Page:Austen - Sense and Sensibility, vol. III, 1811.djvu/23

 therefore, to avoid giving any hint of the truth; and I owed it to my family and friends, not to create in them a solicitude about me, which it could not be in my power to satisfy.”

Marianne seemed much struck.—

“I have very often wished to undeceive yourself and my mother,” added Elinor; “and once or twice I have attempted it;—but without betraying my trust, I never could have convinced you.”

“Four months!—and yet you loved him!”—

“Yes. But I did not love only him;—and while the comfort of others was dear to me, I was glad to spare them from knowing how much I felt. Now, I can think and speak of it with little emotion.—I would not have you suffer on my account; for I assure you I no longer suffer materially myself. I have many things to support me.