Mrs.Palmer laughed heartily at the recollection of their astonishment, and every body agreed, two or three times over, that it had been quite an agreeable surprise.
"You may believe how glad we all were to see them," added Mrs.
Jennings, leaning forward towards Elinor, and speaking in a low voice as if she meant to be heard by no one else, though they were seated on different sides of the room; "but, however, I can't help wishing they had not travelled quite so fast, nor made such a long journey of it, for they came all round by London upon account of some business, for you know (nodding significantly and pointing to her daughter) it was wrong in her situation.

I wanted her to stay at home and rest this morning, but she would come with us; she longed so much to see you all!" Mrs.Palmer laughed, and said it would not do her any harm.
"She expects to be confined in February," continued Mrs.Jennings.
Lady Middleton could no longer endure such a conversation, and therefore exerted herself to ask Mr.Palmer if there was any news in the paper.
"No, none at all," he replied, and read on.
"Here comes Marianne," cried Sir John.

"Now, Palmer, you shall see a monstrous pretty girl." He immediately went into the passage, opened the front door, and ushered her in himself.

Mrs.Jennings asked her, as soon as she appeared, if she had not been to Allenham; and Mrs.Palmer laughed so heartily at the question, as to show she understood it.

Mr.Palmer looked up on her entering the room, stared at her some minutes, and then returned to his newspaper.