Sense and Sensibility (The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen)

Citation preview

This page intentionally left blank

th e c a m b r i d g e e d i ti o n o f th e w o r k s o f

JA N E A U S T EN sense and sensibilit y

Cambridge University Press and the General Editor Janet Todd wish to express their gratitude to the University of Glasgow and the University of Aberdeen for providing funding towards the creation of this edition. Their generosity made possible the employment of Antje Blank as research assistant throughout the project.

th e c a m b r i d g e e d i ti o n o f th e w o r k s o f

JA N E A U S T EN g e n e ra l e d i t o r : Janet Todd, University of Aberdeen e d i t o r i a l bo a r d Marilyn Butler, University of Oxford Alistair Duckworth, University of Florida Isobel Grundy, University of Alberta Claudia Johnson, Princeton University Jerome McGann, University of Virginia Deirdre Le Faye, independent scholar Linda Bree, Cambridge University Press

v o l u m e s i n th i s s e r i e s

Juvenilia edited by Peter Sabor Northanger Abbey edited by Barbara M. Benedict and Deirdre Le Faye Sense and Sensibility edited by Edward Copeland Pride and Prejudice edited by Pat Rogers Mansfield Park edited by John Wiltshire Emma edited by Richard Cronin and Dorothy McMillan Persuasion edited by Janet Todd and Antje Blank Later Manuscripts edited by Brian Southam Jane Austen in Context edited by Janet Todd

Forest scene from Remarks on Forest Scenery, and Other Woodland Views (Relative Chiefly to Picturesque Beauty): Illustrated by the Scenes of New-Forest in Hampshire, by William Gilpin (London, 1791), volume I, p. 5. Reproduced by permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library.

JA N E AU S T EN

S EN S E A N D S EN S I B I LI T Y Edited by Edward Copeland

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS

Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, São Paulo Cambridge University Press The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 8RU, UK Published in the United States of America by Cambridge University Press, New York www.cambridge.org Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9780521824361 © Cambridge University Press 2006 This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provision of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press. First published in print format 2006 eBook (NetLibrary) ISBN-13 978-0-511-24233-5 ISBN-10 0-511-24233-6 eBook (NetLibrary) ISBN-13 ISBN-10

hardback 978-0-521-82436-1 hardback 0-521-82436-2

Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of urls for external or third-party internet websites referred to in this publication, and does not guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.

CO N T EN T S

General Editor’s preface ix Acknowledgements xiii Chronology xv Introduction xxiii Note on the text lxvii

Sense and Sensibility

1

Corrections and emendations to 1813 text 432 List of abbreviations 434 Explanatory notes 435

vii

G EN ER A L ED I T O R ’ S P R EFAC E

Jane Austen wrote to be read and reread. ‘[A]n artist cannot do anything slovenly,’ she remarked to her sister Cassandra. Her subtle, crafted novels repay close and repeated attention to vocabulary, syntax and punctuation as much as to irony and allusion; yet the reader can take immediate and intense delight in their plots and characters. As a result Austen has a unique status among early English novelists – appreciated by the academy and the general public alike. What Henry Crawford remarks about Shakespeare in Mansfield Park has become equally true of its author: she ‘is a part of an Englishman’s constitution. [Her] thoughts and beauties are so spread abroad that one touches them every where, one is intimate with [her] by instinct.’ This edition of the complete oeuvre of the published novels and manuscript works is testament to Austen’s exceptional cultural and literary position. As well as attempting to establish an accurate and authoritative text, it provides a full contextual placing of the novels. The editing of any canonical writer is a practice which has been guided by many conflicting ideologies. In the early twentieth century, editors, often working alone, largely agreed that they were producing definitive editions, although they used eclectic methods and often revised the text at will. Later in the century, fidelity to the author’s creative intentions was paramount, and the emphasis switched to devising an edition that would as far as possible represent the final authorial wishes. By the 1980s, however, the pursuit of the single perfected text had given way to the recording of multiple intentions of equal interest. Authors were seen to have changed, revised or recanted, or indeed to have directed various versions of

ix

General Editor’s preface

their work towards different audiences. Consequently all states had validity and the text became a process rather than a fixed entity. With this approach came emphasis on the print culture in which the text appeared as well as on the social implications of authorship. Rather than being stages in the evolution of a single work, the various versions existed in their own right, all having something to tell. The Cambridge edition describes fully Austen’s early publishing history and provides details of composition, publication and publishers as well as printers and compositors where known. It accepts that many of the decisions concerning spelling, punctuation, capitalising, italicising and paragraphing may well have been the compositors’ rather than Austen’s but that others may represent the author’s own chosen style. For the novels published in Jane Austen’s lifetime the edition takes as its copytext the latest edition to which she might plausibly have made some contribution: that is, the first editions of Pride and Prejudice and Emma and the second editions of Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park. Where a second edition is used, all substantive and accidental changes between editions are shown on the page so that the reader can reconstruct the first edition, and the dominance of either first or second editions is avoided. For the two novels published posthumously together, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, the copytext is the first published edition. Our texts as printed here remain as close to the copytexts as possible: spelling and punctuation have not been modernised and inconsistencies in presentation have not been regularised. The few corrections and emendations made to the texts – beyond replacing dropped or missing letters – occur only when an error is very obvious indeed, and/or where retention might interrupt reading or understanding: for example, missing quotation marks have been supplied, run-on words have been separated and repeated words excised. All changes to the texts, substantive and accidental, have been noted in the final apparatus. Four of the six novels appeared individually in three volumes; we have kept the volume divisions

x

General Editor’s preface

and numbering. In the case of Persuasion, which was first published as volumes 3 and 4 of a four-volume set including Northanger Abbey, the volume division has been retained but volumes 3 and 4 have been relabelled volumes 1 and 2. For all these novels the copytext has been set against two other copies of the same edition. Where there have been any substantive differences, further copies have been examined; details of these copies are given in the initial textual notes within each volume, along with information about the printing and publishing context of this particular work. The two volumes of the edition devoted to manuscript writings divide the works between the three juvenile notebooks on the one hand and all the remaining manuscript writings on the other. The juvenile notebooks and Lady Susan have some resemblance to the published works, being fair copies and following some of the conventions of publishing. The other manuscript writings consist in part of fictional works in early drafts, burlesques and autograph and allograph copies of occasional verses and prayers. The possible dating of the manuscript work, as well as the method of editing, is considered in the introductions to the relevant volumes. The cancelled chapters of Persuasion are included in an appendix to the volume Persuasion; they appear both in a transliteration and in facsimile. For all the manuscript works, their features as manuscripts have been respected and all changes and erasures either reproduced or noted. In all the volumes superscript numbers in the texts indicate endnotes. Throughout the edition we have provided full annotations to give clear and informative historical and cultural information to the modern reader while largely avoiding critical speculation; we have also indicated words which no longer have currency or have altered in meaning in some way. The introductions give information concerning the genesis and immediate public reception of the text; they also indicate the most significant stylistic and generic features. A chronology of Austen’s life appears in each volume. More information about the life, Austen’s reading, her relationship to publication, the print history of the novels and their critical

xi

General Editor’s preface

reception through the centuries, as well as the historical, political, intellectual and religious context in which she wrote is available in the final volume of the edition: Jane Austen in Context. I would like to thank Cambridge University Library for supplying the copytexts for the six novels. I am most grateful to Linda Bree at Cambridge University Press for her constant support and unflagging enthusiasm for the edition and to Maartje Scheltens and Alison Powell for their help at every stage of production. I owe the greatest debt to my research assistant Antje Blank for her rare combination of scholarly dedication, editorial skills and critical discernment. Janet Todd University of Aberdeen

xii

AC K N O W LED G EM EN T S

As Jane Austen wrote to her sister in October 1813, ‘Like Harriot Byron I ask, what am I to do with my Gratitude?’ When I review the long list of friends and colleagues to whom I owe thanks for their assistance with this edition of Sense and Sensibility, I find myself in the same position. A good place to begin, of course, is with David Gilson’s indispensable Bibliography, but also for generous offprints of recent work and for advice in the early stages of text collations. Likewise I have had not only the advantage of Deirdre Le Faye’s scholarship, but her ready advice. I am grateful, too, for Jocelyn Harris’ generous contributions to the explanatory notes and for Kathryn Sutherland’s steadying hand at the earliest stages of the collation of the two editions. Janet Todd, Linda Bree and Antje Blank have read and reread the Introduction and Explanatory notes with useful suggestions and remarkable patience. The unstinting assistance of Margaret Mathies in the collation of the first and second editions and in the organisation and recording of their variants has been invaluable. Her formidable editorial skills and her meticulous proofreading have provided a steady light at the end of the tunnel. Authors to whom I must register my gratitude for their previous work on Sense and Sensibility are, first of all, those previous editors on whose editions I have leaned heavily for support: R. W. Chapman, naturally, but also recent editors Claire Lamont, Ros Ballaster, Claudia Johnson, Janet Todd and Kathleen James-Cavan. I owe great debts to Oliver MacDonagh and Gene Ruoff for their research into the social context of Sense and Sensibility; to Eileen Spring, J. H. Treitel, Barbara English and John Saville for their knowledge

xiii

Acknowledgements

of wills and entails; to Jan Fergus for her accounts of the contemporary publishing business; to Jocelyn Harris and Claudia Johnson for their rich familiarity with Austen’s reading; to John Wiltshire for his knowledge of contemporary medical practice; and to Irene Collins for her account of the mysteries of the English church in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Among the countless debts I owe for help with the explanatory notes, Daniel Pool’s What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew (1993) has to be mentioned as one of the handiest sources of practical information. The following institutions provided generous access to their early editions of Sense and Sensibility: the Cambridge University Library, the Bodleian Library, the British Library, the William Clark Memorial Library and the Charles E. Young Research Library, both of the University of California at Los Angeles, and the Huntington Library, in San Marino, California. The librarians at these institutions could not have been more helpful in arranging times to examine editions and in finding discreet places where wordfor-word collations could take place with a minimum of disruption to other readers. I would also like to express my special thanks to the librarians at the Honnold/Mudd Libraries of the Claremont Colleges for allowing massive raids on their collection of Austen criticism and for going out of their way to procure books from other collections when they were needed. Finally, I want to express my appreciation for the generous support of Pomona College with a sabbatical leave to commence work on the project.

xiv

CHRONOLOGY deirdre le faye

1764 26 April

1768 Summer

1773 23 March

1775 16 December 1781 Winter

Marriage of Revd George Austen, rector of Steventon, and Cassandra Leigh; they go to live at Deane, Hampshire, and their first three children – James (1765), George (1766) and Edward (1767) – are born there. The Austen family move to Steventon, Hampshire. Five more children – Henry (1771), Cassandra (1773), Francis (1774), Jane (1775), Charles (1779) – are born here. Mr Austen becomes Rector of Deane as well as Steventon, and takes pupils at Steventon from now until 1796. Jane Austen born at Steventon. JA’s cousin, Eliza Hancock, marries Jean-Franc¸ois Capot de Feuillide, in France.

1782 First mention of JA in family tradition, and the first of the family’s amateur theatrical productions takes place. 1783 JA’s third brother, Edward, is adopted by Mr and Mrs Thomas Knight II, and starts to spend time with them at Godmersham in Kent. JA, with her sister Cassandra and cousin Jane Cooper, stays for some months in Oxford and then Southampton, with kinswoman Mrs Cawley.

xv

Chronology

1785 Spring

JA and Cassandra go to the Abbey House School in Reading.

1786 April December

1788 Summer December 1791 July 27 December 1792 27 March ?Winter 1793 23 January 1 February 8 April 15 April 3 June 1794 22 February September ?Autumn

xvi

Edward sets off for Grand Tour of Europe, and does not return until autumn 1790. JA’s fifth brother, Francis, enters the Royal Naval Academy in Portsmouth. JA and Cassandra have left school and are at home again in Steventon. Between now and 1793 JA writes her three volumes of the Juvenilia. Mr and Mrs Austen take JA and Cassandra on a trip to Kent and London. Francis leaves the RN Academy and sails to East Indies; does not return until winter 1793. JA’s sixth and youngest brother, Charles, enters the Royal Naval Academy in Portsmouth. Edward Austen marries Elizabeth Bridges, and they live at Rowling in Kent. JA’s eldest brother, James, marries Anne Mathew; they live at Deane. Cassandra becomes engaged to Revd Tom Fowle. Edward Austen’s first child, Fanny, is born at Rowling. Republican France declares war on Great Britain and Holland. JA’s fourth brother, Henry, becomes a lieutenant in the Oxfordshire Militia. James Austen’s first child, Anna, born at Deane. JA writes the last item of her J. M de Feuillide guillotined in Paris. Charles leaves the RN Academy and goes to sea. JA possibly writes the novella Lady Susan this year.

Chronology

1795 3 May Autumn December 1796 October 1797 17 January February August November

31 December

JA probably writes ‘Elinor and Marianne’ this year. James’s wife Anne dies, and infant Anna is sent to live at Steventon. Revd Tom Fowle joins Lord Craven as his private chaplain for the West Indian campaign. Tom Lefroy visits Ashe Rectory – he and JA have a flirtation over the Christmas holiday period. JA starts writing ‘First Impressions’. James Austen marries Mary Lloyd, and infant Anna returns to live at Deane. Revd Tom Fowle dies of fever at San Domingo and is buried at sea. JA finishes ‘First Impressions’ and Mr Austen offers it for publication to Thomas Cadell – rejected sight unseen. JA starts converting ‘Elinor and Marianne’ into Sense and Sensibility. Mrs Austen takes her daughters for a visit to Bath. Edward Austen and his young family move from Rowling to Godmersham. Henry Austen marries his cousin, the widowed Eliza de Feuillide, in London.

1798 JA probably starts writing ‘Susan’ (later to become Northanger Abbey). 17 November James Austen’s son James Edward born at Deane. 1799 Summer JA probably finishes ‘Susan’ (NA) about now. 1800 Mr Austen decides to retire and move to Bath. 1801 24 January Henry Austen resigns his commission in the Oxfordshire Militia and sets up as a banker and army agent in London. May The Austen family leave Steventon for Bath, and then go for a seaside holiday in the West Country. JA’s traditionary West Country romance

xvii

Chronology

presumably occurs between now and the autumn of 1804. 1802 25 March Summer December

Winter 1803 Spring 18 May Summer November 1804 Summer 1805 21 January Summer 18 June 21 October 1806 2 July

24 July 1807 19 May

xviii

Peace of Amiens appears to bring the war with France to a close. Charles Austen joins his family for a seaside holiday in Wales and the West Country. JA and Cassandra visit James and Mary at Steventon; while there, Harris Bigg-Wither proposes to JA and she accepts him, only to withdraw her consent the following day. JA revises ‘Susan’ (NA). JA sells ‘Susan’ (NA) to Benjamin Crosby; he promises to publish it by 1804, but does not do so. Napoleon breaks the Peace of Amiens, and war with France recommences. The Austens visit Ramsgate in Kent, and possibly also go to the West Country again. The Austens visit Lyme Regis. JA probably starts writing The Watsons this year, but leaves it unfinished. The Austens visit Lyme Regis again. Mr Austen dies and is buried in Bath. Martha Lloyd joins forces with Mrs Austen and her daughters. James Austen’s younger daughter, Caroline, born at Steventon. Battle of Trafalgar. Mrs Austen and her daughters finally leave Bath; they visit Clifton, Adlestrop, Stoneleigh and Hamstall Ridware, before settling in Southampton in the autumn. Francis Austen marries Mary Gibson. Charles Austen marries Fanny Palmer, in Bermuda.

Chronology

1808 10 October 1809 5 April 7 July 1810 Winter 1811 February 30 October ?Winter 1812 17 June 14 October Autumn 1813 28 January ?July 29 October ?November 1814 21 January 5 April 9 May 24 December 1815 March 29 March 18 June 8 August 4 October

Edward Austen’s wife Elizabeth dies at Godmersham. JA makes an unsuccessful attempt to secure the publication of ‘Susan’ (NA). Mrs Austen and her daughters, and Martha Lloyd, move to Chawton, Hants. S&S is accepted for publication by Thomas Egerton. JA starts planning Mansfield Park. S&S published. JA starts revising ‘First Impressions’ into Pride and Prejudice. America declares war on Great Britain. Mrs Thomas Knight II dies, and Edward Austen now officially takes surname of Knight. JA sells copyright of P&P to Egerton. P&P published; JA half-way through MP. JA finishes MP. Second edition of S&S published. MP accepted for publication by Egerton about now. JA commences Emma. Napoleon abdicates and is exiled to Elba. MP published. Treaty of Ghent officially ends war with America. Napoleon escapes and resumes power in France; hostilities recommence. E finished. Battle of Waterloo finally ends war with France. JA starts Persuasion. Henry Austen takes JA to London; he falls ill, and she stays longer than anticipated.

xix

Chronology

13 November JA visits Carlton House, and receives an invitation to dedicate a future work to the Prince Regent. December E published by John Murray, dedicated to the Prince Regent (title page 1816). 1816 19 February 2nd edition of MP published. Spring JA’s health starts to fail. Henry Austen buys back manuscript of ‘Susan’ (NA), which JA revises and intends to offer again for publication. 18 July First draft of P finished. 6 August P finally completed. 1817 27 January 18 March 24 May 18 July 24 July December

1869 16 December

JA starts Sanditon. JA now too ill to work, and has to leave S unfinished. Cassandra takes JA to Winchester for medical attention. JA dies in the early morning. JA buried in Winchester Cathedral. NA and P published together, by Murray, with a ‘Biographical Notice’ added by Henry Austen (title page 1818). JA’s nephew, Revd James Edward Austen-Leigh (JEAL), publishes his Memoir of Jane Austen, from which all subsequent biographies have stemmed (title page 1870).

1871 JEAL publishes a second and enlarged edition of his Memoir, including in this the novella LS, the cancelled chapters of P, the unfinished W, a pr´ecis of S, and ‘The Mystery’ from the J. 1884 JA’s great-nephew, Lord Brabourne, publishes Letters of Jane Austen, the first attempt to collect her surviving correspondence. 1922 Volume the Second of the J published.

xx

Chronology

1925 The manuscript of the unfinished S edited by R. W. Chapman and published as Fragment of a Novel by Jane Austen. 1932 R. W. Chapman publishes Jane Austen’s Letters to her Sister Cassandra and Others, giving letters unknown to Lord Brabourne. 1933 Volume the First of the J published. 1951 Volume the Third of the J published. 1952 Second edition of R. W. Chapman’s Jane Austen’s Letters published, with additional items. 1954 R. W. Chapman publishes Jane Austen’s Minor Works, which includes the three volumes of the J and other smaller items. 1980 B. C. Southam publishes Jane Austen’s ‘Sir Charles Grandison’, a small manuscript discovered in 1977. 1995 Deirdre Le Faye publishes the third (new) edition of Jane Austen’s Letters, containing further additions to the Chapman collections.

xxi

INTRODUCTION

Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility was at least fifteen years in the making: first conceived and written as Elinor and Marianne in 1795 (a date from family tradition), converted into Sense and Sensibility beginning in November 1797 from its previous epistolary form (also family memory), revised twelve years later in 1809 and 1810 with a view to publication, accepted by the publisher Thomas Egerton in the winter of 1810, and published, finally, on 30 October 1811.1 This lengthy gestation period is of some significance. For one thing, the ideas and opinions of a twenty-year-old woman writing for family readings and family scrutiny get mixed up with the seasoned thoughts of a mature writer preparing a manuscript for publication. Moreover, traces of its conception years, the turbulent 1790s, coexist in the novel with traces of the years that divide it from its final revision for publication in 1809–10.2 Revision dates that can be verified are drawn from Marianne’s recourse to the two-penny post in London, increased from one penny to two pennies in 1801, and the mention of Scott’s The Lay of the Last Minstrel, published in 1805. By inference, other revisions were made in the last years before publication. During this long period there were major shifts in Austen’s life: the break-up of the Steventon home in 1801 for 1

2

David Gilson, A Bibliography of Jane Austen, ‘New Introduction and Corrections by the Author’, first published 1982 (Winchester: St Paul’s Bibliographies, 1997), pp. 7–8. Warren Roberts, in Jane Austen and the French Revolution (London and New York: Macmillan Press, 1979), explores the possible alterations in political focus that could have accompanied revisions of the novel (pp. 44, 52); William H. Galperin, in The Historical Austen (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2003), examines the effects of revision from epistolary to authorial narration. Barbara M. Benedict, in ‘Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility: The Politics of Point of View’, Philological Quarterly, 69 (1990), pp. 453–70, also explores the epistolary first version.

xxiii

Introduction

Mr Austen’s retirement to Bath, a retreat into confirmed spinsterhood in the following years, the sudden death of Mr Austen in 1805, a period of financial uncertainty and moving about for the three surviving Austen women, the expedient of sharing lodgings in Southampton with Francis’ family in 1806, punctuated by visits to Edward’s grand estate in Kent, and, finally, the move to Chawton cottage, arranged by Edward in 1809, the event that enabled the completion of the novel. Unstable and shifting in its sympathies and issues, Sense and Sensibility has long been treated as disappointing and odd, the redheaded stepchild of the Austen canon. Lady Bessborough in its year of first publication confessed that although Sense and Sensibility had amused her, ‘it ends stupidly’; Henry Crabb Robinson noted on rereading it in 1839, ‘I still think it one of the poorest of Miss Austen’s novels’; and Reginald Farrer remarked in 1917, ‘nobody will choose this as his favourite Jane Austen’.3 Here is consistency of response that makes it all the more remarkable and gratifying to find that in recent years Sense and Sensibility has emerged from its shadowed position among the six novels to find both popular and special appeal, particularly among feminists, historians and readerresponse critics.

pu b l i c a ti o n Although Sense and Sensibility was the first of Jane Austen’s novels to reach publication, it was not the first to be offered for that honour. In previous tries, First Impressions, the initial version of Pride and Prejudice, was refused by Cadell and Davies by return post in November 1797, and Susan, the first version of Northanger Abbey, was sold in the spring of 1803, but never deemed worthy of publication by the publisher, Richard Crosby.4 Jane Austen’s determination 3

4

Lady Bessborough, letter, 25 November 1811, Lord Granville Leveson Gower, Private Correspondence, ed. Castalia, Countess Granville (London: Murray, 1917), II, p. 418; Robinson, diary entries for 13 and 22 September 1839, in Henry Crabb Robinson on Books and their Writers, ed. E. J. Morley (London: J. M. Dent Sons, 1938); Reginald Farrer, ‘Jane Austen, ob. July 18, 1817’, Quarterly Review, 228 ( July 1917), p. 16. Gilson, Bibliography, pp. 24, 83.

xxiv

Introduction

to see Sense and Sensibility in print can be estimated by the financial risk she chose to ensure that it happened. There were four general ways to publication open to her: two of them – publication at her own expense and publication by subscription – were neither of them suitable, and the other two – publication on commission and sale of copyright – came with serious financial risks. Publication at the author’s expense had been famously successful for Hannah More, her novel Coelebs in Search of a Wife (1809) bringing the author £2,000 in a single year, but More, unlike Austen, had £5,000 of her own money to invest in costs, as well as influential friends and an established reputation as a public figure to promote the book.5 As for subscription publication, a process in which the buyer of the novel paid an elevated price to be listed in the first edition as a ‘Subscriber’, this had been a notably successful route for Burney’s Camilla (1796), clearing £2,000 for the author, but Burney had two successful novels behind her and, like Hannah More, she also had influential friends to forward the subscription.6 The two more feasible routes for Austen, sale of the copyright or publication on commission, each had its own problems. Sale of copyright, the preferred and more prestigious scheme at the time, provided immediate funds, no waiting for profits and a guaranteed amount of money. But the copyright for first novels from unknown authors brought very little money. Crosby’s payment of only £10 for the copyright of Susan was not unusual – Lane’s Minerva Press paid as low as £5 for a first novel. Perhaps a publisher more accustomed to publishing and promoting novels than Thomas Egerton, the eventual publisher of Sense and Sensibility, might have seen the value of Sense and Sensibility and offered a more reasonable amount for the copyright, but Austen’s experience with Susan could not have been encouraging. There was also a risk that a novel could prove popular and surpass the price of the copyright in its sales. 5 6

M. G. Jones, Hannah More (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1952), p. 193. Claire Harmon, Fanny Burney: A Biography (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2001), pp. 258–60.

xxv

Introduction

Frances Burney’s experience with Evelina (1778), her first novel, was infamous. She sold the copyright to the publisher Lowndes for 20 guineas and the novel cleared £800 in a single year, with this profit designated to Lowndes alone.7 Austen’s decision to publish Sense and Sensibility on commission with Thomas Egerton was not an unwise way to put her first novel into print, and in the event the £140 that she received from the first edition of Sense and Sensibility was a highly respectable showing. The established novelist Charlotte Smith (1749–1806) regularly received around £150 for the copyright to her novels, or £50 a volume, though she complained bitterly that others got more.8 Susan Ferrier (1782–1854) was paid by the publisher John Blackwood £150 for the copyright to her first novel Marriage (1818), but that was after Walter Scott had altered the price structures for novels, and even then it was a previously unheard of price for a first novel.9 Austen’s triumph, joyfully expressed to her brother Francis, had been stamped and certified by the market itself: ‘You will be glad to hear that every Copy of S.& S. is sold & that it has brought me £140—besides the Copyright, if that shd ever be of any value’ (6 July 1813).10 In her next venture, the publication of Pride and Prejudice, she did sell Egerton the copyright of the novel, having stipulated £150 as the fair price, a reasonable expectation, but for whatever failure of nerve she accepted only £110 for what turned out to be her most popular work.11 7 8

9

10

11

Ibid., p. 144. Smith’s correspondence with the publishers Cadell and Davies (Yale University, Beinecke Rare Books Room, New Haven, Connecticut) shows that this was the pattern of payment for most of her career. Jane Austen treats Charlotte Smith’s work with respect in ‘Catherine, or the Bower’, where the heroine reflects on her responses to Emmeline (1788) and Ethelinda (1789). Memoir and Correspondence of Susan Ferrier (1782–1854), ed. John A. Doyle (London: John Murray, 1898), p. 138. Deirdre Le Faye (ed.), Jane Austen’s Letters, 3rd edn (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995), p. 217. The copyrights of Jane Austen’s works were eventually purchased in 1832 by Bentley from Cassandra and Henry (including Pride and Prejudice from Egerton’s executors) for his one-volume editions of ‘Standard Novels’ for a total of £250, as reported by Deirdre Le Faye, Jane Austen: A Family Record, 2nd edn (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004), p. 269. Gilson, Bibliography, p. 24.

xxvi

Introduction

The proofs of the first edition of Sense and Sensibility were in Austen’s hands by April 1811, but its publication was not advertised until 30 October, price 15s., in an advertisement that appeared in the Star on 7 and again on 27 November, and was repeated in the Morning Chronicle on 31 October and on 7, 9 and 28 November. It is not known for certain how many copies were printed, though an earlier estimate of 1,000 copies has been revised downwards by recent research suggesting that from 500 to 750 copies of a first novel on commission would have been normal publishing practice for John Murray.12 All three volumes of Austen’s novel were printed by Charles Roworth. The work was promoted as a ‘New Novel’, an ‘Interesting Novel’ (a love story) and an ‘Extraordinary Novel’, besides being written by ‘a Lady’, ‘Lady—’ and ‘Lady A—’. The first edition was sold out by July 1813, and by September of that year Austen had reported to her brother Francis that there was to be a second. Egerton advertised the new edition in the Star on 29 October 1813, at 18s. in ‘boards’ (pasteboard covers).13 Austen’s revisions and corrections to the text were made, possibly, as James Kinsley has suggested, from a copy of the first edition without the opportunity to make corrections from proof, a situation that may explain the large number of printer’s errors to be found in the second edition.14 Roworth was responsible for the printing of this edition as well. Austen greeted the second edition with an eye anxiously turned towards making its expenses, that is, towards covering the costs of paper and printing for which her brother Henry had either already paid Egerton or guaranteed him. ‘I shall owe dear Henry a great deal of Money for Printing &c.’, she writes, ‘I hope Mrs

12

13

14

William St Clair, The Reading Nation in the Romantic Period (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004), p. 578. Gilson, Bibliography, pp. 8–9, 16. The second edition of Sense and Sensibility was also advertised in the Star newspaper on 17 November 1813, and in the Morning Chronicle on 8 December 1813. St Clair, Reading Nation, suggests that in the light of information now available this edition was probably for 500 copies, an estimate downwards from an earlier proposal of 750 copies (p. 578). ‘Note on the Text’, Sense and Sensibility, ed. James Kinsley (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1980), p. xlvii.

xxvii

Introduction

Fletcher will indulge herself with S & S’;15 and again later, ‘Since I wrote last, my 2d Edit. has stared me in the face.—Mary tells me that Eliza means to buy it. I wish she may . . . I cannot help hoping that many will feel themselves obliged to buy it. I shall not mind imagining it a disagreeable Duty to them, so as they do it’.16 Her first income from the second edition, about £30, was received in March 1815.17 Later payments are recorded in her note, ‘Profits of my Novels’, of £12. 15s. in March 1816, and, a year later on 7 March 1817, £19. 13s.18 This last influx of money stimulated her to something like giddiness in a letter to her niece Caroline: ‘I hope Edwd is not idle. No matter what becomes of the Craven Exhibition [an Oxford scholarship] provided he goes on with his Novel. In that, he will find his true fame & his true wealth. That will be the honourable Exhibition which no V. Chancellor can rob him of.—I have just recd nearly twenty pounds myself on the 2d Edit: of S and S—which gives me this fine flow of Literary Ardour’.19

r ec e p ti o n Jane Austen had placed her treasure on the same table of the circulating library with the products of Rachel Hunter, Charlotte Smith and the Mrs Sykes of Margiana (1808) whose novel she was reading, 15 16 17

18

19

Le Faye (ed.), Letters, 3 November 1813, p. 250. Le Faye (ed.), Letters, 6–7 November 1813, p. 252. R. W. Chapman, ‘Jane Austen and her Publishers’, London Mercury, 22 (1930), pp. 337–42, cited by Gilson, Bibliography, p. 16. Jane Austen’s note ‘Profits of my Novels’ (Pierpont Morgan Library, New York); printed in facsimile in Plan of a novel according to hints from various quarters, by Jane Austen, with opinions on Mansfield Park and Emma collected and transcribed by her, and other documents, printed from the originals (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1926). It is worth noting that Austen lost the £12. 15s. in the collapse of her brother Henry’s bank in 1816, Le Faye, Family Record, p. 234. Le Faye (ed.), Letters, 14 March 1817, p. 334. Gilson notes that the second edition did not sell out immediately. Egerton cites Sense and Sensibility in his advertisements of the first publication of Mansfield Park and in vol. 3, p. 355 of that novel. There is an advertisement in The Morning Post (Friday, 17 November 1815) for what is described as ‘a new Edition’ of Sense and Sensibility. It has been suggested that Egerton was seeking to dispose of the remaining copies of the second edition since Jane Austen was at that time leaving him for John Murray (p. 16).

xxviii

Introduction

with pleasure, during her final revisions of Sense and Sensibility.20 Her niece Anna’s casual rejection of Sense and Sensibility when she saw it at the Alton library, ‘rubbish I am sure from the title’, must have prompted some amused, if uneasy, reflections in the author.21 Those who actually read the novel, however, were impressed with its superiority to the usual stock of the circulating libraries. Princess Charlotte had ‘heard much’ of the novel by 1 January 1812, and reported on 22 January, ‘“Sence and Sencibility” [sic] I have just finished reading; it certainly is interesting, & you feel quite one of the company. I think Maryanne [sic] & me are very like in disposition, that certainly I am not so good, the same imprudence, &c, however remain very like. I must say it interested me much.’22 Mary Russell Mitford’s ‘Literary Pocket-Book’ for 28 November 1819, simply notes: ‘Read Sense & Sensibility—very good’.23 A French translation, Raison et Sensibilit´e, ou Les Deux Mani`eres D’Aimer, by Isabelle de Montolieu (1751–1832) appeared in 1815 with an introduction filled with praise for the two heroines, especially for Elinor, the perfect model for ‘jeunes personnes’ and someone you would like to have for a friend. The minor characters are painted with such ‘v´erit´e ’ that you think you know them.24 The two brief reviews in the English press were equally favourable. The earlier of the two appeared in the Critical Review in February 1812, three months after publication, and the second in the British Critic three months later, in May.25 Both recommended Sense and Sensibility as above the customary fare of the circulating library – ‘a work which has so well pleased us’, said the critic for the Critical Review, and a ‘performance’ the reviewer for the British Critic admired so much as to lament his inability to include it ‘among our principal articles’ in the journal. The Critical Review 20 21 22

23 24 25

Le Faye (ed.), Letters, 10–11 January 1809, p. 164. Le Faye, Family Record, p. 191. The Letters of Princess Charlotte, 1811–1817, ed. A. Aspinall (London: Home and Van Thal, 1949), p. 26, and note 6. Unpublished MS, British Library, shelf mark C.60.b.7. Cited by Gilson, Bibliography, pp. 149–55. Critical Review, fourth series, 1, 2 (February 1812), pp. 149–57; British Critic, 39 (May 1812), p. 527.

xxix

Introduction

valued the new novel on two counts, distinguishing the plot from the predictable formulae of the contemporary novel, where readers know, ‘after reading the first three pages’, ‘how they will end’, and separating it as well from novels where ‘something new’, or sensational, is pressed into service. Instead, Sense and Sensibility was ‘a genteel novel’, like a genteel dramatic comedy, with an author, ‘who displays a knowledge of character, and very happily blends a great deal of good sense with the lighter matter’, the good sense justifying it as ‘a most excellent lesson to young ladies to curb that violent sensibility which too often leads to misery, and always to inconvenience and ridicule’. The British Critic’s reviewer especially appreciated the characters, ‘happily delineated and admirably sustained’, but also felt it incumbent to offer the novel’s social and moral utility as the final recommendation: ‘We will, however, detain our female friends no longer than to assure them, that they may peruse these volumes not only with satisfaction but with real benefits, for they may learn from them, if they please, many sober and salutary maxims for the conduct of life, exemplified in a very pleasing and entertaining narrative.’ Paradoxically, as Clara Tuite notes, both these early reviewers of Sense and Sensibility seem mildly unsettled at not finding the clich´es they had expected, hastening with their reassurances to prospective female readers, or their minders, of its socially normative status.26 The two best-known early reviews of Austen’s work, a review by Walter Scott (1771–1832) of Emma in the Quarterly Review (March 1816), and a review of Northanger Abbey and Persuasion by Richard Whately (1787–1863) in the Quarterly Review ( January 1821), bear very slightly on the critical history of Sense and Sensibility.27 Scott’s review scarcely mentioned Austen’s first novel and Whately’s did not touch on Sense and Sensibility at all, but concerned itself with the issue of Austen’s realism, her fiction’s relation to the 26

27

Clara Tuite, Romantic Austen: Sexual Politics and the Literary Canon (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002), pp. 57–61. Walter Scott, Quarterly Review, 14 (March 1816), pp. 188–201; Richard Whately, Quarterly Review, 24 ( January 1821), pp. 352–76.

xxx

Introduction

probable and the possible, topics however that surface repeatedly in later discussions of that novel. Scott, like the two earliest reviewers of Austen’s first published novel, takes note of Austen’s work as a break with the conventional fiction of ‘watering-places and circulating libraries’ through its introduction of the familiar appearances of every day life. In this, Scott argues famously, ‘she stands almost alone’. Despite his praise, however, the ‘ordinary life’ of Sense and Sensibility unnerves him. Austen’s rejection of the romantic Willoughby for Marianne’s other suitor, a ‘very respectable and somewhat too serious admirer’, causes Scott to turn aside from his main task, the review of Emma, for a wholly unexpected addendum concerning Sense and Sensibility. Here he registers his lingering disappointment in the conclusion of Austen’s first novel: Who is it, that in his youth has felt a virtuous attachment, however romantic or however unfortunate, but can trace back to its influence much that his character may possess of what is honourable, dignified, and disinterested? . . . [They] are neither less wise nor less worthy members of society for having felt, for a time, the influence of a passion which has been well qualified as the “tenderest, noblest and best”. (pp. 200–1) After Scott, the next resurgence of critical interest in Sense and Sensibility followed the reissue of Austen’s novels in Bentley’s Standard Novels in 1833. There had been no further printing of Austen’s novels in England after 1818 until Bentley’s series, his reprints costing less than half the original price for the three-volume sets. Sense and Sensibility was advertised on 28 December 1832, although dated 1833 on the title page. In Philadelphia in February 1833, Carey and Lea published Sense and Sensibility, probably 1,250 copies, but edited for an American readership with emendations of ‘Oh Lord’ changed to ‘Oh!’, ‘Good God’ to ‘Why!’, ‘Good heavens’ to ‘Is it possible’ and ‘Lord’ changed to ‘Truly’.28 The next 28

David Gilson, ‘Jane Austen’s Emma in America’, Review of English Studies, 53 (2002), pp. 518–20.

xxxi

Introduction

significant edition of Sense and Sensibility was issued by Routledge in 1849, and reprinted without change until 1883 when all six novels were reset. In 1892 J. M. Dent published a set of the novels in ten volumes, edited by Reginald Brimley Johnson, a landmark as the first edition of the novels to have any editorial matter and according to Gilson, the first ‘to acknowledge the existence of distinct early editions, and to make any attempt at serious consideration of the text’.29 After the 1890s there was a proliferation of editions of the novels, many of them illustrated.

c r i ti c i s m : th e n i n e t ee nth c e nt u r y The general reaction to Jane Austen’s novels in Britain largely took the form of an appraisal and appreciation of her characters, but with the influence of the Reform Bill of 1832 weighing heavily on contemporary culture, the response was coloured by the sensibilities of a newly minted, politically empowered middle class. Readers of Sense and Sensibility, for example, signed on to membership in the upper reaches of this now highly self-conscious class in an article entitled ‘Miss Austen’, appearing in the Englishwoman’s Domestic Magazine ( July, August 1866): ‘Jane Austen [wrote] like a cultivated lady’, claims the writer, and, ‘Miss Austen, though she may not be much read by the general public, is, perhaps, more completely appreciated than ever by minds of the highest culture . . . Who does not know Lady Middleton?’30 W. F. Pollock, in Fraser’s Magazine ( January 1861),31 makes a particular point of the moral suitability of Austen’s arrangements of class hierarchies: Mr. Palmer, a gentleman when he pleases, but spoiled by living with people inferior to himself, and discontented, even to rudeness, with his silly wife, is brought out with much humour. We 29

30

31

David Gilson, ‘Jane Austen’s Text: A Survey of Editions’, Review of English Studies, 53 (2002), pp. 74–5. Citations from the Englishwoman’s Domestic Magazine ( July, August 1866) are found in Jane Austen: The Critical Heritage, ed. B. C. Southam (London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1968), pp. 139, 200, 208. W. F. Pollock, ‘British Novelists – Richardson, Miss Austen, Scott’, Fraser’s Magazine, 61 ( January 1861), pp. 20–38.

xxxii

Introduction

properly feel how objectionable are the Miss Steeles, with their vulgar cunning and admiration for smart beaux. We despise and shrink from the elder Mrs. Ferrars, with her pride, ill-nature, and narrow mind. We cordially respect and like the excellent Colonel Brandon . . . (p. 33) The marriage of Robert Ferrars to Lucy Steele, ‘his underbred’ wife, is ‘tolerably happy’, says Pollock wryly, ‘the two low natures suiting each other too well to be long separated’. Moreover, ‘This is as it all would be in real life’, he claims, ‘that transcript of an imagined portion of which she has selected for consideration’ (p. 33). On the other hand, there are other early Victorian critics, albeit at the margins of the critical establishment, who find in Sense and Sensibility literary powers beyond its recommendations of a specific social order. An American writer, J. F. Kirk (1824–1904), in an otherwise plodding echo of common British opinion, confesses in the North American Review ( July 1853) that ‘Sense and Sensibility, the earliest of her stories, is the least pleasing of them all; yet in none does she exhibit so profound an insight into human nature; and we have never read the work without astonishment that the most subtle play of motives, and the most delicate traits of character should have been thus faithfully portrayed by a woman at the age of twenty-five.’32 Julia Kavanagh (1824–77) recognises the emotional intensity of this novel in her English Women of Letters (1863)33 as well, but she also finds remarkable technical facility in Sense and Sensibility, a fresh concept in the critical consideration of this novel, ‘in some respects . . . unsurpassed by any of her works’. She praises in some detail the significance of Austen’s ‘really formidable powers’ in her presentation of character: ‘Miss Austen’s great forte [is] the delineation of commonplace foolishness, especially distinct from eccentricity . . . Observe foolish people. They never speak otherwise; the simplest logic of conversation is unknown to them . . . What analogy 32

33

J. F. Kirk, ‘Thackeray, as a Novelist’, North American Review, 77 ( July 1853), pp. 201, 203. Julia Kavanagh, English Women of Letters, 2 vols. (London: Hurst and Blackett, 1863).

xxxiii

Introduction

does Mrs. Jennings see between cholicky gout and disappointed love? By what obscure mental process does she come to the conclusion that what is good for the one must be good for the other?’ (p. 201). Such attentive analysis of Austen’s novelistic skill, however, is interrupted in 1870 by the publication of A Memoir of Jane Austen by Austen’s nephew, J. E. Austen-Leigh (1798–1874), the son of Austen’s eldest brother James and his second wife Mary Lloyd.34 Austen-Leigh’s Memoir assumed a critical transparency in the work of his aunt – ‘all is the unadorned reflection of the natural object’ (p. 197) – that gave readers of her novels the happy licence to identify with Austen and her characters as though they were all friends.35 This tendency, it must be said, was already in evidence as early as 1833 when Anna Cabot Lowell Quincy writing in her Boston diary, described a particularly trying excursion to a rainy night party: ‘Dire was the debating & . . . therefore literally packing up our clothes in a bandbox, (tho’ no Dashwood was at hand to receive—or rather deceive us,) we bade adieu to Sophia.’36 But after the publication of the Memoir in 1870 (enlarged in 1871), Austen-Leigh’s version of his dear Aunt Jane – that her novels were ‘a genuine home-made article’ (p. 142), that they were ‘like photographs’ (p. 197) and that they were written solely ‘for her own amusement’ (p. 172) – supplied the foundations for a profitable and dominant genre of Austen popularisation that Henry James, who was himself an occasional adherent, termed ‘pleasant twaddle’.37 For those critics who took up their pens against this fantasy, Sense and Sensibility proved a highly useful weapon. Richard Simpson (1820–76), though he makes an obligatory bow to ‘Aunt Jane’, rejects Austen-Leigh’s version of the amateur writer in his review of 34 35

36

37

J. E. Austen-Leigh, A Memoir of Jane Austen (London: Richard Bentley, 1870). See Kathryn Sutherland’s introduction to Austen-Leigh’s Memoir (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002) for a critical account of this work. ‘March 1833’, A Woman’s Wit and Whimsy: The 1833 Diary of Anna Cabot Lowell Quincy, ed. Beverly Palmer (Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society and Northeastern University Press, 2003). Henry James, from ‘The Lesson of Balzac’ (1905); reprinted in The House of Fiction, ed. Leon Edel (London: Rupert Hart-Davis, 1957), p. 63.

xxxiv

Introduction

the Memoir in the North British Review (April 1870).38 He makes use of Mrs Palmer, of all people, to demonstrate the intellectual complexity of Austen’s craft as a novelist, ‘how to represent the realities of the natural scale in the imitations of the artificial scale – how to imitate the song of birds on the gamut of the pianoforte’. As a ‘fool simple’, he explains, Mrs Palmer’s ‘nullity is represented first by her total want of intellectual discrimination . . . in her failure to see the contradiction of contradictories’. He cites her indignant speech concerning Willoughby’s betrayal of Marianne (vol. 2, ch. 10) as ‘the foolish sayings of which a clever man might be proud’, noting that ‘if any real Mrs. Palmer could in fact string together contradictions so readily she would soon lose her character as a mere simpleton’ (p. 146). Only Miss Bates from Emma, he says, can surpass Mrs Palmer. Margaret Oliphant (1828–97) also resists the charms of the Austen-Leigh Memoir in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine (March 1870),39 suggesting that Jane Austen’s character as an author is not as ‘it appears at the first glance, but one full of subtle power, keenness, finesse, and self-restraint’, and noting with some asperity of her own that Austen’s ‘feminine cynicism’ reveals itself as, ‘the soft and silent disbelief of a spectator who has to look at a great many things without showing any outward discomposure, and who has learned to give up any moral classification of social sins, and to place them instead on the level of absurdities’. Austen’s quiet acceptance of this state of affairs, suggests Oliphant, ‘is not charity, and its toleration has none of the sweetness which proceeds from that highest of Christian graces . . . but [is] the faculty of seeing her brother clearly all round as if he were a statue, identifying all his absurdities, quietly jeering at him, smiling with eyes without committing the indecorum of laughter’ (p. 295). Nevertheless in Sense and Sensibility she finds an edge of satire that she considers thoroughly repellent: ‘The Miss Steeles are simply vulgar and 38 39

Richard Simpson, ‘Jane Austen’, North British Review, 52 (1870), pp. 129–52. Margaret Oliphant, ‘Miss Austen and Miss Mitford’, Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, 107 (March 1870), pp. 290–313.

xxxv

Introduction

disagreeable, and we can scarcely be grateful for the vivid drawing of two persons whom we should be sorry ever to see again, and who really contribute nothing to our amusement’ (p. 302). Attempts made by Henry Morley (1822–94) in an essay in Nineteenth-Century Literature (1877) and George Pellew (1859–92) in his study Jane Austen’s Novels (1883) to place Austen’s work in the context of contemporary intellectual traditions fell on deaf ears.40 Even the most perceptive of critics continued to focus almost solely on Austen’s characters. Agnes Repplier (1855–1950), after making the usual disclaimer for Austen’s first novel in her Essays in Miniature (1892),41 that Sense and Sensibility is ‘by no means the best of Austen’s novels’, makes John and Fanny Dashwood’s treatment of his half-sisters in the second chapter of Sense and Sensibility the keystone of her larger argument about Jane Austen’s representation of character, that she reveals ‘to us with merciless distinctness the secret springs that move a human heart’. John and Fanny, she writes, ‘betray themselves at every word, and stand convicted on their own evidence’ (p. 62). The subtle malice of Fanny Dashwood’s mind also occupies Alice Meynell (1847–1922) in the Pall Mall Gazette (16 February 1894)42 where she cites Fanny’s debate with herself as to whether or not to offer a carriage ride to her sisters-in-law in London: ‘Who could tell that they might not expect to go out with her a second time? The power of disappointing them, it was true, must always be her’s. But that was not enough’ (vol. 2, ch. 14). In the end, however, Austen’s unsparing rigour of judgment, her ‘exceeding cynicism’, as Meynell terms it, causes her, very much like Margaret Oliphant, to draw back from Sense and Sensibility with profound distaste. The steady harshness of this novel, specifically the scene with Lady Middleton’s spoiled little Annamaria and its 40

41

42

Henry Morley, ‘Recent Literature’, Nineteenth-Century Literature, 2 (August– December 1877), p. 140; George Pellew, Jane Austen’s Novels, 1st edn 1883 (Boston: Folcroft Library Editions, 1973). Agnes Repplier, ‘Conversation in Novels’, Essays in Miniature (London: Gay and Bird, 1893), pp. 59–69. Alice Meynell, first appearing in an unsigned article, ‘The Classic Novelist’, Pall Mall Gazette, 16 February 1894; reprinted in The Second Person Singular (London: Humphry Milford, 1921), pp. 62–7.

xxxvi

Introduction

sugar plums and apricot marmalade (vol. 1, ch. 21), becomes too much: ‘The novelist even spends some of her irony upon a little girl of three’, she complains, ‘She sharpens her pen over the work’ (p. 66).

c r i ti c i s m : th e t w e nti e th c e nt u r y With the First World War and changes in social mores, the sexual psychology of characters in Sense and Sensibility attracted the critics. In marking the centenary of Jane Austen’s death in the Quarterly Review ( July 1917),43 Reginald Farrer claims that the fate of Marianne Dashwood proves, ‘that she could tear a passion to tatters with the best of them’. The novelist George Moore marvels at Austen’s representation of Marianne’s sexual frustration: ‘We all know how terrible these disappointments are, and how they crush and break up life, for the moment reducing it to dust; the sufferer neither sees nor hears, but walks like a somnambulist through an empty world . . . [And] it is here that we find the burning human heart in English prose narrative for the first, and, alas, for the last time.’44 William Empson agrees: ‘Marianne can “scream with agony” and be convincing about it’, he writes.45 As for the restraint and social decorum so valued in her novels by her nephew in his Memoir, Moore presents his new perspective on her work in deliberately confrontational terms: ‘We do not go into society for the pleasure of conversation, but for the pleasure of sex, direct or indirect. Everything is arranged for this end: the dresses, the dances, the food, the wine, the music! Of this truth we are all conscious now, but should we have discovered it without Miss Austen’s help?’ (pp. 60–1). The beginning of the twentieth-century academic critical tradition of Austen studies, however, must be dated to R. W. Chapman’s edition of her novels, published in 1923, and to Mary Lascelles’ 43 44 45

Farrer, ‘Jane Austen, ob. July 18, 1817’, p. 9. George Moore, Avowals (London: privately printed, 1919), pp. 41–2. William Empson, in The Structure of Complex Words (London: Chatto & Windus, 1951), p. 252. The comment is included as a footnote in ‘chapter xii’, reprinted from an earlier essay without the note, ‘Sense and Sensibility’, Psyche, xvi (1936), pp. 150–64.

xxxvii

Introduction

study of the next decade, Jane Austen and her Art (1939). Chapman’s edition with its scholarly apparatus gave Austen the status of a literary monument. As for Sense and Sensibility, Lascelles’ sympathetic account of its composition drawn from family records, internal evidence and social and literary contexts gave fresh impetus to reassessing its usual position as last among the favourites of Austen readers.46 Lascelles’ great contribution was to situate Sense and Sensibility in relation to Austen’s other works, comparing its literary satire, for example, with that in Northanger Abbey: ‘Now the mockery of the world of illusion in Sense and Sensibility has not this pretty intricacy, and variety of pattern, but it is subtler, more allusive, and it is more closely interwoven with the fabric of the story’ (p. 64). For galvanic effect however, Marvin Mudrick’s post-war study, Jane Austen: Irony as Defense and Discovery (1952),47 can hardly be overestimated for its influence on mid-century criticism of Sense and Sensibility. D. W. Harding’s essay ‘Regulated Hatred’ (1940)48 had opened the way for Mudrick’s revisionist thesis, but had not dealt with this novel. Mudrick’s opening salvo takes issue with the delighted discovery of passion in Sense and Sensibility by the Edwardians to argue exactly the opposite position, to insist on Jane Austen’s ‘decisive remoteness from feeling’ in the novel. The significant shift in emphasis, away from Jane Austen’s characters onto Jane Austen herself and her own emotional shortcomings set the cat among the pigeons. Whether by virtue of Sense and Sensibility’s first place chronologically in the Austen canon or, perhaps, by its own edgy attractions and as his most powerful example, Sense and Sensibility was suddenly catapulted into a pre-eminent importance in the ensuing discussion of Austen’s work. ‘Irony’, writes Mudrick, 46

47

48

R. W. Chapman, The Novels of Jane Austen, 5 vols. (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1923). Mary Lascelles, Jane Austen and her Art (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1939), pp. 14–15, 64–6, 157–9. Marvin Mudrick, Jane Austen: Irony as Defense and Discovery (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1952). D. W. Harding, ‘Regulated Hatred: An Aspect of the Work of Jane Austen’, Scrutiny, 8 (1940), pp. 346–62.

xxxviii

Introduction

is ‘Jane Austen’s defense against feeling’, the evidence of her own narrow, embittered spinster’s life, and the very spirit that informs Elinor’s repressed personality. Marianne’s passionate character rises unbidden and unwelcome, from ‘an unacknowledged depth of her author’s spirit’ (p. 91). Hence, argues Mudrick, ‘Marianne must be humiliated and destroyed’ by a vengeful author. In effect, it is Austen’s own psychological deficiency that governs the perverse emotional life of the novel. At the conclusion of this work, ‘Marianne, the life and center of the novel, has been betrayed’, he claims, ‘and not by Willoughby’ (pp. 91–3). The significance of Mudrick’s provocative challenge lies in the variety of critical responses it produced, especially in relation to future approaches to Sense and Sensibility. One of its first effects was to return the consideration of Sense and Sensibility to the origins of its philosophical and literary traditions in the eighteenth century. Ian Watt, one of the earliest of Mudrick’s critics, rejects the centrality Mudrick grants to Marianne in the emotional plot of the novel to argue that ‘Jane Austen was not a Romantic’, but the child of eighteenth-century rationalism, and that rather than any alleged sexual repression the philosophical antithesis of the title held the key to the novel’s emotional conflict. Critics swept into the space announced by Watt to focus their arguments on the importance of the conventions of the oppositions of the title, or, in a different direction, on the complexity of Austen’s deconstruction of the title. Such literary and philosophical contextualisation threw surprising new lights on the heroines, bringing Elinor, Mudrick’s repressed and mean-spirited sister, into the central position as the passionate, emotional heroine, a heroic figure thoroughly conscious of the nature of her own suffering, and sending Marianne off to the margins of the novel as the secondary sister. Elinor is the stoical Christian heroine of vaguely ‘Classical’ virtue; Marianne is pathologically ill, her fever the symbolic mirror of her psychological state. Elinor’s control of language provides her with a route to self-knowledge; Marianne’s abuse of language demonstrates her tenuous hold on reality. Elinor controls

xxxix

Introduction

and manipulates social convention; Marianne is its helpless victim. Or, in another approach, the title’s seeming antithesis invites a mixing of opposites, a conundrum that must be worked out through an investment by each heroine in both more and less of sense and sensibility.49 This line of discourse was altered significantly in the early 1970s by two seminal works, Alistair Duckworth’s The Improvement of the Estate (1971) and Marilyn Butler’s Jane Austen and the War of Ideas (1975). Both works were electrifying in their introduction of political contexts for Austen’s novels, a dimension that had never been so forcefully argued before, or with such breadth of reference.50 Duckworth’s study places Marianne’s sensibility in the company of the third Earl of Shaftesbury’s sentimental rationalism, David Hume’s empiricism, Adam Smith’s theory of sympathy, and J.-J. Rousseau’s influence as a philosopher of ‘natural goodness’ (pp. 106–7). On the conservative side, Elinor, Austen’s favoured sister, is allied with Edmund Burke, supporting the validity of ‘received principles of ethical and social conduct’ (p. 111). Against these, Marianne’s 49

50

xl

Ian Watt, ‘On Sense and Sensibility’, in Jane Austen: A Collection of Critical Essays, ed. Ian Watt (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1963), pp. 41–51. Howard Babb’s Jane Austen’s Novels (Columbus: Ohio State University Library, 1962), pp. 51–85 and Ruth apRoberts’ ‘Sense and Sensibility, or Growing Up Dichotomous’, Nineteenth-Century Fiction, 30, 3 (Dec. 1975), pp. 351–65 take opposite positions on the significance of the novel. The following two studies consider a mixing of the two heroines’ characteristics: Henrietta Ten Harmsel, Jane Austen: A Study in Fictional Conventions (London, The Hague and Paris: Mouton & Co., 1964), pp. 37–60, and Joseph Wiesenfarth, The Errand of Form (New York: Fordham University Press, 1967), pp. 30–59. The supporters of Elinor as the primary heroine include the following: Tony Tanner, ‘Secrecy and Sickness in Sense and Sensibility’, from his introduction to Sense and Sensibility (Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1969); Jane Nardin, Those Elegant Decorums (Albany: State University of New York Press, 1973), pp. 24–46; Stuart Tave, Some Words of Jane Austen (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1973), pp. 74–115; Barbara Hardy, A Reading of Jane Austen (New York: University of New York Press, 1979), pp. 136–51; Julia Prewitt Brown, Jane Austen’s Novels: Social Change and Literary Form (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1979), pp. 57–64; Susan Morgan, ‘Polite Lies: The Veiled Heroine of Sense and Sensibility’, Nineteenth-Century Fiction, 31, 2 (Sept. 1976), pp. 188–205. Alistair M. Duckworth, The Improvement of the Estate: A Study of Jane Austen’s Novels (Baltimore and London: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1971), pp. 81–114; Marilyn Butler, Jane Austen and the War of Ideas (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1975), pp. 182–96.

Introduction

misplaced sympathies, associated with radical principles, are shown to be in error. Butler, whose study also reads Austen’s novel as politically conservative, sets Sense and Sensibility directly in the company of the anti-Jacobin novels of the 1790s, with their formulaic dual heroines, the one unstable and sentimental, the other rational and religious, the two set in a didactic opposition. Marianne’s fate follows from the enforced contrasts between the two heroines that the genre demands, but Butler also argues that the feelings of Elinor are tested as well through a political ideology that understands the encouragement of private feelings as inherently subversive of public order. Butler’s work has continued to provoke and sustain interest in political explorations of Sense and Sensibility, especially through the influence of her work on feminist studies of this novel. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Sense and Sensibility was arguably the Austen novel most frequently to come under the scrutiny of feminist scholars. This novel with its awkward conclusion presented a challenging text for examination. Sandra M. Gilbert and Susan Gubar in their study The Madwoman in the Attic: The Woman Writer and the Nineteenth-Century Literary Imagination (1979) described the author as a proto-feminist presenting an argument against patriarchy in Sense and Sensibility, but one much hampered in its articulation. Austen, they argue, disguises her dissent with patriarchy in the novel through a strategy of ‘radically ambiguous’ ironies that express profound criticism, but in the end fail to sustain the attack. Sense and Sensibility, they conclude, remains a ‘painful novel to read . . . because Austen herself seems caught between her attraction to Marianne’s sincerity and spontaneity, while at the same time identifying with the civil falsehoods and the reserved, polite silences of Elinor’ (p. 157). Mary Poovey’s The Proper Lady and the Woman Writer (1984), also addresses the unresolved ambiguities in Sense and Sensibility, but considers the social and economic conditions in the novel to express a transitional period of cultural history. Austen thus masks ‘the complex relationship between a woman’s desires and the imperatives of

xli

Introduction

propriety’ because she herself ‘is ambivalent towards both realism and romance’ (p. 98). Similarly, Terry Lovell recognises Sense and Sensibility as containing Austen’s sharpest criticism of patriarchy, but suggests that women’s novels of the time, including Austen’s, fail in their resistance because they all reproduce the ambiguities of ‘the middle-class woman’s relationship to patriarchal capitalism’ in their plots. In effect Sense and Sensibility can be read, she argues, as both conservative and subversive or conciliatory and resentful – it can be ‘neither unambiguously subversive, nor unambiguously conciliatory’ (p. 71).51 Though Tory and Whig are sufficiently doubtful in political coherence in Austen’s time to be of much value in characterising Austen’s sympathies, critics have continued to respond to Marilyn Butler’s political characterisation of Austen as a conservative, most frequently in opposition to Butler. Undoubtedly the most persuasive voice to argue for Austen’s radical allegiance has been that of Claudia Johnson. In Jane Austen: Women, Politics and the Novel (1988),52 Johnson finds that of all Austen’s novels Sense and Sensibility is ‘the most attuned to progressive social criticism’ (p. 49) in its exposure of the institution of the family as ‘the mainspring . . . for the love of money, the principal vice’ (p. 53). Patriarchal power in Sense and Sensibility, writes Johnson, is capricious and arbitrary and by no means benevolent, regardless of its political colours. Marianne is genuinely a heroine for her resistance to a cold, calculating materialist world and Elinor’s romantic fantasies are as much an illusion as Marianne’s. But as Margaret Kirkham remarks prudently in the introduction to a second edition of her book on Austen and feminism, ‘feminism’ must necessarily be understood in terms of plural feminisms.53 Other feminist critics direct the reader towards a more 51

52

53

Sandra M. Gilbert and Susan Gubar, The Madwoman in the Attic: The Woman Writer and the Nineteenth-Century Literary Imagination (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1979); Mary Poovey, The Proper Lady and the Woman Writer (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1984); Terry Lovell, Consuming Fiction (New York: Verso, 1987). Claudia Johnson, Jane Austen: Women, Politics and the Novel (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1988). Margaret Kirkham, Jane Austen, Feminism and Fiction, 2nd edn (London: Athlone Press, 1997), pp. x–xi. See also Devoney Looser’s introduction to Jane Austen and

xlii

Introduction

middle ground of social dissent in Sense and Sensibility, towards the community of women, noting the last sentence of Sense and Sensibility in particular as compelling evidence for that position. More recently Peter Knox-Shaw in Jane Austen and the Enlightenment (2005) has challenged Butler’s conservative reading by arguing for the influence of Enlightenment scepticism on Austen’s intellectual development.54 In the last years of the century, specialised studies of contemporary contexts of Austen’s novels have played an important role in expanding our knowledge of the social and material worlds of Sense and Sensibility. Jan Fergus’ Jane Austen: A Literary Life (1991) provides an invaluable account of the finances involved in the publication of the novel. Oliver McDonough’s Jane Austen: Real and Imagined Worlds (1991) usefully unravels the inheritance and financial arrangements of the characters. John Wiltshire’s Jane Austen and the Body (1992) includes a section on the contemporary diagnosis of fevers that focuses light on the ideological significance of Marianne’s medical condition. Irene Collins’ Jane Austen and the Clergy (1993) lays out the details of Elinor and Edward’s domestic comforts in her explanation of the business of clerical livings, their distribution and the potential income to be derived from tithes, farming and such church services as weddings, christenings and funerals. Michael Giffin in his Jane Austen and Religion: Salvation and Society in Georgian England

54

Discourses of Feminism (New York: St Martin’s Press, 1995), for a thoughtful survey of the feminisms Kirkham alludes to. Peter Knox-Shaw, Jane Austen and the Enlightenment (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005). The following authors consider Sense and Sensibility as belonging to a liberal political tradition: Mary Evans, Jane Austen and the State (London and New York: Tavistock Publications, 1987), p. 2; Nancy Armstrong, Desire and Domestic Fiction (New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987), pp. 278–9, n. 54; Johnson, Women, Politics, pp. 49–50, 52–3; Margaret Anne Doody, ‘Introduction’, Sense and Sensibility, ed. James Kinsley (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1980), pp. xi, xli. Moderate to conservative political positions for this novel are understood by Alison Sulloway, Jane Austen and the Province of Womanhood (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1989), pp. 178–9; Jan Fergus, Jane Austen: A Literary Life (New York: St Martin’s Press, 1991), pp. 90, 93.

xliii

Introduction

(2002) explores the relationships of clergy and gentry classes in the novel.55 Most recently, the eye of theory has been trained on Sense and Sensibility. D. A. Miller early initiated Sense and Sensibility to such exploration in his Narrative and its Discontents: Problems of Closure in the Traditional Novel (1981), where he argues that Austen’s indulgence and denial of ‘transgressivity’ in her heroines release meanings that escape the ‘mechanics of control’ that she sets in motion in the final paragraphs of the novel. Julie Shaffer’s more recent Bakhtinian study of the novel argues that Austen by reifying both sense and sensibility as ‘natural’ invites a questioning of the value of either for meeting the social, economic and emotional needs of her characters.56 David Kaufmann, recognising the language of jurisprudence in judging and estimating manners in this novel, finds Sense and Sensibility deeply immersed in a contemporary ideological conflict of bourgeoisie, gentry and aristocracy. Austen, he writes, places herself as a ‘scion of the gentry’ through this language. Her later eager reception as a spokesperson for the middle class, ‘to which she most probably did not belong, is a rewriting of history’.57 As to historical dislocations of Austen by the critics, Deidre Shauna Lynch and Barbara M. Benedict agree, though from different perspectives. Lynch locates Austen’s first 55

56

57

Fergus, Literary Life, pp. 131–2; John Wiltshire, Jane Austen and the Body (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1992); Oliver MacDonagh, Jane Austen: Real and Imagined Worlds (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1991); Irene Collins, Jane Austen and the Clergy (London: Hambledon Press, 1993); Michael Giffin, Jane Austen and Religion: Salvation and Society in Georgian England (Basingstoke: Palgrave, 2002), pp. 63–91; in addition, James Thompson analyses the economic conditions of courtship and marriage in Sense and Sensibility in his study, Between Self and World (University Park and London: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1988), pp. 136–51; Richard Handler and Daniel Segal examine the social anthropology of Sense and Sensibility in Jane Austen and the Fiction of Culture (Tucson: University of Arizona, 1990). D. A. Miller, Narrative and its Discontents: Problems of Closure in the Traditional Novel (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1981); Julie Shaffer, ‘The Ideological Intervention of Ambiguities in the Marriage Plot: Who Fails Marianne in Austen’s Sense and Sensibility’, in A Dialogue of Voices, ed. Karen Hohne and Helen Wussow (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1994), pp. 128–51. David Kaufmann, ‘Law and Propriety, Sense and Sensibility: Austen on the Cusp of Modernity’, English Literary History, 2 (Summer 1992), pp. 385–408.

xliv

Introduction

novel at the commercial intersection of two kinds of fiction: popular page turners with flat characters, on the one hand, and reflective novels with round characters on the other. Elinor’s interiority of character, says Lynch, is hollowed out from the white noise of commercial culture as distinct, round and reader-identified, and is to be understood as opposed to flat characters, who respond to print culture with unreflective zeal, Marianne’s great danger. Benedict addresses the circulating library as well, noting that Austen finesses a distinction between high literature and popular literature by combining the orientation to female education, marriage, social ritual and elite settings of library novels with qualities that belong to high literature, that is, with ‘parody, moral seriousness, topicality’. Austen follows the demands of the market, notes Benedict, even to the extent of providing dramatic hooks at the ends of her volumes to bring the reader back to the library for the next instalment. It is only in the next generation, according to Lynch and Benedict, that Austen’s work was elevated and purged of its low origins in popular culture in order to better suit it for the marketers of high literature.58 Clara Tuite and William H. Galperin reflect on the many years it took Austen to produce Sense and Sensibility and on the complications presented by her revisions and second thoughts. The great success of Sense and Sensibility, according to Tuite, lies in its simultaneous participation in the anti-sentimental politics of the 1790s and its conscious escape from the issue through parody, a condition that made the novel’s later bourgeois acceptance into the literary canon possible. Galperin focuses on the effects of Austen’s revisions of the novel from its original conception in epistolary form to its final publication as authorial narrative. In the move from the letters of Elinor and Marianne to authorial narration of the published novel, claims Galperin, a surprising surplus of realistic domestic 58

Deidre Shauna Lynch, The Economy of Character: Novels, Market Culture, and the Business of Inner Meaning (Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press, 1998); Barbara M. Benedict, ‘Sensibility by the Numbers: Austen’s Work as Regency Popular Fiction’, in Janeites: Austen’s Disciples and Devotees, ed. Deidre Shauna Lynch (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2000), pp. 63–86.

xlv

Introduction

detail, customary in epistolary fiction, survives from its first version. This is the striking everydayness of Sense and Sensibility that Austen’s earliest readers invariably comment on. In the excess or surplus of such detail, says Galperin, there remains a trace or witness of the authorial ‘silence’ of epistolary fiction, best remembered from Richardson’s novels, a condition that grants the reader of Sense and Sensibility (as it does Richardson’s readers) free licence to entertain oppositional readings of the novel’s normative, authorised conclusion.59 Galperin’s voice has been an impressive contributor to the long-standing debate over the interpretative problems of Sense and Sensibility, but if history has its lessons after all, his will not be the last word on the subject.

s oc i a l c o nt e x t s Sense and Sensibility is the novel where the idiosyncratic hand of a young author is most profoundly felt. Its youthful status appears in two ways, both of them closely associated with its production within the Austen family. First, there is the social and economic context of her own ambitious family, their anxieties about class, money and status that appear with little disguise in the issues that affect the Dashwood family. Second, there is Austen’s keen probing of the moral complexities of these values, assumptions that are, in effect, the foundation of the Austen family fortunes. The perplexities of Austen’s situation may be understood in the light of a general transition in the model of society that began in the 1790s. As David Cannadine and Dror Wahrman argue, the middle class as a distinct politically empowered class had not yet defined itself in Austen’s time. That potent version of respectability was to emerge after her death, when in the mid-to-late 1820s the push to produce and justify the Reform Bill of 1832 made the political concept of a unified middle class an expedient construction.60 Her 59 60

Tuite, Romantic Austen, p. 61; Galperin, The Historical Austen, pp. 109–24. David Cannadine, The Rise and Fall of Class in Britain (New York: Columbia University Press, 1999); Dror Wahrman, Imagining the Middle Class: The Political Representation of Class in Britain, c. 1780–1840 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995).

xlvi

Introduction

early Victorian critics were alert to details in the Austen texts that would confirm the social boundaries of the new political dispensation. But for Austen, the gradations of society in 1790 seemed infinitely more vexed by signs of status that were paradoxically both non-negotiable and, of course, already under covert negotiation. For those women boasting an attachment to families in the traditionally recognised genteel professions – the officer ranks of the navy and army, the law at its higher levels and, in the case of the Austen family, the church, the source of their income and position – the potential death of the breadwinner of the family presented a troubling problem of social identity to his survivors. Almost by definition the women dependent on these genteel professionals were destined to be left not only with a reduced income and lessened standard of life, but with a sorely strained attachment to their former consequence as well. How were novelists to articulate the condition of single women with pretensions to genteel status who had become, in effect, distinct economic liabilities to their families and the social rank to which they laid claim? On the one hand, Jane Austen in life dutifully ministered to the patriarchal web of connections that had brought her family their moderately advanced degree of genteel prosperity. Her father was indebted to wealthy relations for his education and his church livings; her two naval brothers Francis and Charles found promotion in the navy through the patronage of family connections; another brother, Edward, was adopted by wealthy relations in the landed gentry; Henry, her favourite brother, took up a banking career on the sureties of his gentry-adopted brother and a rich uncle; and James, the eldest brother, was set to inherit his father’s church livings.61 Whenever it is time for the family to go into mourning for even the most distant relation of consequence, Jane Austen weighs in with black lace, ribbons and every accoutrement needed 61

Le Faye, Family Record, pp. 4–12, 40–1, 211; Brian Southam, Jane Austen and the Navy (London and New York: Hambledon & London, 2000), pp. 34–5, 71–107.

xlvii

Introduction

to maintain the family connection. When a niece or nephew needs prompting to produce a gift or a letter for one of the living worthies, Austen is ready with the reminder. When she must attend on the demands of her unpleasant but very rich aunt she grumbles, but makes her plans accordingly. Her letters, or at the least the letters that Cassandra thought proper to save for the family, could serve as a diary of pseudo-gentry survival practices: mourning duties to be observed, gifts to be bought, responses registered, social duties to be performed at no matter the personal cost.62 Jane Austen, however, chose to enter the competitive cash economy in a courageous assertion of self, to write novels as a source of ‘Pewter’ that would make her independent of the meagre resources available to her through traditional patriarchal custom.63 Her decision to appear on the title pages of her novels as ‘By a Lady’ may well have emerged from a family whose attachments to genteel patronage and whose particular aspirations to status were too fragile to risk a publicity so nearly allied to commerce. James, the eldest brother, wrote a celebratory poem to the ‘gentle Lady’ on the publication of her first novel hedged with coy recognition of his sister’s accomplishment, but designed only for circulation within the family, ‘To Miss Jane Austen the reputed Author of Sense and Sensibility a Novel lately written’, signing it, ‘A Friend’.64 Henry revealed her name to some people in Scotland, much to her consternation, though Austen candidly confesses to Francis in the same letter, ‘the truth is that the Secret has spread so far as to be scarcely the Shadow of a secret now—& that I beleive whenever the 3d appears, I shall not even attempt to tell Lies about it’.65 It is hard not to sense a double life in Sense and Sensibility, a questioning of the social and moral certainties of patriarchal society 62

63 64

65

David Spring, ‘Interpreters of Jane Austen’s Social World: Literary Critics and Historians’, in Jane Austen: New Perspectives, ed. Janet Todd (New York and London: Holmes & Meier, 1983). Le Faye (ed.), Letters, 30 November 1814, p. 287. The Complete Poems of James Austen, ed. David Selwyn (Chawton: Jane Austen Society, 2003), p. 39. Le Faye (ed.), Letters, 25 September 1813, p. 231.

xlviii

Introduction

and at the same time a dutiful genuflection before its powers. At almost every point there is the uneasy feeling of a private agenda at work.

i nt e rt e x t u a l i t y The wealth of intertextual relations in Sense and Sensibility appears to be attached to the conditions of the communal reading practice of the Austen family. The authors that Austen mentions specifically in Sense and Sensibility, Shakespeare, Pope, Scott, Cowper and Gilpin (by inference), have received their fair share of critical attention, and over the years many more have been added as significant to Austen’s first novel. These include, among the many, Chaucer, Spenser, Milton, Burton, Dryden, Thomson, Swift, Hobbes, Shaftesbury, Locke, Chesterfield, Burke, pre-eminently Johnson, as well as Rousseau and Goethe, and the canonical British novelists, most significantly Richardson, but also Fielding, Mackenzie, Sterne, Smollett and Goldsmith. Among dramatists other than the obvious Shakespeare, there are Congreve, Goldsmith, Elizabeth Inchbald, Hugh Kelly and Sheridan.66 In recent years, as already mentioned, 66

A wide range of literary influences are found in Frank Bradbrook’s Jane Austen and Her Predecessors (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1966) and Jocelyn Harris’ Jane Austen’s Art of Memory (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1989). Butler’s War of Ideas and Duckworth’s Improvement of the Estate focus on the political reflections in this novel. For studies treating novels of her contemporaries and the previous generation that bear on Sense and Sensibility, see Ten Harmsel, A Study in Fictional Conventions; A. Walton Litz, Jane Austen: A Study of Her Artistic Development (London: Chatto & Windus, 1965); Kenneth Moler, Jane Austen’s Art of Allusion (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1968); Allan D. McKillop, ‘The Context of Sense and Sensibility’, The Rice Institute Pamphlet, 24 (April 1957), pp. 65–78; J. M. S. Tompkins, ‘ “Elinor and Marianne”: A Note on Jane Austen’, The Review of English Studies, 16 ( Jan. 1940), pp. 33–43. Everett Zimmerman addresses not only Pope but Cowper in his classic essay, ‘Admiring Pope no More than is Proper: Sense and Sensibility’, in Jane Austen: Bicentenary Essays, ed. John Halperin (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1975), pp. 112–22. The powerful presence of Dr Johnson in her works is discussed by Robert Scholes in ‘Dr. Johnson and Jane Austen’, Philological Quarterly, 54 (1975), pp. 380–90; Peter De Rose, Jane Austen and Samuel Johnson (Washington, DC: University Press of America, 1980); Claudia L. Johnson in her essays, ‘The “Operations of Time, and the Changes of the Human Mind”: Jane Austen and Dr. Johnson Again’, Modern Language Quarterly, pp. 24–38; and ‘The “Twilight of Probability”: Uncertainty and Hope in Sense and Sensibility’, Philological Quarterly, 62 (1983), pp. 171–86. Two recent

xlix

Introduction

feminist critics have expanded the list to include popular women novelists: Charlotte Lennox, Frances Burney, Ann Radcliffe, Regina Maria Roche, Charlotte Smith, Jane West, Mary Brunton, Maria Edgeworth, as well as the radical women writers Mary Hays, Eliza Fenwick and Mary Wollstonecraft. The mixture is enough to cause confusion. It represents a generous accumulation of reading over the thirty-six years of her life prior to the publication of Sense and Sensibility. Attempts to provide a consistent interpretation from echoes of this reading are likely to founder on irrecoverable shifts in significance that any specific intertextuality would have had at a given point in its composition. Dr Johnson’s obvious presence in Sense and Sensibility, for example, offers a case in point in the keenly persuasive but opposite interpretations of his influence offered by Jan Fergus and Claudia Johnson. As feminist scholarship has shown, the radical politics reflected in the works of Hays, Fenwick and Wollstonecraft grew from positions that in earlier decades had formed part of a nonpoliticised Christian discourse. There are of course uses of literary allusions in Sense and Sensibility that seem traditional and familiar, the potent analogies of Pope’s ‘Rape of the Lock’ to the lock of hair that Willoughby takes from Marianne, or to the lock of hair held in Edward’s ring. Lucy and Nancy Steele’s relation to the Branghton sisters from Burney’s Evelina provides a rich intertextual enlargement of vulgarity for the Steele sisters. In their names, too, there is a nod to Richardson’s Lucy and Nancy Selby in Grandison, two girls equally stricken with an interest in beaux. In fact, Richardson’s novels may well be the most pervasive intertextual presence in Sense and Sensibility, as Jocelyn Harris has argued.67 But it must be noted as well that Sense and Sensibility is marked, like the juvenilia, by its resistance to the intertextual materials it employs.

67

l

studies discuss and document theatrical intertextuality in Sense and Sensibility: Paula Byrne’s Jane Austen and the Theatre (London and New York: Hambledon & London, 2002), and Penny Gay’s work of the same title, Jane Austen and the Theatre (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002). Harris, Art of Memory, pp. 34–83.

