The expectation of seeing HER, however, was enough to make her interested in the engagement; for though she could now meet Edward's mother without that strong anxiety which had once promised to attend such an introduction, though she could now see her with perfect indifference as to her opinion of herself, her desire of being in company with Mrs. Ferrars, her curiosity to know what she was like, was as lively as ever. The interest with which she thus anticipated the party, was soon afterwards increased, more powerfully than pleasantly, by her hearing that the Miss Steeles were also to be at it.
Zij zouden dan nu Mevrouw Ferrars leeren kennen; maar Elinor kon niet gewaar worden of haar beide zoons ook waren gevraagd. De verwachting echter, háár te zullen zien, was voldoende om haar belangstelling te wekken; want al kon zij nu Edward's moeder ontmoeten zonder het gevoel van angst, dat vroeger met die voorstelling had moeten gepaard gaan; al bleef het haar thans volkomen onverschillig, welken indruk zij op de oude dame zou maken; haar wensch om in Mevrouw Ferrars' gezelschap te zijn, haar nieuwsgierigheid om te weten hoe zij nu eigenlijk was, bleven even sterk als voorheen.