Mrs. Dashwood was denied； but before the carriage could turn from the house， her husband accidentally came out. He expressed great pleasure in meeting Elinor， told her that he had been just going to call in Berkeley-street， and， assuring her that Fanny would be very glad to see her， invited her to come in.
They walked up stairs into the drawing-room.—Nobody was there.
“Fanny is in her own room， I suppose，” said he；—“I will go to her presently， for I am sure she will not have the least objection in the world to seeing you.—Very far from it， indeed. Now especially there cannot be—but however， you and Marianne were always great favourites.—Why would not Marianne come？”—
Elinor made what excuse she could for her.
“I am not sorry to see you alone，” he replied， “for I have a good deal to say to you. This living of Colonel Brandon’s—can it be true？—has he really given it to Edward？—I heard it yesterday by chance， and was coming to you on purpose to inquire farther about it.”
“It is perfectly true.—Colonel Brandon has given the living of Delaford to Edward.”
“Really！—Well， this is very astonishing！—no relationship！—no connection between them！—and now that livings fetch such a price！—what was the value of this？”
“About two hundred a year.”