 settled at the cottage, and if not pursuing their usual studies
with quite so much vigour as when they first came to Barton, at least planning a
vigorous prosecution of them in future.
    Elinor grew impatient for some tidings of Edward. She had heard nothing of
him since her leaving London, nothing new of his plans, nothing certain even of
his present abode. Some letters had passed between her and her brother, in
consequence of Marianne's illness; and in the first of John's, there had been
this sentence; - »We know nothing of our unfortunate Edward, and can make no
inquiries on so prohibited a subject, but conclude him to be still at Oxford;«
which was all the intelligence of Edward afforded her by the correspondence, for
his name was not even mentioned in any of the succeeding letters. She was not
doomed, however, to be long in ignorance of his measures.
    Their man-servant had been sent one morning to Exeter on business; and when,
as he waited at table, he had satisfied the inquiries of his mistress as to the
event of his errand, this was his voluntary communication -
    »I suppose you know, ma'am, that Mr. Ferrars is married.«
    Marianne gave a violent start, fixed her eyes upon Elinor, saw her turning
pale, and fell back in her chair in hysterics. Mrs. Dashwood, whose eyes, as she
answered the servant's inquiry, had intuitively taken the same direction, was
shocked to perceive by Elinor's countenance how much she really suffered, and in
a moment afterwards, alike distressed by Marianne's situation, knew not on which
child to bestow her principal attention.
    The servant, who saw only that Miss Marianne was taken ill, had sense enough
to call one of the maids, who, with Mrs. Dashwood's assistance, supported her
into the other room. By that time, Marianne was rather better, and her mother
leaving her to the care of Margaret and the maid, returned to Elinor, who,
though still much disordered, had so far recovered the use of her reason and
voice as to be just beginning an inquiry of Thomas, as to the source of his
intelligence. Mrs. Dashwood immediately took all that trouble on herself; and
Elinor had the benefit of the information without the exertion of seeking it.
    »Who told you that Mr. Ferrars was married, Thomas?«
    »I see Mr. Ferrars myself, ma'am, this morning in Exeter, and his lady too,
Miss Steele as was. They
