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CHAPTER XL . “ Well , Miss Dashwood , ” said Mrs . Jennings , sagaciously smiling , as soon as the gentleman had withdrawn , “ I do not ask you what the Colonel has been saying to you ; for though , upon my honour , I tried to keep out of hearing , I could not help catching enough to understand his business . And I assure you I never was better pleased in my life , and I wish you joy of it with all my heart . ” “ Thank you , ma’am , ” said Elinor . “ It is a matter of great joy to me ; and I feel the goodness of Colonel Brandon most sensibly . There are not many men who would act as he has done . Few people who have so compassionate a heart ! I never was more astonished in my life . ” “ Lord ! my dear , you are very modest . I an’t the least astonished at it in the world , for I have often thought of late , there was nothing more likely to happen . ” “ You judged from your knowledge of the Colonel’s general benevolence ; but at least you could not foresee that the opportunity would so very soon occur . ” “ Opportunity ! ” repeated Mrs . Jennings — “ Oh ! as to that , when a man has once made up his mind to such a thing , somehow or other he will soon find an opportunity . Well , my dear , I wish you joy of it again and again ; and if ever there was a happy couple in the world , I think I shall soon know where to look for them . ” “ You mean to go to Delaford after them I suppose , ” said Elinor , with a faint smile . “ Aye , my dear , that I do , indeed . And as to the house being a bad one , I do not know what the Colonel would be at , for it is as good a one as ever I saw . ” “ He spoke of its being out of repair . ” “ Well , and whose fault is that ? why don’t he repair it ? — who should do it but himself ? ” They were interrupted by the servant’s coming in to announce the carriage being at the door ; and Mrs . Jennings immediately preparing to go , said , — “ Well , my dear , I must be gone before I have had half my talk out . But , however , we may have it all over in the evening ; for we shall be quite alone . I do not ask you to go with me , for I dare say your mind is too full of the matter to care for company ; and besides , you must long to tell your sister all about it . ” Marianne had left the room before the conversation began . “ Certainly , ma’am , I shall tell Marianne of it ; but I shall not mention it at present to any body else . ” “ Oh ! very well , ” said Mrs . Jennings rather disappointed . “ Then you would not have me tell it to Lucy , for I think of going as far as Holborn to - day . ” “ No , ma’am , not even Lucy if you please . One day’s delay will not be very material ; and till I have written to Mr . Ferrars , I think it ought not to be mentioned to any body else . I shall do that directly . It is of importance that no time should be lost with him , for he will of course have much to do relative to his ordination . ”
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