Chapter 38 - Part 2 - Sense and Sensibility
She had resolved from the first to pay a visit of comfort and inquiry to her cousins as soon as
she could, and nothing but the hindrance of more visitors than usual had prevented her going to
them within that time. The third day succeeding their knowledge of the particulars was so fine,
so beautiful a Sunday as to draw many to Kensington Gardens, though it was only the
second week in March. Mrs. Jennings and Eleanor were of the number, but Marianne, who knew that
the Willoughbys were again in town, and had a constant dread of meeting them, chose rather to
stay at home than venture into so public a place. An intimate acquaintance of Mrs. Jennings joined
them soon after they entered the gardens, and Eleanor was not sorry that, by her continuing
with them and engaging all Mrs. Jennings's conversation, she was herself left to quiet
reflection. She saw nothing of the Willoughbys, nothing of Edward, and for some time nothing of
anybody who could by any chance, whether grave or gay, be interesting to her. But at last she
found herself with some surprise, accosted by Miss Steele, who, though looking rather shy,
expressed great satisfaction in meeting them, and on receiving encouragement from the particular
kindness of Mrs. Jennings, left her own party for a short time to join theirs.
Mrs. Jennings immediately whispered to Eleanor,
Get it all out of her, my dear. She will tell you anything if you ask. You see I cannot leave
Mrs. Clark. It was lucky, however, for Mrs. Jennings's curiosity and Eleanor's too, that
she would tell anything without being asked, for nothing would otherwise have been learnt.
I am so glad to meet you, said Miss Steele, taking her familiarly by the arm,
for I wanted to see you of all things in the world. And then—