Elinor resolving to exert herself, though fearing the sound of her own voice, now said⁠—

“Is Mrs. Ferrars at Longstaple?”

“At Longstaple!” he replied, with an air of surprise. “No, my mother is in town.”

“I meant,” said Elinor, taking up some work from the table, “to inquire for Mrs. Edward Ferrars.”

She dared not look up;⁠—but her mother and Marianne both turned their eyes on him. He coloured, seemed perplexed, looked doubtingly, and, after some hesitation, said⁠—