CHAPTER 14

The sudden termination of Colonel Brandon's visit

at the park, with his steadiness in concealing its cause,

filled the mind, and raised the wonder of Mrs. Jennings

for two or three days; she was a great wonderer, as every

one must be who takes a very lively interest in all the

comings and goings of all their acquaintance. She wondered,

with little intermission what could be the reason of it;

was sure there must be some bad news, and thought over

every kind of distress that could have befallen him,

with a fixed determination that he should not escape

them all.

"Something very melancholy must be the matter,

I am sure," said she. "I could see it in his face.

Poor man! I am afraid his circumstances may be bad.

The estate at Delaford was never reckoned more than two thousand

a year, and his brother left everything sadly involved.

I do think he must have been sent for about money matters,

for what else can it be? I wonder whether it is so.

I would give anything to know the truth of it. Perhaps it

is about Miss Williams and, by the bye, I dare say it is,

because he looked so conscious when I mentioned her.

May be she is ill in town; nothing in the world more likely,

for I have a notion she is always rather sickly.

I would lay any wager it is about Miss Williams.

It is not so very likely he should be distressed in

his circumstances NOW, for he is a very prudent man,

and to be sure must have cleared the estate by this time.

I wonder what it can be! May be his sister is worse

at Avignon, and has sent for him over. His setting off

in such a hurry seems very like it. Well, I wish him out

of all his trouble with all my heart, and a good wife into

the bargain."

So wondered, so talked Mrs. Jennings. Her opinion

varying with every fresh conjecture, and all seeming

equally probable as they arose. Elinor, though she felt

really interested in the welfare of Colonel Brandon,

could not bestow all the wonder on his going so suddenly

away, which Mrs. Jennings was desirous of her feeling;