第1章
ThefamilyofDashwoodhadlongbeensettledinSussex。
Theirestatewaslarge，andtheirresidencewasatNorlandPark，inthecentreoftheirproperty，where，formanygenerations，theyhadlivedinsorespectableamannerastoengagethegeneralgoodopinionoftheirsurroundingacquaintance。
Thelateownerofthisestatewasasingleman，wholivedtoaveryadvancedage，andwhoformanyyearsofhislife，hadaconstantcompanionandhousekeeperinhissister。
Butherdeath，whichhappenedtenyearsbeforehisown，producedagreatalterationinhishome;fortosupplyherloss，heinvitedandreceivedintohishousethefamilyofhisnephewMr。HenryDashwood，thelegalinheritoroftheNorlandestate，andthepersontowhomheintendedtobequeathit。Inthesocietyofhisnephewandniece，andtheirchildren，theoldGentleman’sdayswerecomfortablyspent。Hisattachmenttothemallincreased。
TheconstantattentionofMr。andMrs。HenryDashwoodtohiswishes，whichproceedednotmerelyfrominterest，butfromgoodnessofheart，gavehimeverydegreeofsolidcomfortwhichhisagecouldreceive;andthecheerfulnessofthechildrenaddedarelishtohisexistence。
Byaformermarriage，Mr。HenryDashwoodhadoneson：byhispresentlady，threedaughters。Theson，asteadyrespectableyoungman，wasamplyprovidedforbythefortuneofhismother，whichhadbeenlarge，andhalfofwhichdevolvedonhimonhiscomingofage。
Byhisownmarriage，likewise，whichhappenedsoonafterwards，headdedtohiswealth。TohimthereforethesuccessiontotheNorlandestatewasnotsoreallyimportantastohissisters;fortheirfortune，independentofwhatmightarisetothemfromtheirfather’sinheritingthatproperty，couldbebutsmall。Theirmotherhadnothing，andtheirfatheronlyseventhousandpoundsinhisowndisposal;
fortheremainingmoietyofhisfirstwife’sfortunewasalsosecuredtoherchild，andhehadonlyalife-interestinit。
Theoldgentlemandied：hiswillwasread，andlikealmosteveryotherwill，gaveasmuchdisappointmentaspleasure。Hewasneithersounjust，norsoungrateful，astoleavehisestatefromhisnephew;——butheleftittohimonsuchtermsasdestroyedhalfthevalueofthebequest。
Mr。Dashwoodhadwishedforitmoreforthesakeofhiswifeanddaughtersthanforhimselforhisson;——buttohisson，andhisson’sson，achildoffouryearsold，itwassecured，insuchaway，astoleavetohimselfnopowerofprovidingforthosewhoweremostdeartohim，andwhomostneededaprovisionbyanychargeontheestate，orbyanysaleofitsvaluablewoods。
Thewholewastiedupforthebenefitofthischild，who，inoccasionalvisitswithhisfatherandmotheratNorland，hadsofargainedontheaffectionsofhisuncle，bysuchattractionsasarebynomeansunusualinchildrenoftwoorthreeyearsold;animperfectarticulation，anearnestdesireofhavinghisownway，manycunningtricks，andagreatdealofnoise，astooutweighallthevalueofalltheattentionwhich，foryears，hehadreceivedfromhisnieceandherdaughters。Hemeantnottobeunkind，however，and，asamarkofhisaffectionforthethreegirls，heleftthemathousandpoundsa-piece。
Mr。Dashwood’sdisappointmentwas，atfirst，severe;
buthistemperwascheerfulandsanguine;andhemightreasonablyhopetolivemanyyears，andbylivingeconomically，laybyaconsiderablesumfromtheproduceofanestatealreadylarge，andcapableofalmostimmediateimprovement。
Butthefortune，whichhadbeensotardyincoming，washisonlyonetwelvemonth。Hesurvivedhisunclenolonger;
andtenthousandpounds，includingthelatelegacies，wasallthatremainedforhiswidowanddaughters。
Hissonwassentforassoonashisdangerwasknown，andtohimMr。Dashwoodrecommended，withallthestrengthandurgencywhichillnesscouldcommand，theinterestofhismother-in-lawandsisters。
Mr。JohnDashwoodhadnotthestrongfeelingsoftherestofthefamily;buthewasaffectedbyarecommendationofsuchanatureatsuchatime，andhepromisedtodoeverythinginhispowertomakethemcomfortable。
Hisfatherwasrenderedeasybysuchanassurance，andMr。JohnDashwoodhadthenleisuretoconsiderhowmuchtheremightprudentlybeinhispowertodoforthem。
Hewasnotanill-disposedyoungman，unlesstoberathercoldheartedandratherselfishistobeill-disposed：buthewas，ingeneral，wellrespected;
forheconductedhimselfwithproprietyinthedischargeofhisordinaryduties。Hadhemarriedamoreamiablewoman，hemighthavebeenmadestillmorerespectablethanhewas：——hemightevenhavebeenmadeamiablehimself;forhewasveryyoungwhenhemarried，andveryfondofhiswife。
ButMrs。JohnDashwoodwasastrongcaricatureofhimself;——
morenarrow-mindedandselfish。
Whenhegavehispromisetohisfather，hemeditatedwithinhimselftoincreasethefortunesofhissistersbythepresentofathousandpoundsa-piece。Hethenreallythoughthimselfequaltoit。Theprospectoffourthousanda-year，inadditiontohispresentincome，besidestheremaininghalfofhisownmother’sfortune，warmedhisheart，andmadehimfeelcapableofgenerosity——
“Yes，hewouldgivethemthreethousandpounds：itwouldbeliberalandhandsome！Itwouldbeenoughtomakethemcompletelyeasy。Threethousandpounds！hecouldsparesoconsiderableasumwithlittleinconvenience。”——
Hethoughtofitalldaylong，andformanydayssuccessively，andhedidnotrepent。
Nosoonerwashisfather’sfuneralover，thanMrs。JohnDashwood，withoutsendinganynoticeofherintentiontohermother-in-law，arrivedwithherchildandtheirattendants。
Noonecoulddisputeherrighttocome;thehousewasherhusband’sfromthemomentofhisfather’sdecease;
buttheindelicacyofherconductwassomuchthegreater，andtoawomaninMrs。Dashwood’ssituation，withonlycommonfeelings，musthavebeenhighlyunpleasing;——
butinHERmindtherewasasenseofhonorsokeen，agenerositysoromantic，thatanyoffenceofthekind，bywhomsoevergivenorreceived，wastoherasourceofimmoveabledisgust。Mrs。JohnDashwoodhadneverbeenafavouritewithanyofherhusband’sfamily;
butshehadhadnoopportunity，tillthepresent，ofshewingthemwithhowlittleattentiontothecomfortofotherpeopleshecouldactwhenoccasionrequiredit。
SoacutelydidMrs。Dashwoodfeelthisungraciousbehaviour，andsoearnestlydidshedespiseherdaughter-in-lawforit，that，onthearrivalofthelatter，shewouldhavequittedthehouseforever，hadnottheentreatyofhereldestgirlinducedherfirsttoreflectontheproprietyofgoing，andherowntenderloveforallherthreechildrendeterminedherafterwardstostay，andfortheirsakesavoidabreachwiththeirbrother。
Elinor，thiseldestdaughter，whoseadvicewassoeffectual，possessedastrengthofunderstanding，andcoolnessofjudgment，whichqualifiedher，thoughonlynineteen，tobethecounsellorofhermother，andenabledherfrequentlytocounteract，totheadvantageofthemall，thateagernessofmindinMrs。Dashwoodwhichmustgenerallyhaveledtoimprudence。Shehadanexcellentheart;——herdispositionwasaffectionate，andherfeelingswerestrong;butsheknewhowtogovernthem：itwasaknowledgewhichhermotherhadyettolearn;
andwhichoneofhersistershadresolvednevertobetaught。
Marianne’sabilitieswere，inmanyrespects，quiteequaltoElinor’s。Shewassensibleandclever;
buteagerineverything：hersorrows，herjoys，couldhavenomoderation。Shewasgenerous，amiable，interesting：shewaseverythingbutprudent。Theresemblancebetweenherandhermotherwasstrikinglygreat。
