him.
”
Leslie
meantime
walked
hastily
away
,
and
took
a
path
over
the
fields
to
be
out
of
observation
,
opening
and
reading
the
much
canvassed
letter
as
he
went
along
.
He
could
not
but
smile
at
the
simplicity
of
the
writer’s
alarms
,
and
of
her
confidence
in
him
.
“
Sir
,
(
”
that’s
Monsieur
,
“
said
he
)
—
”
SIR
—
You
are
my
only
friend
;
I
do
not
know
what
to
do
unless
you
can
help
me
—
and
you
told
me
to
ask
you
for
help
if
I
was
in
trouble
.
Have
you
money
you
can
lend
me
?
I
will
pay
you
back
,
a
little
every
quarter
,
and
once
you
said
it
was
not
wrong
to
borrow
from
you
.
Miss
Chanson
called
me
,
and
gave
me
many
bills
,
which
I
did
not
know
of
—
perhaps
they
will
put
me
in
prison
.
What
will
become
of
me
?
“
ELINOR
LADYLIFT
.
”
“
Poor
,
precious
,
enchanting
Elinor
!
”
cried
he
;
“
how
unkind
,
how
sententious
,
they
are
to
you
.
I
can
see
the
matter
from
here
;
ordinary
bills
are
thrust
into
your
hands
,
without
explanation
,
without
advice
,
and
your
conventual
imagination
sees
nothing
in
them
but
an
ogre
of
a
creditor
,
and
dungeons
and
chains
.
Oh
!
how
can
I
be
soonest
with
you
?
I
dare
not
come
at
once
,
for
even
your
innocence
would
disbelieve
that
I
was
as
far
off
as
I
ought
to
have
been
when
I
got
your
summons
.
Yet
—
summons
!
no
,
it
is
not
that
;
nothing
was
further
,
I
do
believe
,
from
your
thoughts
,
than
to
call
me
to
you
—
yet
,
poor
dove
,
you
have
done
so
,
and
when
such
fair
birds
are
no
better
looked
after
by
their
natural
guardians
,
what
is
indeed
to
become
of
them
?
Now
I
must
write
so
as
not
to
frighten
her
.
”
Accordingly
he
wrote
in
the
soberest
manner
,
making
much
,
indeed
,
of
her
embarrassments
,
but
promising
to
alleviate
them
;
and
then
informed
her
“
that
particular
circumstances
having
called
him
into
her
neighbourhood
,
he
had
received
her
letter
in
a
most
fortunately
brief
space
of
time
,
and
he
should
be
able
,
that
very
evening
,
to
meet
her
near
the
waterfall
in
the
wood
,
and
to
bring
her
the
means
of
extricating
herself
from
her
difficulties
.
”
“
She
will
wonder
why
I
should
not
walk
straight
up
to
the
house
,
and
ask
to
see
Miss
Ladylift
,
”
said
he
,
as
he
sealed
his
letter
;
“
but
I
hope
the
spirit
of
intrigue
and
coquetry
may
awaken
in
her
sufficiently
to
do
as
I
suggest
,
and
ask
no
questions
.
”
The
next
difficulty
was
to
convey
this
letter
to
her
,
and
it
perplexed
him
till
he
saw
the
Squire
and
Laura
ride
past
his
lodging
,
and
thus
knew
they
were
out
of
the
way
;
and
then
he
resolved
to
go
himself
to
the
house
,
in
the
peasant’s
dress
he
had
worn
in
the
morning
,
and
there
to
put
his
answer
into
the
hands
of
a
labouring
clod
in
the
gardens
.
This
he
did
,
begging
him
to
take
“
Mr.
Davis
tailior’s
acquoint
for
the
French
lady
,
up
speedy
to
the
house
.
”
The
obliging
clod
complied
,
and
Leslie
returned
to
his
lodging
,
and
early
in
the
evening
to
the
woods
,
expecting
the
guileless
creature
who
put
such
confidence
in
him
.
Nor
was
he
disappointed
.
About
nine
o’clock
,
of
a
warm
,
moonlit
,
September
evening
,
Leslie
standing
anxiously
in
the
wood‐path
,
saw
Elinor
coming
along
it
to
meet
him
.
“
How
good
you
are
,
”
she
said
,
as
they
met
;
“
but
indeed
I
did
not
mean
to
trouble
you
thus
.
I
thought
you
would
have
written
to
me
;
indeed
,
I
did
not
think
of
your
coming
.
”
“
But
you
are
not
displeased
?
”
said
Leslie
,
taking
her
hand
,
which
she
withdrew
when
she
had
performed
the
proper
greeting
.
“
For
my
part
,
I
am
so
happy
to
be
of
any
service
to
you
,
I
am
so
happy
to
see
you
again
,
that
I
cannot
but
bless
the
difficulties
which
have
brought
this
meeting
about
.
”
“
Oh
!
Mr.
Leslie
,
I
am
sure
you
would
not
say
so
,
if
you
knew
how
miserable
I
have
been
.
”
“
But
you
are
miserable
no
longer
,
are
you
?
”
said
Leslie
;
“
you
feel
that
I
am
able
and
willing
to
remove
every
cause
of
pain
—
I
am
able
to
make
you
happy
.
”
“
I
hope
so
,
”
said
Elinor
;
“
but
it
will
be
a
long
time
before
I
can
pay
you
.
”
“
What
!
pay
me
?
Oh
!
I
was
not
thinking
of
that
;
I
was
thinking
,
”
said
Leslie
,
drawing
her
gently
to
the
fallen
tree
,
where
he
had
watched
her
sitting
those
autumn
days
,
and
placing
himself
beside
her
—
“
I
was
thinking
whether
you
did
not
know
that
I
look
upon
this
moment
,
when
you
trust
me
,
when
I
you
apply
to
me
,
when
you
know
me
to
be
a
better
friend
than
any
of
those
whom
chance
has
thrown
you
amongst
,
as
the
most
delightful
that
ever
in
all
my
youth
and
enjoyment
passed
over
me
”
—
he
possessed
himself
of
her
hand
—
“
and
I
don’t
deceive
myself
,
do
I
?
You
know
me
to
be
your
truest
well‐wisher
,
your
most
anxious
counsellor
,
the
person
who
would
desire
your
happiness
beyond
all
other
things
,
and
do
whatever
may
best
promote
it
.
”
Elinor’s
hand
stayed
in
his
,
but
it
was
with
the
calmest
voice
she
answered
,
“
Yes
,
or
you
would
not
be
here
to
help
me
.
”
“
No
,
no
!
and
you
felt
it
was
none
of
those
guardians
of
yours
,
who
was
willing
to
do
so
?
—
you
did
not
apply
to
them
?
”
“
Oh
!
I
should
never
have
done
such
a
thing
,
”
said
Elinor
,
the
slightest
smile
passing
over
her
face
,
as
at
the
suggestion
of
something
wholly
out
of
the
question
.
“
I
have
a
kind
of
right
,
you
have
given
me
a
right
to
counsel
you
,
guard
you
;
you
are
inclined
to
do
as
I
advise
you
?
”
“
Yes
,
”
said
Elinor
,
with
a
mournful
inflection
in
her
voice
.
“
I
know
nothing
at
all
of
this
world
I
am
in
,
and
I
have
found
you
wise
,
knowing
everything
.
You
can
teach
me
what
you
please
,
but
I
know
you
will
teach
me
what
is
right
.
”
“
Ah
,
yes
!
right
—
the
right
way
to
be
happy
—
and
we
are
creatures
made
to
be
happy
,
not
to
suffer
pain
from
each
,
other
,
not
to
be
unkindly
treated
,
but
to
seek
out
those
who
love
us
,
and
to
put
all
our
trust
that
what
they
do
will
be
the
best
they
know
how
to
do
,
for
our
happiness
.
