Bab Bab 41 · Edward, having carried his thanks to Colonel Brandon, proceeded with

. Edward, having carried his thanks to Colonel Brandon, proceeded with

his happiness to Lucy; and such was the excess of it by the time he

reached Bartlett’s Buildings, that she was able to assure Mrs.

Jennings, who called on her again the next day with her

congratulations, that she had never seen him in such spirits before in

her life.

Her own happiness, and her own spirits, were at least very certain; and

she joined Mrs. Jennings most heartily in her expectation of their

being all comfortably together in Delaford Parsonage before Michaelmas.

So far was she, at the same time, from any backwardness to give Elinor

that credit which Edward _would_ give her, that she spoke of her

friendship for them both with the most grateful warmth, was ready to

own all their obligation to her, and openly declared that no exertion

for their good on Miss Dashwood’s part, either present or future, would

ever surprise her, for she believed her capable of doing any thing in

the world for those she really valued. As for Colonel Brandon, she was

not only ready to worship him as a saint, but was moreover truly

anxious that he should be treated as one in all worldly concerns;

anxious that his tithes should be raised to the utmost; and secretly

resolved to avail herself, at Delaford, as far as she possibly could,

of his servants, his carriage, his cows, and his poultry.

It was now above a week since John Dashwood had called in Berkeley

Street, and as since that time no notice had been taken by them of his

wife’s indisposition, beyond one verbal enquiry, Elinor began to feel

it necessary to pay her a visit.—This was an obligation, however, which

not only opposed her own inclination, but which had not the assistance

of any encouragement from her companions. Marianne, not contented with

absolutely refusing to go herself, was very urgent to prevent her

sister’s going at all; and Mrs. Jennings, though her carriage was

always at Elinor’s service, so very much disliked Mrs. John Dashwood,

that not even her curiosity to see how she looked after the late

discovery, nor her strong desire to affront her by taking Edward