Elinorsaw，withconcern，theexcessofhersister’ssensibility;butbyMrs。Dashwooditwasvaluedandcherished。Theyencouragedeachothernowintheviolenceoftheiraffliction。Theagonyofgriefwhichoverpoweredthematfirst，wasvoluntarilyrenewed，wassoughtfor，wascreatedagainandagain。Theygavethemselvesupwhollytotheirsorrow，seekingincreaseofwretchednessineveryreflectionthatcouldaffordit，andresolvedagainsteveradmittingconsolationinfuture。Elinor，too，wasdeeplyafflicted;butstillshecouldstruggle，shecouldexertherself。Shecouldconsultwithherbrother，couldreceivehersister-in-lawonherarrival，andtreatherwithproperattention;
andcouldstrivetorousehermothertosimilarexertion，andencouragehertosimilarforbearance。
Margaret，theothersister，wasagood-humored，well-disposedgirl;butasshehadalreadyimbibedagooddealofMarianne’sromance，withouthavingmuchofhersense，shedidnot，atthirteen，bidfairtoequalhersistersatamoreadvancedperiodoflife。
chapter02
CHAPTER2
Mrs。JohnDashwoodnowinstalledherselfmistressofNorland;andhermotherandsisters-in-lawweredegradedtotheconditionofvisitors。Assuch，however，theyweretreatedbyherwithquietcivility;andbyherhusbandwithasmuchkindnessashecouldfeeltowardsanybodybeyondhimself，hiswife，andtheirchild。Hereallypressedthem，withsomeearnestness，toconsiderNorlandastheirhome;and，asnoplanappearedsoeligibletoMrs。Dashwoodasremainingtheretillshecouldaccommodateherselfwithahouseintheneighbourhood，hisinvitationwasaccepted。
Acontinuanceinaplacewhereeverythingremindedherofformerdelight，wasexactlywhatsuitedhermind。
Inseasonsofcheerfulness，notempercouldbemorecheerfulthanhers，orpossess，inagreaterdegree，thatsanguineexpectationofhappinesswhichishappinessitself。
Butinsorrowshemustbeequallycarriedawaybyherfancy，andasfarbeyondconsolationasinpleasureshewasbeyondalloy。
Mrs。JohnDashwooddidnotatallapproveofwhatherhusbandintendedtodoforhissisters。Totakethreethousandpoundsfromthefortuneoftheirdearlittleboywouldbeimpoverishinghimtothemostdreadfuldegree。
Shebeggedhimtothinkagainonthesubject。Howcouldheanswerittohimselftorobhischild，andhisonlychildtoo，ofsolargeasum？，AndwhatpossibleclaimcouldtheMissDashwoods，whowererelatedtohimonlybyhalfblood，whichsheconsideredasnorelationshipatall，haveonhisgenerositytosolargeanamount。Itwasverywellknownthatnoaffectionwaseversupposedtoexistbetweenthechildrenofanymanbydifferentmarriages;
andwhywashetoruinhimself，andtheirpoorlittleHarry，bygivingawayallhismoneytohishalfsisters？
“Itwasmyfather’slastrequesttome，“repliedherhusband，“thatIshouldassisthiswidowanddaughters。”
“Hedidnotknowwhathewastalkingof，I
daresay;
tentoonebuthewaslight-headedatthetime。
Hadhebeeninhisrightsenses，hecouldnothavethoughtofsuchathingasbeggingyoutogiveawayhalfyourfortunefromyourownchild。”
“Hedidnotstipulateforanyparticularsum，mydearFanny;heonlyrequestedme，ingeneralterms，toassistthem，andmaketheirsituationmorecomfortablethanitwasinhispowertodo。Perhapsitwouldhavebeenaswellifhehadleftitwhollytomyself。
HecouldhardlysupposeIshouldneglectthem。
Butasherequiredthepromise，Icouldnotdolessthangiveit;atleastIthoughtsoatthetime。
Thepromise，therefore，wasgiven，andmustbeperformed。
SomethingmustbedoneforthemwhenevertheyleaveNorlandandsettleinanewhome。”
“Well，then，LETsomethingbedoneforthem;
butTHATsomethingneednotbethreethousandpounds。
Consider，“sheadded，“thatwhenthemoneyisoncepartedwith，itnevercanreturn。Yoursisterswillmarry，anditwillbegoneforever。If，indeed，itcouldberestoredtoourpoorlittleboy——“
“Why，tobesure，“saidherhusband，verygravely，“thatwouldmakegreatdifference。ThetimemaycomewhenHarrywillregretthatsolargeasumwaspartedwith。
Ifheshouldhaveanumerousfamily，forinstance，itwouldbeaveryconvenientaddition。”
“Tobesureitwould。”
“Perhaps，then，itwouldbebetterforallparties，ifthesumwerediminishedonehalf——Fivehundredpoundswouldbeaprodigiousincreasetotheirfortunes！”
“Oh！beyondanythinggreat！，Whatbrotheronearthwoulddohalfsomuchforhissisters，evenifREALLY
hissisters！，Andasitis——onlyhalfblood！——Butyouhavesuchagenerousspirit！”
“Iwouldnotwishtodoanythingmean，“hereplied。
“Onehadrather，onsuchoccasions，dotoomuchthantoolittle。Noone，atleast，canthinkIhavenotdoneenoughforthem：eventhemselves，theycanhardlyexpectmore。”
“ThereisnoknowingwhatTHEYmayexpect，“
saidthelady，“butwearenottothinkoftheirexpectations：thequestionis，whatyoucanaffordtodo。”
“Certainly——andIthinkImayaffordtogivethemfivehundredpoundsa-piece。Asitis，withoutanyadditionofmine，theywilleachhaveaboutthreethousandpoundsontheirmother’sdeath——averycomfortablefortuneforanyyoungwoman。”
“Tobesureitis;and，indeed，itstrikesmethattheycanwantnoadditionatall。Theywillhavetenthousandpoundsdividedamongstthem。Iftheymarry，theywillbesureofdoingwell，andiftheydonot，theymayallliveverycomfortablytogetherontheinterestoftenthousandpounds。”
“Thatisverytrue，and，therefore，Idonotknowwhether，uponthewhole，itwouldnotbemoreadvisabletodosomethingfortheirmotherwhileshelives，ratherthanforthem——somethingoftheannuitykindImean——Mysisterswouldfeelthegoodeffectsofitaswellasherself。
Ahundredayearwouldmakethemallperfectlycomfortable。”
Hiswifehesitatedalittle，however，ingivingherconsenttothisplan。
“Tobesure，“saidshe，“itisbetterthanpartingwithfifteenhundredpoundsatonce。But，then，ifMrs。Dashwoodshouldlivefifteenyearsweshallbecompletelytakenin。”
“Fifteenyears！mydearFanny;herlifecannotbeworthhalfthatpurchase。”
“Certainlynot;butifyouobserve，peoplealwaysliveforeverwhenthereisanannuitytobepaidthem;
andsheisverystoutandhealthy，andhardlyforty。
Anannuityisaveryseriousbusiness;itcomesoverandovereveryyear，andthereisnogettingridofit。Youarenotawareofwhatyouaredoing。
Ihaveknownagreatdealofthetroubleofannuities;
formymotherwascloggedwiththepaymentofthreetooldsuperannuatedservantsbymyfather’swill，anditisamazinghowdisagreeableshefoundit。
Twiceeveryyeartheseannuitiesweretobepaid;andthentherewasthetroubleofgettingittothem;andthenoneofthemwassaidtohavedied，andafterwardsitturnedouttobenosuchthing。Mymotherwasquitesickofit。
Herincomewasnotherown，shesaid，withsuchperpetualclaimsonit;anditwasthemoreunkindinmyfather，because，otherwise，themoneywouldhavebeenentirelyatmymother’sdisposal，withoutanyrestrictionwhatever。
Ithasgivenmesuchanabhorrenceofannuities，thatIamsureIwouldnotpinmyselfdowntothepaymentofoneforalltheworld。”
“Itiscertainlyanunpleasantthing，“repliedMr。Dashwood，“tohavethosekindofyearlydrainsonone’sincome。
One’sfortune，asyourmotherjustlysays，isNOTone’sown。
Tobetieddowntotheregularpaymentofsuchasum，oneveryrentday，isbynomeansdesirable：ittakesawayone’sindependence。”
“Undoubtedly;andafterallyouhavenothanksforit。
