 a topic which always left her more
dissatisfied with herself than ever, by the comparison it necessarily produced
between Elinor's conduct and her own.
    She felt all the force of that comparison; but not as her sister had hoped,
to urge her to exertion now; she felt it with all the pain of continual
self-reproach, regretted most bitterly that she had never exerted herself
before; but it brought only the torture of penitence, without the hope of
amendment. Her mind was so much weakened that she still fancied present exertion
impossible, and therefore it only dispirited her more.
    Nothing new was heard by them, for a day or two afterwards, of affairs in
Harley-street, or Bartlett's Buildings. But though so much of the matter was
known to them already, that Mrs. Jennings might have had enough to do in
spreading that knowledge farther, without seeking after more, she had resolved
from the first to pay a visit of comfort and inquiry to her cousins as soon as
she could; and nothing but the hindrance of more visitors than usual, had
prevented her going to them within that time.
    The third day succeeding their knowledge of the particulars, was so fine, so
beautiful a Sunday as to draw many to Kensington Gardens, though it was only the
second week in March. Mrs. Jennings and Elinor were of the number; but Marianne,
who knew that the Willoughbys were again in town, and had a constant dread of
meeting them, chose rather to stay at home, than venture into so public a place.
    An intimate acquaintance of Mrs. Jennings joined them soon after they
entered the Gardens, and Elinor was not sorry that by her continuing with them,
and engaging all Mrs. Jennings's conversation, she was herself left to quiet
reflection. She saw nothing of the Willoughbys, nothing of Edward, and for some
time nothing of anybody who could by any chance whether grave or gay, be
interesting to her. But at last she found herself with some surprise, accosted
by Miss Steele, who, though looking rather shy, expressed great satisfaction in
meeting them, and on receiving encouragement from the particular kindness of
Mrs. Jennings, left her own party for a short time, to join their's. Mrs.
Jennings immediately whispered to Elinor,
    »Get it all out of her, my dear. She will tell you any thing if you ask. You
see I cannot leave Mrs. Clarke.«
    It was lucky, however, for Mrs. Jennings's curiosity and Elinor's too, that
she would tell any
