Expectations of Happiness Read Free Page A

astonishing day.
    But more was to follow. On the morrow, Elinor and Edward were preparing to walk over to Barton Park to call on Sir John, when an open pony cart arrived at the cottage bringing Margaret Dashwood. She explained that on receiving the news, she had travelled post to Exeter and taken the hack to Barton Cottage. “It was not very comfortable, but it was the only thing available,” she explained, pointing to the effects of the ride upon her clothes and hair.
    While there was no real surprise in her arrival, for she had been expected, she had barely been seated twenty minutes and taken a cup of tea when she rose and declared that she wished to accompany her sister and brother-in-law to call on Sir John Middleton, because she could not stay for the funeral and would presently be returning to Oxford.
    Elinor was outraged. “What? Having come all this way, why can you not attend the funeral? Think what it will seem like to Sir John, Margaret; he is Mama’s cousin and was more than kind to us when Papa died and we needed help.”
    Margaret shook her head. “I know all that, Elinor, and I am not ungrateful, but I cannot attend the funeral—it is not a question of time, it’s just that I have no wish to meet all Sir John’s fine friends who will no doubt travel down from London for the occasion,” she said.
    â€œAnd why ever not? Why should their presence at the funeral trouble you?” Elinor demanded to know, but Margaret would only say that there may be some among them whom she did not care to meet.
    â€œI cannot say more now; perhaps when things are more settled, I may be able to explain, but please believe me, Elinor, it is in all our interests that I wish not to be seen at the funeral. I will call on Sir John and Mrs Jennings today and spend as much time with them as you think fit, but I must leave on Friday. I have arranged to travel on the overnight coach.”
    Elinor recalled that her young sister had always been very determined, and it would seem that she was even more so now. But the fact that Margaret would give no reasonable explanation for her actions disturbed and confused her.
    When Margaret had gone upstairs to change out of her travelling clothes, Elinor confided in Edward. “What do you suppose lies behind this, Edward? Do you think Margaret has some kind of understanding with one of the gentlemen she expects to be at the funeral and does not wish it to be generally known? Unless that is the case, I can find no explanation for her conduct; Margaret is not usually unkind or insensitive.”
    â€œIndeed, she is not, and I would not say she is being so on this occasion, my dear; she has travelled a great distance to be here and intends to spend time with the bereaved family, which is a kindness in itself,” Edward replied, being as usual cautious in making judgments. “As to your other proposition, I cannot be sure. I agree that it seems your sister has a very strong desire to avoid meeting a particular person or persons likely to attend Lady Middleton’s funeral, but whether there is a matter of any understanding, I have seen no evidence of it.”
    â€œThen why can she not tell me who it is? If it is someone she does not wish to meet, we may be able to arrange that she doesn’t meet him—or her, as the case may be. Why all this secrecy?” she complained.
    Edward was hard put to find an answer that would satisfy his wife, but being very fond of Margaret himself, he did try. “Perhaps, my dear, it is not something she wishes to speak of at this moment. She may not wish to reveal the identity of the person; I recall that she did say she may be able to talk about it when it was settled.”
    Elinor grasped at the notion. “You may well be right, Edward, it is likely there is someone Margaret is in love with, but does not wish everyone—particularly people like Sir John Middleton and Mrs Jennings—to discover