Theythinkthemselvessecure，youdonomorethanwhatisexpected，anditraisesnogratitudeatall。IfIwereyou，whateverIdidshouldbedoneatmyowndiscretionentirely。
Iwouldnotbindmyselftoallowthemanythingyearly。
Itmaybeveryinconvenientsomeyearstospareahundred，orevenfiftypoundsfromourownexpenses。”
“Ibelieveyouareright，mylove;itwillbebetterthatthereshouldbynoannuityinthecase;whateverI
maygivethemoccasionallywillbeoffargreaterassistancethanayearlyallowance，becausetheywouldonlyenlargetheirstyleoflivingiftheyfeltsureofalargerincome，andwouldnotbesixpencethericherforitattheendoftheyear。Itwillcertainlybemuchthebestway。
Apresentoffiftypounds，nowandthen，willpreventtheireverbeingdistressedformoney，andwill，Ithink，beamplydischargingmypromisetomyfather。”
“Tobesureitwill。Indeed，tosaythetruth，Iamconvincedwithinmyselfthatyourfatherhadnoideaofyourgivingthemanymoneyatall。Theassistancehethoughtof，Idaresay，wasonlysuchasmightbereasonablyexpectedofyou;forinstance，suchaslookingoutforacomfortablesmallhouseforthem，helpingthemtomovetheirthings，andsendingthempresentsoffishandgame，andsoforth，whenevertheyareinseason。
I’lllaymylifethathemeantnothingfarther;indeed，itwouldbeverystrangeandunreasonableifhedid。
Dobutconsider，mydearMr。Dashwood，howexcessivelycomfortableyourmother-in-lawandherdaughtersmayliveontheinterestofseventhousandpounds，besidesthethousandpoundsbelongingtoeachofthegirls，whichbringstheminfiftypoundsayeara-piece，and，ofcourse，theywillpaytheirmotherfortheirboardoutofit。
Altogether，theywillhavefivehundreda-yearamongstthem，andwhatonearthcanfourwomenwantformorethanthat？——Theywilllivesocheap！Theirhousekeepingwillbenothingatall。Theywillhavenocarriage，nohorses，andhardlyanyservants;theywillkeepnocompany，andcanhavenoexpensesofanykind！，Onlyconceivehowcomfortabletheywillbe！，Fivehundredayear！IamsureIcannotimaginehowtheywillspendhalfofit;
andastoyourgivingthemmore，itisquiteabsurdtothinkofit。TheywillbemuchmoreabletogiveYOUsomething。”
“Uponmyword，“saidMr。Dashwood，“Ibelieveyouareperfectlyright。Myfathercertainlycouldmeannothingmorebyhisrequesttomethanwhatyousay。
Iclearlyunderstanditnow，andIwillstrictlyfulfilmyengagementbysuchactsofassistanceandkindnesstothemasyouhavedescribed。WhenmymotherremovesintoanotherhousemyservicesshallbereadilygiventoaccommodateherasfarasIcan。Somelittlepresentoffurnituretoomaybeacceptablethen。”
“Certainly，“returnedMrs。JohnDashwood。
“But，however，ONEthingmustbeconsidered。WhenyourfatherandmothermovedtoNorland，thoughthefurnitureofStanhillwassold，allthechina，plate，andlinenwassaved，andisnowlefttoyourmother。Herhousewillthereforebealmostcompletelyfittedupassoonasshetakesit。”
“Thatisamaterialconsiderationundoubtedly。
Avaluablelegacyindeed！Andyetsomeoftheplatewouldhavebeenaverypleasantadditiontoourownstockhere。”
“Yes;andthesetofbreakfastchinaistwiceashandsomeaswhatbelongstothishouse。Agreatdealtoohandsome，inmyopinion，foranyplaceTHEY
caneveraffordtolivein。But，however，soitis。
YourfatherthoughtonlyofTHEM。AndImustsaythis：
thatyouowenoparticulargratitudetohim，norattentiontohiswishes;forweverywellknowthatifhecould，hewouldhaveleftalmosteverythingintheworldtoTHEM。”
Thisargumentwasirresistible。Itgavetohisintentionswhateverofdecisionwaswantingbefore;andhefinallyresolved，thatitwouldbeabsolutelyunnecessary，ifnothighlyindecorous，todomoreforthewidowandchildrenofhisfather，thansuchkindofneighbourlyactsashisownwifepointedout。
chapter03
CHAPTER3
Mrs。DashwoodremainedatNorlandseveralmonths;
notfromanydisinclinationtomovewhenthesightofeverywellknownspotceasedtoraisetheviolentemotionwhichitproducedforawhile;forwhenherspiritsbegantorevive，andhermindbecamecapableofsomeotherexertionthanthatofheighteningitsafflictionbymelancholyremembrances，shewasimpatienttobegone，andindefatigableinherinquiriesforasuitabledwellingintheneighbourhoodofNorland;
fortoremovefarfromthatbelovedspotwasimpossible。
Butshecouldhearofnosituationthatatonceansweredhernotionsofcomfortandease，andsuitedtheprudenceofhereldestdaughter，whosesteadierjudgmentrejectedseveralhousesastoolargefortheirincome，whichhermotherwouldhaveapproved。
Mrs。Dashwoodhadbeeninformedbyherhusbandofthesolemnpromiseonthepartofhissonintheirfavour，whichgavecomforttohislastearthlyreflections。
Shedoubtedthesincerityofthisassurancenomorethanhehaddoubtedithimself，andshethoughtofitforherdaughters’
sakewithsatisfaction，thoughasforherselfshewaspersuadedthatamuchsmallerprovisionthan7000Lwouldsupportherinaffluence。Fortheirbrother’ssake，too，forthesakeofhisownheart，sherejoiced;andshereproachedherselfforbeingunjusttohismeritbefore，inbelievinghimincapableofgenerosity。Hisattentivebehaviourtoherselfandhissistersconvincedherthattheirwelfarewasdeartohim，and，foralongtime，shefirmlyreliedontheliberalityofhisintentions。
Thecontemptwhichshehad，veryearlyintheiracquaintance，feltforherdaughter-in-law，wasverymuchincreasedbythefartherknowledgeofhercharacter，whichhalfayear’sresidenceinherfamilyafforded;andperhapsinspiteofeveryconsiderationofpolitenessormaternalaffectiononthesideoftheformer，thetwoladiesmighthavefounditimpossibletohavelivedtogethersolong，hadnotaparticularcircumstanceoccurredtogivestillgreatereligibility，accordingtotheopinionsofMrs。Dashwood，toherdaughters’continuanceatNorland。
ThiscircumstancewasagrowingattachmentbetweenhereldestgirlandthebrotherofMrs。JohnDashwood，agentleman-likeandpleasingyoungman，whowasintroducedtotheiracquaintancesoonafterhissister’sestablishmentatNorland，andwhohadsincespentthegreatestpartofhistimethere。
Somemothersmighthaveencouragedtheintimacyfrommotivesofinterest，forEdwardFerrarswastheeldestsonofamanwhohaddiedveryrich;andsomemighthaverepresseditfrommotivesofprudence，for，exceptatriflingsum，thewholeofhisfortunedependedonthewillofhismother。
ButMrs。Dashwoodwasalikeuninfluencedbyeitherconsideration。
Itwasenoughforherthatheappearedtobeamiable，thathelovedherdaughter，andthatElinorreturnedthepartiality。Itwascontrarytoeverydoctrineofher’sthatdifferenceoffortuneshouldkeepanycoupleasunderwhowereattractedbyresemblanceofdisposition;
andthatElinor’smeritshouldnotbeacknowledgedbyeveryonewhoknewher，wastohercomprehensionimpossible。
EdwardFerrarswasnotrecommendedtotheirgoodopinionbyanypeculiargracesofpersonoraddress。
Hewasnothandsome，andhismannersrequiredintimacytomakethempleasing。Hewastoodiffidenttodojusticetohimself;butwhenhisnaturalshynesswasovercome，hisbehaviourgaveeveryindicationofanopen，affectionateheart。Hisunderstandingwasgood，andhiseducationhadgivenitsolidimprovement。
Buthewasneitherfittedbyabilitiesnordispositiontoanswerthewishesofhismotherandsister，wholongedtoseehimdistinguished——as——theyhardlyknewwhat。
