 unkindly. You are
endeavouring to disarm me by reason, and to convince me against my will. But it
will not do. You shall find me as stubborn as you can be artful. I have three
unanswerable reasons for disliking Colonel Brandon: he has threatened me with
rain when I wanted it to be fine; he has found fault with the hanging of my
curricle, and I cannot persuade him to buy my brown mare. If it will be any
satisfaction to you, however, to be told, that I believe his character to be in
other respects irreproachable, I am ready to confess it. And in return for an
acknowledgment, which must give me some pain, you cannot deny me the privilege
of disliking him as much as ever.«
 

                                   Chapter XI

Little had Mrs. Dashwood or her daughters imagined, when they first came into
Devonshire, that so many engagements would arise to occupy their time as shortly
presented themselves, or that they should have such frequent invitations and
such constant visitors as to leave them little leisure for serious employment.
Yet such was the case. When Marianne was recovered, the schemes of amusement at
home and abroad, which Sir John had been previously forming, were put in
execution. The private balls at the park then began; and parties on the water
were made and accomplished as often as a showery October would allow. In every
meeting of the kind Willoughby was included; and the ease and familiarity which
naturally attended these parties were exactly calculated to give increasing
intimacy to his acquaintance with the Dashwoods, to afford him opportunity of
witnessing the excellencies of Marianne, of marking his animated admiration of
her, and of receiving, in her behaviour to himself, the most pointed assurance
of her affection.
    Elinor could not be surprised at their attachment. She only wished that it
were less openly shewn; and once or twice did venture to suggest the propriety
of some self-command to Marianne. But Marianne abhorred all concealment where no
real disgrace could attend unreserve; and to aim at the restraint of sentiments
which were not in themselves illaudable, appeared to her not merely an
unnecessary effort, but a disgraceful subjection of reason to common-place and
mistaken notions. Willoughby thought the same; and their behaviour, at all
times, was an illustration of their opinions.
    When he was present she had no eyes for any one else. Every thing he did,
was right. Every thing he said, was clever. If their evenings at the park were
concluded with cards, he cheated himself and all the rest of the party to get
her a good hand. If dancing
