Page:Austen - Sense and Sensibility, vol. III, 1811.djvu/112

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fellow!—to see him in a circle of strangers!—to be sure it was pitiable enough!—but, upon my soul, I believe he has as good a heart as any in the kingdom; and I declare and protest to you I never was so shocked in my life, as when it all burst forth.—I could not believe it.—My mother was the first person who told me of it, and I, feeling myself called on to act with resolution, immediately said to her, ‘My dear madam, I do not know what you may intend to do on the occasion, but as for myself, I must say, that if Edward does marry this young woman, I never will see him again.’ That was what I said immediately,—I was most uncommonly shocked indeed!—Poor Edward!—he has done for himself completely!—shut himself out for ever from all decent society!—but, as I directly said to my mother, I am not in the least

surprised