by Marianne. Her mother was surprised, and Elinor again

became uneasy. But Mrs. Dashwood could find explanations

whenever she wanted them, which at least satisfied herself.

"Remember, Elinor," said she, "how very often Sir John

fetches our letters himself from the post, and carries them

to it. We have already agreed that secrecy may be necessary,

and we must acknowledge that it could not be maintained if

their correspondence were to pass through Sir John's hands."

Elinor could not deny the truth of this, and she tried

to find in it a motive sufficient for their silence.

But there was one method so direct, so simple, and in

her opinion so eligible of knowing the real state

of the affair, and of instantly removing all mystery,

that she could not help suggesting it to her mother.

"Why do you not ask Marianne at once," said she,

"whether she is or she is not engaged to Willoughby? From you,

her mother, and so kind, so indulgent a mother, the question

could not give offence. It would be the natural result

of your affection for her. She used to be all unreserve,

and to you more especially."

"I would not ask such a question for the world.

Supposing it possible that they are not engaged,

what distress would not such an enquiry inflict! At any

rate it would be most ungenerous. I should never deserve

her confidence again, after forcing from her a confession

of what is meant at present to be unacknowledged to any one.

I know Marianne's heart: I know that she dearly loves me,

and that I shall not be the last to whom the affair is made

known,

when circumstances make the revealment of it eligible.

I would not attempt to force the confidence of any one;

of a child much less; because a sense of duty would prevent

the denial which her wishes might direct."

Elinor thought this generosity overstrained,

considering her sister's youth, and urged the matter farther,

but in vain; common sense, common care, common prudence,

were all sunk in Mrs. Dashwood's romantic delicacy.

It was several days before Willoughby's name