登陆注册
5409500000020

第20章

To some few of the company it appeared rather a bold undertaking,considering the time of year,and that it had rained every day for the last fortnight;-and Mrs Dashwood,who had already a cold,was persuaded by Elinor to stay at home.

Chapter 13

Their intended excursion to Whitwell turned out very differently from what Elinor had expected.She was prepared to be wet through,fatigued,and frightened;but the event was still more unfortunate,for they did not go at all.

By ten o'clock the whole party was assembled at the Park,where they were to breakfast.The morning was rather favourable,though it had rained all night,as the clouds were then dispersing across the sky,and the sun frequently appeared.They were all in high spirits and good humour,eager to be happy,and determined to submit to the greatest inconveniences and hardships rather than be otherwise.

While they were at breakfast,the letters were brought in.Among the rest there was one for Colonel Brandon;-he took it,looked at the direction,changed colour,and immediately left the room.

‘What is the matter with Brandon?’said Sir John.

Nobody could tell.

‘I hope he has had no bad news,’said Lady Middleton.‘It must be something extraordinary that could make Colonel Brandon leave my breakfast-table so suddenly.’

In about five minutes he returned.

‘No bad news,Colonel,I hope?’said Mrs Jennings,as soon as he entered the room.

‘None at all,ma'am,I thank you.’

‘Was it from Avignon?I hope it is not to say that your sister is worse?’

‘No,ma'am.It came from town,and is merely a letter of business.’

‘But how came the hand to discompose you so much,if it was only a letter of business?Come,come,this won't do,Colonel;so let us hear the truth of it.’

‘My dear madam,’said Lady Middleton,‘recollect what you are saying.’

‘Perhaps it is to tell you that your cousin Fanny is married?’said Mrs Jennings,without attending to her daughter's reproof.

‘No,indeed,it is not.’

‘Well,then,I know who it is from,Colonel.And I hope she is well.’

‘Whom do you mean,ma'am?’said he,colouring a little.

‘Oh!you know who I mean.’

‘I am particularly sorry,ma'am,’said he,addressing Lady Middleton,‘that I should receive this letter today,for it is on business which requires my immediate attendance in town.’

‘In town!’cried Mrs Jennings.‘What can you have to do in town at this time of year?’

‘My own loss is great,’he continued,‘in being obliged to leave so agreeable a party;but I am the more concerned,as I fear my presence is necessary to gain your admittance at Whitwell.’

What a blow upon them all was this!

‘But if you write a note to the housekeeper,Mr Brandon,’said Marianne,eagerly,‘will it not be sufficient?’

He shook his head.

‘We must go,’said Sir John.‘It shall not be put off when we are so near it.You cannot go to town till tomorrow,Brandon,that is all.’

‘I wish it could be so easily settled.But it is not in my power to delay my journey for one day!’

‘If you would but let us know what your business is,’said Mrs Jennings,‘we might see whether it could be put off or not.’

‘You would not be six hours later,’said Willoughby,‘if you were to defer your journey till our return.’

‘I cannot afford to lose one hour.’

Elinor then heard Willoughby say in a low voice to Marianne,‘There are some people who cannot bear a party of pleasure.Brandon is one of them.He was afraid of catching cold,I dare say,and invented this trick for getting out of it.I would lay fifty guineas the letter was of his own writing.’

‘I have no doubt of it,’replied Marianne.

‘There is no persuading you to change your mind,Brandon,I know of old,’said Sir John,‘when once you are determined on anything.But,however,I hope you will think better of it.Consider,here are the two Miss Careys come over from Newton,the three Miss Dashwoods walked up from the cottage,and Mr Willoughby got up two hours before his usual time,on purpose to go to Whitwell.’

Colonel Brandon again repeated his sorrow at being the cause of disappointing the party,but at the same time declared it to be unavoidable.

‘Well then,when will you come back again?’

‘I hope we shall see you at Barton,’added her ladyship,‘as soon as you can conveniently leave town;and we must put off the party to Whitwell till you return.’

‘You are very obliging.But it is so uncertain when I may have it in my power to return,that I dare not engage for it at all.’