Introduction

For example, Sense and Sensibility’s debt to the contemporary didactic novel has long been noted by critics, the oppositions of the novel’s title frequently compared with the structure of such novels by Maria Edgeworth and Jane West. There is nothing that makes a teacher’s heart sink lower than to find yet another student essay in the stack claiming that Elinor represents ‘Sense’ and Marianne represents ‘Sensibility’, or some variation on the theme. The dead hand of this oppositional structure is an irresistible lure. Unfortunately, it is a reading that is legitimately in the cards: Colonel Brandon appreciates sensibility in Marianne; Elinor deprecates it. Readers have been left to choose and make the best of it. As a moral code, sensibility and its associations with nature and feeling, benevolence and candour, sentiment and impulse, takes its origins historically in reaction to a harsh seventeenth-century puritanical view of human nature and in response to Hobbes’ representation of human nature as essentially selfish. The implied oppositions in Austen’s title, however, follow the argument as it developed in the late eighteenth century and as it was employed by Maria Edgeworth in her Letters of Julia and Caroline (1795). In Edgeworth’s novel one sister is assigned the role of considered rationality and the other the role of uncontrolled sensibility. The rational heroine finds her reward in love and material wealth at the conclusion; the sister with acute sensibility falls into a series of bad decisions, disappointments and punishments. Austen resists such a set of simple oppositions. Elinor, the rational heroine, is nearly as receptive to sensibility as Marianne. In addition, Elinor’s hard-earned acceptance of her loss of Edward to Lucy Steele is undermined by a hysterical outburst of tears at his return. Her rational condemnation of Willoughby is weakened, and for some readers erased, by her unexpected susceptibility to the persuasions of sensibility. As Clara Tuite argues, Austen’s novel, with the help of its later critics, aesthetically seals off the raging political debates that centred around the associations of sensibility with 1790s radicalism, that complex of social and political concepts that Marilyn

li

Introduction

Butler exposed as the ideological focus of the arguments of conservative authors like West and Edgeworth and radical authors like Wollstonecraft and Hays. It is fair to say however, that even with the politics of sensibility altered by the next generation to a focus on ‘sensitivity’, the emotional sensibilities of Marianne and Elinor penetrate their social structures with keen effect. Even today in classroom discussions of this novel where there are students from cultures in which arranged marriages take place in the normal course of things, Marianne’s alleged bliss in marriage with Colonel Brandon becomes politicised once again, giving point to what Lady Bessborough with experience herself in an unhappy arranged marriage may have meant when she said the novel ‘ends stupidly’. An equally significant presence in Austen’s first novel must also include the popular fiction of the 1790s. Charlotte Smith’s novels from the higher end and Minerva Press novels like Mrs Sykes’ Margiana or Regina Maria Roche’s The Children of the Abbey from the lower reaches, along with fiction in the Lady’s Magazine, find ambivalent space in Sense and Sensibility. This is particularly true of the disinheritance plots of 1790s fiction in which Sense and Sensibility is only one among hundreds of novels to share that pilgrimage. In its more egregious form the disinheritance novel is known from its first paragraph: the heroine will be cheated of her patrimony, made dependent upon the kindness of strangers, obliged to travel, subjected to the attentions of a designing rake, have her reputation endangered and, in the last pages, find happiness and fortune through marriage to a man very much the image of the responsible father or the caring brother she never had. An explanation for the high frequency of such plots during the last decade of the eighteenth century might possibly be based on the economic uncertainties brought on by the high inflation of the war years, together with the added domestic burden of new and increased taxes. Moreover the obvious prosperity of people with land and ready capital in these years – the war made agriculture enormously profitable – and the utter impoverishment of those without it may go some way

lii

Introduction

towards accounting for the proliferation in popular fiction of the gloomy ruins and humble cottages in which heroines seek shelter from the economic storm. The burst of consumer display that follows Fanny and John’s accession to Norland – a seal for Fanny from Mr Gray’s, an expensive new greenhouse, trips to London for the season – pales next to the unprincipled extravagance of wealthy landowners lamented by the heroines of so many contemporary novels. Austen, however, makes the general economic disenfranchisement of women more terrifying than her sister novelists by substituting the precise legal details of the ‘old Gentleman’s’ will for the vaguer machinations of their lords and barons. The will that deprives the Dashwood women of their inheritance is modelled deliberately on a common arrangement in English law, ‘strict settlement’, invented for the aristocracy, copied by the gentry and possessing two major aims: to keep an estate intact by holding it in the patrilineal line and to prevent a fond father from diminishing its value for the sake of any younger children. In this arrangement, the maker of the will leaves the estate, for life only, to the first male heir, ‘entailing’ the possession of the estate on the life tenant’s son, the heir ‘in tail’, who is expected when he inherits to make another will according to ‘strict settlement’ that in its turn will keep the estate intact for yet another generation in the male line. The ‘old Gentleman’, however, is able to extend his control over three generations by entailing the estate on Henry Dashwood’s grandson, leaving Norland first to his nephew Henry Dashwood as a life tenant, second to Henry’s son John, also as a life tenant, and finally to John’s son, poor little Harry, as heir ‘in tail’. The Dashwood girls are deliberately cut out, not an unusual case in real life by any means, and also barred from any other provision for their future by the specific prohibition of the sale of the woods of the estate, again not an unusual practice. What is remarkable, however, is the small sum – ‘he meant not to be unkind’ – that the ‘old Gentleman’ actually leaves them, only £1,000 apiece. Custom in contemporary English inheritance law maintained that an estate worth £4,000 a year could

liii

Introduction

afford to grant between £3,000 and £4,000 each to three younger children without any damage to itself.68 John Dashwood’s happy thought that his sisters will each have £3,000 when their mother dies (the sum their mother brought to her marriage plus the £1,000 each left them by the old Gentleman), whenever that might happen, typically costs him and the Norland estate absolutely nothing. The brutal exclusion of the Dashwood girls from even the minimum expectation of English inheritance law and custom, plus the diminishment of any hope for amelioration through their brother’s sense of justice makes for a bitter draught indeed. It is generally the case in Sense and Sensibility, in contrast to Austen’s practice in her later works, that intertextual debts are cloaked and unacknowledged. In Mansfield Park, for example, literary allusions are out in the open. A named and well-known play is set in a central action. Citations from Shakespeare and Cowper are quoted specifically. In Sense and Sensibility, however, the allusions to other literary texts, though far greater in number than in Mansfield Park, are much less easy to establish with confidence. In this respect Sense and Sensibility becomes the most intimate reading experience of all Austen’s novels, the closest analogy to reading her personal letters. By necessity we submit to the private codes she shares with Cassandra, in which the in-jokes and literary allusions buried deep in family reading practices only occasionally break surface for positive identification. Even when such allusions can be identified in Sense and Sensibility, their larger function in the novel’s patterns is not always apparent. In Austen’s letters, for example, we have to wonder what it signifies when Austen describes a cap to Cassandra as having ‘a little white flower perking out of the left ear, like Harriot Byron’s feather’.69 Or, her thanks to Cassandra for a long letter, ‘Like Harriot Byron I ask, what am I to do with my Gratitude?’70 Both references to Grandison are private or semi-private gestures: 68

69 70

Eileen Spring, Law, Land, and Family: Aristocratic Inheritance in England, 1300–1800 (Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1993), pp. 76–91. Le Faye (ed.), Letters, 15–16 September 1813, p. 220. Le Faye (ed.), Letters, 11–12 October 1813, p. 234.

liv

Introduction

they affirm the closeness of the sisters through their reading and, conversely, also act as a manoeuvre for distance, a little joke to mask some other hovering but not articulated issue – perhaps a little guilt over the price of the cap, or a feeling of gratitude for ‘a long letter’ that can only be laughed at for its intensity. What then to make of the phrase Elinor uses when she opposes Willoughby’s gift of a horse to Marianne, ‘from a man so little, or at least so lately known to her’ (vol. 1, ch. 12). This echo of the first line of Dryden’s famous elegy, ‘To the Memory of Mr. Oldham’, tolls an odd sort of bell: ‘Farewel, too little and too lately known.’71 Is this familiar echo of Dryden’s poem no more than the casual mark of a precocious young writer looking for an appreciative nod from the family reading circle, is it a jokingly modest claim to gravitas, is it an allusive device warning the reader of Willoughby’s pending dismissal, or is it simply an automatic turn to literature for expression, either Elinor’s or the author’s, which in this context may be no more than a tag or a flourish? Allusions to distant texts in Sense and Sensibility frequently shimmer into the reader’s consciousness as an almost, but not quite, articulated reference. Marianne’s impulsive and insistent identification of ‘a man on horseback’, for example, ‘It is he; it is indeed; I know it is’ (vol. 1, ch. 16), uncannily calls up the obsessive and repeated misidentification of men on horseback by Charlotte Lennox’s fantasist heroine in The Female Quixote (1752). Or in another example, Goldsmith’s Vicar of Wakefield (1766) rises into partial view when Elinor and Colonel Brandon discuss Marianne’s fixed opinions on unpardonable ‘second attachments’: ‘But how she contrives it’, says Elinor, ‘without reflecting on the character of her own father, who had himself two wives, I know not’ (vol. 1, ch. 11), a remark that may recall the comic failure of Goldsmith’s equally unobservant vicar, a ‘strict monogamist’ like Marianne, to remember that Mr 71

The Works of John Dryden, ed. H. T. Swedenberg, Jr (Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1972), II, p. 175. Mark R. Blackwell argues a strong case for an interpretive allusion to the Dryden poem in his essay, ‘“The setting always casts a different shade on it”: Allusion and Interpretation in Sense and Sensibility’, EighteenthCentury Fiction, 17, 1 (October 2004).

lv

Introduction

Wilmot, his son’s future father-in-law, was now courting his fourth wife. This allusion to Goldsmith, if it is one, is only tweaked into consciousness by the wry sweetness of Elinor and Colonel Brandon’s conversation, an echo of the same tone in Goldsmith’s work, but it is only a nod, not a pointer. In the same way, lurking beneath the author’s mild remark that Lady Middleton, ‘like a well bred woman’, resigned herself to Sir John’s impromptu invitation for the Steele sisters to stay at Barton, ‘contenting herself with merely giving her husband a gentle reprimand on the subject five or six times a day’ (vol. 1, ch. 21), there lies a distant echo of Fielding’s Mr Tow-wouse in Joseph Andrews (1742) who for a more serious misstep must submit, like Sir John, to ‘quietly and contentedly bearing to be reminded of his Transgressions, as a kind of Penance, once or twice a Day, during the Residue of his Life’ (vol. 1, ch. 17). Non-canonical works present even more challenging puzzles. The names Willoughby and Brandon, for example, are found together in ‘The Shipwreck’, a tale from the Lady’s Magazine (‘Supplement’, 1794), a thoroughly dismissible work published at the time of the composition of Austen’s Elinor and Marianne. This story also produces the exact clich´e that Margaret Dashwood uses to characterise Willoughby as ‘Marianne’s preserver’. Miss Brandon, the heroine of the Lady’s Magazine, is swept in a storm from the deck of the ship taking her to Bristol for marriage with a wealthy Irish gentleman chosen by Mr Brandon, her father. Her rescue from the waves comes at the hands of a Mr Willoughby, the very man for whom she has long held a distinct preference and who has also loved her, though in vain: ‘Her preserver appeared, and announced himself to be Willoughby, that Willoughby who . . . would not hesitate to encounter a thousand times the same danger he had now braved to shield her from harm.’ Mr Brandon, chastened by the near loss of his daughter, instantly accedes to her long desired match with her ‘preserver’ and gives his permission for the marriage. The echoes of Colonel Brandon’s Eliza stories are unnerving, but the purpose of an allusion so thoroughly buried in the oblivion of

lvi

Introduction

the Lady’s Magazine turns on a point that can only be guessed at. One way of reading the matched names might be to take them as Jane Austen’s private acknowledgment of collusion in the same market culture as the magazine, possibly a private joke with Cassandra. Or the paired names could also serve, if pressed, to prompt in the reader an ironic comparison between the stories, though if this is the purport of such a humble footprint, it is faint indeed. More likely, the allusion, if it is one, is a manoeuvre of intimacy with the reader, not unlike Harriet Byron’s cap and little white flower in the letter to Cassandra, a comparable distancing gesture, one designed to inoculate Sense and Sensibility against the very market it participates in. In other words, if the reader misses the connection of the names shared with the Lady’s Magazine, that is nothing more than expected, but if she gets the allusion, so much the better – she has joined the author’s own reading group. There remains, however, the need to account for the presence of patches of oddly undigested styles that also appear in the novel. Colonel Brandon’s long narrative of the two Elizas, for example, could almost pass as a similar inset story in Grandison or even Clarissa. The device is also one of the most frequent strategies in women’s popular fiction. Jane Austen mocks it both early and late in her career: in ‘Jack and Alice’ (1787–90), ‘You mentioned Madam something of your having yourself been a sufferer by the misfortune you are so good as to wish me to avoid. Will you favour me with your Life & Adventures?. . .’ ‘Willingly my Love’; and in ‘Plan of a Novel’ (c. 1816): ‘The Father to be induced, at his Daughter’s earnest request, to relate to her the past events of his Life. This Narrative will reach through the greatest part of the 1st vol.’ Willoughby’s confession of guilt to Elinor during his final appearance in the novel invokes a style so like the melodramatic effusions of the Minerva novel that Austen actually has him apologise for it. Marianne’s speech to Elinor after her illness and reformation, unlike anything in her previous style, has often been noted as a departure from tone, like something from another fiction, resembling perhaps the solemn conversion of Charlotte Lennox’s heroine in The Female Quixote.

lvii

Introduction

These passages appear to be allotted the transparent status of an unexamined style, thoroughly unlike the sharply parodic turn of the early chapters of the novel, or, for that matter, anything that was to appear in later Austen novels. They bridge crises in the narrative that at the moment seem outside Austen’s imaginative or technical grasp. We have to assume from internal comparative evidence that these passages mark an early stage of work, in the analogous way that we assume that the brilliance of the dialogue between Fanny and John in the second chapter belongs to Austen’s mature style. In that respect at least, such borrowings become indicators of the strong intertextual energy that runs beneath the surface throughout Sense and Sensibility, perhaps the most characteristic feature of Austen’s first novel. Nature in Sense and Sensibility, for example, is highly literary, utterly different from the later novels when heat is felt as ‘insufferable’ or sea breezes bring ‘bloom’ to the heroine’s cheeks. In this early novel nature is associated with the politics of land embedded in the picturesque theories of Gilpin, Repton, Price and Knight. Though both Elinor and Marianne particularly admire the views from the door of Barton cottage, Austen also suggests that the picturesque aesthetic is more than an innocent theory with the sole design of encouraging a greater sensibility to nature. For Marianne, Norland’s landscape resides in her imagination as the nostalgic memory of childhood; for John Dashwood, the same landscape offers an opportunity to display his ownership of the land with the picturesque proof of it, albeit in a corrupted taste, of a flashy new greenhouse for his wife Fanny. For Mr Palmer, the shrubbery at Cleveland does double service as well. It announces his status as a prosperous and fashionable squire with its canonically picturesque trees, ‘the fir, the mountain-ash, and the acacia . . . tall Lombardy poplars’, but, as Austen also notes, the trees have the practical purpose of screening ‘the offices’, the working areas, from view (vol. 3, ch. 5) and the further task of disguising the economically revealing fact that Cleveland has no park. In contrast, Colonel Brandon’s Delaford estate, decidedly not planned as a modern picturesque

lviii

Introduction

landscape, delights Mrs Jennings and her daughter with its highly practical walled garden, its old-fashioned fruit trees, its useful fish ponds set unfashionably near the house and the house’s equally unfashionable convenience to the road, the church and the village butcher, ‘exactly what I call a nice old fashioned place’, she says (vol. 2, ch. 8). Consumer comforts are strikingly abstract in this novel, nothing like the baked apples so enjoyed by Miss Bates and her mother in Emma. Mrs Jennings’ memory of fruit in Colonel Brandon’s garden is of an Edenic Past. We hear about Sir John Middleton’s love of picnics, but no one goes on one. We learn of John and Fanny’s ‘gift’ of a dinner for the Middletons, but nourishment has nothing to do with this event. The Dashwood women actually send a dinner away, ‘they had always been careless in their meals’ (vol. 3, ch. 11). The Constantia wine offered by Mrs Jennings is a medicine, a restorative for the gout or a broken heart. Sugar plums and marmalade are ‘applied’ for a bruised temple (vol. 1, ch. 21). The pint of porter and cold beef taken by Willoughby at Marlborough are not a measure of appetite, but of time spent at the inn for a change of horses (vol. 3, ch. 8). Similarly, the map of London functions as a textual substitute for first-hand experience. The addresses of the various families in London are presented as designations in the social topography of the city, and are in no way evocative of London atmosphere or street life. Ambitious Mrs Ferrars, the richest of the characters, is housed in Park Lane, the most aristocratic and exclusive of London addresses; the Palmers in Hanover Square, a more moderately ambitious Mayfair address; the Middletons in Conduit Street nearby, and Mrs Jennings very carefully placed outside ultra-fashionable Mayfair proper, in Berkeley Street, situated north of Oxford Street, near Portman Square, a respectable neighbourhood of upper gentry and wealthy merchants where, in 1801, Austen’s brother Henry had taken a house. The John Dashwoods are on the north side of Oxford Street too, but in Harley Street, a Marylebone address notorious in Austen’s day for housing nouveau-riche aspirants to fashion.

lix

Introduction

conflicts As far back as Butler’s and Duckworth’s seminal studies, and more recently in those of Lynch, Benedict, Tuite and Galperin, Sense and Sensibility has been seized upon for what might be called the forensic possibilities opened by its repeated refusals to resolve interpretive conflicts. For example, does Marianne suffer a Clarissa-like decline or does she exhibit a set of symptoms that belong to contemporary medical descriptions of ‘putrid fever’? William Buchan’s account of remittent fever in his Domestic Medicine, 14th edition (1794) sounds very much like Marianne’s disease: ‘The remission is commonly preceded by a gentle sweat, after which the patient seems greatly relieved, but in a few hours the fever returns. These remissions return at very irregular periods, and are sometimes of longer, sometimes of shorter duration.’ He also confirms the dangers of walking in the wet grass: ‘Remitting fevers prevail in low marshy countries abounding with wood and stagnating water’ (p. 210). William Cullen in his Nosology (1800) concurs: intermittent fevers arise ‘from marsh miasmata’ and produce paroxysms sometimes once a day, or, for ‘tertian’ intermittent fevers, every forty-eight hours, ‘attended by drowsiness, spasms and convulsive motions’ (pp. 24–35). On the other hand, William Falconer, a prominent Bath physician, maintains emphatically in his Dissertation on the Influence of the Passions upon Disorders of the Body, 2nd edition (1791) that, ‘Scarcely any disease exhibits stronger marks of the influence of the imagination and passions, than the intermittent fever. It is well known that numerous cures of this disorder have been performed by medicines of little, or even of no medical efficacy whatever in themselves’ (p. 49). Marianne’s self-diagnosis fits Falconer’s medical opinion. Elinor’s description of her condition matches Buchan’s and Cullen’s. Marianne and Edward’s argument over the picturesque follows an analogous pattern. Edward states his opposition to picturesque theory in his opinions of the Barton countryside: ‘It exactly answers my idea of a fine country because it unites beauty with utility . . . I can easily believe it to be full of rocks and promontories, grey moss

lx

Introduction

and brush wood, but these are all lost on me. I know nothing of the picturesque’ (vol. 1, ch. 18). His opposing examples recall an icon of picturesque taste that Austen would have known well, the introductory plate of Gilpin’s Forest Scenery (1791), reproduced as the frontispiece to this volume. Gilpin’s plate presents a pictured version of Edward’s argument. His plantation of timber, ‘tall, straight and flourishing’ appears on the left side of the Gilpin plate, and Marianne’s ‘crooked, twisted, blasted’ tree on the right side of the plate. Gilpin directs the reader to the ‘correct’ choice – ‘What is more beautiful, for instance, on a rugged foreground, than an old tree with a hollow trunk? or with a dead arm, a drooping bough, or a dying branch?’ (p. 8) – but Austen refuses. ‘Elinor only laughed’ at what she terms Edward’s ‘affectation’, by implication Marianne’s as well, her laughter becoming – if it is understood as Lauren Goodlad argues in a recent essay – an emancipating act, a gesture of ‘selfmaking’.72 Thus, whether Elinor sides with Edward or Marianne, and it is not clear in the passage that she sides with either, her judgment is left free – and if Elinor is free in that respect, so is the reader. William Empson’s well-known Kenyon Review essay, ‘Tom Jones’ (1958), may provide a more contextually appropriate insight into the unresolved conflicts. Empson’s analysis of the ‘habitual double irony’ in which Fielding’s narrator repeatedly articulates two opposite positions while undermining both (possibly even ‘A plague on both your houses’), describes a reading experience that would have been familiar to Austen and the family reading circle.73 Emendations of the 1811 text of Sense and Sensibility in the second edition of 1813 suggest a general softening of the first energy of Austen’s satiric impulses. In a revealing comparison with Austen’s first published novel the two unpolished fragmentary pieces, The Watsons, begun in 1804 and abandoned in 1805, and Sanditon, 72

73

Lauren Goodlad, ‘England’s “Glorious Middle Way”: Self-Disciplinary Self-Making and Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility’, Genre, 33, 1 (Spring 2000), pp. 51–8. William Empson, ‘Tom Jones’, originally printed in The Kenyon Review, 20 (1958), pp. 217–49; reprinted in Using Biography (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1984), p. 132. See also John Allen Stevenson’s The Real History of Tom Jones (Basingstoke: Palgrave, 2005) for an extended analysis of ‘double irony’ in Fielding’s novel.

lxi

Introduction

begun and broken off in 1817, both feature passages that display the same unsparing vigour that we find in the first edition of Sense and Sensibility, a force of anger and mockery unlike anything to be found in her five other novels. In the first edition Austen notes that the ‘old Gentleman’ made no provision for the Dashwood women by any ‘division of the estate’; in the second edition, she changes the expression to, ‘by any charge on the estate’ (vol. 1, ch. 1), thus, it could be argued, reducing the moral issues of fairness and justice implied in ‘division’ to legal points about estate inheritance. The first edition includes a reference to John’s wife Fanny’s fortune, ‘His wife had something considerable at present, and something still more to expect hereafter from her mother, her only surviving parent, who had much to give’ (vol. 1, ch. 1), a sentence which is omitted in the second edition. The effect is to consign the issue of Fanny’s fortune to the implications of plot, though Austen’s first instinct had been to hammer in the nail of John and Fanny’s rapacity. And, in a third example, there is the deletion of Lady Middleton’s first edition shock at Mrs Jennings’ mention of Colonel Brandon’s supposed illegitimate daughter: ‘Lady Middleton’s delicacy was shocked; and in order to banish so improper a subject as the mention of a natural daughter, she actually took the trouble of saying something herself about the weather’ (vol. 1, ch. 13). It may be that Austen chose to omit the sentence because Lady Middleton had used this conversational gambit in the previous chapter, but in deleting it she also forfeited the opportunity to score a point against Lady Middleton’s elegant morality. In spite of Kathryn Sutherland’s useful warning in her introduction to the Austen-Leigh Memoir that Austen’s novels will not necessarily lead us back to the author (p. xviii), it remains hard not to succumb to the temptation to see biography in Sense and Sensibility. As in the fragmentary pieces, The Watsons and Sanditon, there remains enough harshness of judgment in Sense and Sensibility to alert us to the suspicion that we are getting more of the unpolished, uncensored Jane Austen in this novel than we find in her later published works. There are obvious biographical associations

lxii

Introduction

attached to the two fragmentary pieces. The Watsons features a family of single women about to be impoverished by the death of their clergyman father, not too far from the Austen women’s own situation in 1805. Fanny Dashwood’s infamous description of the financial state of her female relatives, ‘Altogether, they will have five hundred a-year amongst them, and what on earth can four women want for more than that?’ comes suspiciously close to the phrasing of Henry Austen’s self-congratulatory letter to his brother Francis on the financial arrangements to be enjoyed by his recently widowed mother and two sisters: that the three women will be ‘in the receipt of £450 per Ann.’, he writes, which will be ‘very comfortable’, concluding that, ‘a smaller establishment will be as agreeable to them, as it cannot but be feasible’ (28 January 1805).74 Henry’s happy opinion no doubt had full circulation in this family of letter sharers. Austen’s sharply expressed resentment of the hasty appropriation of the Steventon property and its household effects by her brother James and his wife Mary after Mr Austen’s retirement – ‘[E]verything else I suppose will be seized by degrees in the same manner’75 – finds an echo in Mrs Dashwood’s smouldering anger at Fanny’s similarly ungracious action with the Norland domestic establishment: ‘earnestly did she despise her daughter-in-law for it’ (vol. 1, ch. 1). As a final example, John Dashwood’s satisfied parade of poverty before the Dashwood sisters in Mr Gray’s shop resembles a similar indulgence of James’s wife during a visit to the somewhat straitened lodgings in Southampton that the Austen women shared with Francis’ young family for reasons of economy: ‘Mrs. J. A. does not talk much of poverty now’, Austen reports acidly, ‘though she has no hope of my brother’s being able to buy another horse next summer’.76 In her last fragment, Sanditon, Austen focuses on financial speculation in a seaside resort with the strong suggestion that the project is about to founder. This work followed the failure of her brother Henry’s bank in the spring of 1816, a financial catastrophe 74 75 76

Cited by Le Faye, Family Record, p. 147. Le Faye (ed.), Letters, 8–9 January 1801, pp. 71–2. Le Faye (ed.), Letters, 8 January 1807, p. 116.

lxiii

Introduction

in which members of the family, her brother Edward and her uncle Mr Leigh-Perrot, lost considerable sums. Moreover, the tyrannical Mrs Ferrars in Sense and Sensibility and the miserly, also tyrannical Lady Denham in Sanditon make excellent stand-ins for ‘my Aunt’, Mrs Leigh-Perrot, whose great wealth gave her an arbitrary power over the Austen women that surfaces repeatedly as a source of long-standing resentment in Austen’s letters.77 The obvious question inevitably arises: how could family members not see themselves in these pictures? Though it is true that Sense and Sensibility was nobody’s favourite in the Austen family, except Jane Austen’s of course, for whom it was her ‘sucking child’, the answer may lie in the powerful intertextual life of Sense and Sensibility. The Austen family might well see nothing personal, only recognising these characters as familiar types from novels they had all read together. Frances Burney, among others, furnished more than one older woman outrageously irresponsible with her wealth. Women who had become unexpectedly impoverished were available in popular novels by the hundreds. Greedy, heartless relatives lurked on the tables of every circulating library. On the other hand, it is impossible for us to read innocently the smug remark in Sanditon made by Mr Heywood about the picturesque cottage at the top of the hill near his house: ‘a spruce air at this distance’, says Mr Heywood, but in fact, ‘as indifferent a double tenement as any in the parish . . . [M]y shepherd lives at one end, and three old women at the other’ (ch. 1). Margaret Anne Doody’s suggestion that ‘culture’ in Jane Austen’s short fiction ‘often is anarchy’78 attaches itself with equal propriety to Sense and Sensibility and to the fragmentary pieces The Watsons and Sanditon. These three works share too much common energy in their unexpected explosions of ludic anger to let their kinship pass without comment. Moreover, the unresolved conflicts in the 77

78

Edward Copeland, ‘Sanditon and “my Aunt”: Jane Austen and the National Debt’, Persuasions, 19 (16 December 1997), pp. 117–29. Margaret Anne Doody, ‘The Short Fiction’, The Cambridge Companion to Jane Austen, ed. Edward Copeland and Juliet McMaster (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997), p. 93.

lxiv

Introduction

intertextual life of Austen’s first novel are not by any means a matter of her inattention. In this respect, Sense and Sensibility bears witness to the profound ironies that continue to haunt her later novels, though appearing in those works with less scent of fresh blood. William Faulkner’s more famously violent fiction may offer an insight into the repressed violence running under the surface of Austen’s first novel. In his tale ‘Old Man’ (1939), Faulkner’s protagonist, a convict suddenly freed by a major flooding of the Mississippi river from the routines of his regular and predictable life in prison, becomes a bemused witness to the supposedly immutable symbols of his civilisation – houses and hencoops, men and mules – as they go rolling and tossing about on the violent waves of the river. He pauses in awe to reflect on the paradoxical revelation before him: that the river was doing just what it liked to do – that the real aberration was when it stayed peacefully within its banks.

lxv

NOTE ON THE TEXT

This edition of Sense and Sensibility reproduces Thomas Egerton’s second edition of Sense and Sensibility (1813) from a copy in the Cambridge University Library (classmark Syn.7.81.102–4), which, except for some inconsequential variations in inking during the printing run, is identical to three other copies of the second edition examined at this library, a fourth at the British Library and two more at the Huntington Library in San Marino, California. Independent collations were made of the Cambridge University Library copytext (1813) with copies of the first edition (1811) at the British Library, at the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library and at the Charles E. Young Research Library, both of the University of California, Los Angeles. Comparisons of printing anomalies confirmed that these editions were identical to each other and also to a fourth copy of the first edition examined at the Cambridge University Library. All variations between the texts of the 1811 edition and the 1813 edition will be found at the foot of the page. The first reading there is the 1813 reading, reproducing the text above, followed by the 1811 reading. On the few occasions where the 1811 reading is preferred to the 1813 reading this is indicated by the direction of the square bracket. On the occasions (pp. 133, 301 and 312) where neither the 1811 edition nor the 1813 edition variant is preferred, the original versions are given in the footnotes separated by a vertical line rather than a bracket. These corrections are also included in the list of corrections and emendations on p. 432. The vast majority of the variants are differences in punctuation: the presence or absence of commas, variations of commas and semi-colons and the erratic uses of dashes, question marks and exclamation marks. Some of these are likely to be authorial, for example, daughter’s to daughters’

lxvii

Note on the text

(pp. 16, 19), or the addition of commas to clarify meaning, but since there is no surviving manuscript or proof copy it is impossible to know for certain the hand of the author from that of the printer. In both the first and second editions, M-dashes are occasionally represented by three hyphens although their use is erratic and seems to have no significance. Longer dashes (2M) are sometimes represented by two adjacent M-dashes or by six hyphens. In volume 3, chapter 8, there are five instances in which four hyphens are employed to indicate a single M-dash. All dashes in this edition have been rationalized to appear as either single M-dashes or double M-dashes where appropriate. The first and second editions of Sense and Sensibility show all their dashes unspaced with one exception in both editions (volume 1, chapter 3), ‘distinguished — as — they hardly knew what’ (p. 19), which because of its unique repetition could be arguably an authorial preference. The first paragraph of each chapter has been rationalised to appear without indentation. There are a number of spelling differences in the two editions, some of which seem to reflect systematic changes in the second edition, either by Austen or by the printer: for example, ‘encreased’ to ‘increased’, ‘enquiries’ to ‘inquiries’, ‘stile’ to ‘style’, ‘surprize’ to ‘surprise’, ‘independance’ to ‘independence’, ‘expences’ to ‘expenses’ and others. The five occasions where Mrs Jennings uses ‘wo’nt’ for the contraction ‘won’t’ have been left unchanged as a usage of the period. Obviously misspelled words in the second edition (‘hume’, ‘ther’, ‘herfelf ’) must be considered printer’s errors. These are noted and corrected to the first edition (1811) spellings. The more interesting variants, those clearly imposed by Jane Austen, such as the addition or omission of words, phrases or even complete sentences, are noted without comment as variants as they occur. Emendations to the copytext are conservative and have been made only in those cases where the presence of a gross printer’s error, a misspelled or omitted word, or incorrectly placed or omitted quotation marks were felt to present some barrier to the reader, a confusion or an interruption of flow. All emendations are listed in the appendix, ‘Corrections and emendations to 1813 edition’.

lxviii

The title page of the 1813 edition of Sense and Sensibility, used as the copytext for this edition. Reproduced by permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library.

sense and sensibility Volume I

Chapter 1

T h e family of Dashwood had been long settled in Sussex. Their estate was large, and their residence was at Norland Park,1 in the centre of their property, where, for many generations, they had lived in so respectable2 a manner, as to engage the general good opinion of their surrounding acquaintance. The late owner 3 of this estate was a single man, who lived to a very advanced age, and who for many years of his life, had a constant companion and housekeeper in his sister. But her death, which happened ten years before his own, produced a great alteration in his home; for to supply her loss, he invited and received into his house the family of his nephew Mr. Henry Dashwood, the legal inheritor4 of the Norland estate, and the person to whom he intended to bequeath it. In the society of his nephew and niece, and their children, the old Gentleman’s days were comfortably spent. His attachment to them all increased. The constant attention of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dashwood to his wishes, which proceeded not merely from interest, but from goodness of heart, gave him every degree of solid comfort which his age could receive; and the cheerfulness of the children added a relish to his existence. line 6: late owner of] 1811 last owner but one, of // line 6: estate was] 1811 estate, was // line 7: who for] 1811 who, for // line 10: for to] 1811 for, to // line 17: proceeded not] 1811 proceeded, not

3

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 1

By a former marriage, Mr. Henry Dashwood had one son: by his present lady, three daughters. The son, a steady respectable young man, was amply provided for by the fortune of his mother, which had been large, and half of which devolved on him on his coming of age. By his own marriage, likewise, which happened soon afterwards, he added to his wealth. To him therefore the succession to the Norland estate5 was not so really important as to his sisters; for their fortune, independent of what might arise to them from their father’s inheriting that property, could be but small. Their mother had nothing, and their father only seven thousand pounds in his own disposal; for the remaining moiety of his first wife’s fortune was also secured to her child, and he had only a life interest in it.6 The old Gentleman died; his will was read, and like almost every other will, gave as much disappointment as pleasure. He was neither so unjust, nor so ungrateful, as to leave his estate from his nephew;—but he left it to him on such terms as destroyed half the value of the bequest.7 Mr. Dashwood had wished for it more for the sake of his wife and daughters than for himself or his son:—but to his son, and his son’s son, a child of four years old, it was secured, in such a way, as to leave to himself no power of providing for those who were most dear to him, and who most needed a provision, by any charge on the estate, or by any sale of its valuable woods.8 The whole was tied up for the benefit of this child, who, in occasional visits with his father and mother at Norland, had line 2: lady] 1811 Lady // line 7: wealth. To] 1811 wealth. His wife had something considerable at present, and something still more to expect hereafter from her mother, her only surviving parent, who had much to give. To // line 7: him therefore the] 1811 him, therefore, the // line 25: charge on] 1811 division of

4

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 1

so far gained on the affections of his uncle, by such attractions as are by no means unusual in children of two or three years old; an imperfect articulation, an earnest desire of having his own way, many cunning tricks, and a great deal of noise, as to outweigh all the value of all the attention which, for years, he had received from his niece and her daughters. He meant not to be unkind however, and, as a mark of his affection for the three girls, he left them a thousand pounds a-piece.9 Mr. Dashwood’s disappointment was, at first, severe; but his temper was cheerful and sanguine, and he might reasonably hope to live many years, and by living economically, lay by a considerable sum from the produce of an estate already large, and capable of almost immediate improvement.10 But the fortune, which had been so tardy in coming, was his only one twelvemonth. He survived his uncle no longer; and ten thousand pounds, including the late legacies, was all that remained for his widow and daughters.11 His son was sent for, as soon as his danger was known, and to him Mr. Dashwood recommended, with all the strength and urgency which illness could command, the interest of his mother-in-law12 and sisters. Mr. John Dashwood had not the strong feelings of the rest of the family; but he was affected by a recommendation of such a nature at such a time, and he promised to do every thing in his power to make them comfortable. His father was rendered easy by such an assurance, and Mr. John Dashwood had then leisure to consider how much there might prudently13 be in his power to do for them. He was not an ill-disposed young man, unless to be rather cold hearted, and rather selfish, is to be ill-disposed: but he line 1: affections] 1811 affection

5

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 1

was, in general, well respected; for he conducted himself with propriety in the discharge of his ordinary duties. Had he married a more amiable woman,14 he might have been made still more respectable than he was:—he might even have been made amiable himself; for he was very young when he married, and very fond of his wife. But Mrs. John Dashwood was a strong caricature of himself;—more narrow-minded and selfish.15 When he gave his promise to his father, he meditated within himself to increase the fortunes of his sisters by the present of a thousand pounds a-piece. He then really thought himself equal to it. The prospect of four thousand a-year, in addition to his present income, besides the remaining half of his own mother’s fortune, warmed his heart and made him feel capable of generosity.—“Yes, he would give them three thousand pounds: it would be liberal and handsome!16 It would be enough to make them completely easy. Three thousand pounds! he could spare so considerable a sum with little inconvenience.”—He thought of it all day long, and for many days successively, and he did not repent. No sooner was his father’s funeral over, than Mrs. John Dashwood, without sending any notice of her intention to her mother-in-law, arrived with her child and their attendants. No one could dispute her right to come; the house was her husband’s from the moment of his father’s decease; but the indelicacy of her conduct was so much the greater, and to a woman in Mrs. Dashwood’s situation, with only common feelings, must have been highly unpleasing;—but in her mind there was a sense of honour so keen, a generosity so romantic,17 that any offence of the kind, by whomsoever line 12: a-year] 1811 a year // line 27: and to] 1811 and, to

6

line 14:

heart and] 1811 heart, and

//

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 1

given or received, was to her a source of immoveable disgust. Mrs. John Dashwood had never been a favourite with any of her husband’s family; but she had had no opportunity, till the present, of shewing them with how little attention to the comfort of other people she could act when occasion required it. So acutely did Mrs. Dashwood feel this ungracious behaviour, and so earnestly did she despise her daughterin-law for it, that, on the arrival of the latter, she would have quitted the house for ever, had not the entreaty of her eldest girl induced her first to reflect on the propriety of going, and her own tender love for all her three children determined her afterwards to stay, and for their sakes avoid a breach with their brother. Elinor, this eldest daughter whose advice was so effectual, possessed a strength of understanding, and coolness of judgment, which qualified her, though only nineteen, to be the counsellor of her mother, and enabled her frequently to counteract, to the advantage of them all, that eagerness of mind in Mrs. Dashwood which must generally have led to imprudence. She had an excellent heart;—her disposition was affectionate, and her feelings were strong; but she knew how to govern them: it was a knowledge which her mother had yet to learn, and which one of her sisters had resolved never to be taught. Marianne’s abilities were, in many respects, quite equal to Elinor’s. She was sensible and clever; but eager in every thing; her sorrows, her joys, could have no moderation. She was generous, amiable, interesting: she was every thing but prudent.18 The resemblance between her and her mother was strikingly great. Elinor saw, with concern, the excess of her sister’s sensibility; but by Mrs. Dashwood it was valued and 7

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 1

cherished. They encouraged each other now in the violence of their aff liction.19 The agony of grief which overpowered them at first, was voluntarily renewed, was sought for, was created again and again. They gave themselves up wholly to their sorrow, seeking increase of wretchedness in every reflection that could afford it, and resolved against ever admitting consolation in future. Elinor, too, was deeply afflicted; but still she could struggle, she could exert herself. She could consult with her brother, could receive her sister-in-law on her arrival, and treat her with proper attention; and could strive to rouse her mother to similar exertion, and encourage her to similar forbearance. Margaret, the other sister, was a good-humoured welldisposed girl; but as she had already imbibed a good deal of Marianne’s romance, without having much of her sense, she did not, at thirteen, bid fair to equal her sisters at a more advanced period of life. line 10: with proper] 1811 with every proper // lines 13–14: good-humoured well-disposed] 1811 good humoured well disposed

8

Chapter 2

M r s . Jo h n Da s h w o o d now installed herself mistress of Norland; and her mother and sisters-in-law were degraded to the condition of visitors. As such, however, they were treated by her with quiet civility; and by her husband with as much kindness as he could feel towards any body beyond himself, his wife, and their child. He really pressed them, with some earnestness, to consider Norland as their home; and, as no plan appeared so eligible to Mrs. Dashwood as remaining there till she could accommodate herself with a house in the neighbourhood, his invitation was accepted. A continuance in a place where every thing reminded her of former delight, was exactly what suited her mind. In seasons of cheerfulness, no temper could be more cheerful than hers, or possess, in a greater degree, that sanguine expectation of happiness which is happiness itself.1 But in sorrow she must be equally carried away by her fancy, and as far beyond consolation as in pleasure she was beyond alloy. Mrs. John Dashwood did not at all approve of what her husband intended to do for his sisters. To take three thousand pounds from the fortune of their dear little boy, would be impoverishing him to the most dreadful degree. She begged him to think again on the subject. How could he answer it to himself to rob his child, and his only child too, of so large a sum? And what possible claim could the Miss Dashwoods, who were related to him only by half blood,2 which she considered as no relationship at all, have on his generosity to so 9

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 2

large an amount. It was very well known that no affection was ever supposed to exist between the children of any man by different marriages; and why was he to ruin himself, and their poor little Harry, by giving away all his money to his half sisters? “It was my father’s last request to me,” replied her husband, “that I should assist his widow and daughters.”3 “He did not know what he was talking of, I dare say; ten to one but he was light-headed at the time. Had he been in his right senses, he could not have thought of such a thing as begging you to give away half your fortune from your own child.” “He did not stipulate for any particular sum, my dear Fanny; he only requested me, in general terms, to assist them, and make their situation more comfortable than it was in his power to do. Perhaps it would have been as well if he had left it wholly to myself. He could hardly suppose I should neglect them. But as he required the promise, I could not do less than give it: at least I thought so at the time. The promise, therefore, was given, and must be performed. Something must be done for them whenever they leave Norland and settle in a new home.” “Well, then, let something be done for them; but that something need not be three thousand pounds. Consider,” she added, “that when the money is once parted with, it never can return. Your sisters will marry, and it will be gone for ever. If, indeed, it could ever be restored to our poor little boy—” “Why, to be sure,” said her husband, very gravely, “that would make a great difference. The time may come when Harry will regret that so large a sum was parted with. If he line 1: known that] 1811 known, that // line 9: light-headed] 1811 light headed // line 14: Fanny; he] 1811 Fanny, he

10

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 2

should have a numerous family, for instance, it would be a very convenient addition.” “To be sure it would.” “Perhaps, then, it would be better for all parties if the sum were diminished one half.—Five hundred pounds would be a prodigious increase to their fortunes!” “Oh! beyond any thing great! What brother on earth would do half so much for his sisters, even if really his sisters! And as it is—only half blood!—But you have such a generous spirit!” “I would not wish to do any thing mean,”4 he replied. “One had rather, on such occasions, do too much than too little. No one, at least, can think I have not done enough for them: even themselves, they can hardly expect more.” “There is no knowing what they may expect,” said the lady, “but we are not to think of their expectations: the question is, what you can afford to do.” “Certainly—and I think I may afford to give them five hundred pounds a-piece. As it is, without any addition of mine, they will each have above three thousand pounds5 on their mother’s death—a very comfortable fortune for any young woman.” “To be sure it is: and, indeed, it strikes me that they can want no addition at all. They will have ten thousand pounds divided amongst them. If they marry, they will be sure of doing well, and if they do not, they may all live very comfortably together on the interest of ten thousand pounds.”6 “That is very true, and, therefore, I do not know whether, upon the whole, it would not be more advisable to do something for their mother while she lives rather than for them— something of the annuity7 kind I mean.—My sisters would line 10: replied. “One] 1811 replied. One // // line 30: mean.—My] 1811 mean. My

line 14:

lady,] 1811 Lady,

11

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 2

feel the good effects of it as well as herself. A hundred a year would make them all perfectly comfortable.” His wife hesitated a little, however, in giving her consent to this plan. “To be sure,” said she, “it is better than parting with fifteen hundred pounds at once. But then if Mrs. Dashwood should live fifteen years, we shall be completely taken in.”8 “Fifteen years! my dear Fanny; her life cannot be worth half that purchase.”9 “Certainly not; but if you observe, people always live for ever when there is any annuity to be paid them; and she is very stout10 and healthy, and hardly forty. An annuity is a very serious business; it comes over and over every year, and there is no getting rid of it. You are not aware of what you are doing. I have known a great deal of the trouble of annuities; for my mother was clogged with the payment of three to old superannuated11 servants by my father’s will, and it is amazing how disagreeable she found it. Twice every year these annuities were to be paid; and then there was the trouble of getting it to them; and then one of them was said to have died, and afterwards it turned out to be no such thing. My mother was quite sick of it. Her income was not her own, she said, with such perpetual claims on it; and it was the more unkind in my father, because, otherwise, the money would have been entirely at my mother’s disposal, without any restriction whatever. It has given me such an abhorrence of annuities, that I am sure I would not pin myself down to the payment of one for all the world.” “It is certainly an unpleasant thing,” replied Mr. Dashwood, “to have those kind of yearly drains on one’s income. One’s fortune, as your mother justly says, is not one’s own. line 8:

12

Fanny; her] 1811 Fanny, her

//

line 23:

it; and] 1811 it: and

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 2

To be tied down to the regular payment of such a sum, on every rent day,12 is by no means desirable: it takes away one’s independence.” “Undoubtedly; and after all you have no thanks for it. They think themselves secure, you do no more than what is expected, and it raises no gratitude at all. If I were you, whatever I did should be done at my own discretion entirely. I would not bind myself to allow them any thing yearly. It may be very inconvenient some years to spare a hundred, or even fifty pounds from our own expences.” “I believe you are right, my love; it will be better that there should be no annuity in the case; whatever I may give them occasionally will be of far greater assistance than a yearly allowance, because they would only enlarge their style of living if they felt sure of a larger income, and would not be sixpence the richer for it at the end of the year. It will certainly be much the best way. A present of fifty pounds, now and then, will prevent their ever being distressed for money, and will, I think, be amply discharging my promise to my father.” “To be sure it will. Indeed, to say the truth, I am convinced within myself that your father had no idea of your giving them any money at all. The assistance he thought of, I dare say, was only such as might be reasonably expected of you; for instance, such as looking out for a comfortable small house for them, helping them to move their things, and sending them presents of fish and game, and so forth, whenever they are in season. I’ll lay my life that he meant nothing farther; indeed, it would be very strange and unreasonable if he did. Do but consider, my dear Mr. Dashwood, how excessively13 comfortable your mother-in-law and her daughters may live on the interest of seven thousand pounds, besides the thousand pounds belonging to each of the girls, which brings them 13

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 2

in fifty pounds a-year a-piece, and, of course, they will pay their mother for their board out of it. Altogether, they will have five hundred a-year amongst them, and what on earth can four women want for more than that?—14 They will live so cheap! Their housekeeping will be nothing at all. They will have no carriage, no horses, and hardly any servants; they will keep no company, and can have no expences of any kind! Only conceive how comfortable they will be! Five hundred a-year! I am sure I cannot imagine how they will spend half of it; and as to your giving them more, it is quite absurd to think of it. They will be much more able to give you something.” “Upon my word,” said Mr. Dashwood, “I believe you are perfectly right. My father certainly could mean nothing more by his request to me than what you say.15 I clearly understand it now, and I will strictly fulfil my engagement by such acts of assistance and kindness to them as you have described. When my mother removes into another house my services shall be readily given to accommodate her as far as I can. Some little present of furniture too may be acceptable then.” “Certainly,” returned Mrs. John Dashwood. “But, however, one thing must be considered. When your father and mother moved to Norland, though the furniture of Stanhill was sold, all the china, plate,16 and linen was saved, and is now left to your mother. Her house will therefore be almost completely fitted up as soon as she takes it.” “That is a material consideration undoubtedly. A valuable legacy indeed! And yet some of the plate would have been a very pleasant addition to our own stock here.” “Yes; and the set of breakfast china is twice as handsome as what belongs to this house. A great deal too handsome, line 1: a-year] 1811 a year // line 3: a-year] 1811 a year // that?—They] 1811 that? They // line 9: a-year!] 1811 a year!

14

line 4:

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 2

in my opinion, for any place they can ever afford to live in. But, however, so it is. Your father thought only of them. And I must say this: that you owe no particular gratitude to him, nor attention to his wishes, for we very well know that if he could, he would have left almost every thing in the world to them.” This argument was irresistible. It gave to his intentions whatever of decision was wanting before; and he finally resolved, that it would be absolutely unnecessary, if not highly indecorous, to do more for the widow and children of his father, than such kind of neighbourly acts17 as his own wife pointed out.

15

Chapter 3

M r s . Da s h w o o d remained at Norland several months; not from any disinclination to move when the sight of every well known spot ceased to raise the violent emotion which it produced for a while; for when her spirits began to revive, and her mind became capable of some other exertion than that of heightening its affliction by melancholy remembrances, she was impatient to be gone, and indefatigable in her inquiries for a suitable dwelling in the neighbourhood of Norland; for to remove far from that beloved spot was impossible. But she could hear of no situation that at once answered her notions of comfort and ease, and suited the prudence of her eldest daughter, whose steadier judgment rejected several houses as too large for their income, which her mother would have approved. Mrs. Dashwood had been informed by her husband of the solemn promise on the part of his son in their favour, which gave comfort to his last earthly reflections. She doubted the sincerity of this assurance no more than he had doubted it himself, and she thought of it for her daughters’ sake with satisfaction, though as for herself she was persuaded that a much smaller provision than 7000l. would support her in affluence.1 For their brother’s sake too, for the sake of his own heart she rejoiced; and she reproached herself for being unjust to his merit before, in believing him incapable of generosity. line 7:

16

inquiries] 1811 enquiries

// line 19:

daughters’] 1811 daughter’s

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 3

His attentive behaviour to herself and his sisters convinced her that their welfare was dear to him, and, for a long time, she firmly relied on the liberality of his intentions.2 The contempt which she had, very early in their acquaintance, felt for her daughter-in-law, was very much increased by the farther knowledge of her character, which half a year’s residence in her family afforded; and perhaps in spite of every consideration of politeness or maternal affection on the side of the former, the two ladies might have found it impossible to have lived together so long, had not a particular circumstance occurred to give still greater eligibility, according to the opinions of Mrs. Dashwood, to her daughters’ continuance at Norland. This circumstance was a growing attachment between her eldest girl and the brother of Mrs. John Dashwood, a gentlemanlike3 and pleasing young man, who was introduced to their acquaintance soon after his sister’s establishment at Norland, and who had since spent the greatest part of his time there. Some mothers might have encouraged the intimacy from motives of interest, for Edward Ferrars was the eldest son of a man who had died very rich; and some might have repressed it from motives of prudence, for, except a trifling sum, the whole of his fortune depended on the will of his mother. But Mrs. Dashwood was alike uninfluenced by either consideration. It was enough for her that he appeared to be amiable, that he loved her daughter, and that Elinor returned the partiality. It was contrary to every doctrine of her’s that difference of fortune should keep any couple asunder who were attracted by resemblance of disposition; and that Elinor’s merit should line 5: increased] 1811 encreased daughter’s

//

line 12:

daughters’] 1811

17

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 3

not be acknowledged by every one who knew her, was to her comprehension impossible. Edward Ferrars was not recommended to their good opinion by any peculiar graces of person or address.4 He was not handsome, and his manners required intimacy to make them pleasing. He was too diffident to do justice to himself; but when his natural shyness was overcome, his behaviour gave every indication of an open affectionate heart. His understanding was good, and his education had given it solid improvement. But he was neither fitted by abilities nor disposition to answer the wishes of his mother and sister, who longed to see him distinguished—as—they hardly knew what. They wanted him to make a fine figure in the world in some manner or other. His mother wished to interest him in political concerns, to get him into parliament, or to see him connected with some of the great men of the day. Mrs. John Dashwood wished it likewise; but in the mean while, till one of these superior blessings could be attained, it would have quieted her ambition to see him driving a barouche.5 But Edward had no turn for great men or barouches. All his wishes centered in domestic comfort and the quiet of private life. Fortunately he had a younger brother who was more promising. Edward had been staying several weeks in the house before he engaged much of Mrs. Dashwood’s attention; for she was, at that time, in such affliction as rendered her careless of surrounding objects. She saw only that he was quiet and unobtrusive, and she liked him for it. He did not disturb the wretchedness of her mind by ill-timed conversation. She was first called to observe and approve him farther, by a reflection which Elinor chanced one day to make on the difference between him and his sister. It was a contrast which recommended him most forcibly to her mother. 18

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 3

“It is enough,” said she; “to say that he is unlike Fanny is enough. It implies every thing amiable. I love him already.” “I think you will like him,” said Elinor, “when you know more of him.” “Like him!” replied her mother with a smile. “I can feel no sentiment of approbation inferior to love.” “You may esteem him.” “I have never yet known what it was to separate esteem6 and love.” Mrs. Dashwood now took pains to get acquainted with him. Her manners were attaching and soon banished his reserve. She speedily comprehended all his merits; the persuasion of his regard for Elinor perhaps assisted her penetration; but she really felt assured of his worth: and even that quietness of manner which militated against all her established ideas of what a young man’s address ought to be, was no longer uninteresting when she knew his heart to be warm and his temper affectionate. No sooner did she perceive any symptom of love in his behaviour to Elinor, than she considered their serious attachment as certain, and looked forward to their marriage as rapidly approaching. “In a few months, my dear Marianne,” said she, “Elinor will in all probability be settled for life. We shall miss her; but she will be happy.” “Oh! mama, how shall we do without her?” “My love, it will be scarcely a separation. We shall live within a few miles of each other, and shall meet every day of our lives. You will gain a brother, a real, affectionate brother. I have the highest opinion in the world of Edward’s heart. line 1: enough,” said] 1811 enough;” said she, “to

//

line 1:

she; “to] 1811

19

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 3

But you look grave, Marianne; do you disapprove your sister’s choice?” “Perhaps,” said Marianne, “I may consider it with some surprise. Edward is very amiable, and I love him tenderly. But yet—he is not the kind of young man—there is a something wanting—his figure is not striking; it has none of that grace which I should expect in the man who could seriously attach my sister. His eyes want all that spirit, that fire,7 which at once announce virtue and intelligence. And besides all this, I am afraid, mama, he has no real taste. Music seems scarcely to attract him, and though he admires Elinor’s drawings very much, it is not the admiration of a person who can understand their worth. It is evident, in spite of his frequent attention to her while she draws, that in fact he knows nothing of the matter. He admires as a lover, not as a connoisseur. To satisfy me, those characters must be united. I could not be happy with a man whose taste did not in every point coincide with my own. He must enter into all my feelings; the same books, the same music must charm us both.8 Oh! mama, how spiritless, how tame was Edward’s manner in reading to us last night! I felt for my sister most severely. Yet she bore it with so much composure, she seemed scarcely to notice it. I could hardly keep my seat. To hear those beautiful lines which have frequently almost driven me wild, pronounced with such impenetrable calmness, such dreadful indifference!”— “He would certainly have done more justice to simple and elegant prose. I thought so at the time; but you would give him Cowper.”9 “Nay, mama, if he is not to be animated by Cowper!— but we must allow for difference of taste. Elinor has not my feelings, and therefore she may overlook it, and be happy with him. But it would have broke my heart had I loved him, to hear him read with so little sensibility. Mama, the more 20

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 3

I know of the world, the more am I convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much! He must have all Edward’s virtues, and his person and manners must ornament his goodness with every possible charm.” “Remember, my love, that you are not seventeen. It is yet too early in life to despair of such an happiness. Why should you be less fortunate than your mother? In one circumstance only, my Marianne, may your destiny be different from her’s!” line 4: charm.”] 1811 charm.

21

Chapter 4

“W h a t a pity it is, Elinor,” said Marianne, “that Edward should have no taste for drawing.” “No taste for drawing,” replied Elinor; “why should you think so? He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities of improving it. Had he ever been in the way of learning, I think he would have drawn very well. He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right.” Marianne was afraid of offending, and said no more on the subject; but the kind of approbation which Elinor described as excited in him by the drawings of other people, was very far from that rapturous delight, which, in her opinion, could alone be called taste. Yet, though smiling within herself at the mistake, she honoured her sister for that blind partiality to Edward which produced it. “I hope, Marianne,” continued Elinor, “you do not consider him as deficient in general taste. Indeed, I think I may say that you cannot, for your behaviour to him is perfectly cordial, and if that were your opinion, I am sure you could never be civil to him.” line 3:

22

Elinor; “why] 1811 Elinor; why

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 4

Marianne hardly knew what to say. She would not wound the feelings of her sister on any account, and yet to say what she did not believe was impossible. At length she replied: “Do not be offended, Elinor, if my praise of him is not in every thing equal to your sense of his merits. I have not had so many opportunities of estimating the minuter propensities of his mind, his inclinations and tastes as you have; but I have the highest opinion in the world of his goodness and sense. I think him every thing that is worthy and amiable.” “I am sure,” replied Elinor with a smile, “that his dearest friends could not be dissatisfied with such commendation as that. I do not perceive how you could express yourself more warmly.” Marianne was rejoiced to find her sister so easily pleased. “Of his sense and his goodness,” continued Elinor, “no one can, I think, be in doubt, who has seen him often enough to engage him in unreserved conversation. The excellence of his understanding and his principles can be concealed only by that shyness which too often keeps him silent. You know enough of him to do justice to his solid worth. But of his minuter propensities as you call them, you have from peculiar circumstances been kept more ignorant than myself. He and I have been at times thrown a good deal together, while you have been wholly engrossed on the most affectionate principle by my mother. I have seen a great deal of him, have studied his sentiments and heard his opinion on subjects of literature and taste; and, upon the whole, I venture to pronounce that his mind is well-informed, his enjoyment of books exceedingly great, his imagination lively, his observation just and correct, and his taste delicate and pure. His abilities in every respect improve as much upon acquaintance as his manners and person. At first sight, his address is certainly not striking; and his person can hardly be called handsome, till the 23

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 4

expression of his eyes, which are uncommonly good, and the general sweetness of his countenance, is perceived. At present, I know him so well, that I think him really handsome; or, at least, almost so. What say you, Marianne?” “I shall very soon think him handsome, Elinor, if I do not now. When you tell me to love him as a brother, I shall no more see imperfection in his face, than I now do in his heart.” Elinor started at this declaration, and was sorry for the warmth she had been betrayed into, in speaking of him. She felt that Edward stood very high in her opinion. She believed the regard to be mutual; but she required greater certainty of it to make Marianne’s conviction of their attachment agreeable to her. She knew that what Marianne and her mother conjectured one moment, they believed the next—that with them, to wish was to hope, and to hope was to expect.1 She tried to explain the real state of the case to her sister. “I do not attempt to deny,” said she, “that I think very highly of him—that I greatly esteem, that I like him.” Marianne here burst forth with indignation— “Esteem him! Like him! Cold-hearted Elinor! Oh! worse than cold-hearted! Ashamed of being otherwise. Use those words again and I will leave the room this moment.” Elinor could not help laughing. “Excuse me,” said she, “and be assured that I meant no offence to you, by speaking, in so quiet a way, of my own feelings. Believe them to be stronger than I have declared; believe them, in short, to be such as his merit, and the suspicion—the hope of his affection for me may warrant, without imprudence or folly. But farther than this you must not believe. I am by no means assured of his regard for me. There are line 4:

24

you, Marianne?”] 1811 you Marianne?”

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 4

moments when the extent of it seems doubtful; and till his sentiments are fully known, you cannot wonder at my wishing to avoid any encouragement of my own partiality, by believing or calling it more than it is. In my heart I feel little—scarcely any doubt of his preference. But there are other points to be considered besides his inclination. He is very far from being independent.2 What his mother really is we cannot know; but, from Fanny’s occasional mention of her conduct and opinions, we have never been disposed to think her amiable; and I am very much mistaken if Edward is not himself aware that there would be many difficulties in his way, if he were to wish to marry a woman who had not either a great fortune or high rank.” Marianne was astonished to find how much the imagination of her mother and herself had outstripped the truth. “And you really are not engaged to him!” said she. “Yet it certainly soon will happen. But two advantages will proceed from this delay. I shall not lose you so soon, and Edward will have greater opportunity of improving that natural taste for your favourite pursuit which must be so indispensably necessary to your future felicity. Oh! if he should be so far stimulated by your genius as to learn to draw himself, how delightful it would be!” Elinor had given her real opinion to her sister. She could not consider her partiality for Edward in so prosperous a state as Marianne had believed it. There was, at times, a want of spirits about him which, if it did not denote indifference, spoke a something almost as unpromising. A doubt of her regard, supposing him to feel it, need not give him more than inquietude. It would not be likely to produce that dejection of mind which frequently attended him. A more reasonable cause might be found in the dependent situation which forbad the indulgence of his affection. She knew that his mother 25

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 4

neither behaved to him so as to make his home comfortable at present, nor to give him any assurance that he might form a home for himself, without strictly attending to her views for his aggrandizement. With such a knowledge as this, it was impossible for Elinor to feel easy on the subject. She was far from depending on that result of his preference of her, which her mother and sister still considered as certain. Nay, the longer they were together the more doubtful seemed the nature of his regard; and sometimes, for a few painful minutes, she believed it to be no more than friendship. But, whatever might really be its limits, it was enough, when perceived by his sister, to make her uneasy; and at the same time, (which was still more common,) to make her uncivil. She took the first opportunity of affronting her mother-in-law on the occasion, talking to her so expressively of her brother’s great expectations, of Mrs. Ferrars’s resolution that both her sons should marry well, and of the danger attending any young woman who attempted to draw him in; that Mrs. Dashwood could neither pretend to be unconscious, nor endeavour to be calm. She gave her an answer which marked her contempt, and instantly left the room, resolving that, whatever might be the inconvenience or expense of so sudden a removal, her beloved Elinor should not be exposed another week to such insinuations. In this state of her spirits, a letter was delivered to her from the post, which contained a proposal particularly well timed. It was the offer of a small house, on very easy terms, belonging to a relation of her own, a gentleman of consequence3 and line 4: aggrandizement.] 1811 aggrandisement. // line 12: and at] 1811 and, at // lines 21–22: resolving that, whatever] 1811 resolving, that whatever // line 22: expense] 1811 expence // line 28: gentleman] 1811 Gentleman

26

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 4

property in Devonshire. The letter was from this gentleman himself, and written in the true spirit of friendly accommodation. He understood that she was in need of a dwelling, and though the house he now offered her was merely a cottage, he assured her that every thing should be done to it which she might think necessary, if the situation pleased her. He earnestly pressed her, after giving the particulars of the house and garden, to come with her daughters to Barton Park,4 the place of his own residence, from whence she might judge, herself, whether Barton Cottage, for the houses were in the same parish, could, by any alteration, be made comfortable to her. He seemed really anxious to accommodate them, and the whole of his letter was written in so friendly a style as could not fail of giving pleasure to his cousin;5 more especially at a moment when she was suffering under the cold and unfeeling behaviour of her nearer connections. She needed no time for deliberation or inquiry. Her resolution was formed as she read. The situation of Barton, in a county so far distant from Sussex as Devonshire,6 which, but a few hours before, would have been a sufficient objection to outweigh every possible advantage belonging to the place, was now its first recommendation. To quit the neighbourhood of Norland was no longer an evil; it was an object of desire; it was a blessing, in comparison of the misery of continuing her daughter-in-law’s guest: and to remove for ever from that beloved place would be less painful than to inhabit or visit it while such a woman was its mistress. She instantly wrote Sir John Middleton her acknowledgment of his kindness, and her acceptance of his proposal; and then hastened to shew both letters to her daughters, that she line 1: gentleman] 1811 Gentleman // line 17: inquiry.] 1811 enquiry. // line 28: acknowledgment] 1811 acknowledgement

27

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 4

might be secure of their approbation before her answer were sent. Elinor had always thought it would be more prudent for them to settle at some distance from Norland than immediately amongst their present acquaintance. On that head, therefore, it was not for her to oppose her mother’s intention of removing into Devonshire. The house, too, as described by Sir John, was on so simple a scale, and the rent so uncommonly moderate, as to leave her no right of objection on either point; and, therefore, though it was not a plan which brought any charm to her fancy, though it was a removal from the vicinity of Norland beyond her wishes, she made no attempt to dissuade her mother from sending her letter of acquiescence.

28

Chapter 5

N o sooner was her answer dispatched, than Mrs. Dashwood indulged herself in the pleasure of announcing to her son-inlaw and his wife that she was provided with an house, and should incommode them no longer than till every thing were ready for her inhabiting it. They heard her with surprise. Mrs. John Dashwood said nothing; but her husband civilly hoped that she would not be settled far from Norland. She had great satisfaction in replying that she was going into Devonshire.— Edward turned hastily towards her, on hearing this, and, in a voice of surprise and concern, which required no explanation to her, repeated, “Devonshire! Are you, indeed, going there? So far from hence! And to what part of it?” She explained the situation. It was within four miles northward of Exeter.1 “It is but a cottage,” she continued, “but I hope to see many of my friends in it. A room or two can easily be added; and if my friends find no difficulty in travelling so far to see me, I am sure I will find none in accommodating them.” She concluded with a very kind invitation to Mr. and Mrs. John Dashwood to visit her at Barton; and to Edward she gave one with still greater affection. Though her late conversation with her daughter-in-law had made her resolve on remaining at Norland no longer than was unavoidable, it had not produced the smallest effect on her in that point to which it principally tended. To separate Edward and Elinor was as lines 8–9: Devonshire.—Edward] 1811 Devonshire. Edward it it principally [1811 it principally

//

line 24:

29

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 5

far from being her object as ever; and she wished to shew Mrs. John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother, how totally she disregarded her disapprobation of the match. Mr. John Dashwood told his mother again and again how exceedingly sorry he was that she had taken an house at such a distance from Norland as to prevent his being of any service to her in removing her furniture. He really felt conscientiously vexed on the occasion; for the very exertion to which he had limited the performance of his promise to his father was by this arrangement rendered impracticable.—The furniture was all sent round by water.2 It chiefly consisted of household linen, plate, china, and books, with an handsome pianoforte3 of Marianne’s. Mrs. John Dashwood saw the packages depart with a sigh: she could not help feeling it hard that as Mrs. Dashwood’s income would be so trifling in comparison with their own, she should have any handsome article of furniture. Mrs. Dashwood took the house for a twelvemonth; it was ready furnished, and she might have immediate possession. No difficulty arose on either side in the agreement; and she waited only for the disposal of her effects at Norland, and to determine her future household,4 before she set off for the west; and this, as she was exceedingly rapid in the performance of every thing that interested her, was soon done.— The horses which were left her by her husband, had been sold soon after his death, and an opportunity now offering of disposing of her carriage,5 she agreed to sell that likewise at the earnest advice of her eldest daughter. For the comfort of her children, had she consulted only her own wishes, she would have kept it; but the discretion of Elinor prevailed. Her line 10: impracticable.—The] 1811 impracticable. The done.—The] 1811 done. The

30

//

lines 24–25:

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 5

wisdom too limited the number of their servants to three;6 two maids and a man, with whom they were speedily provided from amongst those who had formed their establishment at Norland. The man and one of the maids were sent off immediately into Devonshire, to prepare the house for their mistress’s arrival; for as Lady Middleton was entirely unknown to Mrs. Dashwood, she preferred going directly to the cottage to being a visitor at Barton Park; and she relied so undoubtingly on Sir John’s description of the house, as to feel no curiosity to examine it herself till she entered it as her own. Her eagerness to be gone from Norland was preserved from diminution by the evident satisfaction of her daughter-in-law in the prospect of her removal; a satisfaction which was but feebly attempted to be concealed under a cold invitation to her to defer her departure. Now was the time when her sonin-law’s promise to his father might with particular propriety be fulfilled. Since he had neglected to do it on first coming to the estate, their quitting his house might be looked on as the most suitable period for its accomplishment. But Mrs. Dashwood began shortly to give over every hope of the kind, and to be convinced, from the general drift of his discourse, that his assistance extended no farther than their maintenance for six months at Norland. He so frequently talked of the increasing expenses of housekeeping,7 and of the perpetual demands upon his purse, which a man of any consequence in the world was beyond calculation exposed to, that he seemed rather to stand in need of more money himself than to have any design of giving money away. In a very few weeks from the day which brought Sir John Middleton’s first letter to Norland, every thing was so far line 26: purse, which] 1811 purse which

31

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 5

settled in their future abode as to enable Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters to begin their journey. Many were the tears shed by them in their last adieus to a place so much beloved. “Dear, dear Norland!” said Marianne, as she wandered alone before the house, on the last evening of their being there; “when shall I cease to regret you!—when learn to feel a home elsewhere!—Oh! happy house, could you know what I suffer in now viewing you from this spot, from whence perhaps I may view you no more!—And you, ye well-known trees!—but you will continue the same.—No leaf will decay because we are removed, nor any branch become motionless although we can observe you no longer!—No; you will continue the same; unconscious of the pleasure or the regret you occasion, and insensible of any change in those who walk under your shade!—But who will remain to enjoy you?”8 line 6: there; “when] 1811 there, “when // line 9: more!—And] 1811 more!——And // line 10: same.—No] 1811 same. No

32

Chapter 6

T h e first part of their journey was performed in too melancholy a disposition to be otherwise than tedious and unpleasant. But as they drew towards the end of it, their interest in the appearance of a country which they were to inhabit overcame their dejection, and a view of Barton Valley1 as they entered it gave them cheerfulness. It was a pleasant fertile spot, well wooded, and rich in pasture. After winding along it for more than a mile, they reached their own house. A small green court was the whole of its demesne in front; and a neat wicket gate admitted them into it. As a house, Barton Cottage, though small, was comfortable and compact; but as a cottage it was defective,2 for the building was regular, the roof was tiled, the window shutters were not painted green, nor were the walls covered with honeysuckles. A narrow passage led directly through the house into the garden behind. On each side of the entrance was a sitting room, about sixteen feet square; and beyond them were the offices and the stairs. Four bed-rooms and two garrets formed the rest of the house. It had not been built many years and was in good repair. In comparison of Norland, it was poor and small indeed!—but the tears which recollection called forth as they entered the house were soon dried away. They were cheered by the joy of the servants on their arrival, and each for the sake of the others resolved to appear happy. It was very early in September; the season was fine, and from first seeing the place under the advantage of 33

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 6

good weather, they received an impression in its favour which was of material service in recommending it to their lasting approbation. The situation of the house was good. High hills rose immediately behind, and at no great distance on each side; some of which were open downs, the others cultivated and woody. The village of Barton was chiefly on one of these hills, and formed a pleasant view from the cottage windows. The prospect in front was more extensive; it commanded the whole of the valley, and reached into the country beyond.3 The hills which surrounded the cottage terminated the valley in that direction; under another name, and in another course, it branched out again between two of the steepest of them. With the size and furniture of the house Mrs. Dashwood was upon the whole well satisfied; for though her former style of life rendered many additions to the latter indispensable, yet to add and improve was a delight to her; and she had at this time ready money enough to supply all that was wanted of greater elegance to the apartments. “As for the house itself, to be sure,” said she, “it is too small for our family, but we will make ourselves tolerably comfortable for the present, as it is too late in the year for improvements. Perhaps in the spring, if I have plenty of money, as I dare say I shall, we may think about building. These parlours are both too small for such parties of our friends as I hope to see often collected here; and I have some thoughts of throwing the passage into one of them with perhaps a part of the other, and so leave the remainder of that other for an entrance; this, with a new drawing-room which may be easily added, and a bed-chamber and garret above, will make it a very snug little cottage. I could wish the stairs were handsome. But one line 1: favour which] 1811 favour, which

34

//

line 15: style] 1811 stile

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 6

must not expect every thing; though I suppose it would be no difficult matter to widen them. I shall see how much I am before-hand with the world4 in the spring, and we will plan our improvements accordingly.” In the mean time, till all these alterations could be made from the savings of an income of five hundred a-year by a woman who never saved in her life, they were wise enough to be contented with the house as it was; and each of them was busy in arranging their particular concerns, and endeavouring, by placing around them their books and other possessions, to form themselves a home. Marianne’s pianoforte was unpacked and properly disposed of; and Elinor’s drawings were affixed to the walls of their sitting room. In such employments as these they were interrupted soon after breakfast the next day by the entrance of their landlord, who called to welcome them to Barton, and to offer them every accommodation from his own house and garden in which their’s might at present be deficient. Sir John Middleton was a good looking man about forty. He had formerly visited at Stanhill, but it was too long ago for his young cousins to remember him. His countenance was thoroughly good-humoured; and his manners were as friendly as the style of his letter. Their arrival seemed to afford him real satisfaction, and their comfort to be an object of real solicitude to him. He said much of his earnest desire of their living in the most sociable terms with his family, and pressed them so cordially to dine at Barton Park every day till they were better settled at home, that, though his entreaties were carried to a point of perseverance beyond civility, they could not give offence. His kindness was not confined to words; for within line 4: accordingly.”] 1811 accordingly. // line 6: a-year] 1811 a year // line 19: man about] 1811 man, about // line 22: style] 1811 stile

35

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 6

an hour after he left them, a large basket full of garden stuff 5 and fruit arrived from the park, which was followed before the end of the day by a present of game. He insisted moreover on conveying all their letters to and from the post6 for them, and would not be denied the satisfaction of sending them his newspaper7 every day. Lady Middleton had sent a very civil message by him, denoting her intention of waiting on Mrs. Dashwood as soon as she could be assured that her visit would be no inconvenience; and as this message was answered by an invitation equally polite, her ladyship was introduced to them the next day. They were of course very anxious to see a person on whom so much of their comfort at Barton must depend; and the elegance of her appearance was favourable to their wishes. Lady Middleton was not more than six or seven and twenty; her face was handsome, her figure tall and striking, and her address graceful. Her manners had all the elegance which her husband’s wanted. But they would have been improved by some share of his frankness and warmth; and her visit was long enough to detract something from their first admiration, by shewing that though perfectly well-bred, she was reserved, cold, and had nothing to say for herself beyond the most common-place inquiry or remark. Conversation however was not wanted, for Sir John was very chatty, and Lady Middleton had taken the wise precaution of bringing with her their eldest child, a fine little boy about six years old, by which means there was one subject always to be recurred to by the ladies in case of extremity, for they had to inquire his name and age, admire his beauty, line 4: of [1811 on // line 22: line 24: inquiry] 1811 enquiry

36

well-bred,] 1811 well bred,

//

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 6

and ask him questions which his mother answered for him, while he hung about her and held down his head, to the great surprise of her ladyship, who wondered at his being so shy before company as he could make noise enough at home. On every formal visit a child ought to be of the party, by way of provision for discourse. In the present case it took up ten minutes to determine whether the boy were most like his father or mother, and in what particular he resembled either, for of course every body differed, and every body was astonished at the opinion of the others. An opportunity was soon to be given to the Dashwoods of debating on the rest of the children, as Sir John would not leave the house without securing their promise of dining at the park the next day. line 5: visit a] 1811 visit, a // line 6: case it] 1811 case, it // line 10: at the opinion of the others.] 1811 at each other’s opinion.

37

Chapter 7

Ba rt o n Pa r k was about half a mile from the cottage. The ladies had passed near it in their way along the valley, but it was screened from their view at home by the projection of an hill. The house was large and handsome; and the Middletons lived in a style of equal hospitality and elegance. The former was for Sir John’s gratification, the latter for that of his lady. They were scarcely ever without some friends staying with them in the house, and they kept more company of every kind than any other family in the neighbourhood. It was necessary to the happiness of both; for however dissimilar in temper and outward behaviour, they strongly resembled each other in that total want of talent and taste which confined their employments, unconnected with such as society produced, within a very narrow compass. Sir John was a sportsman,1 Lady Middleton a mother. He hunted and shot, and she humoured her children; and these were their only resources.2 Lady Middleton had the advantage of being able to spoil her children all the year round, while Sir John’s independent employments were in existence only half the time.3 Continual engagements at home and abroad, however, supplied all the deficiencies of nature and education; supported the good spirits of Sir John, and gave exercise to the good-breeding of his wife.4 Lady Middleton piqued herself upon the elegance of her table, and of all her domestic arrangements; and from this line 5: style] 1811 stile // line 20: abroad, however,] 1811 abroad however, // line 22: good-breeding] 1811 good breeding

38

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 7

kind of vanity was her greatest enjoyment in any of their parties. But Sir John’s satisfaction in society was much more real; he delighted in collecting about him more young people than his house would hold, and the noisier they were the better was he pleased. He was a blessing to all the juvenile part of the neighbourhood, for in summer he was for ever forming parties to eat cold ham and chicken out of doors, and in winter his private balls were numerous enough for any young lady who was not suffering under the insatiable appetite of fifteen. The arrival of a new family in the country was always a matter of joy to him, and in every point of view he was charmed with the inhabitants he had now procured for his cottage at Barton. The Miss Dashwoods were young, pretty, and unaffected. It was enough to secure his good opinion; for to be unaffected was all that a pretty girl could want to make her mind as captivating as her person. The friendliness of his disposition made him happy in accommodating those, whose situation might be considered, in comparison with the past, as unfortunate. In shewing kindness to his cousins therefore he had the real satisfaction of a good heart; and in settling a family of females only in his cottage, he had all the satisfaction of a sportsman; for a sportsman, though he esteems only those of his sex who are sportsmen likewise, is not often desirous of encouraging their taste by admitting them to a residence within his own manor. Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters were met at the door of the house by Sir John, who welcomed them to Barton Park with unaffected sincerity; and as he attended them to the drawing room repeated to the young ladies the concern which the same subject had drawn from him the day before, at being unable to get any smart young men to meet them. They would see, he said, only one gentleman there besides 39

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 7

himself; a particular friend who was staying at the park, but who was neither very young nor very gay. He hoped they would all excuse the smallness of the party, and could assure them it should never happen so again. He had been to several families that morning in hopes of procuring some addition to their number, but it was moonlight 5 and every body was full of engagements. Luckily Lady Middleton’s mother had arrived at Barton within the last hour, and as she was a very cheerful agreeable woman, he hoped the young ladies would not find it so very dull as they might imagine. The young ladies as well as their mother, were perfectly satisfied with having two entire strangers of the party, and wished for no more. Mrs. Jennings, Lady Middleton’s mother, was a goodhumoured, merry, fat, elderly woman, who talked a great deal, seemed very happy, and rather vulgar. She was full of jokes and laughter, and before dinner was over had said many witty things on the subject of lovers and husbands; hoped they had not left their hearts behind them in Sussex, and pretended to see them blush whether they did or not. Marianne was vexed at it for her sister’s sake, and turned her eyes towards Elinor to see how she bore these attacks, with an earnestness which gave Elinor far more pain than could arise from such common-place raillery as Mrs. Jennings’s. Colonel Brandon, the friend of Sir John, seemed no more adapted by resemblance of manner to be his friend, than Lady Middleton was to be his wife, or Mrs. Jennings to be Lady Middleton’s mother. He was silent and grave. His appearance however was not unpleasing, in spite of his being in the opinion of Marianne and Margaret an absolute old bachelor, line 11: ladies as] 1811 ladies, as // lines 14–15: good-humoured,] 1811 good humoured, // line 18: subject] 1811 subjects

40

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 7

for he was on the wrong side of five and thirty; but though his face was not handsome his countenance was sensible, and his address was particularly gentlemanlike. There was nothing in any of the party which could recommend them as companions to the Dashwoods; but the cold insipidity of Lady Middleton was so particularly repulsive, that in comparison of it the gravity of Colonel Brandon, and even the boisterous mirth of Sir John and his mother-inlaw was interesting. Lady Middleton seemed to be roused to enjoyment only by the entrance of her four noisy children after dinner, who pulled her about, tore her clothes, and put an end to every kind of discourse except what related to themselves. In the evening, as Marianne was discovered to be musical, she was invited to play. The instrument was unlocked, every body prepared to be charmed, and Marianne, who sang very well, at their request went through the chief of the songs which Lady Middleton had brought into the family on her marriage, and which perhaps had lain ever since in the same position on the pianofort´e, for her ladyship had celebrated that event by giving up music,6 although by her mother’s account she had played extremely well, and by her own was very fond of it. Marianne’s performance was highly applauded. Sir John was loud in his admiration at the end of every song, and as loud in his conversation with the others while every song lasted. Lady Middleton frequently called him to order, wondered how any one’s attention could be diverted from music for a moment, and asked Marianne to sing a particular song which Marianne had just finished. Colonel Brandon alone, of all the party, heard her without being in raptures. He paid her only the compliment of attention; and she felt a respect for him on the occasion, which the others had reasonably 41

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 7

forfeited by their shameless want of taste. His pleasure in music, though it amounted not to that extatic delight which alone could sympathize with her own, was estimable when contrasted against the horrible insensibility of the others; and she was reasonable enough to allow that a man of five and thirty might well have outlived all acuteness of feeling and every exquisite power of enjoyment. She was perfectly disposed to make every allowance for the colonel’s advanced state of life which humanity required.

42

Chapter 8

M r s . Je n n i ng s was a widow, with an ample jointure.1 She had only two daughters, both of whom she had lived to see respectably married, and she had now therefore nothing to do but to marry all the rest of the world. In the promotion of this object she was zealously active, as far as her ability reached; and missed no opportunity of projecting weddings among all the young people of her acquaintance. She was remarkably quick in the discovery of attachments, and had enjoyed the advantage of raising the blushes and the vanity of many a young lady by insinuations of her power over such a young man; and this kind of discernment enabled her soon after her arrival at Barton decisively to pronounce that Colonel Brandon was very much in love with Marianne Dashwood. She rather suspected it to be so, on the very first evening of their being together, from his listening so attentively while she sang to them; and when the visit was returned by the Middletons’ dining at the cottage, the fact was ascertained by his listening to her again. It must be so. She was perfectly convinced of it. It would be an excellent match, for he was rich and she was handsome. Mrs. Jennings had been anxious to see Colonel Brandon well married, ever since her connection with Sir John first brought him to her knowledge; and she was always anxious to get a good husband for every pretty girl. line 20:

rich and] 1811 rich, and

43

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 8

The immediate advantage to herself was by no means inconsiderable, for it supplied her with endless jokes against them both. At the park she laughed at the colonel, and in the cottage at Marianne. To the former her raillery was probably, as far as it regarded only himself, perfectly indifferent; but to the latter it was at first incomprehensible; and when its object was understood, she hardly knew whether most to laugh at its absurdity, or censure its impertinence, for she considered it as an unfeeling reflection on the colonel’s advanced years, and on his forlorn condition as an old bachelor. Mrs. Dashwood, who could not think a man five years younger than herself, so exceedingly ancient as he appeared to the youthful fancy of her daughter, ventured to clear Mrs. Jennings from the probability of wishing to throw ridicule on his age. “But at least, mama, you cannot deny the absurdity of the accusation, though you may not think it intentionally ill-natured. Colonel Brandon is certainly younger than Mrs. Jennings, but he is old enough to be my father; and if he were ever animated enough to be in love, must have long outlived every sensation of the kind. It is too ridiculous! When is a man to be safe from such wit, if age and infirmity will not protect him?” “Infirmity!” said Elinor, “do you call Colonel Brandon infirm? I can easily suppose that his age may appear much greater to you than to my mother; but you can hardly deceive yourself as to his having the use of his limbs!” “Did not you hear him complain of the rheumatism? and is not that the commonest infirmity of declining life?” “My dearest child,” said her mother laughing, “at this rate you must be in continual terror of my decay; and it must seem to you a miracle that my life has been extended to the advanced age of forty.” 44

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 8

“Mama, you are not doing me justice. I know very well that Colonel Brandon is not old enough to make his friends yet apprehensive of losing him in the course of nature. He may live twenty years longer. But thirty-five has nothing to do with matrimony.” “Perhaps,” said Elinor, “thirty-five and seventeen had better not have any thing to do with matrimony together. But if there should by any chance happen to be a woman who is single at seven and twenty, I should not think Colonel Brandon’s being thirty-five any objection to his marrying her.” “A woman of seven and twenty,” said Marianne, after pausing a moment, “can never hope to feel or inspire affection again, and if her home be uncomfortable, or her fortune small, I can suppose that she might bring herself to submit to the offices of a nurse, for the sake of the provision and security of a wife.2 In his marrying such a woman therefore there would be nothing unsuitable. It would be a compact of convenience, and the world would be satisfied. In my eyes it would be no marriage at all, but that would be nothing. To me it would seem only a commercial exchange, in which each wished to be benefited at the expense of the other.” “It would be impossible, I know,” replied Elinor, “to convince you that a woman of seven and twenty could feel for a man of thirty-five any thing near enough to love, to make him a desirable companion to her. But I must object to your dooming Colonel Brandon and his wife to the constant confinement of a sick chamber, merely because he chanced to complain yesterday (a very cold damp day) of a slight rheumatic feel in one of his shoulders.” “But he talked of flannel waistcoats,”3 said Marianne; “and with me a flannel waistcoat is invariably connected with line 30:

Marianne; “and] 1811 Marianne, “and

45

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 8

aches, cramps, rheumatisms, and every species of ailment that can afflict the old and the feeble.” “Had he been only in a violent fever, you would not have despised him half so much. Confess, Marianne, is not there something interesting to you in the flushed cheek, hollow eye, and quick pulse of a fever?”4 Soon after this, upon Elinor’s leaving the room, “Mama,” said Marianne, “I have an alarm on the subject of illness, which I cannot conceal from you. I am sure Edward Ferrars is not well. We have now been here almost a fortnight, and yet he does not come. Nothing but real indisposition could occasion this extraordinary delay. What else can detain him at Norland?” “Had you any idea of his coming so soon?” said Mrs. Dashwood. “I had none. On the contrary, if I have felt any anxiety at all on the subject, it has been in recollecting that he sometimes shewed a want of pleasure and readiness in accepting my invitation, when I talked of his coming to Barton. Does Elinor expect him already?” “I have never mentioned it to her, but of course she must.” “I rather think you are mistaken, for when I was talking to her yesterday of getting a new grate for the spare bedchamber, she observed that there was no immediate hurry for it, as it was not likely that the room would be wanted for some time.” “How strange this is! what can be the meaning of it! But the whole of their behaviour to each other has been unaccountable! How cold, how composed were their last adieus! How languid their conversation the last evening of their being together! In Edward’s farewell there was no distinction between Elinor and me: it was the good wishes of line 14:

46

soon?” said] 1811 soon,” said

//

line 31:

me: it] 1811 me; it

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 8

an affectionate brother to both. Twice did I leave them purposely together in the course of the last morning, and each time did he most unaccountably follow me out of the room. And Elinor, in quitting Norland and Edward, cried not as I did. Even now her self-command is invariable. When is she dejected or melancholy? When does she try to avoid society, or appear restless and dissatisfied in it?”

47

Chapter 9

T h e Dashwoods were now settled at Barton with tolerable comfort to themselves. The house and the garden, with all the objects surrounding them, were now become familiar, and the ordinary pursuits which had given to Norland half its charms, were engaged in again with far greater enjoyment than Norland had been able to afford, since the loss of their father. Sir John Middleton, who called on them every day for the first fortnight, and who was not in the habit of seeing much occupation at home, could not conceal his amazement on finding them always employed. Their visitors, except those from Barton Park, were not many; for, in spite of Sir John’s urgent entreaties that they would mix more in the neighbourhood, and repeated assurances of his carriage being always at their service, the independence of Mrs. Dashwood’s spirit overcame the wish of society for her children; and she was resolute in declining to visit any family beyond the distance of a walk. There were but few who could be so classed; and it was not all of them that were attainable. About a mile and a half from the cottage, along the narrow winding valley of Allenham, which issued from that of Barton, as formerly described, the girls had, in one of their earliest walks, discovered an ancient respectable looking mansion, which, by reminding them a little of Norland, interested their imagination and made them wish to be better acquainted with it. But they learnt, on inquiry, that its possessor, an elderly lady of very good character, was 48

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 9

unfortunately too infirm to mix with the world, and never stirred from home. The whole country about them abounded in beautiful walks. The high downs which invited them from almost every window of the cottage to seek the exquisite enjoyment of air on their summits, were an happy alternative when the dirt of the valleys beneath shut up their superior beauties; and towards one of these hills did Marianne and Margaret one memorable morning direct their steps, attracted by the partial sunshine of a showery sky, and unable longer to bear the confinement which the settled rain of the two preceding days had occasioned. The weather was not tempting enough to draw the two others from their pencil1 and their book, in spite of Marianne’s declaration that the day would be lastingly fair, and that every threatening cloud would be drawn off from their hills; and the two girls set off together. They gaily ascended the downs, rejoicing in their own penetration at every glimpse of blue sky; and when they caught in their faces the animating gales of an high south-westerly wind, they pitied the fears which had prevented their mother and Elinor from sharing such delightful sensations. “Is there a felicity in the world,” said Marianne, “superior to this?—Margaret, we will walk here at least two hours.” Margaret agreed, and they pursued their way against the wind, resisting it with laughing delight for about twenty minutes longer, when suddenly the clouds united over their heads, and a driving rain set full in their face.—Chagrined and surprised, they were obliged, though unwillingly, to turn back, for no shelter was nearer than their own house. One consolation however remained for them, to which the exigence of line 13: ther [1811 their Chagrined

//

line 27:

face.—Chagrined] 1811 face.

49

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 9

the moment gave more than usual propriety; it was that of running with all possible speed down the steep side of the hill which led immediately to their garden gate. They set off. Marianne had at first the advantage, but a false step brought her suddenly to the ground, and Margaret, unable to stop herself to assist her, was involuntarily hurried along, and reached the bottom in safety. A gentleman carrying a gun, with two pointers2 playing round him, was passing up the hill and within a few yards of Marianne, when her accident happened. He put down his gun and ran to her assistance. She had raised herself from the ground, but her foot had been twisted in the fall, and she was scarcely able to stand. The gentleman offered his services, and perceiving that her modesty declined what her situation rendered necessary, took her up in his arms without farther delay, and carried her down the hill. Then passing through the garden, the gate of which had been left open by Margaret, he bore her directly into the house, whither Margaret was just arrived, and quitted not his hold3 till he had seated her in a chair in the parlour. Elinor and her mother rose up in amazement at their entrance, and while the eyes of both were fixed on him with an evident wonder and a secret admiration which equally sprung from his appearance, he apologized for his intrusion by relating its cause, in a manner so frank and so graceful, that his person, which was uncommonly handsome, received additional charms from his voice and expression. Had he been even old, ugly, and vulgar, the gratitude and kindness of Mrs. Dashwood would have been secured by any act of attention to her child; but the influence of youth, beauty, and elegance, gave an interest to the action which came home to her feelings.

