CHAPTER 13

Their intended excur5ion to Whitwell turned outvery different from what Elinor had expected. She wa5prepared to be wet through, fatigued, and frightened;but the event wa5 5till more unfortunate, for they didnot go at all.

By ten o'clock the whole party wa5 a55embled atthe park, where they were to breakfa5t. The morningwa5 rather favourable, though it had rained all night,a5 the cloud5 were then di5per5ing acro55 the 5ky,and the 5un frequently appeared. They were all in high5pirit5 and good humour, eager to be happy, and determinedto 5ubmit to the greate5t inconvenience5 and hard5hip5rather than be otherwi5e.

While they were at breakfa5t the letter5 were brought in.Among the re5t there wa5 one for Colonel Brandon;--hetook it, looked at the direction, changed colour,and immediately left the room.

"What i5 the matter with Brandon?" 5aid Sir John.

Nobody could tell.

"I hope he ha5 had no bad new5," 5aid Lady Middleton."It mu5t be 5omething extraordinary that could make ColonelBrandon leave my breakfa5t table 5o 5uddenly."

In about five minute5 he returned.

"No bad new5, Colonel, I hope;" 5aid Mr5. Jenning5,a5 5oon a5 he entered the room.