‘Oh!he must and shall come back,’cried Sir John.‘If he is not here by the end of the week,I shall go after him.’

‘Aye,so do,Sir John,’cried Mrs Jennings,‘and then perhaps you may find out what his business is.’

‘I do not want to pry into other men's concerns;I suppose it is something he is ashamed of.’

Colonel Brandon's horses were announced.

‘You do not go to town on horseback,do you?’added Sir John.

‘No-Only to Honiton.I shall then go post.’

‘Well,as you are resolved to go,I wish you a good journey.But you had better change your mind.’

‘I assure you it is not in my power.’

He then took leave of the whole party.

‘Is there no chance of my seeing you and your sisters in town this winter,Miss Dashwood?’

‘I am afraid,none at all.’

‘Then I must bid you farewell for a longer time than I should wish to do.’

To Marianne he merely bowed and said nothing.

‘Come,Colonel,’said Mrs Jennings,‘before you go,do let us know what you are going about.’

He wished her a good morning,and,attended by Sir John,left the room.

The complaints and lamentations which politeness had hitherto restrained,now burst forth universally;and they all agreed again and again how provoking it was to be so disappointed.

‘I can guess what his business is,however,’said Mrs Jennings,exultingly.

‘Can you,ma'am?’said almost everybody.

‘Yes;it is about Miss Williams,I am sure.’

‘And who is Miss Williams?’asked Marianne.

同类推荐
  • 1368个单词就够了

    1368个单词就够了

    《1368个单词就够了》这本书是作者王乐平先生历时4年研发,在教学过程中更好的实现了本书思想的实际指导作用。这本书的基础在于:中国人背了多年的单词,学语法,练习听力和口语,参加了多种类型的考试,但由于缺乏语言环境,很多人在真正使用英语的时候,还是出现表达障碍。这个时候,很多人的反应就是背更多的单词!但,这些年你背的那些单词都用上了吗?中国人英语学习的困境在于缺乏英语思维!运用英语思维,1368个单词就够你表达所有你想要表达的内容!这本书里,王乐平老师根据实践教学和经验,逐步的讲解了在1368个单词的拓展,如何运用英语思维,实现无障碍的表达。让你的英语,张口就来!
  • 出国应急英语大全

    出国应急英语大全

    “语言的魅力,不仅在于说得对,更在于说得地道得体。很多的英语爱好者在学习时,总是习惯自己先预定场景,再根据情节进行口语练习。而这个场景因为我们的思维定势常常被中国化,而非英语国家的真实语境。在国外真实的语境中,对话是灵活多变的,所以很多学习者在学了多年英语后,还是无法与老外进行流利沟通,自然就无法在国外畅通无阻,随心所欲地旅行了。
  • 生活英语对答如流

    生活英语对答如流

    本书内容真实鲜活,围绕用餐、住宿、聊天、逛街、学习、理财、娱乐、爱情和情感等9个主题,提炼出生活中比较常见的61个话题,每个话题下又包含互动问答、高频精句、场景会话、金词放送和精彩片段等5个部分,内容丰富生动,旨在使读者开心地学习和使用英语口语。
  • 万用英语表达宝典

    万用英语表达宝典

    无论是去英美国家旅游、工作、学习深造,还是感受英美文化的魅力,掌握最基本的英语口语都是第一需要。这里有英语万用会话黄金句,一定会碰上的近300个高频使用情境,及典型的生活口语!全面的编写内容+丰富的表达方式+易查的会话宝典,既可以满足英语初学者的入门需要,又可以满足那些具有一定基础、需要在较短时间内迅速提高口语水平的学习者的学习要求。让你一书在手,口语无忧。
  • 冬日里的莲花:双语(泰戈尔经典诗选Ⅲ)

    冬日里的莲花:双语(泰戈尔经典诗选Ⅲ)

    《冬日里的莲花:泰戈尔经典诗选3(双语彩绘典藏版)》是双语诗歌系列中的一本,收录了泰戈尔的《采果集》和《流萤集》。诗句有的情感喷薄欲出,有的语言清新意味隽永,有的将抒情和哲思完美结合,给人以无尽美感和启迪。
热门推荐
  • 超级版图:蒙古帝国的鼎盛荣光(下册)