Theywantedhimtomakeafinefigureintheworldinsomemannerorother。Hismotherwishedtointeresthiminpoliticalconcerns，togethimintoparliament，ortoseehimconnectedwithsomeofthegreatmenoftheday。
Mrs。JohnDashwoodwisheditlikewise;butinthemeanwhile，tilloneofthesesuperiorblessingscouldbeattained，itwouldhavequietedherambitiontoseehimdrivingabarouche。
ButEdwardhadnoturnforgreatmenorbarouches。
Allhiswishescenteredindomesticcomfortandthequietofprivatelife。Fortunatelyhehadayoungerbrotherwhowasmorepromising。
EdwardhadbeenstayingseveralweeksinthehousebeforeheengagedmuchofMrs。Dashwood’sattention;
forshewas，atthattime，insuchafflictionasrenderedhercarelessofsurroundingobjects。Shesawonlythathewasquietandunobtrusive，andshelikedhimforit。
Hedidnotdisturbthewretchednessofhermindbyill-timedconversation。Shewasfirstcalledtoobserveandapprovehimfarther，byareflectionwhichElinorchancedonedaytomakeonthedifferencebetweenhimandhissister。Itwasacontrastwhichrecommendedhimmostforciblytohermother。
“Itisenough，“saidshe;“tosaythatheisunlikeFannyisenough。Itimplieseverythingamiable。
Ilovehimalready。”
“Ithinkyouwilllikehim，“saidElinor，“whenyouknowmoreofhim。”
“Likehim！”repliedhermotherwithasmile。
“Ifeelnosentimentofapprobationinferiortolove。”
“Youmayesteemhim。”
“Ihaveneveryetknownwhatitwastoseparateesteemandlove。”
Mrs。Dashwoodnowtookpainstogetacquaintedwithhim。
Hermannerswereattaching，andsoonbanishedhisreserve。
Shespeedilycomprehendedallhismerits;thepersuasionofhisregardforElinorperhapsassistedherpenetration;
butshereallyfeltassuredofhisworth：andeventhatquietnessofmanner，whichmilitatedagainstallherestablishedideasofwhatayoungman’saddressoughttobe，wasnolongeruninterestingwhensheknewhishearttobewarmandhistemperaffectionate。
NosoonerdidsheperceiveanysymptomofloveinhisbehaviourtoElinor，thansheconsideredtheirseriousattachmentascertain，andlookedforwardtotheirmarriageasrapidlyapproaching。
“Inafewmonths，mydearMarianne。”saidshe，“Elinorwill，inallprobabilitybesettledforlife。
Weshallmissher;butSHEwillbehappy。”
“Oh！Mamma，howshallwedowithouther？”
“Mylove，itwillbescarcelyaseparation。
Weshalllivewithinafewmilesofeachother，andshallmeeteverydayofourlives。Youwillgainabrother，areal，affectionatebrother。IhavethehighestopinionintheworldofEdward’sheart。Butyoulookgrave，Marianne;doyoudisapproveyoursister’schoice？”
“Perhaps，“saidMarianne，“Imayconsideritwithsomesurprise。Edwardisveryamiable，andIlovehimtenderly。Butyet——heisnotthekindofyoungman——thereissomethingwanting——hisfigureisnotstriking;
ithasnoneofthatgracewhichIshouldexpectinthemanwhocouldseriouslyattachmysister。
Hiseyeswantallthatspirit，thatfire，whichatonceannouncevirtueandintelligence。Andbesidesallthis，Iamafraid，Mamma，hehasnorealtaste。Musicseemsscarcelytoattracthim，andthoughheadmiresElinor’sdrawingsverymuch，itisnottheadmirationofapersonwhocanunderstandtheirworth。Itisevident，inspiteofhisfrequentattentiontoherwhileshedraws，thatinfactheknowsnothingofthematter。Headmiresasalover，notasaconnoisseur。Tosatisfyme，thosecharactersmustbeunited。Icouldnotbehappywithamanwhosetastedidnotineverypointcoincidewithmyown。
Hemustenterintoallmyfeelings;thesamebooks，thesamemusicmustcharmusboth。Oh！mama，howspiritless，howtamewasEdward’smannerinreadingtouslastnight！
Ifeltformysistermostseverely。Yetsheboreitwithsomuchcomposure，sheseemedscarcelytonoticeit。
Icouldhardlykeepmyseat。Tohearthosebeautifullineswhichhavefrequentlyalmostdrivenmewild，pronouncedwithsuchimpenetrablecalmness，suchdreadfulindifference！”——
“Hewouldcertainlyhavedonemorejusticetosimpleandelegantprose。Ithoughtsoatthetime;
butyouWOULDgivehimCowper。”
“Nay，Mamma，ifheisnottobeanimatedbyCowper！——
butwemustallowfordifferenceoftaste。Elinorhasnotmyfeelings，andthereforeshemayoverlookit，andbehappywithhim。ButitwouldhavebrokeMYheart，hadIlovedhim，tohearhimreadwithsolittlesensibility。
Mama，themoreIknowoftheworld，themoreamIconvincedthatIshallneverseeamanwhomIcanreallylove。
Irequiresomuch！，HemusthaveallEdward’svirtues，andhispersonandmannersmustornamenthisgoodnesswitheverypossiblecharm。”
“Remember，mylove，thatyouarenotseventeen。
Itisyettooearlyinlifetodespairofsuchahappiness。
Whyshouldyoubelessfortunatethanyourmother？，Inonecircumstanceonly，myMarianne，mayyourdestinybedifferentfromher’s！”
chapter04
CHAPTER4
“Whatapityitis，Elinor，“saidMarianne，“thatEdwardshouldhavenotastefordrawing。”
“Notastefordrawing！”repliedElinor，“whyshouldyouthinkso？Hedoesnotdrawhimself，indeed，buthehasgreatpleasureinseeingtheperformancesofotherpeople，andIassureyouheisbynomeansdeficientinnaturaltaste，thoughhehasnothadopportunitiesofimprovingit。
Hadheeverbeeninthewayoflearning，Ithinkhewouldhavedrawnverywell。Hedistrustshisownjudgmentinsuchmatterssomuch，thatheisalwaysunwillingtogivehisopiniononanypicture;buthehasaninnateproprietyandsimplicityoftaste，whichingeneraldirecthimperfectlyright。”
Mariannewasafraidofoffending，andsaidnomoreonthesubject;butthekindofapprobationwhichElinordescribedasexcitedinhimbythedrawingsofotherpeople，wasveryfarfromthatrapturousdelight，which，inheropinion，couldalonebecalledtaste。Yet，thoughsmilingwithinherselfatthemistake，shehonouredhersisterforthatblindpartialitytoEdwardwhichproducedit。
“Ihope，Marianne，“continuedElinor，“youdonotconsiderhimasdeficientingeneraltaste。Indeed，IthinkImaysaythatyoucannot，foryourbehaviourtohimisperfectlycordial，andifTHATwereyouropinion，Iamsureyoucouldneverbeciviltohim。”
Mariannehardlyknewwhattosay。Shewouldnotwoundthefeelingsofhersisteronanyaccount，andyettosaywhatshedidnotbelievewasimpossible。
Atlengthshereplied：
“Donotbeoffended，Elinor，ifmypraiseofhimisnotineverythingequaltoyoursenseofhismerits。
Ihavenothadsomanyopportunitiesofestimatingtheminuterpropensitiesofhismind，hisinclinationsandtastes，asyouhave;butIhavethehighestopinionintheworldofhisgoodnessandsense。Ithinkhimeverythingthatisworthyandamiable。”
“Iamsure，“repliedElinor，withasmile，“thathisdearestfriendscouldnotbedissatisfiedwithsuchcommendationasthat。Idonotperceivehowyoucouldexpressyourselfmorewarmly。”
Mariannewasrejoicedtofindhersistersoeasilypleased。
“Ofhissenseandhisgoodness，“continuedElinor，“noonecan，Ithink，beindoubt，whohasseenhimoftenenoughtoengagehiminunreservedconversation。
Theexcellenceofhisunderstandingandhisprinciplescanbeconcealedonlybythatshynesswhichtoooftenkeepshimsilent。Youknowenoughofhimtodojusticetohissolidworth。Butofhisminuterpropensities，asyoucallthemyouhavefrompeculiarcircumstancesbeenkeptmoreignorantthanmyself。HeandIhavebeenattimesthrownagooddealtogether，whileyouhavebeenwhollyengrossedonthemostaffectionateprinciplebymymother。Ihaveseenagreatdealofhim，havestudiedhissentimentsandheardhisopiniononsubjectsofliteratureandtaste;and，uponthewhole，Iventuretopronouncethathismindiswell-informed，enjoymentofbooksexceedinglygreat，hisimaginationlively，hisobservationjustandcorrect，andhistastedelicateandpure。Hisabilitiesineveryrespectimproveasmuchuponacquaintanceashismannersandperson。
