他解释说他有急事必须立即赶往伦敦,所以不能和大家一块儿去了。尽管詹宁斯夫人一直向他发问,他还是不愿意再多做解释。除了埃莉诺外,每个人都努力试图说服他把那件事推后,好让大家能够出游。但他还是不为所动,在祝他们玩得愉快后,就走出了房间。

由于出游计划泡汤了,大伙儿决定乘马车去乡间兜风。马车很快就准备好了。威洛比的马车排在最前面,而玛丽安娜上车时看上去比以前任何时候都高兴。他驾车飞驰,两人很快就从人们的视野中消失了。在他们那天下午回来之前,谁也没见到他们的踪迹。

那天晚上大家坐下来吃晚饭的时候,詹宁斯夫人小声地跟玛丽安娜说话。但埃莉诺还是听到了谈话的内容。“尽管你们很聪明,小姐,但还是被我发现了。我知道你们一上午去了哪儿。”

玛丽安娜的脸一下子红了,她很快地问:“哪里?”

詹宁斯夫人心照不宣地一笑说:“玛丽安娜小姐,我希望你喜欢你们的房子。它毫无疑问很宽敞,我希望等我去那儿拜访你们的时候,它已经整修一新了。我上一次去时,那房子急需添置新家具。”

玛丽安娜困惑地转过脸去,詹宁斯夫人高声笑着解释说她从仆人那里得知玛丽安娜和威洛比上午去了艾伦汉姆并花了不少时间参观了史密斯夫人的房子。

埃莉诺觉得这很难令人相信。玛丽安娜还没有被引见给史密斯夫人,而在史密斯夫人仍然在那里的时候去看房子是一件很失礼的事。但当她询问妹妹时,却发现这是真的。玛丽安娜对她的怀疑感到很生气。

“我为什么不该去看那座房子?”玛丽安娜叫道,“这是我一生中最快乐的一个上午。”

“恕我直言,”埃莉诺平静而坚定地答道,“令人高兴的事不一定都是正确的。”

认真地想了几分钟后,玛丽安娜说道:“也许吧,埃莉诺,你或许是对的。我本不该去的。但那些房间真是太漂亮了。有一个漂亮的小客厅,如果配上时髦的家具简直就太完美了。”要不是埃莉诺打断她,玛丽安娜肯定会逐一描绘房子里的每个房间。

埃莉诺现在没工夫思考为什么布兰登上校那么突然地被叫走,她满脑子都在想为什么玛丽安娜和威洛比对他们的订婚保持了不同寻常的沉默。即便他们不想很快结婚,他们也似乎没有理由不告诉母亲和自己。威洛比的确并不富有,他经常抱怨自己贫穷,因此他或许得等到继承了遗产才能结婚。然而这种保密行为和他们一贯的开诚布公反差如此之大,连埃莉诺都开始怀疑他们是否真的订婚了。

没有什么比威洛比的一举一动更能体现他对她们的感情。他似乎将巴顿小屋看作自己的家。当达什伍德夫人提到她打算对房子进行改建时,他看上去几乎吓了一跳。他请求她连一块石头也不要改动。

“达什伍德夫人,请您不要这样做!”他大声说,“请不要糟蹋这房子,现在这样是最好的。请想想我在这儿得到多少快乐!请您保证不对这房子作任何改变,一点儿也不要变!”

为了让他高兴,达什伍德夫人答应了。

“您的保证让我感到欣慰。不过我还要再请求您一件事。请您告诉我不仅您的屋子会保持原样,而且您和您的家人也不会变,你们将永远亲切地对待我,正是这种亲切使你们对我来说如此珍贵。”

达什伍德夫人做了保证。威洛比那晚的举止证明他与她们在一起非常愉快。

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