    超级版图:蒙古帝国的鼎盛荣光(下册)

    下册蒙哥上台后继承祖辈事业,发动西征和南侵,兵锋波及整个西亚、大半个欧洲及北非,创建了中国历史上最大的版图,实现了最大的一次民族融合。不过,蒙哥在发动征伐的同时,汗位却受到了来自二弟忽必烈的巨大威胁;同时,他的亲征又遭到了弹丸之地合州钓鱼城长达七个月的阻击。蒙哥能否突破重围,再展雄风?蒙古大帝国的超级版图能否保持完整?
  • 无极狂尊

    无极狂尊

    叶修原本是江湖中赫赫有名的八极门弟子,然而就当他即将成为少门主的前夕,却因师兄嫉妒而惨遭暗杀,而当他再次醒过来时,他发现自己竟然重生在了一个刚刚被打死的同名叶家弟子身上。死而复生,叶修立誓要让八极门成为天玄大陆上最顶尖的门派。然而天玄大陆不同于江湖,这里强者无数,势力遍地,玄兽凶猛,天才云集。因此,叶修重炼八门无极功,重开八门,以八门之力强势崛起,最终成为一代传奇人物。
  • 公司因你而不同

    公司因你而不同

    “公司因你而不同”,是微软和IBM等公司成功的秘诀,也是我们在工作中十分值得提倡的一种职业理念。《公司因你而不同》通过这个理念,帮你激发工作潜能,提升工作价值,实现人企双赢。
  • 纯真如你

    纯真如你

    她是眼神若小鹿,脚踩帆布鞋,懵懂入局的职场新人,怀揣梦想,无知亦无畏。他是局中人、座上宾,在光怪陆离的玻璃大厦里,讥诮地看着每个过路的人。诡计、圈套、陷阱、谎言……从她入职的第一天起,职场上的各种阴谋,在她周围轮番上演。她心计过人,做事巧妙,得他指点,一次次化险为夷,本以为凭借自己的能力,定会在这里争得一席之地,却因一封邮件,她原本拥有的一切,瞬间化为乌有……
  • 那些回不去的年少时光(套装全2册)

    那些回不去的年少时光(套装全2册)

    桐华经典青春怀旧小说、全文修正;全二册完美收藏。总有些时光,要在过去后,才发现它已深深刻在记忆中。20世纪的最后十年,一代人最独一无二的成长记忆,小虎队、上海滩、四大天王,每当提到这些我们都无限感慨,还有那些尘封在日记里的面孔与心事……正因为短暂,青春的散场才会显得如此弥足珍贵,重要的是,我们曾经拥有那疼痛而又快乐的青春。拿起这本书,那些属于年少的记忆瞬间扑面而来,彼时的少年已经长大,属于青春的飞扬和放肆也逐渐离我们而去,胸腔里是一颗已经斑驳的心。心中,却流淌着跨越了时光的温暖,永不消逝。
  • 剩世当歌

    剩世当歌

    人生悲催的事,莫过于写情书给人家,结果被无视。比悲催更悲催的事,莫过于多年后,还要去巴结讨好这个忽视了自己情书的对象。比悲催更悲催更悲催的事,莫过于此时,人家左右逢源,而自己则是大龄剩女一枚......夏言歌,这个悲催的N次方集合体,要怎么在这个被剩下的世界里面,逆转乾坤呢?唯有下策:不主动,不拒绝,不负责,来者不拒,多多益善。脱剩之路,任重而道远,革命尚未成功,同志仍需努力!***流年浅殇,心醉不过你,年少模样。你是谁的梦里少年,凭空撕扯记忆里一片苍凉,让我哀也张狂,泪也芬芳,万劫不复,依然相信地久天长。【四海阁】爱是天时地利的迷信。推荐完结文《莫须轻言誓年华》,新文《推倒炼金术师攻略》
  • 幻之羽废材小姐变逆天

