which placed this matter in a still clearer light.

Willoughby had spent the preceding evening with them,

and Margaret, by being left some time in the parlour

with only him and Marianne, had had opportunity

for observations, which, with a most important face,

she communicated to her eldest sister, when they were

next by themselves.

"Oh, Elinor!" she cried, "I have such a secret to

tell you about Marianne. I am sure she will be married

to Mr. Willoughby very soon."

"You have said so," replied Elinor, "almost every

day since they first met on High-church Down; and they

had not known each other a week, I believe, before you

were certain that Marianne wore his picture round her neck;

but it turned out to be only the miniature of our great uncle."

"But indeed this is quite another thing. I am sure

they will be married very soon, for he has got a lock

of her hair."

"Take care, Margaret. It may be only the hair

of some great uncle of HIS."

"But, indeed, Elinor, it is Marianne's. I am almost

sure it is, for I saw him cut it off. Last night

after tea, when you and mama went out of the room,

they were whispering and talking together as fast as

could be, and he seemed to be begging something of her,

and presently he took up her scissors and cut off a long

lock of her hair, for it was all tumbled down her back;

and he kissed it, and folded it up in a piece of white paper;

and put it into his pocket-book."

For such particulars, stated on such authority,

Elinor could not withhold her credit; nor was she disposed

to it, for the circumstance was in perfect unison with

what she had heard and seen herself.

Margaret's sagacity was not always displayed in a

way so satisfactory to her sister. When Mrs. Jennings

attacked her one evening at the park, to give the name

of the young man who was Elinor's particular favourite,