income. But
Elinor had no such dependance; for since Edward would still be unable to marry
Miss Morton, and his chusing herself had been spoken of in Mrs. Ferrars's
flattering language as only a lesser evil than his chusing Lucy Steele, she
feared that Robert's offence would serve no other purpose than to enrich Fanny.
    About four days after Edward's arrival, Colonel Brandon appeared, to
complete Mrs. Dashwood's satisfaction, and to give her the dignity of having,
for the first time since her living at Barton, more company with her than her
house would hold. Edward was allowed to retain the privilege of first comer, and
Colonel Brandon therefore walked every night to his old quarters at the Park;
from whence he usually returned in the morning, early enough to interrupt the
lovers' first tête-à-tête before breakfast.
    A three weeks' residence at Delaford, where, in his evening hours at least,
he had little to do but to calculate the disproportion between thirty-six and
seventeen, brought him to Barton in a temper of mind which needed all the
improvement in Marianne's looks, all the kindness of her welcome, and all the
encouragement of her mother's language, to make it cheerful. Among such friends,
however, and such flattery, he did revive. No rumour of Lucy's marriage had yet
reached him; - he knew nothing of what had passed; and the first hours of his
visit were consequently spent in hearing and in wondering. Every thing was
explained to him by Mrs. Dashwood, and he found fresh reason to rejoice in what
he had done for Mr. Ferrars, since eventually it promoted the interest of
Elinor.
    It would be needless to say, that the gentlemen advanced in the good opinion
of each other, as they advanced in each other's acquaintance, for it could not
be otherwise. Their resemblance in good principles and good sense, in
disposition and manner of thinking, would probably have been sufficient to unite
them in friendship, without any other attraction; but their being in love with
two sisters, and two sisters fond of each other, made that mutual regard
inevitable and immediate, which might otherwise have waited the effect of time
and judgment.
    The letters from town, which a few days before would have made every nerve
in Elinor's body thrill with transport, now arrived to be read with less emotion
than mirth. Mrs. Jennings wrote to tell the wonderful tale, to vent her honest
indignation against the jilting girl, and pour forth her compassion towards poor
Mr