50

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 9

She thanked him again and again; and with a sweetness of address which always attended her, invited him to be seated. But this he declined, as he was dirty and wet. Mrs. Dashwood then begged to know to whom she was obliged. His name, he replied, was Willoughby, and his present home was at Allenham, from whence he hoped she would allow him the honour of calling to-morrow to inquire after Miss Dashwood. The honour was readily granted, and he then departed, to make himself still more interesting, in the midst of an heavy rain. His manly beauty and more than common gracefulness were instantly the theme of general admiration, and the laugh which his gallantry raised against Marianne, received particular spirit from his exterior attractions.—Marianne herself had seen less of his person than the rest, for the confusion which crimsoned over her face, on his lifting her up, had robbed her of the power of regarding him after their entering the house. But she had seen enough of him to join in all the admiration of the others, and with an energy which always adorned her praise. His person and air were equal to what her fancy had ever drawn for the hero of a favourite story; and in his carrying her into the house with so little previous formality, there was a rapidity of thought which particularly recommended the action to her. Every circumstance belonging to him was interesting. His name was good, his residence was in their favourite village, and she soon found out that of all manly dresses a shooting-jacket was the most becoming.4 Her imagination was busy, her reflections were pleasant, and the pain of a sprained ancle was disregarded. line 7: inquire] 1811 enquire attractions. Marianne

//

line 14:

attractions.—Marianne] 1811

51

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 9

Sir John called on them as soon as the next interval of fair weather that morning allowed him to get out of doors; and Marianne’s accident being related to him, he was eagerly asked whether he knew any gentleman of the name of Willoughby at Allenham. “Willoughby!” cried Sir John; “what, is he in the country? That is good news however; I will ride over to-morrow, and ask him to dinner on Thursday.” “You know him then,” said Mrs. Dashwood. “Know him! to be sure I do. Why, he is down here every year.” “And what sort of a young man is he?” “As good a kind of fellow as ever lived, I assure you. A very decent shot, and there is not a bolder rider in England.” “And is that all you can say for him?” cried Marianne, indignantly. “But what are his manners on more intimate acquaintance? What his pursuits, his talents and genius?”5 Sir John was rather puzzled. “Upon my soul,” said he, “I do not know much about him as to all that. But he is a pleasant, good humoured fellow, and has got the nicest little black bitch of a pointer I ever saw. Was she out with him to-day?” But Marianne could no more satisfy him as to the colour of Mr. Willoughby’s pointer, than he could describe to her the shades of his mind. “But who is he?” said Elinor. “Where does he come from? Has he a house at Allenham?” On this point Sir John could give more certain intelligence; and he told them that Mr. Willoughby had no property of his own in the country; that he resided there only while he was visiting the old lady at Allenham Court, to whom he was related, and whose possessions he was to inherit; adding, “Yes, yes, he is very well worth catching, I can tell you, 52

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 9

Miss Dashwood; he has a pretty little estate of his own in Somersetshire6 besides; and if I were you, I would not give him up to my younger sister in spite of all this tumbling down hills. Miss Marianne7 must not expect to have all the men to herself. Brandon will be jealous, if she does not take care.” “I do not believe,” said Mrs. Dashwood, with a good humoured smile, “that Mr. Willoughby will be incommoded by the attempts of either of my daughters towards what you call catching him. It is not an employment to which they have been brought up. Men are very safe with us, let them be ever so rich. I am glad to find, however, from what you say, that he is a respectable young man, and one whose acquaintance will not be ineligible.” “He is as good a sort of fellow, I believe, as ever lived,” repeated Sir John. “I remember last Christmas, at a little hop at the park, he danced from eight o’clock till four, without once sitting down.” “Did he indeed?” cried Marianne, with sparkling eyes, “and with elegance, with spirit?” “Yes; and he was up again at eight to ride to covert.”8 “That is what I like; that is what a young man ought to be. Whatever be his pursuits, his eagerness in them should know no moderation, and leave him no sense of fatigue.” “Aye, aye, I see how it will be,” said Sir John, “I see how it will be. You will be setting your cap at him9 now, and never think of poor Brandon.” “That is an expression, Sir John,” said Marianne, warmly, “which I particularly dislike. I abhor every common-place phrase by which wit is intended; and ‘setting one’s cap at a man,’ or ‘making a conquest,’ are the most odious of all. Their tendency is gross and illiberal; and if their construction could ever be deemed clever, time has long ago destroyed all its ingenuity.” 53

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 9

Sir John did not much understand this reproof; but he laughed as heartily as if he did, and then replied, “Aye, you will make conquests enough, I dare say, one way or other. Poor Brandon! he is quite smitten already, and he is very well worth setting your cap at, I can tell you, in spite of all this tumbling about and spraining of ancles.”

54

Chapter 10

M a r i a n n e ’s preserver,1 as Margaret, with more elegance than precision, stiled Willoughby, called at the cottage early the next morning to make his personal inquiries. He was received by Mrs. Dashwood with more than politeness; with a kindness which Sir John’s account of him and her own gratitude prompted; and every thing that passed during the visit, tended to assure him of the sense, elegance, mutual affection, and domestic comfort of the family to whom accident had now introduced him. Of their personal charms he had not required a second interview to be convinced. Miss Dashwood had a delicate complexion,2 regular features, and a remarkably pretty figure. Marianne was still handsomer. Her form, though not so correct as her sister’s, in having the advantage of height, was more striking; and her face was so lovely, that when in the common cant of praise she was called a beautiful girl, truth was less violently outraged than usually happens. Her skin was very brown, but from its transparency, her complexion was uncommonly brilliant; her features were all good; her smile was sweet and attractive, and in her eyes, which were very dark, there was a life, a spirit, an eagerness which could hardly be seen without delight. From Willoughby their expression was at first held back, by the embarrassment which the remembrance of his assistance created. But when this line 3:

inquiries.] 1811 enquiries.

55

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 10

passed away, when her spirits became collected, when she saw that to the perfect good-breeding of the gentleman, he united frankness and vivacity, and above all, when she heard him declare that of music and dancing he was passionately fond, she gave him such a look of approbation as secured the largest share of his discourse to herself for the rest of his stay. It was only necessary to mention any favourite amusement to engage her to talk. She could not be silent when such points were introduced, and she had neither shyness nor reserve in their discussion. They speedily discovered that their enjoyment of dancing and music was mutual, and that it arose from a general conformity of judgment in all that related to either. Encouraged by this to a further examination of his opinions, she proceeded to question him on the subject of books; her favourite authors were brought forward and dwelt upon with so rapturous a delight, that any young man of five and twenty must have been insensible indeed, not to become an immediate convert to the excellence of such works, however disregarded before. Their taste was strikingly alike. The same books, the same passages were idolized by each—or if any difference appeared, any objection arose, it lasted no longer than till the force of her arguments and the brightness of her eyes could be displayed. He acquiesced in all her decisions,3 caught all her enthusiasm;4 and long before his visit concluded, they conversed with the familiarity of a long-established acquaintance. “Well, Marianne,” said Elinor, as soon as he had left them, “for one morning I think you have done pretty well. You have already ascertained Mr. Willoughby’s opinion in almost every line 2: good-breeding] 1811 good breeding // line 27: longestablished] 1811 long established // line 28: “Well,] 1811 “Well lines 28–29: them, “for] 1811 them, for

56

//

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 10

matter of importance. You know what he thinks of Cowper and Scott; you are certain of his estimating their beauties as he ought, and you have received every assurance of his admiring Pope no more than is proper.5 But how is your acquaintance to be long supported, under such extraordinary dispatch of every subject for discourse? You will soon have exhausted each favourite topic. Another meeting will suffice to explain his sentiments on picturesque beauty,6 and second marriages,7 and then you can have nothing farther to ask.”— “Elinor,” cried Marianne, “is this fair? is this just? are my ideas so scanty? But I see what you mean. I have been too much at my ease, too happy, too frank. I have erred against every common-place notion of decorum;8 I have been open and sincere where I ought to have been reserved, spiritless, dull, and deceitful:—had I talked only of the weather and the roads, and had I spoken only once in ten minutes, this reproach would have been spared.” “My love,” said her mother, “you must not be offended with Elinor—she was only in jest. I should scold her myself, if she were capable of wishing to check the delight of your conversation with our new friend.”—Marianne was softened in a moment. Willoughby, on his side, gave every proof of his pleasure in their acquaintance, which an evident wish of improving it could offer. He came to them every day. To inquire after Marianne was at first his excuse; but the encouragement of his reception, to which every day gave greater kindness, made such an excuse unnecessary before it had ceased to be possible, by Marianne’s perfect recovery. She was confined for some days to the house; but never had any confinement been less irksome. Willoughby was a young man of good abilities, quick line 13: common-place] 1811 common place // line 17: 1811 spared.”— // line 25: inquire] 1811 enquire

spared.”]

57

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 10

imagination, lively spirits, and open, affectionate manners. He was exactly formed to engage Marianne’s heart, for with all this, he joined not only a captivating person, but a natural ardour of mind which was now roused and increased by the example of her own, and which recommended him to her affection beyond every thing else. His society became gradually her most exquisite enjoyment. They read, they talked, they sang together; his musical talents were considerable; and he read with all the sensibility and spirit which Edward had unfortunately wanted. In Mrs. Dashwood’s estimation, he was as faultless as in Marianne’s; and Elinor saw nothing to censure in him but a propensity, in which he strongly resembled and peculiarly delighted her sister, of saying too much what he thought on every occasion, without attention to persons or circumstances. In hastily forming and giving his opinion of other people, in sacrificing general politeness to the enjoyment of undivided attention where his heart was engaged, and in slighting too easily the forms of worldly propriety, he displayed a want of caution which Elinor could not approve, in spite of all that he and Marianne could say in its support. Marianne began now to perceive that the desperation which had seized her at sixteen and a half, of ever seeing a man who could satisfy her ideas of perfection, had been rash and unjustifiable. Willoughby was all that her fancy had delineated in that unhappy hour and in every brighter period, as capable of attaching her and his behaviour declared his wishes to be in that respect as earnest, as his abilities were strong. line 27: was

58

her and] 1811 her; and

//

line 28:

abilities were] 1811 ability

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 10

Her mother too, in whose mind not one speculative thought of their marriage had been raised, by his prospect of riches, was led before the end of a week to hope and expect it; and secretly to congratulate herself on having gained two such sons-in-law as Edward and Willoughby. Colonel Brandon’s partiality for Marianne, which had so early been discovered9 by his friends, now first became perceptible to Elinor, when it ceased to be noticed by them. Their attention and wit were drawn off to his more fortunate rival; and the raillery which the other had incurred before any partiality arose, was removed when his feelings began really to call for the ridicule so justly annexed to sensibility. Elinor was obliged, though unwillingly, to believe that the sentiments which Mrs. Jennings had assigned him for her own satisfaction, were now actually excited by her sister; and that however a general resemblance of disposition between the parties might forward the affection of Mr. Willoughby, an equally striking opposition of character was no hindrance to the regard of Colonel Brandon. She saw it with concern; for what could a silent man of five and thirty hope, when opposed by a very lively one of five and twenty? and as she could not even wish him successful, she heartily wished him indifferent. She liked him—in spite of his gravity and reserve, she beheld in him an object of interest. His manners, though serious, were mild; and his reserve appeared rather the result of some oppression of spirits, than of any natural gloominess of temper. Sir John had dropt hints of past injuries and disappointments, which justified her belief of his being an unfortunate man, and she regarded him with respect and compassion. Perhaps she pitied and esteemed him the more because he was slighted by Willoughby and Marianne, who, prejudiced

59

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 10

against him for being neither lively nor young, seemed resolved to undervalue his merits. “Brandon is just the kind of man,” said Willoughby one day, when they were talking of him together, “whom every body speaks well of, and nobody cares about; whom all are delighted to see, and nobody remembers to talk to.” “That is exactly what I think of him,” cried Marianne. “Do not boast of it, however,” said Elinor, “for it is injustice in both of you. He is highly esteemed by all the family at the park, and I never see him myself without taking pains to converse with him.” “That he is patronized by you,” replied Willoughby, “is certainly in his favour; but as for the esteem of the others, it is a reproach in itself. Who would submit to the indignity of being approved by such women as Lady Middleton and Mrs. Jennings, that could command the indifference of any body else?” “But perhaps the abuse of such people as yourself and Marianne, will make amends for the regard of Lady Middleton and her mother. If their praise is censure, your censure may be praise, for they are not more undiscerning, than you are prejudiced and unjust.” “In defence of your proteg´e you can even be saucy.” “My proteg´e, as you call him, is a sensible man; and sense will always have attractions for me. Yes, Marianne, even in a man between thirty and forty. He has seen a great deal of the world; has been abroad; has read, and has a thinking mind. I have found him capable of giving me much information on various subjects, and he has always answered my inquiries with the readiness of good-breeding and good nature.” line 8: it, however,”] 1811 it however,” // line 29: inquiries] 1811 enquiries // line 30: good-breeding] 1811 good breeding

60

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 10

“That is to say,” cried Marianne contemptuously, “he has told you that in the East Indies10 the climate is hot, and the mosquitoes are troublesome.” “He would have told me so, I doubt not, had I made any such inquiries, but they happened to be points on which I had been previously informed.” “Perhaps,” said Willoughby, “his observations may have extended to the existence of nabobs, gold mohrs, and palanquins.”11 “I may venture to say that his observations have stretched much farther than your candour.12 But why should you dislike him?” “I do not dislike him. I consider him, on the contrary, as a very respectable man, who has every body’s good word and nobody’s notice; who has more money than he can spend, more time than he knows how to employ, and two new coats every year.” “Add to which,” cried Marianne, “that he has neither genius, taste, nor spirit. That his understanding has no brilliancy, his feelings no ardour, and his voice no expression.” “You decide on his imperfections so much in the mass,” replied Elinor, “and so much on the strength of your own imagination, that the commendation I am able to give of him is comparatively cold and insipid. I can only pronounce him to be a sensible man, well-bred, well-informed, of gentle address,13 and I believe possessing an amiable heart.” “Miss Dashwood,” cried Willoughby, “you are now using me unkindly. You are endeavouring to disarm me by reason, and to convince me against my will. But it will not do. You shall find me as stubborn as you can be artful. I have three line 1: say,” cried] 1811 say, cried // line 1: contemptuously, “he] 1811 contemptuously he // line 5: inquiries,] 1811 enquiries,

61

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 10

unanswerable reasons for disliking Colonel Brandon: he has threatened me with rain when I wanted it to be fine; he has found fault with the hanging of my curricle,14 and I cannot persuade him to buy my brown mare. If it will be any satisfaction to you, however, to be told, that I believe his character to be in other respects irreproachable, I am ready to confess it. And in return for an acknowledgment, which must give me some pain, you cannot deny me the privilege of disliking him as much as ever.”

62

Chapter 11

L i ttl e had Mrs. Dashwood or her daughters imagined, when they first came into Devonshire, that so many engagements would arise to occupy their time as shortly presented themselves, or that they should have such frequent invitations and such constant visitors as to leave them little leisure for serious employment. Yet such was the case. When Marianne was recovered, the schemes of amusement at home and abroad, which Sir John had been previously forming, were put in execution. The private balls at the park then began; and parties on the water were made and accomplished as often as a showery October would allow. In every meeting of the kind Willoughby was included; and the ease and familiarity which naturally attended these parties were exactly calculated to give increasing intimacy to his acquaintance with the Dashwoods, to afford him opportunity of witnessing the excellencies of Marianne, of marking his animated admiration of her, and of receiving, in her behaviour to himself, the most pointed assurance of her affection. Elinor could not be surprised at their attachment. She only wished that it were less openly shewn; and once or twice did venture to suggest the propriety of some self-command to Marianne. But Marianne abhorred all concealment where no real disgrace could attend unreserve; and to aim at the restraint of sentiments which were not in themselves illaudable, appeared to her not merely an unnecessary effort, but a disgraceful subjection of reason to common-place and 63

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 11

mistaken notions.1 Willoughby thought the same; and their behaviour, at all times, was an illustration of their opinions. When he was present she had no eyes for any one else. Every thing he did, was right. Every thing he said was clever. If their evenings at the park were concluded with cards, he cheated himself and all the rest of the party to get her a good hand. If dancing formed the amusement of the night, they were partners for half the time; and when obliged to separate for a couple of dances,2 were careful to stand together and scarcely spoke a word to any body else. Such conduct made them of course most exceedingly laughed at; but ridicule could not shame, and seemed hardly to provoke them. Mrs. Dashwood entered into all their feelings with a warmth which left her no inclination for checking this excessive display of them. To her it was but the natural consequence of a strong affection in a young and ardent mind. This was the season of happiness to Marianne. Her heart was devoted to Willoughby, and the fond attachment to Norland, which she brought with her from Sussex, was more likely to be softened than she had thought it possible before, by the charms which his society bestowed on her present home. Elinor’s happiness was not so great. Her heart was not so much at ease, nor her satisfaction in their amusements so pure. They afforded her no companion that could make amends for what she had left behind, nor that could teach her to think of Norland with less regret than ever. Neither Lady Middleton nor Mrs. Jennings could supply to her the conversation she missed; although the latter was an everlasting talker, and from the first had regarded her with a kindness which ensured her a large share of her discourse. She had already repeated her own history to Elinor three or four times; and had Elinor’s line 4:

64

said was] 1811 said, was

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 11

memory been equal to her means of improvement, she might have known very early in her acquaintance, all the particulars of Mr. Jennings’s last illness, and what he said to his wife a few minutes before he died. Lady Middleton was more agreeable than her mother, only in being more silent. Elinor needed little observation to perceive that her reserve was a mere calmness of manner with which sense had nothing to do. Towards her husband and mother she was the same as to them; and intimacy was therefore neither to be looked for nor desired. She had nothing to say one day that she had not said the day before. Her insipidity was invariable, for even her spirits were always the same; and though she did not oppose the parties arranged by her husband, provided every thing were conducted in style and her two eldest children attended her, she never appeared to receive more enjoyment from them, than she might have experienced in sitting at home;—and so little did her presence add to the pleasure of the others, by any share in their conversation, that they were sometimes only reminded of her being amongst them by her solicitude about her troublesome boys. In Colonel Brandon alone, of all her new acquaintance, did Elinor find a person who could in any degree claim the respect of abilities, excite the interest of friendship, or give pleasure as a companion. Willoughby was out of the question. Her admiration and regard, even her sisterly regard, was all his own; but he was a lover; his attentions were wholly Marianne’s, and a far less agreeable man might have been more generally pleasing. Colonel Brandon, unfortunately for himself, had no such encouragement to think only of Marianne, and in conversing with Elinor he found the greatest consolation for the total indifference of her sister. line 2:

her] 1811 their

//

line 14:

style] 1811 stile

65

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 11

Elinor’s compassion for him increased, as she had reason to suspect that the misery of disappointed love had already been known by him. This suspicion was given by some words which accidentally dropt from him one evening at the park, when they were sitting down together by mutual consent, while the others were dancing. His eyes were fixed on Marianne, and, after a silence of some minutes, he said with a faint smile, “Your sister, I understand, does not approve of second attachments.” “No,” replied Elinor, “her opinions are all romantic.”3 “Or rather, as I believe, she considers them impossible to exist.” “I believe she does. But how she contrives it without reflecting on the character of her own father, who had himself two wives, I know not. A few years however will settle her opinions on the reasonable basis of common sense and observation; and then they may be more easy to define and to justify than they now are, by any body but herself.” “This will probably be the case,” he replied; “and yet there is something so amiable in the prejudices of a young mind, that one is sorry to see them give way to the reception of more general opinions.” “I cannot agree with you there,”4 said Elinor. “There are inconveniences attending such feelings as Marianne’s, which all the charms of enthusiasm and ignorance of the world cannot atone for. Her systems have all the unfortunate tendency of setting propriety at nought; and a better acquaintance with the world is what I look forward to as her greatest possible advantage.” After a short pause he resumed the conversation by saying— line 1:

66

increased,] 1811 encreased,

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 11

“Does your sister make no distinction in her objections against a second attachment? or is it equally criminal in every body? Are those who have been disappointed in their first choice, whether from the inconstancy of its object, or the perverseness of circumstances, to be equally indifferent during the rest of their lives?” “Upon my word, I am not acquainted with the minutia of her principles. I only know that I never yet heard her admit any instance of a second attachment’s being pardonable.” “This,” said he, “cannot hold; but a change, a total change of sentiments—No, no, do not desire it,—for when the romantic refinements of a young mind are obliged to give way, how frequently are they succeeded by such opinions as are but too common, and too dangerous! I speak from experience. I once knew a lady who in temper and mind greatly resembled your sister, who thought and judged like her, but who from an inforced change—from a series of unfortunate circumstances”——Here he stopt suddenly; appeared to think that he had said too much, and by his countenance gave rise to conjectures, which might not otherwise have entered Elinor’s head. The lady would probably have passed without suspicion, had he not convinced Miss Dashwood that what concerned her ought not to escape his lips. As it was, it required but a slight effort of fancy to connect his emotion with the tender recollection of past regard. Elinor attempted no more. But Marianne, in her place, would not have done so little. The whole story would have been speedily formed under her active imagination; and every thing established in the most melancholy order of disastrous love. line 25:

past] 1811 passed

//

line 28:

ever [1811 every

67

Chapter 12

A s Elinor and Marianne were walking together the next morning the latter communicated a piece of news to her sister, which in spite of all that she knew before of Marianne’s imprudence and want of thought, surprised her by its extravagant testimony of both. Marianne told her, with the greatest delight, that Willoughby had given her a horse, one that he had bred himself on his estate in Somersetshire, and which was exactly calculated to carry a woman. Without considering that it was not in her mother’s plan to keep any horse,1 that if she were to alter her resolution in favour of this gift, she must buy another for the servant, and keep a servant to ride it, and after all, build a stable to receive them, she had accepted the present without hesitation, and told her sister of it in raptures. “He intends to send his groom into Somersetshire immediately for it,” she added, “and when it arrives, we will ride every day. You shall share its use with me. Imagine to yourself, my dear Elinor, the delight of a gallop on some of these downs.” Most unwilling was she to awaken from such a dream of felicity, to comprehend all the unhappy truths which attended the affair; and for some time she refused to submit to them. As to an additional servant, the expence would be a trifle; line 2: morning the] 1811 morning, the which, in

68

//

line 3:

which in] 1811

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 12

mama she was sure would never object to it; and any horse would do for him; he might always get one at the park; as to a stable, the merest shed would be sufficient. Elinor then ventured to doubt the propriety of her receiving such a present from a man so little, or at least so lately known2 to her. This was too much. “You are mistaken, Elinor,” said she warmly, “in supposing I know very little of Willoughby. I have not known him long indeed, but I am much better acquainted with him, than I am with any other creature in the world, except yourself and mama. It is not time or opportunity that is to determine intimacy;—it is disposition alone. Seven years would be insufficient to make some people acquainted with each other, and seven days are more than enough for others. I should hold myself guilty of greater impropriety in accepting a horse from my brother, than from Willoughby. Of John I know very little, though we have lived together for years; but of Willoughby my judgment has long been formed.” Elinor thought it wisest to touch that point no more. She knew her sister’s temper. Opposition on so tender a subject would only attach her the more to her own opinion. But by an appeal to her affection for her mother, by representing the inconveniences which that indulgent mother must draw on herself, if (as would probably be the case) she consented to this increase of establishment, Marianne was shortly subdued; and she promised not to tempt her mother to such imprudent kindness by mentioning the offer, and to tell Willoughby when she saw him next, that it must be declined. She was faithful to her word; and when Willoughby called at the cottage, the same day, Elinor heard her express her line 8: very little] 1811 but little // line 18: Willoughby my] 1811 Willoughby, my // lines 27–28: Willoughby when] 1811 Willoughby, when

69

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 12

disappointment to him in a low voice, on being obliged to forego the acceptance of his present. The reasons for this alteration were at the same time related, and they were such as to make further entreaty on his side impossible. His concern however was very apparent; and after expressing it with earnestness, he added in the same low voice—“But, Marianne, the horse is still yours, though you cannot use it now. I shall keep it only till you can claim it. When you leave Barton to form your own establishment in a more lasting home, Queen Mab3 shall receive you.” This was all overheard by Miss Dashwood; and in the whole of the sentence, in his manner of pronouncing it, and in his addressing her sister by her christian name alone,4 she instantly saw an intimacy so decided, a meaning so direct, as marked a perfect agreement between them. From that moment she doubted not of their being engaged to each other; and the belief of it created no other surprise, than that she, or any of their friends, should be left by tempers so frank, to discover it by accident. Margaret related something to her the next day, which placed this matter in a still clearer light. Willoughby had spent the preceding evening with them, and Margaret, by being left some time in the parlour with only him and Marianne, had had opportunity for observations, which, with a most important face, she communicated to her eldest sister, when they were next by themselves. “Oh! Elinor,” she cried, “I have such a secret to tell you about Marianne. I am sure she will be married to Mr. Willoughby very soon.” “You have said so,” replied Elinor, “almost every day since they first met on High-church Down; and they had not line 29:

70

soon. [1811 soon.”

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 12

known each other a week, I believe, before you were certain that Marianne wore his picture round her neck; but it turned out to be only the miniature5 of our great uncle.” “But indeed this is quite another thing. I am sure they will be married very soon, for he has got a lock of her hair.” “Take care, Margaret. It may be only the hair of some great uncle of his.” “But indeed, Elinor, it is Marianne’s. I am almost sure it is, for I saw him cut it off. Last night after tea, when you and mama went out of the room, they were whispering and talking together as fast as could be, and he seemed to be begging something of her, and presently he took up her scissars and cut off a long lock of her hair,6 for it was all tumbled down her back; and he kissed it, and folded it up in a piece of white paper, and put it into his pocket-book.”7 From such particulars, stated on such authority, Elinor could not withhold her credit: nor was she disposed to it, for the circumstance was in perfect unison with what she had heard and seen herself. Margaret’s sagacity was not always displayed in a way so satisfactory to her sister. When Mrs. Jennings attacked her one evening at the park, to give the name of the young man who was Elinor’s particular favourite, which had been long a matter of great curiosity to her, Margaret answered by looking at her sister, and saying, “I must not tell, may I, Elinor?” This of course made every body laugh; and Elinor tried to laugh too. But the effort was painful. She was convinced that Margaret had fixed on a person, whose name she could not bear with composure to become a standing joke with Mrs. Jennings. line 28: person, whose] 1811 person whose 1811 composure, to

//

line 29:

composure to]

71

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 12

Marianne felt for her most sincerely; but she did more harm than good to the cause, by turning very red, and saying in an angry manner to Margaret, “Remember that whatever your conjectures may be, you have no right to repeat them.” “I never had any conjectures about it,” replied Margaret; “it was you who told me of it yourself.” This increased the mirth of the company, and Margaret was eagerly pressed to say something more. “Oh! pray, Miss Margaret, let us know all about it,” said Mrs. Jennings. “What is the gentleman’s name?” “I must not tell, ma’am. But I know very well what it is; and I know where he is too.” “Yes, yes, we can guess where he is; at his own house at Norland to be sure. He is the curate of the parish I dare say.” “No, that he is not. He is of no profession at all.” “Margaret,” said Marianne with great warmth, “you know that all this is an invention of your own, and that there is no such person in existence.” “Well then he is lately dead, Marianne, for I am sure there was such a man once, and his name begins with an F.” Most grateful did Elinor feel to Lady Middleton for observing at this moment, “that it rained very hard,” though she believed the interruption to proceed less from any attention to her, than from her ladyship’s great dislike of all such inelegant subjects of raillery as delighted her husband and mother. The idea however started by her, was immediately pursued by Colonel Brandon, who was on every occasion mindful of the feelings of others; and much was said on the subject of rain by both of them. Willoughby opened the line 12: tell, ma’am.] 1811 tell ma’am.

72

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 12

piano-forte, and asked Marianne to sit down to it; and thus amidst the various endeavours of different people to quit the topic, it fell to the ground. But not so easily did Elinor recover from the alarm into which it had thrown her. A party was formed this evening for going on the following day to see a very fine place8 about twelve miles from Barton, belonging to a brother-in-law of Colonel Brandon, without whose interest it could not be seen, as the proprietor, who was then abroad, had left strict orders on that head. The grounds were declared to be highly beautiful, and Sir John, who was particularly warm in their praise, might be allowed to be a tolerable judge, for he had formed parties to visit them, at least, twice every summer for the last ten years. They contained a noble piece of water; a sail on which was to form a great part of the morning’s amusement; cold provisions were to be taken, open carriages only to be employed, and every thing conducted in the usual style of a complete party of pleasure. To some few of the company, it appeared rather a bold undertaking, considering the time of year, and that it had rained every day for the last fortnight;—and Mrs. Dashwood, who had already a cold, was persuaded by Elinor to stay at home. line 17:

style] 1811 stile

73

Chapter 13

T h e i r intended excursion to Whitwell turned out very differently from what Elinor had expected. She was prepared to be wet through, fatigued, and frightened; but the event was still more unfortunate, for they did not go at all. By ten o’clock the whole party were assembled at the park, where they were to breakfast. The morning was rather favourable, though it had rained all night, as the clouds were then dispersing across the sky, and the sun frequently appeared. They were all in high spirits and good humour, eager to be happy, and determined to submit to the greatest inconveniences and hardships rather than be otherwise. While they were at breakfast the letters were brought in. Among the rest there was one for Colonel Brandon;—he took it, looked at the direction, changed colour, and immediately left the room. “What is the matter with Brandon?” said Sir John. Nobody could tell. “I hope he has had no bad news,” said Lady Middleton. “It must be something extraordinary that could make Colonel Brandon leave my breakfast table so suddenly.” In about five minutes he returned. “No bad news, Colonel, I hope;” said Mrs. Jennings, as soon as he entered the room. “None at all, ma’am, I thank you.” “Was it from Avignon?1 I hope it is not to say that your sister is worse.” 74

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 13

“No, ma’am. It came from town,2 and is merely a letter of business.” “But how came the hand to discompose you so much, if it was only a letter of business? Come, come, this wo’nt do, Colonel; so let us hear the truth of it.” “My dear Madam,” said Lady Middleton, “recollect what you are saying.” “Perhaps it is to tell you that your cousin Fanny is married?” said Mrs. Jennings, without attending to her daughter’s reproof. “No, indeed, it is not.” “Well, then, I know who it is from, Colonel. And I hope she is well.” “Whom do you mean, ma’am?” said he, colouring a little. “Oh! you know who I mean.” “I am particularly sorry, ma’am,” said he, addressing Lady Middleton, “that I should receive this letter today, for it is on business which requires my immediate attendance in town.” “In town!” cried Mrs. Jennings. “What can you have to do in town at this time of year?”3 “My own loss is great,” he continued, “in being obliged to leave so agreeable a party; but I am the more concerned, as I fear my presence is necessary to gain your admittance at Whitwell.” What a blow upon them all was this! “But if you write a note to the housekeeper, Mr. Brandon,” said Marianne eagerly, “will it not be sufficient?” He shook his head. “We must go,” said Sir John.—“It shall not be put off when we are so near it. You cannot go to town till to-morrow, Brandon, that is all.” “I wish it could be so easily settled. But it is not in my power to delay my journey for one day!” 75

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 13

“If you would but let us know what your business is,” said Mrs. Jennings, “we might see whether it could be put off or not.” “You would not be six hours later,” said Willoughby, “if you were to defer your journey till our return.” “I cannot afford to lose one hour.”— Elinor then heard Willoughby say in a low voice to Marianne, “There are some people who cannot bear a party of pleasure. Brandon is one of them. He was afraid of catching cold I dare say, and invented this trick for getting out of it. I would lay fifty guineas the letter was of his own writing.” “I have no doubt of it,” replied Marianne. “There is no persuading you to change your mind, Brandon, I know of old,” said Sir John, “when once you are determined on any thing. But, however, I hope you will think better of it. Consider, here are the two Miss Careys come over from Newton,4 the three Miss Dashwoods walked up from the cottage, and Mr. Willoughby got up two hours before his usual time, on purpose to go to Whitwell.” Colonel Brandon again repeated his sorrow at being the cause of disappointing the party; but at the same time declared it to be unavoidable. “Well then, when will you come back again?” “I hope we shall see you at Barton,” added her ladyship, “as soon as you can conveniently leave town; and we must put off the party to Whitwell till you return.” “You are very obliging. But it is so uncertain, when I may have it in my power to return, that I dare not engage for it at all.” “Oh! he must and shall come back,” cried Sir John. “If he is not here by the end of the week, I shall go after him.” line 15:

76

any thing.] 1811 anything.

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 13

“Aye, so do, Sir John,” cried Mrs. Jennings, “and then perhaps you may find out what his business is.” “I do not want to pry into other men’s concerns. I suppose it is something he is ashamed of.” Colonel Brandon’s horses were announced. “You do not go to town on horseback, do you?” added Sir John. “No. Only to Honiton. I shall then go post.”5 “Well, as you are resolved to go, I wish you a good journey. But you had better change your mind.” “I assure you it is not in my power.” He then took leave of the whole party. “Is there no chance of my seeing you and your sisters in town this winter, Miss Dashwood?” “I am afraid, none at all.” “Then I must bid you farewell for a longer time than I should wish to do.” To Marianne, he merely bowed and said nothing. “Come, Colonel,” said Mrs. Jennings, “before you go, do let us know what you are going about.” He wished her a good morning, and attended by Sir John, left the room. The complaints and lamentations which politeness had hitherto restrained, now burst forth universally; and they all agreed again and again how provoking it was to be so disappointed. “I can guess what his business is, however,” said Mrs. Jennings exultingly. “Can you, ma’am?” said almost every body. “Yes; it is about Miss Williams, I am sure.” “And who is Miss Williams?” asked Marianne. “What! do not you know who Miss Williams is? I am sure you must have heard of her before. She is a relation 77

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 13

of the Colonel’s, my dear; a very near relation. We will not say how near, for fear of shocking the young ladies.” Then lowering her voice a little, she said to Elinor, “She is his natural daughter.”6 “Indeed!” “Oh! yes; and as like him as she can stare. I dare say the Colonel will leave her all his fortune.” When Sir John returned, he joined most heartily in the general regret on so unfortunate an event; concluding however by observing, that as they were all got together, they must do something by way of being happy; and after some consultation it was agreed, that although happiness could only be enjoyed at Whitwell, they might procure a tolerable composure of mind by driving about the country. The carriages were then ordered; Willoughby’s was first, and Marianne never looked happier than when she got into it. He drove through the park very fast, and they were soon out of sight; and nothing more of them was seen till their return, which did not happen till after the return of all the rest. They both seemed delighted with their drive, but said only in general terms that they had kept in the lanes, while the others went on the downs. It was settled that there should be a dance in the evening, and that every body should be extremely merry all day long. Some more of the Careys came to dinner, and they had the pleasure of sitting down nearly twenty to table, which Sir John observed with great contentment. Willoughby took his usual place between the two elder Miss Dashwoods. Mrs. Jennings sat on Elinor’s right hand; and they had line 7: (Paragraph omitted after ‘. . . all his fortune.”’)] 1811 Lady Middleton’s delicacy was shocked; and in order to banish so improper a subject as the mention of a natural daughter, she actually took the trouble of saying something herself about the weather.

78

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 13

not been long seated, before she leant behind her and Willoughby, and said to Marianne, loud enough for them both to hear, “I have found you out in spite of all your tricks. I know where you spent the morning.” Marianne coloured, and replied very hastily, “Where, pray?”— “Did not you know,” said Willoughby, “that we had been out in my curricle?”7 “Yes, yes, Mr. Impudence, I know that very well, and I was determined to find out where you had been to.—I hope you like your house, Miss Marianne. It is a very large one I know, and when I come to see you, I hope you will have newfurnished it, for it wanted it very much, when I was there six years ago.” Marianne turned away in great confusion. Mrs. Jennings laughed heartily; and Elinor found that in her resolution to know where they had been, she had actually made her own woman enquire of Mr. Willoughby’s groom, and that she had by that method been informed that they had gone to Allenham, and spent a considerable time there in walking about the garden and going all over the house. Elinor could hardly believe this to be true, as it seemed very unlikely that Willoughby should propose, or Marianne consent, to enter the house while Mrs. Smith was in it, with whom Marianne had not the smallest acquaintance. As soon as they left the dining-room, Elinor enquired of her about it; and great was her surprise when she found that every circumstance related by Mrs. Jennings was perfectly true. Marianne was quite angry with her for doubting it. “Why should you imagine, Elinor, that we did not go there, or that we did not see the house? Is not it what you have often wished to do yourself?” 79

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 13

“Yes, Marianne, but I would not go while Mrs. Smith was there, and with no other companion than Mr. Willoughby.” “Mr. Willoughby however is the only person who can have a right to shew that house; and as we went in an open carriage, it was impossible to have any other companion.8 I never spent a pleasanter morning in my life.” “I am afraid,” replied Elinor, “that the pleasantness of an employment does not always evince its propriety.” “On the contrary, nothing can be a stronger proof of it, Elinor; for if there had been any real impropriety in what I did, I should have been sensible of it9 at the time, for we always know when we are acting wrong, and with such a conviction I could have had no pleasure.” “But, my dear Marianne, as it has already exposed you to some very impertinent remarks, do you not now begin to doubt the discretion of your own conduct?” “If the impertinent remarks of Mrs. Jennings are to be the proof of impropriety in conduct, we are all offending every moment of all our lives. I value not her censure any more than I should do her commendation. I am not sensible of having done any thing wrong in walking over Mrs. Smith’s grounds, or in seeing her house. They will one day be Mr. Willoughby’s, and”. . . . . “If they were one day to be your own, Marianne, you would not be justified in what you have done.” She blushed at this hint; but it was even visibly gratifying to her; and after a ten minutes’ interval of earnest thought, she came to her sister again, and said with great good humour, “Perhaps, Elinor, it was rather ill-judged in me to go to Allenham; but Mr. Willoughby wanted particularly to shew me the place; and it is a charming house I assure you.—There line 1:

80

was] 1811 were

//

line 4:

he [1811 we

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 13

is one remarkably pretty sitting room up stairs; of a nice comfortable size for constant use, and with modern furniture it would be delightful. It is a corner room, and has windows on two sides. On one side you look across the bowling-green, behind the house, to a beautiful hanging wood,10 and on the other you have a view of the church and village, and, beyond them, of those fine bold hills that we have so often admired. I did not see it to advantage, for nothing could be more forlorn than the furniture,—but if it were newly fitted up——a couple of hundred pounds,11 Willoughby says, would make it one of the pleasantest summer-rooms12 in England.” Could Elinor have listened to her without interruption from the others, she would have described every room in the house with equal delight. line 9: furniture,—but] 1811 furniture—but

81

Chapter 14

T h e sudden termination of Colonel Brandon’s visit at the park, with his steadiness in concealing its cause, filled the mind and raised the wonder of Mrs. Jennings for two or three days; she was a great wonderer, as every one must be who takes a very lively interest in all the comings and goings of all their acquaintance. She wondered with little intermission what could be the reason of it; was sure there must be some bad news, and thought over every kind of distress that could have befallen him, with a fixed determination that he should not escape them all. “Something very melancholy must be the matter, I am sure,” said she. “I could see it in his face. Poor man! I am afraid his circumstances may be bad. The estate at Delaford was never reckoned more than two thousand a year, and his brother left every thing sadly involved.1 I do think he must have been sent for about money matters, for what else can it be? I wonder whether it is so. I would give any thing to know the truth of it. Perhaps it is about Miss Williams—and, by the bye, I dare say it is, because he looked so conscious when I mentioned her. May be she is ill in town; nothing in the world more likely, for I have a notion she is always rather sickly. I would lay any wager it is about Miss Williams. It is not so very likely he should be distressed in his circumstances line 11:

82

matter, I] 1811 matter I

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 14

now, for he is a very prudent man, and to be sure must have cleared the estate2 by this time. I wonder what it can be! May be his sister is worse at Avignon, and has sent for him over. His setting off in such a hurry seems very like it. Well, I wish him out of all his trouble with all my heart, and a good wife into the bargain.” So wondered, so talked Mrs. Jennings. Her opinion varying with every fresh conjecture, and all seeming equally probable as they arose. Elinor, though she felt really interested in the welfare of Colonel Brandon, could not bestow all the wonder on his going so suddenly away, which Mrs. Jennings was desirous of her feeling; for besides that the circumstance did not in her opinion justify such lasting amazement or variety of speculation, her wonder was otherwise disposed of. It was engrossed by the extraordinary silence of her sister and Willoughby on the subject, which they must know to be peculiarly interesting to them all. As this silence continued, every day made it appear more strange and more incompatible with the disposition of both. Why they should not openly acknowledge to her mother and herself, what their constant behaviour to each other declared to have taken place, Elinor could not imagine. She could easily conceive that marriage might not be immediately in their power; for though Willoughby was independent, there was no reason to believe him rich. His estate had been rated by Sir John at about six or seven hundred a year; but he lived at an expense to which that income could hardly be equal, and he had himself often complained of his poverty.3 But for this strange kind of secrecy maintained by them relative to their engagement, which in fact concealed nothing at all, she could not account; and it was so wholly contradictory to their general opinions and practice, that a doubt sometimes entered her mind of their being really 83

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 14

engaged, and this doubt was enough to prevent her making any inquiry of Marianne. Nothing could be more expressive of attachment to them all, than Willoughby’s behaviour. To Marianne it had all the distinguishing tenderness which a lover’s heart could give, and to the rest of the family it was the affectionate attention of a son and a brother. The cottage seemed to be considered and loved by him as his home; many more of his hours were spent there than at Allenham; and if no general engagement collected them at the park, the exercise which called him out in the morning was almost certain of ending there, where the rest of the day was spent by himself at the side of Marianne, and by his favourite pointer at her feet. One evening in particular, about a week after Colonel Brandon had left the country, his heart seemed more than usually open to every feeling of attachment to the objects around him; and on Mrs. Dashwood’s happening to mention her design of improving the cottage in the spring, he warmly opposed every alteration of a place which affection had established as perfect with him. “What!” he exclaimed—“Improve this dear cottage! No. That I will never consent to. Not a stone must be added to its walls, not an inch to its size, if my feelings are regarded.” “Do not be alarmed,” said Miss Dashwood, “nothing of the kind will be done; for my mother will never have money enough to attempt it.” “I am heartily glad of it,” he cried. “May she always be poor, if she can employ her riches no better.” “Thank you, Willoughby. But you may be assured that I would not sacrifice one sentiment of local attachment of yours, or of any one whom I loved, for all the improvements line 2:

84

inquiry] 1811 enquiry

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 14

in the world. Depend upon it that whatever unemployed sum may remain, when I make up my accounts in the spring, I would even rather lay it uselessly by than dispose of it in a manner so painful to you. But are you really so attached to this place as to see no defect in it?” “I am,” said he. “To me it is faultless. Nay, more, I consider it as the only form of building in which happiness is attainable, and were I rich enough, I would instantly pull Combe down, and build it up again in the exact plan of this cottage.” “With dark narrow stairs, and a kitchen that smokes, I suppose,” said Elinor. “Yes,” cried he in the same eager tone, “with all and every thing belonging to it;—in no one convenience or inconvenience about it, should the least variation be perceptible. Then, and then only, under such a roof, I might perhaps be as happy at Combe as I have been at Barton.” “I flatter myself,” replied Elinor, “that even under the disadvantage of better rooms and a broader staircase, you will hereafter find your own house as faultless as you now do this.” “There certainly are circumstances,” said Willoughby, “which might greatly endear it to me; but this place will always have one claim on my affection, which no other can possibly share.” Mrs. Dashwood looked with pleasure at Marianne, whose fine eyes were fixed so expressively on Willoughby, as plainly denoted how well she understood him. “How often did I wish,” added he, “when I was at Allenham this time twelvemonth, that Barton cottage were inhabited! I never passed within view of it without admiring its situation, and grieving that no one should live in it. How little did I then think that the very first news I should hear from Mrs. Smith, when I next came into the country, would be that Barton cottage was taken: and I felt an immediate satisfaction and 85

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 14

interest in the event, which nothing but a kind of prescience of what happiness I should experience from it, can account for. Must it not have been so, Marianne?” speaking to her in a lowered voice. Then continuing his former tone, he said, “And yet this house you would spoil, Mrs. Dashwood? You would rob it of its simplicity by imaginary improvement! and this dear parlour, in which our acquaintance first began, and in which so many happy hours have been since spent by us together, you would degrade to the condition of a common entrance, and every body would be eager to pass through the room which has hitherto contained within itself, more real accommodation and comfort than any other apartment of the handsomest dimensions in the world could possibly afford.” Mrs. Dashwood again assured him that no alteration of the kind should be attempted. “You are a good woman,” he warmly replied. “Your promise makes me easy. Extend it a little farther, and it will make me happy. Tell me that not only your house will remain the same, but that I shall ever find you and yours as unchanged as your dwelling; and that you will always consider me with the kindness which has made every thing belonging to you so dear to me.” The promise was readily given, and Willoughby’s behaviour during the whole of the evening declared at once his affection and happiness. “Shall we see you to-morrow to dinner?” said Mrs. Dashwood when he was leaving them. “I do not ask you to come in the morning, for we must walk to the park, to call on Lady Middleton.” He engaged to be with them by four o’clock.4 line 11: contained within] 1811 contained, within [1811 evening

86

//

line 24:

evining

Chapter 15

M r s . Da s h w o o d ’ s visit to Lady Middleton took place the next day, and two of her daughters went with her; but Marianne excused herself from being of the party under some trifling pretext of employment; and her mother, who concluded that a promise had been made by Willoughby the night before of calling on her while they were absent, was perfectly satisfied with her remaining at home. On their return from the park they found Willoughby’s curricle and servant in waiting at the cottage, and Mrs. Dashwood was convinced that her conjecture had been just. So far it was all as she had foreseen; but on entering the house she beheld what no foresight had taught her to expect. They were no sooner in the passage than Marianne came hastily out of the parlour apparently in violent affliction, with her handkerchief at her eyes; and without noticing them ran up stairs. Surprised and alarmed they proceeded directly into the room she had just quitted, where they found only Willoughby, who was leaning against the mantle-piece with his back towards them. He turned round on their coming in, and his countenance shewed that he strongly partook of the emotion which overpowered Marianne. “Is any thing the matter with her?” cried Mrs. Dashwood as she entered—“is she ill?” line 4: employment; and] 1811 employment, and 1811 which which

//

line 20:

which]

87

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 15

“I hope not,” he replied, trying to look cheerful; and with a forced smile presently added, “It is I who may rather expect to be ill—for I am now suffering under a very heavy disappointment!” “Disappointment!” “Yes, for I am unable to keep my engagement with you. Mrs. Smith has this morning exercised the privilege of riches upon a poor dependant cousin, by sending me on business to London. I have just received my dispatches, and taken my farewel of Allenham; and by way of exhilaration I am now come to take my farewel of you.” “To London!—and are you going this morning?” “Almost this moment.” “This is very unfortunate. But Mrs. Smith must be obliged;—and her business will not detain you from us long I hope.” He coloured as he replied, “You are very kind, but I have no idea of returning into Devonshire immediately. My visits to Mrs. Smith are never repeated within the twelvemonth.” “And is Mrs. Smith your only friend? Is Allenham the only house in the neighbourhood to which you will be welcome? For shame, Willoughby. Can you wait for an invitation here?” His colour increased; and with his eyes fixed on the ground he only replied, “You are too good.” Mrs. Dashwood looked at Elinor with surprise. Elinor felt equal amazement. For a few moments every one was silent. Mrs. Dashwood first spoke. “I have only to add, my dear Willoughby, that at Barton cottage you will always be welcome; for I will not press you line 5: “Disappointment!”] 1811 “Disappointment!”— // line 10: farewel] 1811 farewell // line 11: farewel] 1811 farewell // line 17: replied, “You] 1811 replied. “You

88

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 15

to return here immediately, because you only can judge how far that might be pleasing to Mrs. Smith; and on this head I shall be no more disposed to question your judgment than to doubt your inclination.” “My engagements at present,” replied Willoughby confusedly, “are of such a nature—that—I dare not flatter myself”— He stopt. Mrs. Dashwood was too much astonished to speak, and another pause succeeded. This was broken by Willoughby, who said with a faint smile, “It is folly to linger in this manner. I will not torment myself any longer by remaining among friends whose society it is impossible for me now to enjoy.” He then hastily took leave of them all and left the room. They saw him step into his carriage, and in a minute it was out of sight. Mrs. Dashwood felt too much for speech, and instantly quitted the parlour to give way in solitude to the concern and alarm which this sudden departure occasioned. Elinor’s uneasiness was at least equal to her mother’s. She thought of what had just passed with anxiety and distrust. Willoughby’s behaviour in taking leave of them, his embarrassment, and affectation of cheerfulness and, above all, his unwillingness to accept her mother’s invitation, a backwardness so unlike a lover, so unlike himself, greatly disturbed her. One moment she feared that no serious design had ever been formed on his side; and the next that some unfortunate quarrel had taken place between him and her sister;—the distress in which Marianne had quitted the room was such as a serious quarrel could most reasonably account for, though when

line 1: immediately, because] 1811 immediately because next that] 1811 next, that

//

line 26:

89

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 15

she considered what Marianne’s love for him was, a quarrel seemed almost impossible. But whatever might be the particulars of their separation, her sister’s affliction was indubitable; and she thought with the tenderest compassion of that violent sorrow which Marianne was in all probability not merely giving way to as a relief, but feeding and encouraging as a duty. In about half an hour her mother returned, and though her eyes were red, her countenance was not uncheerful. “Our dear Willoughby is now some miles from Barton, Elinor,” said she, as she sat down to work,1 “and with how heavy a heart does he travel?” “It is all very strange. So suddenly to be gone! It seems but the work of a moment. And last night he was with us so happy, so cheerful, so affectionate? And now after only ten minutes notice—Gone too without intending to return!—Something more than what he owned to us must have happened. He did not speak, he did not behave like himself. You must have seen the difference as well as I. What can it be? Can they have quarrelled? Why else should he have shewn such unwillingness to accept your invitation here?”— “It was not inclination that he wanted, Elinor; I could plainly see that. He had not the power of accepting it. I have thought it all over I assure you, and I can perfectly account for every thing that at first seemed strange to me as well as to you.” “Can you indeed?” “Yes. I have explained it to myself in the most satisfactory way;—but you, Elinor, who love to doubt where you can ——It will not satisfy you, I know; but you shall not talk me out of my trust in it. I am persuaded that Mrs. Smith suspects line 30:

90

you, I] 1811 you I

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 15

his regard for Marianne, disapproves of it, (perhaps because she has other views for him,) and on that account is eager to get him away;—and that the business which she sends him off to transact, is invented as an excuse to dismiss him. This is what I believe to have happened. He is moreover aware that she does disapprove the connection, he dares not therefore at present confess to her his engagement with Marianne, and he feels himself obliged, from his dependent situation, to give into her schemes, and absent himself from Devonshire for a while. You will tell me, I know, that this may, or may not have happened; but I will listen to no cavil, unless you can point out any other method of understanding the affair as satisfactory as this. And now, Elinor, what have you to say?” “Nothing, for you have anticipated my answer.” “Then you would have told me, that it might or might not have happened. Oh! Elinor, how incomprehensible are your feelings! You had rather take evil upon credit than good. You had rather look out for misery for Marianne and guilt for poor Willoughby, than an apology 2 for the latter. You are resolved to think him blameable, because he took leave of us with less affection than his usual behaviour has shewn. And is no allowance to be made for inadvertence, or for spirits depressed by recent disappointment? Are no probabilities to be accepted, merely because they are not certainties? Is nothing due to the man whom we have all so much reason to love, and no reason in the world to think ill of? To the possibility of motives unanswerable in themselves, though unavoidably secret for a while? And, after all, what is it you suspect him of?” “I can hardly tell you myself.—But suspicion of something unpleasant is the inevitable consequence of such an alteration line 8:

dependent] 1811 dependant

91

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 15

as we have just witnessed in him. There is great truth, however, in what you have now urged of the allowances which ought to be made for him, and it is my wish to be candid3 in my judgment of every body. Willoughby may undoubtedly have very sufficient reasons for his conduct, and I will hope that he has. But it would have been more like Willoughby to acknowledge them at once. Secrecy may be advisable; but still I cannot help wondering at its being practised by him.” “Do not blame him, however, for departing from his character, where the deviation is necessary. But you really do admit the justice of what I have said in his defence?—I am happy— and he is acquitted.” “Not entirely. It may be proper to conceal their engagement (if they are engaged) from Mrs. Smith—and if that is the case, it must be highly expedient for Willoughby to be but little in Devonshire at present. But this is no excuse for their concealing it from us.” “Concealing it from us! my dear child, do you accuse Willoughby and Marianne of concealment? This is strange indeed, when your eyes have been reproaching them every day for incautiousness.” “I want no proof of their affection,” said Elinor; “but of their engagement I do.” “I am perfectly satisfied of both.” “Yet not a syllable has been said to you on the subject, by either of them.” “I have not wanted syllables where actions have spoken so plainly. Has not his behaviour to Marianne and to all of us, for at least the last fortnight, declared that he loved and considered her as his future wife, and that he felt for us the attachment of the nearest relation? Have we not perfectly understood each other? Has not my consent been daily asked by his looks, his manner, his attentive and affectionate respect? My 92

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 15

Elinor, is it possible to doubt their engagement? How could such a thought occur to you? How is it to be supposed that Willoughby, persuaded as he must be of your sister’s love, should leave her, and leave her perhaps for months, without telling her of his affection;—that they should part without a mutual exchange of confidence?” “I confess,” replied Elinor, “that every circumstance except one is in favour of their engagement; but that one is the total silence of both on the subject, and with me it almost outweighs every other.” “How strange this is! You must think wretchedly indeed of Willoughby, if after all that has openly passed between them, you can doubt the nature of the terms on which they are together. Has he been acting a part in his behaviour to your sister all this time? Do you suppose him really indifferent to her?” “No, I cannot think that. He must and does love her I am sure.” “But with a strange kind of tenderness, if he can leave her with such indifference, such carelessness of the future, as you attribute to him.” “You must remember, my dear mother, that I have never considered this matter as certain. I have had my doubts, I confess; but they are fainter than they were, and they may soon be entirely done away. If we find they correspond,4 every fear of mine will be removed.” “A mighty concession indeed! If you were to see them at the altar, you would suppose they were going to be married. Ungracious girl! But I require no such proof. Nothing in my opinion has ever passed to justify doubt; no secrecy has been attempted; all has been uniformly open and unreserved. You cannot doubt your sister’s wishes. It must be Willoughby therefore whom you suspect. But why? Is he not a man of 93

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 15

honour and feeling? Has there been any inconsistency on his side to create alarm? can he be deceitful?” “I hope not, I believe not,” cried Elinor. “I love Willoughby, sincerely love him; and suspicion of his integrity cannot be more painful to yourself than to me. It has been involuntary, and I will not encourage it. I was startled, I confess, by the alteration in his manners this morning;—he did not speak like himself, and did not return your kindness with any cordiality. But all this may be explained by such a situation of his affairs as you have supposed. He had just parted from my sister, had seen her leave him in the greatest affliction; and if he felt obliged, from a fear of offending Mrs. Smith, to resist the temptation of returning here soon, and yet aware that by declining your invitation, by saying that he was going away for some time, he should seem to act an ungenerous, a suspicious part by our family, he might well be embarrassed and disturbed. In such a case, a plain and open avowal of his difficulties would have been more to his honour I think, as well as more consistent with his general character;—but I will not raise objections against any one’s conduct on so illiberal a foundation, as a difference in judgment from myself, or a deviation from what I may think right and consistent.” “You speak very properly. Willoughby certainly does not deserve to be suspected. Though we have not known him long, he is no stranger in this part of the world; and who has ever spoken to his disadvantage? Had he been in a situation to act independently and marry immediately, it might have been odd that he should leave us without acknowledging every thing to me at once: but this is not the case. It is an engagement in some respects not prosperously begun, for their marriage must be at a very uncertain distance; and line 25:

94

world; and] 1811 world, and

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 15

even secrecy, as far as it can be observed, may now be very advisable.” They were interrupted by the entrance of Margaret; and Elinor was then at liberty to think over the representations of her mother, to acknowledge the probability of many, and hope for the justice of all. They saw nothing of Marianne till dinner time, when she entered the room and took her place at the table without saying a word. Her eyes were red and swollen; and it seemed as if her tears were even then restrained with difficulty. She avoided the looks of them all, could neither eat nor speak, and after some time, on her mother’s silently pressing her hand with tender compassion, her small degree of fortitude was quite overcome, she burst into tears and left the room. This violent oppression of spirits continued the whole evening. She was without any power, because she was without any desire of command over herself. The slightest mention of any thing relative to Willoughby overpowered her in an instant; and though her family were most anxiously attentive to her comfort, it was impossible for them, if they spoke at all, to keep clear of every subject which her feelings connected with him.

95

Chapter 16

M a r i a n n e would have thought herself very inexcusable had she been able to sleep at all the first night after parting from Willoughby. She would have been ashamed to look her family in the face the next morning, had she not risen from her bed in more need of repose than when she lay down in it. But the feelings which made such composure a disgrace, left her in no danger of incurring it. She was awake the whole night, and she wept the greatest part of it. She got up with an headache, was unable to talk, and unwilling to take any nourishment; giving pain every moment to her mother and sisters, and forbidding all attempt at consolation from either. Her sensibility was potent enough! When breakfast was over she walked out by herself, and wandered about the village of Allenham, indulging the recollection of past enjoyment and crying over the present reverse for the chief of the morning. The evening passed off in the equal indulgence of feeling. She played over every favourite song that she had been used to play to Willoughby, every air in which their voices had been oftenest joined, and sat at the instrument gazing on every line of music that he had written out for her, till her heart was so heavy that no farther sadness could be gained; and this nourishment of grief was every day applied. She spent whole hours at the pianofort´e alternately singing and crying; her voice often totally suspended by her tears. In books too, as well as in music, she courted the misery1 which a contrast 96

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 16

between the past and present was certain of giving. She read nothing but what they had been used to read together. Such violence of affliction indeed could not be supported for ever; it sunk within a few days into a calmer melancholy; but these employments, to which she daily recurred, her solitary walks and silent meditations, still produced occasional effusions of sorrow as lively as ever. No letter from Willoughby came; and none seemed expected by Marianne. Her mother was surprised, and Elinor again became uneasy. But Mrs. Dashwood could find explanations whenever she wanted them, which at least satisfied herself. “Remember, Elinor,” said she, “how very often Sir John fetches our letters himself from the post, and carries them to it. We have already agreed that secrecy may be necessary, and we must acknowledge that it could not be maintained if their correspondence were to pass through Sir John’s hands.” Elinor could not deny the truth of this, and she tried to find in it a motive sufficient for their silence. But there was one method so direct, so simple, and in her opinion so eligible of knowing the real state of the affair, and of instantly removing all mystery, that she could not help suggesting it to her mother. “Why do you not ask Marianne at once,” said she, “whether she is or is not engaged to Willoughby? From you, her mother, and so kind, so indulgent a mother, the question could not give offence. It would be the natural result of your affection for her. She used to be all unreserve, and to you more especially.” “I would not ask such a question for the world. Supposing it possible that they are not engaged, what distress would not such an inquiry inflict! At any rate it would be most line 25:

is or] 1811 is, or

//

line 31:

inquiry] 1811 enquiry

97

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 16

ungenerous. I should never deserve her confidence again, after forcing from her a confession of what is meant at present to be unacknowledged to any one. I know Marianne’s heart: I know that she dearly loves me, and that I shall not be the last to whom the affair is made known, when circumstances make the revealment of it eligible. I would not attempt to force the confidence of any one; of a child much less; because a sense of duty would prevent the denial which her wishes might direct.” Elinor thought this generosity overstrained, considering her sister’s youth, and urged the matter farther, but in vain; common sense, common care, common prudence, were all sunk in Mrs. Dashwood’s romantic delicacy.2 It was several days before Willoughby’s name was mentioned before Marianne by any of her family; Sir John and Mrs. Jennings, indeed, were not so nice;3 their witticisms added pain to many a painful hour;—but one evening, Mrs. Dashwood, accidentally taking up a volume of Shakespeare, exclaimed, “We have never finished Hamlet,4 Marianne; our dear Willoughby went away before we could get through it. We will put it by, that when he comes again . . . . . But it may be months, perhaps, before that happens.” “Months!” cried Marianne, with strong surprise. “No—nor many weeks.” Mrs. Dashwood was sorry for what she had said; but it gave Elinor pleasure, as it produced a reply from Marianne so expressive of confidence in Willoughby and knowledge of his intentions. line 17: but one] 1811 but, one 1811 Dashwood accidentally

98

//

line 18:

Dashwood, accidentally]

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 16

One morning, about a week after his leaving the country, Marianne was prevailed on to join her sisters in their usual walk, instead of wandering away by herself. Hitherto she had carefully avoided every companion in her rambles. If her sisters intended to walk on the downs, she directly stole away towards the lanes; if they talked of the valley, she was as speedy in climbing the hills, and could never be found when the others set off. But at length she was secured by the exertions of Elinor, who greatly disapproved such continual seclusion. They walked along the road through the valley, and chiefly in silence, for Marianne’s mind could not be controuled, and Elinor, satisfied with gaining one point, would not then attempt more. Beyond the entrance of the valley, where the country, though still rich, was less wild and more open, a long stretch of the road which they had travelled on first coming to Barton, lay before them; and on reaching that point, they stopped to look around them, and examine a prospect which formed the distance of their view from the cottage, from a spot which they had never happened to reach in any of their walks before. Amongst the objects in the scene,5 they soon discovered an animated one; it was a man on horseback riding towards them. In a few minutes they could distinguish him to be a gentleman; and in a moment afterwards Marianne rapturously exclaimed, “It is he; it is indeed;—I know it is!”—And was hastening to meet him, when Elinor cried out, “Indeed, Marianne, I think you are mistaken. It is not Willoughby. The person is not tall enough for him, and has not his air.” line 14: country, though] 1811 country though 1811 and, on

//

line 16:

and on]

99

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 16

“He has, he has,” cried Marianne, “I am sure he has. His air, his coat, his horse. I knew how soon he would come.” She walked eagerly on as she spoke; and Elinor, to screen Marianne from particularity, as she felt almost certain of its not being Willoughby, quickened her pace and kept up with her. They were soon within thirty yards of the gentleman. Marianne looked again; her heart sunk within her; and abruptly turning round, she was hurrying back, when the voices of both her sisters were raised to detain her, a third, almost as well known as Willoughby’s, joined them in begging her to stop, and she turned round with surprise to see and welcome Edward Ferrars. He was the only person in the world who could at that moment be forgiven for not being Willoughby; the only one who could have gained a smile from her; but she dispersed her tears to smile on him, and in her sister’s happiness forgot for a time her own disappointment. He dismounted, and giving his horse to his servant, walked back with them to Barton, whither he was purposely coming to visit them. He was welcomed by them all with great cordiality, but especially by Marianne, who shewed more warmth of regard in her reception of him than even Elinor herself. To Marianne, indeed, the meeting between Edward and her sister was but a continuation of that unaccountable coldness which she had often observed at Norland in their mutual behaviour. On Edward’s side, more particularly, there was a deficiency of all that a lover ought to look and say on such an occasion. He was confused, seemed scarcely sensible of pleasure in seeing them, looked neither rapturous nor gay, said little but what was forced from him by questions, and distinguished Elinor by no mark of affection. Marianne saw and 100

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 16

listened with increasing surprise. She began almost to feel a dislike of Edward; and it ended, as every feeling must end with her, by carrying back her thoughts to Willoughby, whose manners formed a contrast sufficiently striking to those of his brother elect.6 After a short silence which succeeded the first surprise and inquiries of meeting, Marianne asked Edward if he came directly from London. No, he had been in Devonshire a fortnight. “A fortnight!” she repeated, surprised at his being so long in the same county with Elinor without seeing her before. He looked rather distressed as he added, that he had been staying with some friends near Plymouth. “Have you been lately in Sussex?” said Elinor. “I was at Norland about a month ago.” “And how does dear, dear Norland look?” cried Marianne. “Dear, dear Norland,” said Elinor, “probably looks much as it always does at this time of year. The woods and walks thickly covered with dead leaves.” “Oh!” cried Marianne, “with what transporting sensations have I formerly seen them fall! How have I delighted, as I walked, to see them driven in showers about me by the wind!7 What feelings have they, the season, the air altogether inspired! Now there is no one to regard them. They are seen only as a nuisance, swept hastily off, and driven as much as possible from the sight.” “It is not every one,” said Elinor, “who has your passion for dead leaves.” “No; my feelings are not often shared, not often understood. But sometimes they are.”—As she said this, she sunk line 1:

surprise] 1811 surprize

//

line 7:

inquiries] 1811 enquiries

101

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 16

into a reverie for a few moments;—but rousing herself again, “Now, Edward,” said she, calling his attention to the prospect, “here is Barton valley. Look up it, and be tranquil if you can. Look at those hills! Did you ever see their equals? To the left is Barton park, amongst those woods and plantations.8 You may see one end of the house. And there, beneath that farthest hill, which rises with such grandeur, is our cottage.” “It is a beautiful country,” he replied; “but these bottoms must be dirty in winter.”9 “How can you think of dirt, with such objects before you?” “Because,” replied he, smiling, “among the rest of the objects before me, I see a very dirty lane.” “How strange!” said Marianne to herself as she walked on. “Have you an agreeable neighbourhood here? Are the Middletons pleasant people?” “No, not all,” answered Marianne, “we could not be more unfortunately situated.” “Marianne,” cried her sister, “how can you say so? How can you be so unjust? They are a very respectable family, Mr. Ferrars; and towards us have behaved in the friendliest manner. Have you forgot, Marianne, how many pleasant days we have owed to them?” “No,” said Marianne in a low voice, “nor how many painful moments.” Elinor took no notice of this, and directing her attention to their visitor, endeavoured to support something like discourse with him by talking of their present residence, its conveniences, &c. extorting from him occasional questions and remarks. His coldness and reserve mortified her severely;

line 2:

102

“Now, Edward,”] 1811 “Now Edward,”

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 16

she was vexed and half angry; but resolving to regulate her behaviour to him by the past rather than the present, she avoided every appearance of resentment or displeasure, and treated him as she thought he ought to be treated from the family connection.

103

Chapter 17

M r s . Da s h w o o d 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 expressions 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 the captivating manners of Mrs. Dashwood. Indeed a man could not very well be in love with either of her daughters, without extending the passion to her; and Elinor had the satisfaction of seeing him soon become more like himself. His affections seemed to reanimate towards them all, and his interest in their welfare again became perceptible. He was not in spirits1 however; he praised their house, admired its prospect, was attentive, and kind; but still he was not in spirits. The whole family perceived it, and Mrs. Dashwood, attributing it to some want of liberality in his mother, sat down to table indignant against all selfish parents. “What are Mrs. Ferrars’s views for you at present, Edward?” said she, when dinner was over and they had drawn round the fire; “are you still to be a great orator in spite of yourself?” “No. I hope my mother is now convinced that I have no more talents than inclination for a public life!” line 24:

104

life!”] 1811 life.”

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 17

“But how is your fame to be established? for famous you must be to satisfy all your family; and with no inclination for expense, no affection for strangers, no profession, and no assurance, you may find it a difficult matter.” “I shall not attempt it. I have no wish to be distinguished; and I have every reason to hope I never shall. Thank Heaven! I cannot be forced into genius and eloquence.” “You have no ambition, I well know. Your wishes are all moderate.” “As moderate as those of the rest of the world, I believe. I wish as well as every body else to be perfectly happy; but like every body else it must be in my own way. Greatness will not make me so.” “Strange if it would!” cried Marianne. “What have wealth or grandeur to do with happiness?” “Grandeur has but little,” said Elinor, “but wealth has much to do with it.” “Elinor, for shame!” said Marianne; “money can only give happiness where there is nothing else to give it. Beyond a competence,2 it can afford no real satisfaction, as far as mere self is concerned.” “Perhaps,” said Elinor, smiling, “we may come to the same point. Your competence and my wealth are very much alike, I dare say; and without them, as the world goes now, we shall both agree that every kind of external comfort must be wanting. Your ideas are only more noble than mine. Come, what is your competence?” “About eighteen hundred or two thousand a-year; not more than that.”

line 10: world, I] 1811 world I // line 22: Elinor, smiling,] 1811 Elinor smiling, // line 28: a-year;] 1811 a year;

105

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 17

Elinor laughed. “Two thousand a-year! One is my wealth!3 I guessed how it would end.” “And yet two thousand a-year is a very moderate income,” said Marianne. “A family cannot well be maintained on a smaller. I am sure I am not extravagant in my demands. A proper establishment of servants, a carriage, perhaps two, and hunters,4 cannot be supported on less.” Elinor smiled again, to hear her sister describing so accurately their future expenses at Combe Magna. “Hunters!”5 repeated Edward—“But why must you have hunters? Every body does not hunt.” Marianne coloured as she replied, “But most people do.” “I wish,” said Margaret, striking out a novel thought, “that somebody would give us all a large fortune apiece!” “Oh that they would!” cried Marianne, her eyes sparkling with animation, and her cheeks glowing with the delight of such imaginary happiness. “We are all unanimous in that wish, I suppose,” said Elinor, “in spite of the insufficiency of wealth.” “Oh dear!” cried Margaret, “how happy I should be! I wonder what I should do with it!” Marianne looked as if she had no doubt on that point. “I should be puzzled to spend a large fortune myself,” said Mrs. Dashwood, “if my children were all to be rich without my help.” “You must begin your improvements on this house,” observed Elinor, “and your difficulties will soon vanish.” “What magnificent orders would travel from this family to London,” said Edward, “in such an event! What a happy line 1: laughed. “Two] 1811 laughed, “Two year! // line 3: a-year] 1811 a year // 1811 Margaret striking

106

// line 1: a-year!] 1811 a line 13: Margaret, striking]

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 17

day for booksellers, music-sellers, and print-shops! You, Miss Dashwood, would give a general commission for every new print of merit to be sent you—and as for Marianne, I know her greatness of soul, there would not be music enough in London to content her. And books!—Thomson, Cowper, Scott6 —she would buy them all over and over again; she would buy up every copy, I believe, to prevent their falling into unworthy hands; and she would have every book that tells her how to admire an old twisted tree.7 Should not you, Marianne? Forgive me, if I am very saucy. But I was willing to shew you that I had not forgot our old disputes.” “I love to be reminded of the past, Edward—whether it be melancholy or gay, I love to recall it—and you will never offend me by talking of former times. You are very right in supposing how my money would be spent—some of it, at least—my loose cash would certainly be employed in improving my collection of music and books.” “And the bulk of your fortune would be laid out in annuities on the authors or their heirs.” “No, Edward, I should have something else to do with it.” “Perhaps then you would bestow it as a reward on that person who wrote the ablest defence of your favorite maxim, that no one can ever be in love more than once in their life—for your opinion on that point is unchanged, I presume?” “Undoubtedly. At my time of life opinions are tolerably fixed. It is not likely that I should now see or hear anything to change them.” “Marianne is as stedfast as ever, you see,” said Elinor, “she is not at all altered.” line 6: Scott—she] 1811 Scott;—she // line 7: copy, I] 1811 copy I // line 15: spent—some] 1811 spent. Some // line 15: it, at] 1811 it at // line 24: unchanged, I] 1811 unchanged I

107

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 17

“She is only grown a little more grave than she was.” “Nay, Edward,” said Marianne, “you need not reproach me. You are not very gay yourself.” “Why should you think so!” replied he, with a sigh. “But gaiety never was a part of my character.” “Nor do I think it a part of Marianne’s,” said Elinor; “I should hardly call her a lively girl—she is very earnest, very eager in all she does—sometimes talks a great deal and always with animation—but she is not often really merry.” “I believe you are right,” he replied, “and yet I have always set her down as a lively girl.” “I have frequently detected myself in such kind of mistakes,” said Elinor, “in a total misapprehension of character in some point or other: fancying people so much more gay or grave, or ingenious or stupid than they really are, and I can hardly tell why, or in what the deception originated. Sometimes one is guided by what they say of themselves, and very frequently by what other people say of them, without giving oneself time to deliberate and judge.” “But I thought it was right, Elinor,” said Marianne, “to be guided wholly by the opinion of other people. I thought our judgments were given us merely to be subservient to those of our neighbours. This has always been your doctrine, I am sure.” “No, Marianne, never. My doctrine has never aimed at the subjection of the understanding. All I have ever attempted to influence has been the behaviour.8 You must not confound my meaning. I am guilty, I confess, of having often wished you to treat our acquaintance in general with greater attention; but when have I advised you to adopt their sentiments or conform to their judgment in serious matters?” line 4:

108

so!” replied] 1811 so?” replied

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 17

“You have not been able then to bring your sister over to your plan of general civility,” said Edward to Elinor. “Do you gain no ground?” “Quite the contrary,” replied Elinor, looking expressively at Marianne. “My judgment,” he returned, “is all on your side of the question; but I am afraid my practice is much more on your sister’s. I never wish to offend, but I am so foolishly shy, that I often seem negligent, when I am only kept back by my natural aukwardness. I have frequently thought that I must have been intended by nature to be fond of low company, I am so little at my ease among strangers of gentility!” “Marianne has not shyness to excuse any inattention of hers,” said Elinor. “She knows her own worth too well for false shame,” replied Edward. “Shyness is only the effect of a sense of inferiority in some way or other. If I could persuade myself that my manners were perfectly easy and graceful, I should not be shy.” “But you would still be reserved,” said Marianne, “and that is worse.” Edward stared—“Reserved! Am I reserved, Marianne?” “Yes, very.” “I do not understand you,” replied he, colouring. “Reserved!—how, in what manner? What am I to tell you? What can you suppose?” Elinor looked surprised at his emotion, but trying to laugh off the subject, she said to him, “Do not you know my sister well enough to understand what she means? Do

line 26:

“Reserved!—how, in] 1811 “Reserved! how—in

109

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 17

not you know she calls every one reserved who does not talk as fast, and admire what she admires as rapturously as herself?” Edward made no answer. His gravity and thoughtfulness returned on him in their fullest extent—and he sat for some time silent and dull. line 1:

110

know she] 1811 know that she

Chapter 18

E l i no r saw, with great uneasiness, the low spirits of her friend. His visit afforded her but a very partial satisfaction, while his own enjoyment in it appeared so imperfect. It was evident that he was unhappy; she wished it were equally evident that he still distinguished her by the same affection which once she had felt no doubt of inspiring; but hitherto the continuance of his preference seemed very uncertain; and the reservedness of his manner towards her contradicted one moment what a more animated look had intimated the preceding one. He joined her and Marianne in the breakfast-room the next morning before the others were down; and Marianne, who was always eager to promote their happiness as far as she could, soon left them to themselves. But before she was half way up stairs she heard the parlour door open, and, turning round, was astonished to see Edward himself come out. “I am going into the village to see my horses,” said he, “as you are not yet ready for breakfast; I shall be back again presently.” ————— Edward returned to them with fresh admiration of the surrounding country; in his walk to the village, he had seen many parts of the valley to advantage; and the village itself, in a much higher situation than the cottage, afforded a general view of the whole, which had exceedingly pleased him. This was a subject which ensured Marianne’s attention, and 111

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 18

she was beginning to describe her own admiration of these scenes, and to question him more minutely on the objects that had particularly struck him, when Edward interrupted her by saying, “You must not inquire too far, Marianne—remember I have no knowledge in the picturesque, and I shall offend you by my ignorance and want of taste if we come to particulars. I shall call hills steep, which ought to be bold; surfaces strange and uncouth, which ought to be irregular and rugged; and distant objects out of sight, which ought only to be indistinct through the soft medium of a hazy atmosphere. You must be satisfied with such admiration as I can honestly give. I call it a very fine country—the hills are steep, the woods seem full of fine timber, and the valley looks comfortable and snug—with rich meadows and several neat farm houses scattered here and there. It exactly answers my idea of a fine country because it unites beauty with utility—and I dare say it is a picturesque one too, because you admire it; I can easily believe it to be full of rocks and promontories, grey moss and brush wood, but these are all lost on me. I know nothing of the picturesque.”1 “I am afraid it is but too true,” said Marianne; “but why should you boast of it?” “I suspect,” said Elinor, “that to avoid one kind of affectation, Edward here falls into another. Because he believes many people pretend to more admiration of the beauties of nature than they really feel, and is disgusted with such pretensions, he affects greater indifference and less discrimination in viewing them himself than he possesses. He is fastidious and will have an affectation of his own.” “It is very true,” said Marianne, “that admiration of landscape scenery is become a mere jargon. Every body pretends line 4: inquire] 1811 enquire // line 15: country because] 1811 country, because // line 18: brush wood,] 1811 brush-wood, // lines 27–28: fastidious and] 1811 fastidious, and

112

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 18

to feel and tries to describe with the taste and elegance of him who first defined what picturesque beauty was.2 I detest jargon of every kind, and sometimes I have kept my feelings to myself, because I could find no language to describe them in but what was worn and hackneyed out of all sense and meaning.” “I am convinced,” said Edward, “that you really feel all the delight in a fine prospect which you profess to feel. But, in return, your sister must allow me to feel no more than I profess. I like a fine prospect, but not on picturesque principles.3 I do not like crooked, twisted, blasted trees. I admire them much more if they are tall, straight and flourishing. I do not like ruined, tattered cottages. I am not fond of nettles, or thistles, or heath blossoms. I have more pleasure in a snug farmhouse than a watch-tower—and a troop of tidy, happy villagers please me better than the finest banditti in the world.”4 Marianne looked with amazement at Edward, with compassion at her sister. Elinor only laughed. The subject was continued no farther; and Marianne remained thoughtfully silent, till a new object suddenly engaged her attention. She was sitting by Edward, and in taking his tea from Mrs. Dashwood, his hand passed so directly before her, as to make a ring, with a plait of hair5 in the centre, very conspicuous on one of his fingers. “I never saw you wear a ring before, Edward,” she cried. “Is that Fanny’s hair? I remember her promising to give you some. But I should have thought her hair had been darker.” Marianne spoke inconsiderately what she really felt—but when she saw how much she had pained Edward, her own vexation at her want of thought could not be surpassed by his. He coloured very deeply, and giving a momentary glance at line 12: straight and] 1811 straight, and

113

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 18

Elinor, replied, “Yes; it is my sister’s hair. The setting always casts a different shade on it you know.” Elinor had met his eye, and looked conscious likewise. That the hair was her own, she instantaneously felt as well satisfied as Marianne; the only difference in their conclusions was, that what Marianne considered as a free gift from her sister, Elinor was conscious must have been procured by some theft or contrivance unknown to herself. She was not in a humour, however, to regard it as an affront, and affecting to take no notice of what passed, by instantly talking of something else, she internally resolved henceforward to catch every opportunity of eyeing the hair and of satisfying herself, beyond all doubt, that it was exactly the shade of her own. Edward’s embarrassment lasted some time, and it ended in an absence of mind still more settled. He was particularly grave the whole morning. Marianne severely censured herself for what she had said; but her own forgiveness might have been more speedy, had she known how little offence it had given her sister. Before the middle of the day, they were visited by Sir John and Mrs. Jennings, who, having heard of the arrival of a gentleman at the cottage, came to take a survey of the guest. With the assistance of his mother-in-law, Sir John was not long in discovering that the name of Ferrars began with an F. and this prepared a future mine of raillery against the devoted Elinor, which nothing but the newness of their acquaintance with Edward could have prevented from being immediately sprung. But, as it was, she only learned from some very significant looks, how far their penetration, founded on Margaret’s instructions, extended. Sir John never came to the Dashwoods without either inviting them to dine at the park the next day, or to drink 114

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 18

tea with them that evening. On the present occasion, for the better entertainment of their visitor, towards whose amusement he felt himself bound to contribute, he wished to engage them for both. “You must drink tea with us to night,” said he, “for we shall be quite alone—and to-morrow you must absolutely dine with us, for we shall be a large party.” Mrs. Jennings enforced the necessity. “And who knows but you may raise a dance,” said she. “And that will tempt you, Miss Marianne.” “A dance!” cried Marianne. “Impossible! Who is to dance?” “Who! why yourselves, and the Careys, and Whitakers to be sure.—What! you thought nobody could dance because a certain person that shall be nameless is gone!” “I wish with all my soul,” cried Sir John, “that Willoughby were among us again.” This, and Marianne’s blushing, gave new suspicions to Edward. “And who is Willoughby?” said he, in a low voice, to Miss Dashwood, by whom he was sitting. She gave him a brief reply. Marianne’s countenance was more communicative. Edward saw enough to comprehend, not only the meaning of others, but such of Marianne’s expressions as had puzzled him before; and when their visitors left them, he went immediately round to her and said, in a whisper, “I have been guessing. Shall I tell you my guess?” “What do you mean?” “Shall I tell you?” “Certainly.” “Well then; I guess that Mr. Willoughby hunts.” line 12: why] 1811 Why // line 13: sure.—What!] 1811 sure. What! // line 18: he, in] 1811 he in // lines 18–19: voice, to] 1811 voice to // line 24: round her[ 1811 round to her

115

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 18

Marianne was surprised and confused, yet she could not help smiling at the quiet archness of his manner, and, after a moment’s silence, said, “Oh! Edward! How can you?—But the time will come I hope . . . . I am sure you will like him.” “I do not doubt it,” replied he, rather astonished at her earnestness and warmth; for had he not imagined it to be a joke for the good of her acquaintance in general, founded only on a something or a nothing between Mr. Willoughby and herself, he would not have ventured to mention it. line 1: “Marianne [1811 Marianne confused; yet

116

//

line 1:

confused, yet] 1811

Chapter 19

E d wa r d remained a week at the cottage; he was earnestly pressed by Mrs. Dashwood to stay longer; but as if he were bent only on self-mortification, he seemed resolved to be gone when his enjoyment among his friends was at the height. His spirits, during the last two or three days, though still very unequal, were greatly improved—he grew more and more partial to the house and environs—never spoke of going away without a sigh—declared his time to be wholly disengaged— even doubted to what place he should go when he left them—but still, go he must. Never had any week passed so quickly—he could hardly believe it to be gone. He said so repeatedly; other things he said too, which marked the turn of his feelings and gave the lie to his actions. He had no pleasure at Norland; he detested being in town; but either to Norland or London, he must go. He valued their kindness beyond any thing, and his greatest happiness was in being with them. Yet he must leave them at the end of a week, in spite of their wishes and his own, and without any restraint on his time. Elinor placed all that was astonishing in this way of acting to his mother’s account; and it was happy for her that he had a mother whose character was so imperfectly known to her, as to be the general excuse for every thing strange on the part of her son. Disappointed, however, and vexed as she was, and sometimes displeased with his uncertain behaviour to herself, she was very well disposed on the whole to regard his actions 117

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 19

with all the candid allowances1 and generous qualifications, which had been rather more painfully extorted from her, for Willoughby’s service, by her mother. His want of spirits, of openness, and of consistency, were most usually attributed to his want of independence, and his better knowledge of Mrs. Ferrars’s dispositions and designs. The shortness of his visit, the steadiness of his purpose in leaving them, originated in the same fettered inclination, the same inevitable necessity of temporising with his mother. The old, well established grievance of duty against will, parent against child,2 was the cause of all. She would have been glad to know when these difficulties were to cease, this opposition was to yield,—when Mrs. Ferrars would be reformed, and her son be at liberty to be happy. But from such vain wishes, she was forced to turn for comfort to the renewal of her confidence in Edward’s affection, to the remembrance of every mark of regard in look or word which fell from him while at Barton, and above all to that flattering proof of it which he constantly wore round his finger. “I think, Edward,” said Mrs. Dashwood, as they were at breakfast the last morning, “you would be a happier man if you had any profession to engage your time and give an interest to your plans and actions. Some inconvenience to your friends, indeed, might result from it—you would not be able to give them so much of your time. But (with a smile) you would be materially benefited in one particular at least—you would know where to go when you left them.” “I do assure you,” he replied, “that I have long thought on this point, as you think now. It has been, and is, and probably line 3: service, by] 1811 service by // line 5: independence,] 1811 independance, // line 6: dispositions] 1811 disposition // line 20: think, Edward,”] 1811 think Edward,” // line 26: least—you] 1811 least. You

118

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 19

will always be a heavy misfortune to me, that I have had no necessary business to engage me, no profession to give me employment, or afford me any thing like independence. But unfortunately my own nicety, and the nicety of my friends, have made me what I am, an idle, helpless being. We never could agree in our choice of a profession. I always preferred the church, as I still do. But that was not smart enough for my family. They recommended the army. That was a great deal too smart for me. The law was allowed to be genteel enough; many young men, who had chambers in the Temple, made a very good appearance in the first circles, and drove about town in very knowing gigs.3 But I had no inclination for the law, even in this less abstruse study of it, which my family approved. As for the navy, it had fashion on its side, but I was too old when the subject was first started to enter it—and, at length, as there was no necessity for my having any profession at all,4 as I might be as dashing and expensive without a red coat on my back as with one, idleness was pronounced on the whole to be the most advantageous and honourable, and a young man of eighteen is not in general so earnestly bent on being busy as to resist the solicitations of his friends to do nothing. I was therefore entered at Oxford and have been properly idle ever since.”5 “The consequence of which, I suppose, will be,” said Mrs. Dashwood, “since leisure has not promoted your own happiness, that your sons will be brought up to as many pursuits, employments, professions, and trades as Columella’s.”6 “They will be brought up,” said he, in a serious accent, “to be as unlike myself as is possible. In feeling, in action, in condition, in every thing.” line 3: independence.] 1811 independance. church as

//

line 7:

church, as] 1811

119

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 19

“Come, come; this is all an effusion of immediate want of spirits, Edward. You are in a melancholy humour, and fancy that any one unlike yourself must be happy. But remember that the pain of parting from friends will be felt by every body at times, whatever be their education or state. Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience—or give it a more fascinating name, call it hope. Your mother will secure to you, in time, that independence you are so anxious for; it is her duty, and it will, it must ere long become her happiness to prevent your whole youth from being wasted in discontent. How much may not a few months do?” “I think,” replied Edward, “that I may defy many months to produce any good to me.” This desponding turn of mind, though it could not be communicated to Mrs. Dashwood, gave additional pain to them all in the parting, which shortly took place, and left an uncomfortable impression on Elinor’s feelings especially, which required some trouble and time to subdue. But as it was her determination to subdue it,7 and to prevent herself from appearing to suffer more than what all her family suffered on his going away, she did not adopt the method so judiciously employed by Marianne, on a similar occasion, to augment and fix her sorrow, by seeking silence, solitude, and idleness. Their means were as different as their objects, and equally suited to the advancement of each. Elinor sat down to her drawing-table as soon as he was out of the house, busily employed herself the whole day,8 neither sought nor avoided the mention of his name, appeared to interest herself almost as much as ever in the general concerns of the family, and if, by this conduct, she did not lessen her own grief, it was at least prevented from unnecessary increase, line 8:

120

independence] 1811 independance

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 19

and her mother and sisters were spared much solicitude on her account. Such behaviour as this, so exactly the reverse of her own, appeared no more meritorious to Marianne, than her own had seemed faulty to her. The business of self-command she settled very easily;—with strong affections it was impossible, with calm ones it could have no merit. That her sister’s affections were calm, she dared not deny, though she blushed to acknowledge it; and of the strength of her own, she gave a very striking proof, by still loving and respecting that sister, in spite of this mortifying conviction. Without shutting herself up from her family, or leaving the house in determined solitude to avoid them, or laying awake the whole night to indulge meditation, Elinor found every day afforded her leisure enough to think of Edward, and of Edward’s behaviour, in every possible variety which the different state of her spirits at different times could produce;— with tenderness, pity, approbation, censure, and doubt. There were moments in abundance, when, if not by the absence of her mother and sisters, at least by the nature of their employments, conversation was forbidden among them, and every effect of solitude was produced. Her mind was inevitably at liberty; her thoughts could not be chained elsewhere; and the past and the future, on a subject so interesting, must be before her, must force her attention, and engross her memory, her reflection, and her fancy. From a reverie of this kind, as she sat at her drawing-table, she was roused one morning, soon after Edward’s leaving them, by the arrival of company. She happened to be quite alone. The closing of the little gate, at the entrance of the

line 2:

account.] 1811 account

//

line 13:

laying] 1811 lieing

121

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 19

green court in front of the house, drew her eyes to the window, and she saw a large party walking up to the door. Amongst them were Sir John and Lady Middleton and Mrs. Jennings, but there were two others, a gentleman and lady, who were quite unknown to her. She was sitting near the window, and as soon as Sir John perceived her, he left the rest of the party to the ceremony of knocking at the door, and stepping across the turf, obliged her to open the casement9 to speak to him, though the space was so short between the door and the window, as to make it hardly possible to speak at one without being heard at the other. “Well,” said he, “we have brought you some strangers. How do you like them?” “Hush! they will hear you.” “Never mind if they do. It is only the Palmers. Charlotte is very pretty, I can tell you. You may see her if you look this way.” As Elinor was certain of seeing her in a couple of minutes, without taking that liberty, she begged to be excused. “Where is Marianne? Has she run away because we are come? I see her instrument is open.” “She is walking, I believe.” They were now joined by Mrs. Jennings, who had not patience enough to wait till the door was opened before she told her story. She came hallooing to the window, “How do you do, my dear? How does Mrs. Dashwood do? And where are your sisters? What! all alone! you will be glad of a little company to sit with you. I have brought my other son and daughter to see you. Only think of their coming so suddenly! I thought I heard a carriage last night, while we were drinking our tea, but it never entered my head that it could be them. I thought of nothing but whether it might not be Colonel Brandon come back again; so I said to Sir John, I do think 122

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 19

I hear a carriage; perhaps it is Colonel Brandon come back again”—— Elinor was obliged to turn from her, in the middle of her story, to receive the rest of the party; Lady Middleton introduced the two strangers; Mrs. Dashwood and Margaret came down stairs at the same time, and they all sat down to look at one another, while Mrs. Jennings continued her story as she walked through the passage into the parlour, attended by Sir John. Mrs. Palmer was several years younger than Lady Middleton, and totally unlike her in every respect. She was short and plump, had a very pretty face, and the finest expression of good humour in it that could possibly be. Her manners were by no means so elegant as her sister’s, but they were much more prepossessing. She came in with a smile, smiled all the time of her visit, except when she laughed, and smiled when she went away. Her husband was a grave looking young man of five or six and twenty, with an air of more fashion and sense than his wife, but of less willingness to please or be pleased. He entered the room with a look of self-consequence, slightly bowed to the ladies, without speaking a word, and, after briefly surveying them and their apartments, took up a newspaper from the table and continued to read it as long as he staid. Mrs. Palmer, on the contrary, who was strongly endowed by nature with a turn for being uniformly civil and happy, was hardly seated before her admiration of the parlour and every thing in it burst forth. “Well! what a delightful room this is! I never saw anything so charming! Only think, mama, how it is improved since I was here last! I always thought it such a sweet place, ma’am! (turning to Mrs. Dashwood,) but you have made it so charming! Only look, sister, how delightful every thing is! 123

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 19

How I should like such a house for myself! Should not you, Mr. Palmer?” Mr. Palmer made her no answer, and did not even raise his eyes from the newspaper. “Mr. Palmer does not hear me,” said she, laughing, “he never does sometimes. It is so ridiculous!” This was quite a new idea to Mrs. Dashwood, she had never been used to find wit in the inattention of any one, and could not help looking with surprise at them both. Mrs. Jennings, in the mean time, talked on as loud as she could, and continued her account of their surprise, the evening before, on seeing their friends, without ceasing till every thing was told. Mrs. Palmer laughed heartily at the recollection of their astonishment, and every body agreed, two or three times over, that it had been quite an agreeable surprise. “You may believe how glad we all were to see them,” added Mrs. Jennings, leaning forwards towards Elinor, and speaking in a low voice as if she meant to be heard by no one else, though they were seated on different sides of the room; “but, however, I can’t help wishing they had not travelled quite so fast, nor made such a long journey of it, for they came all round by London upon account of some business, for you know (nodding significantly and pointing to her daughter) it was wrong in her situation. I wanted her to stay at home and rest this morning, but she would come with us; she longed so much to see you all!” Mrs. Palmer laughed, and said it would not do her any harm. “She expects to be confined10 in February,” continued Mrs. Jennings. line 9:

124

with surprise] 1811 with some surprise

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 19

Lady Middleton could no longer endure such a conversation, and therefore exerted herself to ask Mr. Palmer if there was any news in the paper. “No, none at all,” he replied, and read on. “Here comes Marianne,” cried Sir John. “Now, Palmer, you shall see a monstrous pretty girl.” He immediately went into the passage, opened the front door, and ushered her in himself. Mrs. Jennings asked her, as soon as she appeared, if she had not been to Allenham; and Mrs. Palmer laughed so heartily at the question, as to shew she understood it. Mr. Palmer looked up on her entering the room, stared at her some minutes, and then returned to his newspaper. Mrs. Palmer’s eye was now caught by the drawings which hung round the room. She got up to examine them. “Oh! dear, how beautiful these are! Well! how delightful! Do but look, mama, how sweet! I declare they are quite charming; I could look at them for ever.” And then sitting down again, she very soon forgot that there were any such things in the room. When Lady Middleton rose to go away, Mr. Palmer rose also, laid down the newspaper, stretched himself, and looked at them all round. “My love, have you been asleep?” said his wife, laughing. He made her no answer; and only observed, after again examining the room, that it was very low pitched, and that the ceiling was crooked. He then made his bow and departed with the rest. Sir John had been very urgent with them all to spend the next day at the park. Mrs. Dashwood, who did not chuse to dine with them oftener than they dined at the cottage, absolutely refused on her own account; her daughters might do as they pleased. But they had no curiosity to see how Mr. and Mrs. Palmer ate their dinner, and no expectation of 125

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 19

pleasure from them in any other way. They attempted, therefore, likewise to excuse themselves; the weather was uncertain and not likely to be good. But Sir John would not be satisfied—the carriage should be sent for them and they must come. Lady Middleton too, though she did not press their mother, pressed them. Mrs. Jennings and Mrs. Palmer joined their entreaties, all seemed equally anxious to avoid a family party; and the young ladies were obliged to yield. “Why should they ask us?” said Marianne, as soon as they were gone. “The rent of this cottage is said to be low; but we have it on very hard terms, if we are to dine at the park whenever any one is staying either with them, or with us.” “They mean no less to be civil and kind to us now,” said Elinor, “by these frequent invitations than by those which we received from them a few weeks ago. The alteration is not in them, if their parties are grown tedious and dull. We must look for the change elsewhere.”

