have all such reason to love, and no reason in the world

to think ill of? To the possibility of motives unanswerable

in themselves, though unavoidably secret for a while? And,

after all, what is it you suspect him of?"

"I can hardly tell myself. But suspicion of

something unpleasant is the inevitable consequence

of such an alteration as we just witnessed in him.

There is great truth, however, in what you have now urged

of the allowances which ought to be made for him, and it

is my wish to be candid in my judgment of every body.

Willoughby may undoubtedly have very sufficient

reasons for his conduct, and I will hope that he has.

But it would have been more like Willoughby to acknowledge

them at once. Secrecy may be advisable; but still I

cannot help wondering at its being practiced by him."

"Do not blame him, however, for departing from

his character, where the deviation is necessary.

But you really do admit the justice of what I have said

in his defence?--I am happy--and he is acquitted."

"Not entirely. It may be proper to conceal their

engagement (if they ARE engaged) from Mrs. Smith--

and if that is the case, it must be highly expedient

for Willoughby to be but little in Devonshire at present.

But this is no excuse for their concealing it from us."

"Concealing it from us! my dear child, do you accuse

Willoughby and Marianne of concealment? This is strange

indeed, when your eyes have been reproaching them every day

for incautiousness."

"I want no proof of their affection," said Elinor;

"but of their engagement I do."

"I am perfectly satisfied of both."

"Yet not a syllable has been said to you on the

subject, by either of them."

"I have not wanted syllables where actions have

spoken so plainly. Has not his behaviour to Marianne

and to all of us, for at least the last fortnight,