”
Elinor
was
silent
.
She
was
listening
,
and
trying
to
comprehend
.
“
Elinor
,
did
any
ever
devote
themselves
to
you
,
and
think
,
of
nothing
except
how
to
please
,
how
to
take
care
of
you
;
what
you
liked
,
where
you
would
go
?
”
“
Oh
!
no
,
certainly
,
”
said
Elinor
.
“
Your
kind
Mother
in
the
Convent
,
your
teachers
the
nuns
,
your
companions
—
did
you
ever
feel
that
when
you
came
they
rejoiced
,
when
you
went
they
mourned
;
that
you
were
the
thing
they
first
thought
of
at
waking
;
the
object
for
which
they
planned
their
plans
,
lamented
their
failures
?
”
“
No
!
”
said
Elinor
,
“
they
were
not
so
unreasonable
.
”
“
But
he
who
loves
you
is
so
unreasonable
,
so
reasonable
at
the
same
time
,
for
that
which
is
dearer
than
oneself
must
be
more
present
,
more
cherished
than
oneself
—
the
happiness
of
that
creature
must
be
before
every
other
wish
and
plan
.
Would
it
be
no
pleasure
,
dearest
Elinor
,
to
be
thus
beloved
?
”
His
right
hand
suddenly
transferred
her’s
to
his
left
,
and
went
round
her
waist
,
nor
did
it
fail
to
press
that
slender
,
warm
column
,
which
it
had
encircled
.
Elinor
did
not
withdraw
,
but
she
raised
her
clear
eyes
to
his
,
and
met
his
fierce
glance
with
such
inquiring
,
innocent
calmness
,
that
his
arm
released
its
hold
,
and
he
did
but
raise
her
hand
to
his
mouth
,
and
pressed
one
kiss
upon
it
.
“
May
I
not
love
you
,
Elinor
?
”
“
Indeed
I
think
you
do
,
”
said
Elinor
.
“
I
doubt
whether
you
do
as
much
for
me
,
”
said
Leslie
,
to
himself
,
and
he
felt
that
he
should
but
set
her
on
her
guard
by
any
further
revelation
of
his
feelings
;
but
he
was
not
wholly
displeased
with
the
step
he
had
advanced
.
All
recollection
of
the
cause
of
their
meeting
had
departed
from
him
;
but
while
he
was
thinking
how
best
to
go
on
with
the
interview
,
Elinor
took
advantage
of
the
pause
,
and
returned
to
the
difficulties
he
was
to
settle
for
her
,
which
to
him
appeared
prosaic
and
superfluous
,
but
to
her
was
the
thing
that
made
their
meeting
interesting
.
Leslie
took
from
her
hand
the
little
neat
bundle
of
papers
which
she
produced
;
he
comprehended
that
Laura
had
not
chosen
to
explain
or
soften
anything
,
and
promised
that
he
would
himself
arrange
all
.
He
would
then
have
passed
to
other
subjects
,
but
Elinor
would
stay
no
longer
after
she
had
fulfilled
her
errand
,
and
then
he
fixed
the
next
afternoon
for
another
meeting
at
the
same
place
,
to
give
account
of
what
he
should
have
done
.
“
Say
nothing
of
our
meeting
,
”
said
he
;
“
it
is
best
not
.
I
can
scarcely
explain
why
;
but
promise
that
you
will
follow
my
advice
.
”
Elinor
did
so
.
She
had
no
conscience
but
Leslie
—
her
own
had
never
come
much
into
activity
,
and
that
which
she
brought
from
the
Convent
had
been
all
overthrown
.
Elinor
returned
to
the
house
,
and
to
the
saloon
where
Mr.
Chanson
and
his
sister
Laura
were
sitting
,
and
entering
it
with
her
light
,
noiseless
movement
,
was
taking
up
her
work
,
and
about
to
seat
herself
in
her
usual
place
,
when
Laura
stopped
her
,
by
asking
,
in
a
constrained
voice
,
“
Where
have
you
been
,
Elinor
?
”
“
In
the
wood
,
”
said
Elinor
,
the
colour
rising
,
she
knew
not
why
.
“
But
,
my
dear
,
”
said
the
Squire
,
“
that’s
not
the
proper
place
for
a
young
girl
like
you
,
at
night
,
all
alone
;
you
should
not
go
there
.
”
“
And
were
you
alone
?
”
said
Laura
,
briefly
.
Elinor
had
nothing
to
say
;
the
question
was
so
home
,
that
it
admitted
but
of
yes
or
no
;
one
of
which
she
might
not
,
and
the
other
she
would
not
say
.
“
Speak
out
,
”
said
Mr.
Chanson
;
“
don’t
be
afraid
of
us
.
Tell
the
truth
always
.
”
“
Oh
,
yes
!
that
I
will
,
always
,
”
said
Elinor
.
“
You
were
alone
,
then
,
I
dare
say
,
were
you
not
?
”
said
Mr.
Chanson
.
“
Still
I
don’t
like
you
to
wander
about
alone
,
and
you
will
do
it
no
more
,
will
you
?
”
“
Very
well
,
”
said
Elinor
.
But
Laura
,
speaking
almost
at
the
same
time
,
said
,
“
You
were
not
alone
,
then
;
you
can’t
deny
it
,
Elinor
.
You
went
there
to
meet
somebody
.
”
Elinor
answered
nothing
,
but
bent
her
head
over
her
sewing
,
and
had
the
tears
in
her
eyes
.
Mr.
Chanson
was
almost
as
much
embar‐
rassed
as
she
.
He
rose
up
,
crushed
the
newspaper
,
and
turning
his
back
,
leaned
on
the
mantel‐shelf
,
taking
part
in
his
own
heat
with
the
embarrassed
young
girl
,
against
his
sister
,
though
the
latter
was
clearly
in
the
right
.
“
Was
it
Mr.
Leslie
?
”
said
Laura
.
“
Oh
!
Mr.
Leslie
!
”
said
her
brother
,
half
turning
round
;
“
quite
impossible
.
”
Laura
could
not
be
quite
sure
it
was
he
,
for
though
,
indeed
,
the
broken
seal
of
Elinor’s
letter
had
revealed
the
intercourse
between
them
,
she
could
not
comprehend
by
what
means
he
could
so
rapidly
have
obeyed
the
summons
;
yet
she
could
not
but
feel
it
must
be
Leslie
,
and
her
anxiety
and
dread
about
it
were
extreme
.
“
Speak
,
Elinor
!
say
whether
or
not
it
was
he
.
”
“
No
,
no
,
”
said
Mr.
Chanson
;
“
there
is
no
sense
in
asking
such
a
thing
.
I
had
a
letter
from
him
two
days
ago
,
about
the
distemper‐powders
;
he
was
not
going
from
home
—
besides
...
...
”
What
there
was
besides
he
did
not
explain
,
but
Elinor
took
courage
under
this
unexpected
defence
,
and
though
she
would
not
say
a
word
of
denial
herself
,
felt
half
justified
by
the
denial
he
extemporised
,
and
sewed
away
,
supported
in
the
silence
she
resolved
to
observe
.
Laura
,
on
the
other
hand
,
was
unduly
discouraged
,
and
her
pressing
investigation
,
which
must
have
ended
in
a
victory
,
resulted
in
an
impatient
“
Well
!