126

Chapter 20

A s the Miss Dashwoods entered the drawing-room of the park the next day, at one door, Mrs. Palmer came running in at the other, looking as good humoured and merry as before. She took them all most affectionately by the hand, and expressed great delight in seeing them again. “I am so glad to see you!” said she, seating herself between Elinor and Marianne, “for it is so bad a day I was afraid you might not come, which would be a shocking thing, as we go away again to-morrow. We must go, for the Westons come to us next week you know. It was quite a sudden thing our coming at all, and I knew nothing of it till the carriage was coming to the door, and then Mr. Palmer asked me if I would go with him to Barton. He is so droll! He never tells me any thing! I am so sorry we cannot stay longer; however we shall meet again in town very soon, I hope.” They were obliged to put an end to such an expectation. “Not go to town!”1 cried Mrs. Palmer, with a laugh, “I shall be quite disappointed if you do not. I could get the nicest house in the world for you, next door to our’s, in Hanover-square.2 You must come, indeed. I am sure I shall be very happy to chaperon you at any time till I am confined, if Mrs. Dashwood should not like to go into public.” line 3:

at the other,] 1811 at another,

//

line 19:

our’s,] 1811 our’s

127

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 20

They thanked her; but were obliged to resist all her entreaties. “Oh! my love,” cried Mrs. Palmer to her husband, who just then entered the room—“You must help me to persuade the Miss Dashwoods to go to town this winter.” Her love made no answer; and after slightly bowing to the ladies, began complaining of the weather. “How horrid all this is!” said he. “Such weather makes every thing and every body disgusting. Dulness is as much produced within doors as without, by rain. It makes one detest all one’s acquaintance. What the devil does Sir John mean by not having a billiard room3 in his house? How few people know what comfort is! Sir John is as stupid as the weather.” The rest of the company soon dropt in. “I am afraid, Miss Marianne,” said Sir John, “you have not been able to take your usual walk to Allenham to-day.” Marianne looked very grave and said nothing. “Oh! don’t be so sly before us,” said Mrs. Palmer; “for we know all about it, I assure you; and I admire your taste very much, for I think he is extremely handsome. We do not live a great way from him in the country, you know. Not above ten miles, I dare say.” “Much nearer thirty,” said her husband. “Ah! well! there is not much difference. I never was at his house; but they say it is a sweet pretty place.” “As vile a spot as I ever saw in my life,” said Mr. Palmer. Marianne remained perfectly silent, though her countenance betrayed her interest in what was said. “Is it very ugly?” continued Mrs. Palmer—“then it must be some other place that is so pretty I suppose.” line 4: me to persuade] 1811 me persuade // line 9: Dulness] 1811 Dullness // line 16: to-day.”] 1811 to day.” // line 22: miles, I] 1811 miles I

128

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 20

When they were seated in the dining room, Sir John observed with regret that they were only eight all together. “My dear,” said he to his lady, “it is very provoking that we should be so few. Why did not you ask the Gilberts to come to us to-day?” “Did not I tell you, Sir John, when you spoke to me about it before, that it could not be done? They dined with us last.” “You and I, Sir John,” said Mrs. Jennings, “should not stand upon such ceremony.” “Then you would be very ill-bred,” cried Mr. Palmer. “My love, you contradict every body,”—said his wife with her usual laugh. “Do you know that you are quite rude?” “I did not know I contradicted any body in calling your mother ill-bred.” “Aye, you may abuse me as you please,” said the goodnatured old lady, “you have taken Charlotte off my hands, and cannot give her back again. So there I have the whip hand of you.” Charlotte laughed heartily to think that her husband could not get rid of her; and exultingly said, she did not care how cross he was to her, as they must live together. It was impossible for any one to be more thoroughly good-natured, or more determined to be happy than Mrs. Palmer. The studied indifference, insolence, and discontent of her husband gave her no pain: and when he scolded or abused her, she was highly diverted. “Mr. Palmer is so droll!” said she, in a whisper, to Elinor. “He is always out of humour.” Elinor was not inclined, after a little observation, to give him credit for being so genuinely and unaffectedly ill-natured line 2: all together.] 1811 altogether. // line 5: to-day?”] 1811 to-day? // line 22: good-natured,] 1811 goodnatured, // line 29: inclined, after] 1811 inclined after

129

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 20

or ill-bred as he wished to appear. His temper might perhaps be a little soured by finding, like many others of his sex, that through some unaccountable bias in favour of beauty, he was the husband of a very silly woman,—but she knew that this kind of blunder was too common for any sensible man to be lastingly hurt by it.—It was rather a wish of distinction she believed, which produced his contemptuous treatment of every body, and his general abuse of every thing before him. It was the desire of appearing superior to other people. The motive was too common to be wondered at; but the means, however they might succeed by establishing his superiority in ill-breeding, were not likely to attach any one to him except his wife. “Oh! my dear Miss Dashwood,” said Mrs. Palmer soon afterwards, “I have got such a favour to ask of you and your sister. Will you come and spend some time at Cleveland this Christmas? Now, pray do,—and come while the Westons are with us. You cannot think how happy I shall be! It will be quite delightful!——My love,” applying to her husband, “don’t you long to have the Miss Dashwoods come to Cleveland?” “Certainly,”—he replied with a sneer—“I came into Devonshire with no other view.” “There now”—said his lady, “you see Mr. Palmer expects you; so you cannot refuse to come.” They both eagerly and resolutely declined her invitation. “But indeed you must and shall come. I am sure you will like it of all things. The Westons will be with us, and it will be quite delightful. You cannot think what a sweet place Cleveland is; and we are so gay now, for Mr. Palmer is always going about the country canvassing against the election;4 and line 6: it.—It] 1811 it. It // line 18: us. You] 1811 us.—You line 27: things. The] 1811 things.—The

130

//

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 20

so many people come to dine with us that I never saw before, it is quite charming! But, poor fellow! it is very fatiguing to him! for he is forced to make every body like him.” Elinor could hardly keep her countenance as she assented to the hardship of such an obligation. “How charming it will be,” said Charlotte, “when he is in Parliament!—won’t it? How I shall laugh! It will be so ridiculous to see all his letters directed to him with an M. P.— But do you know, he says, he will never frank for me?5 He declares he won’t. Don’t you, Mr. Palmer?” Mr. Palmer took no notice of her. “He cannot bear writing, you know,” she continued—“he says it is quite shocking.” “No;” said he, “I never said any thing so irrational. Don’t palm all your abuses of language upon me.” “There now; you see how droll he is. This is always the way with him! Sometimes he won’t speak to me for half a day together, and then he comes out with something so droll—all about any thing in the world.” She surprised Elinor very much as they returned into the drawing-room by asking her whether she did not like Mr. Palmer excessively. “Certainly;” said Elinor, “he seems very agreeable.” “Well—I am so glad you do. I thought you would, he is so pleasant; and Mr. Palmer is excessively pleased with you and your sisters I can tell you, and you can’t think how disappointed he will be if you don’t come to Cleveland.—I can’t imagine why you should object to it.” Elinor was again obliged to decline her invitation; and by changing the subject, put a stop to her entreaties. She line 2: But, poor] 1811 But poor // line 2: it] 1811 It // line 9: says, he] 1811 says he // line 21: drawing-room] 1811 drawing room

131

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 20

thought it probable that as they lived in the same county, Mrs. Palmer might be able to give some more particular account of Willoughby’s general character, than could be gathered from the Middletons’ partial acquaintance with him; and she was eager to gain from any one, such a confirmation of his merits as might remove the possibility of fear for Marianne. She began by inquiring if they saw much of Mr. Willoughby at Cleveland, and whether they were intimately acquainted with him. “Oh! dear, yes; I know him extremely well,” replied Mrs. Palmer—“Not that I ever spoke to him indeed; but I have seen him for ever in town. Somehow or other I never happened to be staying at Barton while he was at Allenham. Mama saw him here once before;—but I was with my uncle at Weymouth.6 However, I dare say we should have seen a great deal of him in Somersetshire, if it had not happened very unluckily that we should never have been in the country together. He is very little at Combe, I believe; but if he were ever so much there, I do not think Mr. Palmer would visit him, for he is in the opposition7 you know, and besides it is such a way off. I know why you inquire about him, very well; your sister is to marry him. I am monstrous glad of it, for then I shall have her for a neighbour you know.” “Upon my word,” replied Elinor, “you know much more of the matter than I do, if you have any reason to expect such a match.” “Don’t pretend to deny it, because you know it is what every body talks of. I assure you I heard of it in my way through town.” “My dear Mrs. Palmer!” line 7: inquiring] 1811 enquiring // line 18: Combe, I] 1811 Combe I // line 21: inquire] 1811 enquire // line 21: him, very] 1811 him very

132

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 20

“Upon my honour I did.—I met Colonel Brandon Monday morning in Bond-street,8 just before we left town, and he told me of it directly.” “You surprise me very much. Colonel Brandon tell you of it! Surely you must be mistaken. To give such intelligence to a person who could not be interested in it, even if it were true, is not what I should expect Colonel Brandon to do.” “But I do assure you it was so, for all that, and I will tell you how it happened. When we met him, he turned back and walked with us; and so we began talking of my brother and sister, and one thing and another, and I said to him, ‘So, Colonel, there is a new family come to Barton cottage, I hear, and mama sends me word they are very pretty, and that one of them is going to be married to Mr. Willoughby of Combe Magna. Is it true, pray? for of course you must know, as you have been in Devonshire so lately.’” “And what did the Colonel say?” “Oh!—he did not say much; but he looked as if he knew it to be true, so from that moment I set it down as certain. It will be quite delightful, I declare! When is it to take place?” “Mr. Brandon was very well I hope.” “Oh! yes, quite well; and so full of your praises, he did nothing but say fine things of you.” “I am flattered by his commendation. He seems an excellent man; and I think him uncommonly pleasing.” “So do I.—He is such a charming man, that it is quite a pity he should be so grave and so dull. Mama says he was in love with your sister too.—I assure you it was a great compliment if he was, for he hardly ever falls in love with any body.” lines 11–12: him, ‘So, Colonel,] 1811 him, “So Colonel, // line 12: cottage, I] 1811 cottage I // line 16: lately.’ | 1811 lately.” // line 20: delightful, I] 1811 delightful I // line 22: “Oh!] 1811 Oh!

133

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 20

“Is Mr. Willoughby much known in your part of Somersetshire?” said Elinor. “Oh! yes, extremely well; that is, I do not believe many people are acquainted with him, because Combe Magna is so far off; but they all think him extremely agreeable I assure you. Nobody is more liked than Mr. Willoughby wherever he goes, and so you may tell your sister. She is a monstrous lucky girl to get him, upon my honour; not but that he is much more lucky in getting her, because she is so very handsome and agreeable, that nothing can be good enough for her. However I don’t think her hardly at all handsomer than you, I assure you; for I think you both excessively pretty, and so does Mr. Palmer too I am sure, though we could not get him to own it last night.” Mrs. Palmer’s information respecting Willoughby was not very material; but any testimony in his favour, however small, was pleasing to her. “I am so glad we are got acquainted at last,” continued Charlotte.—“And now I hope we shall always be great friends. You can’t think how much I longed to see you! It is so delightful that you should live at the cottage! Nothing can be like it to be sure! And I am so glad your sister is going to be well married! I hope you will be a great deal at Combe Magna. It is a sweet place by all accounts.” “You have been long acquainted with Colonel Brandon, have not you?” “Yes, a great while; ever since my sister married.—He was a particular friend of Sir John’s. I believe,” she added in a low voice, “he would have been very glad to have had me, if he could. Sir John and Lady Middleton wished it very much. line 17: have

134

her.] 1811 him.

// lines 25–26: Brandon, have] 1811 Brandon

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 20

But mama did not think the match good enough for me, otherwise Sir John would have mentioned it to the Colonel, and we should have been married immediately.” “Did not Colonel Brandon know of Sir John’s proposal to your mother before it was made? Had he never owned his affection to yourself?” “Oh! no; but if mama had not objected to it, I dare say he would have liked it of all things. He had not seen me then above twice, for it was before I left school. However I am much happier as I am. Mr. Palmer is just the kind of man I like.”

135

Chapter 21

T h e Palmers returned to Cleveland the next day, and the two families at Barton were again left to entertain each other. But this did not last long; Elinor had hardly got their last visitors out of her head, had hardly done wondering at Charlotte’s being so happy without a cause, at Mr. Palmer’s acting so simply,1 with good abilities, and at the strange unsuitableness which often existed between husband and wife, before Sir John’s and Mrs. Jennings’s active zeal in the cause of society, procured her some other new acquaintance to see and observe. In a morning’s excursion to Exeter,2 they had met with two young ladies, whom Mrs. Jennings had the satisfaction of discovering to be her relations, and this was enough for Sir John to invite them directly to the park, as soon as their present engagements at Exeter were over. Their engagements at Exeter instantly gave way before such an invitation, and Lady Middleton was thrown into no little alarm on the return of Sir John, by hearing that she was very soon to receive a visit from two girls whom she had never seen in her life, and of whose elegance,—whose tolerable gentility even, she could have no proof; for the assurances of her husband and mother on that subject went for nothing at all. Their being her relations too made it so much the worse; and Mrs. Jennings’s attempts at consolation were therefore unfortunately founded, when she advised her daughter not to line 21:

136

subject went] 1811 subject, went

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 21

care about their being so fashionable; because they were all cousins3 and must put up with one another. As it was impossible however now to prevent their coming, Lady Middleton resigned herself to the idea of it, with all the philosophy of a well bred woman, contenting herself with merely giving her husband a gentle reprimand on the subject five or six times every day.4 The young ladies arrived, their appearance was by no means ungenteel or unfashionable. Their dress was very smart, their manners very civil, they were delighted with the house, and in raptures with the furniture, and they happened to be so doatingly fond of children that Lady Middleton’s good opinion was engaged in their favour before they had been an hour at the Park. She declared them to be very agreeable girls indeed, which for her ladyship was enthusiastic admiration. Sir John’s confidence in his own judgment rose with this animated praise, and he set off directly for the cottage to tell the Miss Dashwoods of the Miss Steeles’ arrival, and to assure them of their being the sweetest girls in the world. From such commendation as this, however, there was not much to be learned; Elinor well knew that the sweetest girls in the world were to be met with in every part of England, under every possible variation of form, face, temper, and understanding. Sir John wanted the whole family to walk to the Park directly and look at his guests. Benevolent, philanthropic man!5 It was painful to him even to keep a third cousin to himself. “Do come now,” said he—“pray come—you must come—I declare you shall come.—You can’t think how you will like them. Lucy is monstrous pretty, and so good humoured and agreeable! The children are all hanging about her already, as line 24:

understanding. Sir] 1811 understanding.—Sir

137

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 21

if she was an old acquaintance. And they both long to see you of all things, for they have heard at Exeter that you are the most beautiful creatures in the world; and I have told them it is all very true, and a great deal more. You will be delighted with them I am sure. They have brought the whole coach full of playthings for the children. How can you be so cross as not to come? Why they are your cousins, you know, after a fashion. You are my cousins, and they are my wife’s, so you must be related.” But Sir John could not prevail. He could only obtain a promise of their calling at the Park within a day or two, and then left them in amazement at their indifference, to walk home and boast anew of their attractions to the Miss Steeles, as he had been already boasting of the Miss Steeles to them. When their promised visit to the Park and consequent introduction to these young ladies took place, they found in the appearance of the eldest, who was nearly thirty, with a very plain and not a sensible face, nothing to admire; but in the other, who was not more than two or three and twenty, they acknowledged considerable beauty; her features were pretty, and she had a sharp quick eye, and a smartness of air, which though it did not give actual elegance or grace, gave distinction to her person.—Their manners were particularly civil, and Elinor soon allowed them credit for some kind of sense, when she saw with what constant and judicious attentions they were making themselves agreeable to Lady Middleton. With her children they were in continual raptures, extolling their beauty, courting their notice, and humouring all their whims; and such of their time as could be spared from the importunate demands which this politeness line 6: playthings] 1811 play things // line 18: eldest, who] 1811 eldest who // line 23: which though] 1811 which, though

138

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 21

made on it, was spent in admiration of whatever her ladyship was doing, if she happened to be doing any thing, or in taking patterns of some elegant new dress,6 in which her appearance the day before had thrown them into unceasing delight. Fortunately for those who pay their court through such foibles, a fond mother, though, in pursuit of praise for her children, the most rapacious of human beings, is likewise the most credulous; her demands are exorbitant; but she will swallow any thing; and the excessive affection and endurance of the Miss Steeles towards her offspring, were viewed therefore by Lady Middleton without the smallest surprise or distrust. She saw with maternal complacency all the impertinent incroachments and mischievous tricks to which her cousins submitted. She saw their sashes untied, their hair pulled about their ears, their work-bags7 searched, and their knives and scissars stolen away, and felt no doubt of its being a reciprocal enjoyment. It suggested no other surprise than that Elinor and Marianne should sit so composedly by, without claiming a share in what was passing. “John is in such spirits to-day!” said she, on his taking Miss Steele’s pocket handkerchief, and throwing it out of window—“He is full of monkey tricks.” And soon afterwards, on the second boy’s violently pinching one of the same lady’s fingers, she fondly observed, “How playful William is!” “And here is my sweet little Annamaria,” she added, tenderly caressing a little girl of three years old, who had not made a noise for the last two minutes; “And she is always so gentle and quiet—Never was there such a quiet little thing!” line 6: though, in] 1811 though in break) [1811 impertinent

//

line 12:

imperti-tinent (at line

139

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 21

But unfortunately in bestowing these embraces, a pin in her ladyship’s head dress slightly scratching the child’s neck, produced from this pattern of gentleness, such violent screams, as could hardly be outdone by any creature professedly noisy. The mother’s consternation was excessive; but it could not surpass the alarm of the Miss Steeles, and every thing was done by all three, in so critical an emergency, which affection could suggest as likely to assuage the agonies of the little sufferer. She was seated in her mother’s lap, covered with kisses, her wound bathed with lavender-water, by one of the Miss Steeles, who was on her knees to attend her, and her mouth stuffed with sugar plums8 by the other. With such a reward for her tears, the child was too wise to cease crying. She still screamed and sobbed lustily, kicked her two brothers for offering to touch her, and all their united soothings were ineffectual till Lady Middleton luckily remembering that in a scene of similar distress last week, some apricot marmalade had been successfully applied for a bruised temple, the same remedy was eagerly proposed for this unfortunate scratch, and a slight intermission of screams in the young lady on hearing it, gave them reason to hope that it would not be rejected.—She was carried out of the room therefore in her mother’s arms, in quest of this medicine, and as the two boys chose to follow, though earnestly entreated by their mother to stay behind, the four young ladies were left in a quietness which the room had not known for many hours. “Poor little creature!” said Miss Steele, as soon as they were gone. “It might have been a very sad accident.” “Yet I hardly know how,” cried Marianne, “unless it had been under totally different circumstances. But this is the line 16: ineffectual till] 1811 ineffectual, till

140

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 21

usual way of heightening alarm, where there is nothing to be alarmed at in reality.” “What a sweet woman Lady Middleton is!” said Lucy Steele. Marianne was silent; it was impossible for her to say what she did not feel, however trivial the occasion; and upon Elinor therefore the whole task of telling lies when politeness required it,9 always fell. She did her best when thus called on, by speaking of Lady Middleton with more warmth than she felt, though with far less than Miss Lucy. “And Sir John too,” cried the elder sister, “what a charming man he is!” Here too, Miss Dashwood’s commendation, being only simple and just, came in without any eclat.10 She merely observed that he was perfectly good humoured and friendly. “And what a charming little family they have! I never saw such fine children in my life.—I declare I quite doat upon them already, and indeed I am always distractedly fond of children.” “I should guess so,” said Elinor with a smile, “from what I have witnessed this morning.” “I have a notion,” said Lucy, “you think the little Middletons rather too much indulged; perhaps they may be the outside of enough;11 but it is so natural in Lady Middleton; and for my part, I love to see children full of life and spirits; I cannot bear them if they are tame and quiet.” “I confess,” replied Elinor, “that while I am at Barton Park, I never think of tame and quiet children with any abhorrence.” A short pause succeeded this speech, which was first broken by Miss Steele, who seemed very much disposed for conversation, and who now said rather abruptly, “And how do you like Devonshire, Miss Dashwood? I suppose you were very sorry to leave Sussex.” 141

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 21

In some surprise at the familiarity of this question, or at least of the manner in which it was spoken, Elinor replied that she was. “Norland is a prodigious beautiful place, is not it?” added Miss Steele. “We have heard Sir John admire it excessively,” said Lucy, who seemed to think some apology necessary for the freedom of her sister. “I think every one must admire it,” replied Elinor, “who ever saw the place; though it is not to be supposed that any one can estimate its beauties as we do.” “And had you a great many smart beaux there? I suppose you have not so many in this part of the world; for my part, I think they are a vast addition always.” “But why should you think,” said Lucy, looking ashamed of her sister, “that there are not as many genteel young men in Devonshire as Sussex?” “Nay, my dear, I’m sure I don’t pretend to say that there an’t. I’m sure there’s a vast many smart beaux in Exeter; but you know, how could I tell what smart beaux there might be about Norland; and I was only afraid the Miss Dashwoods might find it dull at Barton, if they had not so many as they used to have. But perhaps you young ladies may not care about the beaux, and had as lief 12 be without them as with them. For my part, I think they are vastly agreeable, provided they dress smart and behave civil. But I can’t bear to see them dirty and nasty. Now there’s Mr. Rose at Exeter, a prodigious smart young man, quite a beau, clerk13 to Mr. Simpson you know, and yet if you do but meet him of a morning, he is not fit to be seen.—I suppose your brother was quite a beau, Miss Dashwood, before he married, as he was so rich?” “Upon my word,” replied Elinor, “I cannot tell you, for I do not perfectly comprehend the meaning of the word. But 142

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 21

this I can say, that if he ever was a beau before he married, he is one still, for there is not the smallest alteration in him.” “Oh! dear! one never thinks of married men’s being beaux—they have something else to do.” “Lord! Anne,” cried her sister, “you can talk of nothing but beaux;—you will make Miss Dashwood believe you think of nothing else.” And then to turn the discourse, she began admiring the house and the furniture.14 This specimen of the Miss Steeles was enough. The vulgar freedom and folly of the eldest left her no recommendation, and as Elinor was not blinded by the beauty, or the shrewd look of the youngest, to her want of real elegance and artlessness, she left the house without any wish of knowing them better.15 Not so, the Miss Steeles.—They came from Exeter, well provided with admiration for the use of Sir John Middleton, his family, and all his relations, and no niggardly proportion was now dealt out to his fair cousins, whom they declared to be the most beautiful, elegant, accomplished and agreeable girls they had ever beheld, and with whom they were particularly anxious to be better acquainted.—And to be better acquainted therefore, Elinor soon found was their inevitable lot, for as Sir John was entirely on the side of the Miss Steeles, their party would be too strong for opposition, and that kind of intimacy must be submitted to, which consists of sitting an hour or two together in the same room almost every day. Sir John could do no more; but he did not know that any more was required; to be together was, in his opinion, to be intimate, and while his continual schemes for their meeting were effectual, he had not a doubt of their being established friends. line 3:

mens’ [ 1811 men’s

//

line 29:

continual ] 1811 continua

143

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 21

To do him justice, he did every thing in his power to promote their unreserve, by making the Miss Steeles acquainted with whatever he knew or supposed of his cousins’ situations in the most delicate particulars,—and Elinor had not seen them more than twice, before the eldest of them wished her joy on her sister’s having been so lucky as to make a conquest of a very smart beau since she came to Barton. “’Twill be a fine thing to have her married so young to be sure,” said she, “and I hear he is quite a beau, and prodigious handsome. And I hope you may have as good luck yourself soon,—but perhaps you may have a friend in the corner16 already.” Elinor could not suppose that Sir John would be more nice17 in proclaiming his suspicions of her regard for Edward, than he had been with respect to Marianne; indeed it was rather his favourite joke of the two, as being somewhat newer and more conjectural; and since Edward’s visit, they had never dined together, without his drinking to her best affections with so much significancy and so many nods and winks, as to excite general attention. The letter F— had been likewise invariably brought forward, and found productive of such countless jokes, that its character as the wittiest letter in the alphabet had been long established with Elinor. The Miss Steeles, as she expected, had now all the benefit of these jokes, and in the eldest of them they raised a curiosity to know the name of the gentleman alluded to, which, though often impertinently expressed, was perfectly of a piece with her general inquisitiveness into the concerns of their family. But Sir John did not sport long with the curiosity which he delighted to raise, for he had at least as much pleasure in telling the name, as Miss Steele had in hearing it. “His name is Ferrars,” said he, in a very audible whisper; “but pray do not tell it, for it’s a great secret.” 144

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 21

“Ferrars!” repeated Miss Steele; “Mr. Ferrars is the happy man, is he? What! your sister-in-law’s brother, Miss Dashwood? a very agreeable young man to be sure; I know him very well.” “How can you say so, Anne?” cried Lucy, who generally made an amendment to all her sister’s assertions. “Though we have seen him once or twice at my uncle’s, it is rather too much to pretend to know him very well.” Elinor heard all this with attention and surprise. “And who was this uncle? Where did he live? How came they acquainted?” She wished very much to have the subject continued, though she did not chuse to join in it herself; but nothing more of it was said, and for the first time in her life, she thought Mrs. Jennings deficient either in curiosity after petty information, or in a disposition to communicate it. The manner in which Miss Steele had spoken of Edward, increased her curiosity; for it struck her as being rather illnatured, and suggested the suspicion of that lady’s knowing, or fancying herself to know something to his disadvantage.— But her curiosity was unavailing, for no farther notice was taken of Mr. Ferrars’s name by Miss Steele when alluded to, or even openly mentioned by Sir John. line 3: a] 1811 A She // line 17: 1811 Ferrars’

// line 11: acquainted?” She] 1811 acquainted? increased] 1811 encreased // line 21: Ferrars’s]

145

Chapter 22

M a r i a n n e , who had never much toleration for any thing like impertinence, vulgarity, inferiority of parts,1 or even difference of taste from herself, was at this time particularly ill-disposed, from the state of her spirits, to be pleased with the Miss Steeles, or to encourage their advances; and to the invariable coldness of her behaviour towards them, which checked every endeavour at intimacy on their side, Elinor principally attributed that preference of herself which soon became evident in the manners of both, but especially of Lucy, who missed no opportunity of engaging her in conversation, or of striving to improve their acquaintance by an easy and frank communication of her sentiments. Lucy was naturally clever; her remarks were often just and amusing; and as a companion for half an hour Elinor frequently found her agreeable; but her powers had received no aid from education, she was ignorant and illiterate, and her deficiency of all mental improvement, her want of information in the most common particulars, could not be concealed from Miss Dashwood, in spite of her constant endeavour to appear to advantage. Elinor saw, and pitied her for, the neglect of abilities which education might have rendered so respectable; but she saw, with less tenderness of feeling, the thorough want of delicacy, of rectitude, and integrity of mind, which her attentions, her assiduities, her flatteries at the Park line 4:

146

ill-disposed, from] 1811 ill-disposed from

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 22

betrayed; and she could have no lasting satisfaction in the company of a person who joined insincerity with ignorance; whose want of instruction prevented their meeting in conversation on terms of equality, and whose conduct towards others, made every shew of attention and deference towards herself perfectly valueless. “You will think my question an odd one, I dare say,” said Lucy to her one day as they were walking together from the park to the cottage—“but, pray, are you personally acquainted with your sister-in-law’s mother, Mrs. Ferrars?” Elinor did think the question a very odd one, and her countenance expressed it, as she answered that she had never seen Mrs. Ferrars. “Indeed!” replied Lucy; “I wonder at that, for I thought you must have seen her at Norland sometimes. Then perhaps you cannot tell me what sort of a woman she is?” “No;” returned Elinor, cautious of giving her real opinion of Edward’s mother, and not very desirous of satisfying, what seemed impertinent curiosity—“I know nothing of her.” “I am sure you think me very strange, for inquiring about her in such a way;” said Lucy, eyeing Elinor attentively as she spoke; “but perhaps there may be reasons—I wish I might venture; but however I hope you will do me the justice of believing that I do not mean to be impertinent.” Elinor made her a civil reply, and they walked on for a few minutes in silence. It was broken by Lucy, who renewed the subject again by saying with some hesitation, “I cannot bear to have you think me impertinently curious. I am sure I would rather do any thing in the world than be thought so by a person whose good opinion is so well worth having as yours. And I am sure I should not have the smallest line 8:

day as] 1811 day, as

//

line 9:

park] 1811 Park

147

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 22

fear of trusting you; indeed I should be very glad of your advice how to manage in such an uncomfortable situation as I am; but however there is no occasion to trouble you. I am sorry you do not happen to know Mrs. Ferrars.” “I am sorry I do not,” said Elinor, in great astonishment, “if it could be of any use to you to know my opinion of her. But really, I never understood that you were at all connected with that family, and therefore I am a little surprised, I confess, at so serious an inquiry into her character.” “I dare say you are, and I am sure I do not at all wonder at it. But if I dared tell you all, you would not be so much surprised. Mrs. Ferrars is certainly nothing to me at present,—but the time may come—how soon it will come must depend upon herself—when we may be very intimately connected.” She looked down as she said this, amiably bashful, with only one side glance at her companion to observe its effect on her. “Good heavens!” cried Elinor, “what do you mean? Are you acquainted with Mr. Robert Ferrars? Can you be?” And she did not feel much delighted with the idea of such a sisterin-law. “No;” replied Lucy, “not to Mr. Robert Ferrars—I never saw him in my life; but,” fixing her eyes upon Elinor, “to his elder brother.” What felt Elinor at that moment? Astonishment, that would have been as painful as it was strong, had not an immediate disbelief of the assertion attended it. She turned towards Lucy in silent amazement, unable to divine the reason or object of such a declaration, and though her complexion varied, she stood firm in incredulity and felt in no danger of an hysterical fit, or a swoon. line 5:

148

Elinor, in] 1811 Elinor in

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 22

“You may well be surprised,” continued Lucy; “for to be sure you could have had no idea of it before; for I dare say he never dropped the smallest hint of it to you or any of your family; because it was always meant to be a great secret, and I am sure has been faithfully kept so by me to this hour. Not a soul of all my relations know of it but Anne, and I never should have mentioned it to you, if I had not felt the greatest dependance in the world upon your secrecy; and I really thought my behaviour in asking so many questions about Mrs. Ferrars, must seem so odd, that it ought to be explained. And I do not think Mr. Ferrars can be displeased, when he knows I have trusted you, because I know he has the highest opinion in the world of all your family, and looks upon yourself and the other Miss Dashwoods, quite as his own sisters.”—She paused. Elinor for a few moments remained silent. Her astonishment at what she heard was at first too great for words; but at length forcing herself to speak, and to speak cautiously, she said with a calmness of manner, which tolerably well concealed her surprise and solicitude—“May I ask if your engagement is of long standing?” “We have been engaged these four years.” “Four years!” “Yes.” Elinor, though greatly shocked, still felt unable to believe it. “I did not know,” said she, “that you were even acquainted till the other day.” “Our acquaintance, however, is of many years date. He was under my uncle’s care,2 you know, a considerable while.” “Your uncle!” “Yes; Mr. Pratt. Did you never hear him talk of Mr. Pratt?” 149

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 22

“I think I have,” replied Elinor, with an exertion of spirits, which increased with her increase of emotion. “He was four years with my uncle, who lives at Longstaple,3 near Plymouth. It was there our acquaintance begun, for my sister and me was often staying with my uncle, and it was there our engagement was formed, though not till a year after he had quitted as a pupil; but he was almost always with us afterwards. I was very unwilling to enter into it, as you may imagine, without the knowledge and approbation of his mother; but I was too young and loved him too well to be so prudent as I ought to have been.—Though you do not know him so well as me, Miss Dashwood, you must have seen enough of him to be sensible he is very capable of making a woman sincerely attached to him.” “Certainly,” answered Elinor, without knowing what she said; but after a moment’s reflection, she added with revived security of Edward’s honour and love, and her companion’s falsehood—“Engaged to Mr. Edward Ferrars!—I confess myself so totally surprised at what you tell me, that really—I beg your pardon; but surely there must be some mistake of person or name. We cannot mean the same Mr. Ferrars.” “We can mean no other,” cried Lucy smiling. “Mr. Edward Ferrars, the eldest son of Mrs. Ferrars of Park-street,4 and brother of your sister-in-law, Mrs. John Dashwood, is the person I mean; you must allow that I am not likely to be deceived, as to the name of the man on who all my happiness depends.” “It is strange,” replied Elinor in a most painful perplexity, “that I should never have heard him even mention your name.” “No; considering our situation, it was not strange. Our first care has been to keep the matter secret.—You knew nothing of me, or my family, and therefore there could be no occasion 150

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 22

for ever mentioning my name to you, and as he was always particularly afraid of his sister’s suspecting any thing, that was reason enough for his not mentioning it.” She was silent.—Elinor’s security sunk; but her selfcommand did not sink with it. “Four years you have been engaged,” said she with a firm voice. “Yes; and heaven knows how much longer we may have to wait. Poor Edward! It puts him quite out of heart.” Then taking a small miniature5 from her pocket, she added, “To prevent the possibility of mistake, be so good as to look at this face. It does not do him justice to be sure, but yet I think you cannot be deceived as to the person it was drew for.—I have had it above these three years.” She put it into her hands as she spoke, and when Elinor saw the painting, whatever other doubts her fear of a too hasty decision, or her wish of detecting falsehood might suffer to linger in her mind, she could have none of its being Edward’s face. She returned it almost instantly, acknowledging the likeness. “I have never been able,” continued Lucy, “to give him my picture in return, which I am very much vexed at, for he has been always so anxious to get it! But I am determined to sit for it the very first opportunity.” “You are quite in the right;” replied Elinor calmly. They then proceeded a few paces in silence. Lucy spoke first. “I am sure,” said she, “I have no doubt in the world of your faithfully keeping this secret, because you must know of what importance it is to us, not to have it reach his mother; for she

lines 4–5: self-command] 1811 self command 1811 of a mistake, // line 23: sit] 1811 set

//

line 11:

of mistake,]

151

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 22

would never approve of it, I dare say. I shall have no fortune, and I fancy she is an exceeding proud woman.” “I certainly did not seek your confidence,” said Elinor; “but you do me no more than justice in imagining that I may be depended on. Your secret is safe with me; but pardon me if I express some surprise at so unnecessary a communication. You must at least have felt that my being acquainted with it could not add to its safety.” As she said this, she looked earnestly at Lucy, hoping to discover something in her countenance; perhaps the falsehood of the greatest part of what she had been saying; but Lucy’s countenance suffered no change. “I was afraid you would think I was taking a great liberty with you,” said she, “in telling you all this. I have not known you long to be sure, personally at least, but I have known you and all your family by description a great while; and as soon as I saw you, I felt almost as if you was an old acquaintance. Besides in the present case, I really thought some explanation was due to you after my making such particular inquiries about Edward’s mother; and I am so unfortunate, that I have not a creature whose advice I can ask. Anne is the only person that knows of it, and she has no judgment at all; indeed she does me a great deal more harm than good, for I am in constant fear of her betraying me. She does not know how to hold her tongue, as you must perceive, and I am sure I was in the greatest fright in the world t’other day, when Edward’s name was mentioned by Sir John, lest she should out with it all. You can’t think how much I go through in my mind from it altogether. I only wonder that I am alive after what I have suffered for Edward’s sake these last four years. Every line 12: change.” [1811 change. // line 18: in // line 19: inquiries] 1811 enquiries

152

Besides in] 1811 Besides,

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 22

thing in such suspense and uncertainty; and seeing him so seldom—we can hardly meet above twice a-year. I am sure I wonder my heart is not quite broke.” Here she took out her handkerchief; but Elinor did not feel very compassionate. “Sometimes,” continued Lucy, after wiping her eyes, “I think whether it would not be better for us both, to break off the matter entirely.” As she said this, she looked directly at her companion. “But then at other times I have not resolution enough for it.—I cannot bear the thoughts of making him so miserable, as I know the very mention of such a thing would do. And on my own account too—so dear as he is to me—I don’t think I could be equal to it. What would you advise me to do in such a case, Miss Dashwood? What would you do yourself?” “Pardon me,” replied Elinor, startled by the question; “but I can give you no advice under such circumstances. Your own judgment must direct you.” “To be sure,” continued Lucy, after a few minutes silence on both sides, “his mother must provide for him sometime or other; but poor Edward is so cast down about it! Did not you think him dreadful low-spirited when he was at Barton? He was so miserable when he left us at Longstaple, to go to you, that I was afraid you would think him quite ill.” “Did he come from your uncle’s then, when he visited us?” “Oh! yes; he had been staying a fortnight with us. Did you think he came directly from town?” “No,” replied Elinor, most feelingly sensible of every fresh circumstance in favour of Lucy’s veracity; “I remember he told us, that he had been staying a fortnight with some friends near Plymouth.” She remembered too, her own surprise at line 15:

yourself?”] 1811 yourself?

153

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 22

the time, at his mentioning nothing farther of those friends, at his total silence with respect even to their names. “Did not you think him sadly out of spirits?” repeated Lucy. “We did indeed, particularly so when he first arrived.” “I begged him to exert himself for fear you should suspect what was the matter; but it made him so melancholy, not being able to stay more than a fortnight with us, and seeing me so much affected.—Poor fellow!—I am afraid it is just the same with him now; for he writes in wretched spirits. I heard from him just before I left Exeter;” taking a letter from her pocket and carelessly shewing the direction6 to Elinor. “You know his hand, I dare say, a charming one it is; but that is not written so well as usual.—He was tired, I dare say, for he had just filled the sheet to me as full as possible.” Elinor saw that it was his hand, and she could doubt no longer. The picture, she had allowed herself to believe, might have been accidentally obtained; it might not have been Edward’s gift; but a correspondence between them by letter, could subsist only under a positive engagement, could be authorised by nothing else; for a few moments, she was almost overcome—her heart sunk within her, and she could hardly stand; but exertion was indispensably necessary, and she struggled so resolutely against the oppression of her feelings, that her success was speedy, and for the time complete. “Writing to each other,” said Lucy, returning the letter into her pocket, “is the only comfort we have in such long separations. Yes, I have one other comfort in his picture; but poor Edward has not even that. If he had but my picture, he says he should be easy. I gave him a lock of my hair set in a ring when he was at Longstaple last, and that was some line 5: himself for] 1811 himself, for comfort, in

154

//

line 27:

comfort in] 1811

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume I Chapter 22

comfort to him, he said, but not equal to a picture.7 Perhaps you might notice the ring when you saw him?” “I did;” said Elinor, with a composure of voice, under which was concealed an emotion and distress beyond any thing she had ever felt before. She was mortified, shocked, confounded. Fortunately for her, they had now reached the cottage, and the conversation could be continued no farther. After sitting with them a few minutes, the Miss Steeles returned to the Park, and Elinor was then at liberty to think and be wretched. end of volume i

155

sense and sensibility Volume II

Chapter 1

H ow e v e r small Elinor’s general dependance on Lucy’s veracity might be, it was impossible for her on serious reflection to suspect it in the present case, where no temptation could be answerable to the folly of inventing a falsehood of such a description. What Lucy had asserted to be true, therefore, Elinor could not, dared not longer doubt; supported as it was too on every side by such probabilities and proofs, and contradicted by nothing but her own wishes. Their opportunity of acquaintance in the house of Mr. Pratt was a foundation for the rest, at once indisputable and alarming; and Edward’s visit near Plymouth, his melancholy state of mind, his dissatisfaction at his own prospects, his uncertain behaviour towards herself, the intimate knowledge of the Miss Steeles as to Norland and their family connections, which had often surprised her, the picture, the letter, the ring, formed altogether such a body of evidence, as overcame every fear of condemning him unfairly, and established as a fact, which no partiality could set aside, his ill-treatment of herself.—Her resentment of such behaviour, her indignation at having been its dupe, for a short time made her feel only for herself; but other ideas, other considerations soon arose. Had Edward been intentionally deceiving her? Had he feigned a regard for her which he did not feel? Was his engagement to line 1:

Elinor’s] 1811 her

//

line 18:

fact, which] 1811 fact which

159

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 1

Lucy, an engagement of the heart? No; whatever it might once have been, she could not believe it such at present. His affection was all her own. She could not be deceived in that. Her mother, sisters, Fanny, all had been conscious of his regard for her at Norland; it was not an illusion of her own vanity. He certainly loved her. What a softener of the heart was this persuasion! How much could it not tempt her to forgive! He had been blameable, highly blameable, in remaining at Norland after he first felt her influence over him to be more than it ought to be. In that, he could not be defended; but if he had injured her, how much more had he injured himself; if her case were pitiable, his was hopeless. His imprudence had made her miserable for a while; but it seemed to have deprived himself of all chance of ever being otherwise. She might in time regain tranquillity; but he, what had he to look forward to? Could he ever be tolerably happy with Lucy Steele; could he, were his affection for herself out of the question, with his integrity, his delicacy, and well-informed mind, be satisfied with a wife like her—illiterate, artful, and selfish? The youthful infatuation of nineteen would naturally blind him to every thing but her beauty and good nature; but the four succeeding years—years, which if rationally spent,1 give such improvement to the understanding, must have opened his eyes to her defects of education, while the same period of time, spent on her side in inferior society and more frivolous pursuits, had perhaps robbed her of that simplicity, which might once have given an interesting character to her beauty. If in the supposition of his seeking to marry herself, his difficulties from his mother had seemed great, how much greater were they now likely to be, when the object of his engagement was undoubtedly inferior in connections, and probably inferior in fortune to herself. These difficulties, indeed, with an line 32:

160

difficulties, indeed,] 1811 difficulties indeed,

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 1

heart so alienated from Lucy, might not press very hard upon his patience; but melancholy was the state of the person, by whom the expectation of family opposition and unkindness, could be felt as a relief! As these considerations occurred to her in painful succession, she wept for him, more than for herself. Supported by the conviction of having done nothing to merit her present unhappiness, and consoled by the belief that Edward had done nothing to forfeit her esteem, she thought she could even now, under the first smart of the heavy blow, command herself enough to guard every suspicion of the truth from her mother and sisters. And so well was she able to answer her own expectations, that when she joined them at dinner only two hours after she had first suffered the extinction of all her dearest hopes, no one would have supposed from the appearance of the sisters, that Elinor was mourning in secret over obstacles which must divide her for ever from the object of her love, and that Marianne was internally dwelling on the perfections of a man, of whose whole heart she felt thoroughly possessed, and whom she expected to see in every carriage which drove near their house. The necessity of concealing from her mother and Marianne, what had been entrusted in confidence to herself, though it obliged her to unceasing exertion, was no aggravation of Elinor’s distress. On the contrary it was a relief to her, to be spared the communication of what would give such affliction to them, and to be saved likewise from hearing that condemnation of Edward, which would probably flow from the excess of their partial affection for herself, and which was more than she felt equal to support. line 20:

possessed, and] 1811 possessed and

161

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 1

From their counsel, or their conversation she knew she could receive no assistance, their tenderness and sorrow must add to her distress, while her self-command would neither receive encouragement from their example nor from their praise. She was stronger alone, and her own good sense so well supported her, that her firmness was as unshaken, her appearance of cheerfulness as invariable, as with regrets so poignant and so fresh, it was possible for them to be. Much as she had suffered from her first conversation with Lucy on the subject, she soon felt an earnest wish of renewing it; and this for more reasons than one. She wanted to hear many particulars of their engagement repeated again, she wanted more clearly to understand what Lucy really felt for Edward, whether there were any sincerity in her declaration of tender regard for him, and she particularly wanted to convince Lucy, by her readiness to enter on the matter again, and her calmness in conversing on it, that she was no otherwise interested in it than as a friend, which she very much feared her involuntary agitation, in their morning discourse, must have left at least doubtful. That Lucy was disposed to be jealous of her, appeared very probable; it was plain that Edward had always spoken highly in her praise, not merely from Lucy’s assertion, but from her venturing to trust her on so short a personal acquaintance, with a secret, so confessedly and evidently important. And even Sir John’s joking intelligence2 must have had some weight. But indeed, while Elinor remained so well assured within herself of being really beloved by Edward, it required no other consideration of probabilities to make it natural that Lucy should be jealous; and that she was so, her very confidence was a proof. What other reason for the disclosure of the affair could there be, but that Elinor might be informed by it of Lucy’s superior claims on Edward, and be taught to avoid him in future? She 162

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 1

had little difficulty in understanding thus much of her rival’s intentions, and while she was firmly resolved to act by her as every principle of honour and honesty directed, to combat her own affection for Edward and to see him as little as possible; she could not deny herself the comfort of endeavouring to convince Lucy that her heart was unwounded. And as she could now have nothing more painful to hear on the subject than had already been told, she did not mistrust her own ability of going through a repetition of particulars with composure. But it was not immediately that an opportunity of doing so could be commanded, though Lucy was as well disposed as herself to take advantage of any that occurred; for the weather was not often fine enough to allow of their joining in a walk, where they might most easily separate themselves from the others; and though they met at least every other evening either at the park or cottage, and chiefly at the former, they could not be supposed to meet for the sake of conversation. Such a thought would never enter either Sir John or Lady Middleton’s head, and therefore very little leisure was ever given for general chat, and none at all for particular discourse. They met for the sake of eating, drinking, and laughing together, playing at cards, or consequences,3 or any other game that was sufficiently noisy.4 One or two meetings of this kind had taken place, without affording Elinor any chance of engaging Lucy in private, when Sir John called at the cottage one morning, to beg in the name of charity, that they would all dine with Lady Middleton that day, as he was obliged to attend the club at Exeter,5 and she would otherwise be quite alone, except her mother and the two Miss Steeles. Elinor, who foresaw a fairer opening for the point she had in view, in such a party as this was likely to be, more at liberty among themselves under 163

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 1

the tranquil and well-bred direction of Lady Middleton than when her husband united them together in one noisy purpose, immediately accepted the invitation; Margaret, with her mother’s permission, was equally compliant, and Marianne, though always unwilling to join any of their parties, was persuaded by her mother, who could not bear to have her seclude herself from any chance of amusement, to go likewise. The young ladies went, and Lady Middleton was happily preserved from the frightful solitude which had threatened her. The insipidity of the meeting was exactly such as Elinor had expected; it produced not one novelty of thought or expression, and nothing could be less interesting than the whole of their discourse both in the dining parlour and drawing room: to the latter, the children accompanied them, and while they remained there, she was too well convinced of the impossibility of engaging Lucy’s attention to attempt it. They quitted it only with the removal of the tea-things. The card-table was then placed, and Elinor began to wonder at herself for having ever entertained a hope of finding time for conversation at the park. They all rose up in preparation for a round game.6 “I am glad,” said Lady Middleton to Lucy, “you are not going to finish poor little Annamaria’s basket this evening; for I am sure it must hurt your eyes to work fillagree7 by candlelight. And we will make the dear little love some amends for her disappointment to-morrow, and then I hope she will not much mind it.” This hint was enough, Lucy recollected herself instantly and replied, “Indeed you are very much mistaken, Lady Middleton; I am only waiting to know whether you can make your party without me, or I should have been at my fillagree already. I would not disappoint the little angel for all

164

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 1

the world, and if you want me at the card-table now, I am resolved to finish the basket after supper.”8 “You are very good, I hope it won’t hurt your eyes—will you ring the bell for some working candles?9 My poor little girl would be sadly disappointed, I know, if the basket was not finished to-morrow, for though I told her it certainly would not, I am sure she depends upon having it done.” Lucy directly drew her work table near her and reseated herself with an alacrity and cheerfulness which seemed to infer that she could taste no greater delight than in making a fillagree basket for a spoilt child. Lady Middleton proposed a rubber of Casino10 to the others. No one made any objection but Marianne, who, with her usual inattention to the forms of general civility, exclaimed, “Your ladyship will have the goodness to excuse me—you know I detest cards.11 I shall go to the piano-fort´e; I have not touched it since it was tuned.” And without farther ceremony, she turned away and walked to the instrument. Lady Middleton looked as if she thanked heaven that she had never made so rude a speech.12 “Marianne can never keep long from that instrument you know, ma’am,” said Elinor, endeavouring to smooth away the offence; “and I do not much wonder at it; for it is the very best toned piano-fort´e I ever heard.” The remaining five were now to draw their cards. “Perhaps,” continued Elinor, “if I should happen to cut out,13 I may be of some use to Miss Lucy Steele, in rolling her papers for her,14 and there is so much still to be done to the basket, that it must be impossible I think for her labour singly, line 12: with

Casino] 1811 cassino

//

lines 13–14: who, with] 1811 who

165

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 1

to finish it this evening. I should like the work exceedingly, if she would allow me a share in it.” “Indeed I shall be very much obliged to you for your help,” cried Lucy, “for I find there is more to be done to it than I thought there was; and it would be a shocking thing to disappoint dear Annamaria after all.” “Oh! that would be terrible indeed,” said Miss Steele— “Dear little soul, how I do love her!” “You are very kind,” said Lady Middleton to Elinor: “and as you really like the work, perhaps you will be as well pleased not to cut in till another rubber, or will you take your chance now?” Elinor joyfully profited by the first of these proposals, and thus by a little of that address, which Marianne could never condescend to practise, gained her own end, and pleased Lady Middleton at the same time. Lucy made room for her with ready attention, and the two fair rivals were thus seated side by side at the same table, and with the utmost harmony engaged in forwarding the same work. The piano-fort´e, at which Marianne, wrapt up in her own music and her own thoughts, had by this time forgotten that any body was in the room besides herself, was luckily so near them that Miss Dashwood now judged, she might safely, under the shelter of its noise, introduce the interesting subject, without any risk of being heard at the card-table. line 25:

166

card-table.] 1811 card table.

Chapter 2

I n a firm, though cautious tone, Elinor thus began. “I should be undeserving of the confidence you have honoured me with, if I felt no desire for its continuance, or no farther curiosity on its subject. I will not apologize therefore for bringing it forward again.” “Thank you,” cried Lucy warmly, “for breaking the ice; you have set my heart at ease by it; for I was somehow or other afraid I had offended you by what I told you that Monday.” “Offended me! How could you suppose so? Believe me,” and Elinor spoke it with the truest sincerity, “nothing could be farther from my intention, than to give you such an idea. Could you have a motive for the trust, that was not honourable and flattering to me?” “And yet I do assure you,” replied Lucy, her little sharp eyes full of meaning, “there seemed to me to be a coldness and displeasure in your manner, that made me quite uncomfortable. I felt sure that you was angry with me; and have been quarrelling with myself ever since, for having took such a liberty as to trouble you with my affairs. But I am very glad to find it was only my own fancy, and that you do not really blame me. If you knew what a consolation it was to me to relieve my heart by speaking to you of what I am always thinking of every moment of my life, your compassion would make you overlook every thing else I am sure.” “Indeed I can easily believe that it was a very great relief to you, to acknowledge your situation to me, and be assured 167

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 2

that you shall never have reason to repent it. Your case is a very unfortunate one; you seem to me to be surrounded with difficulties, and you will have need of all your mutual affection to support you under them. Mr. Ferrars, I believe, is entirely dependent on his mother.” “He has only two thousand pounds1 of his own; it would be madness to marry upon that, though for my own part, I could give up every prospect of more without a sigh. I have been always used to a very small income, and could struggle with any poverty for him; but I love him too well to be the selfish means of robbing him, perhaps, of all that his mother might give him if he married to please her. We must wait, it may be for many years. With almost every other man in the world, it would be an alarming prospect; but Edward’s affection and constancy nothing can deprive me of I know.” “That conviction must be every thing to you; and he is undoubtedly supported by the same trust in your’s. If the strength of your reciprocal attachment had failed, as between many people and under many circumstances it naturally would during a four years’ engagement, your situation would have been pitiable indeed.” Lucy here looked up; but Elinor was careful in guarding her countenance from every expression that could give her words a suspicious tendency. “Edward’s love for me,” said Lucy, “has been pretty well put to the test, by our long, very long absence since we were first engaged, and it has stood the trial so well, that I should be unpardonable to doubt it now. I can safely say that he has never gave me one moment’s alarm on that account from the first.” line 5: her

168

dependent] 1811 dependant

//

line 23:

give her] 1811 give to

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 2

Elinor hardly knew whether to smile or sigh at this assertion. Lucy went on. “I am rather of a jealous temper too by nature, and from our different situations in life, from his being so much more in the world than me, and our continual separation, I was enough inclined for suspicion, to have found out the truth in an instant, if there had been the slightest alteration in his behaviour to me when we met, or any lowness of spirits that I could not account for, or if he had talked more of one lady than another, or seemed in any respect less happy at Longstaple than he used to be. I do not mean to say that I am particularly observant or quick-sighted in general, but in such a case I am sure I could not be deceived.” “All this,” thought Elinor, “is very pretty; but it can impose upon neither of us.” “But what,” said she after a short silence, “are your views? or have you none but that of waiting for Mrs. Ferrars’ death, which is a melancholy and shocking extremity?—Is her son determined to submit to this, and to all the tediousness of the many years of suspense in which it may involve you, rather than run the risk of her displeasure for a while by owning the truth?” “If we could be certain that it would be only for a while! But Mrs. Ferrars is a very headstrong proud woman, and in her first fit of anger upon hearing it, would very likely secure every thing to Robert, and the idea of that, for Edward’s sake, frightens away all my inclination for hasty measures.” “And for your own sake too, or you are carrying your disinterestedness beyond reason.” Lucy looked at Elinor again, and was silent. line 17: have you] 1811 have have you // line 18: extremity?—Is] 1811 extremity? Is // line 22: truth?”] 1811 truth?

169

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 2

“Do you know Mr. Robert Ferrars?” asked Elinor. “Not at all—I never saw him; but I fancy he is very unlike his brother—silly and a great coxcomb.”2 “A great coxcomb!” repeated Miss Steele, whose ear had caught those words by a sudden pause in Marianne’s music.— “Oh! they are talking of their favourite beaux, I dare say.” “No, sister,” cried Lucy, “you are mistaken there, our favourite beaux are not great coxcombs.” “I can answer for it that Miss Dashwood’s is not,” said Mrs. Jennings, laughing heartily; “for he is one of the modestest, prettiest behaved young men I ever saw; but as for Lucy, she is such a sly little creature, there is no finding out who she likes.” “Oh!” cried Miss Steele, looking significantly round at them, “I dare say Lucy’s beau is quite as modest and pretty behaved as Miss Dashwood’s.” Elinor blushed in spite of herself. Lucy bit her lip, and looked angrily at her sister. A mutual silence took place for some time. Lucy first put an end to it by saying in a lower tone, though Marianne was then giving them the powerful protection of a very magnificent concerto— “I will honestly tell you of one scheme which has lately come into my head, for bringing matters to bear; indeed I am bound to let you into the secret, for you are a party concerned. I dare say you have seen enough of Edward to know that he would prefer the church to every other profession; now my plan is that he should take orders3 as soon as he can, and then through your interest, which I am sure you would be kind enough to use out of friendship for him, and I hope out of some regard to me, your brother might be persuaded to give him Norland living;4 which I understand is a very good one, and the present incumbent not likely to live a great

170

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 2

while. That would be enough for us to marry upon, and we might trust to time and chance for the rest.” “I should be always happy,” replied Elinor, “to shew any mark of my esteem and friendship for Mr. Ferrars; but do not you perceive that my interest on such an occasion would be perfectly unnecessary? He is brother to Mrs. John Dashwood—that must be recommendation enough to her husband.” “But Mrs. John Dashwood would not much approve of Edward’s going into orders.” “Then I rather suspect that my interest would do very little.” They were again silent for many minutes. At length Lucy exclaimed with a deep sigh, “I believe it would be the wisest way to put an end to the business at once by dissolving the engagement. We seem so beset with difficulties on every side, that though it would make us miserable for a time, we should be happier perhaps in the end. But you will not give me your advice, Miss Dashwood?” “No;” answered Elinor, with a smile, which concealed very agitated feelings, “on such a subject I certainly will not. You know very well that my opinion would have no weight with you, unless it were on the side of your wishes.” “Indeed you wrong me,” replied Lucy with great solemnity; “I know nobody of whose judgment I think so highly as I do of yours; and I do really believe, that if you was to say to me, ‘I advise you by all means to put an end to your engagement with Edward Ferrars, it will be more for the happiness of both of you,’ I should resolve upon doing it immediately.” Elinor blushed for the insincerity of Edward’s future wife, and replied, “this compliment would effectually frighten me

171

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 2

from giving any opinion on the subject had I formed one. It raises my influence much too high; the power of dividing two people so tenderly attached is too much for an indifferent person.” “’Tis because you are an indifferent person,” said Lucy, with some pique, and laying a particular stress on those words, “that your judgment might justly have such weight with me. If you could be supposed to be biassed in any respect by your own feelings, your opinion would not be worth having.” Elinor thought it wisest to make no answer to this, lest they might provoke each other to an unsuitable increase of ease and unreserve; and was even partly determined never to mention the subject again. Another pause therefore of many minutes’ duration, succeeded this speech, and Lucy was still the first to end it. “Shall you be in town this winter, Miss Dashwood?” said she with all her accustomary complacency. “Certainly not.” “I am sorry for that,” returned the other, while her eyes brightened at the information, “it would have gave me such pleasure to meet you there! But I dare say you will go for all that. To be sure, your brother and sister will ask you to come to them.” “It will not be in my power to accept their invitation if they do.” “How unlucky that is! I had quite depended upon meeting you there. Anne and me are to go the latter end of January to some relations who have been wanting us to visit them these several years! But I only go for the sake of seeing Edward. He will be there in February, otherwise London would have no charms for me; I have not spirits for it.” line 14: minutes’ duration,] 1811 minutes duration, with] 1811 she, with

172

//

line 17:

she

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 2

Elinor was soon called to the card-table by the conclusion of the first rubber, and the confidential discourse of the two ladies was therefore at an end, to which both of them submitted without any reluctance, for nothing had been said on either side, to make them dislike each other less than they had done before; and Elinor sat down to the card table with the melancholy persuasion that Edward was not only without affection for the person who was to be his wife; but that he had not even the chance of being tolerably happy in marriage, which sincere affection on her side would have given, for self-interest alone could induce a woman to keep a man to an engagement, of which she seemed so thoroughly aware that he was weary. From this time the subject was never revived by Elinor, and when entered on by Lucy, who seldom missed an opportunity of introducing it, and was particularly careful to inform her confidante, of her happiness whenever she received a letter from Edward, it was treated by the former with calmness and caution, and dismissed as soon as civility would allow; for she felt such conversations to be an indulgence which Lucy did not deserve, and which were dangerous to herself. The visit of the Miss Steeles at Barton Park was lengthened far beyond what the first invitation implied. Their favour increased, they could not be spared; Sir John would not hear of their going; and in spite of their numerous and long arranged engagements in Exeter, in spite of the absolute necessity of their returning to fulfil them immediately, which was in full force at the end of every week, they were prevailed on to stay nearly two months at the park, and to assist in the due celebration of that festival which requires a more than ordinary share of private balls and large dinners to proclaim its importance.5

173

Chapter 3

T hou g h Mrs. Jennings was in the habit of spending a large portion of the year at the houses of her children and friends, she was not without a settled habitation of her own. Since the death of her husband, who had traded with success in a less elegant part of the town, she had resided every winter in a house in one of the streets near Portman-square.1 Towards this home, she began on the approach of January to turn her thoughts, and thither she one day abruptly, and very unexpectedly by them, asked the elder Miss Dashwoods to accompany her. Elinor, without observing the varying complexion of her sister, and the animated look which spoke no indifference to the plan, immediately gave a grateful but absolute denial for both, in which she believed herself to be speaking their united inclinations. The reason alledged was their determined resolution of not leaving their mother at that time of the year. Mrs. Jennings received the refusal with some surprize, and repeated her invitation immediately. “Oh! Lord, I am sure your mother can spare you very well, and I do beg you will favour me with your company, for I’ve quite set my heart upon it. Don’t fancy that you will be any inconvenience to me, for I shan’t put myself at all out of my way for you. It will only be sending Betty by the coach, and I hope I can afford that. We three shall be able to go very well line 14: alledged was] 1811 alleged, was of year.

174

//

line 16: of the year.] 1811

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 3

in my chaise;2 and when we are in town, if you do not like to go wherever I do, well and good, you may always go with one of my daughters. I am sure your mother will not object to it; for I have had such good luck in getting my own children off my hands, that she will think me a very fit person to have the charge of you; and if I don’t get one of you at least well married before I have done with you, it shall not be my fault. I shall speak a good word for you to all the young men, you may depend upon it.” “I have a notion,” said Sir John, “that Miss Marianne would not object to such a scheme, if her elder sister would come into it. It is very hard indeed that she should not have a little pleasure, because Miss Dashwood does not wish it. So I would advise you two, to set off for town, when you are tired of Barton, without saying a word to Miss Dashwood about it.” “Nay,” cried Mrs. Jennings, “I am sure I shall be monstrous glad of Miss Marianne’s company, whether Miss Dashwood will go or not, only the more the merrier say I, and I thought it would be more comfortable for them to be together; because if they got tired of me, they might talk to one another, and laugh at my odd ways behind my back. But one or the other, if not both of them, I must have. Lord bless me! how do you think I can live poking by myself, I who have been always used till this winter to have Charlotte with me. Come, Miss Marianne, let us strike hands upon the bargain, and if Miss Dashwood will change her mind by and bye, why so much the better.” “I thank you, ma’am, sincerely thank you,” said Marianne, with warmth; “your invitation has insured my gratitude for

line 9:

upon] 1811 on

175

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 3

ever, and it would give me such happiness, yes almost the greatest happiness I am capable of, to be able to accept it. But my mother, my dearest, kindest, mother,—I feel the justice of what Elinor has urged, and if she were to be made less happy, less comfortable by our absence—Oh! no, nothing should tempt me to leave her. It should not, must not be a struggle.” Mrs. Jennings repeated her assurance that Mrs. Dashwood could spare them perfectly well; and Elinor, who now understood her sister, and saw to what indifference to almost every thing else, she was carried by her eagerness to be with Willoughby again, made no farther direct opposition to the plan, and merely referred it to her mother’s decision, from whom however she scarcely expected to receive any support in her endeavour to prevent a visit, which she could not approve of for Marianne, and which on her own account she had particular reasons to avoid. Whatever Marianne was desirous of, her mother would be eager to promote—she could not expect to influence the latter to cautiousness of conduct in an affair, respecting which she had never been able to inspire her with distrust; and she dared not explain the motive of her own disinclination for going to London. That Marianne, fastidious as she was, thoroughly acquainted with Mrs. Jennings’ manners, and invariably disgusted by them, should overlook every inconvenience of that kind, should disregard whatever must be most wounding to her irritable feelings, in her pursuit of one object, was such a proof, so strong, so full of the importance of that object to her, as

line 1: yes almost] 1811 yes, almost // line 3: mother, I // line 28: full of] 1811 full, of

176

mother,—I] 1811

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 3

Elinor, in spite of all that had passed, was not prepared to witness. On being informed of the invitation, Mrs. Dashwood, persuaded that such an excursion would be productive of much amusement to both her daughters, and perceiving through all her affectionate attention to herself, how much the heart of Marianne was in it, would not hear of their declining the offer upon her account; insisted on their both accepting it directly, and then began to foresee with her usual cheerfulness, a variety of advantages that would accrue to them all, from this separation. “I am delighted with the plan,” she cried, “it is exactly what I could wish. Margaret and I shall be as much benefited by it as yourselves. When you and the Middletons are gone, we shall go on so quietly and happily together with our books and our music! You will find Margaret so improved when you come back again! And I have a little plan of alteration for your bedrooms too, which may now be performed without inconvenience to any one. It is very right that you should go to town; I would have every young woman of your condition in life, acquainted with the manners and amusements of London. You will be under the care of a motherly good sort of woman, of whose kindness to you I can have no doubt. And in all probability you will see your brother, and whatever may be his faults, or the faults of his wife, when I consider whose son he is, I cannot bear to have you so wholly estranged from each other.” “Though with your usual anxiety for our happiness,” said Elinor, “you have been obviating every impediment to the present scheme which occurred to you, there is still one objection which, in my opinion, cannot be so easily removed.” Marianne’s countenance sunk.

177

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 3

“And what,” said Mrs. Dashwood, “is my dear prudent Elinor going to suggest? What formidable obstacle is she now to bring forward? Do not let me hear a word about the expense of it.” “My objection is this; though I think very well of Mrs. Jennings’ heart, she is not a woman whose society can afford us pleasure, or whose protection will give us consequence.”3 “That is very true,” replied her mother; “but of her society, separately from that of other people, you will scarcely have anything at all, and you will almost always appear in public with Lady Middleton.” “If Elinor is frightened away by her dislike of Mrs. Jennings,” said Marianne, “at least it need not prevent my accepting her invitation. I have no such scruples, and I am sure, I could put up with every unpleasantness of that kind with very little effort.” Elinor could not help smiling at this display of indifference towards the manners of a person, to whom she had often had difficulty in persuading Marianne to behave with tolerable politeness: and resolved within herself, that if her sister persisted in going, she would go likewise, as she did not think it proper that Marianne should be left to the sole guidance of her own judgment, or that Mrs. Jennings should be abandoned to the mercy of Marianne for all the comfort of her domestic hours. To this determination she was the more easily reconciled, by recollecting, that Edward Ferrars, by Lucy’s account, was not to be in town before February; and that their visit, without any unreasonable abridgment, might be previously finished. “I will have you both go,” said Mrs. Dashwood; “these objections are nonsensical. You will have much pleasure in line 20:

178

politeness: and] 1811 politeness; and

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 3

being in London, and especially in being together; and if Elinor would ever condescend to anticipate enjoyment, she would foresee it there from a variety of sources; she would perhaps expect some from improving her acquaintance with her sister-in-law’s family.” Elinor had often wished for an opportunity of attempting to weaken her mother’s dependence on the attachment of Edward and herself, that the shock might be the less when the whole truth were revealed, and now on this attack, though almost hopeless of success, she forced herself to begin her design by saying, as calmly as she could, “I like Edward Ferrars very much, and shall always be glad to see him; but as to the rest of the family, it is a matter of perfect indifference to me, whether I am ever known to them or not.” Mrs. Dashwood smiled and said nothing. Marianne lifted up her eyes in astonishment, and Elinor conjectured that she might as well have held her tongue. After very little farther discourse, it was finally settled that the invitation should be fully accepted. Mrs. Jennings received the information with a great deal of joy, and many assurances of kindness and care; nor was it a matter of pleasure merely to her. Sir John was delighted; for to a man, whose prevailing anxiety was the dread of being alone, the acquisition of two, to the number of inhabitants in London, was something. Even Lady Middleton took the trouble of being delighted, which was putting herself rather out of her way; and as for the Miss Steeles, especially Lucy, they had never been so happy in their lives as this intelligence made them. Elinor submitted to the arrangement which counteracted her wishes, with less reluctance than she had expected to feel. With regard to herself, it was now a matter of unconcern whether she went to town or not, and when she saw her mother so thoroughly pleased with the plan, and her sister 179

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 3

exhilarated by it in look, voice, and manner, restored to all her usual animation, and elevated to more than her usual gaiety, she could not be dissatisfied with the cause, and would hardly allow herself to distrust the consequence. Marianne’s joy was almost a degree beyond happiness, so great was the perturbation of her spirits and her impatience to be gone. Her unwillingness to quit her mother was her only restorative to calmness; and at the moment of parting, her grief on that score was excessive. Her mother’s affliction was hardly less, and Elinor was the only one of the three, who seemed to consider the separation as any thing short of eternal. Their departure took place in the first week in January. The Middletons were to follow in about a week. The Miss Steeles kept their station at the park, and were to quit it only with the rest of the family. line 1: exhilarated] 1811 exhilirated parting her

180

//

lines 8–9: parting, her] 1811

Chapter 4

E l i no r could not find herself in the carriage with Mrs. Jennings, and beginning a journey to London under her protection, and as her guest, without wondering at her own situation, so short had their acquaintance with that lady been, so wholly unsuited were they in age and disposition, and so many had been her objections against such a measure only a few days before! But these objections had all, with that happy ardour of youth which Marianne and her mother equally shared, been overcome or overlooked; and Elinor, in spite of every occasional doubt of Willoughby’s constancy, could not witness the rapture of delightful expectation which filled the whole soul and beamed in the eyes of Marianne, without feeling how blank was her own prospect, how cheerless her own state of mind in the comparison, and how gladly she would engage in the solicitude of Marianne’s situation to have the same animating object in view, the same possibility of hope. A short, a very short time however must now decide what Willoughby’s intentions were; in all probability he was already in town. Marianne’s eagerness to be gone declared her dependance on finding him there; and Elinor was resolved not only upon gaining every new light as to his character which her own observation or the intelligence of others could give her, but likewise upon watching his behaviour to her sister with such zealous attention, as to ascertain what he was and what he meant, before many meetings had taken place. Should the result of her observations be unfavourable, she was 181

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 4

determined at all events1 to open the eyes of her sister; should it be otherwise, her exertions would be of a different nature— she must then learn to avoid every selfish comparison, and banish every regret which might lessen her satisfaction in the happiness of Marianne. They were three days on their journey,2 and Marianne’s behaviour as they travelled was a happy specimen of what her future complaisance and companionableness to Mrs. Jennings might be expected to be. She sat in silence almost all the way, wrapt in her own meditations, and scarcely ever voluntarily speaking, except when any object of picturesque beauty within their view drew from her an exclamation of delight exclusively addressed to her sister. To atone for this conduct therefore, Elinor took immediate possession of the post of civility which she had assigned herself, behaved with the greatest attention to Mrs. Jennings, talked with her, laughed with her, and listened to her whenever she could; and Mrs. Jennings on her side treated them both with all possible kindness, was solicitous on every occasion for their ease and enjoyment, and only disturbed that she could not make them choose their own dinners at the inn, nor extort a confession of their preferring salmon to cod, or boiled fowls to veal cutlets.3 They reached town by three o’clock the third day, glad to be released, after such a journey, from the confinement of a carriage, and ready to enjoy all the luxury of a good fire. The house was handsome and handsomely fitted up, and the young ladies were immediately put in possession of a very comfortable apartment. It had formerly been Charlotte’s, and over the mantlepiece still hung a landscape in coloured silks4 of her performance, in proof of her having spent seven years at a great school in town to some effect.

182

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 4

As dinner was not to be ready in less than two hours from their arrival, Elinor determined to employ the interval in writing to her mother, and sat down for that purpose. In a few moments Marianne did the same. “I am writing home, Marianne,” said Elinor; “had not you better defer your letter for a day or two?” “I am not going to write to my mother,” replied Marianne hastily, and as if wishing to avoid any farther inquiry. Elinor said no more; it immediately struck her that she must then be writing to Willoughby, and the conclusion which as instantly followed was, that however mysteriously they might wish to conduct the affair, they must be engaged. This conviction, though not entirely satisfactory, gave her pleasure, and she continued her letter with greater alacrity. Marianne’s was finished in a very few minutes; in length it could be no more than a note: it was then folded up, sealed and directed with eager rapidity. Elinor thought she could distinguish a large W. in the direction, and no sooner was it complete than Marianne, ringing the bell, requested the footman5 who answered it, to get that letter conveyed for her to the two-penny post.6 This decided the matter at once. Her spirits still continued very high, but there was a flutter in them which prevented their giving much pleasure to her sister, and this agitation increased as the evening drew on. She could scarcely eat any dinner, and when they afterwards returned to the drawing room, seemed anxiously listening to the sound of every carriage.7 It was a great satisfaction to Elinor that Mrs. Jennings, by being much engaged in her own room, could see little of what was passing. The tea things were brought in, and line 8:

inquiry.] 1811 enquiry.