Atfirstsight，hisaddressiscertainlynotstriking;
andhispersoncanhardlybecalledhandsome，tilltheexpressionofhiseyes，whichareuncommonlygood，andthegeneralsweetnessofhiscountenance，isperceived。
Atpresent，Iknowhimsowell，thatIthinkhimreallyhandsome;oratleast，almostso。Whatsayyou，Marianne？”
“Ishallverysoonthinkhimhandsome，Elinor，ifI
donotnow。Whenyoutellmetolovehimasabrother，Ishallnomoreseeimperfectioninhisface，thanInowdoinhisheart。”
Elinorstartedatthisdeclaration，andwassorryforthewarmthshehadbeenbetrayedinto，inspeakingofhim。
ShefeltthatEdwardstoodveryhighinheropinion。
Shebelievedtheregardtobemutual;butsherequiredgreatercertaintyofittomakeMarianne’sconvictionoftheirattachmentagreeabletoher。SheknewthatwhatMarianneandhermotherconjecturedonemoment，theybelievedthenext——thatwiththem，towishwastohope，andtohopewastoexpect。Shetriedtoexplaintherealstateofthecasetohersister。
“Idonotattempttodeny，“saidshe，“thatIthinkveryhighlyofhim——thatIgreatlyesteem，thatIlikehim。”
Mariannehereburstforthwithindignation——
“Esteemhim！Likehim！Cold-heartedElinor！
Oh！
worsethancold-hearted！Ashamedofbeingotherwise。
Usethosewordsagain，andIwillleavetheroomthismoment。”
Elinorcouldnothelplaughing。”Excuseme，“
saidshe;“andbeassuredthatImeantnooffencetoyou，byspeaking，insoquietaway，ofmyownfeelings。
BelievethemtobestrongerthanIhavedeclared;
believethem，inshort，tobesuchashismerit，andthesuspicion——thehopeofhisaffectionformemaywarrant，withoutimprudenceorfolly。Butfartherthanthisyoumustnotbelieve。Iambynomeansassuredofhisregardforme。
Therearemomentswhentheextentofitseemsdoubtful;
andtillhissentimentsarefullyknown，youcannotwonderatmywishingtoavoidanyencouragementofmyownpartiality，bybelievingorcallingitmorethanitis。InmyheartIfeellittle——scarcelyanydoubtofhispreference。
Butthereareotherpointstobeconsideredbesideshisinclination。Heisveryfarfrombeingindependent。
Whathismotherreallyiswecannotknow;but，fromFanny’soccasionalmentionofherconductandopinions，wehaveneverbeendisposedtothinkheramiable;andIamverymuchmistakenifEdwardisnothimselfawarethattherewouldbemanydifficultiesinhisway，ifheweretowishtomarryawomanwhohadnoteitheragreatfortuneorhighrank。”
Mariannewasastonishedtofindhowmuchtheimaginationofhermotherandherselfhadoutstrippedthetruth。
“Andyoureallyarenotengagedtohim！”saidshe。
“Yetitcertainlysoonwillhappen。Buttwoadvantageswillproceedfromthisdelay。Ishallnotloseyousosoon，andEdwardwillhavegreateropportunityofimprovingthatnaturaltasteforyourfavouritepursuitwhichmustbesoindispensablynecessarytoyourfuturefelicity。
Oh！ifheshouldbesofarstimulatedbyyourgeniusastolearntodrawhimself，howdelightfulitwouldbe！”
Elinorhadgivenherrealopiniontohersister。
ShecouldnotconsiderherpartialityforEdwardinsoprosperousastateasMariannehadbelievedit。
Therewas，attimes，awantofspiritsabouthimwhich，ifitdidnotdenoteindifference，spokeasomethingalmostasunpromising。Adoubtofherregard，supposinghimtofeelit，neednotgivehimmorethaninquietude。
Itwouldnotbelikelytoproducethatdejectionofmindwhichfrequentlyattendedhim。Amorereasonablecausemightbefoundinthedependentsituationwhichforbadtheindulgenceofhisaffection。Sheknewthathismotherneitherbehavedtohimsoastomakehishomecomfortableatpresent，nortogivehimanyassurancethathemightformahomeforhimself，withoutstrictlyattendingtoherviewsforhisaggrandizement。Withsuchaknowledgeasthis，itwasimpossibleforElinortofeeleasyonthesubject。
Shewasfarfromdependingonthatresultofhispreferenceofher，whichhermotherandsisterstillconsideredascertain。Nay，thelongertheyweretogetherthemoredoubtfulseemedthenatureofhisregard;andsometimes，forafewpainfulminutes，shebelievedittobenomorethanfriendship。
But，whatevermightreallybeitslimits，itwasenough，whenperceivedbyhissister，tomakeheruneasy，andatthesametime，(whichwasstillmorecommon，)
tomakeheruncivil。Shetookthefirstopportunityofaffrontinghermother-in-lawontheoccasion，talkingtohersoexpressivelyofherbrother’sgreatexpectations，ofMrs。Ferrars’sresolutionthatbothhersonsshouldmarrywell，andofthedangerattendinganyyoungwomanwhoattemptedtoDRAWHIMIN;thatMrs。Dashwoodcouldneitherpretendtobeunconscious，norendeavortobecalm。
Shegaveherananswerwhichmarkedhercontempt，andinstantlylefttheroom，resolvingthat，whatevermightbetheinconvenienceorexpenseofsosuddenaremoval，herbelovedElinorshouldnotbeexposedanotherweektosuchinsinuations。
Inthisstateofherspirits，aletterwasdeliveredtoherfromthepost，whichcontainedaproposalparticularlywelltimed。Itwastheofferofasmallhouse，onveryeasyterms，belongingtoarelationofherown，agentlemanofconsequenceandpropertyinDevonshire。
Theletterwasfromthisgentlemanhimself，andwritteninthetruespiritoffriendlyaccommodation。
Heunderstoodthatshewasinneedofadwelling;
andthoughthehousehenowofferedherwasmerelyacottage，heassuredherthateverythingshouldbedonetoitwhichshemightthinknecessary，ifthesituationpleasedher。
Heearnestlypressedher，aftergivingtheparticularsofthehouseandgarden，tocomewithherdaughterstoBartonPark，theplaceofhisownresidence，fromwhenceshemightjudge，herself，whetherBartonCottage，forthehouseswereinthesameparish，could，byanyalteration，bemadecomfortabletoher。Heseemedreallyanxioustoaccommodatethemandthewholeofhisletterwaswritteninsofriendlyastyleascouldnotfailofgivingpleasuretohiscousin;moreespeciallyatamomentwhenshewassufferingunderthecoldandunfeelingbehaviourofhernearerconnections。Sheneedednotimefordeliberationorinquiry。Herresolutionwasformedassheread。
ThesituationofBarton，inacountysofardistantfromSussexasDevonshire，which，butafewhoursbefore，wouldhavebeenasufficientobjectiontooutweigheverypossibleadvantagebelongingtotheplace，wasnowitsfirstrecommendation。ToquittheneighbourhoodofNorlandwasnolongeranevil;itwasanobjectofdesire;
itwasablessing，incomparisonofthemiseryofcontinuingherdaughter-in-law’sguest;andtoremoveforeverfromthatbelovedplacewouldbelesspainfulthantoinhabitorvisititwhilesuchawomanwasitsmistress。
SheinstantlywroteSirJohnMiddletonheracknowledgmentofhiskindness，andheracceptanceofhisproposal;
andthenhastenedtoshewbothletterstoherdaughters，thatshemightbesecureoftheirapprobationbeforeheranswerweresent。
ElinorhadalwaysthoughtitwouldbemoreprudentforthemtosettleatsomedistancefromNorland，thanimmediatelyamongsttheirpresentacquaintance。
