Page:Austen - Sense and Sensibility, vol. III, 1811.djvu/205

 seen her happy with anotheanother [sic].—Such a noble mind!—such openness, such sincerity!—no one can be deceived in him.”

“Colonel Brandon’s character,” said Elinor, “as an excellent man, is well established.”

“I know it is”—replied her mother seriously, “or after such a warning, I should be the last to encourage such affection, or even to be pleased by it. But his coming for me as he did, with such active, such ready friendship, is enough to prove him one of the worthiest of men.”

“His character, however,” answered Elinor, “does not rest on one act of kindness, to which his affection for Marianne, were humanity out of the case, would have prompted him. To Mrs. Jennings, to the Middletons, he has been long and intimately known; they equally love and respect him; Rh