a very cold damp day)
of a slight rheumatic feel in one of his shoulders.«
    »But he talked of flannel waistcoats,« said Marianne; »and with me a flannel
waistcoat is invariably connected with aches, cramps, rheumatisms, and every
species of ailment that can afflict the old and the feeble.«
    »Had he been only in a violent fever, you would not have despised him half
so much. Confess, Marianne, is not there something interesting to you in the
flushed cheek, hollow eye, and quick pulse of a fever?«
    Soon after this, upon Elinor's leaving the room, »Mama,« said Marianne, »I
have an alarm on the subject of illness, which I cannot conceal from you. I am
sure Edward Ferrars is not well. We have now been here almost a fortnight, and
yet he does not come. Nothing but real indisposition could occasion this
extraordinary delay. What else can detain him at Norland?«
    »Had you any idea of his coming so soon?« said Mrs. Dashwood. »I had none.
On the contrary, if I have felt any anxiety at all on the subject, it has been
in recollecting that he sometimes shewed a want of pleasure and readiness in
accepting my invitation, when I talked of his coming to Barton. Does Elinor
expect him already?«
    »I have never mentioned it to her, but of course she must.«
    »I rather think you are mistaken, for when I was talking to her yesterday of
getting a new grate for the spare bedchamber, she observed that there was no
immediate hurry for it, as it was not likely that the room would be wanted for
some time.«
    »How strange this is! what can be the meaning of it! But the whole of their
behaviour to each other has been unaccountable! How cold, how composed were
their last adieus! How languid their conversation the last evening of their
being together! In Edward's farewell there was no distinction between Elinor and
me: it was the good wishes of an affectionate brother to both. Twice did I leave
them purposely together in the course of the last morning, and each time did he
most unaccountably follow me out of the room. And Elinor, in quitting Norland
and Edward, cried not as I did. Even now her self-command is invariable. When is
she dejected or melancholy? When does she try to avoid society, or appear
restless and dissatisfied in it?«
 

                                   Chapter IX

The Dashwoods were now settled at Barton with tolerable comfort to themselves.