OnTHAThead，therefore，itwasnotforhertoopposehermother’sintentionofremovingintoDevonshire。
Thehouse，too，asdescribedbySirJohn，wasonsosimpleascale，andtherentsouncommonlymoderate，astoleavehernorightofobjectiononeitherpoint;
and，therefore，thoughitwasnotaplanwhichbroughtanycharmtoherfancy，thoughitwasaremovalfromthevicinityofNorlandbeyondherwishes，shemadenoattempttodissuadehermotherfromsendingaletterofacquiescence。
chapter05
CHAPTER5
Nosoonerwasheranswerdispatched，thanMrs。
Dashwoodindulgedherselfinthepleasureofannouncingtoherson-in-lawandhiswifethatshewasprovidedwithahouse，andshouldincommodethemnolongerthantilleverythingwerereadyforherinhabitingit。Theyheardherwithsurprise。
Mrs。JohnDashwoodsaidnothing;butherhusbandcivillyhopedthatshewouldnotbesettledfarfromNorland。
ShehadgreatsatisfactioninreplyingthatshewasgoingintoDevonshire——Edwardturnedhastilytowardsher，onhearingthis，and，inavoiceofsurpriseandconcern，whichrequirednoexplanationtoher，repeated，“Devonshire！Areyou，indeed，goingthere？，Sofarfromhence！
Andtowhatpartofit？”Sheexplainedthesituation。
ItwaswithinfourmilesnorthwardofExeter。
“Itisbutacottage，“shecontinued，“butIhopetoseemanyofmyfriendsinit。Aroomortwocaneasilybeadded;andifmyfriendsfindnodifficultyintravellingsofartoseeme，IamsureIwillfindnoneinaccommodatingthem。”
SheconcludedwithaverykindinvitationtoMr。andMrs。JohnDashwoodtovisitheratBarton;
andtoEdwardshegaveonewithstillgreateraffection。
Thoughherlateconversationwithherdaughter-in-lawhadmadeherresolveonremainingatNorlandnolongerthanwasunavoidable，ithadnotproducedthesmallesteffectonherinthatpointtowhichitprincipallytended。
ToseparateEdwardandElinorwasasfarfrombeingherobjectasever;andshewishedtoshowMrs。JohnDashwood，bythispointedinvitationtoherbrother，howtotallyshedisregardedherdisapprobationofthematch。
Mr。JohnDashwoodtoldhismotheragainandagainhowexceedinglysorryhewasthatshehadtakenahouseatsuchadistancefromNorlandastopreventhisbeingofanyservicetoherinremovingherfurniture。Hereallyfeltconscientiouslyvexedontheoccasion;fortheveryexertiontowhichhehadlimitedtheperformanceofhispromisetohisfatherwasbythisarrangementrenderedimpracticable——
Thefurniturewasallsentaroundbywater。Itchieflyconsistedofhouseholdlinen，plate，china，andbooks，withahandsomepianoforteofMarianne’s。Mrs。JohnDashwoodsawthepackagesdepartwithasigh：shecouldnothelpfeelingithardthatasMrs。Dashwood’sincomewouldbesotriflingincomparisonwiththeirown，sheshouldhaveanyhandsomearticleoffurniture。
Mrs。Dashwoodtookthehouseforatwelvemonth;
itwasreadyfurnished，andshemighthaveimmediatepossession。
Nodifficultyaroseoneithersideintheagreement;andshewaitedonlyforthedisposalofhereffectsatNorland，andtodetermineherfuturehousehold，beforeshesetoffforthewest;andthis，asshewasexceedinglyrapidintheperformanceofeverythingthatinterestedher，wassoondone——Thehorseswhichwereleftherbyherhusbandhadbeensoldsoonafterhisdeath，andanopportunitynowofferingofdisposingofhercarriage，sheagreedtosellthatlikewiseattheearnestadviceofhereldestdaughter。Forthecomfortofherchildren，hadsheconsultedonlyherownwishes，shewouldhavekeptit;
butthediscretionofElinorprevailed。HERwisdomtoolimitedthenumberoftheirservantstothree;
twomaidsandaman，withwhomtheywerespeedilyprovidedfromamongstthosewhohadformedtheirestablishmentatNorland。
ThemanandoneofthemaidsweresentoffimmediatelyintoDevonshire，topreparethehousefortheirmistress’sarrival;forasLadyMiddletonwasentirelyunknowntoMrs。Dashwood，shepreferredgoingdirectlytothecottagetobeingavisitoratBartonPark;andshereliedsoundoubtinglyonSirJohn’sdescriptionofthehouse，astofeelnocuriositytoexamineitherselftillsheentereditasherown。HereagernesstobegonefromNorlandwaspreservedfromdiminutionbytheevidentsatisfactionofherdaughter-in-lawintheprospectofherremoval;
asatisfactionwhichwasbutfeeblyattemptedtobeconcealedunderacoldinvitationtohertodeferherdeparture。
Nowwasthetimewhenherson-in-law’spromisetohisfathermightwithparticularproprietybefulfilled。
Sincehehadneglectedtodoitonfirstcomingtotheestate，theirquittinghishousemightbelookedonasthemostsuitableperiodforitsaccomplishment。
ButMrs。Dashwoodbeganshortlytogiveovereveryhopeofthekind，andtobeconvinced，fromthegeneraldriftofhisdiscourse，thathisassistanceextendednofartherthantheirmaintenanceforsixmonthsatNorland。
Hesofrequentlytalkedoftheincreasingexpensesofhousekeeping，andoftheperpetualdemandsuponhispurse，whichamanofanyconsequenceintheworldwasbeyondcalculationexposedto，thatheseemedrathertostandinneedofmoremoneyhimselfthantohaveanydesignofgivingmoneyaway。
InaveryfewweeksfromthedaywhichbroughtSirJohnMiddleton’sfirstlettertoNorland，everythingwassofarsettledintheirfutureabodeastoenableMrs。Dashwoodandherdaughterstobegintheirjourney。
Manywerethetearsshedbythemintheirlastadieustoaplacesomuchbeloved。”Dear，dearNorland！”
saidMarianne，asshewanderedalonebeforethehouse，onthelasteveningoftheirbeingthere;“whenshallIceasetoregretyou！——whenlearntofeelahomeelsewhere！——Oh！
happyhouse，couldyouknowwhatIsufferinnowviewingyoufromthisspot，fromwhenceperhapsImayviewyounomore！——Andyou，yewell-knowntrees！——butyouwillcontinuethesame——Noleafwilldecaybecauseweareremoved，noranybranchbecomemotionlessalthoughwecanobserveyounolonger！——No;youwillcontinuethesame;
unconsciousofthepleasureortheregretyouoccasion，andinsensibleofanychangeinthosewhowalkunderyourshade！——Butwhowillremaintoenjoyyou？”
chapter06
CHAPTER6
Thefirstpartoftheirjourneywasperformedintoomelancholyadispositiontobeotherwisethantediousandunpleasant。Butastheydrewtowardstheendofit，theirinterestintheappearanceofacountrywhichtheyweretoinhabitovercametheirdejection，andaviewofBartonValleyastheyentereditgavethemcheerfulness。
Itwasapleasantfertilespot，wellwooded，andrichinpasture。Afterwindingalongitformorethanamile，theyreachedtheirownhouse。Asmallgreencourtwasthewholeofitsdemesneinfront;andaneatwicketgateadmittedthemintoit。
Asahouse，BartonCottage，thoughsmall，wascomfortableandcompact;butasacottageitwasdefective，forthebuildingwasregular，theroofwastiled，thewindowshutterswerenotpaintedgreen，norwerethewallscoveredwithhoneysuckles。Anarrowpassageleddirectlythroughthehouseintothegardenbehind。Oneachsideoftheentrancewasasittingroom，aboutsixteenfeetsquare;
andbeyondthemweretheofficesandthestairs。
Fourbed-roomsandtwogarretsformedtherestofthehouse。
Ithadnotbeenbuiltmanyyearsandwasingoodrepair。
IncomparisonofNorland，itwaspoorandsmallindeed！——butthetearswhichrecollectioncalledforthastheyenteredthehouseweresoondriedaway。Theywerecheeredbythejoyoftheservantsontheirarrival，andeachforthesakeoftheothersresolvedtoappearhappy。
