? ? ? ? He was sitting in an attitude of deep meditation, and seemed not to hear her.
? ? ? ? "Your sister," said he, with abruptness, a moment afterwards--"is out of danger. I heard it from the servant. God be praised!--But is it true? is it really true?"
? ? ? ? Elinor would not speak. He repeated the inquiry with yet greater eagerness.
? ? ? ? "For God's sake tell me, is she out of danger, or is she not?"
? ? ? ? "We hope she is."
? ? ? ? He rose up, and walked across the room.
? ? ? ? "Had I known as much half an hour ago--But since I AM here,"--speaking with a forced vivacity as he returned to his seat--"what does it signify?--For once, Miss Dashwood--it will be the last time, perhaps--let us be cheerful together.--I am in a fine mood for gaiety.-- Tell me honestly"--a deeper glow overspreading his cheeks-- "do you think me most a knave or a fool?"
? ? ? ? Elinor looked at him with greater astonishment than ever. She began to think that be must be in liquor;--the strangeness of such a visit, and of such manners, seemed no otherwise intelligible; and with this impression she immediately rose, saying,
? ? ? ? "Mr.
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