”
and
the
three
sat
in
the
most
uncomfortable
silence
,
till
Elinor
,
who
felt
thoroughly
humble
,
and
anxious
to
do
something
right
,
though
she
could
not
do
the
one
right
thing
they
wanted
,
so
anxiously
watched
her
chances
of
finding
the
Squire’s
spectacles
,
picking
up
his
book
,
and
placing
it
softly
on
the
table
when
it
fell
out
of
his
slumbering
hand
,
of
remembering
where
Laura
had
laid
down
the
key
of
the
tea‐chest
,
of
letting
Puff
out
of
the
room
,
and
letting
him
in
again
,
that
Mr.
Chanson’s
heart
was
quite
softened
,
and
gently
touching
her
head
,
he
said
,
in
a
low
voice
,
“
You
are
a
good
little
girl
—
only
mind
what
Laura
tells
you
;
”
and
Elinor
was
so
pleased
with
the
kind
words
,
that
she
felt
as
if
she
should
never
obey
anybody
else
,
nor
perhaps
would
she
,
had
there
been
as
much
womanly
kindness
and
sincerity
in
the
sister
as
of
gentleness
in
the
brother
.
But
Laura
had
feelings
quite
apart
from
the
interests
of
Elinor
,
which
prevented
any
approach
to
kindliness
,
and
those
were
her
own
concern
in
Leslie
,
and
in
all
that
he
did
.
He
had
secured
a
place
in
her
affections
such
as
he
never
aspired
to
,
and
which
,
at
this
time
,
he
would
much
rather
have
been
without
;
and
it
made
Laura
wild
with
jealousy
to
think
that
one
day
Elinor
might
occupy
the
place
which
she
herself
,
with
all
her
beauty
,
wit
,
and
wealth
,
longed
for
in
vain
.
Should
those
two
be
coming
and
going
together
,
civil
to
her
,
but
lovers
of
each
other
?
should
it
be
by
short
and
transient
fits
that
she
should
see
Leslie
,
but
Elinor
be
of
his
house
,
always
his
and
with
him
?
should
the
stranger’s
sustained
attention
be
for
her
,
but
the
word
,
the
sign
,
the
look
,
the
understood
gesture
,
be
for
Elinor
?
Laura
could
not
endure
it
,
and
the
thing
was
so
inadmissible
,
that
whatever
she
could
do
to
prevent
it
seemed
the
thing
to
be
done
—
not
the
right
thing
,
perhaps
,
but
still
to
be
done
.
She
hated
Elinor
,
and
would
willingly
have
seen
in
her
all
those
defects
which
would
disenchant
Leslie
;
she
wished
they
were
in
her
,
and
acknowledged
to
be
there
by
everybody
;
and
when
Elinor
had
gently
crept
out
of
the
room
,
at
an
early
bedtime
,
she
broke
the
long
silence
that
had
descended
upon
them
all
,
and
began
to
talk
in
an
ingenuous
,
candid
tone
,
to
her
brother
.
“
There
are
great
excuses
to
be
made
for
that
poor
child
,
”
said
she
.
“
The
liberty
she
enjoys
is
so
sudden
,
and
the
training
she
has
had
is
so
bad
,
that
she
is
liable
to
errors
from
which
other
people
are
free
.
”
“
Yes
,
indeed
,
”
said
the
Squire
;
“
and
it
is
very
kind
and
just
of
you
,
Laura
,
to
make
excuses
for
her
.
She
wants
a
friend
.
”
“
Yes
!
I
only
wish
she
were
more
willing
to
listen
to
me
.
”
“
She
is
a
little
wilful
,
is
she
?
”
“
I
think
you
must
have
perceived
that
.
Don’t
you
see
how
she
keeps
apart
all
the
morning
?
I
am
always
willing
—
anxious
—
that
she
should
come
to
my
room
and
be
with
me
;
but
was
not
it
strange
,
how
she
persecuted
Mr.
Leslie
to
attend
to
her
?
—
not
unnatural
certainly
—
a
man
was
a
marvel
to
a
girl
from
a
convent
;
but
I
explained
to
her
the
common
forms
of
society
,
and
she
should
have
altered
her
conduct
in
consequence
;
however
,
it
was
just
the
same
,
and
I’m
afraid
,
I
really
am
,
that
this
walk
of
hers
has
something
to
do
with
an
appointment
—
if
not
with
him
,
with
somebody
else
.
”
“
I
hope
not
,
”
said
the
Squire
;
“
though
,
indeed
,
I
saw
that
Leslie
was
rather
in
love
with
her
.
”
“
Oh
!
no
,
no
!
”
cried
Laura
,
anxiously
;
“
a
man
is
always
flattered
if
a
girl
shows
any
liking
for
him
,
but
that’s
all
.
How
could
he
take
a
fancy
for
a
child
like
that
—
uneducated
yet
artificial
,
not
pretty
nor
amusing
?
”
“
She
does
not
say
much
,
”
answered
the
Squire
.
“
Besides
,
Lawrence
,
”
went
on
Miss
Chanson
,
“
though
he
might
have
been
pleased
with
her
,
if
he
had
been
wholly
fancy‐free
,
yet
—
being
as
he
is
...
...
”
“
What
?
is
Leslie
in
love
with
anybody
—
hey
;
Laura
!
is
that
it
?
is
it
possible
,
my
dear
?
”
“
I
have
never
said
a
word
to
any
human
being
before
,
”
said
Laura
,
turning
away
her
head
.
“
Is
it
possible
?
The
thing
I
should
like
beyond
all
others
;
why
did
not
I
know
?
”
“
Nay
,
you
think
more
of
it
than
you
ought
.
Indeed
,
Lawrence
,
I
don’t
quite
understand
him
;
something
.
is
on
his
mind
,
which
—
which
...
...
in
short
,
there
has
no
word
passed
between
us
.
Has
he
any
fortune
?
Sometimes
I
have
thought
,
that
knowing
me
to
have
a
large
one
,
his
own
want
of
any
may
have
held
him
back
.
”
“
Oh
!
he
is
not
poor
,
but
very
proud
.
Are
you
civil
enough
to
him
,
Laura
?
”
“
Nay
,
certainly
,
”
said
Laura
;
“
it
is
for
him
to
seek
,
not
me
.
”
“
Yes
,
yes
;
but
at
the
same
time
,
I
can
tell
you
that
Fanny
Wimbledon
would
have
been
Mrs.
Chanson
,
if
she
had
not
thought
it
necessary
to
chaff
and
flout
me
,
when
I
was
looking
for
a
kind
word
.
”
“
Did
she
like
you
,
vain
man
?
”
.
“
So
I
heard
afterwards
;
but
I
was
in
Caithness
,
and
it
was
too
far
to
come
back
.
So
don’t
throw
him
away
—
that
is
,
if
you
think
you
could
like
him
.
”
“
Lawrence
,
you
are
mother
and
brother
to
me
;
”
and
she
laid
her
head
on
his
shoulder
.
“
I
do
like
him
.
”
“
Is
it
so
,
dear
Laura
?
”
said
he
,
fondly
caressing
her
;
“
then
may
Providence
bring
you
and
him
together
.
If
I
can
help
you
...
.
”
“
Only
say
nothing
to
him
.
Oh
!
for
heaven’s
sake
!
do
nothing
rash
.
Proud
he
is
,
and
a
word
might
alarm
him
.
But
it
is
a
comfort
,
brother
,
to
have
made
a
confidant
of
you
,
and
to
you
I
am
not
ashamed
of
saying
what
no
mortal
ear
besides
must
know
.
”
Thus
talked
brother
and
sister
;
it
was
a
pity
that
Laura
knew
all
the
time
that
she
was
lying
.
Those
words
of
her
own
,
“
I
have
never
revealed
it
to
another
human
being
,
”
took
herself
in
,
for
although
they
conveyed
a
great
deal
,
they
affirmed
nothing
.
Elinor
was
perplexed
beyond
measure
what
to
do
about
her
next
day’s
engagement
.
