Sense and Sensibility / Чувство и чувствительность. Уровень 3

”

After a short pause he resumed the conversation,

“Does your sister make no distinction in her objections against a second attachment? Or is it equally criminal in everybody? Must those who were disappointed in their first choice, be equally indifferent during the rest of their lives?”

“I am not acquainted with her principles. I only know she does not admit the second attachment. It’s not pardonable.”

“This,” said he, “cannot last long; but a change, a total change of sentiments – no, no, do not desire it.

Here he stopped suddenly.

Chapter XII

One day Margaret cried,

“Oh, Elinor! I have such a secret to tell you about Marianne. I am sure she will be married to Mr. Willoughby very soon.”

“You have said so,” replied Elinor, “almost every day since they first met.

“But indeed this is quite another thing. I am sure they will be married very soon, for he has got a lock of her hair[11 - lock of her hair – её локон]. He cut it off. I saw it! Last night after tea, when you and mama went out of the room, they were whispering and talking together. Then he begged something of her, and took up her scissors and cut off a long lock of her hair. And he kissed it, and folded it up in a piece of white paper; and put it into his pocket-book.

Margaret’s sagacity was not always satisfactory to her sister. When Mrs. Jennings attacked her one evening at the park, to give the name of the young man who was Elinor’s particular favourite – it was a matter of great curiosity to her, – Margaret said, “I must not tell, right, Elinor?”

This of course made everybody laugh; and Elinor tried to laugh too. But the effort was painful. She did not like Mrs. Jennings’s jokes.

Marianne turned red and said in an angry manner to Margaret,

“Remember that you have no right to repeat your conjectures.

“I never had any conjectures about it,” replied Margaret; “it was you who told me of it yourself.”

This increased the mirth of the company.

“Oh! Miss Margaret, let us know all about it,” said Mrs. Jennings. “What is the gentleman’s name?”

“I must not tell, ma’am. But I know very well what it is; and I know where he is too.