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Elinor


She not only heard the words exchanged between the two, she noted the tone in which the words were said, how formal or casually the words were given, and whether these words were meant for another to hear. .
             Though at times Elinor picks up on the quiet conversations of others, like the instance stated above or on page 61 when she overhears Willoughby making fun of Colonel Brandon to Marianne, it is mainly the silence of others that she observes and interprets. For instance, though she was false in her first assumptions about Marianne and Willoughby being engaged, she is the first to question their engagement after further observation and thought. At this point everyone in the novel in convinced of Marianne and Willoughby's engagement and has talked of it, everyone but Elinor. After Willoughby's unexpected and sudden departure from Barton, Elinor voices her speculations about her sister's engagement to her mother, where she states that even if there were an engagement, there is no excuse for them "concealing it" from family (75). Elinor's mother then responds, most shocked by this statement of concealment, saying that they have been most obvious in their affectionate actions towards each other. Elinor then explains that she wants ". . .no proof of their affection. . .but of their engagement I do" (75). Elinor, like her mother and others in the novel, did make the assumption that Marianne and Willoughby were engaged, however unlike others in the novel, at that time she was aware that it was only an assumption, and that the engagement was not actually ever said to exist. Though everyone else chose to accept the assumption as fact, Elinor held it in silence to reflect on and intelligently conclude that affection certainly was being displayed by the two, but in no way was an engagement made known. Furthermore, the main reason for Elinor's doubt is silence itself, for when Mrs.


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