the delight of your conversation with our new friend."--

Marianne was softened in a moment.

Willoughby, on his side, gave every proof of his

pleasure in their acquaintance, which an evident wish

of improving it could offer. He came to them every day.

To enquire after Marianne was at first his excuse; but the

encouragement of his reception, to which every day gave

greater kindness, made such an excuse unnecessary before it

had ceased to be possible, by Marianne's perfect recovery.

She was confined for some days to the house; but never had

any confinement been less irksome. Willoughby was a young

man of good abilities, quick imagination, lively spirits,

and open, affectionate manners. He was exactly formed

to engage Marianne's heart, for with all this, he joined

not only a captivating person, but a natural ardour

of mind which was now roused and increased by the example

of her own, and which recommended him to her affection

beyond every thing else.

His society became gradually her most exquisite enjoyment.

They read, they talked, they sang together; his musical

talents were considerable; and he read with all the

sensibility and spirit which Edward had unfortunately wanted.

In Mrs. Dashwood's estimation he was as faultless

as in Marianne's; and Elinor saw nothing to censure in him

but a propensity, in which he strongly resembled and peculiarly

delighted her sister, of saying too much what he thought on

every occasion, without attention to persons or circumstances.

In hastily forming and giving his opinion of other people,

in sacrificing general politeness to the enjoyment

of undivided attention where his heart was engaged,

and in slighting too easily the forms of worldly propriety,

he displayed a want of caution which Elinor could not approve,

in spite of all that he and Marianne could say in its support.

Marianne began now to perceive that the desperation

which had seized her at sixteen and a half, of ever

seeing a man who could satisfy her ideas of perfection,

had been rash and unjustifiable. Willoughby was all

that her fancy had delineated in that unhappy hour

and in every brighter period, as capable of attaching her;

and his behaviour declared his wishes to be in that respect