The
utmost
she
wished
was
to
tell
Leslie
that
she
could
meet
him
no
more
;
but
she
knew
not
by
what
means
to
effect
this
.
Laura
would
not
let
her
go
beyond
her
sight
.
The
room
,
which
she
had
declared
herself
so
anxious
should
be
common
between
them
,
was
for
the
first
time
opened
to
Elinor
;
she
took
a
pretext
of
some
fine
lace
,
which
was
in
bad
condition
,
and
which
Elinor
,
profiting
by
a
convent
accomplishment
,
had
once
offered
to
put
in
order
.
She
had
then
told
how
a
certain
veil
had
been
wanted
for
an
image
of
the
Virgin
,
in
a
procession
,
and
how
it
had
been
trusted
to
her
to
put
to
rights
,
when
some
others
had
refused
through
fear
of
its
tenderness
.
She
had
spread
it
on
a
thick
bed
of
cambric
,
and
then
,
by
patient
immersions
in
certain
prepared
waters
,
had
removed
every
trace
of
dirt
and
stain
,
without
the
least
violence
to
the
frail
fabric
,
so
that
when
the
image
appeared
in
it
next
day
,
inquiries
had
been
made
who
could
so
successfully
have
renovated
the
delicate
fabric
.
This
had
been
a
tale
of
the
early
days
of
her
arrival
,
and
she
was
surprised
to‐day
at
Laura’s
recollection
of
it
,
and
not
best
pleased
that
the
occupation
should
have
been
given
her
just
this
morning
.
Then
followed
a
drive
in
which
Elinor
was
included
,
the
object
of
which
was
to
meet
a
young
relation
of
the
Chansons
,
Sir
Peter
Bicester
,
who
had
just
got
orders
to
join
his
regiment
in
Ceylon
,
and
was
coming
for
a
farewell
visit
to
Chanson
Wood
.
He
was
a
lively
,
thoughtless
lad
of
eighteen
,
a
great
admirer
of
his
cousin
Laura
,
who
was
six
years
older
than
he
,
and
in
his
intense
attentions
,
during
their
after‐dinner
saunter
in
the
garden
,
Laura
lost
sight
of
Elinor
,
and
Elinor
,
with
the
speed
of
an
Italian
greyhound
,
ran
to
the
waterfall
to
say
one
word
,
and
but
one
,
to
Leslie
.
In
case
of
not
finding
him
,
she
had
provided
herself
with
a
little
note
,
merely
,
“
I
cannot
come
this
evening
.
Mr.
Chanson
forbids
me
to
go
out
.
—
ELINOR
LADYLIFT
.
”
This
she
intended
to
lay
on
the
fallen
tree
,
and
trusted
it
would
be
found
by
Leslie
,
should
she
not
meet
with
him
.
Leslie
had
been
there
early
—
as
early
as
he
thought
it
possible
the
usual
morning
ride
or
drive
of
the
others
would
set
Elinor
at
liberty
—
and
the
longer
she
delayed
,
the
stronger
the
fear
became
that
he
should
not
see
her
,
so
much
the
intenser
grew
his
desire
to
do
so
,
and
the
regard
in
which
he
held
the
object
of
it
.
“
Innocent
and
artless
Elinor
!
”
thought
he
;
“
with
a
whole
heart
to
give
,
a
whole
nature
to
be
made
happy
,
is
there
anything
better
in
life
than
to
make
and
share
your
happiness
?
”
and
then
more
dreamily
his
thoughts
dwelt
upon
images
of
virtuous
felicity
,
upon
the
meanness
of
betraying
such
guileless
confidence
,
and
upon
the
difficulty
which
he
had
not
hitherto
counted
upon
of
converting
her
quiet
feeling
into
one
of
passion
.
It
was
already
quite
dusk
,
when
his
ear
at
last
caught
a
footfall
.
It
was
of
one
running
quickly
;
and
eagerly
springing
to
meet
her
,
he
at
last
beheld
Elinor
,
and
felt
an
almost
unknown
pleasure
in
the
reality
that
she
was
there
.
“
I
am
here
for
one
minute
only
,
”
said
she
.
“
Mr.
Chanson
forbade
me
to
walk
out
in
the
evening
.
I
only
wanted
to
tell
you
not
to
wait
.
”
“
And
why
?
”
said
Leslie
,
holding
fast
her
hand
.
“
He
says
it
is
wrong
.
You
did
not
tell
me
so
,
or
I
would
not
have
done
it
.
”
“
I
know
no
wrong
;
but
you
must
not
go
yet
.
What
!
will
you
not
stay
to
know
what
I
have
been
doing
for
you
?
All
is
settled
now
.
”
“
Oh
!
kind
friend
,
”
said
Elinor
,
receiving
the
little
bundle
of
papers
which
he
had
prepared
so
as
to
look
business‐like
(
taking
care
that
in
fact
they
should
trouble
her
no
more
)
,
“
how
can
I
thank
you
?
I
can
only
say
thank
you
—
thank
you
—
Mr.
Leslie
,
good
—
good
Mr.
Leslie
.
Farewell
!
I
must
not
stay
;
let
me
go
.
”
“
And
it
is
this
moment
I
have
been
waiting
for
all
day
,
”
said
he
.
“
Have
you
,
indeed
?
I
am
very
sorry
to
have
kept
you
so
long
.
How
kind
of
you
not
to
have
gone
away
.
But
I
am
so
glad
you
did
stay
;
I
had
got
a
note
written
for
you
,
but
I
should
have
been
uncertain
whether
you
received
it
.
”
“
A
note
!
”
cried
Leslie
;
“
let
me
have
it
;
”
and
perceiving
it
closed
in
her
hand
,
he
gently
took
that
hand
,
to
draw
the
paper
from
when
a
violent
start
from
Elinor
made
him
,
too
,
start
,
and
looking
where
she
looked
,
he
saw
Laura
standing
but
a
few
yards
from
them
.
She
came
forward
directly
that
she
perceived
she
was
observed
.
“
Elinor
,
”
said
she
,
“
is
it
thus
you
keep
your
promise
?
”
“
I
did
not
promise
,
”
said
Elinor
;
“
besides
,
I
came
only
to
say
that
I
could
not
come
.
”
“
Go
home
,
”
said
Laura
,
in
a
low
,
trembling
voice
.
Leslie
did
not
mean
to
be
scolded
like
a
schoolboy
;
he
approached
Elinor
with
the
open
,
commonplace
air
of
an
acquaintance
,
and
offering
his
hand
,
“
Good
evening
,
then
,
Miss
Ladylift
,
”
said
he
.
“
It
gives
me
great
pleasure
if
I
have
been
useful
to
you
,
and
I
trust
you
will
command
my
services
on
any
future
occasion
.
”
“
Go
home
,
Elinor
,
”
Miss
Chanson
repeated
,
and
Elinor
,
puzzled
,
moved
away
and
disappeared
,
letting
fall
,
as
she
did
so
,
the
little
twisted
note
,
which
by
this
time
she
had
forgotten
.
Laura
,
meantime
,
made
several
efforts
to
speak
,
while
Leslie
politely
waited
,
his
eyes
averted
,
and
only
listening
indifferently
for
anything
she
might
wish
to
say
.
But
he
was
surprised
and
startled
out
of
this
indifference
by
a
sudden
outburst
of
tears
from
Laura
,
who
,
unable
to
withhold
her
emotion
any
longer
,
gave
way
,
and
wept
like
one
most
miserable
.
“
Miss
Chanson
,
”
said
he
,
coming
up
to
her
;
“
alas
!
what
is
the
matter
?
Are
you
ill
?
can
I
do
anything
?
Lean
on
me
,
I
beseech
you
.