183

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 4

already had Marianne been disappointed more than once by a rap at a neighbouring door, when a loud one was suddenly heard which could not be mistaken for one at any other house. Elinor felt secure of its announcing Willoughby’s approach, and Marianne starting up moved towards the door. Every thing was silent; this could not be borne many seconds, she opened the door, advanced a few steps towards the stairs, and after listening half a minute, returned into the room in all the agitation which a conviction of having heard him would naturally produce; in the extasy of her feelings at that instant she could not help exclaiming, “Oh! Elinor, it is Willoughby, indeed it is!” and seemed almost ready to throw herself into his arms, when Colonel Brandon appeared. It was too great a shock to be borne with calmness, and she immediately left the room. Elinor was disappointed too; but at the same time her regard for Colonel Brandon ensured his welcome with her, and she felt particularly hurt that a man so partial to her sister should perceive that she experienced nothing but grief and disappointment in seeing him. She instantly saw that it was not unnoticed by him, that he even observed Marianne as she quitted the room, with such astonishment and concern, as hardly left him the recollection of what civility demanded towards herself. “Is your sister ill?” said he. Elinor answered in some distress that she was, and then talked of head-aches, low spirits, and over fatigues; and of every thing to which she could decently attribute her sister’s behaviour. He heard her with the most earnest attention, but seeming to recollect himself, said no more on the subject, and began directly to speak of his pleasure at seeing them in London,

184

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 4

making the usual inquiries about their journey and the friends they had left behind. In this calm kind of way, with very little interest on either side, they continued to talk, both of them out of spirits, and the thoughts of both engaged elsewhere. Elinor wished very much to ask whether Willoughby were then in town, but she was afraid of giving him pain by any inquiry after his rival; and at length by way of saying something, she asked if he had been in London ever since she had seen him last. “Yes,” he replied, with some embarrassment, “almost ever since; I have been once or twice at Delaford for a few days, but it has never been in my power to return to Barton.” This, and the manner in which it was said, immediately brought back to her remembrance, all the circumstances of his quitting that place, with the uneasiness and suspicions they had caused to Mrs. Jennings, and she was fearful that her question had implied much more curiosity on the subject than she had ever felt. Mrs. Jennings soon came in. “Oh! Colonel,” said she, with her usual noisy cheerfulness, “I am monstrous glad to see you—sorry I could not come before—beg your pardon, but I have been forced to look about me a little, and settle my matters; for it is a long while since I have been at home, and you know one has always a world of little odd things to do after one has been away for any time; and then I have had Cartwright8 to settle with—Lord, I have been as busy as a bee ever since dinner! But pray, Colonel, how came you to conjure out that I should be in town to-day?” line 1: inquiries] 1811 enquiries // line 7: line 10: replied, with] 1811 replied with

inquiry] 1811 enquiry

//

185

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 4

“I had the pleasure of hearing it at Mr. Palmer’s, where I have been dining.” “Oh! you did; well, and how do they all do at their house? How does Charlotte do? I warrant you she is a fine size by this time.” “Mrs. Palmer appeared quite well, and I am commissioned to tell you, that you will certainly see her to-morrow.” “Aye, to be sure, I thought as much. Well, Colonel, I have brought two young ladies with me, you see—that is, you see but one of them now, but there is another somewhere. Your friend Miss Marianne, too—which you will not be sorry to hear. I do not know what you and Mr. Willoughby will do between you about her. Aye, it is a fine thing to be young and handsome. Well! I was young once, but I never was very handsome—worse luck for me. However I got a very good husband, and I don’t know what the greatest beauty can do more. Ah! poor man! he has been dead these eight years and better. But Colonel, where have you been to since we parted? And how does your business go on? Come, come, let’s have no secrets among friends.” He replied with his accustomary mildness to all her inquiries, but without satisfying her in any. Elinor now began to make the tea, and Marianne was obliged to appear again. After her entrance, Colonel Brandon became more thoughtful and silent than he had been before, and Mrs. Jennings could not prevail on him to stay long. No other visitor appeared that evening, and the ladies were unanimous in agreeing to go early to bed. Marianne rose the next morning with recovered spirits and happy looks. The disappointment of the evening before seemed forgotten in the expectation of what was to happen that day. They had not long finished their breakfast before Mrs. Palmer’s barouche9 stopt at the door, and in a 186

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 4

few minutes she came laughing into the room; so delighted to see them all, that it was hard to say whether she received most pleasure from meeting her mother or the Miss Dashwoods again. So surprised at their coming to town, though it was what she had rather expected all along; so angry at their accepting her mother’s invitation after having declined her own, though at the same time she would never have forgiven them if they had not come! “Mr. Palmer will be so happy to see you,” said she; “what do you think he said when he heard of your coming with mama? I forget what it was now, but it was something so droll!” After an hour or two spent in what her mother called comfortable chat, or in other words, in every variety of inquiry concerning all their acquaintance on Mrs. Jennings’s side, and in laughter without cause on Mrs. Palmer’s, it was proposed by the latter that they should all accompany her to some shops where she had business that morning, to which Mrs. Jennings and Elinor readily consented, as having likewise some purchases to make themselves; and Marianne, though declining it at first, was induced to go likewise. Wherever they went, she was evidently always on the watch. In Bond-street especially,10 where much of their business lay, her eyes were in constant inquiry; and in whatever shop the party were engaged, her mind was equally abstracted from every thing actually before them, from all that interested and occupied the others. Restless and dissatisfied every where, her sister could never obtain her opinion of any article of purchase, however it might equally concern them both; she received no pleasure from any thing; was only impatient to be at home again, and could with difficulty govern her vexation at the tediousness of Mrs. Palmer, whose eye was caught by every thing pretty, expensive, or new; who was wild to buy 187

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 4

all, could determine on none, and dawdled away her time in rapture and indecision.11 It was late in the morning before they returned home; and no sooner had they entered the house than Marianne flew eagerly up stairs, and when Elinor followed, she found her turning from the table with a sorrowful countenance, which declared that no Willoughby had been there. “Has no letter been left here for me since we went out?” said she to the footman who then entered with the parcels. She was answered in the negative. “Are you quite sure of it?” she replied. “Are you certain that no servant, no porter has left any letter or note?” The man replied that none had. “How very odd!” said she in a low and disappointed voice, as she turned away to the window. “How odd indeed!” repeated Elinor within herself, regarding her sister with uneasiness. “If she had not known him to be in town she would not have written to him, as she did; she would have written to Combe Magna; and if he is in town, how odd that he should neither come nor write! Oh! my dear mother, you must be wrong in permitting an engagement between a daughter so young, a man so little known, to be carried on in so doubtful, so mysterious a manner! I long to inquire; but how will my interference be borne!” She determined after some consideration, that if appearances continued many days longer, as unpleasant as they now were, she would represent in the strongest manner to her mother the necessity of some serious inquiry into the affair. Mrs. Palmer and two elderly ladies of Mrs. Jennings’s intimate acquaintance, whom she had met and invited in the morning, dined with them. The former left them soon after line 3:

188

hume; [1811 home;

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 4

tea to fulfil her evening engagements; and Elinor was obliged to assist in making a whist-table12 for the others. Marianne was of no use on these occasions, as she would never learn the game, but though her time was therefore at her own disposal, the evening was by no means more productive of pleasure to her than to Elinor, for it was spent in all the anxiety of expectation13 and the pain of disappointment. She sometimes endeavoured for a few minutes to read; but the book was soon thrown aside, and she returned to the more interesting employment of walking backwards and forwards across the room, pausing for a moment whenever she came to the window, in hopes of distinguishing the long-expected rap.

189

Chapter 5

“I f this open weather1 holds much longer,” said Mrs. Jennings, when they met at breakfast the following morning, “Sir John will not like leaving Barton next week; ’tis a sad thing for sportsmen to lose a day’s pleasure. Poor souls! I always pity them when they do; they seem to take it so much to heart.” “That is true,” cried Marianne in a cheerful voice, and walking to the window as she spoke, to examine the day. “I had not thought of that. This weather will keep many sportsmen in the country.” It was a lucky recollection, all her good spirits were restored by it. “It is charming weather for them indeed,” she continued, as she sat down to the breakfast table with a happy countenance. “How much they must enjoy it! But” (with a little return of anxiety) “it cannot be expected to last long. At this time of year, and after such a series of rain, we shall certainly have very little more of it. Frosts will soon set in, and in all probability with severity. In another day or two perhaps; this extreme mildness can hardly last longer—nay, perhaps it may freeze to-night!” “At any rate,” said Elinor, wishing to prevent Mrs. Jennings from seeing her sister’s thoughts as clearly as she did, “I dare say we shall have Sir John and Lady Middleton in town by the end of next week.” lines 8–9: day. “I] 1811 day, “I

190

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 5

“Aye, my dear, I’ll warrant you we do. Mary always has her own way.” “And now,” silently conjectured Elinor, “she will write to Combe by this day’s post.” But if she did, the letter was written and sent away with a privacy which eluded all her watchfulness to ascertain the fact. Whatever the truth of it might be, and far as Elinor was from feeling thorough contentment about it, yet while she saw Marianne in spirits, she could not be very uncomfortable herself. And Marianne was in spirits; happy in the mildness of the weather, and still happier in her expectation of a frost. The morning was chiefly spent in leaving cards2 at the houses of Mrs. Jennings’s acquaintance to inform them of her being in town; and Marianne was all the time busy in observing the direction of the wind, watching the variations of the sky and imagining an alteration in the air. “Don’t you find it colder than it was in the morning, Elinor? There seems to me a very decided difference. I can hardly keep my hands warm even in my muff. It was not so yesterday, I think. The clouds seem parting too, the sun will be out in a moment; and we shall have a clear afternoon.” Elinor was alternately diverted and pained; but Marianne persevered, and saw every night in the brightness of the fire, and every morning in the appearance of the atmosphere, the certain symptoms of approaching frost. The Miss Dashwoods had no greater reason to be dissatisfied with Mrs. Jennings’s style of living, and set of acquaintance, than with her behaviour to themselves, which was invariably kind. Every thing in her household arrangements was conducted on the most liberal plan, and excepting a few old city friends, whom, to Lady Middleton’s regret, she had line 27:

style] 1811 stile

191

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 5

never dropped,3 she visited no one, to whom an introduction could at all discompose the feelings of her young companions. Pleased to find herself more comfortably situated in that particular than she had expected, Elinor was very willing to compound for the want of much real enjoyment from any of their evening parties, which, whether at home or abroad, formed only for cards, could have little to amuse her. Colonel Brandon, who had a general invitation to the house, was with them almost every day; he came to look at Marianne and talk to Elinor, who often derived more satisfaction from conversing with him than from any other daily occurrence, but who saw at the same time with much concern his continued regard for her sister. She feared it was a strengthening regard. It grieved her to see the earnestness with which he often watched Marianne, and his spirits were certainly worse than when at Barton. About a week after their arrival it became certain that Willoughby was also arrived. His card was on the table, when they came in from the morning’s drive. “Good God!” cried Marianne, “he has been here while we were out.” Elinor, rejoiced to be assured of his being in London, now ventured to say, “depend upon it he will call again to-morrow.” But Marianne seemed hardly to hear her, and on Mrs. Jennings’s entrance, escaped with the precious card. This event, while it raised the spirits of Elinor, restored to those of her sister, all, and more than all, their former agitation. From this moment her mind was never quiet; the expectation of seeing him every hour of the day, made her unfit for anything. She insisted on being left behind, the next morning, when the others went out. line 3:

192

herfelf [1811 herself

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 5

Elinor’s thoughts were full of what might be passing in Berkeley-street during their absence; but a moment’s glance at her sister when they returned was enough to inform her, that Willoughby had paid no second visit there. A note was just then brought in, and laid on the table. “For me!” cried Marianne, stepping hastily forward. “No, ma’am, for my mistress.” But Marianne, not convinced, took it instantly up. “It is indeed for Mrs. Jennings; how provoking!” “You are expecting a letter then?” said Elinor, unable to be longer silent. “Yes, a little—not much.” After a short pause, “you have no confidence in me, Marianne.” “Nay, Elinor, this reproach from you—you who have confidence in no one!” “Me!” returned Elinor in some confusion; “indeed, Marianne, I have nothing to tell.” “Nor I,” answered Marianne with energy, “our situations then are alike. We have neither of us any thing to tell; you, because you communicate, and I, because I conceal nothing.” Elinor, distressed by this charge of reserve in herself, which she was not at liberty to do away, knew not how, under such circumstances, to press for greater openness in Marianne. Mrs. Jennings soon appeared, and the note being given her, she read it aloud. It was from Lady Middleton, announcing their arrival in Conduit-street4 the night before, and requesting the company of her mother and cousins the following evening. Business on Sir John’s part, and a violent cold on her own, prevented their calling in Berkeley-street. The line 2: Berkeley-street] 1811 Berkeley street // line 6: me!” cried] 1811 me?” cried // line 9: Jennings; how] 1811 Jennings, how // line 12: “Yes, a] 1811 “Yes; a

193

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 5

invitation was accepted: but when the hour of appointment drew near, necessary as it was in common civility to Mrs. Jennings, that they should both attend her on such a visit, Elinor had some difficulty in persuading her sister to go, for still she had seen nothing of Willoughby; and therefore was not more indisposed for amusement abroad, than unwilling to run the risk of his calling again in her absence. Elinor found, when the evening was over, that disposition is not materially altered by a change of abode, for although scarcely settled in town, Sir John had contrived to collect around him, nearly twenty young people, and to amuse them with a ball. This was an affair, however, of which Lady Middleton did not approve. In the country, an unpremeditated dance was very allowable; but in London, where the reputation of elegance was more important and less easily obtained, it was risking too much for the gratification of a few girls, to have it known that Lady Middleton had given a small dance of eight or nine couple, with two violins, and a mere side-board collation.5 Mr. and Mrs. Palmer were of the party; from the former, whom they had not seen before since their arrival in town, as he was careful to avoid the appearance of any attention to his mother-in-law, and therefore never came near her, they received no mark of recognition on their entrance. He looked at them slightly, without seeming to know who they were, and merely nodded to Mrs. Jennings from the other side of the room. Marianne gave one glance round the apartment as she entered; it was enough, he was not there—and she sat down, equally ill-disposed to receive or communicate pleasure. After they had been assembled about an hour, line 1: accepted: but] 1811 accepted; but // line 13: unpremidated [1811 unpremeditated // line 15: obtained,] 1811 attained, // line 23: mother in-law, [1811 mother-in-law,

194

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 5

Mr. Palmer sauntered towards the Miss Dashwoods to express his surprise on seeing them in town, though Colonel Brandon had been first informed of their arrival at his house, and he had himself said something very droll on hearing that they were to come. “I thought you were both in Devonshire,” said he. “Did you?” replied Elinor. “When do you go back again?” “I do not know.” And thus ended their discourse. Never had Marianne been so unwilling to dance in her life, as she was that evening, and never so much fatigued by the exercise. She complained of it as they returned to Berkeleystreet. “Aye, aye,” said Mrs. Jennings, “we know the reason of all that very well; if a certain person who shall be nameless, had been there, you would not have been a bit tired: and to say the truth it was not very pretty of him not to give you the meeting when he was invited.” “Invited!” cried Marianne. “So my daughter Middleton told me, for it seems Sir John met him somewhere in the street this morning.” Marianne said no more, but looked exceedingly hurt. Impatient in this situation to be doing something that might lead to her sister’s relief, Elinor resolved to write the next morning to her mother, and hoped by awakening her fears for the health of Marianne, to procure those inquiries which had been so long delayed; and she was still more eagerly bent on this measure by perceiving after breakfast on the morrow, that Marianne was again writing to Willoughby, for she could not suppose it to be to any other person. line 15: person who] 1811 person, who // line 16: tired: and] 1811 tired; and // line 17: him not] 1811 him, not // lines 27–28: measure by] 1811 measure, by

195

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 5

About the middle of the day, Mrs. Jennings went out by herself on business, and Elinor began her letter directly, while Marianne, too restless for employment, too anxious for conversation, walked from one window to the other, or sat down by the fire in melancholy meditation. Elinor was very earnest in her application to her mother, relating all that had passed, her suspicions of Willoughby’s inconstancy, urging her by every plea of duty and affection to demand from Marianne, an account of her real situation with respect to him. Her letter was scarcely finished, when a rap foretold a visitor, and Colonel Brandon was announced. Marianne, who had seen him from the window, and who hated company of any kind, left the room before he entered it. He looked more than usually grave, and though expressing satisfaction at finding Miss Dashwood alone, as if he had somewhat in particular to tell her, sat for some time without saying a word. Elinor, persuaded that he had some communication to make in which her sister was concerned, impatiently expected its opening. It was not the first time of her feeling the same kind of conviction; for more than once before, beginning with the observation of “your sister looks unwell to-day,” or “your sister seems out of spirits,” he had appeared on the point, either of disclosing, or of inquiring, something particular about her. After a pause of several minutes, their silence was broken, by his asking her in a voice of some agitation, when he was to congratulate her on the acquisition of a brother? Elinor was not prepared for such a question, and having no answer ready, was obliged to adopt the simple and common expedient, of asking what he meant? He tried to smile as he replied, “your sister’s engagement to Mr. Willoughby is very generally known.” line 11:

196

Marianne, who] 1811 Marianne who

//

line 15:

at] 1811 in

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 5

“It cannot be generally known,” returned Elinor, “for her own family do not know it.” He looked surprised and said, “I beg your pardon, I am afraid my inquiry has been impertinent; but I had not supposed any secrecy intended, as they openly correspond, and their marriage is universally talked of.” “How can that be? By whom can you have heard it mentioned?” “By many—by some of whom you know nothing, by others with whom you are most intimate, Mrs. Jennings, Mrs. Palmer, and the Middletons. But still I might not have believed it, for where the mind is perhaps rather unwilling to be convinced, it will always find something to support its doubts, if I had not, when the servant let me in to-day, accidentally seen a letter in his hand, directed to Mr. Willoughby in your sister’s writing. I came to inquire, but I was convinced before I could ask the question. Is every thing finally settled? Is it impossible to—? But I have no right, and I could have no chance of succeeding. Excuse me, Miss Dashwood. I believe I have been wrong in saying so much, but I hardly know what to do, and on your prudence I have the strongest dependence. Tell me that it is all absolutely resolved on, that any attempt, that in short concealment, if concealment be possible, is all that remains.” These words, which conveyed to Elinor a direct avowal of his love for her sister, affected her very much. She was not immediately able to say anything, and even when her spirits were recovered, she debated for a short time, on the answer it would be most proper to give. The real state of things between Willoughby and her sister was so little known to herself, that line 11: Palmer, and] 1811 Palmer and // line 21: dependance. // line 25: Elinor a] 1811 Elinor, a

dependence.] 1811

197

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 5

in endeavour¨ıng to explain it, she might be as liable to say too much as too little. Yet as she was convinced that Marianne’s affection for Willoughby, could leave no hope of Colonel Brandon’s success, whatever the event of that affection might be, and at the same time wished to shield her conduct from censure, she thought it most prudent and kind, after some consideration, to say more than she really knew or believed. She acknowledged, therefore, that though she had never been informed by themselves of the terms on which they stood with each other, of their mutual affection she had no doubt, and of their correspondence she was not astonished to hear. He listened to her with silent attention, and on her ceasing to speak, rose directly from his seat, and after saying in a voice of emotion, “to your sister I wish all imaginable happiness; to Willoughby that he may endeavour to deserve her,”—took leave, and went away. Elinor derived no comfortable feelings from this conversation, to lessen the uneasiness of her mind on other points; she was left, on the contrary, with a melancholy impression of Colonel Brandon’s unhappiness, and was prevented even from wishing it removed, by her anxiety for the very event that must confirm it.

198

Chapter 6

N o th i ng occurred during the next three or four days, to make Elinor regret what she had done, in applying to her mother; for Willoughby neither came nor wrote. They were engaged about the end of that time to attend Lady Middleton to a party, from which Mrs. Jennings was kept away by the indisposition of her youngest daughter; and for this party, Marianne, wholly dispirited, careless of her appearance, and seeming equally indifferent whether she went or staid, prepared, without one look of hope, or one expression of pleasure. She sat by the drawing room fire after tea, till the moment of Lady Middleton’s arrival, without once stirring from her seat, or altering her attitude, lost in her own thoughts and insensible of her sister’s presence; and when at last they were told that Lady Middleton waited for them at the door, she started as if she had forgotten that any one was expected. They arrived in due time at the place of destination, and as soon as the string of carriages before them would allow, alighted, ascended the stairs, heard their names announced from one landing-place to another in an audible voice, and entered a room splendidly lit up, quite full of company, and insufferably hot. When they had paid their tribute of politeness by curtseying to the lady of the house, they were line 23:

curtesying [1811 curtseying

199

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 6

permitted to mingle in the croud, and take their share of the heat and inconvenience, to which their arrival must necessarily add. After some time spent in saying little and doing less, Lady Middleton sat down to Casino, and as Marianne was not in spirits for moving about, she and Elinor luckily succeeding to chairs, placed themselves at no great distance from the table. They had not remained in this manner long, before Elinor perceived Willoughby, standing within a few yards of them, in earnest conversation with a very fashionable looking young woman. She soon caught his eye, and he immediately bowed, but without attempting to speak to her, or to approach Marianne, though he could not but see her; and then continued his discourse with the same lady. Elinor turned involuntarily to Marianne, to see whether it could be unobserved by her. At that moment she first perceived him, and her whole countenance glowing with sudden delight, she would have moved towards him instantly, had not her sister caught hold of her. “Good heavens!” she exclaimed, “he is there—he is there— Oh! why does he not look at me? why cannot I speak to him?” “Pray, pray be composed,” cried Elinor, “and do not betray what you feel to every body present. Perhaps he has not observed you yet.” This however was more than she could believe herself; and to be composed at such a moment was not only beyond the reach of Marianne, it was beyond her wish. She sat in an agony of impatience, which affected every feature. line 4: Casino] 1811 cassino // line 5: Elinor luckily] 1811 Elinor, luckily // line 10: conversation with] 1811 conversation, with // lines 20–21: there—Oh!] 1811 there.—Oh! // line 25: herself; and] 1811 herself, and

200

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 6

At last he turned round again, and regarded them both; she started up, and pronouncing his name in a tone of affection, held out her hand to him. He approached, and addressing himself rather to Elinor than Marianne, as if wishing to avoid her eye, and determined not to observe her attitude, inquired in a hurried manner after Mrs. Dashwood, and asked how long they had been in town. Elinor was robbed of all presence of mind by such an address, and was unable to say a word. But the feelings of her sister were instantly expressed. Her face was crimsoned over, and she exclaimed in a voice of the greatest emotion, “Good God! Willoughby, what is the meaning of this? Have you not received my letters? Will you not shake hands with me?”1 He could not then avoid it, but her touch seemed painful to him, and he held her hand only for a moment. During all this time he was evidently struggling for composure. Elinor watched his countenance and saw its expression becoming more tranquil. After a moment’s pause, he spoke with calmness. “I did myself the honour of calling in Berkeley-street last Tuesday, and very much regretted that I was not fortunate enough to find yourselves and Mrs. Jennings at home. My card was not lost, I hope.” “But have you not received my notes?” cried Marianne in the wildest anxiety. “Here is some mistake I am sure— some dreadful mistake. What can be the meaning of it? Tell me, Willoughby; for heaven’s sake tell me, what is the matter?” He made no reply; his complexion changed and all his embarrassment returned; but as if, on catching the eye of the young lady with whom he had been previously talking, he felt the necessity of instant exertion, he recovered himself

201

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 6

again, and after saying, “Yes, I had the pleasure of receiving the information of your arrival in town, which you were so good as to send me,” turned hastily away with a slight bow and joined his friend. Marianne, now looking dreadfully white, and unable to stand, sunk into her chair, and Elinor, expecting every moment to see her faint, tried to screen her from the observation of others, while reviving her with lavendar water. “Go to him, Elinor,” she cried, as soon as she could speak, “and force him to come to me. Tell him I must see him again—must speak to him instantly.—I cannot rest—I shall not have a moment’s peace till this is explained—some dreadful misapprehension or other.—Oh go to him this moment.” “How can that be done? No, my dearest Marianne, you must wait. This is not a place for explanations. Wait only till to-morrow.” With difficulty however could she prevent her from following him herself; and to persuade her to check her agitation, to wait, at least, with the appearance of composure, till she might speak to him with more privacy and more effect, was impossible; for Marianne continued incessantly to give way in a low voice to the misery of her feelings, by exclamations of wretchedness. In a short time Elinor saw Willoughby quit the room by the door towards the staircase, and telling Marianne that he was gone, urged the impossibility of speaking to him again that evening, as a fresh argument for her to be calm. She instantly begged her sister would entreat Lady Middleton to take them home, as she was too miserable to stay a minute longer. Lady Middleton, though in the middle of a rubber, on being informed that Marianne was unwell, was too polite to line 27:

202

entreat] 1811 intreat

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 6

object for a moment to her wish of going away, and making over her cards to a friend, they departed as soon as the carriage could be found. Scarcely a word was spoken during their return to Berkeley-street. Marianne was in a silent agony, too much oppressed even for tears; but as Mrs. Jennings was luckily not come home, they could go directly to their own room, where hartshorn2 restored her a little to herself. She was soon undressed and in bed, and as she seemed desirous of being alone, her sister then left her, and while she waited the return of Mrs. Jennings, had leisure enough for thinking over the past. That some kind of engagement had subsisted between Willoughby and Marianne she could not doubt; and that Willoughby was weary of it, seemed equally clear; for however Marianne might still feed her own wishes, she could not attribute such behaviour to mistake or misapprehension of any kind. Nothing but a thorough change of sentiment could account for it. Her indignation would have been still stronger than it was, had she not witnessed that embarrassment which seemed to speak a consciousness of his own misconduct, and prevented her from believing him so unprincipled as to have been sporting with the affections of her sister from the first, without any design that would bear investigation. Absence might have weakened his regard, and convenience might have determined him to overcome it, but that such a regard had formerly existed she could not bring herself to doubt. As for Marianne, on the pangs which so unhappy a meeting must already have given her, and on those still more severe which might await her in its probable consequence, she could not reflect without the deepest concern. Her own situation line 10:

Jennings, had] 1811 Jennings had

203

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 6

gained in the comparison; for while she could esteem Edward as much as ever, however they might be divided in future, her mind might be always supported. But every circumstance that could embitter such an evil seemed uniting to heighten the misery of Marianne in a final separation from Willoughby— in an immediate and irreconcileable rupture with him.

204

Chapter 7

B ef o r e the house-maid had lit their fire the next day, or the sun gained any power over a cold, gloomy morning in January, Marianne, only half dressed, was kneeling against one of the window-seats for the sake of all the little light she could command from it, and writing as fast as a continual flow of tears would permit her. In this situation, Elinor, roused from sleep by her agitation and sobs, first perceived her; and after observing her for a few moments with silent anxiety, said, in a tone of the most considerate gentleness, “Marianne, may I ask?”— “No, Elinor,” she replied, “ask nothing; you will soon know all.” The sort of desperate calmness with which this was said, lasted no longer than while she spoke, and was immediately followed by a return of the same excessive affliction. It was some minutes before she could go on with her letter, and the frequent bursts of grief which still obliged her, at intervals, to withhold her pen, were proofs enough of her feeling how more than probable it was that she was writing for the last time to Willoughby. Elinor paid her every quiet and unobtrusive attention in her power; and she would have tried to sooth and tranquillize her still more, had not Marianne entreated her, with all the eagerness of the most nervous irritability,1 not to speak to her for the world. In such circumstances, it was better for both that they should not be long together; and the restless state 205

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 7

of Marianne’s mind not only prevented her from remaining in the room a moment after she was dressed, but requiring at once solitude and continual change of place, made her wander about the house till breakfast time, avoiding the sight of every body. At breakfast she neither ate, nor attempted to eat any thing ; and Elinor’s attention was then all employed, not in urging her, not in pitying her, nor in appearing to regard her, but in endeavouring to engage Mrs. Jennings’s notice entirely to herself. As this was a favourite meal with Mrs. Jennings, it lasted a considerable time, and they were just setting themselves, after it, round the common working table, when a letter was delivered to Marianne, which she eagerly caught from the servant, and, turning of a death-like paleness, instantly ran out of the room. Elinor, who saw as plainly by this, as if she had seen the direction, that it must come from Willoughby, felt immediately such a sickness at heart as made her hardly able to hold up her head, and sat in such a general tremour as made her fear it impossible to escape Mrs. Jennings’s notice. That good lady, however, saw only that Marianne had received a letter from Willoughby, which appeared to her a very good joke, and which she treated accordingly, by hoping, with a laugh, that she would find it to her liking. Of Elinor’s distress, she was too busily employed in measuring lengths of worsted for her rug,2 to see any thing at all; and calmly continuing her talk, as soon as Marianne disappeared, she said, “Upon my word I never saw a young woman so desperately in love in my life! My girls were nothing to her, and yet they used to be foolish enough; but as for Miss Marianne, she is quite an altered creature. I hope, from the bottom of my heart, he wo’nt keep her waiting much longer, for it is quite 206

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 7

grievous to see her look so ill and forlorn. Pray, when are they to be married?” Elinor, though never less disposed to speak than at that moment, obliged herself to answer such an attack as this, and, therefore, trying to smile, replied, “And have you really, Ma’am, talked yourself into a persuasion of my sister’s being engaged to Mr. Willoughby? I thought it had been only a joke, but so serious a question seems to imply more; and I must beg, therefore, that you will not deceive yourself any longer. I do assure you that nothing would surprise me more than to hear of their being going to be married.” “For shame, for shame, Miss Dashwood! how can you talk so! Don’t we all know that it must be a match, that they were over head and ears in love with each other from the first moment they met? Did not I see them together in Devonshire every day, and all day long; and did not I know that your sister came to town with me on purpose to buy wedding clothes?3 Come, come, this wo’nt do. Because you are so sly about it yourself, you think nobody else has any senses; but it is no such thing, I can tell you, for it has been known all over town this ever so long. I tell every body of it and so does Charlotte.” “Indeed, Ma’am,” said Elinor, very seriously, “you are mistaken. Indeed, you are doing a very unkind thing in spreading the report, and you will find that you have, though you will not believe me now.” Mrs. Jennings laughed again, but Elinor had not spirits to say more, and eager at all events to know what Willoughby had written, hurried away to their room, where, on opening the door, she saw Marianne stretched on the bed, almost choked by grief, one letter in her hand, and two or three others lying by her. Elinor drew near, but without saying a word; and line 20: over town] 1811 over the town // line 30: choked] 1811 choaked

//

line 21:

it and] 1811 it, and

207

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 7

seating herself on the bed, took her hand, kissed her affectionately several times, and then gave way to a burst of tears, which at first was scarcely less violent than Marianne’s. The latter, though unable to speak, seemed to feel all the tenderness of this behaviour, and after some time thus spent in joint affliction, she put all the letters into Elinor’s hands; and then covering her face with her handkerchief, almost screamed with agony. Elinor, who knew that such grief, shocking as it was to witness it, must have its course, watched by her till this excess of suffering had somewhat spent itself, and then turning eagerly to Willoughby’s letter, read as follows: Bond Street, January. M y D ea r M a da m , I have just had the honour of receiving your letter, for which I beg to return my sincere acknowledgments. I am much concerned to find there was any thing in my behaviour last night that did not meet your approbation; and though I am quite at a loss to discover in what point I could be so unfortunate as to offend you, I entreat your forgiveness of what I can assure you to have been perfectly unintentional. I shall never reflect on my former acquaintance with your family in Devonshire without the most grateful pleasure, and flatter myself it will not be broken by any mistake or misapprehension of my actions. My esteem for your whole family is very sincere; but if I have been so unfortunate as to give rise to a belief of more than I felt, or meant to express, I shall reproach myself for not having been more guarded in my professions of that esteem. That I should ever have meant more you will allow to be impossible, when you understand that my affections have been long engaged line 17: that] 1811 which // line 20: line 29: more you] 1811 more, you

208

entreat] 1811 intreat

//

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 7

elsewhere, and it will not be many weeks, I believe, before this engagement is fulfilled. It is with great regret that I obey your commands of returning the letters, with which I have been honoured from you, and the lock of hair, which you so obligingly bestowed on me. I am, dear Madam, Your most obedient humble Servant, Jo h n W i l l ou g h b y . With what indignation such a letter as this must be read by Miss Dashwood, may be imagined. Though aware, before she began it, that it must bring a confession of his inconstancy, and confirm their separation for ever, she was not aware that such language could be suffered to announce it! nor could she have supposed Willoughby capable of departing so far from the appearance of every honourable and delicate feeling—so far from the common decorum of a gentleman, as to send a letter so impudently cruel: a letter which, instead of bringing with his desire of a release any professions of regret, acknowledged no breach of faith, denied all peculiar affection whatever—a letter of which every line was an insult, and which proclaimed its writer to be deep in hardened villany. She paused over it for some time with indignant astonishment; then read it again and again; but every perusal only served to increase her abhorrence of the man, and so bitter were her feelings against him, that she dared not trust herself to speak, lest she might wound Marianne still deeper by treating their disengagement, not as a loss to her of any possible good but as an escape from the worst and most irremediable of all evils, a connection, for life, with an unprincipled line 11: Dashwood, may] 1811 Dashwood may // line 14: it! nor] 1811 it; nor // line 29: good but] 1811 good, but // line 30: of all evils,] 1811 of evils,

209

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 7

man, as a deliverance the most real, a blessing the most important. In her earnest meditations on the contents of the letter, on the depravity of that mind which could dictate it, and, probably, on the very different mind of a very different person, who had no other connection whatever with the affair than what her heart gave him with every thing that passed, Elinor forgot the immediate distress of her sister, forgot that she had three letters on her lap yet unread, and so entirely forgot how long she had been in the room, that when on hearing a carriage drive up to the door, she went to the window to see who could be coming so unreasonably early, she was all astonishment to perceive Mrs. Jennings’s chariot,4 which she knew had not been ordered till one. Determined not to quit Marianne, though hopeless of contributing, at present, to her ease, she hurried away to excuse herself from attending Mrs. Jennings, on account of her sister being indisposed. Mrs. Jennings, with a thoroughly good-humoured concern for its cause, admitted the excuse most readily, and Elinor, after seeing her safe off, returned to Marianne, whom she found attempting to rise from the bed, and whom she reached just in time to prevent her from falling on the floor, faint and giddy from a long want of proper rest and food; for it was many days since she had any appetite, and many nights since she had really slept; and now, when her mind was no longer supported by the fever of suspense, the consequence of all this was felt in an aching head, a weakened stomach, and a general nervous faintness. A glass of wine,5 which Elinor procured for her directly, made her more comfortable, and she was at last able to express some sense of her kindness, by saying, line 10:

210

when on] 1811 when, on

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 7

“Poor Elinor! how unhappy I make you!” “I only wish,” replied her sister, “there were any thing I could do, which might be of comfort to you.” This, as every thing else would have been, was too much for Marianne, who could only exclaim, in the anguish of her heart, “Oh! Elinor, I am miserable indeed,” before her voice was entirely lost in sobs. Elinor could no longer witness this torrent of unresisted grief in silence. “Exert yourself, dear Marianne,” she cried, “if you would not kill yourself and all who love you. Think of your mother; think of her misery while you suffer; for her sake you must exert yourself.”6 “I cannot, I cannot,” cried Marianne; “leave me, leave me, if I distress you; leave me, hate me, forget me! but do not torture me so. Oh! how easy for those who have no sorrow of their own to talk of exertion! Happy, happy Elinor, you cannot have an idea of what I suffer.” “Do you call me happy, Marianne? Ah! if you knew!—And can you believe me to be so, while I see you so wretched!” “Forgive me, forgive me,” throwing her arms round her sister’s neck; “I know you feel for me; I know what a heart you have; but yet you are—you must be happy; Edward loves you—what, oh! what can do away such happiness as that?” “Many, many circumstances,” said Elinor, solemnly. “No, no, no,” cried Marianne wildly, “he loves you, and only you. You can have no grief.” “I can have no pleasure while I see you in this state.” “And you will never see me otherwise. Mine is a misery which nothing can do away.” line 15:

me! but] 1811 me; but

211

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 7

“You must not talk so, Marianne. Have you no comforts? no friends? Is your loss such as leaves no opening for consolation? Much as you suffer now, think of what you would have suffered if the discovery of his character had been delayed to a later period—if your engagement had been carried on for months and months, as it might have been, before he chose to put an end to it. Every additional day of unhappy confidence, on your side, would have made the blow more dreadful.” “Engagement!” cried Marianne, “there has been no engagement.” “No engagement!” “No, he is not so unworthy as you believe him. He has broken no faith with me.” “But he told you that he loved you?”— “Yes—no—never absolutely. It was every day implied, but never professedly declared. Sometimes I thought it had been—but it never was.” “Yet you wrote to him?”— “Yes—could that be wrong after all that had passed?—But I cannot talk.” Elinor said no more, and turning again to the three letters which now raised a much stronger curiosity than before, directly ran over the contents of all. The first, which was what her sister had sent him on their arrival in town, was to this effect. Berkeley Street, January. How surprised you will be, Willoughby, on receiving this; and I think you will feel something more than surprise, when you know that I am in town. An opportunity of coming hither, though with Mrs. Jennings, was a temptation we could not resist. I wish you may receive this in time to come here 212

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 7

to-night, but I will not depend on it. At any rate I shall expect you to-morrow. For the present, adieu. M. D. Her second note, which had been written on the morning after the dance at the Middletons’, was in these words:— “I cannot express my disappointment in having missed you the day before yesterday, nor my astonishment at not having received any answer to a note which I sent you above a week ago. I have been expecting to hear from you, and still more to see you, every hour of the day. Pray call again as soon as possible, and explain the reason of my having expected this in vain. You had better come earlier another time, because we are generally out by one.7 We were last night at Lady Middleton’s, where there was a dance. I have been told that you were asked to be of the party. But could it be so? You must be very much altered indeed since we parted, if that could be the case, and you not there. But I will not suppose this possible, and I hope very soon to receive your personal assurance of its being otherwise.” M. D. The contents of her last note to him were these:— “What am I to imagine, Willoughby, by your behaviour last night? Again I demand an explanation of it. I was prepared to meet you with the pleasure which our separation naturally produced, with the familiarity which our intimacy at Barton appeared to me to justify. I was repulsed indeed! I have passed a wretched night in endeavouring to excuse a conduct which can scarcely be called less than insulting; but though I have not yet been able to form any reasonable apology for your behaviour, I am perfectly ready to hear your justification of it. You have perhaps been misinformed, or purposely deceived, 213

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 7

in something concerning me, which may have lowered me in your opinion. Tell me what it is, explain the grounds on which you acted, and I shall be satisfied, in being able to satisfy you. It would grieve me indeed to be obliged to think ill of you; but if I am to do it, if I am to learn that you are not what we have hitherto believed you, that your regard for us all was insincere, that your behaviour to me was intended only to deceive, let it be told as soon as possible. My feelings are at present in a state of dreadful indecision; I wish to acquit you, but certainty on either side will be ease to what I now suffer. If your sentiments are no longer what they were, you will return my notes, and the lock of my hair which is in your possession.” M. D. That such letters, so full of affection and confidence, could have been so answered, Elinor, for Willoughby’s sake, would have been unwilling to believe. But her condemnation of him did not blind her to the impropriety of their having been written at all; and she was silently grieving over the imprudence which had hazarded such unsolicited proofs of tenderness, not warranted by anything preceding, and most severely condemned by the event, when Marianne, perceiving that she had finished the letters, observed to her that they contained nothing but what any one would have written in the same situation. “I felt myself,” she added, “to be as solemnly engaged to him, as if the strictest legal covenant had bound us to each other.” “I can believe it,” said Elinor; “but unfortunately he did not feel the same.” “He did feel the same, Elinor—for weeks and weeks he felt it. I know he did. Whatever may have changed him now, 214

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 7

(and nothing but the blackest art employed against me can have done it,) I was once as dear to him as my own soul could wish. This lock of hair, which now he can so readily give up, was begged of me with the most earnest supplication. Had you seen his look, his manner, had you heard his voice at that moment! Have you forgot the last evening of our being together at Barton? The morning that we parted too! When he told me that it might be many weeks before we meet again—his distress—can I ever forget his distress!” For a moment or two she could say no more; but when this emotion had passed away, she added, in a firmer tone, “Elinor, I have been cruelly used; but not by Willoughby.” “Dearest Marianne, who but himself ? By whom can he have been instigated?” “By all the world, rather than by his own heart. I could rather believe every creature of my acquaintance leagued together to ruin me in his opinion, than believe his nature capable of such cruelty. This woman of whom he writes— whoever she be—or any one, in short, but your own dear self, mama, and Edward, may have been so barbarous to bely me. Beyond you three, is there a creature in the world whom I would not rather suspect of evil than Willoughby, whose heart I know so well?” Elinor would not contend, and only replied, “Whoever may have been so detestably your enemy, let them be cheated of their malignant triumph, my dear sister, by seeing how nobly the consciousness of your own innocence and good intentions supports your spirits. It is a reasonable and laudable pride which resists such malevolence.” “No, no,” cried Marianne, “misery such as mine has no pride. I care not who knows that I am wretched. The triumph of seeing me so may be open to all the world. Elinor, Elinor, they who suffer little may be proud and independent as they 215

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 7

like—may resist insult, or return mortification—but I cannot. I must feel—I must be wretched—and they are welcome to enjoy the consciousness of it that can.” “But for my mother’s sake and mine”— “I would do more than for my own. But to appear happy when I am so miserable—Oh! who can require it?” Again they were both silent. Elinor was employed in walking thoughtfully from the fire to the window, from the window to the fire, without knowing that she received warmth from one, or discerning objects through the other; and Marianne, seated at the foot of the bed, with her head leaning against one of its posts, again took up Willoughby’s letter, and after shuddering over every sentence, exclaimed— “It is too much! Oh! Willoughby, Willoughby, could this be yours! Cruel, cruel—nothing can acquit you. Elinor, nothing can. Whatever he might have heard against me—ought he not to have suspended his belief ? ought he not to have told me of it, to have given me the power of clearing myself ? ‘The lock of hair, (repeating it from the letter,) which you so obligingly bestowed on me’—That is unpardonable. Willoughby, where was your heart, when you wrote those words? Oh! barbarously insolent!—Elinor, can he be justified?” “No, Marianne, in no possible way.” “And yet this woman—who knows what her art may have been—how long it may have been premeditated, and how deeply contrived by her!—Who is she?—Who can she be?— Whom did I ever hear him talk of as young and attractive among his female acquaintance?—Oh! no one, no one—he talked to me only of myself.” Another pause ensued; Marianne was greatly agitated, and it ended thus. line 10: discerning] 1811 discerned // // line 27: atttractive [1811 attractive

216

line 15:

yours!] 1811 your’s!

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 7

“Elinor, I must go home. I must go and comfort mama. Cannot we be gone to-morrow?” “To-morrow, Marianne!” “Yes; why should I stay here? I came only for Willoughby’s sake—and now who cares for me? Who regards me?” “It would be impossible to go to-morrow. We owe Mrs. Jennings much more than civility; and civility of the commonest kind must prevent such a hasty removal as that.” “Well then, another day or two, perhaps; but I cannot stay here long, I cannot stay to endure the questions and remarks of all these people. The Middletons and Palmers— how am I to bear their pity? The pity of such a woman as Lady Middleton! Oh! what would he say to that!” Elinor advised her to lie down again, and for a moment she did so; but no attitude could give her ease; and in restless pain of mind and body she moved from one posture to another, till growing more and more hysterical, her sister could with difficulty keep her on the bed at all, and for some time was fearful of being constrained to call for assistance. Some lavender drops, however, which she was at length persuaded to take, were of use; and from that time till Mrs. Jennings returned, she continued on the bed quiet and motionless. line 9:

canot [1811 cannot

217

Chapter 8

M r s . Je n n i ng s came immediately to their room on her return, and without waiting to have her request of admittance answered, opened the door and walked in with a look of real concern. “How do you do my dear?”—said she in a voice of great compassion to Marianne, who turned away her face without attempting to answer. “How is she, Miss Dashwood?—Poor thing! she looks very bad.—No wonder. Aye, it is but too true. He is to be married very soon—a good-for-nothing fellow! I have no patience with him. Mrs. Taylor told me of it half an hour ago, and she was told it by a particular friend of Miss Grey herself, else I am sure I should not have believed it; and I was almost ready to sink as it was. Well, said I, all I can say is, that if it is true, he has used a young lady of my acquaintance abominably ill, and I wish with all my soul his wife may plague his heart out. And so I shall always say, my dear, you may depend on it. I have no notion of men’s going on in this way: and if ever I meet him again, I will give him such a dressing1 as he has not had this many a day. But there is one comfort, my dear Miss Marianne; he is not the only young man in the world worth having; and with your pretty face you will never want admirers. Well, poor thing! I won’t disturb her any longer, for she had better have her cry out at once and have done with it. line 5:

218

do my] 1811 do, my

//

line 18:

way: and] 1811 way; and

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 8

The Parrys and Sandersons luckily are coming to-night you know, and that will amuse her.” She then went away, walking on tiptoe out of the room, as if she supposed her young friend’s affliction could be increased by noise. Marianne, to the surprise of her sister, determined on dining with them. Elinor even advised her against it. But “no, she would go down; she could bear it very well, and the bustle about her would be less.” Elinor, pleased to have her governed for a moment by such a motive, though believing it hardly possible that she could sit out the dinner, said no more; and adjusting her dress for her as well as she could, while Marianne still remained on the bed, was ready to assist her into the dining room as soon as they were summoned to it. When there, though looking most wretchedly, she ate more and was calmer than her sister had expected. Had she tried to speak, or had she been conscious of half Mrs. Jennings’s well-meant but ill-judged attentions to her, this calmness could not have been maintained; but not a syllable escaped her lips, and the abstraction of her thoughts preserved her in ignorance of every thing that was passing before her. Elinor, who did justice to Mrs. Jennings’s kindness, though its effusions were often distressing, and sometimes almost ridiculous, made her those acknowledgments, and returned her those civilities, which her sister could not make or return for herself. Their good friend saw that Marianne was unhappy, and felt that every thing was due to her which might make her at all less so. She treated her therefore, with all the indulgent fondness of a parent towards a favourite child on the last day of its holidays. Marianne was to have the best place by the fire, was to be tempted to eat by every delicacy in line 12:

could, while] 1811 could while

219

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 8

the house, and to be amused by the relation of all the news of the day. Had not Elinor, in the sad countenance of her sister, seen a check to all mirth, she could have been entertained by Mrs. Jennings’s endeavours to cure a disappointment in love, by a variety of sweetmeats2 and olives, and a good fire. As soon, however, as the consciousness of all this was forced by continual repetition on Marianne, she could stay no longer. With an hasty exclamation of Misery, and a sign to her sister not to follow her, she directly got up and hurried out of the room. “Poor soul!” cried Mrs. Jennings, as soon as she was gone, “how it grieves me to see her! And I declare if she is not gone away without finishing her wine! And the dried cherries too! Lord! nothing seems to do her any good. I am sure if I knew of any thing she would like, I would send all over the town for it. Well, it is the oddest thing to me, that a man should use such a pretty girl so ill! But when there is plenty of money on one side, and next to none on the other, Lord bless you! they care no more about such things!—” “The lady then—Miss Grey I think you called her—is very rich?” “Fifty thousand pounds,3 my dear. Did you ever see her? a smart, stilish girl they say, but not handsome. I remember her aunt very well, Biddy Henshawe;4 she married a very wealthy man. But the family are all rich together. Fifty thousand pounds! and by all accounts it wo’nt come before it’s wanted; for they say he is all to pieces.5 No wonder! dashing about with his curricle and hunters!6 Well, it don’t signify talking, but when a young man, be he who he will, comes and makes love to a pretty girl, and promises marriage, he has no business to fly off from his word only because he grows poor, and lines 11–12: gone, “how] 1811 gone, how

220

//

line 20:

The [1811 “The

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 8

a richer girl is ready to have him. Why don’t he, in such a case, sell his horses, let his house, turn off his servants, and make a thorough reform at once? I warrant you, Miss Marianne would have been ready to wait till matters came round. But that won’t do, now-a-days; nothing in the way of pleasure can ever be given up by the young men of this age.” “Do you know what kind of a girl Miss Grey is? Is she said to be amiable?” “I never heard any harm of her; indeed I hardly ever heard her mentioned; except that Mrs. Taylor did say this morning, that one day Miss Walker hinted to her, that she believed Mr. and Mrs. Ellison would not be sorry to have Miss Grey married, for she and Mrs. Ellison could never agree.”— “And who are the Ellisons?” “Her guardians, my dear. But now she is of age and may choose for herself; and a pretty choice she has made!—What now,” after pausing a moment—“your poor sister is gone to her own room I suppose to moan by herself. Is there nothing one can get to comfort her? Poor dear, it seems quite cruel to let her be alone. Well, by-and-by we shall have a few friends, and that will amuse her a little. What shall we play at? She hates whist I know; but is there no round game she cares for?” “Dear Ma’am, this kindness is quite unnecessary. Marianne I dare say will not leave her room again this evening. I shall persuade her if I can to go early to bed, for I am sure she wants rest.” “Aye, I believe that will be best for her. Let her name her own supper, and go to bed. Lord! no wonder she has been looking so bad and so cast down this last week or two, for this matter I suppose has been hanging over her head as long as that. And so the letter that came to-day finished it! Poor soul! I am sure if I had had a notion of it, I would not have 221

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 8

joked her about it for all my money. But then you know, how should I guess such a thing? I made sure of its being nothing but a common love letter, and you know young people like to be laughed at about them. Lord! how concerned Sir John and my daughters will be when they hear it! If I had had my senses about me I might have called in Conduit-street in my way home, and told them of it. But I shall see them to-morrow.” “It would be unnecessary I am sure, for you to caution Mrs. Palmer and Sir John against ever naming Mr. Willoughby, or making the slightest allusion to what has passed, before my sister. Their own good-nature must point out to them the real cruelty of appearing to know any thing about it when she is present; and the less that may ever be said to myself on the subject, the more my feelings will be spared, as you my dear madam will easily believe.” “Oh! Lord! yes, that I do indeed. It must be terrible for you to hear it talked of; and as for your sister, I am sure I would not mention a word about it to her for the world. You saw I did not all dinner time. No more would Sir John nor my daughters, for they are all very thoughtful and considerate; especially if I give them a hint, as I certainly will. For my part, I think the less that is said about such things, the better, the sooner ’tis blown over and forgot. And what good does talking ever do you know?” “In this affair it can only do harm; more so perhaps than in many cases of a similar kind, for it has been attended by circumstances which, for the sake of every one concerned in it, make it unfit to become the public conversation. I must do this justice to Mr. Willoughby—he has broken no positive engagement with my sister.” line 3: love letter,] 1811 love-letter,

222

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 8

“Law, my dear! Don’t pretend to defend him. No positive engagement indeed! after taking her all over Allenham House, and fixing on the very rooms they were to live in hereafter!” Elinor, for her sister’s sake, could not press the subject farther, and she hoped it was not required of her for Willoughby’s; since, though Marianne might lose much, he could gain very little by the inforcement of the real truth. After a short silence on both sides, Mrs. Jennings, with all her natural hilarity, burst forth again. “Well, my dear, ’tis a true saying about an ill wind, for it will be all the better for Colonel Brandon. He will have her at last; aye, that he will. Mind me, now, if they an’t married by Midsummer.7 Lord! how he’ll chuckle over this news! I hope he will come to-night. It will be all to one a better match for your sister. Two thousand a year without debt or drawback— except the little lovechild, indeed; aye, I had forgot her; but she may be ’prenticed out8 at small cost, and then what does it signify? Delaford is a nice place, I can tell you; exactly what I call a nice old fashioned place, full of comforts and conveniences; quite shut in with great garden walls that are covered with the best fruit-trees in the country: and such a mulberry tree in one corner! Lord! how Charlotte and I did stuff the only time we were there! Then, there is a dove-cote, some delightful stewponds,9 and a very pretty canal; and every thing, in short, that one could wish for: and, moreover, it is close to the church, and only a quarter of a mile from the turnpike-road,10 so ’tis never dull, for if you only go and sit up in an old yew arbour behind the house, you may see all the carriages that pass along. Oh! ’tis a nice place! A butcher hard by in the village, and the parsonage-house within a stone’s throw. To my fancy, a thousand times prettier than Barton Park, where they are forced to send three miles for their meat, 223

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 8

and have not a neighbour nearer than your mother. Well, I shall spirit up the Colonel as soon as I can. One shoulder of mutton, you know, drives another down.11 If we can but put Willoughby out of her head!” “Aye, if we can but do that, Ma’am,” said Elinor, “we shall do very well with or without Colonel Brandon.” And then rising, she went away to join Marianne, whom she found, as she expected, in her own room, leaning, in silent misery, over the small remains of a fire, which, till Elinor’s entrance, had been her only light. “You had better leave me,” was all the notice that her sister received from her. “I will leave you,” said Elinor, “if you will go to bed.” But this, from the momentary perverseness of impatient suffering, she at first refused to do. Her sister’s earnest, though gentle persuasion, however, soon softened her to compliance, and Elinor saw her lay her aching head on the pillow, and saw her, as she hoped, in a way to get some quiet rest before she left her. In the drawing-room, whither she then repaired, she was soon joined by Mrs. Jennings, with a wine-glass, full of something, in her hand. “My dear,” said she, entering, “I have just recollected that I have some of the finest old Constantia12 wine in the house, that ever was tasted, so I have brought a glass of it for your sister. My poor husband! how fond he was of it! Whenever he had a touch of his old cholicky gout,13 he said it did him more good than any thing else in the world. Do take it to your sister.” “Dear Ma’am,” replied Elinor, smiling at the difference of the complaints for which it was recommended, “how good line 9: fire, which,] 1811 fire which,

224

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 8

you are! But I have just left Marianne in bed, and, I hope, almost asleep; and as I think nothing will be of so much service to her as rest, if you will give me leave, I will drink the wine myself.” Mrs. Jennings, though regretting that she had not been five minutes earlier, was satisfied with the compromise; and Elinor, as she swallowed the chief of it, reflected that, though its good effects on a cholicky gout were, at present, of little importance to her, its healing powers on a disappointed heart might be as reasonably tried on herself as on her sister. Colonel Brandon came in while the party were at tea, and by his manner of looking round the room for Marianne, Elinor immediately fancied that he neither expected, nor wished to see her there, and, in short, that he was already aware of what occasioned her absence. Mrs. Jennings was not struck by the same thought; for, soon after his entrance, she walked across the room to the tea-table where Elinor presided, and whispered—“The Colonel looks as grave as ever you see. He knows nothing of it; do tell him, my dear.” He shortly afterwards drew a chair close to her’s, and, with a look which perfectly assured her of his good information, inquired after her sister. “Marianne is not well,” said she. “She has been indisposed all day, and we have persuaded her to go to bed.” “Perhaps, then,” he hesitatingly replied, “what I heard this morning may be—there may be more truth in it than I could believe possible at first.” “What did you hear?” “That a gentleman, whom I had reason to think—in short, that a man, whom I knew to be engaged—but how shall I tell you? If you know it already, as surely you must, I may be spared.” 225

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 8

“You mean,” answered Elinor, with forced calmness, “Mr. Willoughby’s marriage with Miss Grey. Yes, we do know it all. This seems to have been a day of general elucidation, for this very morning first unfolded it to us. Mr. Willoughby is unfathomable! Where did you hear it?” “In a stationer’s shop in Pall Mall,14 where I had business. Two ladies were waiting for their carriage, and one of them was giving the other an account of the intended match, in a voice so little attempting concealment, that it was impossible for me not to hear all. The name of Willoughby, John Willoughby, frequently repeated, first caught my attention, and what followed was a positive assertion that every thing was now finally settled respecting his marriage with Miss Grey—it was no longer to be a secret—it would take place even within a few weeks, with many particulars of preparations and other matters. One thing, especially, I remember, because it served to identify the man still more:—as soon as the ceremony was over, they were to go to Combe Magna, his seat in Somersetshire. My astonishment!—but it would be impossible to describe what I felt. The communicative lady I learnt, on inquiry, for I staid in the shop till they were gone, was a Mrs. Ellison, and that, as I have been since informed, is the name of Miss Grey’s guardian.” “It is. But have you likewise heard that Miss Grey has fifty thousand pounds? In that, if in any thing, we may find an explanation.” “It may be so; but Willoughby is capable—at least I think”—he stopped a moment; then added in a voice which seemed to distrust itself, “And your sister—how did she—” “Her sufferings have been very severe. I have only to hope that they may be proportionably short. It has been, it is a most line 19:

226

astonishment!—but] 1811 astonishment! But

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 8

cruel affliction. Till yesterday, I believe, she never doubted his regard; and even now, perhaps—but I am almost convinced that he never was really attached to her. He has been very deceitful! and, in some points, there seems a hardness of heart about him.” “Ah!” said Colonel Brandon, “there is, indeed! But your sister does not—I think you said so—she does not consider it quite as you do?” “You know her disposition, and may believe how eagerly she would still justify him if she could.” He made no answer; and soon afterwards, by the removal of the tea-things, and the arrangement of the card parties, the subject was necessarily dropped. Mrs. Jennings, who had watched them with pleasure while they were talking, and who expected to see the effect of Miss Dashwood’s communication, in such an instantaneous gaiety on Colonel Brandon’s side, as might have become a man in the bloom of youth, of hope and happiness, saw him, with amazement, remain the whole evening more serious and thoughtful than usual.

227

Chapter 9

Fro m a night of more sleep than she had expected, Marianne awoke the next morning to the same consciousness of misery in which she had closed her eyes. Elinor encouraged her as much as possible to talk of what she felt; and before breakfast was ready, they had gone through the subject again and again; with the same steady conviction and affectionate counsel on Elinor’s side, the same impetuous feelings and varying opinions on Marianne’s, as before. Sometimes she could believe Willoughby to be as unfortunate and as innocent as herself, and at others, lost every consolation in the impossibility of acquitting him. At one moment she was absolutely indifferent to the observation of all the world, at another she would seclude herself from it for ever, and at a third could resist it with energy. In one thing, however, she was uniform, when it came to the point, in avoiding, where it was possible, the presence of Mrs. Jennings, and in a determined silence when obliged to endure it. Her heart was hardened against the belief of Mrs. Jennings’s entering into her sorrows with any compassion. “No, no, no, it cannot be,” she cried; “she cannot feel. Her kindness is not sympathy; her good nature is not tenderness. All that she wants is gossip, and she only likes me now because I supply it.” Elinor had not needed this to be assured of the injustice to which her sister was often led in her opinion of others, by the irritable refinement of her own mind, and the too 228

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 9

great importance placed by her on the delicacies of a strong sensibility,1 and the graces of a polished manner. Like half the rest of the world, if more than half there be that are clever and good, Marianne, with excellent abilities and an excellent disposition, was neither reasonable nor candid. She expected from other people the same opinions and feelings as her own, and she judged of their motives by the immediate effect of their actions on herself. Thus a circumstance occurred, while the sisters were together in their own room after breakfast, which sunk the heart of Mrs. Jennings still lower in her estimation; because, through her own weakness, it chanced to prove a source of fresh pain to herself, though Mrs. Jennings was governed in it by an impulse of the utmost good-will. With a letter in her out-stretched hand, and countenance gaily smiling, from the persuasion of bringing comfort, she entered their room, saying, “Now, my dear, I bring you something that I am sure will do you good.” Marianne heard enough. In one moment her imagination placed before her a letter from Willoughby, full of tenderness and contrition, explanatory of all that had passed, satisfactory, convincing; and instantly followed by Willoughby himself, rushing eagerly into the room to inforce, at her feet, by the eloquence of his eyes, the assurances of his letter. The work of one moment was destroyed by the next. The hand writing of her mother, never till then unwelcome, was before her; and, in the acuteness of the disappointment which followed such an extasy of more than hope, she felt as if, till that instant, she had never suffered. line 4: abilities and] 1811 abilities, and good will.

//

line 14:

good-will.] 1811

229

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 9

The cruelty of Mrs. Jennings no language, within her reach in her moments of happiest eloquence, could have expressed; and now she could reproach her only by the tears which streamed from her eyes with passionate violence—a reproach, however, so entirely lost on its object, that after many expressions of pity, she withdrew, still referring her to the letter for comfort. But the letter, when she was calm enough to read it, brought little comfort. Willoughby filled every page. Her mother, still confident of their engagement, and relying as warmly as ever on his constancy, had only been roused by Elinor’s application, to intreat from Marianne greater openness towards them both; and this, with such tenderness towards her, such affection for Willoughby, and such a conviction of their future happiness in each other, that she wept with agony through the whole of it. All her impatience to be at home again now returned; her mother was dearer to her than ever; dearer through the very excess of her mistaken confidence in Willoughby, and she was wildly urgent to be gone. Elinor, unable herself to determine whether it were better for Marianne to be in London or at Barton, offered no counsel of her own except of patience till their mother’s wishes could be known; and at length she obtained her sister’s consent to wait for that knowledge. Mrs. Jennings left them earlier than usual; for she could not be easy till the Middletons and Palmers were able to grieve as much as herself; and positively refusing Elinor’s offered attendance, went out alone for the rest of the morning. Elinor, with a very heavy heart, aware of the pain she was going to communicate, and perceiving by Marianne’s letter how ill she had succeeded in laying any foundation for it, then sat down to write her mother an account of what had passed, and line 9: mother, still] 1811 mother still

230

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 9

intreat her directions for the future; while Marianne, who came into the drawing-room on Mrs. Jennings’s going away, remained fixed at the table where Elinor wrote, watching the advancement of her pen, grieving over her for the hardship of such a task, and grieving still more fondly over its effect on her mother. In this manner they had continued about a quarter of an hour, when Marianne, whose nerves could not then bear any sudden noise, was startled by a rap at the door. “Who can this be?” cried Elinor. “So early too! I thought we had been safe.” Marianne moved to the window— “It is Colonel Brandon!” said she, with vexation. “We are never safe from him.” “He will not come in, as Mrs. Jennings is from home.” “I will not trust to that,” retreating to her own room. “A man who has nothing to do with his own time has no conscience in his intrusion on that of others.” The event proved her conjecture right, though it was founded on injustice and error; for Colonel Brandon did come in; and Elinor, who was convinced that solicitude for Marianne brought him thither, and who saw that solicitude in his disturbed and melancholy look, and in his anxious though brief inquiry after her, could not forgive her sister for esteeming him so lightly. “I met Mrs. Jennings in Bond-street,” said he, after the first salutation, “and she encouraged me to come on; and I was the more easily encouraged, because I thought it probable that I might find you alone, which I was very desirous of doing. My object—my wish—my sole wish in desiring it—I hope, I believe it is—is to be a means of giving comfort;—no, I line 12: for

window—] 1811 window.—

//

line 20:

error; for] 1811 error,

231

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 9

must not say comfort—not present comfort—but conviction, lasting conviction to your sister’s mind. My regard for her, for yourself, for your mother—will you allow me to prove it, by relating some circumstances, which nothing but a very sincere regard—nothing but an earnest desire of being useful——— I think I am justified—though where so many hours have been spent in convincing myself that I am right, is there not some reason to fear I may be wrong?” He stopped. “I understand you,” said Elinor. “You have something to tell me of Mr. Willoughby, that will open his character farther. Your telling it will be the greatest act of friendship that can be shewn Marianne. My gratitude will be insured immediately by any information tending to that end, and her’s must be gained by it in time. Pray, pray let me hear it.” “You shall; and, to be brief, when I quitted Barton last October,—but this will give you no idea—I must go farther back. You will find me a very awkward narrator, Miss Dashwood; I hardly know where to begin. A short account of myself, I believe, will be necessary,2 and it shall be a short one. On such a subject,” sighing heavily, “I can have little temptation to be diffuse.” He stopt a moment for recollection, and then, with another sigh, went on. “You have probably entirely forgotten a conversation— (it is not to be supposed that it could make any impression on you)—a conversation between us one evening at Barton Park—it was the evening of a dance—in which I alluded to a lady I had once known, as resembling, in some measure, your sister Marianne.” “Indeed,” answered Elinor, “I have not forgotten it.” He looked pleased by this remembrance, and added, line 5: useful———I] 1811 useful——. I // line 8: [1811 wrong?” He // line 8: stopped.] 1811 stopt.

232

wrong?’” He

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 9

“If I am not deceived by the uncertainty, the partiality of tender recollection, there is a very strong resemblance between them, as well in mind as person. The same warmth of heart, the same eagerness of fancy and spirits. This lady was one of my nearest relations, an orphan from her infancy, and under the guardianship of my father. Our ages were nearly the same, and from our earliest years we were playfellows and friends. I cannot remember the time when I did not love Eliza; and my affection for her, as we grew up, was such, as perhaps, judging from my present forlorn and cheerless gravity, you might think me incapable of having ever felt. Her’s, for me, was, I believe, fervent as the attachment of your sister to Mr. Willoughby, and it was, though from a different cause, no less unfortunate. At seventeen, she was lost to me for ever. She was married—married against her inclination to my brother. Her fortune was large, and our family estate much encumbered. And this, I fear, is all that can be said for the conduct of one, who was at once her uncle and guardian. My brother did not deserve her; he did not even love her. I had hoped that her regard for me would support her under any difficulty, and for some time it did; but at last the misery of her situation, for she experienced great unkindness, overcame all her resolution, and though she had promised me that nothing——but how blindly I relate! I have never told you how this was brought on. We were within a few hours of eloping together for Scotland.3 The treachery, or the folly, of my cousin’s maid betrayed us. I was banished to the house of a relation far distant, and she was allowed no liberty, no society, no amusement, till my father’s point was gained. I had depended on her fortitude too far, and the blow was a severe one—but had her marriage been happy, line 21:

did; but] 1811 did;—but

233

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 9

so young as I then was, a few months must have reconciled me to it, or at least I should not have now to lament it. This however was not the case. My brother had no regard for her; his pleasures were not what they ought to have been, and from the first he treated her unkindly. The consequence of this, upon a mind so young, so lively, so inexperienced as Mrs. Brandon’s, was but too natural. She resigned herself at first to all the misery of her situation; and happy had it been if she had not lived to overcome those regrets which the remembrance of me occasioned. But can we wonder that with such a husband to provoke inconstancy, and without a friend to advise or restrain her, (for my father lived only a few months after their marriage, and I was with my regiment in the East Indies) she should fall? Had I remained in England, perhaps—but I meant to promote the happiness of both by removing from her for years, and for that purpose had procured my exchange.4 The shock which her marriage had given me,” he continued, in a voice of great agitation, “was of trifling weight—was nothing—to what I felt when I heard, about two years afterwards, of her divorce.5 It was that which threw this gloom,—even now the recollection of what I suffered—” He could say no more, and rising hastily walked for a few minutes about the room. Elinor, affected by his relation, and still more by his distress, could not speak. He saw her concern, and coming to her, took her hand, pressed it, and kissed it with grateful respect. A few minutes more of silent exertion enabled him to proceed with composure. “It was nearly three years after this unhappy period before I returned to England. My first care, when I did arrive, was of course to seek for her; but the search was as fruitless as it was melancholy. I could not trace her beyond her first seducer, and there was every reason to fear that she had removed from him 234

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 9

only to sink deeper in a life of sin. Her legal allowance was not adequate to her fortune,6 nor sufficient for her comfortable maintenance, and I learnt from my brother, that the power of receiving it had been made over7 some months before to another person. He imagined, and calmly could he imagine it, that her extravagance and consequent distress had obliged her to dispose of it for some immediate relief. At last, however, and after I had been six months in England, I did find her. Regard for a former servant of my own, who had since fallen into misfortune, carried me to visit him in a spunging-house,8 where he was confined for debt; and there, in the same house, under a similar confinement, was my unfortunate sister. So altered—so faded—worn down by acute suffering of every kind! hardly could I believe the melancholy and sickly figure before me, to be the remains of the lovely, blooming, healthful girl, on whom I had once doated. What I endured in so beholding her—but I have no right to wound your feelings by attempting to describe it—I have pained you too much already. That she was, to all appearance, in the last stage of a consumption,9 was—yes, in such a situation it was my greatest comfort. Life could do nothing for her, beyond giving time for a better preparation for death; and that was given. I saw her placed in comfortable lodgings, and under proper attendants; I visited her every day during the rest of her short life; I was with her in her last moments.” Again he stopped to recover himself; and Elinor spoke her feelings in an exclamation of tender concern, at the fate of his unfortunate friend. “Your sister, I hope, cannot be offended,” said he, “by the resemblance I have fancied between her and my poor disgraced relation. Their fates, their fortunes cannot be the line 19:

was, to] 1811 was to

235

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 9

same; and had the natural sweet disposition of the one been guarded by a firmer mind, or an happier marriage, she might have been all that you will live to see the other be. But to what does all this lead? I seem to have been distressing you for nothing. Ah! Miss Dashwood—a subject such as this— untouched for fourteen years—it is dangerous to handle it at all! I will be more collected—more concise. She left to my care her only child, a little girl, the offspring of her first guilty connection, who was then about three years old. She loved the child, and had always kept it with her. It was a valued, a precious trust to me; and gladly would I have discharged it in the strictest sense, by watching over her education myself, had the nature of our situations allowed it; but I had no family, no home; and my little Eliza was therefore placed at school. I saw her there whenever I could, and after the death of my brother, (which happened about five years ago, and which left to me the possession of the family property,) she frequently visited me at Delaford. I called her a distant relation; but I am well aware that I have in general been suspected of a much nearer connection with her. It is now three years ago, (she had just reached her fourteenth year,) that I removed her from school,10 to place her under the care of a very respectable woman, residing in Dorsetshire,11 who had the charge of four or five other girls of about the same time of life; and for two years I had every reason to be pleased with her situation. But last February, almost a twelvemonth back, she suddenly disappeared. I had allowed her, (imprudently, as it has since turned out,) at her earnest desire, to go to Bath12 with one of her young friends, who was attending her father there for his health. I knew him to be a very good sort of man, and I thought well of his daughter—better than she deserved, for, line 27:

236

(im prudently (at line break) [ 1811 (im-prudently (at line break)

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 9

with a most obstinate and ill-judged secrecy, she would tell nothing, would give no clue, though she certainly knew all. He, her father, a well-meaning, but not a quick-sighted man, could really, I believe, give no information; for he had been generally confined to the house,13 while the girls were ranging over the town and making what acquaintance they chose; and he tried to convince me, as thoroughly as he was convinced himself, of his daughter’s being entirely unconcerned in the business. In short, I could learn nothing but that she was gone; all the rest, for eight long months, was left to conjecture. What I thought, what I feared, may be imagined; and what I suffered too.” “Good heavens!” cried Elinor, “could it be—could Willoughby!”— “The first news that reached me of her,” he continued, “came in a letter from herself, last October. It was forwarded to me from Delaford, and I received it on the very morning of our intended party to Whitwell; and this was the reason of my leaving Barton so suddenly, which I am sure must at the time have appeared strange to every body, and which I believe gave offence to some. Little did Mr. Willoughby imagine, I suppose, when his looks censured me for incivility in breaking up the party, that I was called away to the relief of one, whom he had made poor and miserable; but had he known it, what would it have availed? Would he have been less gay or less happy in the smiles of your sister? No, he had already done that, which no man who can feel for another, would do. He had left the girl whose youth and innocence he had seduced, in a situation of the utmost distress, with no creditable home, no help, no friends, ignorant of his address! line 3: quick-sighted] 1811 quick sighted // line 13: be—could] 1811 be! could // line 14: Willoughby!— [1811 Willoughby!”—

237

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 9

He had left her promising to return; he neither returned, nor wrote, nor relieved her.” “This is beyond every thing!” exclaimed Elinor. “His character is now before you; expensive,14 dissipated, and worse than both. Knowing all this, as I have now known it many weeks, guess what I must have felt on seeing your sister as fond of him as ever, and on being assured that she was to marry him; guess what I must have felt for all your sakes. When I came to you last week and found you alone, I came determined to know the truth; though irresolute what to do when it was known. My behaviour must have seemed strange to you then; but now you will comprehend it. To suffer you all to be so deceived; to see your sister—but what could I do? I had no hope of interfering with success; and sometimes I thought your sister’s influence might yet reclaim him. But now, after such dishonourable usage, who can tell what were his designs on her? Whatever they may have been, however, she may now, and hereafter doubtless will, turn with gratitude towards her own condition, when she compares it with that of my poor Eliza, when she considers the wretched and hopeless situation of this poor girl, and pictures her to herself, with an affection for him as strong, still as strong as her own, and with a mind tormented by self-reproach, which must attend her through life. Surely this comparison must have its use with her. She will feel her own sufferings to be nothing. They proceed from no misconduct, and can bring no disgrace. On the contrary, every friend must be made still more her friend by them. Concern for her unhappiness, and respect for her fortitude under it, must strengthen every attachment. lines 3–4: Elinor. / “His character ] 1811 Elinor. “His character line 18: hereafter doubtless] 1811 hereafter she doubtless

238

//

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 9

Use your own discretion, however, in communicating to her what I have told you. You must know best what will be its effect; but had I not seriously, and from my heart believed it might be of service, might lessen her regrets, I would not have suffered myself to trouble you with this account of my family afflictions, with a recital which may seem to have been intended to raise myself at the expense of others.” Elinor’s thanks followed this speech with grateful earnestness; attended too with the assurance of her expecting material advantage to Marianne, from the communication of what had passed. “I have been more pained,” said she, “by her endeavours to acquit him than by all the rest; for it irritates her mind more than the most perfect conviction of his unworthiness can do. Now, though at first she will suffer much, I am sure she will soon become easier. Have you,” she continued, after a short silence, “ever seen Mr. Willoughby since you left him at Barton?” “Yes,” he replied gravely, “once I have. One meeting was unavoidable.”15 Elinor, startled by his manner, looked at him anxiously, saying, “What? have you met him to—” “I could meet him in no other way. Eliza had confessed to me, though most reluctantly, the name of her lover; and when he returned to town, which was within a fortnight after myself, we met by appointment, he to defend, I to punish his conduct. We returned unwounded, and the meeting, therefore, never got abroad.” line 1: discretion, however,] 1811 discretion however, // line 7: expense] 1811 expence // line 23: “What? have] 1811 “What! have

239

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 9

Elinor sighed over the fancied necessity of this; but to a man and a soldier, she presumed not to censure it. “Such,” said Colonel Brandon, after a pause, “has been the unhappy resemblance between the fate of mother and daughter! and so imperfectly have I discharged my trust!” “Is she still in town?” “No; as soon as she recovered from her lying-in, for I found her near her delivery, I removed her and her child into the country, and there she remains.” Recollecting, soon afterwards, that he was probably dividing Elinor from her sister, he put an end to his visit, receiving from her again the same grateful acknowledgments, and leaving her full of compassion and esteem for him.

240

Chapter 10

W h e n the particulars of this conversation were repeated by Miss Dashwood to her sister, as they very soon were, the effect on her was not entirely such as the former had hoped to see. Not that Marianne appeared to distrust the truth of any part of it, for she listened to it all with the most steady and submissive attention, made neither objection nor remark, attempted no vindication of Willoughby, and seemed to shew by her tears that she felt it to be impossible. But though this behaviour assured Elinor that the conviction of his guilt was carried home to her mind, though she saw with satisfaction the effect of it, in her no longer avoiding Colonel Brandon when he called, in her speaking to him, even voluntarily speaking, with a kind of compassionate respect, and though she saw her spirits less violently irritated than before, she did not see her less wretched. Her mind did become settled, but it was settled in a gloomy dejection. She felt the loss of Willoughby’s character yet more heavily than she had felt the loss of his heart; his seduction and desertion of Miss Williams, the misery of that poor girl, and the doubt of what his designs might once have been on herself, preyed altogether so much on her spirits, that she could not bring herself to speak of what she felt even to Elinor; and brooding over her sorrows in silence, gave more pain to her sister than

line 2:

the] 1811 their

241

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 10

could have been communicated by the most open and most frequent confession of them. To give the feelings or the language of Mrs. Dashwood on receiving and answering Elinor’s letter, would be only to give a repetition of what her daughters had already felt and said; of a disappointment hardly less painful than Marianne’s, and an indignation even greater than Elinor’s. Long letters from her, quickly succeeding each other, arrived to tell all that she suffered and thought; to express her anxious solicitude for Marianne, and entreat she would bear up with fortititude under this misfortune. Bad indeed must the nature of Marianne’s affliction be, when her mother could talk of fortitude! mortifying and humiliating must be the origin of those regrets, which she could wish her not to indulge! Against the interest of her own individual comfort, Mrs. Dashwood had determined that it would be better for Marianne to be anywhere, at that time, than at Barton, where every thing within her view would be bringing back the past in the strongest and most afflicting manner, by constantly placing Willoughby before her, such as she had always seen him there. She recommended it to her daughters, therefore, by all means not to shorten their visit to Mrs. Jennings; the length of which, though never exactly fixed, had been expected by all to comprise at least five or six weeks. A variety of occupations, of objects, and of company, which could not be procured at Barton, would be inevitable there, and might yet, she hoped, cheat Marianne, at times, into some interest beyond herself, and even into some amusement, much as the idea of both might now be spurned by her. From all danger of seeing Willoughby again, her mother considered her to be at least equally safe in town as in the line 7:

242

that [1811 than

//

line 18:

every thing] 1811 every-thing

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 10

country, since his acquaintance must now be dropped by all who called themselves her friends.1 Design could never bring them in each other’s way: negligence could never leave them exposed to a surprise; and chance had less in its favour in the croud of London than even in the retirement of Barton, where it might force him before her while paying that visit at Allenham on his marriage, which Mrs. Dashwood, from foreseeing at first as a probable event, had brought herself to expect as a certain one. She had yet another reason for wishing her children to remain where they were; a letter from her son-in-law had told her that he and his wife were to be in town before the middle of February, and she judged it right that they should sometimes see their brother. Marianne had promised to be guided by her mother’s opinion, and she submitted to it therefore without opposition, though it proved perfectly different from what she wished and expected, though she felt it to be entirely wrong, formed on mistaken grounds, and that by requiring her longer continuance in London it deprived her of the only possible alleviation of her wretchedness, the personal sympathy of her mother, and doomed her to such society and such scenes as must prevent her ever knowing a moment’s rest. But it was a matter of great consolation to her, that what brought evil to herself would bring good to her sister; and Elinor, on the other hand, suspecting that it would not be in her power to avoid Edward entirely, comforted herself by thinking, that though their longer stay would therefore militate against her own happiness, it would be better for Marianne than an immediate return into Devonshire. line 3:

way: negligence] 1811 way; negligence

243

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 10

Her carefulness in guarding her sister from ever hearing Willoughby’s name mentioned, was not thrown away. Marianne, though without knowing it herself, reaped all its advantage; for neither Mrs. Jennings, nor Sir John, nor even Mrs. Palmer herself, ever spoke of him before her. Elinor wished that the same forbearance could have extended towards herself, but that was impossible, and she was obliged to listen day after day to the indignation of them all. Sir John could not have thought it possible. “A man of whom he had always had such reason to think well! Such a good-natured fellow! He did not believe there was a bolder rider in England! It was an unaccountable business. He wished him at the devil with all his heart. He would not speak another word to him, meet him where he might, for all the world! No, not if it were to be by the side of Barton covert, and they were kept waiting for two hours together. Such a scoundrel of a fellow! such a deceitful dog! It was only the last time they met that he had offered him one of Folly’s puppies! and this was the end of it!” Mrs. Palmer, in her way, was equally angry. “She was determined to drop his acquaintance immediately, and she was very thankful that she had never been acquainted with him at all. She wished with all her heart Combe Magna was not so near Cleveland; but it did not signify, for it was a great deal too far off to visit; she hated him so much that she was resolved never to mention his name again, and she should tell everybody she saw, how good-for-nothing he was.” The rest of Mrs. Palmer’s sympathy was shewn in procuring all the particulars in her power of the approaching marriage, and communicating them to Elinor. She could soon tell at what coachmaker’s the new carriage2 was building, by what painter Mr. Willoughby’s portrait was drawn, and at what warehouse3 Miss Grey’s clothes might be seen. 244

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 10

The calm and polite unconcern of Lady Middleton on the occasion was an happy relief to Elinor’s spirits, oppressed as they often were by the clamorous kindness of the others. It was a great comfort to her, to be sure of exciting no interest in one person at least among their circle of friends; a great comfort to know that there was one who would meet her without feeling any curiosity after particulars, or any anxiety for her sister’s health. Every qualification4 is raised at times, by the circumstances of the moment, to more than its real value; and she was sometimes worried down by officious condolence to rate goodbreeding as more indispensable to comfort than good-nature. Lady Middleton expressed her sense of the affair about once every day, or twice, if the subject occurred very often, by saying, “It is very shocking indeed!” and by the means of this continual though gentle vent, was able not only to see the Miss Dashwoods from the first without the smallest emotion, but very soon to see them without recollecting a word of the matter; and having thus supported the dignity of her own sex, and spoken her decided censure of what was wrong in the other, she thought herself at liberty to attend to the interest of her own assemblies,5 and therefore determined (though rather against the opinion of Sir John) that as Mrs. Willoughby would at once be a woman of elegance and fortune, to leave her card6 with her as soon as she married. Colonel Brandon’s delicate unobtrusive inquiries were never unwelcome to Miss Dashwood. He had abundantly earned the privilege of intimate discussion of her sister’s disappointment, by the friendly zeal with which he had endeavoured to soften it, and they always conversed with confidence. His chief reward for the painful exertion of disclosing past sorrows and present humiliations, was given in the pitying eye with which Marianne sometimes observed him, and the 245

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 10

gentleness of her voice whenever (though it did not often happen) she was obliged, or could oblige herself to speak to him. These assured him that his exertion had produced an increase of good-will towards himself, and these gave Elinor hopes of its being farther augmented hereafter; but Mrs. Jennings, who knew nothing of all this, who knew only that the Colonel continued as grave as ever, and that she could neither prevail on him to make the offer himself, nor commission her to make it for him, began, at the end of two days, to think that, instead of Midsummer, they would not be married till Michaelmas, and by the end of a week that it would not be a match at all. The good understanding between the Colonel and Miss Dashwood seemed rather to declare that the honours of the mulberry-tree, the canal, and the yew arbour, would all be made over to her ; and Mrs. Jennings had for some time ceased to think at all of Mr. Ferrars. Early in February, within a fortnight from the receipt of Willoughby’s letter, Elinor had the painful office of informing her sister that he was married. She had taken care to have the intelligence conveyed to herself, as soon as it was known that the ceremony was over, as she was desirous that Marianne should not receive the first notice of it from the public papers,7 which she saw her eagerly examining every morning. She received the news with resolute composure; made no observation on it, and at first shed no tears; but after a short time they would burst out, and for the rest of the day, she was in a state hardly less pitiable than when she first learnt to expect the event. The Willoughbys left town as soon as they were married; and Elinor now hoped, as there could be no danger of her seeing either of them, to prevail on her sister, who had never yet left the house since the blow first fell, to go out again by degrees as she had done before. 246

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 10

About this time, the two Miss Steeles, lately arrived at their cousin’s house in Bartlett’s Buildings, Holborn,8 presented themselves again before their more grand relations in Conduit and Berkeley-street; and were welcomed by them all with great cordiality. Elinor only was sorry to see them. Their presence always gave her pain, and she hardly knew how to make a very gracious return to the overpowering delight of Lucy in finding her still in town. “I should have been quite disappointed if I had not found you here still,” said she repeatedly, with a strong emphasis on the word. “But I always thought I should. I was almost sure you would not leave London yet awhile; though you told me, you know, at Barton, that you should not stay above a month. But I thought, at the time, that you would most likely change your mind when it came to the point. It would have been such a great pity to have went away before your brother and sister came. And now to be sure you will be in no hurry to be gone. I am amazingly glad you did not keep to your word.” Elinor perfectly understood her, and was forced to use all her self-command to make it appear that she did not. “Well, my dear,” said Mrs. Jennings, “and how did you travel?” “Not in the stage, I assure you,” replied Miss Steele, with quick exultation; “we came post all the way and had a very smart beau to attend us. Dr. Davies was coming to town, and so we thought we’d join him in a post-chaise;9 and he behaved very genteelly, and paid ten or twelve shillings more than we did.” “Oh, oh!” cried Mrs. Jennings; “very pretty, indeed! and the Doctor is a single man, I warrant you.” “There now,” said Miss Steele, affectedly simpering, “everybody laughs at me so about the Doctor, and I cannot 247

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 10

think why. My cousins say they are sure I have made a conquest; but for my part I declare I never think about him from one hour’s end to another. ‘Lord! here comes your beau, Nancy,’ my cousin said t’other day, when she saw him crossing the street to the house. My beau, indeed! said I—I cannot think who you mean. The Doctor is no beau of mine.” “Aye, aye, that is very pretty talking—but it won’t do—the Doctor is the man, I see.” “No, indeed!” replied her cousin, with affected earnestness, “and I beg you will contradict it, if you ever hear it talked of.” Mrs. Jennings directly gave her the gratifying assurance that she certainly would not, and Miss Steele was made completely happy. “I suppose you will go and stay with your brother and sister, Miss Dashwood, when they come to town,” said Lucy, returning, after a cessation of hostile hints, to the charge. “No, I do not think we shall.” “Oh, yes, I dare say you will.” Elinor would not humour her by farther opposition. “What a charming thing it is that Mrs. Dashwood can spare you both for so long a time together!” “Long a time, indeed!” interposed Mrs. Jennings. “Why, their visit is but just begun!” Lucy was silenced. “I am sorry we cannot see your sister, Miss Dashwood,” said Miss Steele. “I am sorry she is not well;” for Marianne had left the room on their arrival. “You are very good. My sister will be equally sorry to miss the pleasure of seeing you; but she has been very much plagued lately with nervous head-aches, which make her unfit for company or conversation.” line 30: head-aches,] 1811 head-akes,

248

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 10

“Oh, dear, that is a great pity! but such old friends as Lucy and me!—I think she might see us; and I am sure we would not speak a word.” Elinor, with great civility, declined the proposal. Her sister was perhaps laid down upon the bed, or in her dressing gown, and therefore not able to come to them. “Oh, if that’s all,” cried Miss Steele, “we can just as well go and see her.” Elinor began to find this impertinence too much for her temper; but she was saved the trouble of checking it, by Lucy’s sharp reprimand, which now, as on many occasions, though it did not give much sweetness to the manners of one sister, was of advantage in governing those of the other.

