But his coming for me as he did, with such active, such ready friendship, is enough to prove him one of the worthiest of men." "His character, however," answered Elinor, "does not rest on ONE act of kindness, to which his affection for Marianne, were humanity out of the case, would have prompted him.

To Mrs.Jennings, to the Middletons, he has been long and intimately known; they equally love and respect him; and even my own knowledge of him, though lately acquired, is very considerable; and so highly do I value and esteem him, that if Marianne can be happy with him, I shall be as ready as yourself to think our connection the greatest blessing to us in the world.

What answer did you give him ?--Did you allow him to hope ?" "Oh! my love, I could not then talk of hope to him or to myself.
Marianne might at that moment be dying.

But he did not ask for hope or encouragement.

His was an involuntary confidence, an irrepressible effusion to a soothing friend--not an application to a parent.