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CHAPTER XXXV . Elinor’s curiosity to see Mrs . Ferrars was satisfied . She had found in her every thing that could tend to make a farther connection between the families undesirable . She had seen enough of her pride , her meanness , and her determined prejudice against herself , to comprehend all the difficulties that must have perplexed the engagement , and retarded the marriage , of Edward and herself , had he been otherwise free ; and she had seen almost enough to be thankful for her own sake , that one greater obstacle preserved her from suffering under any other of Mrs . Ferrars’s creation , preserved her from all dependence upon her caprice , or any solicitude for her good opinion . Or at least , if she did not bring herself quite to rejoice in Edward’s being fettered to Lucy , she determined , that had Lucy been more amiable , she ought to have rejoiced . She wondered that Lucy’s spirits could be so very much elevated by the civility of Mrs . Ferrars ; — that her interest and her vanity should so very much blind her as to make the attention which seemed only paid her because she was not Elinor , appear a compliment to herself — or to allow her to derive encouragement from a preference only given her , because her real situation was unknown . But that it was so , had not only been declared by Lucy’s eyes at the time , but was declared over again the next morning more openly , for at her particular desire , Lady Middleton set her down in Berkeley Street on the chance of seeing Elinor alone , to tell her how happy she was . The chance proved a lucky one , for a message from Mrs . Palmer soon after she arrived , carried Mrs . Jennings away . “ My dear friend , ” cried Lucy , as soon as they were by themselves , “ I come to talk to you of my happiness . Could anything be so flattering as Mrs . Ferrars’s way of treating me yesterday ? So exceeding affable as she was ! You know how I dreaded the thoughts of seeing her ; but the very moment I was introduced , there was such an affability in her behaviour as really should seem to say , she had quite took a fancy to me . Now was not it so ? You saw it all ; and was not you quite struck with it ? ” “ She was certainly very civil to you . ” “ Civil ! — Did you see nothing but only civility ? — I saw a vast deal more . Such kindness as fell to the share of nobody but me ! — No pride , no hauteur , and your sister just the same — all sweetness and affability ! ” Elinor wished to talk of something else , but Lucy still pressed her to own that she had reason for her happiness ; and Elinor was obliged to go on . “ Undoubtedly , if they had known your engagement , ” said she , “ nothing could be more flattering than their treatment of you ; — but as that was not the case — ” “ I guessed you would say so , ” — replied Lucy quickly — “ but there was no reason in the world why Mrs . Ferrars should seem to like me , if she did not , and her liking me is every thing . You shan’t talk me out of my satisfaction . I am sure it will all end well , and there will be no difficulties at all , to what I used to think . Mrs . Ferrars is a charming woman , and so is your sister . They are both delightful women , indeed ! — I wonder I should never hear you say how agreeable Mrs . Dashwood was ! ” To this Elinor had no answer to make , and did not attempt any .
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