‘What!’ he exclaimed – ’Improve this dear cottage! No. THAT I will never consent to. Not a stone must be added to its walls, not an inch to its size, if my feelings are regarded.’
‘Do not be alarmed,’ said Miss Dashwood, ‘nothing of the kind will be done; for my mother will never have money enough to attempt it.’
‘I am heartily glad of it,’ he cried. ‘May she always be poor, if she can employ her riches no better.’
‘Thank you, Willoughby. But you may be assured that I would not sacrifice one sentiment of local attachment of yours, or of any one whom I loved, for all the improvements in the world. Depend upon it that whatever unemployed sum may remain, when I make up my accounts in the spring, I would even rather lay it uselessly by than dispose of it in a manner so painful to you. But are you really so attached to this place as to see no defect in it?’
‘I am,’ said he. ‘To me it is faultless. Nay, more, I consider it as the only form of building in which happiness is attainable, and were I rich enough I would instantly pull Combe down, and build it up again in the exact plan of this cottage.’
‘With dark narrow stairs and a kitchen that smokes, I suppose,’ said Elinor.
‘Yes,’ cried he in the same eager tone, ‘with all and every thing belonging to it; – in no one convenience or INconvenience about it, should the least variation be perceptible. Then, and then only, under such a roof, I might perhaps be as happy at Combe as I have been at Barton.’
‘I flatter myself,’ replied Elinor, ‘that even under the disadvantage of better rooms and a broader staircase, you will hereafter find your own house as faultless as you now do this.’
‘There certainly are circumstances,’ said Willoughby, ‘which might greatly endear it to me; but this place will always have one claim of my affection, which no other can possibly share.’
Mrs. Dashwood looked with pleasure at Marianne, whose fine eyes were fixed so expressively on Willoughby, as plainly denoted how well she understood him.
‘How often did I wish,’ added he, ‘when I was at Allenham this time twelvemonth, that Barton cottage were inhabited! I never passed within view of it without admiring its situation, and grieving that no one should live in it. How little did I then think that the very first news I should hear from Mrs. Smith, when I next came into the country, would be that Barton cottage was taken: and I felt an immediate satisfaction and interest in the event, which nothing but a kind of prescience of what happiness I should experience from it, can account for. Must it not have been so, Marianne?’ speaking to her in a lowered voice. Then continuing his former tone, he said, ‘And yet this house you would spoil, Mrs. Dashwood? You would rob it of its simplicity by imaginary improvement! and this dear parlour in which our acquaintance first began, and in which so many happy hours have been since spent by us together, you would degrade to the condition of a common entrance, and every body would be eager to pass through the room which has hitherto contained within itself more real accommodation and comfort than any other apartment of the handsomest dimensions in the world could possibly afford.’
Mrs. Dashwood again assured him that no alteration of the kind should be attempted.
‘You are a good woman,’ he warmly replied. ‘Your promise makes me easy. Extend it a little farther, and it will make me happy. Tell me that not only your house will remain the same, but that I shall ever find you and yours as unchanged as your dwelling; and that you will always consider me with the kindness which has made everything belonging to you so dear to me.’
The promise was readily given, and Willoughby’s behaviour during the whole of the evening declared at once his affection and happiness.
‘Shall we see you tomorrow to dinner?’ said Mrs. Dashwood, when he was leaving them. ‘I do not ask you to come in the morning, for we must walk to the park, to call on Lady Middleton.’
He engaged to be with them by four o’clock.
Chapter 15
Mrs. Dashwood’s visit to Lady Middleton took place the next day, and two of her daughters went with her; but Marianne excused herself from being of the party, under some trifling pretext of employment; and her mother, who concluded that a promise had been made by Willoughby the night before of calling on her while they were absent, was perfectly satisfied with her remaining at home.
On their return from the park they found Willoughby’s curricle and servant in waiting at the cottage, and Mrs. Dashwood was convinced that her conjecture had been just. So far it was all as she had foreseen; but on entering the house she beheld what no foresight had taught her to expect. They were no sooner in the passage than Marianne came hastily out of the parlour apparently in violent affliction, with her handkerchief at her eyes; and without noticing them ran up stairs. Surprised and alarmed they proceeded directly into the room she had just quitted, where they found only Willoughby, who was leaning against the mantel-piece with his back towards them. He turned round on their coming in, and his countenance shewed that he strongly partook of the emotion which over-powered Marianne.
‘Is anything the matter with her?’ cried Mrs. Dashwood as she entered – ’is she ill?’
‘I hope not,’ he replied, trying to look cheerful; and with a forced smile presently added, ‘It is I who may rather expect to be ill – for I am now suffering under a very heavy disappointment!’
‘Disappointment?’
‘Yes, for I am unable to keep my engagement with you. Mrs. Smith has this morning exercised the privilege of riches upon a poor dependent cousin, by sending me on business to London. I have just received my dispatches, and taken my farewell of Allenham; and by way of exhilaration I am now come to take my farewell of you.’
‘To London! – and are you going this morning?’
‘Almost this moment.’
‘This is very unfortunate. But Mrs. Smith must be obliged; – and her business will not detain you from us long I hope.’
He coloured as he replied, ‘You are very kind, but I have no idea of returning into Devonshire immediately. My visits to Mrs. Smith are never repeated within the twelvemonth.’
‘And is Mrs. Smith your only friend? Is Allenham the only house in the neighbourhood to which you will be welcome? For shame, Willoughby, can you wait for an invitation here?’
His colour increased; and with his eyes fixed on the ground he only replied, ‘You are too good.’
Mrs. Dashwood looked at Elinor with surprise. Elinor felt equal amazement. For a few moments every one was silent. Mrs. Dashwood first spoke.
‘I have only to add, my dear Willoughby, that at Barton cottage you will always be welcome; for I will not press you to return here immediately, because you only can judge how far THAT might be pleasing to Mrs. Smith; and on this head I shall be no more disposed to question your judgment than to doubt your inclination.’
‘My engagements at present,’ replied Willoughby, confusedly, ‘are of such a nature – that – I dare not flatter myself’ –
He stopt. Mrs. Dashwood was too much astonished to speak, and another pause succeeded. This was broken by Willoughby, who said with a faint smile, ‘It is folly to linger in this manner. I will not torment myself any longer by remaining among friends whose society it is impossible for me now to enjoy.’
He then hastily took leave of them all and left the room. They saw him step into his carriage, and in a minute it was out of sight.
Mrs. Dashwood felt too much for speech, and instantly quitted the parlour to give way in solitude to the concern and alarm which this sudden departure occasioned.
Elinor’s uneasiness was at least equal to her mother’s. She thought of what had just passed with anxiety and distrust.