Their man-servant had been sent one morning to Exeter on business, and when he waited at table, he began to chat with his mistress.
“I suppose you know, ma’am, that Mr. Ferrars is married.”
Marianne gave a violent start, fixed her eyes upon Elinor, saw her turning pale, fell back in her chair and lost control of her emotions. Mrs. Dashwood was shocked to realize by Elinor’s expression how much she really suffered.
Mrs. Dashwood immediately took all that trouble on herself;, and Elinor had the benefit of the information without the effort of seeking it.
“Who told you that Mr. Ferrars was married, Thomas?”
“I see Mr. Ferrars myself, ma’am, this morning in Exeter, and his lady too, Miss Steele as was. They were stopping in a chaise at the door of the New London Inn, and she knew me and called to me, and inquired after you, maam, and the young ladies, especially Miss Marianne.”
“But did she tell you she was married, Thomas?”
“Yes, ma’am.” She smiled, and said how she had changed her name since she was in these parts.
“Was Mr. Ferrars in the carriage with her?”
“Yes, ma’am, I just see him leaning (倚靠) back in it, but he did not look up -he never was a gentleman much for talking.”
Elinor’s heart could easily account for his not putting himself forward; and M, Dashwood probably found the same explanation.
“Was there no one else in the carriage?” “No, ma’am, only they two.”
“Do you know where they came from?”
“They come straight from town, as Miss Lucy-Mrs. Ferrars told me.” “And are they going farther westward?”
“Yes, ma’am, but not to bide long. They will soon be back again, and then they’d be sure and call here.”
Thomas’s intelligence seemed over. Elinor looked as if she wished to hear more, Mrs. Dashwood could think of no other question, and Thomas and the tablecloth, were soon afterwards dismissed. Mrs. Dashwood’s and Elinor’s appetites were completely lost. They remained long together in a similarity of thoughtfulness and silence.
12. What’s Elinor’s reaction at the news from the man servant?
A.She lost control of her emotions. | B.She fell back in her chair, crying. |
C.She went pale from suffering a lot. | D.She exploded with great anger. |
13. Why does Mrs Dashwood ask so many questions?
A.She was only too curious about the couple. |
B.She wanted to find out who the bridegroom was. |
C.She wanted to satisfy her daughters with her questions. |
D.She wanted to cheer her daughters up with the news. |
14. How does the servant sound when answering questions?
A.Confident. | B.Doubtful. | C.Sad. | D.Regretful. |
15. What can we infer from the passage?
A.The lady the servant met with was not Lucy. |
B.Mr. Ferrars was not in the carriage at all. |
C.The servant concluded without seeing Mr. Ferrars. |
D.The news ruined the mother and daughter's desire for food. |