Mrs Jennings asks the elder Miss Dashwoods to spend January with her near Portman Square. Elinor does not observe the animated look on her sister's face. She gives a grateful but absolute denial for both. They will not leave their mother at that time of year. Mrs Jennings repeats the invitation at once. Their mother can spare them. She has set her heart upon it. She will not put herself out of her way: only Betty by the coach, and the three of them in the chaise. If she does not get one of them at least well married, it shall not be her fault.
Sir John says Marianne would not object if Elinor came into it, and that the two of them might set off without a word to Elinor. Mrs Jennings will be glad of Marianne whether her sister goes or not. Marianne thanks her with warmth. The invitation has insured her gratitude for ever, and to accept it would be almost the greatest happiness she is capable of. But if her mother were made less comfortable, nothing should tempt her. It should not, must not be a struggle. Elinor understands then. The wish to be with Willoughby again has carried Marianne past manners that have always disgusted her. She makes no further direct opposition, and she dares not explain why she herself wishes to avoid London. Mrs Dashwood will not hear of a refusal on her account. Both must go. She and Margaret will be quiet with books and music, the bedrooms may be altered, and young women of their condition ought to know London. They will see their brother, whose son he is.
Elinor's remaining objection is not the expense. She thinks well of Mrs Jennings's heart, but that society cannot afford them pleasure, and that protection will not give them consequence. Marianne's countenance sinks, and then she says Elinor's dislike need not prevent her own going. Elinor smiles. She has often struggled to get Marianne even to be tolerably polite to the same woman. If her sister persists, she will go too, so Marianne is not left to her own judgment, and so Mrs Jennings is not left to Marianne for the comfort of the house. Lucy's account makes it easier. Edward is not to be in town before February, and the visit might be finished before then. When her mother calls the objections nonsensical, Elinor tries one sentence, so the shock may be less if the truth is later known. She likes Edward Ferrars very much, but the rest of the family is a matter of perfect indifference. Mrs Dashwood smiles and says nothing. Marianne looks astonished, and Elinor sees she might as well have held her tongue. They leave in the first week of January. Lucy has never been so happy, and Elinor is the only one who treats the parting as anything short of eternal. Will anyone go back to the denial she spoke for both, or will Marianne's warmth be allowed to stand as the answer they always shared?
Coming Up in Chapter 26
Colonel Brandon begins on his pleasure at seeing them in London, then seems to recollect himself and says no more on that subject. Marianne, still expecting Willoughby, pauses at the window whenever she passes it, hoping to know the long-expected rap.
