Sense and Sensibility / Чувство и чувствительность. Уровень 3

And I hope she is well.”

“Whom do you mean, ma’am?” said he.

“Oh! you know who I mean.”

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

“In town!” cried Mrs. Jennings. “What will you do in town at this time of year?”

“I am very sorry,” he continued, “to leave you; as I fear my presence is necessary to gain your admittance at Whitwell.

”

“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. “You cannot go to town till tomorrow, Brandon, that is all.”

“It is not in my power to delay my journey for one day!”

“Let us know what your business is,” said Mrs. Jennings, “and we’ll see whether it can be put off or not.”

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 is afraid of catching cold I dare say, and invented this trick. The letter is of his own writing.”

“I have no doubt of it,” replied Marianne.

“Well, then, when will you come back again?”

“It is very uncertain.”

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

“So do, Sir John,” cried Mrs.

Jennings, “and then perhaps you may find out what his business is. I wish you a good journey. But you must change your mind.”

“I assure you it is not in my power,” said the Colonel.

To Marianne, he merely bowed and said nothing. He wished Mrs. Jennings a good morning and left the room.

“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.

“What! do not you know who Miss Williams is? She is a relation of the Colonel’s, my dear; a very near relation.” Then, lowering her voice a little, she said to Elinor, “She is his natural daughter[12 - natural daughter – незаконнорожденная дочь].”

“Indeed!”

“Oh, yes; and I dare say the Colonel will leave her all his fortune.