ItwasveryearlyinSeptember;theseasonwasfine，andfromfirstseeingtheplaceundertheadvantageofgoodweather，theyreceivedanimpressioninitsfavourwhichwasofmaterialserviceinrecommendingittotheirlastingapprobation。
Thesituationofthehousewasgood。
Highhillsroseimmediatelybehind，andatnogreatdistanceoneachside;
someofwhichwereopendowns，theotherscultivatedandwoody。
ThevillageofBartonwaschieflyononeofthesehills，andformedapleasantviewfromthecottagewindows。
Theprospectinfrontwasmoreextensive;itcommandedthewholeofthevalley，andreachedintothecountrybeyond。
Thehillswhichsurroundedthecottageterminatedthevalleyinthatdirection;underanothername，andinanothercourse，itbranchedoutagainbetweentwoofthesteepestofthem。
WiththesizeandfurnitureofthehouseMrs。
Dashwoodwasuponthewholewellsatisfied;forthoughherformerstyleofliferenderedmanyadditionstothelatterindispensable，yettoaddandimprovewasadelighttoher;
andshehadatthistimereadymoneyenoughtosupplyallthatwaswantedofgreaterelegancetotheapartments。
“Asforthehouseitself，tobesure，“saidshe，“itistoosmallforourfamily，butwewillmakeourselvestolerablycomfortableforthepresent，asitistoolateintheyearforimprovements。Perhapsinthespring，ifIhaveplentyofmoney，asIdaresayIshall，wemaythinkaboutbuilding。TheseparlorsarebothtoosmallforsuchpartiesofourfriendsasIhopetoseeoftencollectedhere;andIhavesomethoughtsofthrowingthepassageintooneofthemwithperhapsapartoftheother，andsoleavetheremainderofthatotherforanentrance;
this，withanewdrawingroomwhichmaybeeasilyadded，andabed-chamberandgarretabove，willmakeitaverysnuglittlecottage。Icouldwishthestairswerehandsome。
Butonemustnotexpecteverything;thoughIsupposeitwouldbenodifficultmattertowidenthem。IshallseehowmuchIambefore-handwiththeworldinthespring，andwewillplanourimprovementsaccordingly。”
Inthemeantime，tillallthesealterationscouldbemadefromthesavingsofanincomeoffivehundreda-yearbyawomanwhoneversavedinherlife，theywerewiseenoughtobecontentedwiththehouseasitwas;
andeachofthemwasbusyinarrangingtheirparticularconcerns，andendeavoring，byplacingaroundthembooksandotherpossessions，toformthemselvesahome。
Marianne’spianofortewasunpackedandproperlydisposedof;
andElinor’sdrawingswereaffixedtothewallsoftheirsittingroom。
Insuchemploymentsasthesetheywereinterruptedsoonafterbreakfastthenextdaybytheentranceoftheirlandlord，whocalledtowelcomethemtoBarton，andtoofferthemeveryaccommodationfromhisownhouseandgardeninwhichtheirsmightatpresentbedeficient。
SirJohnMiddletonwasagoodlookingmanaboutforty。
HehadformerlyvisitedatStanhill，butitwastoolongforhisyoungcousinstorememberhim。Hiscountenancewasthoroughlygood-humoured;andhismannerswereasfriendlyasthestyleofhisletter。Theirarrivalseemedtoaffordhimrealsatisfaction，andtheircomforttobeanobjectofrealsolicitudetohim。Hesaidmuchofhisearnestdesireoftheirlivinginthemostsociabletermswithhisfamily，andpressedthemsocordiallytodineatBartonParkeverydaytilltheywerebettersettledathome，that，thoughhisentreatieswerecarriedtoapointofperseverancebeyondcivility，theycouldnotgiveoffence。Hiskindnesswasnotconfinedtowords;
forwithinanhourafterheleftthem，alargebasketfullofgardenstuffandfruitarrivedfromthepark，whichwasfollowedbeforetheendofthedaybyapresentofgame。Heinsisted，moreover，onconveyingalltheirletterstoandfromthepostforthem，andwouldnotbedeniedthesatisfactionofsendingthemhisnewspapereveryday。
LadyMiddletonhadsentaverycivilmessagebyhim，denotingherintentionofwaitingonMrs。Dashwoodassoonasshecouldbeassuredthathervisitwouldbenoinconvenience;
andasthismessagewasansweredbyaninvitationequallypolite，herladyshipwasintroducedtothemthenextday。
Theywere，ofcourse，veryanxioustoseeapersononwhomsomuchoftheircomfortatBartonmustdepend;andtheeleganceofherappearancewasfavourabletotheirwishes。
LadyMiddletonwasnotmorethansixorsevenandtwenty;
herfacewashandsome，herfiguretallandstriking，andheraddressgraceful。Hermannershadalltheelegancewhichherhusband’swanted。Buttheywouldhavebeenimprovedbysomeshareofhisfranknessandwarmth;
andhervisitwaslongenoughtodetractsomethingfromtheirfirstadmiration，byshewingthat，thoughperfectlywell-bred，shewasreserved，cold，andhadnothingtosayforherselfbeyondthemostcommon-placeinquiryorremark。
Conversationhoweverwasnotwanted，forSirJohnwasverychatty，andLadyMiddletonhadtakenthewiseprecautionofbringingwithhertheireldestchild，afinelittleboyaboutsixyearsold，bywhichmeanstherewasonesubjectalwaystoberecurredtobytheladiesincaseofextremity，fortheyhadtoenquirehisnameandage，admirehisbeauty，andaskhimquestionswhichhismotheransweredforhim，whilehehungaboutherandhelddownhishead，tothegreatsurpriseofherladyship，whowonderedathisbeingsoshybeforecompany，ashecouldmakenoiseenoughathome。Oneveryformalvisitachildoughttobeoftheparty，bywayofprovisionfordiscourse。Inthepresentcaseittookuptenminutestodeterminewhethertheboyweremostlikehisfatherormother，andinwhatparticularheresembledeither，forofcourseeverybodydiffered，andeverybodywasastonishedattheopinionoftheothers。
AnopportunitywassoontobegiventotheDashwoodsofdebatingontherestofthechildren，asSirJohnwouldnotleavethehousewithoutsecuringtheirpromiseofdiningattheparkthenextday。
chapter07
CHAPTER7
BartonParkwasabouthalfamilefromthecottage。
Theladieshadpassednearitintheirwayalongthevalley，butitwasscreenedfromtheirviewathomebytheprojectionofahill。Thehousewaslargeandhandsome;
andtheMiddletonslivedinastyleofequalhospitalityandelegance。TheformerwasforSirJohn’sgratification，thelatterforthatofhislady。Theywerescarcelyeverwithoutsomefriendsstayingwiththeminthehouse，andtheykeptmorecompanyofeverykindthananyotherfamilyintheneighbourhood。Itwasnecessarytothehappinessofboth;forhoweverdissimilarintemperandoutwardbehaviour，theystronglyresembledeachotherinthattotalwantoftalentandtastewhichconfinedtheiremployments，unconnectedwithsuchassocietyproduced，withinaverynarrowcompass。SirJohnwasasportsman，LadyMiddletonamother。Hehuntedandshot，andshehumouredherchildren;andtheseweretheironlyresources。
LadyMiddletonhadtheadvantageofbeingabletospoilherchildrenalltheyearround，whileSirJohn’sindependentemploymentswereinexistenceonlyhalfthetime。
Continualengagementsathomeandabroad，however，suppliedallthedeficienciesofnatureandeducation;
supportedthegoodspiritsofSirJohn，andgaveexercisetothegoodbreedingofhiswife。
LadyMiddletonpiquedherselfupontheeleganceofhertable，andofallherdomesticarrangements;
andfromthiskindofvanitywashergreatestenjoymentinanyoftheirparties。ButSirJohn’ssatisfactioninsocietywasmuchmorereal;hedelightedincollectingabouthimmoreyoungpeoplethanhishousewouldhold，andthenoisiertheywerethebetterwashepleased。
