Part 5

Two delightful evening walks in thick wet grass had given Marianne a violent cold. She felt heavy and feverish, with pains all over her body, but at first refused all medicines, saying that a good night’s rest was all that she needed.

The next day, however, she was worse, unable to do anything except lie miserably on a sofa, and after another restless, feverish night, Elinor was very ready to send for the Palmers’ doctor. After examining his patient, he said that she was suffering from an infection, and would recover in a few days. But the word ‘infection’ greatly alarmed Mrs Palmer, who feared that her baby might catch it, and she persuaded her husband to take her and the child to stay with a near relation, until there was no further danger of illness at Cleveland. Mrs Jennings kindly insisted on staying with the Dashwoods, as she felt responsible for the young ladies in their mother’s absence, and Colonel Brandon also offered to stay, in case a gentleman’s help was needed. Poor Marianne now felt really ill, and extremely miserable, as their return to Barton would have to be considerably delayed.

Several days passed, and Marianne’s condition remained the same. The doctor came every day, talking each time of a speedy recovery, and Elinor was just as hopeful. In her letters home, she had not told her mother of the seriousness of Marianne’s illness, and now congratulated herself on not alarming Mrs Dashwood unnecessarily. But that evening, Marianne became restless again, and Elinor stayed beside her bed, watching her turning feverishly from side to side. Suddenly Marianne sat up and cried wildly, ‘Is mama coming?’

‘Not yet,’ replied Elinor, hiding her terror, and helping her sister lie down again. ‘It is a long way from Barton.’

‘But she must come soon!’ cried Marianne desperately.’ ‘I shall never see her again if she does not come soon!’

Elinor was so alarmed that she sent for the doctor at once, and decided to send a messenger to Barton to fetch her mother. She spoke immediately to Colonel Brandon, who, although greatly depressed and fearing the worst, was ready to help in any way, and offered to drive to Barton himself. How grateful Elinor was for the comfort of such a friend as the colonel at that moment! Not a second was lost in delay of any kind, and the colonel drove off into the night, leaving Elinor to watch over her sister.

Both sisters suffered greatly during that night, Marianne in her sleepless pain and fever, and Elinor in cruel anxiety that her mother would arrive too late to see her dead child alive. When the doctor came, he had to confess that his medicines had failed, and that the infection was stronger than ever. Elinor was calm, except when she thought of her mother, but she was almost without hope. She stayed by her sister’s bed all morning, her thoughts confused and sorrowful.

But at midday, she began to see signs of the fever going down. Cautiously, she told herself not to hope, but soon it seemed almost certain, and on the doctors next visit, he was able to congratulate her on Marianne’s slow but sure recovery. Mrs Jennings showed her delight by talking and laughing without stopping, but Elinor’s feelings were of a different kind. Her relief and happiness were strong, but silent. That evening Marianne fell into a quiet, comfortable sleep, and Elinor knew that at last she was out of danger.

Her thoughts now began to turn to her mother’s arrival, which was expected at any moment. Mrs Jennings persuaded her to leave Marianne’s bedside for a few minutes to drink some tea, but Elinor soon returned, to sit by her sleeping sister and wait for the travellers from Barton. The night was cold and stormy, but as long as Marianne slept peacefully, Elinor did not mind the beating of the rain on the windows, or the noise of the wind blowing around the house.

At eight o’clock she heard a carriage drive up to the front door. Knowing what her poor mother must be feeling, Elinor found it impossible to be calm, and hurried downstairs. She rushed into the sitting-room and saw – Willoughby.

With a look of horror, she stepped backwards, and was about to leave the room, when he said rapidly, ‘Miss Dashwood, I beg you to stay. I have something I must tell you.’

31 Mrs Palmer decided to leave her home
A to visit a family member who was unwell.
B because of what the doctor had said.
C in spite of her husband’s advice.
D as soon as her child was feeling better.

32 From the third paragraph we understand that
A Marianne did not want to see her mother.
B Elinor was pleased that her mother didn’t know about Marianne’s illness.
C Marianne was improving due to the doctor’s treatment.
D Elinor believed her sister would soon get better.

33 The phrase fearing the worst (Paragraph 6, underlined) suggests that Colonel Brandon
A felt more upset about the situation than Elinor.
B believed that Mrs Dashwood would not be able to come.
C thought that Marianne might not live.
D was afraid that the journey to Barton would take too long.

34 What worried Elinor most about her sister’s illness?
A Marianne was not often awake.
B She did not think that the doctor was reliable.
C Her mother might not arrive soon enough.
D She could not decide on the best thing to do.

35 Elinor was not sure that Marianne would recover until
A she had fallen asleep.
B the medicine had worked.
C she had spoken to Mrs Jennings.
D the doctor had reported his conclusions.

36 After entering the sitting room, Elinor
A was keen to hear what the visitor wanted to say.
B was shocked by what she discovered.
C felt sorry that she had contacted her mother.
D wished she had not left Marianne so quickly.

For this task: Answers with explanations :: Vocabulary