249

Chapter 11

A ft e r some opposition, Marianne yielded to her sister’s entreaties, and consented to go out with her and Mrs. Jennings one morning for half an hour. She expressly conditioned, however, for paying no visits, and would do no more than accompany them to Gray’s in Sackville-street,1 where Elinor was carrying on a negociation for the exchange of a few old-fashioned jewels2 of her mother. When they stopped at the door, Mrs. Jennings recollected that there was a lady at the other end of the street, on whom she ought to call; and as she had no business at Gray’s, it was resolved, that while her young friends transacted their’s, she should pay her visit and return for them. On ascending the stairs, the Miss Dashwoods found so many people before them in the room, that there was not a person at liberty to attend to their orders; and they were obliged to wait. All that could be done was, to sit down at that end of the counter which seemed to promise the quickest succession; one gentleman only was standing there, and it is probable that Elinor was not without hope of exciting his politeness to a quicker dispatch. But the correctness of his eye, and the delicacy of his taste, proved to be beyond his line 3: morning for] 1811 morning, for // lines 3–4: conditioned, however,] 1811 condition however, // line 4: do no] 1811 not do // line 5: Sackville-street,] 1811 Sackville street, // line 12: visit and] 1811 visit, and // line 19: hope] 1811 hopes

250

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 11

politeness. He was giving orders for a toothpick-case for himself, and till its size, shape, and ornaments were determined, all of which, after examining and debating for a quarter of an hour over every toothpick-case in the shop, were finally arranged by his own inventive fancy, he had no leisure to bestow any other attention on the two ladies, than what was comprised in three or four very broad stares; a kind of notice which served to imprint on Elinor the remembrance of a person and face, of strong, natural, sterling insignificance, though adorned in the first style of fashion. Marianne was spared from the troublesome feelings of contempt and resentment, on this impertinent examination of their features, and on the puppyism3 of his manner in deciding on all the different horrors of the different toothpick-cases presented to his inspection, by remaining unconscious of it all; for she was as well able to collect her thoughts within herself, and be as ignorant of what was passing around her, in Mr. Gray’s shop, as in her own bed-room. At last the affair was decided. The ivory, the gold, and the pearls, all received their appointment, and the gentleman having named the last day on which his existence could be continued without the possession of the toothpick-case, drew on his gloves with leisurely care, and bestowing another glance on the Miss Dashwoods, but such a one as seemed rather to demand than express admiration, walked off with an happy air of real conceit and affected indifference. Elinor lost no time in bringing her business forward, and was on the point of concluding it, when another gentleman presented himself at her side. She turned her eyes towards his face, and found him with some surprise to be her brother. line 8:

Elinor the] 1811 Elinor, the

//

line 10:

style] 1811 stile

251

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 11

Their affection and pleasure in meeting, was just enough to make a very creditable appearance in Mr. Gray’s shop. John Dashwood was really far from being sorry to see his sisters again; it rather gave them satisfaction; and his inquiries after their mother were respectful and attentive. Elinor found that he and Fanny had been in town two days. “I wished very much to call upon you yesterday,” said he, “but it was impossible, for we were obliged to take Harry to see the wild beasts at Exeter Exchange:4 and we spent the rest of the day with Mrs. Ferrars. Harry was vastly pleased. This morning I had fully intended to call on you, if I could possibly find a spare half hour,5 but one has always so much to do on first coming to town. I am come here to bespeak Fanny a seal.6 But to-morrow I think I shall certainly be able to call in Berkeley-street, and be introduced to your friend Mrs. Jennings. I understand she is a woman of very good fortune. And the Middletons too, you must introduce me to them. As my mother-in-law’s relations, I shall be happy to shew them every respect. They are excellent neighbours to you in the country, I understand.” “Excellent indeed. Their attention to our comfort, their friendliness in every particular, is more than I can express.” “I am extremely glad to hear it, upon my word; extremely glad indeed. But so it ought to be; they are people of large fortune, they are related to you, and every civility and accommodation that can serve to make your situation pleasant, might be reasonably expected. And so you are most comfortably settled in your little cottage and want for nothing! Edward brought us a most charming account of the place; the most complete thing of its kind, he said, that ever was, and you all line 21:

252

country, I] 1811 country I

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 11

seemed to enjoy it beyond any thing. It was a great satisfaction to us to hear it, I assure you.” Elinor did feel a little ashamed of her brother; and was not sorry to be spared the necessity of answering him, by the arrival of Mrs. Jennings’s servant, who came to tell her that his mistress waited for them at the door. Mr. Dashwood attended them down stairs, was introduced to Mrs. Jennings at the door of her carriage, and repeating his hope of being able to call on them the next day, took leave. His visit was duly paid. He came with a pretence at an apology from their sister-in-law, for not coming too; “but she was so much engaged with her mother, that really she had no leisure for going any where.” Mrs. Jennings, however, assured him directly, that she should not stand upon ceremony, for they were all cousins, or something like it, and she should certainly wait on Mrs. John Dashwood very soon, and bring her sisters to see her. His manners to them, though calm, were perfectly kind; to Mrs. Jennings most attentively civil; and on Colonel Brandon’s coming in soon after himself, he eyed him with a curiosity which seemed to say, that he only wanted to know him to be rich, to be equally civil to him. After staying with them half an hour, he asked Elinor to walk with him to Conduit-street, and introduce him to Sir John and Lady Middleton.7 The weather was remarkably fine, and she readily consented. As soon as they were out of the house, his enquiries began. “Who is Colonel Brandon? Is he a man of fortune?” “Yes; he has very good property in Dorsetshire.” “I am glad of it. He seems a most gentlemanlike man; and I think, Elinor, I may congratulate you on the prospect of a very respectable establishment in life.” “Me, brother! what do you mean?” 253

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 11

“He likes you. I observed him narrowly, and am convinced of it. What is the amount of his fortune?” “I believe about two thousand a-year.” “Two thousand a-year;” and then working himself up to a pitch of enthusiastic generosity, he added, “Elinor, I wish, with all my heart, it were twice as much, for your sake.” “Indeed I believe you,” replied Elinor; “but I am very sure that Colonel Brandon has not the smallest wish of marrying me.” “You are mistaken, Elinor; you are very much mistaken. A very little trouble on your side secures him. Perhaps just at present he may be undecided; the smallness of your fortune may make him hang back; his friends may all advise him against it. But some of those little attentions and encouragements which ladies can so easily give, will fix him, in spite of himself. And there can be no reason why you should not try for him. It is not to be supposed that any prior attachment on your side—in short, you know as to an attachment of that kind, it is quite out of the question, the objections are insurmountable—you have too much sense not to see all that. Colonel Brandon must be the man; and no civility shall be wanting on my part, to make him pleased with you and your family. It is a match that must give universal satisfaction. In short, it is a kind of thing that”—lowering his voice to an important whisper—“will be exceedingly welcome to all parties.” Recollecting himself, however, he added, “That is, I mean to say—your friends are all truly anxious to see you well settled; Fanny particularly, for she has your interest very much at heart, I assure you. And her mother too, Mrs. Ferrars, a very good-natured woman, I am sure it line 3: a-year.”] 1811 a year.” // lines 5–6: wish, with all my heart,] 1811 wish with all heart, // line 7: Elinor; “but] 1811 Elinor, “but

254

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 11

would give her great pleasure; she said as much the other day.” Elinor would not vouchsafe any answer. “It would be something remarkable now,” he continued, “something droll, if Fanny should have a brother and I a sister settling at the same time. And yet it is not very unlikely.” “Is Mr. Edward Ferrars,” said Elinor, with resolution, “going to be married?” “It is not actually settled, but there is such a thing in agitation. He has a most excellent mother. Mrs. Ferrars, with the utmost liberality, will come forward, and settle on him a thousand a-year,8 if the match takes place. The lady is the Hon. Miss Morton, only daughter of the late Lord Morton, with thirty thousand pounds. A very desirable connection on both sides, and I have not a doubt of its taking place in time. A thousand a-year is a great deal for a mother to give away, to make over for ever; but Mrs. Ferrars has a noble spirit. To give you another instance of her liberality:—The other day, as soon as we came to town, aware that money could not be very plenty with us just now, she put bank-notes into Fanny’s hands to the amount of two hundred pounds. And extremely acceptable it is, for we must live at a great expense while we are here.” He paused for her assent and compassion; and she forced herself to say, “Your expenses both in town and country must certainly be considerable, but your income is a large one.” “Not so large, I dare say, as many people suppose. I do not mean to complain, however; it is undoubtedly a comfortable one, and I hope will in time be better. The inclosure of Norland Common, now carrying on, is a most serious drain. line 16: greal [1811 great // line 22: line 26: expenses] 1811 expences

expense] 1811 expence

//

255

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 11

And then I have made a little purchase within this half year; East Kingham Farm,9 you must remember the place, where old Gibson used to live. The land was so very desirable for me in every respect, so immediately adjoining my own property, that I felt it my duty to buy it. I could not have answered it to my conscience to let it fall into any other hands. A man must pay for his convenience; and it has cost me a vast deal of money.” “More than you think it really and intrinsically worth.” “Why, I hope not that. I might have sold it again the next day, for more than I gave: but with regard to the purchasemoney, I might have been very unfortunate indeed; for the stocks were at that time so low,10 that if I had not happened to have the necessary sum in my banker’s hands,11 I must have sold out to very great loss.” Elinor could only smile. “Other great and inevitable expenses too we have had on first coming to Norland. Our respected father, as you well know, bequeathed all the Stanhill effects that remained at Norland (and very valuable they were) to your mother. Far be it from me to repine at his doing so; he had an undoubted right to dispose of his own property as he chose. But, in consequence of it, we have been obliged to make large purchases of linen, china, &c. to supply the place of what was taken away. You may guess, after all these expenses, how very far we must be from being rich, and how acceptable Mrs. Ferrars’s kindness is.” “Certainly,” said Elinor; “and assisted by her liberality, I hope you may yet live to be in easy circumstances.” “Another year or two may do much towards it,” he gravely replied; “but however there is still a great deal to be done. line 17:

256

expenses] 1811 expences

//

line 25:

expenses,] 1811 expences,

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 11

There is not a stone laid of Fanny’s greenhouse, and nothing but the plan of the flower-garden marked out.” “Where is the green-house to be?” “Upon the knoll behind the house. The old walnut trees are all come down to make room for it. It will be a very fine object from many parts of the park, and the flower-garden will slope down just before it, and be exceedingly pretty. We have cleared away all the old thorns that grew in patches over the brow.”12 Elinor kept her concern and her censure to herself; and was very thankful that Marianne was not present, to share the provocation. Having now said enough to make his poverty clear, and to do away the necessity of buying a pair of ear-rings for each of his sisters, in his next visit at Gray’s, his thoughts took a cheerfuller turn, and he began to congratulate Elinor on having such a friend as Mrs. Jennings. “She seems a most valuable woman indeed.—Her house, her style of living, all bespeak an exceeding good income; and it is an acquaintance that has not only been of great use to you hitherto, but in the end may prove materially advantageous.— Her inviting you to town is certainly a vast thing in your favour; and indeed, it speaks altogether so great a regard for you, that in all probability when she dies you will not be forgotten.—She must have a great deal to leave.” “Nothing at all, I should rather suppose; for she has only her jointure, which will descend to her children.”13 “But it is not to be imagined that she lives up to her income. Few people of common prudence will do that ; and whatever she saves, she will be able to dispose of.”

line 19:

style] 1811 stile

//

line 27:

jointure,] 1811 furniture,

257

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 11

“And do you not think it more likely that she should leave it to her daughters, than to us?” “Her daughters are both exceedingly well married, and therefore I cannot perceive the necessity of her remembering them farther. Whereas, in my opinion, by her taking so much notice of you, and treating you in this kind of way, she has given you a sort of claim on her future consideration, which a conscientious woman would not disregard. Nothing can be kinder than her behaviour; and she can hardly do all this, without being aware of the expectation she raises.” “But she raises none in those most concerned. Indeed, brother, your anxiety for our welfare and prosperity carries you too far.” “Why to be sure,” said he, seeming to recollect himself, “people have little, have very little in their power. But, my dear Elinor, what is the matter with Marianne?—she looks very unwell, has lost her colour, and is grown quite thin. Is she ill?” “She is not well, she has had a nervous complaint on her for several weeks.” “I am sorry for that. At her time of life, any thing of an illness destroys the bloom for ever! Her’s has been a very short one! She was as handsome a girl last September, as any I ever saw; and as likely to attract the men. There was something in her style of beauty, to please them particularly. I remember Fanny used to say that she would marry sooner and better than you did; not but what she is exceedingly fond of you, but so it happened to strike her. She will be mistaken, however. I question whether Marianne now, will marry a man worth more than five or six hundred a-year, 14 at the utmost, and I am very much deceived if you do not do better. Dorsetshire! line 25:

258

style] 1811 stile

//

line 30:

a-year,] 1811 a year,

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 11

I know very little of Dorsetshire; but, my dear Elinor, I shall be exceedingly glad to know more of it; and I think I can answer for your having Fanny and myself among the earliest and best pleased of your visitors.” Elinor tried very seriously to convince him that there was no likelihood of her marrying Colonel Brandon; but it was an expectation of too much pleasure to himself to be relinquished, and he was really resolved on seeking an intimacy with that gentleman, and promoting the marriage by every possible attention. He had just compunction enough for having done nothing for his sisters himself, to be exceedingly anxious that everybody else should do a great deal; and an offer from Colonel Brandon, or a legacy from Mrs. Jennings, was the easiest means of atoning for his own neglect. They were lucky enough to find Lady Middleton at home, and Sir John came in before their visit ended. Abundance of civilities passed on all sides. Sir John was ready to like anybody, and though Mr. Dashwood did not seem to know much about horses, he soon set him down as a very goodnatured fellow: while Lady Middleton saw enough of fashion in his appearance, to think his acquaintance worth having; and Mr. Dashwood went away delighted with both. “I shall have a charming account to carry to Fanny,” said he, as he walked back with his sister. “Lady Middleton is really a most elegant woman! Such a woman as I am sure Fanny will be glad to know. And Mrs. Jennings too, an exceeding wellbehaved woman, though not so elegant as her daughter. Your sister need not have any scruple even of visiting her, which, to say the truth, has been a little the case, and very naturally ; for we only knew that Mrs. Jennings was the widow of a line 1: Dorsetshire; but] 1811 Dorsetshire, but while] 1811 fellow; while

//

line 20:

fellow:

259

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 11

man who had got all his money in a low way;15 and Fanny and Mrs. Ferrars were both strongly prepossessed that neither she nor her daughters were such kind of women as Fanny would like to associate with. But now I can carry her a most satisfactory account of both.” line 1:

260

man who] 1811 man, who

Chapter 12

M r s . Jo h n Da s h w o o d had so much confidence in her husband’s judgment that she waited the very next day both on Mrs. Jennings and her daughter; and her confidence was rewarded by finding even the former, even the woman with whom her sisters were staying, by no means unworthy her notice; and as for Lady Middleton, she found her one of the most charming women in the world! Lady Middleton was equally pleased with Mrs. Dashwood. There was a kind of cold hearted selfishness on both sides, which mutually attracted them; and they sympathised with each other in an insipid propriety of demeanour, and a general want of understanding. The same manners however, which recommended Mrs. John Dashwood to the good opinion of Lady Middleton, did not suit the fancy of Mrs. Jennings, and to her she appeared nothing more than a little proud-looking woman of uncordial address, who met her husband’s sisters without any affection, and almost without having any thing to say to them; for of the quarter of an hour bestowed on Berkeley-street, she sat at least seven minutes and a half in silence. Elinor wanted very much to know, though she did not chuse to ask, whether Edward was then in town; but nothing would have induced Fanny voluntarily to mention his name before her, till able to tell her that his marriage with line 10:

sympathised] 1811 sympathized

261

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 12

Miss Morton was resolved on, or till her husband’s expectations on Colonel Brandon were answered; because she believed them still so very much attached to each other, that they could not be too sedulously divided in word and deed on every occasion. The intelligence however, which she would not give, soon flowed from another quarter. Lucy came very shortly to claim Elinor’s compassion on being unable to see Edward, though he had arrived in town with Mr. and Mrs. Dashwood. He dared not come to Bartlett’s Buildings for fear of detection, and though their mutual impatience to meet, was not to be told, they could do nothing at present but write. Edward assured them himself of his being in town, within a very short time, by twice calling in Berkeley-street. Twice was his card found on the table, when they returned from their morning’s engagements. Elinor was pleased that he had called; and still more pleased that she had missed him. The Dashwoods were so prodigiously delighted with the Middletons, that though not much in the habit of giving any thing, they determined to give them—a dinner; and soon after their acquaintance began, invited them to dine in Harley-street,1 where they had taken a very good house for three months. Their sisters and Mrs. Jennings were invited likewise, and John Dashwood was careful to secure Colonel Brandon, who, always glad to be where the Miss Dashwoods were, received his eager civilities with some surprise, but much more pleasure. They were to meet Mrs. Ferrars; but Elinor could not learn whether her sons were to be of the party. 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 line 16: morning’s] 1811 mornings’

262

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 12

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. So well had they recommended themselves to Lady Middleton, so agreeable had their assiduities made them to her, that though Lucy was certainly not elegant, and her sister not even genteel, she was as ready as Sir John to ask them to spend a week or two in Conduit-street: and it happened to be particularly convenient to the Miss Steeles, as soon as the Dashwoods’ invitation was known, that their visit should begin a few days before the party took place. Their claims to the notice of Mrs. John Dashwood, as the nieces of the gentleman who for many years had had the care of her brother, might not have done much, however, towards procuring them seats at her table; but as Lady Middleton’s guests they must be welcome; and Lucy, who had long wanted to be personally known to the family, to have a nearer view of their characters and her own difficulties, and to have an opportunity of endeavouring to please them, had seldom been happier in her life than she was on receiving Mrs. John Dashwood’s card. On Elinor its effect was very different. She began immediately to determine that Edward who lived with his mother, must be asked as his mother was, to a party given by his sister; and to see him for the first time after all that passed, line 2: indifference as] 1811 indifference, as // line 11: certainly not] 1811 scarcely // line 13: Conduit-street: and] 1811 Conduit-street; and // line 17: claims to] 1811 claims on

263

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 12

in the company of Lucy!—she hardly knew how she could bear it! These apprehensions perhaps were not founded entirely on reason, and certainly not at all on truth. They were relieved however, not by her own recollection but by the good will of Lucy, who believed herself to be inflicting a severe disappointment when she told her that Edward certainly would not be in Harley-street on Tuesday, and even hoped to be carrying the pain still farther by persuading her, that he was kept away by that extr`eme affection for herself, which he could not conceal when they were together. The important Tuesday came that was to introduce the two young ladies to this formidable mother-in-law. “Pity me, dear Miss Dashwood!” said Lucy, as they walked up the stairs together—for the Middletons arrived so directly after Mrs. Jennings, that they all followed the servant at the same time—“There is nobody here but you, that can feel for me.—I declare I can hardly stand. Good gracious!—In a moment I shall see the person that all my happiness depends on—that is to be my mother!”— Elinor could have given her immediate relief by suggesting the possibility of its being Miss Morton’s mother, rather than her own, whom they were about to behold; but instead of doing that, she assured her, and with great sincerity, that she did pity her,—to the utter amazement of Lucy, who, though really uncomfortable herself, hoped at least to be an object of irrepressible envy to Elinor. Mrs. Ferrars was a little, thin woman, upright, even to formality, in her figure, and serious, even to sourness, in her aspect. Her complexion was sallow; and her features small, without beauty, and naturally without expression; but a lucky line 5: recollection but] 1811 recollection, but

264

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 12

contraction of the brow had rescued her countenance from the disgrace of insipidity, by giving it the strong characters of pride and ill nature. She was not a woman of many words: for, unlike people in general, she proportioned them to the number of her ideas;2 and of the few syllables that did escape her, not one fell to the share of Miss Dashwood, whom she eyed with the spirited determination of disliking her at all events. Elinor could not now be made unhappy by this behaviour.—A few months ago it would have hurt her exceedingly; but it was not in Mrs. Ferrars’s power to distress her by it now;—and the difference of her manners to the Miss Steeles, a difference which seemed purposely made to humble her more, only amused her. She could not but smile to see the graciousness of both mother and daughter towards the very person—for Lucy was particularly distinguished— whom of all others, had they known as much as she did, they would have been most anxious to mortify; while she herself, who had comparatively no power to wound them, sat pointedly slighted by both. But while she smiled at a graciousness so misapplied, she could not reflect on the mean-spirited folly from which it sprung, nor observe the studied attentions with which the Miss Steeles courted its continuance, without thoroughly despising them all four. Lucy was all exultation on being so honourably distinguished; and Miss Steele wanted only to be teazed about Dr. Davies to be perfectly happy. The dinner was a grand one, the servants were numerous, and every thing bespoke the Mistress’s inclination for shew, and the Master’s ability to support it. In spite of the improvements and additions which were making to the Norland line 27:

Davis [1811 Davies

265

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 12

estate, and in spite of its owner having once been within some thousand pounds of being obliged to sell out at a loss, nothing gave any symptom of that indigence which he had tried to infer from it;—no poverty of any kind, except of conversation, appeared—but there, the deficiency was considerable. John Dashwood had not much to say for himself that was worth hearing, and his wife had still less. But there was no peculiar disgrace in this, for it was very much the case with the chief of their visitors, who almost all laboured under one or other of these disqualifications for being agreeable—Want of sense, either natural or improved—want of elegance—want of spirits—or want of temper. When the ladies withdrew to the drawing-room after dinner, this poverty was particularly evident, for the gentlemen had supplied the discourse with some variety—the variety of politics, inclosing land, and breaking horses—but then it was all over; and one subject only engaged the ladies till coffee came in, which was the comparative heights3 of Harry Dashwood, and Lady Middleton’s second son William, who were nearly of the same age. Had both the children been there, the affair might have been determined too easily by measuring them at once; but as Harry only was present, it was all conjectural assertion on both sides, and every body had a right to be equally positive in their opinion, and to repeat it over and over again as often as they liked. The parties stood thus: The two mothers, though each really convinced that her own son was the tallest, politely decided in favour of the other. line 16:

266

inclosing] 1811 enclosing

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 12

The two grandmothers, with not less partiality, but more sincerity, were equally earnest in support of their own descendant. Lucy, who was hardly less anxious to please one parent than the other, thought the boys were both remarkably tall for their age, and could not conceive that there could be the smallest difference in the world between them; and Miss Steele, with yet greater address gave it, as fast as she could, in favour of each. Elinor, having once delivered her opinion on William’s side, by which she offended Mrs. Ferrars and Fanny still more, did not see the necessity of enforcing it by any farther assertion; and Marianne, when called on for her’s, offended them all, by declaring that she had no opinion to give, as she had never thought about it. Before her removing from Norland, Elinor had painted a very pretty pair of screens4 for her sister-in-law, which being now just mounted and brought home, ornamented her present drawing room; and these screens, catching the eye of John Dashwood on his following the other gentlemen into the room, were officiously handed by him to Colonel Brandon for his admiration. “These are done by my eldest sister,” said he; “and you, as a man of taste, will, I dare say, be pleased with them. I do not know whether you ever happened to see any of her performances before, but she is in general reckoned to draw extremely well.” The Colonel, though disclaiming all pretensions to connoisseurship, warmly admired the screens, as he would have done any thing painted by Miss Dashwood; and the curiosity line 19: drawing room;] 1811 drawing-room;

267

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 12

of the others being of course excited, they were handed round for general inspection. Mrs. Ferrars, not aware of their being Elinor’s work, particularly requested to look at them; and after they had received the gratifying testimony of Lady Middleton’s approbation, Fanny presented them to her mother, considerately informing her at the same time, that they were done by Miss Dashwood. “Hum”—said Mrs. Ferrars—“very pretty,”—and without regarding them at all, returned them to her daughter. Perhaps Fanny thought for a moment that her mother had been quite rude enough,—for, colouring a little, she immediately said, “They are very pretty, ma’am—an’t they?” But then again, the dread of having been too civil, too encouraging herself, probably came over her, for she presently added, “Do you not think they are something in Miss Morton’s style of painting, ma’am?—She does paint most delightfully!— How beautifully her last landscape is done!” “Beautifully indeed! But she does every thing well.” Marianne could not bear this.—She was already greatly displeased with Mrs. Ferrars; and such ill-timed praise of another, at Elinor’s expense, though she had not any notion of what was principally meant by it, provoked her immediately to say with warmth, “This is admiration of a very particular kind!—what is Miss Morton to us?—who knows, or who cares, for her?—it is Elinor of whom we think and speak.” And so saying, she took the screens out of her sisterin-law’s hands, to admire them herself as they ought to be admired.

line 17:

268

style] 1811 stile

//

line 22:

expense,] 1811 expence,

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 12

Mrs. Ferrars looked exceedingly angry, and drawing herself up more stiffly than ever, pronounced in retort this bitter phillippic; 5 “Miss Morton is Lord Morton’s daughter.” Fanny looked very angry too, and her husband was all in a fright at his sister’s audacity. Elinor was much more hurt by Marianne’s warmth, than she had been by what produced it; but Colonel Brandon’s eyes, as they were fixed on Marianne, declared that he noticed only what was amiable in it, the affectionate heart which could not bear to see a sister slighted in the smallest point. Marianne’s feelings did not stop here. The cold insolence of Mrs. Ferrars’s general behaviour to her sister, seemed, to her, to foretel such difficulties and distresses to Elinor, as her own wounded heart taught her to think of with horror; and urged by a strong impulse of affectionate sensibility, she moved, after a moment, to her sister’s chair, and putting one arm round her neck, and one cheek close to her’s, said in a low, but eager, voice, “Dear, dear Elinor, don’t mind them. Don’t let them make you unhappy.” She could say no more; her spirits were quite overcome, and hiding her face on Elinor’s shoulder, she burst into tears.— Every body’s attention was called, and almost every body was concerned.—Colonel Brandon rose up and went to them without knowing what he did.—Mrs. Jennings, with a very intelligent6 “Ah! poor dear,” immediately gave her, her salts;7 and Sir John felt so desperately enraged against the author of this nervous distress, that he instantly changed his seat to one close by Lucy Steele, and gave her, in a whisper, a brief account of the whole shocking affair. line 3: phillippic;] 1811 phillipic; // line 6: line 25: Jennings, with] 1811 Jennings with

b en [1811 been

//

269

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 12

In a few minutes, however, Marianne was recovered enough to put an end to the bustle, and sit down among the rest; though her spirits retained the impression of what had passed, the whole evening. “Poor Marianne!” said her brother to Colonel Brandon in a low voice, as soon as he could secure his attention,—“She has not such good health as her sister,—she is very nervous,—she has not Elinor’s constitution;—and one must allow that there is something very trying to a young woman who has been a beauty, in the loss of her personal attractions. You would not think it perhaps, but Marianne was remarkably handsome a few months ago; quite as handsome as Elinor.—Now you see it is all gone.”

270

Chapter 13

E l i no r ’ s curiosity to see Mrs. Ferrars was satisfied.—She had found in her every thing that could tend to make a farther connection between the families, undesirable.—She had seen enough of her pride, her meanness, and her determined prejudice against herself, to comprehend all the difficulties that must have perplexed the engagement, and retarded the marriage, of Edward and herself, had he been otherwise free;— and she had seen almost enough to be thankful for her own sake, that one greater obstacle preserved her from suffering under any other of Mrs. Ferrars’s creation, preserved her from all dependence upon her caprice, or any solicitude for her good opinion. Or at least, if she did not bring herself quite to rejoice in Edward’s being fettered to Lucy, she determined, that had Lucy been more amiable, she ought to have rejoiced. She wondered that Lucy’s spirits could be so very much elevated by the civility of Mrs. Ferrars;—that her interest and her vanity should so very much blind her, as to make the attention which seemed only paid her because she was not Elinor, appear a compliment to herself—or to allow her to derive encouragement from a preference only given her, because her real situation was unknown. But that it was so, had not only been declared by Lucy’s eyes at the time, but was declared over again the next morning more openly, for at her particular desire, Lady Middleton set her down in Berkeleystreet on the chance of seeing Elinor alone, to tell her how happy she was. 271

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 13

The chance proved a lucky one, for a message from Mrs. Palmer soon after she arrived, carried Mrs. Jennings away. “My dear friend,” cried Lucy as soon as they were by themselves, “I come to talk to you of my happiness. Could any thing be so flattering as Mrs. Ferrars’s way of treating me yesterday? So exceeding affable as she was!—You know how I dreaded the thoughts of seeing her;—but the very moment I was introduced, there was such an affability in her behaviour as really should seem to say, she had quite took a fancy to me. Now was not it so?—You saw it all; and was not you quite struck with it?” “She was certainly very civil to you.” “Civil!—Did you see nothing but only civility?—I saw a vast deal more. Such kindness as fell to the share of nobody but me!—No pride, no hauteur, and your sister just the same—all sweetness and affability!” Elinor wished to talk of something else, but Lucy still pressed her to own that she had reason for her happiness; and Elinor was obliged to go on.— “Undoubtedly, if they had known your engagement,” said she, “nothing could be more flattering than their treatment of you;—but as that was not the case”—— “I guessed you would say so”—replied Lucy quickly—“but there was no reason in the world why Mrs. Ferrars should seem to like me, if she did not, and her liking me is every thing. You shan’t talk me out of my satisfaction. I am sure it will all end well, and there will be no difficulties at all, to what I used to think. Mrs. Ferrars is a charming woman, and so is your sister. They are both delightful women indeed!— I wonder I should never hear you say how agreeable Mrs. Dashwood was!” line 16: same—all] 1811 same—All

272

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 13

To this, Elinor had no answer to make, and did not attempt any. “Are you ill, Miss Dashwood?—you seem low—you don’t speak;—sure you an’t well.” “I never was in better health.” “I am glad of it with all my heart, but really you did not look it. I should be so sorry to have you ill; you, that have been the greatest comfort to me in the world!—Heaven knows what I should have done without your friendship.”— Elinor tried to make a civil answer, though doubting her own success. But it seemed to satisfy Lucy, for she directly replied, “Indeed I am perfectly convinced of your regard for me, and next to Edward’s love, it is the greatest comfort I have.— Poor Edward!—But now, there is one good thing, we shall be able to meet, and meet pretty often, for Lady Middleton’s delighted with Mrs. Dashwood, so we shall be a good deal in Harley-street, I dare say, and Edward spends half his time with his sister—besides, Lady Middleton and Mrs. Ferrars will visit now;—and Mrs. Ferrars and your sister were both so good to say more than once, they should always be glad to see me.—They are such charming women!—I am sure if ever you tell your sister what I think of her, you cannot speak too high.” But Elinor would not give her any encouragement to hope that she should tell her sister. Lucy continued. “I am sure I should have seen it in a moment, if Mrs. Ferrars had took a dislike to me. If she had only made me a formal curtsey, for instance, without saying a word, and never after had took any notice of me, and never looked at me in a line 4:

sure you] 1811 sure, you

//

line 7:

ill; you] 1811 ill. You

273

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 13

pleasant way—you know what I mean,—if I had been treated in that forbidding sort of way, I should have gave it all up in despair. I could not have stood it. For where she does dislike, I know it is most violent.” Elinor was prevented from making any reply to this civil triumph, by the door’s being thrown open, the servant’s announcing Mr. Ferrars, and Edward’s immediately walking in. It was a very awkward moment; and the countenance of each shewed that it was so. They all looked exceedingly foolish; and Edward seemed to have as great an inclination to walk out of the room again, as to advance farther into it. The very circumstance, in its unpleasantest form, which they would each have been most anxious to avoid, had fallen on them—They were not only all three together, but were together without the relief of any other person. The ladies recovered themselves first. It was not Lucy’s business to put herself forward, and the appearance of secrecy must still be kept up. She could therefore only look her tenderness, and after slightly addressing him, said no more. But Elinor had more to do; and so anxious was she, for his sake and her own, to do it well, that she forced herself, after a moment’s recollection, to welcome him, with a look and manner that were almost easy, and almost open; and another struggle, another effort still improved them. She would not allow the presence of Lucy, nor the consciousness of some injustice towards herself, to deter her from saying that she was happy to see him, and that she had very much regretted being from home, when he called before in Berkeley-street. She would not be frightened from paying him those attentions which, as a friend and almost a relation, were his due, by the observant eyes of Lucy, though she soon perceived them to be narrowly watching her. 274

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 13

Her manners gave some re-assurance to Edward, and he had courage enough to sit down; but his embarrassment still exceeded that of the ladies in a proportion, which the case rendered reasonable, though his sex might make it rare; for his heart had not the indifference of Lucy’s, nor could his conscience have quite the ease of Elinor’s. Lucy, with a demure and settled air, seemed determined to make no contribution to the comfort of the others, and would not say a word; and almost every thing that was said, proceeded from Elinor, who was obliged to volunteer all the information about her mother’s health, their coming to town, &c. which Edward ought to have inquired about, but never did. Her exertions did not stop here; for she soon afterwards felt herself so heroically disposed as to determine, under pretence of fetching Marianne, to leave the others by themselves: and she really did it, and that in the handsomest manner, for she loitered away several minutes on the landing-place, with the most high-minded fortitude, before she went to her sister. When that was once done, however, it was time for the raptures of Edward to cease; for Marianne’s joy hurried her into the drawing-room immediately. Her pleasure in seeing him was like every other of her feelings, strong in itself, and strongly spoken. She met him with a hand that would be taken, and a voice that expressed the affection of a sister. “Dear Edward!” she cried, “this is a moment of great happiness!—This would almost make amends for every thing!” Edward tried to return her kindness as it deserved, but before such witnesses he dared not say half what he really felt. line 12: inquired] 1811 enquired 1811 themselves; and

//

lines 16–17: themselves: and]

275

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 13

Again they all sat down, and for a moment or two all were silent; while Marianne was looking with the most speaking tenderness, sometimes at Edward and sometimes at Elinor, regretting only that their delight in each other should be checked by Lucy’s unwelcome presence. Edward was the first to speak, and it was to notice Marianne’s altered looks, and express his fear of her not finding London agree with her. “Oh! don’t think of me!” she replied, with spirited earnestness, though her eyes were filled with tears as she spoke, “don’t think of my health. Elinor is well, you see. That must be enough for us both.” This remark was not calculated to make Edward or Elinor more easy, nor to conciliate the good will of Lucy, who looked up at Marianne with no very benignant expression. “Do you like London?” said Edward, willing to say any thing that might introduce another subject. “Not at all. I expected much pleasure in it, but I have found none. The sight of you, Edward, is the only comfort it has afforded; and thank Heaven! you are what you always were!” She paused—no one spoke. “I think, Elinor,” she presently added, “we must employ Edward to take care of us in our return to Barton. In a week or two, I suppose, we shall be going; and, I trust, Edward will not be very unwilling to accept the charge.” Poor Edward muttered something, but what it was, nobody knew, not even himself. But Marianne, who saw his agitation, and could easily trace it to whatever cause best pleased herself, was perfectly satisfied, and soon talked of something else. “We spent such a day, Edward, in Harley-street yesterday! So dull, so wretchedly dull!—But I have much to say to you on that head, which cannot be said now.” line 19:

276

and thank] 1811 and, thank

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 13

And with this admirable discretion did she defer the assurance of her finding their mutual relatives more disagreeable than ever, and of her being particularly disgusted with his mother, till they were more in private. “But why were you not there, Edward?—Why did you not come?” “I was engaged elsewhere.” “Engaged! But what was that, when such friends were to be met?” “Perhaps, Miss Marianne,” cried Lucy, eager to take some revenge on her, “you think young men never stand upon engagements, if they have no mind to keep them, little as well as great.” Elinor was very angry, but Marianne seemed entirely insensible of the sting; for she calmly replied, “Not so, indeed; for, seriously speaking, I am very sure that conscience only kept Edward from Harley-street. And I really believe he has the most delicate conscience in the world; the most scrupulous in performing every engagement however minute, and however it may make against his interest or pleasure. He is the most fearful of giving pain, of wounding expectation, and the most incapable of being selfish, of any body I ever saw. Edward, it is so and I will say it. What! are you never to hear yourself praised!—Then, you must be no friend of mine; for those who will accept of my love and esteem, must submit to my open commendation.” The nature of her commendation, in the present case, however, happened to be particularly ill-suited to the feelings of two thirds of her auditors, and was so very unexhilarating to Edward, that he very soon got up to go away. line 8: “Engaged! But] 1811 “Engaged!—But // lines 19–20: engagement however] 1811 engagement, however // line 23: so and] 1811 so, and

277

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 13

“Going so soon!” said Marianne; “my dear Edward this must not be.” And drawing him a little aside, she whispered her persuasion that Lucy could not stay much longer. But even this encouragement failed, for he would go; and Lucy, who would have outstaid him had his visit lasted two hours, soon afterwards went away. “What can bring her here so often!” said Marianne, on her leaving them. “Could she not see that we wanted her gone!—how teazing1 to Edward!” “Why so?—we were all his friends; and Lucy has been the longest known to him of any. It is but natural that he should like to see her as well as ourselves.” Marianne looked at her steadily, and said, “You know, Elinor, that this is a kind of talking which I cannot bear. If you only hope to have your assertion contradicted, as I must suppose to be the case, you ought to recollect that I am the last person in the world to do it. I cannot descend to be tricked out of assurances, that are not really wanted.” She then left the room; and Elinor dared not follow her to say more, for bound as she was by her promise of secrecy to Lucy, she could give no information that would convince Marianne; and painful as the consequences of her still continuing in an error might be, she was obliged to submit to it. All that she could hope, was that Edward would not often expose her or himself to the distress of hearing Marianne’s mistaken warmth, nor to the repetition of any other part of the pain that had attended their recent meeting—and this she had every reason to expect. line 1: Edward this] 1811 Edward, this // by // line 29: this she] 1811 this, she

278

line 21:

was by] 1811 was,

Chapter 14

W i th i n a few days after this meeting, the newspapers announced to the world, that the Lady of Thomas Palmer, Esq. was safely delivered of a son and heir; a very interesting and satisfactory paragraph, at least to all those intimate connections who knew it before. This event, highly important to Mrs. Jennings’s happiness, produced a temporary alteration in the disposal of her time, and influenced, in a like degree, the engagements of her young friends; for as she wished to be as much as possible with Charlotte, she went thither every morning as soon as she was dressed and did not return till late in the evening; and the Miss Dashwoods, at the particular request of the Middletons, spent the whole of every day in Conduit-street. For their own comfort, they would much rather have remained, at least all the morning, in Mrs. Jennings’s house; but it was not a thing to be urged against the wishes of everybody. Their hours were therefore made over to Lady Middleton and the two Miss Steeles, by whom their company was in fact as little valued, as it was professedly sought. They had too much sense to be desirable companions to the former; and by the latter they were considered with a jealous eye, as intruding on their ground, and sharing the kindness which they wanted to monopolize. Though nothing could be more polite than Lady Middleton’s behaviour to Elinor line 8: influenced, in] 1811 influenced in dressed, and

// line 11:

dressed and] 1811

279

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 14

and Marianne, she did not really like them at all. Because they neither flattered herself nor her children, she could not believe them good-natured; and because they were fond of reading, she fancied them satirical: perhaps without exactly knowing what it was to be satirical; but that did not signify. It was censure in common use, and easily given. Their presence was a restraint both on her and on Lucy. It checked the idleness of one, and the business of the other. Lady Middleton was ashamed of doing nothing before them, and the flattery which Lucy was proud to think of and administer at other times, she feared they would despise her for offering. Miss Steele was the least discomposed of the three, by their presence; and it was in their power to reconcile her to it entirely. Would either of them, only have given her a full and minute account of the whole affair between Marianne and Mr. Willoughby, she would have thought herself amply rewarded for the sacrifice of the best place by the fire after dinner, which their arrival occasioned. But this conciliation was not granted; for though she often threw out expressions of pity for her sister to Elinor, and more than once dropt a reflection on the inconstancy of beaux before Marianne, no effect was produced, but a look of indifference from the former, or of disgust in the latter. An effort even yet lighter might have made her their friend. Would they only have laughed at her about the Doctor! But so little were they, any more than the others, inclined to oblige her, that if Sir John dined from home, she might spend a whole day without hearing any other raillery on the subject, than what she was kind enough to bestow on herself. All these jealousies and discontents, however, were so totally unsuspected by Mrs. Jennings, that she thought it a line 30:

280

discontents, however,] 1811 discontents however,

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 14

delightful thing for the girls to be together; and generally congratulated her young friends every night, on having escaped the company of a stupid old woman so long. She joined them sometimes at Sir John’s, and sometimes at her own house; but wherever it was, she always came in excellent spirits, full of delight and importance, attributing Charlotte’s well doing to her own care, and ready to give so exact, so minute a detail of her situation, as only Miss Steele had curiosity enough to desire. One thing did disturb her; and of that she made her daily complaint. Mr. Palmer maintained the common, but unfatherly opinion among his sex, of all infants being alike; and though she could plainly perceive at different times, the most striking resemblance between this baby and every one of his relations on both sides, there was no convincing his father of it; no persuading him to believe that it was not exactly like every other baby of the same age; nor could he even be brought to acknowledge the simple proposition of its being the finest child in the world. I come now to the relation of a misfortune, which about this time befell Mrs. John Dashwood. It so happened that while her two sisters with Mrs. Jennings were first calling on her in Harley-street, another of her acquaintance had dropt in—a circumstance in itself not apparently likely to produce evil to her. But while the imaginations of other people will carry them away to form wrong judgments of our conduct, and to decide on it by slight appearances, one’s happiness must in some measure be always at the mercy of chance. In the present instance, this last-arrived lady allowed her fancy so far to outrun truth and probability, that on merely hearing the name of the Miss Dashwoods, and understanding them to be Mr. Dashwood’s sisters, she immediately concluded them to be staying in Harley-street; and this misconstruction produced within a day or two afterwards, cards of invitation for 281

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 14

them as well as for their brother and sister, to a small musical party at her house. The consequence of which was, that Mrs. John Dashwood was obliged to submit not only to the exceedingly great inconvenience of sending her carriage for the Miss Dashwoods; but, what was still worse, must be subject to all the unpleasantness of appearing to treat them with attention: and who could tell that they might not expect to go out with her a second time? The power of disappointing them, it was true, must always be her’s. But that was not enough; for when people are determined on a mode of conduct which they know to be wrong, they feel injured by the expectation of any thing better from them. Marianne had now been brought by degrees, so much into the habit of going out every day, that it was become a matter of indifference to her, whether she went or not: and she prepared quietly and mechanically for every evening’s engagement, though without expecting the smallest amusement from any, and very often without knowing till the last moment, where it was to take her. To her dress and appearance she was grown so perfectly indifferent, as not to bestow half the consideration on it, during the whole of her toilette,1 which it received from Miss Steele in the first five minutes of their being together, when it was finished. Nothing escaped her minute observation and general curiosity; she saw every thing, and asked every thing; was never easy till she knew the price of every part of Marianne’s dress; could have guessed the number of her gowns altogether with better judgment than Marianne herself, and was not without hopes of finding out before they parted, how much her washing cost 2 per week, and how much she had every year to spend upon herself. The impertinence of these kind of scrutinies, moreover, was generally concluded with a compliment, which though meant as its douceur,3 was 282

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 14

considered by Marianne as the greatest impertinence of all; for after undergoing an examination into the value and make of her gown, the colour of her shoes, and the arrangement of her hair, she was almost sure of being told that upon “her word she looked vastly smart, and she dared to say would make a great many conquests.” With such encouragement as this, was she dismissed on the present occasion to her brother’s carriage; which they were ready to enter five minutes after it stopped at the door, a punctuality not very agreeable to their sister-in-law, who had preceded them to the house of her acquaintance, and was there hoping for some delay on their part that might inconvenience either herself or her coachman. The events of the evening were not very remarkable. The party, like other musical parties, comprehended a great many people who had real taste for the performance, and a great many more who had none at all; and the performers themselves were, as usual, in their own estimation, and that of their immediate friends, the first4 private performers in England. As Elinor was neither musical, nor affecting to be so, she made no scruple of turning away her eyes5 from the grand pianofort´e, whenever it suited her, and unrestrained even by the presence of a harp, and a violoncello, would fix them at pleasure on any other object in the room. In one of these excursive glances she perceived among a group of young men, the very he, who had given them a lecture on toothpickcases at Gray’s. She perceived him soon afterwards looking at herself, and speaking familiarly to her brother; and had just determined to find out his name from the latter, when they both came towards her, and Mr. Dashwood introduced him to her as Mr. Robert Ferrars. line 22:

pianofort´e,] 1811 pianoforte,

283

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 14

He addressed her with easy civility, and twisted his head into a bow which assured her as plainly as words could have done, that he was exactly the coxcomb she had heard him described to be by Lucy. Happy had it been for her, if her regard for Edward had depended less on his own merit, than on the merit of his nearest relations! For then his brother’s bow must have given the finishing stroke to what the ill-humour of his mother and sister would have begun. But while she wondered at the difference of the two young men, she did not find that the emptiness and conceit of the one, put her at all out of charity with the modesty and worth of the other. Why they were different, Robert explained to her himself in the course of a quarter of an hour’s conversation; for, talking of his brother, and lamenting the extreme gaucherie which he really believed kept him from mixing in proper society, he candidly and generously6 attributed it much less to any natural deficiency, than to the misfortune of a private education; while he himself, though probably without any particular, any material superiority by nature, merely from the advantage of a public school,7 was as well fitted to mix in the world as any other man. “Upon my soul,” he added, “I believe it is nothing more; and so I often tell my mother, when she is grieving about it. ‘My dear Madam,’ I always say to her, ‘you must make yourself easy. The evil is now irremediable, and it has been entirely your own doing. Why would you be persuaded by my uncle, Sir Robert, against your own judgment, to place Edward under private tuition, at the most critical time of his life? If you had only sent him to Westminster8 as well as myself, instead of sending him to Mr. Pratt’s, all this would have been prevented.’ This is the way in which I always consider the matter, and my mother is perfectly convinced of her error.” 284

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 14

Elinor would not oppose his opinion, because, whatever might be her general estimation of the advantage of a public school, she could not think of Edward’s abode in Mr. Pratt’s family, with any satisfaction. “You reside in Devonshire, I think”—was his next observation, “in a cottage near Dawlish.”9 Elinor set him right as to its situation, and it seemed rather surprising to him that anybody could live in Devonshire, without living near Dawlish. He bestowed his hearty approbation however on their species of house. “For my own part,” said he, “I am excessively fond of a cottage;10 there is always so much comfort, so much elegance about them. And I protest, if I had any money to spare, I should buy a little land and build one myself, within a short distance of London, where I might drive myself down at any time, and collect a few friends about me, and be happy. I advise every body who is going to build, to build a cottage. My friend Lord Courtland came to me the other day on purpose to ask my advice, and laid before me three different plans of Bonomi’s.11 I was to decide on the best of them. ‘My dear Courtland,’ said I, immediately throwing them all into the fire, ‘do not adopt either of them, but by all means build a cottage.’ And that, I fancy, will be the end of it. “Some people imagine that there can be no accommodations, no space in a cottage; but this is all a mistake. I was last month at my friend Elliott’s near Dartford.12 Lady Elliott wished to give a dance. ‘But how can it be done?’ said she; ‘my dear Ferrars, do tell me how it is to be managed. There is not a room in this cottage that will hold ten couple, and where can the supper be?’ I immediately saw that there could line 1: because, whatever] 1811 because whatever // lines 5–6: observation, “in] 1811 observation; “in // line 24: it.] 1811 it.”

285

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 14

be no difficulty in it, so I said, ‘My dear Lady Elliott, do not be uneasy. The dining parlour will admit eighteen couple with ease; card-tables may be placed in the drawing-room; the library may be open for tea and other refreshments; and let the supper be set out in the saloon.’ Lady Elliott was delighted with the thought. We measured the dining-room, and found it would hold exactly eighteen couple, and the affair was arranged precisely after my plan. So that, in fact, you see, if people do but know how to set about it, every comfort may be as well enjoyed in a cottage as in the most spacious dwelling.” Elinor agreed to it all, for she did not think he deserved the compliment of rational opposition. As John Dashwood had no more pleasure in music than his eldest sister, his mind was equally at liberty to fix on any thing else; and a thought struck him during the evening, which he communicated to his wife, for her approbation, when they got home. The consideration of Mrs. Dennison’s mistake, in supposing his sisters their guests, had suggested the propriety of their being really invited to become such, while Mrs. Jennings’s engagements kept her from home. The expense would be nothing, the inconvenience not more; and it was altogether an attention, which the delicacy of his conscience pointed out to be requisite to its complete enfranchisement13 from his promise to his father. Fanny was startled at the proposal. “I do not see how it can be done,” said she, “without affronting Lady Middleton, for they spend every day with her; otherwise I should be exceedingly glad to do it. You know I am always ready to pay them any attention in my power, as my taking them out this evening shews. But they line 18:

286

Dennison’s] 1811 Denison’s

// line 21:

expense] 1811 expence

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 14

are Lady Middleton’s visitors. How can I ask them away from her?” Her husband, but with great humility, did not see the force of her objection. “They had already spent a week in this manner in Conduit-street, and Lady Middleton could not be displeased at their giving the same number of days to such near relations.” Fanny paused a moment, and then, with fresh vigour, said, “My love, I would ask them with all my heart, if it was in my power. But I had just settled within myself to ask the Miss Steeles to spend a few days with us. They are very well behaved, good kind of girls; and I think the attention is due to them, as their uncle did so very well by Edward. We can ask your sisters some other year, you know; but the Miss Steeles may not be in town any more. I am sure you will like them; indeed, you do like them, you know, very much already, and so does my mother; and they are such favourites with Harry!” Mr. Dashwood was convinced. He saw the necessity of inviting the Miss Steeles immediately, and his conscience was pacified by the resolution of inviting his sisters another year; at the same time, however, slyly suspecting that another year would make the invitation needless, by bringing Elinor to town as Colonel Brandon’s wife, and Marianne as their visitor. Fanny, rejoicing in her escape, and proud of the ready wit that had procured it, wrote the next morning to Lucy, to request her company and her sister’s, for some days, in Harley-street, as soon as Lady Middleton could spare them. This was enough to make Lucy really and reasonably happy. Mrs. Dashwood seemed actually working for her, herself; cherishing all her hopes, and promoting all her views! Such an opportunity of being with Edward and his family was, above all things, the most material to her interest, and such 287

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume II Chapter 14

an invitation the most gratifying to her feelings! It was an advantage that could not be too gratefully acknowledged, nor too speedily made use of; and the visit to Lady Middleton, which had not before had any precise limits, was instantly discovered to have been always meant to end in two days time. When the note was shewn to Elinor, as it was within ten minutes after its arrival, it gave her, for the first time, some share in the expectations of Lucy; for such a mark of uncommon kindness, vouchsafed on so short an acquaintance, seemed to declare that the good will towards her arose from something more than merely malice against herself; and might be brought, by time and address, to do every thing that Lucy wished. Her flattery had already subdued the pride of Lady Middleton, and made an entry into the close heart of Mrs. John Dashwood; and these were effects that laid open the probability of greater. The Miss Steeles removed to Harley-street, and all that reached Elinor of their influence there, strengthened her expectation of the event. Sir John, who called on them more than once, brought home such accounts of the favour they were in, as must be universally striking. Mrs. Dashwood had never been so much pleased with any young women in her life, as she was with them; had given each of them a needle book, made by some emigrant;14 called Lucy by her christian name; and did not know whether she should ever be able to part with them. end of volume ii lines 24–25: needle book,] 1811 needle-book, 1811 christen

288

//

line 25:

christian]

sense and sensibility Volume III

Chapter 1

M r s . Pa l m e r was so well at the end of a fortnight, that her mother felt it no longer necessary to give up the whole of her time to her; and contenting herself with visiting her once or twice a day, returned from that period to her own home, and her own habits, in which she found the Miss Dashwoods very ready to reassume their former share. About the third or fourth morning after their being thus resettled in Berkeley-street, Mrs. Jennings on returning from her ordinary visit to Mrs. Palmer, entered the drawing-room, where Elinor was sitting by herself, with an air of such hurrying importance as prepared her to hear something wonderful; and giving her time only to form that idea, began directly to justify it by saying, “Lord! my dear Miss Dashwood! have you heard the news!” “No, ma’am. What is it?” “Something so strange! But you shall hear it all.—When I got to Mr. Palmer’s, I found Charlotte quite in a fuss about the child. She was sure it was very ill—it cried, and fretted, and was all over pimples. So I looked at it directly, and, ‘Lord! my dear,’ says I, ‘it is nothing in the world but the red-gum;’1 and nurse said just the same. But Charlotte, she would not be satisfied, so Mr. Donavan was sent for; and luckily he happened to be just come in from Harley-street,2 so he stepped over directly, and as soon as ever he saw the child, he said just line 14:

news!”] 1811 news?”

291

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 1

as we did, that it was nothing in the world but the red-gum, and then Charlotte was easy. And so, just as he was going away again, it came into my head, I am sure I do not know how I happened to think of it but it came into my head to ask him if there was any news. So upon that, he smirked, and simpered, and looked grave, and seemed to know something or other, and at last he said in a whisper, ‘For fear any unpleasant report should reach the young ladies under your care as to their sister’s indisposition, I think it advisable to say, that I believe there is no great reason for alarm; I hope Mrs. Dashwood will do very well.’ ” “What! is Fanny ill?” “That is exactly what I said, my dear. ‘Lord!’ says I, ‘is Mrs. Dashwood ill?’ So then it all came out; and the long and the short of the matter, by all I can learn, seems to be this. Mr. Edward Ferrars, the very young man I used to joke with you about (but however, as it turns out, I am monstrous glad there never was any thing in it), Mr. Edward Ferrars, it seems, has been engaged above this twelvemonth to my cousin Lucy!—There’s for you, my dear!—And not a creature knowing a syllable of the matter except Nancy!—Could you have believed such a thing possible?—There is no great wonder in their liking one another; but that matters should be brought so forward between them, and nobody suspect it! That is strange!—I never happened to see them together, or I am sure I should have found it out directly. Well, and so this was kept a great secret, for fear of Mrs. Ferrars, and neither she nor your brother or sister suspected a word of the matter;—till this very morning, poor Nancy, who, you know, is a well-meaning creature, but no conjurer,3 popt it all out. line 9: advisable] 1811 adviseable // line 15: be // line 30: conjurer,] 1811 conjuror,

292

seems be [1811 seems to

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 1

‘Lord!’ thinks she to herself, ‘they are all so fond of Lucy, to be sure they will make no difficulty about it;’ and so, away she went to your sister, who was sitting all alone at her carpetwork, little suspecting what was to come—for she had just been saying to your brother, only five minutes before, that she thought to make a match between Edward and some Lord’s daughter or other, I forget who. So you may think what a blow it was to all her vanity and pride. She fell into violent hysterics4 immediately, with such screams as reached your brother’s ears, as he was sitting in his own dressing-room down stairs, thinking about writing a letter to his steward in the country. So up he flew directly, and a terrible scene took place, for Lucy was come to them by that time, little dreaming what was going on. Poor soul! I pity her. And I must say, I think she was used very hardly; for your sister scolded like any fury, and soon drove her into a fainting fit. Nancy, she fell upon her knees, and cried bitterly; and your brother, he walked about the room, and said he did not know what to do. Mrs. Dashwood declared they should not stay a minute longer in the house, and your brother was forced to go down upon his knees too, to persuade her to let them stay till they had packed up their clothes. Then she fell into hysterics again, and he was so frightened that he would send for Mr. Donavan, and Mr. Donavan found the house in all this uproar. The carriage was at the door ready to take my poor cousins away, and they were just stepping in as he came off; poor Lucy in such a condition, he says, she could hardly walk; and Nancy, she was almost as bad. I declare, I have no patience with your sister; and I hope, with all my heart, it will be a match in spite of her. Lord! what a taking5 poor Mr. Edward will be in when he hears of it! To have his love line 14:

dreaming what] 1811 dreaming of what

293

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 1

used so scornfully! for they say he is monstrous fond of her, as well he may. I should not wonder, if he was to be in the greatest of a passion!—and Mr. Donavan thinks just the same. He and I had a great deal of talk about it; and the best of all is, that he is gone back again to Harley-street, that he may be within call when Mrs. Ferrars is told of it, for she was sent for as soon as ever my cousins left the house, for your sister was sure she would be in hysterics too; and so she may, for what I care. I have no pity for either of them. I have no notion of people’s making such a to-do about money and greatness. There is no reason on earth why Mr. Edward and Lucy should not marry; for I am sure Mrs. Ferrars may afford to do very well by her son, and though Lucy has next to nothing herself, she knows better than any body how to make the most of every thing; and I dare say, if Mrs. Ferrars would only allow him five hundred a-year, she would make as good an appearance with it as any body else would with eight. Lord! how snug they might live in such another cottage as yours—or a little bigger—with two maids and two men;6 and I believe I could help them to a housemaid, for my Betty has a sister out of place,7 that would fit them exactly.” Here Mrs. Jennings ceased, and as Elinor had had time enough to collect her thoughts, she was able to give such an answer, and make such observations, as the subject might naturally be supposed to produce. Happy to find that she was not suspected of any extraordinary interest in it; that Mrs. Jennings (as she had of late often hoped might be the case) had ceased to imagine her at all attached to Edward; and happy above all the rest, in the absence of Marianne, she felt very well able to speak of the affair without embarrassment, and to give her judgment, as she believed, line 25:

294

produce. Happy] 1811 produce—Happy

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 1

with impartiality on the conduct of every one concerned in it. She could hardly determine what her own expectation of its event really was; though she earnestly tried to drive away the notion of its being possible to end otherwise at last, than in the marriage of Edward and Lucy. What Mrs. Ferrars would say and do, though there could not be a doubt of its nature, she was anxious to hear; and still more anxious to know how Edward would conduct himself. For him she felt much compassion;—for Lucy very little—and it cost her some pains to procure that little;—for the rest of the party none at all. As Mrs. Jennings could talk on no other subject, Elinor soon saw the necessity of preparing Marianne for its discussion. No time was to be lost in undeceiving her, in making her acquainted with the real truth, and in endeavouring to bring her to hear it talked of by others, without betraying that she felt any uneasiness for her sister, or any resentment against Edward. Elinor’s office was a painful one.—She was going to remove what she really believed to be her sister’s chief consolation,— to give such particulars of Edward, as she feared would ruin him for ever in her good opinion,—and to make Marianne, by a resemblance in their situations, which to her fancy would seem strong, feel all her own disappointment over again. But unwelcome as such a task must be, it was necessary to be done, and Elinor therefore hastened to perform it. She was very far from wishing to dwell on her own feelings, or to represent herself as suffering much, any otherwise than line 4: was; though] 1811 was;—though // line 9: himself. For] 1811 himself.—For // lines 14–15: discussion. No] 1811 discussion.—No // line 24: situations, which] 1811 situations which

295

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 1

as the self-command she had practised since her first knowledge of Edward’s engagement, might suggest a hint of what was practicable to Marianne. Her narration was clear and simple; and though it could not be given without emotion, it was not accompanied by violent agitation, nor impetuous grief.—That belonged rather to the hearer, for Marianne listened with horror, and cried excessively. Elinor was to be the comforter of others in her own distresses, no less than in theirs; and all the comfort that could be given by assurances of her own composure of mind, and a very earnest vindication of Edward from every charge but of imprudence, was readily offered. But Marianne for some time would give credit to neither. Edward seemed a second Willoughby; and acknowledging as Elinor did, that she had loved him most sincerely, could she feel less than herself ! As for Lucy Steele, she considered her so totally unamiable,8 so absolutely incapable of attaching a sensible man,9 that she could not be persuaded at first to believe, and afterwards to pardon, any former affection of Edward for her. She would not even admit it to have been natural; and Elinor left her to be convinced that it was so, by that which only could convince her, a better knowledge of mankind. Her first communication had reached no farther than to state the fact of the engagement, and the length of time it had existed.—Marianne’s feelings had then broken in, and put an end to all regularity of detail; and for some time all that could be done was to sooth her distress, lessen her alarms, and combat her resentment. The first question on her side, which led to farther particulars, was, “How long has this been known to you, Elinor? has he written to you?”

296

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 1

“I have known it these four months. When Lucy first came to Barton-park last November, she told me in confidence of her engagement.” At these words, Marianne’s eyes expressed the astonishment, which her lips could not utter. After a pause of wonder, she exclaimed, “Four months!—Have you known of this four months?”— Elinor confirmed it. “What!—while attending me in all my misery, has this been on your heart?—and I have reproached you for being happy!”— “It was not fit that you should then know how much I was the reverse.”— “Four months!”—cried Marianne again.—“So calm!—so cheerful!—how have you been supported?”— “By feeling that I was doing my duty.—My promise to Lucy, obliged me to be secret.10 I owed it to her, therefore, to avoid giving any hint of the truth; and I owed it to my family and friends, not to create in them a solicitude about me, which it could not be in my power to satisfy.” Marianne seemed much struck.— “I have very often wished to undeceive yourself and my mother,” added Elinor; “and once or twice I have attempted it;—but without betraying my trust, I never could have convinced you.” “Four months!—and yet you loved him!”— “Yes. But I did not love only him;—and while the comfort of others was dear to me, I was glad to spare them from knowing how much I felt. Now, I can think and speak of it with little emotion. I would not have you suffer on my line 30:

emotion. I] 1811 emotion.—I

297

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 1

account; for I assure you I no longer suffer materially myself. I have many things to support me. I am not conscious of having provoked the disappointment by any imprudence of my own, and I have borne it as much as possible without spreading it farther. I acquit Edward of all essential misconduct. I wish him very happy; and I am so sure of his always doing his duty, that though now he may harbour some regret, in the end he must become so. Lucy does not want sense,11 and that is the foundation on which every thing good may be built.—And after all, Marianne, after all that is bewitching in the idea of a single and constant attachment, and all that can be said of one’s happiness depending entirely on any particular person, it is not meant—it is not fit—it is not possible that it should be so.—Edward will marry Lucy; he will marry a woman superior in person and understanding to half her sex; and time and habit will teach him to forget that he ever thought another superior to her.”— “If such is your way of thinking,” said Marianne, “if the loss of what is most valued is so easily to be made up by something else, your resolution, your self-command, are, perhaps, a little less to be wondered at.—They are brought more within my comprehension.” “I understand you.—You do not suppose that I have ever felt much.—For four months, Marianne, I have had all this hanging on my mind, without being at liberty to speak of it to a single creature; knowing that it would make you and my mother most unhappy whenever it were explained to you, yet unable to prepare you for it in the least.—It was told me,—it was in a manner forced on me by the very person herself, whose prior engagement ruined all my prospects; and told me, as I thought, with triumph.—This person’s line 5:

298

farther. I] 1811 farther.—I

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 1

suspicions, therefore, I have had to oppose, by endeavouring to appear indifferent where I have been most deeply interested;—and it has not been only once;—I have had her hopes and exultation to listen to again and again.—I have known myself to be divided from Edward for ever, without hearing one circumstance that could make me less desire the connection.—Nothing has proved him unworthy; nor has any thing declared him indifferent to me.—I have had to contend against the unkindness of his sister, and the insolence of his mother; and have suffered the punishment of an attachment, without enjoying its advantages.—And all this has been going on at a time, when, as you too well know, it has not been my only unhappiness.—If you can think me capable of ever feeling—surely you may suppose that I have suffered now. The composure of mind with which I have brought myself at present to consider the matter, the consolation that I have been willing to admit, have been the effect of constant and painful exertion;—they did not spring up of themselves;—they did not occur to relieve my spirits at first—No, Marianne.—Then, if I had not been bound to silence, perhaps nothing could have kept me entirely—not even what I owed to my dearest friends—from openly shewing that I was very unhappy.”— Marianne was quite subdued.— “Oh! Elinor,” she cried, “you have made me hate myself for ever.—How barbarous have I been to you!—you, who have been my only comfort, who have borne with me in all my misery, who have seemed to be only suffering for me!—Is this my gratitude!—Is this the only return I can make you?— Because your merit cries out upon myself, I have been trying to do it away.” line 29:

gratitude!—Is] 1811 gratitude?—Is

299

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 1

The tenderest caresses followed this confession. In such a frame of mind as she was now in, Elinor had no difficulty in obtaining from her whatever promise she required; and at her request, Marianne engaged never to speak of the affair to any one with the least appearance of bitterness;—to meet Lucy without betraying the smallest increase of dislike to her;— and even to see Edward himself, if chance should bring them together, without any diminution of her usual cordiality.— These were great concessions;—but where Marianne felt that she had injured, no reparation could be too much for her to make. She performed her promise of being discreet, to admiration.—She attended to all that Mrs. Jennings had to say upon the subject, with an unchanging complexion, dissented from her in nothing, and was heard three times to say, “Yes, ma’am.”—She listened to her praise of Lucy with only moving from one chair to another, and when Mrs. Jennings talked of Edward’s affection, it cost her only a spasm in her throat.—Such advances towards heroism in her sister, made Elinor feel equal to any thing herself. The next morning brought a farther trial of it, in a visit from their brother, who came with a most serious aspect to talk over the dreadful affair, and bring them news of his wife. “You have heard, I suppose,” said he with great solemnity, as soon as he was seated, “of the very shocking discovery that took place under our roof yesterday.” They all looked their assent; it seemed too awful a moment for speech. “Your sister,” he continued, “has suffered dreadfully. Mrs. Ferrars too—in short it has been a scene of such complicated line 23:

300

wife.] 1811 wife.—

//

line 27:

awful] 1811 aweful

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 1

distress—but I will hope that the storm may be weathered without our being any of us quite overcome. Poor Fanny! she was in hysterics all yesterday. But I would not alarm you too much. Donavan says there is nothing materially to be apprehended; her constitution is a good one, and her resolution equal to any thing. She has borne it all, with the fortitude of an angel! She says she never shall think well of anybody again; and one cannot wonder at it, after being so deceived!— meeting with such ingratitude, where so much kindness had been shewn, so much confidence had been placed! It was quite out of the benevolence of her heart, that she had asked these young women to her house; merely because she thought they deserved some attention, were harmless, well-behaved girls, and would be pleasant companions; for otherwise we both wished very much to have invited you and Marianne to be with us, while your kind friend there, was attending her daughter. And now to be so rewarded! ‘I wish with all my heart,’ says poor Fanny in her affectionate way, ‘that we had asked your sisters instead of them.’ ” Here he stopped to be thanked; which being done, he went on. “What poor Mrs. Ferrars suffered, when first Fanny broke it to her, is not to be described. While she with the truest affection had been planning a most eligible connection for him, was it to be supposed that he could be all the time secretly engaged to another person!—such a suspicion could never have entered her head! If she suspected any prepossession elsewhere, it could not be in that quarter. ‘There, to be line 2: us quite] 1811 us, quite // line 8: wonder] 1811 wouder // line 17: rewarded! ‘I] 1811 rewarded! “I // line 18: heart,’ says] 1811 heart,” says // line 18: way, ‘that] 1811 way, “that // line 19: them.’ | 1811 them.” // line 28: quarter. ‘There,] 1811 quarter.” “There,

301

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 1

sure,’ said she, ‘I might have thought myself safe.’ She was quite in an agony. We consulted together, however, as to what should be done, and at last she determined to send for Edward. He came. But I am sorry to relate what ensued. All that Mrs. Ferrars could say to make him put an end to the engagement, assisted too as you may well suppose by my arguments, and Fanny’s entreaties, was of no avail. Duty, affection, every thing was disregarded. I never thought Edward so stubborn, so unfeeling before. His mother explained to him her liberal designs, in case of his marrying Miss Morton; told him she would settle on him the Norfolk estate, which, clear of land-tax,12 brings in a good thousand a-year; offered even, when matters grew desperate, to make it twelve hundred; and in opposition to this, if he still persisted in this low connection, represented to him the certain penury that must attend the match. His own two thousand pounds she protested should be his all; she would never see him again; and so far would she be from affording him the smallest assistance, that if he were to enter into any profession with a view of better support, she would do all in her power to prevent his advancing in it.” Here Marianne, in an ecstacy of indignation, clapped her hands together, and cried, “Gracious God! can this be possible!” “Well may you wonder, Marianne,” replied her brother, “at the obstinacy which could resist such arguments as these. Your exclamation is very natural.” Marianne was going to retort, but she remembered her promises, and forbore. line 1: sure,’ said] 1811 sure,” said // line 1: she, ‘I] 1811 she, “I // line 1: safe.’ She] 1811 safe.” She // line 2: together, however,] 1811 together however, // line 11: him she] 1811 him that she // line 22: ecstacy] 1811 ectasy // line 23: together, and] 1811 together and

302

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 1

“All this, however,” he continued, “was urged in vain. Edward said very little; but what he did say, was in the most determined manner. Nothing should prevail on him to give up his engagement. He would stand to it, cost him what it might.” “Then,” cried Mrs. Jennings with blunt sincerity, no longer able to be silent, “he has acted like an honest man! I beg your pardon, Mr. Dashwood, but if he had done otherwise, I should have thought him a rascal. I have some little concern in the business, as well as yourself, for Lucy Steele is my cousin, and I believe there is not a better kind of girl in the world, nor one who more deserves a good husband.” John Dashwood was greatly astonished; but his nature was calm, not open to provocation, and he never wished to offend anybody, especially anybody of good fortune. He therefore replied without any resentment. “I would by no means speak disrespectfully of any relation of your’s, madam. Miss Lucy Steele is, I dare say, a very deserving young woman, but in the present case you know, the connection must be impossible. And to have entered into a secret engagement with a young man under her uncle’s care, the son of a woman especially of such very large fortune as Mrs. Ferrars, is perhaps altogether a little extraordinary. In short, I do not mean to reflect upon the behaviour of any person whom you have a regard for, Mrs. Jennings. We all wish her extremely happy, and Mrs. Ferrars’s conduct throughout the whole, has been such as every conscientious, good mother, in like circumstances, would adopt. It has been dignified and liberal. Edward has drawn his own lot, and I fear it will be a bad one.” line 1: this, however,”] 1811 this however,” 1811 resentment,

//

line 16:

resentment.]

303

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 1

Marianne sighed out her similar apprehension; and Elinor’s heart wrung for the feelings of Edward, while braving his mother’s threats, for a woman who could not reward him. “Well, sir,” said Mrs. Jennings, “and how did it end?” “I am sorry to say, ma’am, in a most unhappy rupture:— Edward is dismissed for ever from his mother’s notice. He left her house yesterday, but where he is gone or whether he is still in town, I do not know; for we of course can make no inquiry.” “Poor young man!—and what is to become of him?” “What, indeed, ma’am! It is a melancholy consideration. Born to the prospect of such affluence! I cannot conceive a situation more deplorable. The interest of two thousand pounds—how can a man live on it!13 —and when to that is added the recollection, that he might, but for his own folly, within three months have been in the receipt of two thousand, five hundred a-year, (for Miss Morton has thirty thousand pounds,)14 I cannot picture to myself a more wretched condition. We must all feel for him; and the more so, because it is totally out of our power to assist him.” “Poor young man!” cried Mrs. Jennings, “I am sure he should be very welcome to bed and board at my house; and so I would tell him if I could see him. It is not fit that he should be living about at his own charge now, at lodgings and taverns.” Elinor’s heart thanked her for such kindness towards Edward, though she could not forbear smiling at the form of it.

line 8: gone or] 1811 gone, or // line 10: inquiry.”] 1811 enquiry.” // line 21: is totally] 1811 is so totally // line 24: him if] 1811 him, if

304

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 1

“If he would only have done as well by himself,” said John Dashwood, “as all his friends were disposed to do by him, he might now have been in his proper situation, and would have wanted for nothing. But as it is, it must be out of anybody’s power to assist him. And there is one thing more preparing against him, which must be worse than all—his mother has determined, with a very natural kind of spirit, to settle that estate upon Robert immediately, which might have been Edward’s, on proper conditions. I left her this morning with her lawyer, talking over the business.” “Well!” said Mrs. Jennings, “that is her revenge. Everybody has a way of their own. But I don’t think mine would be, to make one son independent, because another had plagued me.” Marianne got up, and walked about the room. “Can any thing be more galling to the spirit of a man,” continued John, “than to see his younger brother in possession of an estate which might have been his own? Poor Edward! I feel for him sincerely.” A few minutes more spent in the same kind of effusion, concluded his visit; and with repeated assurances to his sisters that he really believed there was no material danger in Fanny’s indisposition, and that they need not therefore be very uneasy about it, he went away; leaving the three ladies unanimous in their sentiments on the present occasion, as far at least as it regarded Mrs. Ferrars’s conduct, the Dashwoods’ and Edward’s. Marianne’s indignation burst forth as soon as he quitted the room; and as her vehemence made reserve impossible in Elinor, and unnecessary in Mrs. Jennings, they all joined in a very spirited critique upon the party. line 26:

Dashwoods’ and] 1811 Dashwoods and

305

Chapter 2

M r s . Je n n i ng s was very warm in her praise of Edward’s conduct, but only Elinor and Marianne understood its true merit. They only knew how little he had had to tempt him to be disobedient, and how small was the consolation, beyond the consciousness of doing right, that could remain to him in the loss of friends and fortune. Elinor gloried in his integrity; and Marianne forgave all his offences in compassion for his punishment. But though confidence between them was, by this public discovery, restored to its proper state, it was not a subject on which either of them were fond of dwelling when alone. Elinor avoided it upon principle, as tending to fix still more upon her thoughts, by the too warm, too positive assurances of Marianne, that belief of Edward’s continued affection for herself which she rather wished to do away; and Marianne’s courage soon failed her, in trying to converse upon a topic which always left her more dissatisfied with herself than ever, by the comparison it necessarily produced between Elinor’s conduct and her own. She felt all the force of that comparison; but not as her sister had hoped, to urge her to exertion now; she felt it with all the pain of continual self-reproach, regretted most bitterly that she had never exerted herself before; but it brought only the torture of penitence, without the hope of amendment. Her mind was so much weakened that she still fancied present line 14: herself which] 1811 herself, which

306

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 2

exertion impossible, and therefore it only dispirited her more. Nothing new was heard by them, for a day or two afterwards, of affairs in Harley-street, or Bartlett’s Buildings. But though so much of the matter was known to them already, that Mrs. Jennings might have had enough to do in spreading that knowledge farther, without seeking after more, she had resolved from the first to pay a visit of comfort and inquiry to her cousins as soon as she could; and nothing but the hindrance of more visitors than usual, had prevented her going to them within that time. The third day succeeding their knowledge of the particulars, was so fine, so beautiful a Sunday as to draw many to Kensington Gardens,1 though it was only the second week in March. Mrs. Jennings and Elinor were of the number; but Marianne, who knew that the Willoughbys were again in town, and had a constant dread of meeting them, chose rather to stay at home, than venture into so public a place. An intimate acquaintance of Mrs. Jennings joined them soon after they entered the Gardens, and Elinor was not sorry that by her continuing with them, and engaging all Mrs. Jennings’s conversation, she was herself left to quiet reflection. She saw nothing of the Willoughbys, nothing of Edward, and for some time nothing of anybody who could by any chance whether grave or gay, be interesting to her. But at last she found herself with some surprise, accosted by Miss Steele, who, though looking rather shy, expressed great satisfaction in meeting them, and on receiving encouragement from the particular kindness of Mrs. Jennings, left her own party for a line 3: them, for] 1811 them for // line 8: inquiry] 1811 enquiry // line 25: last she] 1811 last, she // line 27: who, though] 1811 who though

307

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 2

short time, to join their’s. Mrs. Jennings immediately whispered to Elinor, “Get it all out of her, my dear. She will tell you any thing if you ask. You see I cannot leave Mrs. Clarke.” It was lucky, however, for Mrs. Jennings’s curiosity and Elinor’s too, that she would tell any thing without being asked, for nothing would otherwise have been learnt. “I am so glad to meet you;” said Miss Steele, taking her familiarly by the arm—“for I wanted to see you of all things in the world.” And then lowering her voice, “I suppose Mrs. Jennings has heard all about it. Is she angry?” “Not at all, I believe, with you.” “That is a good thing. And Lady Middleton, is she angry?” “I cannot suppose it possible that she should.” “I am monstrous glad of it. Good gracious! I have had such a time of it! I never saw Lucy in such a rage in my life. She vowed at first she would never trim me up a new bonnet, nor do any thing else for me again, so long as she lived; but now she is quite come to, and we are as good friends as ever. Look, she made me this bow to my hat, and put in the feather last night. There now, you are going to laugh at me too. But why should not I wear pink ribbons? I do not care if it is the Doctor’s favourite colour. I am sure, for my part, I should never have known he did like it better than any other colour, if he had not happened to say so. My cousins have been so plaguing me!—I declare sometimes I do not know which way to look before them.” She had wandered away to a subject on which Elinor had nothing to say, and therefore soon judged it expedient to find her way back again to the first. line 3: any thing] 1811 anything // lines 5–6: curiosity and Elinor’s] 1811 curiosity, and for Elinor’s // line 6: any thing] 1811 anything // line 26: sometimes I] 1811 sometimes, I

308

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 2

“Well, but Miss Dashwood,” speaking triumphantly, “people may say what they chuse about Mr. Ferrars’s declaring he would not have Lucy, for it’s no such a thing I can tell you; and it’s quite a shame for such ill-natured reports to be spread abroad. Whatever Lucy might think about it herself, you know, it was no business of other people to set it down for certain.” “I never heard anything of the kind hinted at before, I assure you,” said Elinor. “Oh! did not you? But it was said, I know, very well, and by more than one; for Miss Godby told Miss Sparks, that nobody in their senses could expect Mr. Ferrars to give up a woman like Miss Morton, with thirty thousand pounds to her fortune, for Lucy Steele that had nothing at all; and I had it from Miss Sparks myself. And besides that, my cousin Richard said himself, that when it came to the point, he was afraid Mr. Ferrars would be off; and when Edward did not come near us for three days, I could not tell what to think myself; and I believe in my heart Lucy gave it up all for lost; for we came away from your brother’s Wednesday, and we saw nothing of him not all Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and did not know what was become with him. Once Lucy thought to write to him, but then her spirit rose against that. However this morning he came just as we came home from church; and then it all came out, how he had been sent for Wednesday to Harley-street, and been talked to by his mother and all of them, and how he had declared before them all that he loved nobody but Lucy, and nobody but Lucy would he have. And how he had been so worried by what passed, that as soon as he had went away from his mother’s house, he had line 19: it up all for] 1811 it all up for // line 20: brother’s Wednesday,] 1811 brother’s on Wednesday, // line 24: However this] 1811 However, this // line 24: came just] 1811 came, just

309

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 2

got upon his horse, and rid into the country some where or other; and how he had staid about at an inn all Thursday and Friday, on purpose to get the better of it. And after thinking it all over and over again, he said, it seemed to him as if, now he had no fortune, and no nothing at all, it would be quite unkind to keep her on to the engagement, because it must be for her loss, for he had nothing but two thousand pounds, and no hope of any thing else; and if he was to go into orders, as he had some thoughts, he could get nothing but a curacy,2 and how was they to live upon that?—He could not bear to think of her doing no better, and so he begged, if she had the least mind for it, to put an end to the matter directly, and leave him to shift for himself. I heard him say all this as plain as could possibly be. And it was entirely for her sake, and upon her account, that he said a word about being off, and not upon his own. I will take my oath he never dropt a syllable of being tired of her, or of wishing to marry Miss Morton, or anything like it. But, to be sure, Lucy would not give ear to such kind of talking; so she told him directly (with a great deal about sweet and love, you know, and all that—Oh, la! one can’t repeat such kind of things you know)—she told him directly, she had not the least mind in the world to be off, for she could live with him upon a trifle, and how little so ever he might have, she should be very glad to have it all, you know, or something of the kind. So then he was monstrous happy, and talked on some time about what they should do, and they agreed he should take orders directly, and they must wait to be married till he got a living. And just then I could not hear any more, for my cousin called from below to tell me Mrs. Richardson was come in her coach, and would take one of us to Kensington Gardens; so I was forced to go into line 1: some where] 1811 somewhere they talked

310

//

line 26:

and talked] 1811 and

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 2

the room and interrupt them, to ask Lucy if she would like to go, but she did not care to leave Edward; so I just run up stairs and put on a pair of silk stockings, and came off with the Richardsons.” “I do not understand what you mean by interrupting them,” said Elinor; “you were all in the same room together, were not you?” “No, indeed, not us. La! Miss Dashwood, do you think people make love when any body else is by? Oh for shame!— To be sure you must know better than that. (Laughing affectedly.)—No, no; they were shut up in the drawing-room together, and all I heard was only by listening at the door.” “How!” cried Elinor; “have you been repeating to me what you only learnt yourself by listening at the door? I am sorry I did not know it before; for I certainly would not have suffered you to give me particulars of a conversation which you ought not to have known yourself. How could you behave so unfairly by your sister?” “Oh, la! there is nothing in that. I only stood at the door, and heard what I could. And I am sure Lucy would have done just the same by me; for a year or two back, when Martha Sharpe and I had so many secrets together, she never made any bones of hiding in a closet, or behind a chimney-board,3 on purpose to hear what we said.” Elinor tried to talk of something else; but Miss Steele could not be kept beyond a couple of minutes, from what was uppermost in her mind. “Edward talks of going to Oxford soon,” said she, “but now he is lodging at No. —, Pall Mall. What an ill-natured woman his mother is, an’t she? And your brother and sister line 8: indeed, not] 1811 indeed; not // line 9: any body] 1811 anybody // line 9: Oh for] 1811 Oh! for // line 21: for a] 1811 for, a // line 27: mind.] 1811 mind.”

311

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 2

were not very kind! However, I shan’t say anything against them to you; and to be sure they did send us home in their own chariot,4 which was more than I looked for. And for my part, I was all in a fright for fear your sister should ask us for the huswifes she had gave us a day or two before; but however nothing was said about them, and I took care to keep mine out of sight. Edward have got some business at Oxford, he says; so he must go there for a time; and after that, as soon as he can light upon a Bishop,5 he will be ordained. I wonder what curacy he will get!—Good gracious! (giggling as she spoke) I’d lay my life I know what my cousins will say, when they hear of it. They will tell me I should write to the Doctor, to get Edward the curacy6 of his new living. I know they will; but I am sure I would not do such a thing for all the world.—‘La!’ I shall say directly, ‘I wonder how you could think of such a thing. I write to the Doctor, indeed!’ ” “Well,” said Elinor, “it is a comfort to be prepared against the worst. You have got your answer ready.” Miss Steele was going to reply on the same subject, but the approach of her own party made another more necessary. “Oh, la! here come the Richardsons. I had a vast deal more to say to you, but I must not stay away from them not any longer. I assure you they are very genteel people. He makes a monstrous deal of money, and they keep their own coach. I have not time to speak to Mrs. Jennings about it myself, but pray tell her I am quite happy to hear she is not in anger against us, and Lady Middleton the same; and if any thing should happen to take you and your sister away, and Mrs. Jennings should want company, I am sure we should be very glad to come and stay with her for as long a time as she likes. I suppose Lady Middleton won’t ask us any more this line 10: (gigling [1811 (giggling // line 15: world.—‘La!”] 1811 world. ‘La!” // line 16: indeed!’ | 1811 indeed!”

