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been so worked on by the flattery of the other； as to lead by
degrees to all the rest。 Elinor remembered what Robert had told
her in Harley…street； of his opinion of what his own mediation in
his brother’s affairs might have done； if applied to in time。 She
repeated it to Edward。
“That was exactly like Robert；”—was his immediate
observation。—“And that；” he presently added； “might perhaps be
in his head when the acquaintance between them first began。 And
Lucy perhaps at first might think only of procuring his good
offices in my favour。 Other designs might afterwards arise。”
How long it had been carrying on between them； however； he
was equally at a loss with herself to make out； for at Oxford； where
he had remained for choice ever since his quitting London； he had
had no means of hearing of her but from herself； and her letters to
the very last were neither less frequent； nor less affectionate than
usual。 Not the smallest suspicion； therefore； had ever occurred to
prepare him for what followed；—and when at last it burst on him
in a letter from Lucy herself； he had been for some time； he
believed； half stupified between the wonder； the horror； and the
joy of such a deliverance。 He put the letter into Elinor’s hands。
Dear Sir；
Being very sure I have long lost your affections； I have thought
myself at liberty to bestow my own on another； and have no doubt
of being as happy with him as I once used to think I might be with
you； but I scorn to accept a hand while the heart was another’s。
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Sincerely wish you happy in your choice； and it shall not be my
fault if we are not always good friends； as our near relationship
now makes proper。 I can safely say I owe you no ill…will； and am
sure you will be too generous to do us any ill offices。 Your brother
has gained my affections entirely； and as we could not live without
one another； we are just returned from the altar； and are now on
our way to Dawlish for a few weeks； which place your dear brother
has great curiosity to see； but thought I would first trouble you
with these few lines； and shall always remain；
Your sincere well…wisher； friend； and sister；
LUCY FERRARS。
I have burnt all your letters； and will return your picture the
first opportunity。 Please to destroy my scrawls—but the ring with
my hair you are very welcome to keep。
Elinor read and returned it without any comment。
“I will not ask your opinion of it as a composition；” said
Edward。—“For worlds would not I have had a letter of hers seen
by you in former days。—In a sister it is bad enough； but in a
wife！—how I have blushed over the pages of her writing！—and I
believe I may say that since the first half year of our foolish—
business—this is the only letter I ever received from her； of which
the substance made me any amends for the defect of the style。”
“However it may have come about；” said Elinor； after a
pause；—“they are certainly married。 And your mother has
brought on herself a most appropriate punishment。 The
independence she settled on Robert； through resentment against
you； has put it in his power to make his own choice； and she has
actually been bribing one son with a thousand a…year； to do the
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very deed which she disinherited the other for intending to do。
She will hardly be less hurt； I suppose； by Robert’s marrying Lucy；
than she would have been by your marrying her。”
“She will be more hurt by it； for Robert always was her
favourite。—She will be more hurt by it； and on the same principle
will forgive him much sooner。”
In what state the affair stood at present between them； Edward
knew not； for no communication with any of his family had yet
been attempted by him。 He had quitted Oxford within four and
twenty hours after Lucy’s letter arrived； and with only one object
before him； the nearest road to Barton； had had no leisure to form
any scheme of conduct； with which that road did not hold the most
intimate connection。 He could do nothing till he were assured of
his fate with Miss Dashwood； and by his rapidity in seeking that
fate； it is to be supposed； in spite of the jealousy with which he had
once thought of Colonel Brandon； in spite of the modesty with
which he rated his own deserts； and the politeness with which he
talked of his doubts； he did not； upon the whole； expect a very
cruel reception。 It was his business； however； to say that he did；
and he said it very prettily。 What he might say on the subject a
twelvemonth after； must be referred to the imagination of
husbands and wives。
That Lucy had certainly meant to deceive； to go off with a
flourish of malice against him in her message by Thomas； was
perfectly clear to Elinor； and Edward himself； now thoroughly
enlightened on her character； had no scruple in believing her
capable of the utmost meanness of wanton ill…nature。 Though his
eyes had been long opened； even before his acquaintance with
Elinor began； to her ignorance and a want of liberality in some of
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her opinions—they had been equally imputed； by him； to her want
of education； and till her last letter reached him； he had always
believed her to be a well…disposed； good…hearted girl； and
thoroughly attached to himself。 Nothing but such a persuasion
could have prevented his putting an end to an engagement； which