Part 14: Sweet Proofs of Her Importance

With Easter approaching the weather was very fine, and the Tilneys enjoyed many a day spent out of doors with their guest. Eleanor was so unused to this surfeit of affection, and made so happy by her friend's joyful enthusiasm, that it took some time to consider any other feelings but her own. When she did, a treacherous hope bloomed like the fresh buds in her heart; was it possible to continue this mode of living beyond a mere season?

To be sure, Henry did not behave like a man in the throes of love, not as described by the authors they often read and discussed. There were no languid sighs or drawn out silences (certainly not!) But he did appear determined to indulge the slightest whim voiced, and more often than not any private conversation between brother and sister invariably turned toward some variation of "Do you not think Miss Morland would like—?"

When Mr. Morland’s long expected letter arrived, Eleanor worried Henry’s nervous energy would prompt a misplaced attempt at levity beyond what Catherine might appreciate in her distress. But he showed remarkable restraint, and only loosed a few ironic phrases once the lady proved more than capable of withstanding the disappointment. Eleanor was used to Henry handling her with such care; it was wonderful to observe him employing the same consoling grace with another.

Eleanor hoped she was not grown spoilt or ungrateful to want more. Not for the world would she desire to yoke her brother where he did not wish it, even to one whose admiration had been plain for anyone to see from the start of their acquaintance. Henry chained, even so slightingly, would be terrible!

Still, in moments like these, with that soft, almost ardent gaze directed at the lady walking beside him, there were subtle signs of a regard far beyond what any of them might have believed possible even a fortnight previous.

So she watched, and prayed, and allowed the bonds of intimacy to grow in the ever lengthening light of Spring.

Title from Chapter 28 of Northanger Abbey: "The kindness, the earnestness of Eleanor’s manner in pressing her to stay, and Henry’s gratified look on being told that her stay was determined, were such sweet proofs of her importance with them, as left her only just so much solicitude as the human mind can never do comfortably without."