312

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 2

bout.7 Good bye; I am sorry Miss Marianne was not here. Remember me kindly to her. La! if you have not got your spotted muslin8 on!—I wonder you was not afraid of its being torn.” Such was her parting concern; for after this, she had time only to pay her farewell compliments to Mrs. Jennings, before her company was claimed by Mrs. Richardson; and Elinor was left in possession of knowledge which might feed her powers of reflection some time, though she had learnt very little more than what had been already foreseen and foreplanned in her own mind. Edward’s marriage with Lucy was as firmly determined on, and the time of its taking place remained as absolutely uncertain, as she had concluded it would be;—every thing depended, exactly after her expectation, on his getting that preferment,9 of which, at present, there seemed not the smallest chance. As soon as they returned to the carriage, Mrs. Jennings was eager for information; but as Elinor wished to spread as little as possible intelligence that had in the first place been so unfairly obtained, she confined herself to the brief repetition of such simple particulars, as she felt assured that Lucy, for the sake of her own consequence, would chuse to have known. The continuance of their engagement, and the means that were to be taken for promoting its end, was all her communication; and this produced from Mrs. Jennings the following natural remark. “Wait for his having a living!—aye, we all know how that will end;—they will wait a twelvemonth, and finding no good comes of it, will set down upon a curacy of fifty pounds ayear, with the interest of his two thousand pounds, and what little matter Mr. Steele and Mr. Pratt can give her.—Then lines 2–3: your spotted] 1811 your best spotted

313

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 2

they will have a child every year! and Lord help ’em! how poor they will be!—I must see what I can give them towards furnishing their house. Two maids and two men indeed!—as I talked of t’other day.—No, no, they must get a stout girl of all works.—Betty’s sister would never do for them now.”10 The next morning brought Elinor a letter by the two-penny post from Lucy herself. It was as follows: Bartlett’s Buildings, March. I hope my dear Miss Dashwood will excuse the liberty I take of writing to her; but I know your friendship for me will make you pleased to hear such a good account of myself and my dear Edward, after all the troubles we have went through lately, therefore will make no more apologies, but proceed to say that, thank God! though we have suffered dreadfully, we are both quite well now, and as happy as we must always be in one another’s love. We have had great trials, and great persecutions,11 but however, at the same time, gratefully acknowledge many friends, yourself not the least among them, whose great kindness I shall always thankfully remember, as will Edward too, who I have told of it. I am sure you will be glad to hear, as likewise dear Mrs. Jennings, I spent two happy hours with him yesterday afternoon, he would not hear of our parting, though earnestly did I, as I thought my duty required, urge him to it for prudence sake, and would have parted for ever on the spot, would he consent to it; but he said it should never be, he did not regard his mother’s anger, while he could have my affections; our prospects are not very bright, to be sure, but we must wait, and hope for the best; he will be ordained shortly, and should it ever be in line 7: post from] 1811 post, from // line 7: herself. It] 1811 herself.—It // line 9: I hope] 1811 I hope // line 20: it. I] 1811 it, I // line 25: it; but] 1811 it, but // line 27: affections; our] 1811 affections, our

314

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 2

your power to recommend him to any body that has a living to bestow, am very sure you will not forget us, and dear Mrs. Jennings too, trust she will speak a good word for us to Sir John, or Mr. Palmer, or any friend that may be able to assist us.—Poor Anne was much to blame for what she did, but she did it for the best, so I say nothing; hope Mrs. Jennings won’t think it too much trouble to give us a call, should she come this way any morning, ’twould be a great kindness, and my cousins would be proud to know her.—My paper reminds me to conclude,12 and begging to be most gratefully and respectfully remembered to her, and to Sir John, and Lady Middleton, and the dear children, when you chance to see them, and love to Miss Marianne, I am, &c. &c. As soon as Elinor had finished it, she performed what she concluded to be its writer’s real design, by placing it in the hands of Mrs. Jennings, who read it aloud with many comments of satisfaction and praise. “Very well indeed!—how prettily she writes!—aye, that was quite proper to let him be off if he would. That was just like Lucy.—Poor soul! I wish I could get him a living with all my heart.—She calls me dear Mrs. Jennings, you see. She is a good-hearted girl as ever lived.—Very well upon my word. That sentence is very prettily turned. Yes, yes, I will go and see her, sure enough. How attentive she is, to think of every body!—Thank you, my dear, for shewing it me. It is as pretty a letter as ever I saw, and does Lucy’s head and heart great credit.” line 1: any body] 1811 anybody // line 8: lines 25–26: every body!] 1811 everybody!

’twould] 1811 t’would

//

315

Chapter 3

T h e Miss Dashwoods had now been rather more than two months in town, and Marianne’s impatience to be gone increased every day. She sighed for the air, the liberty, the quiet of the country; and fancied that if any place could give her ease, Barton must do it. Elinor was hardly less anxious than herself for their removal, and only so much less bent on its being effected immediately, as that she was conscious of the difficulties of so long a journey, which Marianne could not be brought to acknowledge. She began, however, seriously to turn her thoughts towards its accomplishment, and had already mentioned their wishes to their kind hostess, who resisted them with all the eloquence of her good-will, when a plan was suggested, which, though detaining them from home yet a few weeks longer, appeared to Elinor altogether much more eligible than any other. The Palmers were to remove to Cleveland about the end of March, for the Easter holidays; and Mrs. Jennings, with both her friends, received a very warm invitation from Charlotte to go with them. This would not, in itself, have been sufficient for the delicacy of Miss Dashwood;—but it was inforced with so much real politeness by Mr. Palmer himself, as, joined to the very great amendment of his manners towards them since her sister had been known to be unhappy, induced her to accept it with pleasure. line 4:

316

quiet of] 1811 quiet, of

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 3

When she told Marianne what she had done, however, her first reply was not very auspicious. “Cleveland!”—she cried, with great agitation. “No, I cannot go to Cleveland.”— “You forget,” said Elinor, gently, “that its situation is not . . . . that it is not in the neighbourhood of . . . .” “But it is in Somersetshire.1 —I cannot go into Somersetshire.—There, where I looked forward to going . . . No, Elinor, you cannot expect me to go there.” Elinor would not argue upon the propriety of overcoming such feelings;—she only endeavoured to counteract them by working on others;— and represented it, therefore, as a measure which would fix the time of her returning to that dear mother, whom she so much wished to see, in a more eligible, more comfortable manner, than any other plan could do, and perhaps without any greater delay. From Cleveland, which was within a few miles of Bristol, the distance to Barton was not beyond one day, though a long day’s journey;2 and their mother’s servant might easily come there to attend them down; and as there could be no occasion for their staying above a week at Cleveland, they might now be at home in little more than three weeks time. As Marianne’s affection for her mother was sincere, it must triumph, with little difficulty, over the imaginary evils she had started. Mrs. Jennings was so far from being weary of her guests, that she pressed them very earnestly to return with her again from Cleveland. Elinor was grateful for the attention, but it could not alter their design; and their mother’s concurrence being readily gained, every thing relative to their return was arranged as far as it could be;—and Marianne found some line 15: comfortable manner,] 1811 comfortable, manner, // line 22: weeks time] 1811 weeks’ time // line 24: evils] 1811 evil // line 29: every thing] 1811 everything

317

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 3

relief in drawing up a statement of the hours, that were yet to divide her from Barton. “Ah! Colonel, I do not know what you and I shall do without the Miss Dashwoods;”—was Mrs. Jennings’s address to him when he first called on her, after their leaving her was settled—“for they are quite resolved upon going home from the Palmers;—and how forlorn we shall be, when I come back!—Lord! we shall sit and gape at one another as dull as two cats.” Perhaps Mrs. Jennings was in hopes, by this vigorous sketch of their future ennui, to provoke him to make that offer, which might give himself an escape from it;—and if so, she had soon afterwards good reason to think her object gained; for, on Elinor’s moving to the window to take more expeditiously the dimensions of a print, which she was going to copy for her friend, he followed her to it with a look of particular meaning, and conversed with her there for several minutes. The effect of his discourse on the lady too, could not escape her observation, for though she was too honourable to listen, and had even changed her seat, on purpose that she might not hear, to one close by the piano fort´e on which Marianne was playing, she could not keep herself from seeing that Elinor changed colour, attended with agitation, and was too intent on what he said, to pursue her employment.— Still farther in confirmation of her hopes, in the interval of Marianne’s turning from one lesson to another, some words of the Colonel’s inevitably reached her ear, in which he seemed to be apologizing for the badness of his house. This set the matter beyond a doubt. She wondered indeed at his thinking it necessary to do so;—but supposed it to be the proper

line 20:

318

seat, on] 1811 seat on

//

line 28:

Thset [1811 This set

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 3

etiquette. What Elinor said in reply she could not distinguish, but judged from the motion of her lips that she did not think that any material objection;—and Mrs. Jennings commended her in her heart for being so honest. They then talked on for a few minutes longer without her catching a syllable, when another lucky stop in Marianne’s performance brought her these words in the Colonel’s calm voice, “I am afraid it cannot take place very soon.” Astonished and shocked at so unlover-like a speech, she was almost ready to cry out, “Lord! what should hinder it?”— but checking her desire, confined herself to this silent ejaculation. “This is very strange!—sure he need not wait to be older.”— This delay on the Colonel’s side, however, did not seem to offend or mortify his fair companion in the least, for on their breaking up the conference soon afterwards, and moving different ways, Mrs. Jennings very plainly heard Elinor say, and with a voice which shewed her to feel what she said, “I shall always think myself very much obliged to you.” Mrs. Jennings was delighted with her gratitude, and only wondered, that after hearing such a sentence, the Colonel should be able to take leave of them, as he immediately did, with the utmost sang-froid, and go away without making her any reply!—She had not thought her old friend could have made so indifferent a suitor. What had really passed between them was to this effect. “I have heard,” said he, with great compassion, “of the injustice your friend Mr. Ferrars has suffered from his family; for if I understand the matter right, he has been entirely cast off by them for persevering in his engagement with a very lines 10–11: it?”—but] 1811 it!”—but 1811 ejaculation,

//

lines 11–12: ejaculation.]

319

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 3

deserving young woman—Have I been rightly informed?— Is it so?”— Elinor told him that it was. “The cruelty, the impolitic cruelty,”—he replied, with great feeling—“of dividing, or attempting to divide, two young people long attached to each other, is terrible—Mrs. Ferrars does not know what she may be doing—what she may drive her son to. I have seen Mr. Ferrars two or three times in Harley-street, and am much pleased with him. He is not a young man with whom one can be intimately acquainted in a short time, but I have seen enough of him to wish him well for his own sake, and as a friend of yours, I wish it still more. I understand that he intends to take orders. Will you be so good as to tell him that the living of Delaford, now just vacant, as I am informed by this day’s post, is his, if he think it worth his acceptance—but that, perhaps, so unfortunately circumstanced as he is now, it may be nonsense to appear to doubt, I only wish it were more valuable.—It is a rectory, but a small one; the late incumbent, I believe, did not make more than 200l. per annum, and though it is certainly capable of improvement,3 I fear, not to such an amount as to afford him a very comfortable income. Such as it is, however, my pleasure in presenting him to it, will be very great. Pray assure him of it.” Elinor’s astonishment at this commission could hardly have been greater, had the Colonel been really making her an offer of his hand. The preferment, which only two days before she had considered as hopeless for Edward, was already provided to enable him to marry;—and she, of all people in the line 1: woman—Have] 1811 woman.—Have // line 8: Mr. Ferrars] 1811 Mr. Edward Ferrars // line 16: acceptance—but] 1811 acceptance;—but // line 18: doubt, I] 1811 doubt ; I

320

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 3

world, was fixed on to bestow it!—Her emotion was such as Mrs. Jennings had attributed to a very different cause;—but whatever minor feelings less pure, less pleasing, might have a share in that emotion, her esteem for the general benevolence, and her gratitude for the particular friendship, which together prompted Colonel Brandon to this act, were strongly felt, and warmly expressed. She thanked him for it with all her heart, spoke of Edward’s principles and disposition with that praise which she knew them to deserve; and promised to undertake the commission with pleasure, if it were really his wish to put off so agreeable an office to another. But at the same time, she could not help thinking that no one could so well perform it as himself. It was an office in short, from which, unwilling to give Edward the pain of receiving an obligation from her, she would have been very glad to be spared herself;—but Colonel Brandon, on motives of equal delicacy, declining it likewise, still seemed so desirous of its being given through her means, that she would not on any account make farther opposition. Edward, she believed, was still in town, and fortunately she had heard his address from Miss Steele. She could undertake therefore to inform him of it, in the course of the day. After this had been settled, Colonel Brandon began to talk of his own advantage in securing so respectable and agreeable a neighbour, and then it was that he mentioned with regret, that the house was small and indifferent;4 — an evil which Elinor, as Mrs. Jennings had supposed her to do, made very light of, at least as far as regarded its size. “The smallness of the house,” said she, “I cannot imagine any inconvenience to them, for it will be in proportion to their family5 and income.” line 16:

delicacy, declining] 1811 delicacy declining

321

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 3

By which the Colonel was surprised to find that she was considering Mr. Ferrars’s marriage as the certain consequence of the presentation; for he did not suppose it possible that Delaford living could supply such an income, as any body in his style of life would venture to settle on—and he said so. “This little rectory can do no more than make Mr. Ferrars comfortable as a bachelor; it cannot enable him to marry. I am sorry to say that my patronage ends with this; and my interest6 is hardly more extensive. If, however, by any unforeseen chance it should be in my power to serve him farther, I must think very differently of him from what I now do, if I am not as ready to be useful to him then, as I sincerely wish I could be at present. What I am now doing indeed, seems nothing at all, since it can advance him so little towards what must be his principal, his only object of happiness. His marriage must still be a distant good;—at least, I am afraid it cannot take place very soon.—” Such was the sentence which, when misunderstood, so justly offended the delicate feelings of Mrs. Jennings; but after this narration of what really passed between Colonel Brandon and Elinor, while they stood at the window, the gratitude expressed by the latter on their parting, may perhaps appear in general, not less reasonably excited, nor less properly worded than if it had arisen from an offer of marriage.

line 2: Mr. Ferrars’s] 1811 their // line 5: stile // line 17: soon.—”] 1811 soon.”—

322

his style] 1811 their

Chapter 4

“Wel l , Miss Dashwood,” said Mrs. Jennings, sagaciously smiling, as soon as the gentleman had withdrawn, “I do not ask you what the Colonel has been saying to you; for though, upon my honour, I tried to keep out of hearing, I could not help catching enough to understand his business. And I assure you I never was better pleased in my life, and I wish you joy of it with all my heart.” “Thank you, ma’am,” said Elinor. “It is a matter of great joy to me; and I feel the goodness of Colonel Brandon most sensibly. There are not many men who would act as he has done. Few people who have so compassionate an heart! I never was more astonished in my life.” “Lord! my dear, you are very modest! I an’t the least astonished at it in the world, for I have often thought of late, there was nothing more likely to happen.” “You judged from your knowledge of the Colonel’s general benevolence; but at least you could not foresee that the opportunity would so very soon occur.” “Opportunity!” repeated Mrs. Jennings—“Oh! as to that, when a man has once made up his mind to such a thing, somehow or other he will soon find an opportunity. Well, my dear, I wish you joy of it again and again; and if ever there was a happy couple in the world, I think I shall soon know where to look for them.” line 11:

people who have] 1811 people have

323

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 4

“You mean to go to Delaford after them I suppose,” said Elinor, with a faint smile. “Aye, my dear, that I do, indeed. And as to the house being a bad one, I do not know what the Colonel would be at, for it is as good a one as ever I saw.” “He spoke of its being out of repair.” “Well, and whose fault is that? why don’t he repair it?— who should do it but himself?” They were interrupted by the servant’s coming in, to announce the carriage being at the door; and Mrs. Jennings immediately preparing to go, said— “Well, my dear, I must be gone before I have had half my talk out. But, however, we may have it all over in the evening, for we shall be quite alone. I do not ask you to go with me, for I dare say your mind is too full of the matter to care for company; and besides, you must long to tell your sister all about it.” Marianne had left the room before the conversation began. “Certainly, ma’am, I shall tell Marianne of it; but I shall not mention it at present to any body else.” “Oh! very well,” said Mrs. Jennings rather disappointed. “Then you would not have me tell it Lucy, for I think of going as far as Holborn to-day.” “No, ma’am, not even Lucy if you please. One day’s delay will not be very material; and till I have written to Mr. Ferrars, I think it ought not to be mentioned to any body else. I shall do that directly. It is of importance that no time should be lost with him, for he will of course have much to do relative to his ordination.” This speech at first puzzled Mrs. Jennings exceedingly. Why Mr. Ferrars was to be written to about it in such a hurry, she could not immediately comprehend. A few moments’ line 9: carriage] 1811 chariot’s // line 19: any body] 1811 anybody // line 25: any body] 1811 any-body (at line break)

324

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 4

reflection, however, produced a very happy idea, and she exclaimed;— “Oh ho!—I understand you. Mr. Ferrars is to be the man. Well, so much the better for him. Aye, to be sure, he must be ordained in readiness; and I am very glad to find things are so forward between you. But, my dear, is not this rather out of character? Should not the Colonel write himself?—sure, he is the proper person.” Elinor did not quite understand the beginning of Mrs. Jennings’s speech; neither did she think it worth inquiring into; and therefore only replied to its conclusion. “Colonel Brandon is so delicate a man, that he rather wished any one to announce his intentions to Mr. Ferrars than himself.” “And so you are forced to do it. Well, that is an odd kind of delicacy! However, I will not disturb you (seeing her preparing to write.) You know your own concerns best. So good bye, my dear. I have not heard of any thing to please me so well since Charlotte was brought to bed.” And away she went; but returning again in a moment, “I have just been thinking of Betty’s sister, my dear. I should be very glad to get her so good a mistress. But whether she would do for a lady’s maid,1 I am sure I can’t tell. She is an excellent housemaid, and works very well at her needle. However, you will think of all that at your leisure.” “Certainly, ma’am,” replied Elinor, not hearing much of what she said, and more anxious to be alone, than to be mistress of the subject. How she should begin—how she should express herself in her note to Edward, was now all her concern. The particular circumstances between them made a difficulty of that which line 2: exclaimed;—] 1811 exclaimed:— enquiring

//

line 10:

inquiring] 1811

325

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 4

to any other person would have been the easiest thing in the world; but she equally feared to say too much or too little, and sat deliberating over her paper, with the pen in her hand, till broken in on by the entrance of Edward himself. He had met Mrs. Jennings at the door in her way to the carriage, as he came to leave his farewell card; and she, after apologising for not returning herself, had obliged him to enter, by saying that Miss Dashwood was above, and wanted to speak with him on very particular business. Elinor had just been congratulating herself, in the midst of her perplexity, that however difficult it might be to express herself properly by letter, it was at least preferable to giving the information by word of mouth, when her visitor entered, to force her upon this greatest exertion of all. Her astonishment and confusion were very great on his so sudden appearance. She had not seen him before since his engagement became public, and therefore not since his knowing her to be acquainted with it; which, with the consciousness of what she had been thinking of, and what she had to tell him, made her feel particularly uncomfortable for some minutes. He too was much distressed, and they sat down together in a most promising state of embarrassment.—Whether he had asked her pardon for his intrusion on first coming into the room, he could not recollect; but determining to be on the safe side, he made his apology in form as soon as he could say any thing, after taking a chair. “Mrs. Jennings told me,” said he, “that you wished to speak with me, at least I understood her so—or I certainly should not have intruded on you in such a manner; though at the same time, I should have been extremely sorry to leave line 22: embarrassment.—Whether] 1811 embarrassment. Whether // line 25: any thing] 1811 anything // line 26: chair.] 1811 chair.” // lines 29–30: though at] 1811 though, at

326

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 4

London without seeing you and your sister; especially as it will most likely be some time—it is not probable that I should soon have the pleasure of meeting you again. I go to Oxford to-morrow.” “You would not have gone, however,” said Elinor recovering herself, and determined to get over what she so much dreaded as soon as possible, “without receiving our good wishes, even if we had not been able to give them in person. Mrs. Jennings was quite right in what she said. I have something of consequence to inform you of, which I was on the point of communicating by paper. I am charged with a most agreeable office, (breathing rather faster than usual as she spoke.) Colonel Brandon, who was here only ten minutes ago, has desired me to say that, understanding you mean to take orders, he has great pleasure in offering you the living of Delaford, now just vacant, and only wishes it were more valuable. Allow me to congratulate you on having so respectable and well-judging a friend, and to join in his wish that the living—it is about two hundred a-year—were much more considerable, and such as might better enable you to—as might be more than a temporary accommodation to yourself—such in short, as might establish all your views of happiness.” What Edward felt, as he could not say it himself, it cannot be expected that any one else should say for him. He looked all the astonishment which such unexpected, such unthought-of information could not fail of exciting; but he said only these two words, “Colonel Brandon!” lines 5–6: Elinor recovering] 1811 Elinor, recovering // line 22: such in] 1811 such, in // line 25: say for] 1811 say it for // line 26: unexpected, such] 1811 unexpected, which such // line 29: Brandon!”] 1811 Brandon!”—

327

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 4

“Yes,” continued Elinor, gathering more resolution, as some of the worst was over; “Colonel Brandon means it as a testimony of his concern for what has lately passed— for the cruel situation in which the unjustifiable conduct of your family has placed you—a concern which I am sure Marianne, myself, and all your friends must share; and likewise as a proof of his high esteem for your general character, and his particular approbation of your behaviour on the present occasion.” “Colonel Brandon give me a living!—Can it be possible?” “The unkindness of your own relations has made you astonished to find friendship any where.” “No,” replied he, with sudden consciousness, “not to find it in you ; for I cannot be ignorant that to you, to your goodness I owe it all.—I feel it—I would express it if I could—but, as you well know, I am no orator.” “You are very much mistaken. I do assure you that you owe it entirely, at least almost entirely, to your own merit, and Colonel Brandon’s discernment of it. I have had no hand in it. I did not even know, till I understood his design, that the living was vacant; nor had it ever occurred to me that he might have had such a living in his gift. As a friend of mine, of my family, he may perhaps—indeed I know he has, still greater pleasure in bestowing it; but, upon my word, you owe nothing to my solicitation.” Truth obliged her to acknowledge some small share in the action, but she was at the same time so unwilling to appear as the benefactress of Edward, that she acknowledged it with hesitation; which probably contributed to fix that suspicion in his mind which had recently entered it. For a short time line 22: have had such] 1811 have such it;—but

328

//

line 24:

it; but] 1811

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 4

he sat deep in thought, after Elinor had ceased to speak;—at last, and as if it were rather an effort, he said, “Colonel Brandon seems a man of great worth and respectability. I have always heard him spoken of as such, and your brother I know esteems him highly. He is undoubtedly a sensible man, and in his manners perfectly the gentleman.” “Indeed,” replied Elinor, “I believe that you will find him, on farther acquaintance, all that you have heard him to be; and as you will be such very near neighbours, (for I understand the parsonage is almost close to the mansion-house,) it is particularly important that he should be all this.” Edward made no answer; but when she had turned away her head, gave her a look so serious, so earnest, so uncheerful, as seemed to say, that he might hereafter wish the distance between the parsonage and the mansion-house much greater. “Colonel Brandon, I think, lodges in St. James’s-street,”2 said he, soon afterwards, rising from his chair. Elinor told him the number of the house. “I must hurry away then, to give him those thanks which you will not allow me to give you; to assure him that he has made me a very—an exceedingly happy man.” Elinor did not offer to detain him; and they parted, with a very earnest assurance on her side of her unceasing good wishes for his happiness in every change of situation that might befal him; on his, with rather an attempt to return the same good will, than the power of expressing it. “When I see him again,” said Elinor to herself, as the door shut him out, “I shall see him the husband of Lucy.” And with this pleasing anticipation, she sat down to re-consider the past, recal the words and endeavour to line 30: re-consider] 1811 reconsider words, and

//

line 30:

words and] 1811

329

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 4

comprehend all the feelings of Edward; and, of course, to reflect on her own with discontent. When Mrs. Jennings came home, though she returned from seeing people whom she had never seen before, and of whom therefore she must have a great deal to say, her mind was so much more occupied by the important secret in her possession, than by anything else, that she reverted to it again as soon as Elinor appeared. “Well, my dear,” she cried, “I sent you up the young man. Did not I do right?—And I suppose you had no great difficulty—You did not find him very unwilling to accept your proposal?” “No, ma’am; that was not very likely.” “Well, and how soon will he be ready?—For it seems all to depend upon that.” “Really,” said Elinor, “I know so little of these kind of forms, that I can hardly even conjecture as to the time, or the preparation necessary; but I suppose two or three months will complete his ordination.” “Two or three months!” cried Mrs. Jennings; “Lord! my dear, how calmly you talk of it; and can the Colonel wait two or three months! Lord bless me!—I am sure it would put me quite out of patience!—And though one would be very glad to do a kindness by poor Mr. Ferrars, I do think it is not worth while to wait two or three months for him. Sure, somebody else might be found that would do as well; somebody that is in orders already.” “My dear ma’am,” said Elinor, “what can you be thinking of ?—Why, Colonel Brandon’s only object is to be of use to Mr. Ferrars.” “Lord bless you, my dear!—Sure you do not mean to persuade me that the Colonel only marries you for the sake of giving ten guineas to Mr. Ferrars!”3 330

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 4

The deception could not continue after this; and an explanation immediately took place, by which both gained considerable amusement for the moment, without any material loss of happiness to either, for Mrs. Jennings only exchanged one form of delight for another, and still without forfeiting her expectation of the first. “Aye, aye, the parsonage is but a small one,” said she, after the first ebullition of surprise and satisfaction was over, “and very likely may be out of repair; but to hear a man apologising, as I thought, for a house that to my knowledge has five sitting rooms on the ground-floor, and I think the housekeeper told me, could make up fifteen beds!—and to you too, that had been used to live in Barton cottage!—It seemed quite ridiculous. But, my dear, we must touch up the Colonel4 to do something to the parsonage, and make it comfortable for them, before Lucy goes to it.” “But Colonel Brandon does not seem to have any idea of the living’s being enough to allow them to marry.” “The Colonel is a ninny, my dear; because he has two thousand a-year himself, he thinks that nobody else can marry on less. Take my word for it, that, if I am alive, I shall be paying a visit at Delaford Parsonage before Michaelmas; and I am sure I sha’nt go if Lucy an’t there.” Elinor was quite of her opinion, as to the probability of their not waiting for any thing more. line 12:

beds!—and] 1811 beds! And

331

Chapter 5

E d wa r d , having carried his thanks to Colonel Brandon, proceeded with his happiness to Lucy; and such was the excess of it by the time he reached Bartlett’s Buildings, that she was able to assure Mrs. Jennings, who called on her again the next day with her congratulations, that she had never seen him in such spirits before in her life. Her own happiness, and her own spirits, were at least very certain; and she joined Mrs. Jennings most heartily in her expectation of their being all comfortably together in Delaford Parsonage before Michaelmas. So far was she, at the same time, from any backwardness to give Elinor that credit which Edward would give her, that she spoke of her friendship for them both with the most grateful warmth, was ready to own all their obligation to her, and openly declared that no exertion for their good on Miss Dashwood’s part, either present or future, would ever surprise her, for she believed her capable of doing anything in the world for those she really valued. As for Colonel Brandon, she was not only ready to worship him as a saint, but was moreover truly anxious that he should be treated as one in all worldly concerns; anxious that his tythes should be raised to the utmost;1 and secretly resolved to avail herself, at Delaford, as far as she possibly could, of his servants, his carriage, his cows, and his poultry. It was now above a week since John Dashwood had called in Berkeley-street, and as since that time no notice had been taken by them of his wife’s indisposition, beyond one verbal 332

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 5

inquiry, Elinor began to feel it necessary to pay her a visit.2 — This was an obligation, however, which not only opposed her own inclination, but which had not the assistance of any encouragement from her companions. Marianne, not contented with absolutely refusing to go herself, was very urgent to prevent her sister’s going at all; and Mrs. Jennings, though her carriage was always at Elinor’s service, so very much disliked Mrs. John Dashwood, that not even her curiosity to see how she looked after the late discovery, nor her strong desire to affront her by taking Edward’s part, could overcome her unwillingness to be in her company again. The consequence was, that Elinor set out by herself to pay a visit, for which no one could really have less inclination, and to run the risk of a tˆete-`a-tˆete with a woman, whom neither of the others had so much reason to dislike. Mrs. Dashwood was denied;3 but before the carriage could turn from the house, her husband accidentally came out. He expressed great pleasure in meeting Elinor, told her that he had been just going to call in Berkeley-street, and assuring her that Fanny would be very glad to see her, invited her to come in. They walked up stairs into the drawing-room.—Nobody was there. “Fanny is in her own room, I suppose,” said he;—“I will go to her presently, for I am sure she will not have the least objection in the world to seeing you.—Very far from it indeed. Now especially there cannot be—but however, you and Marianne were always great favourites.—Why would not Marianne come?”— Elinor made what excuse she could for her. line 1: inquiry,] 1811 enquiry, line 23: there.] 1811 there.—

//

line 22:

up stairs] 1811 upstairs

//

333

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 5

“I am not sorry to see you alone,” he replied, “for I have a good deal to say to you. This living of Colonel Brandon’s— can it be true?—has he really given it to Edward?—I heard it yesterday by chance, and was coming to you on purpose to inquire farther about it.” “It is perfectly true.—Colonel Brandon has given the living of Delaford to Edward.” “Really!—Well, this is very astonishing!—no relationship!—no connection between them!—and now that livings fetch such a price!—what was the value of this?” “About two hundred a-year.” “Very well—and for the next presentation to a living of that value4 —supposing the late incumbent to have been old and sickly, and likely to vacate it soon—he might have got I dare say—fourteen hundred pounds. And how came he not to have settled that matter before this person’s death?—Now indeed it would be too late to sell it,5 but a man of Colonel Brandon’s sense!—I wonder he should be so improvident in a point of such common, such natural, concern!—Well, I am convinced that there is a vast deal of inconsistency in almost every human character. I suppose, however—on recollection—that the case may probably be this. Edward is only to hold the living till the person to whom the Colonel has really sold the presentation, is old enough to take it.—Aye, aye, that is the fact, depend upon it.” Elinor contradicted it, however, very positively; and by relating that she had herself been employed in conveying the offer from Colonel Brandon to Edward, and therefore must understand the terms on which it was given, obliged him to submit to her authority. line 5: inquire] 1811 enquire // line 7: Edward. [1811 Edward.” line 11: a-year.”] 1811 a year.” // line 26: it, however,] 1811 it however,

334

//

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 5

“It is truly astonishing!”—he cried, after hearing what she said—“what could be the Colonel’s motive?” “A very simple one—to be of use to Mr. Ferrars.” “Well, well; whatever Colonel Brandon may be, Edward is a very lucky man!—You will not mention the matter to Fanny, however, for though I have broke it to her, and she bears it vastly well,—she will not like to hear it much talked of.” Elinor had some difficulty here to refrain from observing, that she thought Fanny might have borne with composure, an acquisition of wealth to her brother, by which neither she nor her child could be possibly impoverished. “Mrs. Ferrars,” added he, lowering his voice to the tone becoming so important a subject, “knows nothing about it at present, and I believe it will be best to keep it entirely concealed from her as long as may be.—When the marriage takes place, I fear she must hear of it all.” “But why should such precaution be used?—Though it is not to be supposed that Mrs. Ferrars can have the smallest satisfaction in knowing that her son has money enough to live upon,—for that must be quite out of the question; yet why, after her late behaviour, is she supposed to feel at all?—she has done with her son, she has cast him off for ever, and has made all those over whom she had any influence, cast him off likewise. Surely, after doing so, she cannot be imagined liable to any impression of sorrow or of joy on his account— she cannot be interested in any thing that befalls him.—She would not be so weak as to throw away the comfort of a child, and yet retain the anxiety of a parent!” “Ah! Elinor,” said John, “your reasoning is very good, but it is founded on ignorance of human nature. When Edward’s line 21:

question; yet] 1811 question;—yet

335

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 5

unhappy match takes place, depend upon it his mother will feel as much as if she had never discarded him; and therefore every circumstance that may accelerate that dreadful event, must be concealed from her as much as possible. Mrs. Ferrars can never forget that Edward is her son.” “You surprise me; I should think it must nearly have escaped her memory by this time.” “You wrong her exceedingly. Mrs. Ferrars is one of the most affectionate mothers in the world.” Elinor was silent. “We think now”—said Mr. Dashwood, after a short pause, “of Robert’s marrying Miss Morton.” Elinor, smiling at the grave and decisive importance of her brother’s tone, calmly replied, “The lady, I suppose, has no choice in the affair.” “Choice!—how do you mean?”— “I only mean, that I suppose from your manner of speaking, it must be the same to Miss Morton whether she marry Edward or Robert.” “Certainly, there can be no difference; for Robert will now to all intents and purposes be considered as the eldest son;— and as to any thing else, they are both very agreeable young men, I do not know that one is superior to the other.” Elinor said no more, and John was also for a short time silent.—His reflections ended thus. “Of one thing, my dear sister,” kindly taking her hand, and speaking in an awful whisper—“I may assure you;—and I will do it, because I know it must gratify you. I have good reason to think—indeed I have it from the best authority, or I should not repeat it, for otherwise it would be very wrong to say any line 8: exceedingly. Mrs.] 1811 exceedingly.—Mrs. 1811 you.—I

336

//

line 28:

you. I]

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 5

thing about it—but I have it from the very best authority— not that I ever precisely heard Mrs. Ferrars say it herself— but her daughter did, and I have it from her—That in short, whatever objections there might be against a certain—a certain connection—you understand me—it would have been far preferable to her, it would not have given her half the vexation that this does. I was exceedingly pleased to hear that Mrs. Ferrars considered it in that light—a very gratifying circumstance you know to us all. ‘It would have been beyond comparison,’ she said, ‘the least evil of the two, and she would be glad to compound now for nothing worse.’6 But however, all that is quite out of the question—not to be thought of or mentioned—as to any attachment you know—it never could be—all that is gone by. But I thought I would just tell you of this, because I knew how much it must please you. Not that you have any reason to regret, my dear Elinor. There is no doubt of your doing exceedingly well—quite as well, or better, perhaps, all things considered. Has Colonel Brandon been with you lately?” Elinor had heard enough, if not to gratify her vanity, and raise her self-importance, to agitate her nerves and fill her mind;—and she was therefore glad to be spared from the necessity of saying much in reply herself, and from the danger of hearing any thing more from her brother, by the entrance of Mr. Robert Ferrars. After a few moments’ chat, John Dashwood, recollecting that Fanny was yet uninformed of his sister’s being there, quitted the room in quest of her; and Elinor was left to improve her acquaintance with Robert, who, by the gay unconcern, the happy self-complacency of his manner while enjoying so unfair a division of his mother’s love and liberality, to the prejudice of his banished brother, earned line 24:

any thing] 1811 anything

337

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 5

only by his own dissipated course of life, and that brother’s integrity, was confirming her most unfavourable opinion of his head and heart. They had scarcely been two minutes by themselves, before he began to speak of Edward; for he too had heard of the living, and was very inquisitive on the subject. Elinor repeated the particulars of it, as she had given them to John; and their effect on Robert, though very different, was not less striking than it had been on him. He laughed most immoderately. The idea of Edward’s being a clergyman, and living in a small parsonage-house, diverted him beyond measure;—and when to that was added the fanciful imagery of Edward reading prayers in a white surplice, and publishing the banns of marriage7 between John Smith and Mary Brown, he could conceive nothing more ridiculous. Elinor, while she waited in silence, and immovable gravity, the conclusion of such folly, could not restrain her eyes from being fixed on him with a look that spoke all the contempt it excited. It was a look, however, very well bestowed, for it relieved her own feelings, and gave no intelligence to him. He was recalled from wit to wisdom, not by any reproof of her’s, but by his own sensibility. “We may treat it as a joke,” said he at last, recovering from the affected laugh which had considerably lengthened out the genuine gaiety of the moment—“but upon my soul, it is a most serious business. Poor Edward! he is ruined for ever. I am extremely sorry for it—for I know him to be a very goodhearted creature; as well-meaning a fellow perhaps, as any in the world. You must not judge of him, Miss Dashwood, from your slight acquaintance.—Poor Edward!——His manners are certainly not the happiest in nature.—But we are not all line 7: John; and] 1811 John, and // line 16: immovable] 1811 immoveable // line 30: Edward!——His] 1811 Edward!—His

338

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 5

born, you know, with the same powers—the same address.— Poor fellow!—to see him in a circle of strangers!—to be sure it was pitiable enough!—but, upon my soul, I believe he has as good a heart as any in the kingdom; and I declare and protest to you I never was so shocked in my life, as when it all burst forth. I could not believe it.—My mother was the first person who told me of it, and I, feeling myself called on to act with resolution, immediately said to her, ‘My dear madam, I do not know what you may intend to do on the occasion, but as for myself, I must say, that if Edward does marry this young woman, I never will see him again.’ That was what I said immediately,—I was most uncommonly shocked indeed!— Poor Edward!—he has done for himself completely—shut himself out for ever from all decent society!—but, as I directly said to my mother, I am not in the least surprised at it; from his style of education it was always to be expected. My poor mother was half frantic.” “Have you ever seen the lady?” “Yes; once, while she was staying in this house, I happened to drop in for ten minutes; and I saw quite enough of her. The merest awkward country girl, without style, or elegance, and almost without beauty.—I remember her perfectly. Just the kind of girl I should suppose likely to captivate poor Edward. I offered immediately, as soon as my mother related the affair to me, to talk to him myself, and dissuade him from the match; but it was too late then, I found, to do any thing, for unluckily, I was not in the way at first, and knew nothing of it till after the breach had taken place, when it was not for me, you know, to interfere. But had I been informed of it a few hours earlier—I think it is most probable—that line 6: forth. I] 1811 forth.—I // line 13: completely—shut] 1811 completely!—shut // line 16: style] 1811 stile // line 21: style,] 1811 stile, // lines 26–27: any thing] 1811 anything

339

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 5

something might have been hit on. I certainly should have represented it to Edward in a very strong light. ‘My dear fellow,’ I should have said, ‘consider what you are doing. You are making a most disgraceful connection, and such a one as your family are unanimous in disapproving.’ I cannot help thinking, in short, that means might have been found. But now it is all too late. He must be starved, you know;—that is certain; absolutely starved.” He had just settled this point with great composure, when the entrance of Mrs. John Dashwood put an end to the subject. But though she never spoke of it out of her own family, Elinor could see its influence on her mind, in the something like confusion of countenance with which she entered, and an attempt at cordiality in her behaviour to herself. She even proceeded so far as to be concerned to find that Elinor and her sister were so soon to leave town, as she had hoped to see more of them;—an exertion in which her husband, who attended her into the room, and hung enamoured over her accents, seemed to distinguish every thing that was most affectionate and graceful.

line 19:

340

every thing] 1811 everything

Chapter 6

O n e other short call in Harley-street, in which Elinor received her brother’s congratulations on their travelling so far towards Barton without any expense, and on Colonel Brandon’s being to follow them to Cleveland in a day or two, completed the intercourse of the brother and sisters in town;—and a faint invitation from Fanny, to come to Norland whenever it should happen to be in their way, which of all things was the most unlikely to occur, with a more warm, though less public, assurance, from John to Elinor, of the promptitude with which he should come to see her at Delaford, was all that foretold any meeting in the country. It amused her to observe that all her friends seemed determined to send her to Delaford;—a place, in which, of all others, she would now least chuse to visit, or wish to reside; for not only was it considered as her future home by her brother and Mrs. Jennings, but even Lucy, when they parted, gave her a pressing invitation to visit her there. Very early in April, and tolerably early in the day, the two parties from Hanover-square and Berkeley-street set out from their respective homes, to meet, by appointment, on the road. For the convenience of Charlotte and her child, they were to be more than two days on their journey,1 and Mr. Palmer, line 1: One other short call in Harley-street, in] 1811 One other call in Harley-street, a short and take-leave call, in // line 3: expense,] 1811 expence,

341

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 6

travelling more expeditiously with Colonel Brandon, was to join them at Cleveland soon after their arrival. Marianne, few as had been her hours of comfort in London, and eager as she had long been to quit it, could not, when it came to the point, bid adieu to the house in which she had for the last time enjoyed those hopes, and that confidence, in Willoughby, which were now extinguished for ever, without great pain. Nor could she leave the place in which Willoughby remained, busy in new engagements, and new schemes, in which she could have no share, without shedding many tears. Elinor’s satisfaction at the moment of removal, was more positive. She had no such object for her lingering thoughts to fix on, she left no creature behind, from whom it would give her a moment’s regret to be divided for ever, she was pleased to be free herself from the persecution of Lucy’s friendship, she was grateful for bringing her sister away unseen by Willoughby since his marriage, and she looked forward with hope to what a few months of tranquillity at Barton might do towards restoring Marianne’s peace of mind, and confirming her own. Their journey was safely performed. The second day brought them into the cherished, or the prohibited, county of Somerset, for as such was it dwelt on by turns in Marianne’s imagination; and in the forenoon of the third they drove up to Cleveland. Cleveland was a spacious, modern-built house, situated on a sloping lawn. It had no park, but the pleasure-grounds were tolerably extensive;2 and like every other place of the same degree of importance, it had its open shrubbery, and closer wood walk, a road of smooth gravel winding round a line 31:

342

wood walk] 1811 wood-walk (at line break)

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 6

plantation, led to the front, the lawn was dotted over with timber, the house itself was under the guardianship of the fir, the mountain-ash, and the acacia, and a thick screen of them altogether, interspersed with tall Lombardy poplars, shut out the offices. Marianne entered the house with an heart swelling with emotion from the consciousness of being only eighty miles from Barton, and not thirty from Combe Magna; and before she had been five minutes within its walls, while the others were busily helping Charlotte shew her child to the housekeeper, she quitted it again, stealing away through the winding shrubberies, now just beginning to be in beauty, to gain a distant eminence; where, from its Grecian temple,3 her eye, wandering over a wide tract of country to the south-east, could fondly rest on the farthest ridge of hills in the horizon, and fancy that from their summits Combe Magna might be seen. In such moments of precious, of invaluable misery, she rejoiced in tears of agony to be at Cleveland; and as she returned by a different circuit to the house, feeling all the happy privilege of country liberty, of wandering from place to place in free and luxurious solitude, she resolved to spend almost every hour of every day while she remained with the Palmers, in the indulgence of such solitary rambles. She returned just in time to join the others as they quitted the house, on an excursion through its more immediate premises; and the rest of the morning was easily whiled away, in lounging round the kitchen garden, examining the bloom upon its walls, and listening to the gardener’s lamentations upon blights,—in dawdling through the green-house, where the loss of her favourite plants, unwarily exposed, and nipped by the lingering frost, raised the laughter of Charlotte,—and in visiting her poultry-yard, 343

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 6

where, in the disappointed hopes of her dairy-maid, by hens forsaking their nests, or being stolen by a fox, or in the rapid decease of a promising young brood, she found fresh sources of merriment. The morning was fine and dry, and Marianne, in her plan of employment abroad, had not calculated for any change of weather during their stay at Cleveland. With great surprise therefore, did she find herself prevented by a settled rain from going out again after dinner. She had depended on a twilight walk to the Grecian temple, and perhaps all over the grounds, and an evening merely cold or damp would not have deterred her from it; but an heavy and settled rain even she could not fancy dry or pleasant weather for walking. Their party was small, and the hours passed quietly away. Mrs. Palmer had her child, and Mrs. Jennings her carpet-work; they talked of the friends they had left behind, arranged Lady Middleton’s engagements, and wondered whether Mr. Palmer and Colonel Brandon would get farther than Reading4 that night. Elinor, however little concerned in it, joined in their discourse, and Marianne, who had the knack of finding her way in every house to the library, however it might be avoided by the family in general, soon procured herself a book. Nothing was wanting on Mrs. Palmer’s side that constant and friendly good-humour could do, to make them feel themselves welcome. The openness and heartiness of her manner, more than atoned for that want of recollection and elegance, which made her often deficient in the forms of politeness; her kindness, recommended by so pretty a face, was engaging; her folly, though evident, was not disgusting,5 because it was not conceited; and Elinor could have forgiven every thing but her laugh. line 1: where, in] 1811 where in // line 8: surprise therefore,] 1811 surprise, therefore, // line 15: her child,] 1811 the child,

344

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 6

The two gentlemen arrived the next day to a very late dinner, affording a pleasant enlargement of the party, and a very welcome variety to their conversation, which a long morning of the same continued rain had reduced very low. Elinor had seen so little of Mr. Palmer, and in that little had seen so much variety in his address to her sister and herself, that she knew not what to expect to find him in his own family. She found him, however, perfectly the gentleman in his behaviour to all his visitors, and only occasionally rude to his wife and her mother; she found him very capable of being a pleasant companion, and only prevented from being so always, by too great an aptitude to fancy himself as much superior to people in general, as he must feel himself to be to Mrs. Jennings and Charlotte. For the rest of his character and habits, they were marked, as far as Elinor could perceive, with no traits at all unusual in his sex and time of life. He was nice in his eating, uncertain in his hours;6 fond of his child, though affecting to slight it; and idled away the mornings at billiards, which ought to have been devoted to business. She liked him, however, upon the whole much better than she had expected, and in her heart was not sorry that she could like him no more;—not sorry to be driven by the observation of his Epicurism,7 his selfishness, and his conceit, to rest with complacency on the remembrance of Edward’s generous temper, simple taste, and diffident feelings. Of Edward, or at least of some of his concerns, she now received intelligence from Colonel Brandon, who had been into Dorsetshire lately; and who, treating her at once as the disinterested friend of Mr. Ferrars, and the kind confidante of himself, talked to her a great deal of the Parsonage at Delaford, described its deficiencies, and told her what he meant to do himself towards removing them.—His behaviour to her in this, as well as in every other particular, his open pleasure in meeting her after an absence of only ten days, 345

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 6

his readiness to converse with her, and his deference for her opinion, might very well justify Mrs. Jennings’s persuasion of his attachment, and would have been enough, perhaps, had not Elinor still, as from the first, believed Marianne his real favourite, to make her suspect it herself. But as it was, such a notion had scarcely ever entered her head, except by Mrs. Jennings’s suggestion; and she could not help believing herself the nicest observer of the two;—she watched his eyes, while Mrs. Jennings thought only of his behaviour;—and while his looks of anxious solicitude on Marianne’s feeling, in her head and throat, the beginning of an heavy cold, because unexpressed by words, entirely escaped the latter lady’s observation;—she could discover in them the quick feelings, and needless alarm of a lover. Two delightful twilight walks on the third and fourth evenings of her being there, not merely on the dry gravel of the shrubbery, but all over the grounds, and especially in the most distant parts of them, where there was something more of wildness than in the rest, where the trees were the oldest, and the grass was the longest and wettest, had—assisted by the still greater imprudence of sitting in her wet shoes and stockings—given Marianne a cold so violent, as, though for a day or two trifled with or denied, would force itself by increasing ailments, on the concern of every body, and the notice of herself. Prescriptions poured in from all quarters, and as usual, were all declined. Though heavy and feverish, with a pain in her limbs, a cough, and a sore throat, a good night’s rest was to cure her entirely; and it was with difficulty that Elinor prevailed on her, when she went to bed, to try one or two of the simplest of the remedies.8

lines 10–11: feeling, in] 1811 feeling in

346

Chapter 7

M a r i a n n e got up the next morning at her usual time; to every inquiry replied that she was better, and tried to prove herself so, by engaging in her accustomary employments. But a day spent in sitting shivering over the fire with a book in her hand, which she was unable to read, or in lying, weary and languid, on a sofa, did not speak much in favour of her amendment; and when, at last, she went early to bed, more and more indisposed, Colonel Brandon was only astonished at her sister’s composure, who, though attending and nursing her the whole day, against Marianne’s inclination, and forcing proper medicines on her at night, trusted, like Marianne, to the certainty and efficacy of sleep, and felt no real alarm. A very restless and feverish night, however, disappointed the expectation of both; and when Marianne, after persisting in rising, confessed herself unable to sit up, and returned voluntarily to her bed, Elinor was very ready to adopt Mrs. Jennings’s advice, of sending for the Palmers’ apothecary.1 He came, examined his patient, and though encouraging Miss Dashwood to expect that a very few days would restore her sister to health, yet, by pronouncing her disorder to have a putrid tendency,2 and allowing the word “infection” to pass his lips, gave instant alarm to Mrs. Palmer on her baby’s account. Mrs. Jennings, who had been inclined from the first to think Marianne’s complaint more serious than line 2:

inquiry] 1811 enquiry

347

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 7

Elinor, now looked very grave on Mr. Harris’s report, and confirming Charlotte’s fears and caution, urged the necessity of her immediate removal with her infant; and Mr. Palmer, though treating their apprehensions as idle, found the anxiety and importunity of his wife too great to be withstood. Her departure therefore was fixed on; and, within an hour after Mr. Harris’s arrival, she set off, with her little boy and his nurse, for the house of a near relation of Mr. Palmer’s, who lived a few miles on the other side of Bath; whither her husband promised, at her earnest entreaty, to join her in a day or two; and whither she was almost equally urgent with her mother to accompany her. Mrs. Jennings, however, with a kindness of heart which made Elinor really love her, declared her resolution of not stirring from Cleveland as long as Marianne remained ill, and of endeavouring, by her own attentive care, to supply to her the place of the mother she had taken her from; and Elinor found her on every occasion a most willing and active helpmate, desirous to share in all her fatigues, and often by her better experience in nursing, of material use. Poor Marianne, languid and low from the nature of her malady, and feeling herself universally ill, could no longer hope that to-morrow would find her recovered; and the idea of what to-morrow would have produced, but for this unlucky illness, made every ailment more severe; for on that day they were to have begun their journey home; and, attended the whole way by a servant of Mrs. Jennings, were to have taken their mother by surprise on the following forenoon. The little that she said, was all in lamentation of this inevitable delay; though Elinor tried to raise her spirits, and make her believe,

line 12:

348

Jennings, however,] 1811 Jennings however,

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 7

as she then really believed herself, that it would be a very short one. The next day produced little or no alteration in the state of the patient; she certainly was not better, and except that there was no amendment, did not appear worse. Their party was now farther reduced; for Mr. Palmer, though very unwilling to go, as well from real humanity and good-nature, as from a dislike of appearing to be frightened away by his wife, was persuaded at last by Colonel Brandon to perform his promise of following her; and while he was preparing to go, Colonel Brandon himself, with a much greater exertion, began to talk of going likewise.—Here, however, the kindness of Mrs. Jennings interposed most acceptably; for to send the Colonel away while his love was in so much uneasiness on her sister’s account, would be to deprive them both, she thought, of every comfort; and therefore telling him at once that his stay at Cleveland was necessary to herself, that she should want him to play at piquet3 of an evening, while Miss Dashwood was above with her sister, &c. she urged him so strongly to remain, that he, who was gratifying the first wish of his own heart by a compliance, could not long even affect to demur; especially as Mrs. Jennings’s entreaty was warmly seconded by Mr. Palmer, who seemed to feel a relief to himself, in leaving behind him a person so well able to assist or advise Miss Dashwood in any emergence.4 Marianne was of course kept in ignorance of all these arrangements. She knew not that she had been the means of sending the owners of Cleveland away, in about seven days from the time of their arrival. It gave her no surprise that she saw nothing of Mrs. Palmer; and as it gave her likewise no concern, she never mentioned her name. Two days passed away from the time of Mr. Palmer’s departure, and her situation continued, with little variation, the 349

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 7

same. Mr. Harris, who attended her every day, still talked boldly of a speedy recovery,5 and Miss Dashwood was equally sanguine; but the expectation of the others was by no means so cheerful. Mrs. Jennings had determined very early in the seisure that Marianne would never get over it, and Colonel Brandon, who was chiefly of use in listening to Mrs. Jennings’s forebodings, was not in a state of mind to resist their influence. He tried to reason himself out of fears, which the different judgment of the apothecary seemed to render absurd; but the many hours of each day in which he was left entirely alone, were but too favourable for the admission of every melancholy idea, and he could not expel from his mind the persuasion that he should see Marianne no more. On the morning of the third day however, the gloomy anticipations of both were almost done away; for when Mr. Harris arrived, he declared his patient materially better. Her pulse was much stronger, and every symptom more favourable than on the preceding visit. Elinor, confirmed in every pleasant hope, was all cheerfulness; rejoicing that in her letters to her mother, she had pursued her own judgment rather than her friend’s, in making very light of the indisposition which delayed them at Cleveland; and almost fixing on the time when Marianne would be able to travel. But the day did not close so auspiciously as it began.— Towards the evening, Marianne became ill again, growing more heavy, restless, and uncomfortable than before. Her sister, however, still sanguine, was willing to attribute the change to nothing more than the fatigue of having sat up to have her bed made; and carefully administering the cordials6 prescribed, saw her with satisfaction sink at last into a slumber, from which she expected the most beneficial effects. Her line 5:

350

seisure] 1811 seizure

//

line 28:

set [1811 sat

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 7

sleep, though not so quiet as Elinor wished to see it, lasted a considerable time; and anxious to observe the result of it herself, she resolved to sit with her during the whole of it. Mrs. Jennings, knowing nothing of any change in the patient, went unusually early to bed; her maid, who was one of the principal nurses, was recreating herself 7 in the housekeeper’s room, and Elinor remained alone with Marianne. The repose of the latter became more and more disturbed; and her sister, who watched with unremitting attention her continual change of posture, and heard the frequent but inarticulate sounds of complaint which passed her lips, was almost wishing to rouse her from so painful a slumber, when Marianne, suddenly awakened by some accidental noise in the house, started hastily up, and with feverish wildness, cried out— “Is mama coming?—” “Not yet,” replied the other, concealing her terror, and assisting Marianne to lie down again, “but she will be here, I hope, before it is long. It is a great way, you know, from hence to Barton.” “But she must not go round by London,”8 cried Marianne, in the same hurried manner, “I shall never see her, if she goes by London.” Elinor perceived with alarm that she was not quite herself, and while attempting to sooth her, eagerly felt her pulse. It was lower and quicker than ever! and Marianne, still talking wildly of mama, her alarm increased so rapidly, as to determine her on sending instantly for Mr. Harris, and dispatching a messenger to Barton for her mother. To consult with Colonel Brandon on the best means of effecting the line 16: mama] 1811 mamma // line 16: coming?—”] 1811 coming?— // line 25: sooth] 1811 soothe // line 26: ever! and] 1811 ever; and // line 27: mama,] 1811 mamma,

351

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 7

latter, was a thought which immediately followed the resolution of its performance; and as soon as she had rung up the maid to take her place by her sister, she hastened down to the drawing-room, where she knew he was generally to be found at a much later hour than the present. It was no time for hesitation. Her fears and her difficulties were immediately before him. Her fears, he had no courage, no confidence to attempt the removal of;—he listened to them in silent despondence;—but her difficulties were instantly obviated, for with a readiness that seemed to speak the occasion, and the service pre-arranged in his mind, he offered himself as the messenger who should fetch Mrs. Dashwood. Elinor made no resistance that was not easily overcome. She thanked him with brief, though fervent gratitude, and while he went to hurry off his servant with a message to Mr. Harris, and an order for post-horses directly,9 she wrote a few lines to her mother. The comfort of such a friend at that moment as Colonel Brandon—of such a companion for her mother,—how gratefully was it felt!—a companion whose judgment would guide, whose attendance must relieve, and whose friendship might sooth her!—as far as the shock of such a summons could be lessened to her, his presence, his manners, his assistance, would lessen it. He, meanwhile, whatever he might feel, acted with all the firmness of a collected mind, made every necessary arrangement with the utmost dispatch, and calculated with exactness the time in which she might look for his return. Not a moment was lost in delay of any kind. The horses arrived, even before they were expected, and Colonel Brandon only pressing her hand with a look of solemnity, and a few words spoken too line 2: soon as she] 1811 soon she // line 4: dining-room // line 6: fears] 1811 fear

352

drawing-room] 1811

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 7

low to reach her ear, hurried into the carriage. It was then about twelve o’clock, and she returned to her sister’s apartment to wait for the arrival of the apothecary, and to watch by her the rest of the night. It was a night of almost equal suffering to both. Hour after hour passed away in sleepless pain and delirium on Marianne’s side, and in the most cruel anxiety on Elinor’s, before Mr. Harris appeared. Her apprehensions once raised, paid by their excess for all her former security; and the servant who sat up with her, for she would not allow Mrs. Jennings to be called, only tortured her more, by hints of what her mistress had always thought. Marianne’s ideas were still, at intervals, fixed incoherently on her mother, and whenever she mentioned her name, it gave a pang to the heart of poor Elinor, who, reproaching herself for having trifled with so many days of illness, and wretched for some immediate relief, fancied that all relief might soon be in vain, that every thing had been delayed too long, and pictured to herself her suffering mother arriving too late to see this darling child, or to see her rational. She was on the point of sending again for Mr. Harris, or if he could not come, for some other advice, when the former—but not till after five o’clock—arrived. His opinion, however, made some little amends for his delay, for though acknowledging a very unexpected and unpleasant alteration in his patient, he would not allow the danger to be material, and talked of the relief which a fresh mode of treatment must procure, with a confidence which, in a lesser degree, was communicated to Elinor. He promised to call again in the course of three or four hours, and left both the patient and her anxious attendant more composed than he had found them. line 14: who, reproaching] 1811 who reproaching

353

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 7

With strong concern, and with many reproaches for not being called to their aid, did Mrs. Jennings hear in the morning of what had passed. Her former apprehensions, now with greater reason restored, left her no doubt of the event; and though trying to speak comfort to Elinor, her conviction of her sister’s danger would not allow her to offer the comfort of hope. Her heart was really grieved. The rapid decay, the early death of a girl so young, so lovely as Marianne, must have struck a less interested person with concern. On Mrs. Jennings’s compassion she had other claims. She had been for three months her companion, was still under her care, and she was known to have been greatly injured, and long unhappy. The distress of her sister too, particularly a favourite, was before her;—and as for their mother, when Mrs. Jennings considered that Marianne might probably be to her what Charlotte was to herself, her sympathy in her sufferings was very sincere. Mr. Harris was punctual in his second visit;—but he came to be disappointed in his hopes of what the last would produce. His medicines had failed;—the fever was unabated; and Marianne only more quiet—not more herself—remained in an heavy stupor. Elinor, catching all, and more than all, his fear in a moment, proposed to call in farther advice. But he judged it unnecessary; he had still something more to try, some fresh application, of whose success he was almost as confident as the last, and his visit concluded with encouraging assurances which reached the ear, but could not enter the heart, of Miss Dashwood. She was calm, except when she thought of her mother, but she was almost hopeless; and in this state she continued till noon, scarcely stirring from her sister’s bed, her thoughts wandering from one image of grief, line 4: event; and] 1811 event;—and // line 23: line 30: stirring from] 1811 stirring an inch from

354

fear] 1811 fears

//

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 7

one suffering friend to another, and her spirits oppressed to the utmost by the conversation of Mrs. Jennings, who scrupled not to attribute the severity and danger of this attack, to the many weeks of previous indisposition which Marianne’s disappointment had brought on. Elinor felt all the reasonableness of the idea, and it gave fresh misery to her reflections. About noon, however, she began—but with a caution—a dread of disappointment, which for some time kept her silent, even to her friend—to fancy, to hope she could perceive a slight amendment in her sister’s pulse;—she waited, watched, and examined it again and again;—and at last, with an agitation more difficult to bury under exterior calmness, than all her foregoing distress, ventured to communicate her hopes. Mrs. Jennings, though forced, on examination, to acknowledge a temporary revival, tried to keep her young friend from indulging a thought of its continuance;—and Elinor, conning over every injunction of distrust, told herself likewise not to hope. But it was too late. Hope had already entered; and feeling all its anxious flutter, she bent over her sister to watch—she hardly knew for what. Half an hour passed away, and the favourable symptom yet blessed her. Others even arose to confirm it. Her breath, her skin, her lips, all flattered Elinor with signs of amendment, and Marianne fixed her eyes on her with a rational, though languid, gaze. Anxiety and hope now oppressed her in equal degrees, and left her no moment of tranquillity till the arrival of Mr. Harris at four o’clock;—when his assurances, his felicitations on a recovery in her sister even surpassing his expectation, gave her confidence, comfort, and tears of joy. Marianne was in every respect materially better, and he declared her entirely out of danger. Mrs. Jennings, perhaps satisfied with the partial justification of her forebodings which had been found in their late alarm, allowed herself 355

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 7

to trust in his judgment, and admitted with unfeigned joy, and soon with unequivocal cheerfulness, the probability of an entire recovery. Elinor could not be cheerful. Her joy was of a different kind, and led to anything rather than to gaiety. Marianne restored to life, health, friends, and to her doating mother, was an idea to fill her heart with sensations of exquisite comfort, and expand it in fervent gratitude;—but it led to no outward demonstrations of joy, no words, no smiles. All within Elinor’s breast was satisfaction, silent and strong. She continued by the side of her sister with little intermission the whole afternoon, calming every fear, satisfying every inquiry of her enfeebled spirits, supplying every succour, and watching almost every look and every breath. The possibility of a relapse would of course, in some moments, occur to remind her of what anxiety was—but when she saw, on her frequent and minute examination, that every symptom of recovery continued, and saw Marianne at six o’clock sink into a quiet, steady, and to all appearance comfortable, sleep, she silenced every doubt. The time was now drawing on, when Colonel Brandon might be expected back. At ten o’clock, she trusted, or at least not much later, her mother would be relieved from the dreadful suspense in which she must now be travelling towards them.10 The Colonel too!—perhaps scarcely less an object of pity!—Oh!—how slow was the progress of time which yet kept them in ignorance! At seven o’clock, leaving Marianne still sweetly asleep, she joined Mrs. Jennings in the drawing-room to tea. Of breakfast she had been kept by her fears, and of dinner by their sudden reverse, from eating much;—and the present line 13:

356

inquiry] 1811 enquiry

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 7

refreshment, therefore, with such feelings of content as she brought to it, was particularly welcome. Mrs. Jennings would have persuaded her at its conclusion to take some rest before her mother’s arrival, and allow her to take her place by Marianne; but Elinor had no sense of fatigue, no capability of sleep at that moment about her, and she was not to be kept away from her sister an unnecessary instant. Mrs. Jennings therefore attending her up stairs into the sick chamber, to satisfy herself that all continued right, left her there again to her charge and her thoughts, and retired to her own room to write letters and sleep. The night was cold and stormy. The wind roared round the house, and the rain beat against the windows; but Elinor, all happiness within, regarded it not. Marianne slept through every blast, and the travellers—they had a rich reward in store, for every present inconvenience. The clock struck eight. Had it been ten, Elinor would have been convinced that at that moment she heard a carriage driving up to the house; and so strong was the persuasion that she did, in spite of the almost impossibility of their being already come, that she moved into the adjoining dressingcloset and opened a window-shutter, to be satisfied of the truth. She instantly saw that her ears had not deceived her. The flaring lamps of a carriage were immediately in view. By their uncertain light she thought she could discern it to be drawn by four horses; and this, while it told the excess of her poor mother’s alarm, gave some explanation to such unexpected rapidity. Never in her life had Elinor found it so difficult to be calm, as at that moment. The knowledge of what her mother must be feeling as the carriage stopt at the door,—of her doubt— her dread—perhaps her despair!—and of what she had to tell!—with such knowledge it was impossible to be calm. All 357

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 7

that remained to be done, was to be speedy; and therefore staying only till she could leave Mrs. Jennings’s maid with her sister, she hurried down stairs. The bustle in the vestibule, as she passed along an inner lobby, assured her that they were already in the house. She rushed forwards towards the drawing-room,—she entered it,—and saw only Willoughby.

358

Chapter 8

E l i no r , starting back with a look of horror at the sight of him, obeyed the first impulse of her heart in turning instantly to quit the room, and her hand was already on the lock, when its action was suspended by his hastily advancing, and saying, in a voice rather of command than supplication, “Miss Dashwood, for half an hour—for ten minutes—I entreat you to stay.” “No, sir,” she replied with firmness, “I shall not stay. Your business cannot be with me. The servants, I suppose, forgot to tell you that Mr. Palmer was not in the house.” “Had they told me,” he cried with vehemence, “that Mr. Palmer and all his relations were at the devil, it would not have turned me from the door. My business is with you, and only you.” “With me!”—in the utmost amazement—“well, sir—be quick—and if you can—less violent.” “Sit down, and I will be both.” She hesitated; she knew not what to do. The possibility of Colonel Brandon’s arriving and finding him there, came across her. But she had promised to hear him, and her curiosity no less than her honour was engaged. After a moment’s recollection, therefore, concluding that prudence required dispatch, and that her acquiescence would best promote it, she walked silently towards the table, and sat down. He took the opposite chair, and for half a minute not a word was said by either. 359

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 8

“Pray be quick, sir”—said Elinor impatiently—“I have no time to spare.” He was sitting in an attitude of deep meditation, and seemed not to hear her. “Your sister,” said he, with abruptness, a moment afterwards—“is out of danger. I heard it from the servant. God be praised!—But is it true?—is it really true?” Elinor would not speak. He repeated the inquiry with yet greater eagerness. “For God’s sake tell me, is she out of danger, or is she not?” “We hope she is.” He rose up, and walked across the room. “Had I known as much half an hour ago—But since I am here”—speaking with a forced vivacity as he returned to his seat—“what does it signify?—For once, Miss Dashwood—it will be the last time, perhaps—let us be cheerful together.—I am in a fine mood for gaiety.—Tell me honestly”—a deeper glow overspreading his cheeks—“do you think me most a knave or a fool?” Elinor looked at him with greater astonishment than ever. She began to think that he must be in liquor;—the strangeness of such a visit, and of such manners, seemed no otherwise intelligible; and with this impression she immediately rose, saying, “Mr. Willoughby, I advise you at present to return to Combe.—I am not at leisure to remain with you longer.— Whatever your business may be with me, it will be better recollected and explained to-morrow.” “I understand you,” he replied, with an expressive smile, and a voice perfectly calm, “yes, I am very line 8:

360

inquiry] 1811 enquiry

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 8

drunk.—A pint of porter1 with my cold beef at Marlborough was enough to over-set me.” “At Marlborough!”2 —cried Elinor, more and more at a loss to understand what he would be at. “Yes—I left London this morning at eight o’clock, and the only ten minutes I have spent out of my chaise since that time, procured me a nuncheon3 at Marlborough.” The steadiness of his manner, and the intelligence of his eye as he spoke, convincing Elinor, that whatever other unpardonable folly might bring him to Cleveland, he was not brought there by intoxication, she said, after a moment’s recollection, “Mr. Willoughby, you ought to feel, and I certainly do— that after what has passed—your coming here in this manner, and forcing yourself upon my notice, requires a very particular excuse.—What is it, that you mean by it?”— “I mean”—said he, with serious energy—“if I can, to make you hate me one degree less than you do now. I mean to offer some kind of explanation, some kind of apology, for the past; to open my whole heart to you, and by convincing you, that though I have been always a blockhead, I have not been always a rascal, to obtain something like forgiveness from Ma—from your sister.” “Is this the real reason of your coming?” “Upon my soul it is,”—was his answer, with a warmth which brought all the former Willoughby to her remembrance, and in spite of herself made her think him sincere. “If that is all, you may be satisfied already,—for Marianne does—she has long forgiven you.” line 1:

A pint [1811 —A pint

//

line 7:

nuncheon] 1811 noonchine

361

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 8

“Has she!”—he cried, in the same eager tone.—“Then she has forgiven me before she ought to have done it. But she shall forgive me again, and on more reasonable grounds.— Now will you listen to me?” Elinor bowed her assent. “I do not know,” said he, after a pause of expectation on her side, and thoughtfulness on his own,—“how you may have accounted for my behaviour to your sister, or what diabolical motive you may have imputed to me—Perhaps you will hardly think the better of me,—it is worth the trial however, and you shall hear every thing. When I first became intimate in your family, I had no other intention, no other view in the acquaintance than to pass my time pleasantly while I was obliged to remain in Devonshire, more pleasantly than I had ever done before. Your sister’s lovely person and interesting manners could not but please me; and her behaviour to me almost from the first, was of a kind——It is astonishing, when I reflect on what it was, and what she was, that my heart should have been so insensible!—But at first I must confess, my vanity only was elevated by it. Careless of her happiness, thinking only of my own amusement, giving way to feelings which I had always been too much in the habit of indulging, I endeavoured, by every means in my power, to make myself pleasing to her, without any design of returning her affection.” Miss Dashwood at this point, turning her eyes on him with the most angry contempt, stopped him, by saying, “It is hardly worth while, Mr. Willoughby, for you to relate, or for me to listen any longer. Such a beginning as this cannot be followed by any thing.——Do not let me be pained by hearing any thing more on the subject.” line 9: me—Perhaps] 1811 me.—Perhaps 1811 thing.—When

362

//

line 11:

thing. When]

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 8

“I insist on your hearing the whole of it,” he replied. “My fortune was never large, and I had always been expensive,4 always in the habit of associating with people of better income than myself. Every year since my coming of age,5 or even before, I believe, had added to my debts; and though the death of my old cousin, Mrs. Smith, was to set me free; yet that event being uncertain, and possibly far distant, it had been for some time my intention to re-establish my circumstances by marrying a woman of fortune. To attach myself to your sister, therefore, was not a thing to be thought of;—and with a meanness, selfishness, cruelty—which no indignant, no contemptuous look, even of yours, Miss Dashwood, can ever reprobate too much—I was acting in this manner, trying to engage her regard, without a thought of returning it.—But one thing may be said for me, even in that horrid state of selfish vanity, I did not know the extent of the injury I meditated, because I did not then know what it was to love. But have I ever known it?—Well may it be doubted; for, had I really loved, could I have sacrificed my feelings to vanity, to avarice?—or, what is more, could I have sacrificed her’s? ——But I have done it. To avoid a comparative poverty, which her affection and her society would have deprived of all its horrors, I have, by raising myself to affluence, lost every thing that could make it a blessing.” “You did then,” said Elinor, a little softened, “believe yourself at one time attached to her.” “To have resisted such attractions, to have withstood such tenderness!—Is there a man on earth who could have done it!—Yes, I found myself, by insensible degrees, sincerely fond of her; and the happiest hours of my life were what I spent line 15: it.—But] 1811 it. But her’s—But

//

lines 20–1: her’s?——But] 1811

363

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 8

with her when I felt my intentions were strictly honourable, and my feelings blameless. Even then, however, when fully determined on paying my addresses to her, I allowed myself most improperly to put off, from day to day, the moment of doing it, from an unwillingness to enter into an engagement while my circumstances were so greatly embarrassed. I will not reason here—nor will I stop for you to expatiate on the absurdity, and the worse than absurdity, of scrupling to engage my faith where my honour was already bound. The event has proved, that I was a cunning fool, providing with great circumspection for a possible opportunity of making myself contemptible and wretched for ever. At last, however, my resolution was taken, and I had determined, as soon as I could engage her alone, to justify the attentions I had so invariably paid her, and openly assure her of an affection which I had already taken such pains to display. But in the interim— in the interim of the very few hours that were to pass, before I could have an opportunity of speaking with her in private—a circumstance occurred—an unlucky circumstance, to ruin all my resolution, and with it all my comfort. A discovery took place,”—here he hesitated and looked down.— “Mrs. Smith had somehow or other been informed, I imagine by some distant relation, whose interest it was to deprive me of her favour, of an affair, a connection—but I need not explain myself farther,” he added, looking at her with an heightened colour and an inquiring eye,—“your particular intimacy— you have probably heard the whole story long ago.” “I have,” returned Elinor, colouring likewise and hardening her heart anew against any compassion for him, “I have line 1: her when] 1811 her, when // line 16: display.] 1811 denote. // line 26: inquiring] 1811 enquiring // line 26: eye,—“your] 1811 eye, “your // line 28: likewise and] 1811 likewise, and

364

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 8

heard it all. And how you will explain away any part of your guilt in that dreadful business, I confess is beyond my comprehension.” “Remember,” cried Willoughby, “from whom you received the account. Could it be an impartial one? I acknowledge that her situation and her character ought to have been respected by me. I do not mean to justify myself, but at the same time cannot leave you to suppose that I have nothing to urge—that because she was injured she was irreproachable, and because I was a libertine, she must be a saint. If the violence of her passions, the weakness of her understanding—I do not mean, however, to defend myself. Her affection for me deserved better treatment, and I often, with great self-reproach, recal the tenderness which, for a very short time, had the power of creating any return. I wish—I heartily wish it had never been. But I have injured more than herself; and I have injured one, whose affection for me—(may I say it?) was scarcely less warm than her’s; and whose mind—Oh! how infinitely superior!”— “Your indifference, however, towards that unfortunate girl—I must say it, unpleasant to me as the discussion of such a subject may well be—your indifference is no apology for your cruel neglect of her. Do not think yourself excused by any weakness, any natural defect of understanding on her side, in the wanton cruelty so evident on yours. You must have known that while you were enjoying yourself in Devonshire, pursuing fresh schemes, always gay, always happy, she was reduced to the extremest indigence.” “But, upon my soul, I did not know it,” he warmly replied; “I did not recollect that I had omitted to give her my direction; and common sense might have told her how to find it out.” lines 8–9: that because] 1811 that, because // line 11: passion, // line 26: known that] 1811 known, that

passions,] 1811

365

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 8

“Well, sir, and what said Mrs. Smith?” “She taxed me with the offence at once, and my confusion may be guessed. The purity of her life, the formality of her notions, her ignorance of the world—every thing was against me. The matter itself I could not deny, and vain was every endeavour to soften it. She was previously disposed, I believe, to doubt the morality of my conduct in general, and was moreover discontented with the very little attention, the very little portion of my time that I had bestowed on her, in my present visit. In short, it ended in a total breach. By one measure I might have saved myself. In the height of her morality, good woman! she offered to forgive the past, if I would marry Eliza. That could not be—and I was formally dismissed from her favour and her house. The night following this affair—I was to go the next morning—was spent by me in deliberating on what my future conduct should be. The struggle was great—but it ended too soon. My affection for Marianne, my thorough conviction of her attachment to me—it was all insufficient to outweigh that dread of poverty, or get the better of those false ideas of the necessity of riches, which I was naturally inclined to feel, and expensive society had increased. I had reason to believe myself secure of my present wife, if I chose to address her, and I persuaded myself to think that nothing else in common prudence remained for me to do. An heavy scene however awaited me, before I could leave Devonshire;—I was engaged to dine with you on that very day; some apology was therefore necessary for my breaking the engagement. But whether I should write this apology, or deliver it in person, was a point of long debate. To see Marianne, I felt would be dreadful, and I even doubted whether I could see her again and keep to my resolution. line 31:

366

again and] 1811 again, and

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 8

In that point, however, I undervalued my own magnanimity, as the event declared; for I went, I saw her, and saw her miserable, and left her miserable—and left her hoping never to see her again.” “Why did you call, Mr. Willoughby?” said Elinor, reproachfully; “a note would have answered every purpose.— Why was it necessary to call?” “It was necessary to my own pride. I could not bear to leave the country in a manner that might lead you, or the rest of the neighbourhood, to suspect any part of what had really passed between Mrs. Smith and myself—and I resolved therefore on calling at the cottage, in my way to Honiton.6 The sight of your dear sister, however, was really dreadful; and to heighten the matter, I found her alone. You were all gone I do not know where. I had left her only the evening before, so fully, so firmly resolved within myself on doing right! A few hours were to have engaged her to me for ever; and I remember how happy, how gay were my spirits, as I walked from the cottage to Allenham, satisfied with myself, delighted with every body! But in this, our last interview of friendship, I approached her with a sense of guilt that almost took from me the power of dissembling. Her sorrow, her disappointment, her deep regret, when I told her that I was obliged to leave Devonshire so immediately—I never shall forget it—united too with such reliance, such confidence in me!—Oh, God!—what an hard-hearted rascal I was!” They were both silent for a few moments. Elinor first spoke. “Did you tell her that you should soon return?” “I do not know what I told her,” he replied, impatiently; “less than was due to the past, beyond a doubt, and in all likelihood much more than was justified by the future. I cannot think of it.—It won’t do.—Then came your dear mother 367

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 8

to torture me farther, with all her kindness and confidence. Thank Heaven! it did torture me. I was miserable. Miss Dashwood, you cannot have an idea of the comfort it gives me to look back on my own misery. I owe such a grudge to myself for the stupid, rascally folly of my own heart, that all my past sufferings under it are only triumph and exultation to me now. Well, I went, left all that I loved, and went to those to whom, at best, I was only indifferent.7 My journey to town—travelling with my own horses, and therefore so tediously—no creature to speak to—my own reflections so cheerful—when I looked forward everything so inviting!— when I looked back at Barton, the picture so soothing!—oh! it was a blessed journey!” He stopt. “Well, sir,” said Elinor, who, though pitying him, grew impatient for his departure, “and this is all?” “All!—no,—have you forgot what passed in town?—That infamous letter—Did she shew it you?” “Yes, I saw every note that passed.” “When the first of her’s reached me, (as it immediately did, for I was in town the whole time,) what I felt is—in the common phrase, not to be expressed; in a more simple one—perhaps too simple to raise any emotion—my feelings were very, very painful.—Every line, every word was—in the hackneyed metaphor which their dear writer, were she here, would forbid—a dagger to my heart.8 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—I believe they are better known to me than my own,—and I am sure they are dearer.” Elinor’s heart, which had undergone many changes in the course of this extraordinary conversation, was now softened

368

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 8

again;—yet she felt it her duty to check such ideas in her companion as the last. “This is not right, Mr. Willoughby.—Remember that you are married. Relate only what in your conscience you think necessary for me to hear.” “Marianne’s note, by assuring me that I was still as dear to her as in former days, that in spite of the many, many weeks we had been separated, she was as constant in her own feelings, and as full of faith in the constancy of mine as ever, awakened all my remorse. I say awakened, because time and London, business and dissipation, had in some measure quieted it, and I had been growing a fine hardened villain, fancying myself indifferent to her, and chusing to fancy that she too must have become indifferent to me; talking to myself of our past attachment as a mere idle, trifling, business, shrugging up my shoulders in proof of its being so, and silencing every reproach, overcoming every scruple, by secretly saying now and then, ‘I shall be heartily glad to hear she is well married.’—But this note made me know myself better. I felt that she was infinitely dearer to me than any other woman in the world, and that I was using her infamously. But everything was then just settled between Miss Grey and me. To retreat was impossible. All that I had to do, was to avoid you both. I sent no answer to Marianne, intending by that means to preserve myself from her farther notice; and for some time I was even determined not to call in Berkeley-street;—but at last, judging it wiser to affect the air of a cool, common acquaintance than anything else, I watched you all safely out of the house one morning, and left my name.” “Watched us out of the house!” line 4: hear.

married. Relate] 1811 married.—Relate

//

line 5:

hear.”] 1811

369

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 8

“Even so. You would be surprised to hear how often I watched you, how often I was on the point of falling in with you. I have entered many a shop to avoid your sight, as the carriage drove by. Lodging as I did in Bond-street, there was hardly a day in which I did not catch a glimpse of one or other of you; and nothing but the most constant watchfulness on my side, a most invariably prevailing desire to keep out of your sight, could have separated us so long. I avoided the Middletons as much as possible, as well as everybody else who was likely to prove an acquaintance in common. Not aware of their being in town, however, I blundered on Sir John, I believe, the first day of his coming, and the day after I had called at Mrs. Jennings’s. He asked me to a party, a dance at his house in the evening.—Had he not told me as an inducement that you and your sister were to be there, I should have felt it too certain a thing, to trust myself near him. The next morning brought another short note from Marianne— still affectionate, open, artless, confiding—everything that could make my conduct most hateful. I could not answer it. I tried—but could not frame a sentence. But I thought of her, I believe, every moment of the day. If you can pity me, Miss Dashwood, pity my situation as it was then. With my head and heart full of your sister, I was forced to play the happy lover to another woman!—Those three or four weeks were worse than all. Well, at last, as I need not tell you, you were forced on me; and what a sweet figure I cut!—what an evening of agony it was!—Marianne, beautiful as an angel on one side, calling me Willoughby in such a tone!—Oh! God!— holding out her hand to me, asking me for an explanation with those bewitching eyes fixed in such speaking solicitude on my face!—and Sophia, jealous as the devil on the other line 14:

370

evening.—Had] 1811 evening. Had

//

line 28:

Oh!] 1811 oh!

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 8

hand, looking all that was—Well, it does not signify; it is over now.—Such an evening!—I ran away from you all as soon as I could; but not before I had seen Marianne’s sweet face as white as death.—That was the last, last look I ever had of her;—the last manner in which she appeared to me. It was a horrid sight!—Yet when I thought of her to-day as really dying, it was a kind of comfort to me to imagine that I knew exactly how she would appear to those, who saw her last in this world. She was before me, constantly before me, as I travelled, in the same look and hue.” A short pause of mutual thoughtfulness succeeded. Willoughby first rousing himself, broke it thus: “Well, let me make haste and be gone. Your sister is certainly better, certainly out of danger?” “We are assured of it.” “Your poor mother too!—doting on Marianne.” “But the letter, Mr. Willoughby, your own letter; have you anything to say about that?” “Yes, yes, that in particular. Your sister wrote to me again, you know, the very next morning. You saw what she said. I was breakfasting at the Ellisons,—and her letter, with some others, was brought to me there from my lodgings. It happened to catch Sophia’s eye before it caught mine—and its size, the elegance of the paper, the hand-writing altogether, immediately gave her a suspicion. Some vague report had reached her before of my attachment to some young lady in Devonshire, and what had passed within her observation the preceding evening had marked who the young lady was, and made her more jealous than ever. Affecting that air of playfulness, therefore, which is delightful in a woman one loves, she opened the letter directly, and read its contents. She was well line 1: was—Well] 1811 was——Well // line 10: // line 25: suspicion.] 1811 suspicion of its nature.

me, as] 1811 me as

371

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 8

paid for her impudence. She read what made her wretched. Her wretchedness I could have borne, but her passion—her malice—At all events it must be appeased. And in short— what do you think of my wife’s style of letter-writing?— delicate—tender—truly feminine—was it not?” “Your wife!—The letter was in your own hand writing.” “Yes, but I had only the credit of servilely copying such sentences as I was ashamed to put my name to. The original was all her own—her own happy thoughts and gentle diction. But what could I do?—we were engaged, every thing in preparation, the day almost fixed—But I am talking like a fool. Preparation!—day!—In honest words, her money was necessary to me, and in a situation like mine, any thing was to be done to prevent a rupture. And after all, what did it signify to my character in the opinion of Marianne and her friends, in what language my answer was couched?—It must have been only to one end. My business was to declare myself a scoundrel, and whether I did it with a bow or a bluster was of little importance.—‘I am ruined for ever in their opinion— said I to myself—I am shut out for ever from their society, they already think me an unprincipled fellow, this letter will only make them think me a blackguard one.’ Such were my reasonings, as, in a sort of desperate carelessness, I copied my wife’s words, and parted with the last relics of Marianne. Her three notes—unluckily they were all in my pocket-book, or I should have denied their existence, and hoarded them for ever—I was forced to put them up,9 and could not even kiss them. And the lock of hair—that too I had always carried about me in the same pocket-book, which was now searched line 4: style] 1811 stile // line 10: every thing] 1811 everything // line 13: any thing] 1811 anything // line 18: or a bluster] 1811 or bluster // line 23: as, in] 1811 as in

372

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 8

by Madam with the most ingratiating virulence,—the dear lock—all, every memento was torn from me.” “You are very wrong, Mr. Willoughby, very blameable,” said Elinor, while her voice, in spite of herself, betrayed her compassionate emotion; “you ought not to speak in this way, either of Mrs. Willoughby or my sister. You have made your own choice. It was not forced on you. Your wife has a claim to your politeness, to your respect, at least. She must be attached to you, or she would not have married you. To treat her with unkindness, to speak of her slightingly is no atonement to Marianne—nor can I suppose it a relief to your own conscience.” “Do not talk to me of my wife,” said he with an heavy sigh.—“She does not deserve your compassion.—She knew I had no regard for her when we married.—Well, married we were, and came down to Combe Magna to be happy, and afterwards returned to town to be gay.—And now do you pity me, Miss Dashwood?—or have I said all this to no purpose?—Am I—be it only one degree—am I less guilty in your opinion than I was before?—My intentions were not always wrong. Have I explained away any part of my guilt?” “Yes, you have certainly removed something—a little.— You have proved yourself, on the whole, less faulty than I had believed you. You have proved your heart less wicked, much less wicked. But I hardly know—the misery that you have inflicted—I hardly know what could have made it worse.” “Will you repeat to your sister when she is recovered, what I have been telling you?—Let me be a little lightened too in her opinion as well as in yours. You tell me that she has forgiven me already. Let me be able to fancy that a better knowledge of my heart, and of my present feelings, will draw from her a line 1:

ingratiating] 1811 engratiating

373

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 8

more spontaneous, more natural, more gentle, less dignified, forgiveness. Tell her of my misery and my penitence—tell her that my heart was never inconstant to her, and if you will, that at this moment she is dearer to me than ever.” “I will tell her all that is necessary to what may comparatively be called, your justification. But you have not explained to me the particular reason of your coming now, nor how you heard of her illness.” “Last night, in Drury-lane lobby,10 I ran against Sir John Middleton, and when he saw who I was—for the first time these two months—he spoke to me.—That he had cut me ever since my marriage, I had seen without surprise or resentment. Now, however, his good-natured, honest, stupid soul, full of indignation against me, and concern for your sister, could not resist the temptation of telling me what he knew ought to—though probably he did not think it would—vex me horridly.——As bluntly as he could speak it, therefore, he told me that Marianne Dashwood was dying of a putrid fever at Cleveland—a letter that morning received from Mrs. Jennings declared her danger most imminent—the Palmers all gone off in a fright, &c.—I was too much shocked to be able to pass myself off as insensible even to the undiscerning Sir John. His heart was softened in seeing mine suffer; and so much of his ill-will was done away, that when we parted, he almost shook me by the hand while he reminded me of an old promise about a pointer puppy. What I felt on hearing that your sister was dying—and dying too, believing me the greatest villain upon earth, scorning, hating me in her latest moments—for how could I tell what horrid projects might not have been imputed? One person I was sure would represent me as capable of anything—What I felt was line 30:

374

imputed? One] 1811 imputed?—One

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 8

dreadful!—My resolution was soon made, and at eight o’clock this morning I was in my carriage. Now you know all.” Elinor made no answer. Her thoughts were silently fixed on the irreparable injury which too early an independence and its consequent habits of idleness, dissipation, and luxury, had made in the mind, the character, the happiness, of a man who, to every advantage of person and talents, united a disposition naturally open and honest, and a feeling, affectionate temper. The world had made him extravagant and vain—Extravagance and vanity had made him cold-hearted and selfish. Vanity, while seeking its own guilty triumph at the expense of another, had involved him in a real attachment, which extravagance, or at least its offspring, necessity, had required to be sacrificed. Each faulty propensity in leading him to evil, had led him likewise to punishment. The attachment, from which against honour, against feeling, against every better interest he had outwardly torn himself, now, when no longer allowable, governed every thought; and the connection, for the sake of which he had, with little scruple, left her sister to misery, was likely to prove a source of unhappiness to himself of a far more incurable nature. From a reverie of this kind she was recalled at the end of some minutes by Willoughby, who, rousing himself from a reverie at least equally painful, started up in preparation for going, and said, “There is no use in staying here; I must be off.” “Are you going back to town?” “No—to Combe Magna. I have business there; from thence to town in a day or two. Good bye.” He held out his hand. She could not refuse to give him her’s;—he pressed it with affection. line 12:

expense] 1811 expence

375

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 8

“And you do think something better of me than you did?”— said he, letting it fall, and leaning against the mantle-piece as if forgetting he was to go. Elinor assured him that she did;—that she forgave, pitied, wished him well—was even interested in his happiness—and added some gentle counsel as to the behaviour most likely to promote it. His answer was not very encouraging. “As to that,” said he, “I must rub through the world as well as I can. Domestic happiness is out of the question. If, however, I am allowed to think that you and yours feel an interest in my fate and actions, it may be the means—it may put me on my guard—at least, it will be something to live for. Marianne to be sure is lost to me for ever. Were I even by any blessed chance at liberty again”—— Elinor stopped him with a reproof. “Well”—he replied—“once more good bye. I shall now go away and live in dread of one event.” “What do you mean?” “Your sister’s marriage.” “You are very wrong. She can never be more lost to you than she is now.” “But she will be gained by some one else. And if that some one should be the very he whom, of all others, I could least bear——But I will not stay to rob myself of all your compassionate good-will, by shewing that where I have most injured I can least forgive. Good bye,—God bless you!” And with these words, he almost ran out of the room.

