Chapter 17

⁠​​​‌​​​​​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌⁠Mrs. Dashwood was surprised only for a moment at seeing him; for his coming to Barton was, in her opinion, of all things the most natural. Her joy and expression of regard long outlived her wonder. He received the kindest welcome from her; and shyness, coldness, reserve could not stand against such a reception. They had begun to fail him before he entered the house, and they were quite overcome by