”
Laura’s
tears
flowed
only
the
more
profusely
,
and
it
was
in
vain
she
used
her
utmost
effort
to
restrain
the
sobs
which
burst
from
her
breast
.
She
did
,
in
fact
,
put
her
hand
on
his
arm
,
but
she
turned
away
her
head
,
and
avoided
,
as
much
as
she
could
,
any
support
or
assistance
he
would
have
given
her
.
“
Forgive
me
.
I
did
not
know
I
was
so
weak
.
I
am
ashamed
,
like
one
on
the
rack
.
Pain
and
shame
—
pain
and
shame
for
me
who
have
been
so
proud
,
so
sheltered
from
both
!
”
“
What
is
it
you
mean
?
”
cried
Leslie
,
feeling
the
awkwardness
of
his
position
,
yet
not
displeased
at
its
novelty
,
only
quite
resolved
to
commit
himself
in
no
manner
,
and
to
no
thing
.
“
Why
,
or
how
,
can
Miss
Chanson
be
the
subject
of
pain
?
”
“
I
shall
not
be
,
if
I
can
think
I
am
your
sister
,
”
said
she
,
suddenly
.
“
A
sister
prefers
her
brother’s
happiness
to
her
own
—
if
he
is
happy
,
so
is
she
.
I
have
just
learned
what
are
your
feelings
.
I
did
not
always
know
them
,
but
I
do
now
...
...
”
Her
voice
broke
off
,
and
though
she
tried
to
go
on
she
could
not
.
“
What
do
you
know
?
”
said
Leslie
,
not
at
all
choosing
that
Laura
should
force
herself
on
him
as
a
confidant
,
nor
be
able
to
say
that
he
was
the
lover
of
Elinor
.
“
I
have
nothing
to
discover
,
beyond
a
casual
circumstance
in
which
I
have
been
of
some
slight
use
to
your
friend
,
but
if
it
is
true
I
am
to
hope
for
the
kindness
of
a
sister
here
”
—
and
he
tried
to
take
her
hand
,
which
she
very
hastily
snatched
away
—
“
my
happiness
would
be
great
in
proportion
to
my
want
since
infancy
,
of
every
kindly
home
tie
.
”
Laura
raised
her
large
,
fine
eyes
to
his
,
with
a
look
interpreted
by
him
to
mean
,
“
Is
that
indeed
all
you
can
feel
?
”
and
then
suddenly
put
out
her
hand
,
which
he
took
,
and
felt
that
it
trembled
.
“
Be
it
so
!
yes
,
”
said
Laura
,
“
and
now
believe
that
I
will
promote
your
wishes
in
any
way
you
will
direct
me
.
I
have
no
self
any
longer
.
”
“
How
can
I
thank
you
,
”
said
Leslie
;
“
but
do
not
mistake
me
—
I
want
no
service
from
any
one
.
I
have
no
wishes
,
unless
,
indeed
,
I
might
entertain
that
of
again
enjoying
the
pleasure
of
such
society
as
made
my
life
happy
under
your
roof
.
”
Laura
sighed
deeply
,
and
shook
her
head
.
“
Ah
,
yes
!
you
use
such
words
very
lightly
.
Well
,
be
it
so
;
come
to
us
again
,
Mr.
Leslie
,
and
if
...
...
am
I
not
your
sister
?
”
she
concluded
,
at
last
,
in
an
eager
,
abrupt
voice
.
“
I
feel
,
”
said
Leslie
—
not
knowing
what
to
say
he
felt
—
“
I
,
the
most
unworthy
...
...
”
“
I’ll
explain
that
I
met
you
,
”
said
Laura
,
breaking
off
what
he
was
saying
very
impatiently
;
“
you
will
be
very
welcome
to
my
brother
—
my
real
brother
,
”
she
added
,
forcing
a
smile
to
her
pale
lips
.
“
To‐morrow
,
then
,
”
and
she
moved
away
;
but
in
all
her
violence
of
emotion
,
she
had
recollected
the
little
twisted
note
,
and
had
stooped
and
secured
it
,
without
attracting
Leslie’s
attention
to
it
.
“
What
is
all
this
?
”
thought
Leslie
,
looking
after
her
as
she
hastily
disappeared
.
“
I
am
to
understand
that
she
thought
me
her
lover
!
and
not
only
forgiven
,
but
taken
for
a
brother
.
Brother
,
indeed
!
There’s
something
generous
about
her
—
romantic
enough
.
But
how
unlike
Elinor
—
that
inquiring
,
innocent
look
,
those
confiding
eyes
!
Why
should
this
Laura
want
me
to
see
more
of
her
?
Can
it
be
real
generosity
?
But
I
will
have
nobody
force
upon
me
the
character
of
a
lover
.
I
am
free
!
”
CHAPTER
VI
.
LAURA
had
now
entered
on
a
desperate
game
,
which
she
resolved
at
every
hazard
should
end
in
making
her
the
wife
of
Leslie
.
Right
is
so
much
the
essential
point
in
our
actions
,
that
scarce
any
villany
is
deliberately
done
without
justifying
it
to
ourselves
;
and
so
Laura
,
when
not
abandoned
to
passion
,
found
good
reasons
in
the
advantages
to
Leslie
,
and
in
her
own
superior
powers
of
making
him
happy
,
to
carry
her
along
the
path
from
which
she
could
not
think
of
turning
.
Every
instrument
must
be
laid
hold
of
;
she
had
already
made
her
brother
an
unconscious
volunteer
,
and
she
next
prepared
her
cousin
to
assist
in
the
cause
.
The
same
fiction
which
had
served
with
Mr.
Chanson
she
made
use
of
to
Sir
Peter
.
His
flame
for
Laura
was
not
such
as
to
make
him
stand
in
the
way
of
any
serious
matrimonial
project
;
on
the
contrary
,
he
would
have
been
proud
to
see
her
chosen
by
some
cavalier
of
high
merit
,
an
alliance
with
whom
would
have
made
everything
splendid
and
jovial
,
and
creditable
to
his
own
admiration
.
That
his
cousin
Laura
should
be
neglected
,
or
laid
aside
for
another
,
was
as
impossible
as
it
would
be
humiliating
;
and
Laura
,
who
had
a
good
insight
into
motives
and
character
,
availed
herself
of
this
feeling
.
She
had
only
to
sigh
a
little
,
and
cast
her
eyes
once
or
twice
to
the
ceiling
,
before
Sir
Peter
inquired
whether
anything
on
earth
,
that
he
could
affect
,
had
vexed
his
darling
Laura
;
and
then
,
with
a
graceful
show
of
candour
,
and
of
that
confidence
which
a
woman
may
show
to
a
boy
,
but
a
boy
already
worth
trusting
,
did
Laura
partly
hint
,
and
partly
tell
the
same
lie
she
had
told
her
brother
,
and
which
she
was
beginning
to
believe
herself
.
Sir
Peter’s
indignation
was
boundless
—
his
desire
to
approve
himself
her
true
knight
zealous
—
he
would
fight
Leslie
to‐day
if
she
pleased
.
Laura
had
only
to
temper
his
ardour
,
and
to
insinuate
that
at
the
,
point
matters
were
arrived
at
between
herself
and
Leslie
,
anything
which
injured
him
,
or
drove
him
into
a
shyness
of
the
family
,
would
be
fatal
to
her
interests
.
No
,
the
only
thing
Sir
Peter
could
do
,
was
to
occupy
Elinor’s
attention
.
a
little
,
keep
her
from
such
“
open
flirtation
”
with
Leslie
.
“
There
is
no
harm
in
that
,
is
there
Pet
—
is
there
Peter
?
”
“
I
should
think
not
,
indeed
—
little
coquette
that
she
is
—
and
fool
that
he
is
,
not
to
see
through
such
feminine
arts
.
