Every line, every word was in the hackneyed metaphor which their dear writer, were she here, would forbid -a dagger to my heart. To know that Marianne was in town was-in the same language-a thunderbolt.--
Thunderbolts and daggers!-what a reproof would she have given me!-her taste, her opinions- believe
they are better known to me than my own,--and I am sure they are dearer.
In Sense and Sensibility, Willoughby's long confession to Elinor produces in her all of the following reactions except
a slightly improved opinion of Willoughby's heart
O a compassionate pity for Sophia's loveless marriage
O a wise assessment of the dangers of spoiling a young man with money
a deep fear that relaying his message to Marianne will cause her to fall ill again