Willoughby's Marriage — Sense and Sensibility

Marianne clings to weather that keeps sportsmen in the country, hoping Willoughby remains near town while secretly writing again if she can evade Elinor's watch. Colonel Brandon visits almost daily, and Elinor enjoys his conversation even as she grieves his evident love for Marianne. After a week Willoughby's card appears, proving he called during their absence; Marianne treasures it and refuses the next outing, but he does not return. At Sir John's impromptu London ball Marianne finds him absent though invited, and Mrs. Jennings blames him openly. Elinor writes their mother urging inquiry into Marianne's real situation while Marianne writes once more to Willoughby.

Colonel Brandon then calls in grave distress and, after painful hesitation, asks when he may congratulate Elinor on Marianne's engagement. Learning the family knows nothing, he reveals town gossip, open correspondence, and a letter in Marianne's hand he saw that morning. His direct avowal of love for Marianne shakes Elinor; she answers cautiously that affection seems mutual though no terms were declared, then watches him leave wishing him happiness she cannot honestly hope to give. Private uncertainty is now public scandal waiting to break, and Colonel Brandon has said the words no one else dared say aloud.