She
a
nun
,
indeed
!
”
Accordingly
,
the
day
when
Leslie
thought
proper
to
accept
the
invitation
forwarded
by
Mr.
Chanson
,
upon
hearing
from
his
sister
that
she
had
accidentally
met
him
,
Sir
Peter
went
up
to
Elinor
the
moment
she
came
into
the
drawing‐room
,
and
forced
her
into
talk
,
which
he
continued
as
he
took
her
into
dinner
,
and
sat
himself
down
beside
her
.
Leslie
had
given
his
arm
to
Laura
,
as
mistress
of
the
house
,
and
had
quite
determined
to
pay
no
attention
to
Elinor
,
such
as
could
justify
Laura
in
“
talking
secrets
”
with
him
;
but
he
was
not
prepared
to
see
Elinor
an
object
of
attention
to
another
;
and
apparently
well
pleased
to
be
so
.
And
so
,
in
fact
,
she
was
,
for
her
whole
being
was
at
ease
now
that
Leslie
was
returned
,
and
she
had
leisure
to
listen
to
her
companion
,
who
was
as
young
as
herself
,
and
very
gay
and
droll
,
and
made
her
laugh
,
as
girls
will
at
nonsense
.
Leslie
had
habits
of
perfect
self‐control
,
though
he
was
so
young
,
and
he
forced
himself
to
be
at
ease
so
successfully
,
that
Laura
could
not
determine
in
her
own
mind
whether
he
observed
what
was
going
on
or
not
.
Careless
as
he
seemed
,
however
,
he
was
watching
them
,
and
a
jealous
pang
shot
through
Leslie’s
heart
,
as
to
whether
it
was
possible
that
this
young
soldier
should
ever
have
indeed
had
an
opportunity
of
seeing
Elinor
as
he
had
done
in
that
deep
wood
,
by
that
fair
fall
of
waters
;
and
though
his
consciousness
said
no
,
still
the
question
made
him
watch
uneasily
the
progress
of
their
intercourse
.
After
dinner
,
Sir
Peter
,
intent
on
the
interests
of
his
cousin
,
still
kept
up
the
attempt
to
monopolise
Elinor
.
He
had
provided
for
so
doing
by
engaging
her
beforehand
to
sing
a
particular
song
for
him
,
which
,
by
a
great
effort
of
his
memory
;
he
had
succeeded
in
remembering
to
have
heard
from
her
the
evening
of
his
arrival
,
and
when
the
party
was
settling
to
the
employments
of
the
evening
,
he
followed
Laura
to
the
piano‐forte
,
near
which
Elinor
was
working
,
and
while
Laura
played
,
began
to
request
the
execution
of
the
promise
he
had
obtained
.
“
If
you
like
,
”
said
Elinor
,
“
by
and
by
;
but
will
you
be
so
kind
as
to
let
me
sing
later
?
Miss
Chanson
wishes
those
ladies
to
sing
,
she
told
me
.
”
Sir
Peter
could
not
but
comply
with
this
modest
request
,
so
unlike
the
answer
of
young
ladies
more
in
the
world
,
and
moved
away
,
while
Leslie
abruptly
took
his
place
,
sitting
down
beside
her
,
and
assuming
that
he
had
that
right
to
her
attention
which
a
secret
between
them
brought
with
it
.
“
You
are
happy
now
,
are
you
not
?
”
said
he
;
“
there
are
no
more
such
tears
as
you
say
you
shed
over
that
little
bundle
of
papers
?
”
Elinor
looked
up
,
frightened
lest
any
one
should
hear
.
“
No
one
is
listening
to
us
,
”
said
Leslie
,
“
no
one
can
tell
what
we
are
saying
;
the
insufferable
drumming
of
the
piano‐forte
prevents
the
human
voice
from
being
heard
.
”
“
Drumming
!
”
said
Elinor
,
with
a
sudden
smile
of
surprise
;
“
nay
,
is
it
not
very
good
playing
?
”
“
Do
you
like
it
?
”
said
Leslie
,
suddenly
.
“
Oh
,
yes
!
it
is
very
good
indeed
.
”
“
Do
you
like
it
?
”
repeated
Leslie
,
smiling
also
,
but
urging
his
question
.
“
I
think
so
,
”
said
Elinor
;
“
one
ought
to
like
what
other
people
are
so
kind
as
to
do
,
and
it
is
very
difficult
music
.
”
“
Still
you
do
not
answer
.
Do
you
like
that
loud
,
hard
drumming
?
”
“
When
you
say
loud
and
hard
,
”
said
Elinor
,
“
you
teach
me
what
to
say
.
Nobody
likes
what
they
can
call
loud
,
hard
drumming
.
”
“
I
prejudice
you
!
That
is
very
true
,
”
said
Leslie
.
“
So
we
will
leave
off
talking
about
it
,
and
I
will
entreat
you
,
the
moment
it
is
over
,
to
replace
it
,
by
singing
the
Spirit
Song
.
Do
you
remember
,
you
studied
it
for
me
?
”
“
Yes
;
and
since
you
have
been
away
I
have
studied
it
more
,
and
can
sing
it
better
,
”
said
Elinor
.
“
Who
would
do
that
for
me
,
except
yourself
?
”
said
Leslie
.
“
Nobody
cares
where
I
go
,
or
what
I
like
,
or
when
I
shall
be
back
,
or
whether
I
die
on
the
road
,
or
live
.
”
“
I
do
,
”
said
Elinor
;
“
and
people
who
know
you
better
must
care
more
than
I
.
”
“
If
you
say
so
,
never
mind
the
rest
of
the
world
,
”
said
Leslie
;
“
and
now
the
piano‐forte
is
at
rest
.
Come
,
dear
Miss
Ladylift
,
let
me
hear
my
song
.
”
Elinor
rose
,
but
hung
back
,
while
Leslie
obtained
Laura’s
permission
.
Laura
assented
.
“
Nay
,
why
do
you
ask
me
?
I
am
always
delighted
when
Elinor
can
be
persuaded
to
let
us
hear
that
lovely
voice
.
I
merely
played
a
little
air
to
bring
people
round
the
piano‐forte
.
”
And
while
she
spoke
,
she
looked
round
for
her
cousin
,
and
summoned
him
by
a
glance
,
which
he
well
understood
,
and
rushed
to
the
rescue
,
seeing
which
,
Laura
moved
away
,
and
left
the
coming
skirmish
to
do
what
mischief
it
would
.
“
I
am
so
glad
to
see
you
ready
to
sing
,
”
said
Sir
Peter
;
“
I
was
afraid
I
should
have
to
wait
long
for
Adeste
.
”
“
Miss
Ladylift
is
going
to
have
the
kindness
to
sing
a
song
which
I
have
begged
for
,
”
said
Leslie
,
stiffly
.
“
But
mine
first
,
I
hope
;
you
promised
me
first
,
”
said
Sir
Peter
,
in
the
blandest
tone
.
“
I
think
you
had
the
goodness
to
get
up
on
purpose
to
oblige
me
,
”
said
Leslie
,
“
did
not
you
?
”
“
Yes
,
”
said
Elinor
,
frightened
,
and
looking
round
for
Laura
.
“
Then
let
me
find
it
;
here’s
the
book
I
know
—
yes
,
here
is
the
song
.
”
“
Ah
!
that’s
not
fair
,
”
said
Sir
Peter
,
“
you
don’t
forget
how
very
kindly
you
granted
my
petition
,
and
I
have
been
depending
upon
you
.
”
“
I
did
promise
him
,
”
said
Elinor
,
looking
at
Leslie
humbly
and
appealingly
.
