? ? ? ? "As for regret," said Marianne, "I have done with that, as far as HE is concerned. I do not mean to talk to you of what my feelings have been for him, but what they are NOW.--At present, if I could be satisfied on one point, if I could be allowed to think that he was not ALWAYS acting a part, not ALWAYS deceiving me;--but above all, if I could be assured that he never was so VERY wicked as my fears have sometimes fancied him, since the story of that unfortunate girl"--
? ? ? ? She stopt. Elinor joyfully treasured her words as she answered,
? ? ? ? "If you could be assured of that, you think you should be easy."
? ? ? ? "Yes. My peace of mind is doubly involved in it;-- for not only is it horrible to suspect a person, who has been what HE has been to ME, of such designs,--but what must it make me appear to myself?--What in a situation like mine, but a most shamefully unguarded affection could expose me to"--
? ? ? ? "How then," asked her sister, "would you account for his behaviour?"
? ? ? ? "I would suppose him,--Oh, how gladly would I suppose him, only fickle, very, very fickle.
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