    幻之羽废材小姐变逆天

    what?堂堂21世纪女杀手竟因失恋而穿越,这还算了,结果竟穿越到一废柴身上,而且还毁容了,当她们拿着鞭子气势汹汹来打人时,却被她一招制敌,”贱人,竟然打我!"“老虎不发威你当我是病猫啊!再说了贱人的妹妹不应该是小贱人吗??”她霸气回应。她天不怕地不怕,却怕极了他,当发现她的潜力比他高时,她高兴地一蹦三尺高,心里想着有朝一日必然要把他ko,“小家伙,你是不想活了吗?”极限宠文,每日必看。。(简介内容有些与正文不同,请多包含)
  • 我的狐仙小女友

    我的狐仙小女友

    每个人心里都住着一个林弋川曾经纯白如纸般的美好,都因这个尘世玷污而消失殆尽。。。夏末微凉,被俗世的纸醉金迷人性百态所熏染得骄纵跋扈的陈晔霖遇见来自深山远古净如白纸的小狐仙林弋川,极端的两个人碰撞在一起,谁会因谁而改变?痴恋于不可企及的凡间女神,却忽略了身边的纯美,蓦然回首,是否还能抓住你?在人生的旅途中,我迷失过,终究被你拾回,是你教会我真正的爱,教会我如何爱你。所以,即便我背弃了整个世界,我也不会背叛你,这一生的末端,能回忆,能想念,已足够好了。
  • 万界永恒

    万界永恒

    武恒生活在宗派最底层,受尽欺辱压迫,但其凭借超乎想象的毅力,最终凑齐永恒青铜币,开启永恒洞天,自此风生水起,与各路天骄争锋,踏上武道巅峰。
  • 第一女纨绔

    第一女纨绔

    21新世纪隐宗神医嫡系传人,身怀绝术的她为了救人死而复生,意外重生在体弱多病的白府的嫡长子。什么?她是男人?在身上摸了半天,她拍着平平飞机场吐了一口气,没带把子,幸好!幸好!从此,京城第一纨绔出现,横行霸道,飞扬跋扈,满城鸡犬不宁,人见人怕,鬼见鬼愁!世人皆叹,此子是战神家族之不幸也!某女仰天控诉:装B懂不懂!吃喝玩乐样样精通,你以为姐容易么?佛曰:空即是色,色即是空,万事皆空,施主不必介意!==================战神父亲战死沙场,母亲沉睡昏迷不醒,叔父双膝残废,家族面临破落,年高爷爷苦力支撑,一代忠臣渐渐落难...一枚古玉,女身变男身,调换自由,她第一纨绔如何承担家族昔日辉煌?谁在暗中谋划,谁欲灭白家满门?山雨欲来风满楼,屠尽天下又何妨!红颜一怒溅血三千里,纤纤素手扭转乾坤!片断:“以前是你抢女人,今天让本太子抢你一次!”尊贵不凡的某男轻描淡写地开口!“不合情理,要抢也是由我抢!”气焰嚣张的女子摇着手中的扇子,一副风流倜傥的派头,义气禀然地叫。“我是太子!”某男眸底幽光流转,温柔地提醒她!“有什么了不起,照抢!”嚣张跋扈的人豪迈地拍胸口,一锤定音!“……以后本太子有万里江山……”“抢,抢,我抢!”某女想都没有想,全盘接下!“太好了,以后本太子就可以吃喝玩乐,辛苦太子妃了!”某男终于松了一口气,抹了一把额头上并不存在的虚汗,笑容如狐狸!“靠,你说什么?”被下套的某女呆了几秒钟,回过神来,揪住某太子的衣襟大怒!“太子妃,以后由你管理万里江山,吃喝玩乐是本太子的事!”某男忽然肆意地大笑了起来,眉宇之间风华无限!“休想,本人才是第一纨绔子弟,谁也不许抢!”某女气得跳脚,她怎么老中这只狐狸的计!推恋恋文文:《桃花劫:绝色天医》链接:(此文参加年会,希望亲亲们给予投几票票,谢谢!!)《农家酿酒女》链接:P:本文作者心灵脆弱不堪,为了不影响作者写文心情,谢绝辱骂,如有必删!