 was not prepared for such a question, and having no answer ready, was
obliged to adopt the simple and common expedient, of asking what he meant? He
tried to smile as he replied, »your sister's engagement to Mr. Willoughby is
very generally known.«
    »It cannot be generally known,« returned Elinor, »for her own family do not
know it.«
    He looked surprised and said, »I beg your pardon, I am afraid my inquiry has
been impertinent; but I had not supposed any secrecy intended, as they openly
correspond, and their marriage is universally talked of.«
    »How can that be? By whom can you have heard it mentioned?«
    »By many - by some of whom you know nothing, by others with whom you are
most intimate, Mrs. Jennings, Mrs. Palmer, and the Middletons. But still I might
not have believed it, for where the mind is perhaps rather unwilling to be
convinced, it will always find something to support its doubts, if I had not,
when the servant let me in to-day, accidentally seen a letter in his hand,
directed to Mr. Willoughby in your sister's writing. I came to inquire, but I
was convinced before I could ask the question. Is every thing finally settled?
Is it impossible to -? But I have no right, and I could have no chance of
succeeding. Excuse me, Miss Dashwood. I believe I have been wrong in saying so
much, but I hardly know what to do, and on your prudence I have the strongest
dependence. Tell me that it is all absolutely resolved on, that any attempt,
that in short concealment, if concealment be possible, is all that remains.«
    These words, which conveyed to Elinor a direct avowal of his love for her
sister, affected her very much. She was not immediately able to say anything,
and even when her spirits were recovered, she debated for a short time, on the
answer it would be most proper to give. The real state of things between
Willoughby and her sister was so little known to herself, that in endeavouring
to explain it, she might be as liable to say too much as too little. Yet as she
was convinced that Marianne's affection for Willoughby, could leave no hope of
Colonel Brandon's success, whatever the event of that affection might be, and at
the same time wished to shield her conduct from censure, she thought it most
prudent and kind, after some consideration, to say more than she