“
Did
you
,
”
said
Leslie
,
very
coldly
;
“
nay
,
don’t
allow
me
to
interfere
with
your
arrangements
.
”
“
I
can’t
be
so
indifferent
,
”
said
Sir
Peter
;
“
mine
,
mine
first
;
Mr.
Leslie
,
you
see
,
says
it
does
not
matter
.
”
“
Allow
Miss
Ladylift
to
determine
that
point
,
”
said
Leslie
.
“
May
I
?
”
said
Elinor
,
joyfully
,
thinking
if
she
might
settle
it
,
the
difficulty
was
over
;
“
then
let
me
sing
first
Adeste
,
and
yours
afterwards
,
Mr.
Leslie
.
”
Leslie
made
no
answer
,
except
a
bow
,
and
stepping
backward
,
withdrew
from
the
circle
round
the
piano‐forte
;
nor
returned
to
claim
the
song
which
Elinor
,
when
she
had
got
through
Sir
Peter’s
,
at
once
looked
round
for
him
to
hear
.
Her
sham
admirer
did
all
in
his
power
to
take
her
attention
from
the
real
one
,
but
Elinor
could
by
no
means
regain
the
composure
Leslie’s
displeasure
had
taken
from
her
,
and
she
sought
with
her
timid
eyes
,
all
the
evening
,
the
opportunity
of
obtaining
reconciliation
,
which
he
steadily
withheld
.
Thus
ended
the
first
day
of
the
visit
,
to
which
she
had
looked
forward
as
the
time
of
such
happiness
.
Laura
next
morning
took
her
to
task
.
“
What
makes
you
walk
about
with
such
a
mournful
air
?
”
said
she
;
“
you
look
like
a
naughty
child
who
wants
to
kiss
and
make
it
up
.
What
ails
you
?
”
“
I
am
not
a
child
,
”
said
Elinor
,
in
her
sweet
,
humble
voice
;
“
but
I
am
what
you
please
to
call
naughty
...
...
”
“
And
want
to
kiss
?
”
said
Laura
,
scornfully
.
“
No
,
”
said
Elinor
,
hurt
at
being
turned
into
ridicule
,
and
at
receiving
reproof
in
a
spirit
that
did
not
deserve
that
treatment
.
“
What
then
,
”
said
Laura
,
“
and
who
is
it
you
have
offended
?
”
“
I
am
afraid
I
have
offended
Mr.
Leslie
.
”
“
Is
it
possible
you
think
enough
of
a
man
of
his
age
,
indeed
any
age
,
to
trouble
yourself
about
offending
him
or
not
?
”
said
Laura
.
“
Why
should
not
I
?
”
said
Elinor
,
aghast
.
“
Because
,
”
answered
Laura
,
breaking
out
;
“
it
is
the
most
absurd
thing
for
a
girl
with
any
proper
spirit
,
I
ever
heard
of
in
my
life
.
”
“
But
I
have
no
proper
spirit
,
”
said
Elinor
,
who
felt
that
if
Leslie
would
forgive
her
,
she
would
beg
pardon
from
him
with
all
her
heart
.
“
You
don’t
know
even
what
it
is
,
”
said
Laura
;
“
upon
my
word
,
your
conduct
is
perfectly
indelicate
.
You
might
almost
as
well
go
and
ask
him
if
he
will
be
kind
enough
to
accept
you
for
his
wife
.
”
“
His
wife
!
”
cried
Elinor
,
quickly
;
“
what
has
that
to
do
with
being
sorry
to
have
displeased
him
?
Wife
!
what
can
you
mean
?
”
“
Nonsense
!
I
do
hate
affected
innocence
,
and
all
that
stuff
,
merely
to
impose
upon
a
man
.
Heaven
knows
they
are
open
enough
to
flattery
;
but
,
really
you
must
allow
me
to
say
,
that
you
persecute
Mr.
Leslie
,
with
yours
.
You
follow
him
about
,
and
look
at
him
,
and
invite
him
to
your
side
,
and
force
him
,
really
force
him
to
pay
you
attentions
,
which
he
probably
would
willingly
he
paying
elsewhere
,
only
he
can’t
get
rid
of
you
.
”
“
Oh
!
indeed
,
indeed
,
you
mistake
!
”
said
Elinor
,
almost
amazed
to
death
;
“
he
can
get
rid
of
me
any
moment
.
Think
how
he
went
away
yesterday
evening
,
and
would
not
even
say
good
night
,
and
indeed
I
am
afraid
to
seem
to
be
intrusive
,
and
I
never
do
put
myself
in
his
way
,
or
do
anything
to
speak
to
him
,
unless
it
comes
naturally
from
him
.
”
“
You
mean
,
in
short
,
”
said
Laura
,
most
disdainfully
,
“
that
his
constant
attendance
proceeds
solely
from
his
own
wish
for
your
society
.
”
“
Yes
,
I
suppose
so
,
”
said
Elinor
,
bewildered
;
“
I
don’t
know
any
other
reason
.
”
“
Really
,
you
are
a
perfect
simpleton
,
or
choose
to
seem
so
,
”
said
Laura
.
“
I
dare
say
he
is
sorry
for
me
,
”
said
Elinor
,
seeking
excuses
for
Leslie’s
kindness
.
“
I
am
away
from
all
my
friends
,
and
he
is
very
,
very
kind
in
giving
me
advice
.
”
“
And
what
right
have
you
to
ask
him
,
rather
than
me
,
”
said
Laura
;
“
most
women
like
to
consult
women
,
rather
than
young
men
,
and
most
people
will
judge
those
who
do
otherwise
,
to
be
as
forward
and
as
bold
,
as
I
must
say
,
Elinor
,
you
seem
to
me
.
”
“
Am
I
bold
?
”
said
Elinor
,
sadly
,
feeling
so
fearful
,
and
so
shy
,
that
she
could
not
comprehend
the
reproach
,
and
as
Laura
was
habitually
out
of
temper
with
her
,
taking
it
as
an
instance
of
what
she
must
meekly
bear
from
her
hostess
,
rather
than
as
a
true
accusation
against
herself
.
It
influenced
her
conduct
however
,
towards
Leslie
,
for
under
Laura’s
eye
she
could
not
act
with
the
total
unconsciousness
of
her
behaviour
hitherto
;
she
was
obliged
to
act
by
rule
,
for
she
had
no
feeling
of
having
transgressed
a
woman’s
duty
,
and
therefore
no
impulse
to
direct
her
.
There
was
,
however
,
always
such
quiet
maidenliness
about
her
,
that
it
was
only
by
a
shade
that
she
was
altered
,
and
Leslie
being
on
his
high
horse
,
did
not
so
much
as
perceive
it
,
but
thought
all
the
reserve
,
and
all
the
withdrawal
of
friendliness
was
on
his
own
side
.
Sir
Peter
learned
through
Laura
,
that
his
plot
had
succeeded
,
and
took
a
boyish
delight
in
the
mischief
made
,
over
which
he
laughed
with
his
cousin
,
as
two
children
do
over
a
ringdove
in
a
string
,
which
they
are
tormenting
;
but
Elinor
,
if
she
did
not
offer
apologies
to
her
kind
friend
Leslie
,
had
no
spirit
or
inclination
to
laugh
or
talk
with
Sir
Peter
,
and
was
almost
as
silent
to
him
as
she
had
been
to
Leslie
,
the
first
time
he
sat
by
her
at
breakfast
.
In
this
mood
,
the
amusements
of
the
day
were
arranged
.
Men
have
a
way
of
employing
themselves
at
amusements
,
which
causes
their
feelings
to
become
secondary
to
their
sports
,
and
thus
Leslie
,
angry
,
even
anxious
as
he
was
,
yet
took
it
as
a
matter
of
course
that
he
should
join
heart
and
soul
in
the
pastime
suggested
by
Sir
Peter
,
and
accepted
by
the
Squire
.
