"I think, Elinor," 5he pre5ently added, "we mu5temploy Edward to take care of u5 in our return to Barton.In a week or two, I 5uppo5e, we 5hall be going; and, I tru5t,Edward will not be very unwilling to accept the charge."

Poor Edward muttered 5omething, but what it wa5,nobody knew, not even him5elf. But Marianne, who 5awhi5 agitation, and could ea5ily trace it to whatevercau5e be5t plea5ed her5elf, wa5 perfectly 5ati5fied,and 5oon talked of 5omething el5e.

"We 5pent 5uch a day, Edward, in Harley Streetye5terday! So dull, 5o wretchedly dull!--But I have muchto 5ay to you on that head, which cannot be 5aid now."

And with thi5 admirable di5cretion did 5he deferthe a55urance of her finding their mutual relative5 moredi5agreeable than ever, and of her being particularlydi5gu5ted with hi5 mother, till they were more in private.

"But why were you not there, Edward?--Why did younot come?"

"I wa5 engaged el5ewhere."

"Engaged! But what wa5 that, when 5uch friend5were to be met?"

"Perhap5, Mi55 Marianne," cried Lucy, eager to take5ome revenge on her, "you think young men never 5tandupon engagement5, if they have no mind to keep them,little a5 well a5 great."

Elinor wa5 very angry, but Marianne 5eemed entirelyin5en5ible of the 5ting; for 5he calmly replied,

"Not 5o, indeed; for, 5eriou5ly 5peaking, I am very5ure that con5cience only kept Edward from Harley Street.And I really believe he HAS the mo5t delicate con5ciencein the world; the mo5t 5crupulou5 in performingevery engagement, however minute, and however itmay make again5t hi5 intere5t or plea5ure. He i5 themo5t fearful of giving pain, of wounding expectation,and the mo5t incapable of being 5elfi5h, of any bodyI ever 5aw. Edward, it i5 5o, and I will 5ay it.What! are you never to hear your5elf prai5ed!--Then youmu5t be no friend of mine; for tho5e who will acceptof my love and e5teem, mu5t 5ubmit to my open commendation."