
by dissolving the engagement. We seem so beset with difficulties on every side,
that though it would make us miserable for a time, we should be happier perhaps
in the end. But you will not give me your advice, Miss Dashwood?«
    »No;« answered Elinor, with a smile, which concealed very agitated feelings,
»on such a subject I certainly will not. You know very well that my opinion
would have no weight with you, unless it were on the side of your wishes.«
    »Indeed you wrong me,« replied Lucy with great solemnity; »I know nobody of
whose judgment I think so highly as I do of yours; and I do really believe, that
if you was to say to me, I advise you by all means to put an end to your
engagement with Edward Ferrars, it will be more for the happiness of both of
you,I should resolve upon doing it immediately.«
    Elinor blushed for the insincerity of Edward's future wife, and replied,
»this compliment would effectually frighten me from giving any opinion on the
subject had I formed one. It raises my influence much too high; the power of
dividing two people so tenderly attached is too much for an indifferent person.«
    »'Tis because you are an indifferent person,« said Lucy, with some pique,
and laying a particular stress on those words, »that your judgment might justly
have such weight with me. If you could be supposed to be biassed in any respect
by your own feelings, your opinion would not be worth having.«
    Elinor thought it wisest to make no answer to this, lest they might provoke
each other to an unsuitable increase of ease and unreserve; and was even partly
determined never to mention the subject again. Another pause therefore of many
minutes' duration, succeeded this speech, and Lucy was still the first to end
it.
    »Shall you be in town this winter. Miss Dashwood?« said she with all her
accustomary complacency.
    »Certainly not.«
    »I am sorry for that,« returned the other, while her eyes brightened at the
information, »it would have gave me such pleasure to meet you there! But I dare
say you will go for all that. To be sure, your brother and sister will ask you
to come to them.«
    »It will not be in my power to accept their invitation if they do.«
    »How unlucky that is! I had quite depended upon meeting you there. Anne and
me are to go the latter end of January to some