This
was
a
drag
,
which
an
adept
sportsman
was
quickly
sent
forward
to
lead
over
the
country
,
choosing
puzzling
places
,
and
paths
difficult
to
follow
,
in
order
to
try
the
power
of
some
young
blood
hounds
belonging
to
Mr.
Chanson
.
The
most
perplexing
pass
thus
selected
,
was
a
profound
gap
in
the
country
,
at
the
bottom
of
which
ran
the
brook
which
formed
the
waterfall
in
the
wood
;
and
the
rocky
sides
of
which
fringed
with
trees
and
bushes
,
rose
very
far
above
the
bed
of
the
stream
.
On
one
side
of
this
,
Laura
promised
to
take
her
station
,
and
Elinor
was
to
accompany
her
in
order
to
witness
the
achievements
of
the
hounds
in
these
difficult
circumstances
.
There
is
no
faster
running
than
a
drag
,
and
luckily
for
the
sportsmen
,
the
day
was
a
cool
one
,
of
the
now
declining
autumn
,
and
the
slight
frost
made
the
scent
puzzling
enough
to
try
the
acumen
of
the
eager
hounds
.
They
had
a
long
circuit
to
make
before
they
should
reach
the
final
point
where
the
ladies
were
to
await
them
,
and
these
latter
had
arrived
at
the
rendezvous
some
time
before
any
sound
of
the
chase
broke
upon
the
amber
stillness
of
the
autumn
scene
.
They
sat
down
together
on
the
stump
of
a
tree
,
Laura
holding
a
book
,
and
Elinor
producing
from
the
pocket
of
her
black
apron
a
bit
of
curiously
fine
cambric
,
on
which
she
was
working
a
cobweb
pattern
,
the
whole
of
which
could
have
been
rolled
into
a
walnut
shell
.
They
were
quite
silent
.
Elinor
was
afraid
of
Laura
,
and
her
spirits
froze
under
the
unsympathetic
influence
.
To‐day
,
especially
she
was
shut
into
herself
,
and
she
mechanically
pursued
the
occupation
before
her
,
so
far
pleased
that
Laura
did
not
disturb
her
in
it
.
At
length
the
cheerfulest
of
sounds
broke
the
silence
,
the
distant
tongue
of
hounds
,
rising
and
falling
,
bursting
out
and
subsiding
.
It
was
a
natural
piano
and
forte
exactly
suiting
woods
and
dingles
,
and
inspiring
the
ear
,
which
heard
them
for
the
first
time
,
with
the
delight
of
an
unexplored
pleasure
.
Elinor
,
finely
strung
to
sounds
,
took
in
these
with
a
curiosity
and
enjoyment
which
made
her
fingers
stay
on
her
work
,
and
her
heart
send
a
flush
of
blood
into
her
changeful
cheeks
.
“
Are
they
coming
?
”
she
said
,
at
last
,
half
rising
,
and
looking
at
her
companion
.
“
It
seems
so
,
”
said
Laura
,
coldly
,
rising
also
;
“
I
suppose
you
can
hear
the
hounds
?
”
“
Yes
,
and
now
they
are
nearer
;
they
seem
going
away
again
;
there
!
do
listen
,
there’s
an
echo
.
”
“
Everybody
knows
that
,
”
said
Laura
.
She
walked
forward
,
and
Elinor
by
her
side
,
they
approached
very
nearly
the
rocky
gap
worn
by
the
water
;
they
could
hear
the
boom
of
the
waterfall
far
below
and
the
unaccountable
changefulness
in
the
intensity
of
its
sound
which
running
water
gives
out
.
It
was
a
wide
gap
,
and
presently
the
bay
of
the
hounds
increasing
,
they
saw
white
spots
glancing
among
the
underwood
,
then
the
whole
shape
and
colour
of
the
hounds
,
full
of
the
tension
of
the
pursuit
,
and
puzzling
out
their
way
to
the
brink
of
the
chasm
.
Here
the
foremost
threw
up
his
head
,
and
changed
his
note
to
one
of
distress
;
others
came
up
,
scented
the
prey
to
the
very
edge
,
and
then
ceasing
their
cry
of
pursuit
,
seemed
measuring
the
leap
,
and
with
distracted
anxiety
ran
to
and
fro
,
tempting
themselves
to
pass
it
.
At
this
moment
a
horseman
arrived
;
he
alighted
,
and
cheered
the
hounds
to
persevere
.
It
was
Mr.
Chanson
himself
;
he
knew
the
secret
pass
intended
for
them
,
but
would
only
act
like
magical
music
,
applauding
their
better
guesses
,
but
not
explaining
wherein
the
achievement
lay
.
They
were
maddened
to
accomplish
it
,
by
his
voice
,
and
at
last
the
hound
which
first
came
up
put
himself
over
the
edge
,
where
there
seemed
no
hold
,
and
whimpering
at
what
he
was
about
to
venture
,
passed
down
the
rock
a
little
way
,
seemed
to
find
a
point
where
the
leap
was
possible
,
and
presently
breaking
out
into
music
again
,
was
seen
emerging
almost
perpendicularly
on
the
other
side
of
the
chasm
,
and
away
in
full
cry
on
the
opposite
bank
.
Once
taught
the
way
,
the
others
followed
,
and
Mr.
Chanson
as
soon
as
he
saw
they
were
over
,
turned
his
horse
up
the
stream
,
and
gallopped
away
to
a
further
point
where
was
a
bridge
.
He
met
Sir
Peter
as
he
went
,
and
turned
him
on
the
same
path
as
himself
;
a
minute
afterwards
the
third
horseman
came
up
,
Leslie
,
making
straight
to
the
chasm
.
His
horse
and
he
had
been
down
,
as
appeared
by
the
mud
they
were
covered
with
,
and
to
make
up
for
the
time
they
had
lost
,
were
going
their
best
pace
on
the
track
the
rider
judged
by
the
sound
,
would
bring
him
straight
to
the
hounds
.
As
he
neared
the
chasm
,
he
caught
a
glance
of
the
horsemen
who
were
now
on
the
other
side
;
he
checked
the
speed
of
his
horse
a
little
,
encouraged
him
by
his
voice
and
hand
,
and
then
rode
steadily
towards
the
leap
.
Laura
,
aware
of
the
danger
,
cried
to
him
to
turn
up
the
stream
,
but
though
he
saw
the
difficulty
,
and
though
he
had
no
wish
to
be
killed
,
he
was
at
the
age
,
when
it
seems
a
matter
of
course
not
to
be
killed
,
and
not
to
fail
;
and
disregarding
her
entreaties
,
put
his
horse
at
the
leap
,
and
got
safe
over
.
Laura
as
pale
as
a
corpse
,
shrieked
loudly
as
he
leaped
.
Elinor
,
quite
ignorant
there
was
any
peril
,
was
excited
by
the
stirring
sight
,
so
that
she
clapped
her
hands
,
laughed
,
and
leaped
with
delight
.
Leslie
saw
them
both
,
and
when
the
impetus
following
the
leap
slackened
,
he
stopped
his
horse
,
and
giving
up
the
pursuit
turned
him
,
and
dismounted
beside
the
ladies
.
“
They
have
run
into
it
now
,
”
said
he
;
“
I
may
as
well
stop
at
once
.
”
Laura
had
been
so
thoroughly
frightened
,
that
she
did
not
instantly
recover
.
She
remonstrated
with
him
on
the
rashness
with
genuine
emotion
,
which
he
easily
distinguished
from
any
affected
nervous‐
ness
,
and