Hewasablessingtoallthejuvenilepartoftheneighbourhood，forinsummerhewasforeverformingpartiestoeatcoldhamandchickenoutofdoors，andinwinterhisprivateballswerenumerousenoughforanyyoungladywhowasnotsufferingundertheunsatiableappetiteoffifteen。
Thearrivalofanewfamilyinthecountrywasalwaysamatterofjoytohim，andineverypointofviewhewascharmedwiththeinhabitantshehadnowprocuredforhiscottageatBarton。TheMissDashwoodswereyoung，pretty，andunaffected。Itwasenoughtosecurehisgoodopinion;
fortobeunaffectedwasallthataprettygirlcouldwanttomakehermindascaptivatingasherperson。
Thefriendlinessofhisdispositionmadehimhappyinaccommodatingthose，whosesituationmightbeconsidered，incomparisonwiththepast，asunfortunate。Inshowingkindnesstohiscousinsthereforehehadtherealsatisfactionofagoodheart;andinsettlingafamilyoffemalesonlyinhiscottage，hehadallthesatisfactionofasportsman;
forasportsman，thoughheesteemsonlythoseofhissexwhoaresportsmenlikewise，isnotoftendesirousofencouragingtheirtastebyadmittingthemtoaresidencewithinhisownmanor。
Mrs。DashwoodandherdaughtersweremetatthedoorofthehousebySirJohn，whowelcomedthemtoBartonParkwithunaffectedsincerity;andasheattendedthemtothedrawingroomrepeatedtotheyoungladiestheconcernwhichthesamesubjecthaddrawnfromhimthedaybefore，atbeingunabletogetanysmartyoungmentomeetthem。
Theywouldsee，hesaid，onlyonegentlemantherebesideshimself;aparticularfriendwhowasstayingatthepark，butwhowasneitherveryyoungnorverygay。
Hehopedtheywouldallexcusethesmallnessoftheparty，andcouldassurethemitshouldneverhappensoagain。
Hehadbeentoseveralfamiliesthatmorninginhopesofprocuringsomeadditiontotheirnumber，butitwasmoonlightandeverybodywasfullofengagements。
LuckilyLadyMiddleton’smotherhadarrivedatBartonwithinthelasthour，andasshewasaverycheerfulagreeablewoman，hehopedtheyoungladieswouldnotfinditsoverydullastheymightimagine。Theyoungladies，aswellastheirmother，wereperfectlysatisfiedwithhavingtwoentirestrangersoftheparty，andwishedfornomore。
Mrs。Jennings，LadyMiddleton’smother，wasagood-humoured，merry，fat，elderlywoman，whotalkedagreatdeal，seemedveryhappy，andrathervulgar。Shewasfullofjokesandlaughter，andbeforedinnerwasoverhadsaidmanywittythingsonthesubjectofloversandhusbands;
hopedtheyhadnotlefttheirheartsbehindtheminSussex，andpretendedtoseethemblushwhethertheydidornot。
Mariannewasvexedatitforhersister’ssake，andturnedhereyestowardsElinortoseehowsheboretheseattacks，withanearnestnesswhichgaveElinorfarmorepainthancouldarisefromsuchcommon-placerailleryasMrs。Jennings’s。
ColonelBrandon，thefriendofSirJohn，seemednomoreadaptedbyresemblanceofmannertobehisfriend，thanLadyMiddletonwastobehiswife，orMrs。JenningstobeLadyMiddleton’smother。Hewassilentandgrave。
Hisappearancehoweverwasnotunpleasing，inspiteofhisbeingintheopinionofMarianneandMargaretanabsoluteoldbachelor，forhewasonthewrongsideoffiveandthirty;butthoughhisfacewasnothandsome，hiscountenancewassensible，andhisaddresswasparticularlygentlemanlike。
TherewasnothinginanyofthepartywhichcouldrecommendthemascompanionstotheDashwoods;butthecoldinsipidityofLadyMiddletonwassoparticularlyrepulsive，thatincomparisonofitthegravityofColonelBrandon，andeventheboisterousmirthofSirJohnandhismother-in-lawwasinteresting。LadyMiddletonseemedtoberousedtoenjoymentonlybytheentranceofherfournoisychildrenafterdinner，whopulledherabout，toreherclothes，andputanendtoeverykindofdiscourseexceptwhatrelatedtothemselves。
Intheevening，asMariannewasdiscoveredtobemusical，shewasinvitedtoplay。Theinstrumentwasunlocked，everybodypreparedtobecharmed，andMarianne，whosangverywell，attheirrequestwentthroughthechiefofthesongswhichLadyMiddletonhadbroughtintothefamilyonhermarriage，andwhichperhapshadlaineversinceinthesamepositiononthepianoforte，forherladyshiphadcelebratedthateventbygivingupmusic，althoughbyhermother’saccount，shehadplayedextremelywell，andbyherownwasveryfondofit。
Marianne’sperformancewashighlyapplauded。
SirJohnwasloudinhisadmirationattheendofeverysong，andasloudinhisconversationwiththeotherswhileeverysonglasted。LadyMiddletonfrequentlycalledhimtoorder，wonderedhowanyone’sattentioncouldbedivertedfrommusicforamoment，andaskedMariannetosingaparticularsongwhichMariannehadjustfinished。ColonelBrandonalone，ofalltheparty，heardherwithoutbeinginraptures。
Hepaidheronlythecomplimentofattention;andshefeltarespectforhimontheoccasion，whichtheothershadreasonablyforfeitedbytheirshamelesswantoftaste。
Hispleasureinmusic，thoughitamountednottothatecstaticdelightwhichalonecouldsympathizewithherown，wasestimablewhencontrastedagainstthehorribleinsensibilityoftheothers;andshewasreasonableenoughtoallowthatamanoffiveandthirtymightwellhaveoutlivedallacutenessoffeelingandeveryexquisitepowerofenjoyment。Shewasperfectlydisposedtomakeeveryallowanceforthecolonel’sadvancedstateoflifewhichhumanityrequired。
CHAPTER8
Mrs。Jenningswasawidowwithanamplejointure。
Shehadonlytwodaughters，bothofwhomshehadlivedtoseerespectablymarried，andshehadnowthereforenothingtodobuttomarryalltherestoftheworld。
Inthepromotionofthisobjectshewaszealouslyactive，asfarasherabilityreached;andmissednoopportunityofprojectingweddingsamongalltheyoungpeopleofheracquaintance。Shewasremarkablyquickinthediscoveryofattachments，andhadenjoyedtheadvantageofraisingtheblushesandthevanityofmanyayoungladybyinsinuationsofherpoweroversuchayoungman;
andthiskindofdiscernmentenabledhersoonafterherarrivalatBartondecisivelytopronouncethatColonelBrandonwasverymuchinlovewithMarianneDashwood。
Sherathersuspectedittobeso，ontheveryfirsteveningoftheirbeingtogether，fromhislisteningsoattentivelywhileshesangtothem;andwhenthevisitwasreturnedbytheMiddletons’diningatthecottage，thefactwasascertainedbyhislisteningtoheragain。
Itmustbeso。Shewasperfectlyconvincedofit。
Itwouldbeanexcellentmatch，forHEwasrich，andSHE
washandsome。Mrs。JenningshadbeenanxioustoseeColonelBrandonwellmarried，eversinceherconnectionwithSirJohnfirstbroughthimtoherknowledge;
andshewasalwaysanxioustogetagoodhusbandforeveryprettygirl。
Theimmediateadvantagetoherselfwasbynomeansinconsiderable，foritsuppliedherwithendlessjokesagainstthemboth。Attheparkshelaughedatthecolonel，andinthecottageatMarianne。Totheformerherraillerywasprobably，asfarasitregardedonlyhimself，perfectlyindifferent;buttothelatteritwasatfirstincomprehensible;andwhenitsobjectwasunderstood，shehardlyknewwhethermosttolaughatitsabsurdity，orcensureitsimpertinence，forsheconsidereditasanunfeelingreflectiononthecolonel’sadvancedyears，andonhisforlornconditionasanoldbachelor。
Mrs。Dashwood，whocouldnotthinkamanfiveyearsyoungerthanherself，soexceedinglyancientasheappearedtotheyouthfulfancyofherdaughter，venturedtoclearMrs。Jenningsfromtheprobabilityofwishingtothrowridiculeonhisage。