376

Chapter 9

E l i no r , for some time after he left her, for some time even after the sound of his carriage had died away, remained too much oppressed by a croud of ideas, widely differing in themselves, but of which sadness was the general result, to think even of her sister. Willoughby, he, whom only half an hour ago she had abhorred as the most worthless of men, Willoughby, in spite of all his faults, excited a degree of commiseration for the sufferings produced by them, which made her think of him as now separated for ever from her family with a tenderness, a regret, rather in proportion, as she soon acknowledged within herself—to his wishes than to his merits. She felt that his influence over her mind was heightened by circumstances which ought not in reason to have weight; by that person of uncommon attraction, that open, affectionate, and lively manner which it was no merit to possess; and by that still ardent love for Marianne, which it was not even innocent to indulge. But she felt that it was so, long, long before she could feel his influence less. When at last she returned to the unconscious Marianne, she found her just awaking, refreshed by so long and sweet a sleep to the extent of her hopes. Elinor’s heart was full. The past, the present, the future, Willoughby’s visit, Marianne’s safety, and her mother’s expected arrival, threw her altogether line 14:

weight; by] 1811 weight;—by

377

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 9

into an agitation of spirits which kept off every indication of fatigue, and made her only fearful of betraying herself to her sister. Short was the time, however, in which that fear could affect her, for within half an hour after Willoughby’s leaving the house, she was again called down stairs by the sound of another carriage.—Eager to save her mother from every unnecessary moment’s horrible suspense, she ran immediately into the hall, and reached the outward door just in time to receive and support her as she entered it. Mrs. Dashwood, whose terror as they drew near the house had produced almost the conviction of Marianne’s being no more, had no voice to inquire after her, no voice even for Elinor; but she, waiting neither for salutation nor inquiry, instantly gave the joyful relief;—and her mother, catching it with all her usual warmth, was in a moment as much overcome by her happiness, as she had been before by her fears. She was supported into the drawing-room between her daughter and her friend;—and there, shedding tears of joy, though still unable to speak, embraced Elinor again and again, turning from her at intervals to press Colonel Brandon’s hand, with a look which spoke at once her gratitude, and her conviction of his sharing with herself in the bliss of the moment. He shared it, however, in a silence even greater than her own. As soon as Mrs. Dashwood had recovered herself, to see Marianne was her first desire; and in two minutes she was with her beloved child, rendered dearer to her than ever by absence, unhappiness, and danger. Elinor’s delight, as she saw what each felt in the meeting, was only checked by an apprehension of its robbing Marianne of farther sleep;—but Mrs. Dashwood could be calm, could be even prudent, when the life of a child was at stake, and Marianne, satisfied in line 12: inquire] 1811 enquire // line 13: line 27: delight, as] 1811 delight as

378

inquiry,] 1811 enquiry,

//

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 9

knowing her mother was near her, and conscious of being too weak for conversation, submitted readily to the silence and quiet prescribed by every nurse around her. Mrs. Dashwood would sit up with her all night, and Elinor, in compliance with her mother’s entreaty, went to bed. But the rest, which one night entirely sleepless, and many hours of the most wearing anxiety seemed to make requisite, was kept off by irritation of spirits. Willoughby, “poor Willoughby,” as she now allowed herself to call him, was constantly in her thoughts; she would not but have heard his vindication for the world, and now blamed, now acquitted herself for having judged him so harshly before. But her promise of relating it to her sister was invariably painful. She dreaded the performance of it, dreaded what its effect on Marianne might be; doubted whether after such an explanation she could ever be happy with another; and for a moment wished Willoughby a widower. Then, remembering Colonel Brandon, reproved herself, felt that to his sufferings and his constancy far more than to his rival’s, the reward of her sister was due, and wished any thing rather than Mrs. Willoughby’s death. The shock of Colonel Brandon’s errand at Barton had been much softened to Mrs. Dashwood by her own previous alarm; for so great was her uneasiness about Marianne, that she had already determined to set out for Cleveland on that very day, without waiting for any farther intelligence, and had so far settled her journey before his arrival, that the Careys were then expected every moment to fetch Margaret away, as her mother was unwilling to take her where there might be infection. Marianne continued to mend every day, and the brilliant cheerfulness of Mrs. Dashwood’s looks and spirits proved her line 16: another; and] 1811 another, and anything

//

line 20:

any thing] 1811

379

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 9

to be, as she repeatedly declared herself, one of the happiest women in the world. Elinor could not hear the declaration, nor witness its proofs without sometimes wondering whether her mother ever recollected Edward. But Mrs. Dashwood, trusting to the temperate account of her own disappointment which Elinor had sent her, was led away by the exuberance of her joy to think only of what would increase it. Marianne was restored to her from a danger in which, as she now began to feel, her own mistaken judgment in encouraging the unfortunate attachment to Willoughby, had contributed to place her;—and in her recovery she had yet another source of joy unthought of by Elinor. It was thus imparted to her, as soon as any opportunity of private conference between them occurred. “At last we are alone. My Elinor, you do not yet know all my happiness. Colonel Brandon loves Marianne. He has told me so himself.” Her daughter, feeling by turns both pleased and pained, surprised and not surprised, was all silent attention. “You are never like me, dear Elinor, or I should wonder at your composure now. Had I sat down to wish for any possible good to my family, I should have fixed on Colonel Brandon’s marrying one of you as the object most desirable. And I believe Marianne will be the most happy with him of the two.” Elinor was half inclined to ask her reason for thinking so, because satisfied that none founded on an impartial consideration of their age, characters, or feelings, could be given;—but her mother must always be carried away by her imagination on any interesting subject, and therefore instead of an inquiry, she passed it off with a smile. line 30:

380

inquiry,] 1811 enquiry,

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 9

“He opened his whole heart to me yesterday as we travelled. It came out quite unawares, quite undesignedly. I, you may well believe, could talk of nothing but my child;—he could not conceal his distress; I saw that it equalled my own, and he perhaps, thinking that mere friendship, as the world now goes, would not justify so warm a sympathy—or rather not thinking at all, I suppose—giving way to irresistible feelings, made me acquainted with his earnest, tender, constant, affection for Marianne. He has loved her, my Elinor, ever since the first moment of seeing her.” Here, however, Elinor perceived,—not the language, not the professions of Colonel Brandon, but the natural embellishments of her mother’s active fancy, which fashioned every thing delightful to her, as it chose. “His regard for her, infinitely surpassing anything that Willoughby ever felt or feigned, as much more warm, as more sincere or constant—which ever we are to call it— has subsisted through all the knowledge of dear Marianne’s unhappy prepossession for that worthless young man!—and without selfishness—without encouraging a hope!—could he have seen her happy with another—Such a noble mind!— such openness, such sincerity!—no one can be deceived in him.” “Colonel Brandon’s character,” said Elinor, “as an excellent man, is well established.” “I know it is”—replied her mother seriously, “or after such a warning, I should be the last to encourage such affection, or even to be pleased by it. But his coming for me as he did, with such active, such ready friendship, is enough to prove him one of the worthiest of men.” line 5: he perhaps,] 1811 he, perhaps, // anothe.— // line 27: such] 1811 his

line 21:

another—] 1811

381

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 9

“His character, however,” answered Elinor, “does not rest on one act of kindness, to which his affection for Marianne, were humanity out of the case, would have prompted him. To Mrs. Jennings, to the Middletons, he has been long and intimately known; they equally love and respect him; and even my own knowledge of him, though lately acquired, is very considerable; and so highly do I value and esteem him, that if Marianne can be happy with him, I shall be as ready as yourself to think our connection the greatest blessing to us in the world. What answer did you give him?—Did you allow him to hope?” “Oh! my love, I could not then talk of hope to him or to myself. Marianne might at that moment be dying. But he did not ask for hope or encouragement. His was an involuntary confidence, an irrepressible effusion to a soothing friend— not an application to a parent. Yet after a time I did say, for at first I was quite overcome—that if she lived, as I trusted she might, my greatest happiness would lie in promoting their marriage; and since our arrival, since our delightful security I have repeated it to him more fully, have given him every encouragement in my power. Time, a very little time, I tell him, will do everything;—Marianne’s heart is not to be wasted for ever on such a man as Willoughby.—His own merits must soon secure it.” “To judge from the Colonel’s spirits, however, you have not yet made him equally sanguine.” “No.—He thinks Marianne’s affection too deeply rooted for any change in it under a great length of time, and even supposing her heart again free, is too diffident of himself to believe, that with such a difference of age and disposition, he lines 15–16: friend—not] 1811 friend,—not

382

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 9

could ever attach her. There, however he is quite mistaken. His age is only so much beyond her’s, as to be an advantage, as to make his character and principles fixed;—and his disposition, I am well convinced, is exactly the very one to make your sister happy. And his person, his manners too, are all in his favour. My partiality does not blind me; he certainly is not so handsome as Willoughby—but at the same time, there is something much more pleasing in his countenance.— There was always a something,—if you remember,—in Willoughby’s eyes at times, which I did not like.” Elinor could not remember it;—but her mother, without waiting for her assent, continued, “And his manners, the Colonel’s manners are not only more pleasing to me than Willoughby’s ever were, but they are of a kind I well know to be more solidly attaching to Marianne. Their gentleness, their genuine attention to other people, and their manly unstudied simplicity is much more accordant with her real disposition, than the liveliness—often artificial, and often ill-timed of the other. I am very sure myself, that had Willoughby turned out as really amiable, as he has proved himself the contrary, Marianne would yet never have been so happy with him, as she will be with Colonel Brandon.”1 She paused.—Her daughter could not quite agree with her, but her dissent was not heard, and therefore gave no offence. “At Delaford, she will be within an easy distance of me,” added Mrs. Dashwood, “even if I remain at Barton; and in all probability,—for I hear it is a large village,—indeed there certainly must be some small house or cottage close by, that would suit us quite as well as our present situation.” line 28:

village,—indeed] 1811 village, indeed

383

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 9

Poor Elinor!—here was a new scheme for getting her to Delaford!—but her spirit was stubborn. “His fortune too!—for at my time of life you know, everybody cares about that ;—and though I neither know, nor desire to know, what it really is, I am sure it must be a good one.” Here they were interrupted by the entrance of a third person, and Elinor withdrew to think it all over in private, to wish success to her friend, and yet in wishing it, to feel a pang for Willoughby. line 3: life you] 1811 life, you

384

Chapter 10

M a r i a n n e ’ s illness, though weakening in its kind, had not been long enough to make her recovery slow; and with youth, natural strength, and her mother’s presence in aid, it proceeded so smoothly as to enable her to remove within four days after the arrival of the latter, into Mrs. Palmer’s dressingroom. When there, at her own particular request, for she was impatient to pour forth her thanks to him for fetching her mother, Colonel Brandon was invited to visit her. His emotion in entering the room, in seeing her altered looks, and in receiving the pale hand which she immediately held out to him, was such, as, in Elinor’s conjecture, must arise from something more than his affection for Marianne, or the consciousness of its being known to others; and she soon discovered in his melancholy eye and varying complexion as he looked at her sister, the probable recurrence of many past scenes of misery to his mind, brought back by that resemblance between Marianne and Eliza already acknowledged, and now strengthened by the hollow eye, the sickly skin, the posture of reclining weakness, and the warm acknowledgment of peculiar obligation. Mrs. Dashwood, not less watchful of what passed than her daughter, but with a mind very differently influenced, and therefore watching to very different effect, saw nothing in the Colonel’s behaviour but what arose from the most simple line 4: remove within] 1811 remove, within such as,

//

line 11:

such, as,] 1811

385

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 10

and self-evident sensations, while in the actions and words of Marianne she persuaded herself to think that something more than gratitude already dawned. At the end of another day or two, Marianne growing visibly stronger every twelve hours, Mrs. Dashwood, urged equally by her own and her daughter’s wishes, began to talk of removing to Barton. On her measures depended those of her two friends; Mrs. Jennings could not quit Cleveland during the Dashwoods’ stay, and Colonel Brandon was soon brought, by their united request, to consider his own abode there as equally determinate, if not equally indispensable. At his and Mrs. Jennings’s united request in return, Mrs. Dashwood was prevailed on to accept the use of his carriage on her journey back, for the better accommodation of her sick child; and the Colonel, at the joint invitation of Mrs. Dashwood and Mrs. Jennings, whose active good-nature made her friendly and hospitable for other people as well as herself, engaged with pleasure to redeem it by a visit at the cottage, in the course of a few weeks. The day of separation and departure arrived; and Marianne, after taking so particular and lengthened a leave of Mrs. Jennings, one so earnestly grateful, so full of respect and kind wishes as seemed due to her own heart from a secret acknowledgment of past inattention, and bidding Colonel Brandon farewel with the cordiality of a friend, was carefully assisted by him into the carriage, of which he seemed anxious that she should engross at least half. Mrs. Dashwood and Elinor then followed, and the others were left by themselves, to talk of the travellers, and feel their own dulness, till Mrs. Jennings was summoned to her chaise to lines 9–10: brought, by] 1811 brought by // line 12: Jennings’s] 1811 Jennings’ // line 25: farewel] 1811 farewell // line 30: dulness,] 1811 dullness,

386

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 10

take comfort in the gossip of her maid for the loss of her two young companions; and Colonel Brandon immediately afterwards took his solitary way to Delaford. The Dashwoods were two days on the road, and Marianne bore her journey on both, without essential fatigue. Every thing that the most zealous affection, the most solicitous care could do to render her comfortable, was the office of each watchful companion, and each found their reward in her bodily ease, and her calmness of spirits. To Elinor, the observation of the latter was particularly grateful. She, who had seen her week after week so constantly suffering, oppressed by anguish of heart which she had neither courage to speak of, nor fortitude to conceal, now saw with a joy, which no other could equally share, an apparent composure of mind, which, in being the result as she trusted of serious reflection, must eventually lead her to contentment and cheerfulness. As they approached Barton, indeed, and entered on scenes, of which every field and every tree brought some peculiar, some painful recollection, she grew silent and thoughtful, and turning away her face from their notice, sat earnestly gazing through the window. But here, Elinor could neither wonder nor blame; and when she saw, as she assisted Marianne from the carriage, that she had been crying, she saw only an emotion too natural in itself to raise anything less tender than pity, and in its unobtrusiveness entitled to praise. In the whole of her subsequent manner, she traced the direction of a mind awakened to reasonable exertion; for no sooner had they entered their common sitting-room, than Marianne turned her eyes around it with a look of resolute firmness, as if determined at once to accustom herself to the sight of every line 11: oppressed] 1811 opressed // line 15: which, in] 1811 which in // line 17: Barton, indeed,] 1811 Barton indeed, // line 28: sitting-room,] 1811 sitting room,

387

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 10

object with which the remembrance of Willoughby could be connected.—She said little, but every sentence aimed at cheerfulness, and though a sigh sometimes escaped her, it never passed away without the atonement of a smile. After dinner she would try her piano-fort´e. She went to it; but the music on which her eye first rested was an opera, procured for her by Willoughby, containing some of their favourite duets, and bearing on its outward leaf her own name in his hand writing.—That would not do.—She shook her head, put the music aside, and after running over the keys for a minute complained of feebleness in her fingers, and closed the instrument again; declaring however with firmness as she did so, that she should in future practise much. The next morning produced no abatement in these happy symptoms. On the contrary, with a mind and body alike strengthened by rest, she looked and spoke with more genuine spirit, anticipating the pleasure of Margaret’s return, and talking of the dear family party which would then be restored, of their mutual pursuits and cheerful society as the only happiness worth a wish. “When the weather is settled, and I have recovered my strength,” said she, “we will take long walks together every day. We will walk to the farm at the edge of the down, and see how the children go on; we will walk to Sir John’s new plantations at Barton-Cross, and the Abbeyland; and we will often go to the old ruins of the Priory, and try to trace its foundations as far as we are told they once reached. I know we shall be happy. I know the summer will pass happily away. I mean never to be later in rising than six, and from that time till dinner I shall divide every moment between music and reading. I have formed my plan, and am determined to enter on a course of serious study. Our own library is too well

388

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 10

known to me, to be resorted to for anything beyond mere amusement. But there are many works well worth reading, at the Park; and there are others of more modern production which I know I can borrow of Colonel Brandon. By reading only six hours a day, I shall gain in the course of a twelvemonth a great deal of instruction which I now feel myself to want.” Elinor honoured her for a plan which originated so nobly as this; though smiling to see the same eager fancy which had been leading her to the extreme of languid indolence and selfish repining, now at work in introducing excess into a scheme of such rational employment and virtuous self-controul. Her smile however changed to a sigh when she remembered that her promise to Willoughby was yet unfulfilled, and feared she had that to communicate which might again unsettle the mind of Marianne, and ruin at least for a time this fair prospect of busy tranquillity. Willing therefore to delay the evil hour, she resolved to wait till her sister’s health were more secure before she appointed it. But the resolution was made only to be broken. Marianne had been two or three days at home, before the weather was fine enough for an invalid like herself to venture out. But at last a soft, genial morning appeared; such as might tempt the daughter’s wishes and the mother’s confidence; and Marianne, leaning on Elinor’s arm, was authorised to walk as long as she could without fatigue, in the lane before the house. The sisters set out at a pace, slow as the feebleness of Marianne in an exercise hitherto untried since her illness required;—and they had advanced only so far beyond the house as to admit a full view of the hill, the important hill behind, when pausing with her eyes turned towards it, Marianne calmly said,

389

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 10

“There, exactly there”—pointing with one hand, “on that projecting mound,—there I fell; and there I first saw Willoughby.” Her voice sunk with the word, but presently reviving she added, “I am thankful to find that I can look with so little pain on the spot!—shall we ever talk on that subject, Elinor?”— hesitatingly it was said.—“Or will it be wrong?—I can talk of it now, I hope, as I ought to do.”— Elinor tenderly invited her to be open. “As for regret,” said Marianne, “I have done with that, as far as he is concerned. I do not mean to talk to you of what my feelings have been for him, but what they are now.—At present, if I could be satisfied on one point, if I could be allowed to think that he was not always acting a part, not always deceiving me;—but above all, if I could be assured that he never was so very wicked as my fears have sometimes fancied him, since the story of that unfortunate girl”— She stopt.—Elinor joyfully treasured her words as she answered, “If you could be assured of that, you think you should be easy.” “Yes. My peace of mind is doubly involved in it;—for not only is it horrible to suspect a person, who has been what he has been to me, of such designs,—but what must it make me appear to myself ?—What in a situation like mine, but a most shamefully unguarded affection could expose me to”— “How then,” asked her sister, “would you account for his behaviour?” “I would suppose him,—Oh! how gladly would I suppose him, only fickle, very, very fickle.” Elinor said no more. She was debating within herself on the eligibility of beginning her story directly, or postponing 390

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 10

it till Marianne were in stronger health;—and they crept on for a few minutes in silence. “I am not wishing him too much good,” said Marianne at last with a sigh, “when I wish his secret reflections may be no more unpleasant than my own. He will suffer enough in them.” “Do you compare your conduct with his?” “No. I compare it with what it ought to have been; I compare it with yours.” “Our situations have borne little resemblance.” “They have borne more than our conduct.—Do not, my dearest Elinor, let your kindness defend what I know your judgment must censure. My illness has made me think— It has given me leisure and calmness for serious recollection. Long before I was enough recovered to talk, I was perfectly able to reflect. I considered the past; I saw in my own behaviour since the beginning of our acquaintance with him last autumn, nothing but a series of imprudence towards myself, and want of kindness to others. I saw that my own feelings had prepared my sufferings, and that my want of fortitude under them had almost led me to the grave. My illness, I well knew, had been entirely brought on by myself 1 by such negligence of my own health, as I had felt even at the time to be wrong. Had I died,—it would have been self-destruction.2 I did not know my danger till the danger was removed; but with such feelings as these reflections gave me, I wonder at my recovery,—wonder that the very eagerness of my desire to live, to have time for atonement to my God, and to you all, did not kill me at once. Had I died,—in what peculiar misery should I have left you, my nurse, my friend, my sister!— You, who had seen all the fretful selfishness of my latter line 22:

myself by] 1811 myself, by

391

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 10

days; who had known all the murmurings of my heart!—How should I have lived in your remembrance!—My mother too! How could you have consoled her!—I cannot express my own abhorrence of myself. Whenever I looked towards the past, I saw some duty neglected, or some failing indulged. Every body seemed injured by me. The kindness, the unceasing kindness of Mrs. Jennings, I had repaid with ungrateful contempt. To the Middletons, the Palmers, the Steeles, to every common acquaintance even, I had been insolent and unjust; with an heart hardened against their merits, and a temper irritated by their very attention.—To John, to Fanny,—yes, even to them, little as they deserve, I had given less than their due. But you,—you above all, above my mother, had been wronged by me. I, and only I, knew your heart and its sorrows; yet, to what did it influence me?—not to any compassion that could benefit you or myself.—Your example was before me: but to what avail?—Was I more considerate of you and your comfort? Did I imitate your forbearance, or lessen your restraints, by taking any part in those offices of general complaisance or particular gratitude which you had hitherto been left to discharge alone?—No;—not less when I knew you to be unhappy, than when I had believed you at ease, did I turn away from every exertion of duty or friendship; scarcely allowing sorrow to exist but with me, regretting only that heart which had deserted and wronged me,3 and leaving you, for whom I professed an unbounded affection, to be miserable for my sake.” Here ceased the rapid flow of her self-reproving spirit; and Elinor, impatient to sooth, though too honest to flatter, gave line 4: myself. Whenever] 1811 myself.—Whenever // line 9: even, I] 1811 even I // line 24: allowing] 1811 allowed // line 26: you, for] 1811 you for // line 29: sooth,] 1811 soothe,

392

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 10

her instantly that praise and support which her frankness and her contrition so well deserved. Marianne pressed her hand and replied, “You are very good.—The future must be my proof. I have laid down my plan, and if I am capable of adhering to it—my feelings shall be governed and my temper improved. They shall no longer worry others, nor torture myself. I shall now live solely for my family. You, my mother, and Margaret, must henceforth be all the world to me; you will share my affections entirely between you. From you, from my home, I shall never again have the smallest incitement to move; and if I do mix in other society it will be only to shew that my spirit is humbled, my heart amended, and that I can practise the civilities, the lesser duties of life, with gentleness, and forbearance. As for Willoughby—to say that I shall soon or that I shall ever forget him, would be idle. His remembrance can be overcome by no change of circumstances or opinions. But it shall be regulated, it shall be checked by religion, by reason, by constant employment.”4 She paused—and added in a lower voice, “If I could but know his heart, everything would become easy.” Elinor, who had now been for some time reflecting on the propriety or impropriety of speedily hazarding her narration, without feeling at all nearer decision than at first, heard this; and perceiving that as reflection did nothing, resolution must do all, soon found herself leading to the fact. She managed the recital, as she hoped, with address; prepared her anxious listener with caution; related simply and honestly the chief points on which Willoughby grounded his apology; did justice to his repentance, and softened only his protestations of present regard. Marianne said not a line 15: Willoughby—to] 1811 Willoughby,—to

393

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 10

word.—She trembled, her eyes were fixed on the ground, and her lips became whiter than even sickness had left them. A thousand inquiries sprung up from her heart, but she dared not urge one. She caught every syllable with panting eagerness; her hand, unknowingly to herself, closely pressed her sister’s, and tears covered her cheeks. Elinor, dreading her being tired, led her towards home; and till they reached the door of the cottage, easily conjecturing what her curiosity must be though no question was suffered to speak it, talked of nothing but Willoughby, and their conversation together; and was carefully minute in every particular of speech and look, where minuteness could be safely indulged. As soon as they entered the house, Marianne with a kiss of gratitude and these two words just articulate through her tears, “Tell mama,” withdrew from her sister and walked slowly up stairs. Elinor would not attempt to disturb a solitude so reasonable as what she now sought; and with a mind anxiously pre-arranging its result, and a resolution of reviving the subject again, should Marianne fail to do it, she turned into the parlour to fulfil her parting injunction. line 3: inquiries] 1811 enquiries // line 11: together; and was] 1811 together; was // line 15: mama,”] 1811 Mama,”

394

Chapter 11

M r s . Da s h w o o d did not hear unmoved the vindication of her former favourite. She rejoiced in his being cleared from some part of his imputed guilt;—she was sorry for him;— she wished him happy. But the feelings of the past could not be recalled.—Nothing could restore him with a faith unbroken—a character unblemished, to Marianne. Nothing could do away the knowledge of what the latter had suffered through his means, nor remove the guilt of his conduct towards Eliza. Nothing could replace him, therefore, in her former esteem, nor injure the interests of Colonel Brandon. Had Mrs. Dashwood, like her daughter, heard Willoughby’s story from himself—had she witnessed his distress, and been under the influence of his countenance and his manner, it is probable that her compassion would have been greater. But it was neither in Elinor’s power, nor in her wish, to rouse such feelings in another, by her retailed1 explanation, as had at first been called forth in herself. Reflection had given calmness to her judgment, and sobered her own opinion of Willoughby’s deserts;—she wished, therefore, to declare only the simple truth, and lay open such facts as were really due to his character, without any embellishment of tenderness to lead the fancy astray. line 5: recalled.—Nothing] 1811 recalled. Nothing interests] 1811 interest

//

line 10:

395

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 11

In the evening, when they were all three together, Marianne began voluntarily to speak of him again;—but that it was not without an effort, the restless, unquiet thoughtfulness in which she had been for some time previously sitting—her rising colour, as she spoke—and her unsteady voice, plainly shewed. “I wish to assure you both,” said she, “that I see every thing—as you can desire me to do.” Mrs. Dashwood would have interrupted her instantly with soothing tenderness, had not Elinor, who really wished to hear her sister’s unbiassed opinion, by an eager sign, engaged her silence. Marianne slowly continued— “It is a great relief to me—what Elinor told me this morning—I have now heard exactly what I wished to hear.”— For some moments her voice was lost; but recovering herself, she added, and with greater calmness than before—“I am now perfectly satisfied, I wish for no change. I never could have been happy with him, after knowing, as sooner or later I must have known, all this.—I should have had no confidence, no esteem. Nothing could have done it away to my feelings.” “I know it—I know it,” cried her mother. “Happy with a man of libertine practices!2 —With one who had so injured the peace of the dearest of our friends, and the best of men!—No—my Marianne has not a heart to be made happy with such a man!—Her conscience, her sensitive conscience, would have felt all that the conscience of her husband ought to have felt.” Marianne sighed, and repeated—“I wish for no change.” line 1: three] 1811 there // lines 7–8: every thing] 1811 everything // line 17: satisfied, I] 1811 satisfied. I // line 20: esteem. Nothing] 1811 esteem.—Nothing // line 26: with] 1811 by

396

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 11

“You consider the matter,” said Elinor, “exactly as a good mind and a sound understanding must consider it; and I dare say, you perceive, as well as myself, not only in this, but in many other circumstances, reason enough to be convinced that your marriage must have involved you in many certain troubles and disappointments, in which you would have been poorly supported by an affection, on his side, much less certain. Had you married, you must have been always poor. His expensiveness is acknowledged even by himself, and his whole conduct declares that self-denial is a word hardly understood by him. His demands and your inexperience together on a small, very small income, must have brought on distresses which would not be the less grievous to you, from having been entirely unknown and unthought of before. Your sense of honour and honesty would have led you, I know, when aware of your situation, to attempt all the economy that would appear to you possible; and perhaps, as long as your frugality retrenched only on your own comfort, you might have been suffered to practise it, but beyond that—and how little could the utmost of your single management do to stop the ruin which had begun before your marriage?—Beyond that, had you endeavoured, however reasonably, to abridge his enjoyments, is it not to be feared, that instead of prevailing on feelings so selfish to consent to it, you would have lessened your own influence on his heart, and made him regret the connection which had involved him in such difficulties?” Marianne’s lips quivered, and she repeated the word “Selfish?” in a tone that implied—“do you really think him selfish?” “The whole of his behaviour,” replied Elinor, “from the beginning to the end of the affair, has been grounded on line 3: as as well as [1811 as well as // line 6: disappointments, in] 1811 disappointments in // line 13: you, from] 1811 you from

397

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 11

selfishness. It was selfishness which first made him sport with your affections; which afterwards, when his own were engaged, made him delay the confession of it, and which finally carried him from Barton. His own enjoyment, or his own ease, was, in every particular, his ruling principle.” “It is very true. My happiness never was his object.”3 “At present,” continued Elinor, “he regrets what he has done. And why does he regret it?—Because he finds it has not answered towards himself. It has not made him happy. His circumstances are now unembarrassed—he suffers from no evil of that kind; and he thinks only that he has married a woman of a less amiable temper than yourself. But does it thence follow that had he married you, he would have been happy?—The inconveniencies would have been different. He would then have suffered under the pecuniary distresses which, because they are removed, he now reckons as nothing. He would have had a wife of whose temper he could make no complaint, but he would have been always necessitous—always poor; and probably would soon have learnt to rank the innumerable comforts of a clear estate and good income as of far more importance, even to domestic happiness, than the mere temper of a wife.” “I have not a doubt of it,” said Marianne; “and I have nothing to regret—nothing but my own folly.” “Rather say your mother’s imprudence, my child,” said Mrs. Dashwood; “she must be answerable.” Marianne would not let her proceed;—and Elinor, satisfied that each felt their own error, wished to avoid any survey of the past that might weaken her sister’s spirits; she therefore, pursuing the first subject, immediately continued, line 5:

398

was, in] 1811 was in

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 11

“One observation may, I think, be fairly drawn from the whole of the story—that all Willoughby’s difficulties have arisen from the first offence against virtue, in his behaviour to Eliza Williams. That crime has been the origin of every lesser one, and of all his present discontents.” Marianne assented most feelingly to the remark; and her mother was led by it to an enumeration of Colonel Brandon’s injuries and merits, warm as friendship and design could unitedly dictate. Her daughter did not look, however, as if much of it were heard by her. Elinor, according to her expectation, saw on the two or three following days, that Marianne did not continue to gain strength as she had done; but while her resolution was unsubdued, and she still tried to appear cheerful and easy, her sister could safely trust to the effect of time upon her health. Margaret returned, and the family were again all restored to each other, again quietly settled at the cottage, and if not pursuing their usual studies with quite so much vigour as when they first came to Barton, at least planning a vigorous prosecution of them in future. Elinor grew impatient for some tidings of Edward. She had heard nothing of him since her leaving London, nothing new of his plans, nothing certain even of his present abode. Some letters had passed between her and her brother, in consequence of Marianne’s illness; and in the first of John’s, there had been this sentence:—“We know nothing of our unfortunate Edward, and can make no inquiries on so prohibited a subject, but conclude him to be still at Oxford;” which was all the intelligence of Edward afforded her by the correspondence, for his name was not even mentioned in any of the line 27:

inquiries] 1811 enquiries

399

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 11

succeeding letters. She was not doomed, however, to be long in ignorance of his measures. Their man-servant had been sent one morning to Exeter on business; and when, as he waited at table, he had satisfied the inquiries of his mistress as to the event of his errand, this was his voluntary communication— “I suppose you know, ma’am, that Mr. Ferrars is married.” Marianne gave a violent start, fixed her eyes upon Elinor, saw her turning pale, and fell back in her chair in hysterics. Mrs. Dashwood, whose eyes, as she answered the servant’s inquiry, had intuitively taken the same direction, was shocked to perceive by Elinor’s countenance how much she really suffered, and in a moment afterwards, alike distressed by Marianne’s situation, knew not on which child to bestow her principal attention. The servant, who saw only that Miss Marianne was taken ill, had sense enough to call one of the maids, who, with Mrs. Dashwood’s assistance, supported her into the other room. By that time, Marianne was rather better, and her mother leaving her to the care of Margaret and the maid, returned to Elinor, who, though still much disordered, had so far recovered the use of her reason and voice as to be just beginning an inquiry of Thomas, as to the source of his intelligence. Mrs. Dashwood immediately took all that trouble on herself; and Elinor had the benefit of the information without the exertion of seeking it. “Who told you that Mr. Ferrars was married, Thomas?” “I see Mr. Ferrars myself, ma’am, this morning in Exeter, and his lady too, Miss Steele as was. They was stopping in a chaise at the door of the New London Inn,4 as I went line 5: inquiries] 1811 enquiries // line 11: inquiry,] 1811 enquiry, // line 18: supported her into] 1811 supported into // line 23: inquiry] 1811 enquiry

400

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 11

there with a message from Sally at the Park to her brother, who is one of the post-boys.5 I happened to look up as I went by the chaise, and so I see directly it was the youngest Miss Steele; so I took off my hat, and she knew me and called to me, and inquired after you, ma’am, and the young ladies, especially Miss Marianne, and bid me I should give her compliments and Mr. Ferrars’s, their best compliments and service, and how sorry they was they had not time to come on and see you, but they was in a great hurry to go forwards, for they was going further down for a little while, but howsever, when they come back, they’d make sure to come and see you.” “But did she tell you she was married, Thomas?” “Yes, ma’am. She smiled, and said how she had changed her name since she was in these parts. She was always a very affable and free-spoken young lady, and very civil behaved. So, I made free to wish her joy.” “Was Mr. Ferrars in the carriage with her?” “Yes, ma’am, I just see him leaning back in it, but he did not look up;—he never was a gentleman much for talking.” Elinor’s heart could easily account for his not putting himself forward; and Mrs. Dashwood probably found the same explanation. “Was there no one else in the carriage?” “No, ma’am, only they two.” “Do you know where they came from?” “They come straight from town, as Miss Lucy—Mrs. Ferrars told me.” “And are going farther westward?” “Yes, ma’am—but not to bide long. They will soon be back again, and then they’d be sure and call here.” line 5:

inquired] 1811 enquired

401

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 11

Mrs. Dashwood now looked at her daughter; but Elinor knew better than to expect them. She recognised the whole of Lucy in the message, and was very confident that Edward would never come near them. She observed, in a low voice, to her mother, that they were probably going down to Mr. Pratt’s, near Plymouth. Thomas’s intelligence seemed over. Elinor looked as if she wished to hear more. “Did you see them off, before you came away?” “No, ma’am—the horses was just coming out, but I could not bide any longer; I was afraid of being late.” “Did Mrs. Ferrars look well?” “Yes, ma’am, she said how she was very well; and to my mind she was always a very handsome young lady—and she seemed vastly contented.” Mrs. Dashwood could think of no other question, and Thomas and the table-cloth, now alike needless, were soon afterwards dismissed. Marianne had already sent to say that she should eat nothing more. Mrs. Dashwood’s and Elinor’s appetites were equally lost, and Margaret might think herself very well off, that with so much uneasiness as both her sisters had lately experienced, so much reason as they had often had to be careless of their meals, she had never been obliged to go without her dinner before. When the dessert and the wine were arranged, and Mrs. Dashwood and Elinor were left by themselves, they remained long together in a similarity of thoughtfulness and silence. Mrs. Dashwood feared to hazard any remark, and ventured not to offer consolation. She now found that she had erred in relying on Elinor’s representation of herself; and justly concluded that every thing had been expressly softened at the line 19: more. Mrs.] 1811 more, Mrs. everything

402

//

line 31:

every thing] 1811

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 11

time, to spare her from an increase of unhappiness, suffering as she then had suffered for Marianne. She found that she had been misled by the careful, the considerate attention of her daughter, to think the attachment, which once she had so well understood, much slighter in reality, than she had been wont to believe, or than it was now proved to be. She feared that under this persuasion she had been unjust, inattentive, nay, almost unkind, to her Elinor;—that Marianne’s affliction, because more acknowledged, more immediately before her, had too much engrossed her tenderness, and led her away to forget that in Elinor she might have a daughter suffering almost as much, certainly with less self-provocation, and greater fortitude. line 9:

becausemore [1811 because more

403

Chapter 12

El i no r now found the difference between the expectation of an unpleasant event, however certain the mind may be told to consider it, and certainty itself. She now found, that in spite of herself, she had always admitted a hope, while Edward remained single, that something would occur to prevent his marrying Lucy; that some resolution of his own, some mediation of friends, or some more eligible opportunity of establishment for the lady, would arise to assist the happiness of all. But he was now married, and she condemned her heart for the lurking flattery, which so much heightened the pain of the intelligence. That he should be married so soon, before (as she imagined) he could be in orders, and consequently before he could be in possession of the living, surprised her a little at first. But she soon saw how likely it was that Lucy, in her self-provident care, in her haste to secure him, should overlook every thing but the risk of delay. They were married, married in town, and now hastening down to her uncle’s. What had Edward felt on being within four miles of Barton, on seeing her mother’s servant, on hearing Lucy’s message! They would soon, she supposed, be settled at Delaford.— Delaford,—that place in which so much conspired to give her an interest; which she wished to be acquainted with, and yet desired to avoid. She saw them in an instant in their parsonage-house; saw in Lucy, the active, contriving

404

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 12

manager, uniting at once a desire of smart appearance, with the utmost frugality, and ashamed to be suspected of half her economical practices;—pursuing her own interest in every thought, courting the favour of Colonel Brandon, of Mrs. Jennings, and of every wealthy friend. In Edward,—she knew not what she saw, nor what she wished to see;—happy or unhappy,—nothing pleased her; she turned away her head from every sketch of him. Elinor flattered herself that some one of their connections in London would write to them to announce the event, and give farther particulars,—but day after day passed off, and brought no letter, no tidings. Though uncertain that any one were to blame, she found fault with every absent friend. They were all thoughtless or indolent. “When do you write to Colonel Brandon, ma’am?” was an inquiry which sprung from the impatience of her mind to have something going on. “I wrote to him, my love, last week, and rather expect to see, than to hear from him again. I earnestly pressed his coming to us, and should not be surprised to see him walk in to-day or to-morrow, or any day.” This was gaining something, something to look forward to. Colonel Brandon must have some information to give. Scarcely had she so determined it, when the figure of a man on horseback drew her eyes to the window. He stopt at their gate. It was a gentleman, it was Colonel Brandon himself. Now she should hear more; and she trembled in expectation of it. But—it was not Colonel Brandon—neither his air—nor line 7: her; she] 1811 her;—she // line 16: inquiry] 1811 enquiry // line 20: us, and] 1811 us, in my letter, and // line 22: some thing to (at line break) [1811 some-thing to (at line break) // line 27: more; and] 1811 more;—and

405

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 12

his height. Were it possible, she should say it must be Edward. She looked again. He had just dismounted;—she could not be mistaken;—it was Edward. She moved away and sat down. “He comes from Mr. Pratt’s purposely to see us. I will be calm; I will be mistress of myself.” In a moment she perceived that the others were likewise aware of the mistake. She saw her mother and Marianne change colour; saw them look at herself, and whisper a few sentences to each other. She would have given the world to be able to speak—and to make them understand that she hoped no coolness, no slight, would appear in their behaviour to him;—but she had no utterance, and was obliged to leave all to their own discretion. Not a syllable passed aloud. They all waited in silence for the appearance of their visitor. His footsteps were heard along the gravel path; in a moment he was in the passage; and in another, he was before them. His countenance, as he entered the room, was not too happy, even for Elinor. His complexion was white with agitation, and he looked as if fearful of his reception, and conscious that he merited no kind one. Mrs. Dashwood, however, conforming, as she trusted, to the wishes of that daughter, by whom she then meant in the warmth of her heart to be guided in everything, met him with a look of forced complacency, gave him her hand, and wished him joy. He coloured, and stammered out an unintelligible reply. Elinor’s lips had moved with her mother’s, and when the moment of action was over, she wished that she had shaken hands with him too. But it was then too late, and with a countenance meaning to be open, she sat down again and talked of the weather. line 23:

406

heart to] 1811 heart, to

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 12

Marianne had retreated as much as possible out of sight, to conceal her distress; and Margaret, understanding some part, but not the whole, of the case, thought it incumbent on her to be dignified, and therefore took a seat as far from him as she could, and maintained a strict silence. When Elinor had ceased to rejoice in the dryness of the season, a very awful pause took place. It was put an end to by Mrs. Dashwood, who felt obliged to hope that he had left Mrs. Ferrars very well. In an hurried manner, he replied in the affirmative. Another pause. Elinor, resolving to exert herself, though fearing the sound of her own voice, now said, “Is Mrs. Ferrars at Longstaple?”1 “At Longstaple!” he replied, with an air of surprise—“No, my mother is in town.” “I meant,” said Elinor, taking up some work from the table, “to inquire after Mrs. Edward Ferrars.” She dared not look up;—but her mother and Marianne both turned their eyes on him. He coloured, seemed perplexed, looked doubtingly, and after some hesitation, said, “Perhaps you mean—my brother—you mean Mrs.— Mrs. Robert Ferrars.” “Mrs. Robert Ferrars!”—was repeated by Marianne and her mother, in an accent of the utmost amazement;—and though Elinor could not speak, even her eyes were fixed on him with the same impatient wonder. He rose from his seat and walked to the window, apparently from not knowing what to do; took up a pair of scissars that lay there, and while spoiling both them and their sheath by cutting the latter to pieces as he spoke, said, in an hurried voice, line 15: Longstaple!” he] 1811 Longstaple!”—he 1811 enquire

//

line 18:

inquire]

407

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 12

“Perhaps you do not know—you may not have heard that my brother is lately married to—to the youngest—to Miss Lucy Steele.” His words were echoed with unspeakable astonishment by all but Elinor, who sat with her head leaning over her work, in a state of such agitation as made her hardly know where she was. “Yes,” said he, “they were married last week, and are now at Dawlish.” Elinor could sit it no longer. She almost ran out of the room, and as soon as the door was closed, burst into tears of joy, which at first she thought would never cease. Edward, who had till then looked any where, rather than at her, saw her hurry away, and perhaps saw—or even heard, her emotion; for immediately afterwards he fell into a reverie, which no remarks, no inquiries, no affectionate address of Mrs. Dashwood could penetrate, and at last, without saying a word, quitted the room, and walked out towards the village—— leaving the others in the greatest astonishment and perplexity on a change in his situation, so wonderful and so sudden;—a perplexity which they had no means of lessening but by their own conjectures. line 13: any where,] 1811 anywhere, // line 16: inquiries,] 1811 enquiries, // lines 18–19: village——leaving] 1811 village;——leaving

408

Chapter 13

Una c c ou nt a b l e , however, as the circumstances of his release might appear to the whole family, it was certain that Edward was free: and to what purpose that freedom would be employed was easily pre-determined by all;—for after experiencing the blessings of one imprudent engagement, contracted without his mother’s consent, as he had already done for more than four years, nothing less could be expected of him in the failure of that, than the immediate contraction of another. His errand at Barton, in fact, was a simple one. It was only to ask Elinor to marry him;—and considering that he was not altogether inexperienced in such a question, it might be strange that he should feel so uncomfortable in the present case as he really did, so much in need of encouragement and fresh air. How soon he had walked himself into the proper resolution, however, how soon an opportunity of exercising it occurred, in what manner he expressed himself, and how he was received, need not be particularly told. This only need be said;—that when they all sat down to table at four o’clock, about three hours after his arrival, he had secured his lady, engaged her mother’s consent, and was not only in the rapturous profession of the lover, but in the reality of reason and truth, one of the happiest of men. His situation line 3:

free: and] 1811 free; and

409

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 13

indeed was more than commonly joyful. He had more than the ordinary triumph of accepted love to swell his heart, and raise his spirits. He was released without any reproach to himself, from an entanglement which had long formed his misery, from a woman whom he had long ceased to love;— and elevated at once to that security with another, which he must have thought of almost with despair, as soon as he had learnt to consider it with desire. He was brought, not from doubt or suspense, but from misery to happiness;—and the change was openly spoken in such a genuine, flowing, grateful cheerfulness, as his friends had never witnessed in him before. His heart was now open to Elinor, all its weaknesses, all its errors confessed, and his first boyish attachment to Lucy treated with all the philosophic dignity of twenty-four.1 “It was a foolish, idle inclination on my side,” said he, “the consequence of ignorance of the world—and want of employment.2 Had my mother given me some active profession when I was removed at eighteen from the care of Mr. Pratt, I think—nay, I am sure, it would never have happened; for though I left Longstaple with what I thought, at the time, a most unconquerable preference for his niece, yet had I then had any pursuit, any object to engage my time and keep me at a distance from her for a few months, I should very soon have outgrown the fancied attachment, especially by mixing more with the world, as in such a case I must have done. But instead of having anything to do, instead of having any profession chosen for me, or being allowed to chuse any myself, I returned home to be completely idle; and for the first twelvemonth afterwards, I had not even the nominal employment, which belonging to the university would have given me, for I was not entered at Oxford till I was nineteen. I had therefore nothing in the world to do, but to fancy myself in love; 410

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 13

and as my mother did not make my home in every respect comfortable, as I had no friend, no companion in my brother, and disliked new acquaintance, it was not unnatural for me to be very often at Longstaple, where I always felt myself at home, and was always sure of a welcome; and accordingly I spent the greatest part of my time there from eighteen to nineteen: Lucy appeared everything that was amiable and obliging. She was pretty too—at least I thought so then, and I had seen so little of other women, that I could make no comparisons, and see no defects. Considering everything, therefore, I hope, foolish as our engagement was, foolish as it has since in every way been proved, it was not at the time an unnatural, or an inexcusable piece of folly.” The change which a few hours had wrought in the minds and the happiness of the Dashwoods, was such—so great— as promised them all, the satisfaction of a sleepless night. Mrs. Dashwood, too happy to be comfortable, knew not how to love Edward, nor praise Elinor enough, how to be enough thankful for his release without wounding his delicacy,3 nor how at once to give them leisure for unrestrained conversation together, and yet enjoy, as she wished, the sight and society of both. Marianne could speak her happiness only by tears. Comparisons would occur—regrets would arise;—and her joy, though sincere as her love for her sister, was of a kind to give her neither spirits nor language. But Elinor—How are her feelings to be described?—From the moment of learning that Lucy was married to another, that Edward was free, to the moment of his justifying the hopes which had so instantly followed, she was everything by turns but tranquil. But when the second moment had passed, when she found every doubt, every solicitude removed, compared her situation with what so lately it had been,—saw 411

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 13

him honourably released from his former engagement, saw him instantly profiting by the release, to address herself and declare an affection as tender, as constant as she had ever supposed it to be,—she was oppressed, she was overcome by her own felicity;—and happily disposed as is the human mind to be easily familiarized with any change for the better, it required several hours to give sedateness to her spirits, or any degree of tranquillity to her heart. Edward was now fixed at the cottage at least for a week;— for whatever other claims might be made on him, it was impossible that less than a week should be given up to the enjoyment of Elinor’s company, or suffice to say half that was to be said of the past, the present, and the future;—for though a very few hours spent in the hard labour of incessant talking will dispatch more subjects than can really be in common between any two rational creatures, yet with lovers it is different. Between them no subject is finished, no communication is even made, till it has been made at least twenty times over. Lucy’s marriage, the unceasing and reasonable wonder among them all, formed of course one of the earliest discussions of the lovers;—and Elinor’s particular knowledge of each party made it appear to her in every view, as one of the most extraordinary and unaccountable circumstances she had ever heard. How they could be thrown together, and by what attraction Robert could be drawn on to marry a girl, of whose beauty she had herself heard him speak without any admiration,—a girl too already engaged to his brother, and on whose account that brother had been thrown off by his family—it was beyond her comprehension to make out. To her own heart it was a delightful affair, to her imagination it was even a ridiculous one, but to her reason, her judgment, it was completely a puzzle. 412

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 13

Edward could only attempt an explanation by supposing, that perhaps at first accidentally meeting, the vanity of the one had been so worked on by the flattery of the other, as to lead by degrees to all the rest. Elinor remembered what Robert had told her in Harley-street, of his opinion of what his own mediation in his brother’s affairs might have done, if applied to in time. She repeated it to Edward. “That was exactly like Robert,”—was his immediate observation.—“And that,” he presently added, “might perhaps be in his head when the acquaintance between them first began. And Lucy perhaps at first might think only of procuring his good offices in my favour. Other designs might afterwards arise.” How long it had been carrying on between them, however, he was equally at a loss with herself to make out; for at Oxford, where he had remained by choice ever since his quitting London, he had had no means of hearing of her but from herself, and her letters to the very last were neither less frequent, nor less affectionate than usual. Not the smallest suspicion, therefore, had ever occurred to prepare him for what followed;—and when at last it burst on him in a letter from Lucy herself, he had been for some time, he believed, half stupified between the wonder, the horror, and the joy of such a deliverance. He put the letter into Elinor’s hands. “Dear Sir, Being very sure I have long lost your affections, I have thought myself at liberty to bestow my own on another, and have no doubt of being as happy with him as I once used to think I might be with you; but I scorn to accept a hand while the heart was another’s. Sincerely wish you happy in your choice, and it shall not be my fault if we are not always line 9:

observation.—“And] 1811 observation. “And

413

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 13

good friends, as our near relationship now makes proper. I can safely say I owe you no ill-will, and am sure you will be too generous to do us any ill offices. Your brother has gained my affections entirely, and as we could not live without one another, we are just returned from the altar, and are now on our way to Dawlish for a few weeks, which place your dear brother has great curiosity to see, but thought I would first trouble you with these few lines, and shall always remain, Your sincere well-wisher, friend, and sister, Lucy Fe r ra r s . I have burnt all your letters, and will return your picture the first opportunity. Please to destroy my scrawls—but the ring with my hair you are very welcome to keep.” Elinor read and returned it without any comment. “I will not ask your opinion of it as a composition,” said Edward.—“For worlds would not I have had a letter of her’s seen by you in former days.—In a sister it is bad enough, but in a wife!—how I have blushed over the pages of her writing!—and I believe I may say that since the first half year of our foolish—business—this is the only letter I ever received from her, of which the substance made me any amends for the defect of the style.” “However it may have come about,” said Elinor, after a pause—“they are certainly married. And your mother has brought on herself a most appropriate punishment. The independence she settled on Robert, through resentment against you, has put it in his power to make his own choice; and she has actually been bribing one son with a thousand a-year, to do the very deed which she disinherited the other for intending to do. She will hardly be less hurt, I suppose, by Robert’s line 1: proper. I] 1811 proper, I // line 22: style.”] 1811 stile.”

414

//

line 17:

days.—In] 1811 days. In

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 13

marrying Lucy, than she would have been by your marrying her.” “She will be more hurt by it, for Robert always was her favourite.—She will be more hurt by it, and on the same principle will forgive him much sooner.” In what state the affair stood at present between them, Edward knew not, for no communication with any of his family had yet been attempted by him. He had quitted Oxford within four and twenty hours after Lucy’s letter arrived, and with only one object before him, the nearest road to Barton, had had no leisure to form any scheme of conduct, with which that road did not hold the most intimate connection. He could do nothing till he were assured of his fate with Miss Dashwood; and by his rapidity in seeking that fate, it is to be supposed, in spite of the jealousy with which he had once thought of Colonel Brandon, in spite of the modesty with which he rated his own deserts, and the politeness with which he talked of his doubts, he did not, upon the whole, expect a very cruel reception. It was his business, however, to say that he did, and he said it very prettily. What he might say on the subject a twelvemonth after, must be referred to the imagination of husbands and wives. That Lucy had certainly meant to deceive, to go off with a flourish of malice against him in her message by Thomas, was perfectly clear to Elinor; and Edward himself, now thoroughly enlightened on her character, had no scruple in believing her capable of the utmost meanness4 of wanton illnature. Though his eyes had been long opened, even before his acquaintance with Elinor began, to her ignorance and a want of liberality in some of her opinions—they had been equally imputed, by him, to her want of education; and till her last letter reached him, he had always believed her to be a well-disposed, good-hearted girl, and thoroughly attached to 415

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 13

himself. Nothing but such a persuasion could have prevented his putting an end to an engagement, which, long before the discovery of it laid him open to his mother’s anger, had been a continual source of disquiet and regret to him. “I thought it my duty,” said he, “independent of my feelings, to give her the option of continuing the engagement or not, when I was renounced by my mother, and stood to all appearance without a friend in the world to assist me. In such a situation as that, where there seemed nothing to tempt the avarice or the vanity of any living creature, how could I suppose, when she so earnestly, so warmly insisted on sharing my fate, whatever it might be, that any thing but the most disinterested affection was her inducement? And even now, I cannot comprehend on what motive she acted, or what fancied advantage it could be to her, to be fettered to a man for whom she had not the smallest regard, and who had only two thousand pounds in the world. She could not foresee that Colonel Brandon would give me a living.” “No, but she might suppose that something would occur in your favour; that your own family might in time relent. And at any rate, she lost nothing by continuing the engagement, for she has proved that it fettered neither her inclination nor her actions. The connection was certainly a respectable one, and probably gained her consideration among her friends; and, if nothing more advantageous occurred, it would be better for her to marry you than be single.” Edward was of course immediately convinced that nothing could have been more natural than Lucy’s conduct, nor more self-evident than the motive of it. Elinor scolded him, harshly as ladies always scold the imprudence which compliments themselves, for having spent line 12:

416

any thing] 1811 anything

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 13

so much time with them at Norland, when he must have felt his own inconstancy. “Your behaviour was certainly very wrong,” said she, “because—to say nothing of my own conviction, our relations were all led away by it to fancy and expect what, as you were then situated, could never be.” He could only plead an ignorance of his own heart, and a mistaken confidence in the force of his engagement. “I was simple enough to think, that because my faith was plighted to another, there could be no danger in my being with you; and that the consciousness of my engagement was to keep my heart as safe and sacred as my honour. I felt that I admired you, but I told myself it was only friendship; and till I began to make comparisons between yourself and Lucy, I did not know how far I was got. After that, I suppose, I was wrong in remaining so much in Sussex, and the arguments with which I reconciled myself to the expediency of it, were no better than these:—The danger is my own; I am doing no injury to anybody but myself.” Elinor smiled, and shook her head. Edward heard with pleasure of Colonel Brandon’s being expected at the Cottage, as he really wished not only to be better acquainted with him, but to have an opportunity of convincing him that he no longer resented his giving him the living of Delaford—“Which, at present,” said he, “after thanks so ungraciously delivered as mine were on the occasion, he must think I have never forgiven him for offering.” Now he felt astonished himself that he had never yet been to the place. But so little interest had he taken in the matter that he owed all his knowledge of the house, garden, and glebe, extent of the parish, condition of the land, and rate of line 9: think, that because] 1811 think that, because matter that] 1811 matter, that

//

lines 29–30:

417

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 13

the tythes, to Elinor herself, who had heard so much of it from Colonel Brandon, and heard it with so much attention, as to be entirely mistress of the subject. One question after this only remained undecided between them, one difficulty only was to be overcome. They were brought together by mutual affection, with the warmest approbation of their real friends, their intimate knowledge of each other seemed to make their happiness certain—and they only wanted something to live upon. Edward had two thousand pounds, and Elinor one, which, with Delaford living, was all that they could call their own; for it was impossible that Mrs. Dashwood should advance anything, and they were neither of them quite enough in love to think that three hundred and fifty pounds a-year would supply them with the comforts of life.5 Edward was not entirely without hopes of some favourable change in his mother towards him; and on that he rested for the residue of their income. But Elinor had no such dependance; for since Edward would still be unable to marry Miss Morton, and his chusing herself had been spoken of in Mrs. Ferrars’s flattering language as only a lesser evil than his chusing Lucy Steele, she feared that Robert’s offence would serve no other purpose than to enrich Fanny. About four days after Edward’s arrival Colonel Brandon appeared, to complete Mrs. Dashwood’s satisfaction, and to give her the dignity of having, for the first time since her living at Barton, more company with her than her house would hold. Edward was allowed to retain the privilege of first comer, and Colonel Brandon therefore walked every night to his old quarters at the Park; from whence he usually returned in the line 19: for since] 1811 for, since arrival, Colonel

418

//

line 24:

arrival Colonel] 1811

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 13

morning, early enough to interrupt the lovers’ first tˆete-`a-tˆete before breakfast. A three weeks’ residence at Delaford, where, in his evening hours at least, he had little to do but to calculate the disproportion between thirty-six and seventeen, brought him to Barton in a temper of mind which needed all the improvement in Marianne’s looks, all the kindness of her welcome, and all the encouragement of her mother’s language, to make it cheerful. Among such friends, however, and such flattery, he did revive. No rumour of Lucy’s marriage had yet reached him;—he knew nothing of what had passed; and the first hours of his visit were consequently spent in hearing and in wondering. Every thing was explained to him by Mrs. Dashwood, and he found fresh reason to rejoice in what he had done for Mr. Ferrars, since eventually it promoted the interest of Elinor. It would be needless to say, that the gentlemen advanced in the good opinion of each other, as they advanced in each other’s acquaintance, for it could not be otherwise. Their resemblance in good principles and good sense, in disposition and manner of thinking, would probably have been sufficient to unite them in friendship, without any other attraction; but their being in love with two sisters, and two sisters fond of each other, made that mutual regard inevitable and immediate, which might otherwise have waited the effect of time and judgment. The letters from town, which a few days before would have made every nerve in Elinor’s body thrill with transport, now arrived to be read with less emotion than mirth. Mrs. Jennings wrote to tell the wonderful tale, to vent her honest indignation against the jilting girl, and pour forth her compassion towards poor Mr. Edward, who, she was sure, had quite doted upon the worthless hussey, and was now, by all accounts, almost 419

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 13

broken-hearted, at Oxford.—“I do think,” she continued, “nothing was ever carried on so sly; for it was but two days before Lucy called and sat a couple of hours with me. Not a soul suspected anything of the matter, not even Nancy, who, poor soul! came crying to me the day after, in a great fright for fear of Mrs. Ferrars, as well as not knowing how to get to Plymouth; for Lucy it seems borrowed all her money before she went off to be married, on purpose we suppose to make a shew with, and poor Nancy had not seven shillings6 in the world;—so I was very glad to give her five guineas to take her down to Exeter, where she thinks of staying three or four weeks with Mrs. Burgess, in hopes, as I tell her, to fall in with the Doctor again. And I must say that Lucy’s crossness7 not to take her along with them in the chaise is worse than all. Poor Mr. Edward! I cannot get him out of my head, but you must send for him to Barton, and Miss Marianne must try to comfort him.” Mr. Dashwood’s strains were more solemn. Mrs. Ferrars was the most unfortunate of women—poor Fanny had suffered agonies of sensibility—and he considered the existence of each, under such a blow, with grateful wonder. Robert’s offence was unpardonable, but Lucy’s was infinitely worse. Neither of them was ever again to be mentioned to Mrs. Ferrars; and even, if she might hereafter be induced to forgive her son, his wife should never be acknowledged as her daughter, nor be permitted to appear in her presence. The secrecy with which every thing had been carried on between them, was rationally treated as enormously heightening the crime, because, had any suspicion of it occurred to the others, proper measures would have been taken to prevent line 10: guineas to] 1811 guineas, to // line 14: is // line 27: every thing] 1811 everything

420

chaise is] 1811 chaise,

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 13

the marriage; and he called on Elinor to join with him in regretting that Lucy’s engagement with Edward had not rather been fulfilled, than that she should thus be the means of spreading misery farther in the family.—He thus continued: “Mrs. Ferrars has never yet mentioned Edward’s name, which does not surprise us; but to our great astonishment, not a line has been received from him on the occasion. Perhaps, however, he is kept silent by his fear of offending, and I shall, therefore, give him a hint, by a line to Oxford, that his sister and I both think a letter of proper submission from him addressed perhaps to Fanny, and by her shewn to her mother, might not be taken amiss; for we all know the tenderness of Mrs. Ferrars’s heart, and that she wishes for nothing so much as to be on good terms with her children.” This paragraph was of some importance to the prospects and conduct of Edward. It determined him to attempt a reconciliation, though not exactly in the manner pointed out by their brother and sister. “A letter of proper submission!” repeated he; “would they have me beg my mother’s pardon for Robert’s ingratitude to her, and breach of honour to me?—I can make no submission—I am grown neither humble nor penitent by what has passed.—I am grown very happy, but that would not interest.—I know of no submission that is proper for me to make.” “You may certainly ask to be forgiven,” said Elinor, “because you have offended;—and I should think you might now venture so far as to profess some concern for having ever formed the engagement which drew on you your mother’s anger.” line 4: continued:] 1811 continued. // line 9: shall, therefore, give] 1811 shall therefore give // lines 10–11: him addressed] 1811 him, addressed

421

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 13

He agreed that he might. “And when she has forgiven you, perhaps a little humility may be convenient while acknowledging a second engagement, almost as imprudent in her eyes, as the first.” He had nothing to urge against it, but still resisted the idea of a letter of proper submission; and therefore, to make it easier to him, as he declared a much greater willingness to make mean concessions by word of mouth than on paper, it was resolved that, instead of writing to Fanny, he should go to London, and personally intreat her good offices in his favour.—“And if they really do interest themselves,” said Marianne, in her new character of candour, “in bringing about a reconciliation, I shall think that even John and Fanny are not entirely without merit.” After a visit on Colonel Brandon’s side of only three or four days, the two gentlemen quitted Barton together.—They were to go immediately to Delaford, that Edward might have some personal knowledge of his future home, and assist his patron and friend in deciding on what improvements were needed to it; and from thence, after staying there a couple of nights, he was to proceed on his journey to town.

422

Chapter 14

A ft e r a proper resistance on the part of Mrs. Ferrars, just so violent and so steady as to preserve her from that reproach which she always seemed fearful of incurring, the reproach of being too amiable, Edward was admitted to her presence, and pronounced to be again her son. Her family had of late been exceedingly fluctuating. For many years of her life she had had two sons; but the crime and annihilation of Edward a few weeks ago, had robbed her of one; the similar annihilation of Robert had left her for a fortnight without any; and now, by the resuscitation of Edward, she had one again. In spite of his being allowed once more to live, however, he did not feel the continuance of his existence secure, till he had revealed his present engagement; for the publication of that circumstance, he feared, might give a sudden turn to his constitution, and carry him off as rapidly as before. With apprehensive caution therefore it was revealed, and he was listened to with unexpected calmness. Mrs. Ferrars at first reasonably endeavoured to dissuade him from marrying Miss Dashwood, by every argument in her power;—told him, that in Miss Morton he would have a woman of higher rank and larger fortune;—and enforced the assertion, by observing that Miss Morton was the daughter of a nobleman with thirty thousand pounds, while Miss Dashwood was only the daughter of a private gentleman, with no more than three;1 but when she found that, though perfectly admitting the 423

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 14

truth of her representation, he was by no means inclined to be guided by it, she judged it wisest, from the experience of the past, to submit—and therefore, after such an ungracious delay as she owed to her own dignity, and as served to prevent every suspicion of good-will, she issued her decree of consent to the marriage of Edward and Elinor. What she would engage to do towards augmenting their income, was next to be considered; and here it plainly appeared, that though Edward was now her only son, he was by no means her eldest; for while Robert was inevitably endowed with a thousand pounds a-year, not the smallest objection was made against Edward’s taking orders for the sake of two hundred and fifty at the utmost; nor was any thing promised either for the present or in future, beyond the ten thousand pounds, which had been given with Fanny. It was as much, however, as was desired, and more than was expected by Edward and Elinor; and Mrs. Ferrars herself, by her shuffling excuses, seemed the only person surprised at her not giving more. With an income quite sufficient to their wants2 thus secured to them, they had nothing to wait for after Edward was in possession of the living, but the readiness of the house, to which Colonel Brandon, with an eager desire for the accommodation of Elinor, was making considerable improvements; and after waiting some time for their completion, after experiencing, as usual, a thousand disappointments and delays, from the unaccountable dilatoriness of the workmen, Elinor, as usual, broke through the first positive resolution of not marrying till every thing was ready, and the ceremony took place in Barton church early in the autumn. lines 13–14: any thing] 1811 anything everything

424

//

line 29:

every thing] 1811

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 14

The first month after their marriage was spent with their friend at the Mansion-house, from whence they could superintend the progress of the Parsonage, and direct every thing as they liked on the spot;—could chuse papers, project shrubberies, and invent a sweep.3 Mrs. Jennings’s prophecies, though rather jumbled together, were chiefly fulfilled; for she was able to visit Edward and his wife in their Parsonage by Michaelmas, and she found in Elinor and her husband, as she really believed, one of the happiest couple in the world. They had in fact nothing to wish for, but the marriage of Colonel Brandon and Marianne, and rather better pasturage for their cows. They were visited on their first settling by almost all their relations and friends. Mrs. Ferrars came to inspect the happiness which she was almost ashamed of having authorised; and even the Dashwoods were at the expense of a journey from Sussex to do them honour. “I will not say that I am disappointed, my dear sister,” said John, as they were walking together one morning before the gates of Delaford House, “that would be saying too much, for certainly you have been one of the most fortunate young women in the world, as it is. But, I confess, it would give me great pleasure to call Colonel Brandon brother. His property here, his place, his house, every thing in such respectable and excellent condition!—and his woods!—I have not seen such timber any where in Dorsetshire, as there is now standing in Delaford Hanger!4 —And though, perhaps, Marianne may not seem exactly the person to attract him—yet I think it would altogether be adviseable for you to have them now frequently staying with you, for as Colonel Brandon seems line 3: every thing] 1811 everything // line 18: disappointed] 1811 dissappointed // line 24: every thing] 1811 everything // line 26: any where] 1811 anywhere

425

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 14

a great deal at home, nobody can tell what may happen— for, when people are much thrown together, and see little of anybody else—and it will always be in your power to set her off to advantage, and so forth;—in short, you may as well give her a chance—You understand me.”— But though Mrs. Ferrars did come to see them, and always treated them with the make-believe of decent affection, they were never insulted by her real favour and preference. That was due to the folly of Robert, and the cunning of his wife; and it was earned by them before many months had passed away. The selfish sagacity of the latter, which had at first drawn Robert into the scrape, was the principal instrument of his deliverance from it; for her respectful humility, assiduous attentions, and endless flatteries, as soon as the smallest opening was given for their exercise, reconciled Mrs. Ferrars to his choice, and re-established him completely in her favour. The whole of Lucy’s behaviour in the affair, and the prosperity which crowned it, therefore, may be held forth as a most encouraging instance of what an earnest, an unceasing attention to self-interest, however its progress may be apparently obstructed, will do in securing every advantage of fortune, with no other sacrifice than that of time and conscience. When Robert first sought her acquaintance, and privately visited her in Bartlett’s Buildings, it was only with the view imputed to him by his brother. He merely meant to persuade her to give up the engagement; and as there could be nothing to overcome but the affection of both, he naturally expected that one or two interviews would settle the line 8: preference. That] 1811 preference.—That The] 1811 away.—The

426

//

line 11:

away.

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 14

matter. In that point, however, and that only, he erred;— for though Lucy soon gave him hopes that his eloquence would convince her in time, another visit, another conversation, was always wanted to produce this conviction. Some doubts always lingered in her mind when they parted, which could only be removed by another half hour’s discourse with himself. His attendance was by this means secured, and the rest followed in course. Instead of talking of Edward, they came gradually to talk only of Robert,—a subject on which he had always more to say than on any other, and in which she soon betrayed an interest even equal to his own; and in short, it became speedily evident to both, that he had entirely supplanted his brother. He was proud of his conquest, proud of tricking Edward, and very proud of marrying privately without his mother’s consent. What immediately followed is known. They passed some months in great happiness at Dawlish; for she had many relations and old acquaintance to cut5 —and he drew several plans for magnificent cottages;— and from thence returning to town, procured the forgiveness of Mrs. Ferrars, by the simple expedient of asking it, which, at Lucy’s instigation, was adopted. The forgiveness at first, indeed, as was reasonable, comprehended only Robert; and Lucy, who had owed his mother no duty, and therefore could have transgressed none, still remained some weeks longer unpardoned. But perseverance in humility of conduct and messages, in self-condemnation for Robert’s offence, and gratitude for the unkindness she was treated with, procured her in time the haughty notice which overcame her by its graciousness, and led soon afterwards, by rapid degrees, to the highest state of affection and influence. Lucy became as necessary to Mrs. Ferrars, as either Robert or Fanny; and while Edward was never cordially forgiven for having once

427

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 14

intended to marry her, and Elinor, though superior to her in fortune and birth, was spoken of as an intruder, she was in every thing considered, and always openly acknowledged, to be a favourite child. They settled in town, received very liberal assistance from Mrs. Ferrars, were on the best terms imaginable with the Dashwoods; and setting aside the jealousies and ill-will continually subsisting between Fanny and Lucy, in which their husbands of course took a part, as well as the frequent domestic disagreements between Robert and Lucy themselves, nothing could exceed the harmony in which they all lived together. What Edward had done to forfeit the right of eldest son, might have puzzled many people to find out; and what Robert had done to succeed to it, might have puzzled them still more. It was an arrangement, however, justified in its effects, if not in its cause; for nothing ever appeared in Robert’s style of living or of talking, to give a suspicion of his regretting the extent of his income, as either leaving his brother too little, or bringing himself too much;—and if Edward might be judged from the ready discharge of his duties in every particular, from an increasing attachment to his wife and his home, and from the regular cheerfulness of his spirits, he might be supposed no less contented with his lot, no less free from every wish of an exchange. Elinor’s marriage divided her as little from her family as could well be contrived, without rendering the cottage at Barton entirely useless, for her mother and sisters spent much more than half their time with her. Mrs. Dashwood was acting on motives of policy as well as pleasure in the frequency of her visits at Delaford; for her wish of bringing Marianne and line 3:

428

every thing] 1811 everything

//

line 16:

style] 1811 stile

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 14

Colonel Brandon together was hardly less earnest, though rather more liberal than what John had expressed. It was now her darling object. Precious as was the company of her daughter to her, she desired nothing so much as to give up its constant enjoyment to her valued friend; and to see Marianne settled at the mansion-house was equally the wish of Edward and Elinor. They each felt his sorrows, and their own obligations, and Marianne, by general consent, was to be the reward of all. With such a confederacy against her—with a knowledge so intimate of his goodness—with a conviction of his fond attachment to herself, which at last, though long after it was observable to everybody else—burst on her—what could she do? Marianne Dashwood was born to an extraordinary fate. She was born to discover the falsehood of her own opinions, and to counteract, by her conduct, her most favourite maxims. She was born to overcome an affection formed so late in life as at seventeen, and with no sentiment superior to strong esteem and lively friendship,6 voluntarily to give her hand to another!—and that other, a man who had suffered no less than herself under the event of a former attachment, whom, two years before, she had considered too old to be married,— and who still sought the constitutional safe-guard of a flannel waistcoat! But so it was. Instead of falling a sacrifice to an irresistible passion, as once she had fondly flattered herself with expecting,—instead of remaining even for ever with her mother, and finding her only pleasures in retirement and study, as afterwards in her more calm and sober judgment she had determined on,—she found herself at nineteen, submitting to new attachments, entering on new duties, placed in

429

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 14

a new home, a wife, the mistress of a family, and the patroness of a village. Colonel Brandon was now as happy, as all those who best loved him, believed he deserved to be;—in Marianne he was consoled for every past affliction;—her regard and her society restored his mind to animation, and his spirits to cheerfulness; and that Marianne found her own happiness in forming his, was equally the persuasion and delight of each observing friend. Marianne could never love by halves; and her whole heart became, in time,7 as much devoted to her husband, as it had once been to Willoughby. Willoughby could not hear of her marriage without a pang; and his punishment was soon afterwards complete in the voluntary forgiveness of Mrs. Smith, who, by stating his marriage with a woman of character, as the source of her clemency, gave him reason for believing that had he behaved with honour towards Marianne, he might at once have been happy and rich. That his repentance of misconduct, which thus brought its own punishment, was sincere, need not be doubted;—nor that he long thought of Colonel Brandon with envy, and of Marianne with regret. But that he was for ever inconsolable, that he fled from society, or contracted an habitual gloom of temper, or died of a broken heart, must not be depended on— for he did neither. He lived to exert, and frequently to enjoy himself. His wife was not always out of humour, nor his home always uncomfortable; and in his breed of horses and dogs, and in sporting of every kind, he found no inconsiderable degree of domestic felicity. For Marianne, however—in spite of his incivility in surviving her loss—he always retained that decided regard which interested him in everything that befell her, and made her his secret standard of perfection in woman;—and many a rising

430

s e n s e a n d s e n s i b i l i t y Volume III Chapter 14

beauty would be slighted by him in after-days as bearing no comparison with Mrs. Brandon. Mrs. Dashwood was prudent enough to remain at the cottage, without attempting a removal to Delaford; and fortunately for Sir John and Mrs. Jennings, when Marianne was taken from them, Margaret had reached an age highly suitable for dancing, and not very ineligible for being supposed to have a lover. Between Barton and Delaford, there was that constant communication which strong family affection would naturally dictate;—and among the merits and the happiness of Elinor and Marianne, let it not be ranked as the least considerable, that though sisters, and living almost within sight of each other, they could live without disagreement between themselves, or producing coolness between their husbands.

line 1:

after-days] 1811 after days

finis

431

CO R R E C T I O N S A N D EM EN DAT I O N S T O 1813 TEXT The differences between the first (1811) edition and second (1813) edition of Sense and Sensibility are shown on the relevant page of the text of the novel. The corrections and emendations that have been made to the copytext of the 1813 edition are listed below. 1813

corrected to

it it principally of conveying ther ever soon. more.” he evining round her “Marianne lately.’ imperti-tinent (at line break) mens’ xx. change.”

it principally on conveying their every soon.” more. we evening round to her Marianne lately.’ ” impertinent

hume;

home;

Volume I p. 29 line 24 p. 36 line 4 p. 49 line 13 p. 67 line 28 p. 70 line 29 p. 72 line 9 p. 80 line 4 p. 86 line 24 p. 115 line 24 p. 116 line 1 p. 133 line 16 p. 139 line 12 p. 143 line 3 p. 146 (line 0) p. 152 line 12

men’s 22 change.

Volume II p. 188 line 3

432

List of corrections and emendations

p. 192 line 3 p. 194 line 13 p. 194 line 23 p. 199 line 23 p. 216 line 26 p. 217 line 9 p. 220 line 20 p. 232 line 8 p. 236 line 27 p. 237 line 14 p. 242 line 7 p. 255 line 16 p. 265 line 27 p. 269 line 6

herfelf unpremidated mother in-law curtesying atttractive canot The wrong?’” He im prudently (at line break) Willoughby!— that greal Davis b en

herself unpremeditated mother-in-law curtseying attractive cannot “The wrong?” He imprudently

well.” seems be them.’ gigling indeed!’ Thset Edward. set A importance.”— as as well becausemore some thing (at line break)

well.’” seems to be them.’ ” giggling indeed!’ ” This set Edward.” sat —A importance.— as well because more something

Willoughby!”— than great Davies been

Volume III p. 292 line 11 p. 292 line 15 p. 301 line 19 p. 312 line 10 p. 312 line 16 p. 318 line 28 p. 334 line 7 p. 350 line 28 p. 361 line 1 p. 372 line 19 p. 397 line 3 p. 403 line 9 p. 405 line 22

433

A B B R EV I AT I O N S

E FR J JA Johnson L LS MP NA OED P P&P S S&S W

434

Emma Deirdre Le Faye, Jane Austen: A Family Record, 2nd edn (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004) Juvenilia Jane Austen Samuel Johnson LLD, A Dictionary of the English Language, 6th edn (1785) Jane Austen’s Letters, 3rd edn, ed. Deirdre Le Faye (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995) Lady Susan Mansfield Park Northanger Abbey Oxford English Dictionary Persuasion Pride and Prejudice Sanditon Sense and Sensibility The Watsons

E X P L A NAT O RY N O T E S

volume i , chapter 1 1. Sussex . . . Norland Park: the topography of Sense and Sensibility extends from Norland Park in Sussex, directly south of London, two hundred miles westward across the southern counties of England to Barton Cottage in Devon, around four miles north of Exeter. 2. respectable: suggesting the social, civil and legal obligations of a great landowning family settled in its house and pleasure grounds, responsible to its adjacent tenants’ farms and to a larger social neighbourhood. 3. late owner: the first edition reading, ‘last owner but one’. The change clarifies the difference between Mr Henry Dashwood, the father of Elinor and Marianne, who is alive at the beginning of the story, and their great uncle ‘the late owner’, that is, the ‘last but one’ owner. 4. the legal inheritor: the heir according to common law, the unwritten law of England (as opposed to a written constitution) administered by the courts and handed down in older commentaries and adjudged cases. 5. the succession to the Norland estate: in the first edition, the ‘division of the estate’. JA evidently discovered later that it was not customary to provide for daughters by such an arrangement. A letter of 25 April 1811 (L, p. 182) suggests, at least, that financial arrangements in the novel had been under discussion in the family : ‘The Incomes remain as they were, but I will get them altered if I can.’ 6. the remaining moiety . . . only a life interest in it: the one half (moiety) of his late wife’s fortune left in Mr Dashwood’s possession from which he draws the interest until his death, upon which it reverts to their son John.

435

Notes to pp. 4–5

7. terms . . . of the bequest: modelled in the novel on the common legal device of ‘strict settlement’, an arrangement in law invented for the aristocracy and copied by the gentry, designed with two major aims: first, to keep an estate intact by holding it in the patrilineal line; second, to prevent the diminishment of its value by any extraordinary provisions from the estate for younger children. Strict settlement is constructed around the concept of a limited life tenancy of an estate: the maker of the will leaves the estate, for life only, to the first male heir, ‘entailing’ the possession of the estate on the life tenant’s son, the heir ‘in tail’, who is expected when he inherits to make another strict settlement will that in its turn keeps the estate intact for two more patrilineal generations. The ‘old Gentleman’ is able to extend his control over three generations by entailing the estate on Henry Dashwood’s grandson, leaving Norland first to his nephew Henry Dashwood as a life tenant, second to Henry’s son John, also as a life tenant, and finally to John’s son as heir ‘in tail’. 8. its valuable woods: the timber, trees of over twenty years of age capable of being used for structures, and belonging by law to the freehold inheritance of an estate. It was not unusual in strict settlement wills to prevent a fond father, as a life tenant, from selling the timber, thus depleting the capital value of the estate, for the advantage of younger children. Such prohibitions, however, were being challenged. Thomas Gisborne, a moralist admired by JA (30 August 1805, L, p. 112), writes, ‘[L]et not pride lead him to confine his younger children to a scanty pittance . . . at any rate let him not tie up his estate under sweeping limitations, without leaving the tenant for life power to grant proper leases, and to make ample provision for a wife and younger children.’ An Enquiry into the Duties of Men in the Higher and Middle Classes of Society (1794), p. 612. 9. a thousand pounds a-piece: a ‘scanty pittance’, according to Mary Hays (1760–1843), The Memoirs of Emma Courtney (1796), vol. 1, p. 50. In fact, the ‘old Gentleman’s’ largesse falls considerably short of strict settlement custom (niggardly in itself ) in its provision for ‘daughters of the house’, the position of the Dashwood girls. The total legacy allowable for such younger children was based on the amount an estate could

436

Notes to p. 5

10.

11.

12. 13.

support without harm to its capital value. In England this sum was calculated customarily by estimating the amount available at 12.5 per cent of the capital value of the estate. The capital value of the Norland estate of £80,000 (as understood from its £4,000 per year income calculated at an interest rate of 5 per cent) would thus allow in a strict settlement will a total charge of £10,000 on the estate (12.5 per cent). Thus from an equal division of this sum, each Dashwood girl might reasonably have expected to receive £3,333 from the ‘old Gentleman’s’ will, or according to the traditional rule of thumb, around one year’s income of the estate (£4,000). immediate improvement: reflecting contemporary enthusiasm for such alterations in farming practices as better drainage, new machinery, crop rotation and soil improvements. ‘Whoever will give good attention to improvements, will find it a business yielding better interest for money than any other’, writes Arthur Young (1741–1820) in the introduction to The Farmer’s Kalendar (1771). ten thousand pounds . . . widow and daughters: a lump sum invested at 5 per cent and providing a marginally genteel income of £500 per annum. The lifestyle of a £500 income is described in fiction by Ann Gomersall (c. 1751– after 1834): ‘Her house was small, but furnished with elegant neatness, she kept no carriage and only two female servants’, Eleonora, a Novel in a Series of Letters (c. 1795), vol. 1, p. 46. After the death of the Reverend George Austen in 1805, Jane Austen, her sister Cassandra and their mother possessed a comparable income, around £460 a year. Austen’s letters provide excellent witness to the domestic economies and sharp social exclusions attendant on this income when she and her mother and sister were living in Southampton and meeting new people: ‘They live in a handsome style and are rich, and she seemed to like to be rich, and we gave her to understand that we were far from being so; she will soon feel therefore that we are not worth her acquaintance’ (7–8 January 1807, L, p. 117). mother-in-law: here, stepmother. prudently: a word with ironic connotations of self-interest and hypocrisy for more than a century before Austen, but here

437

Notes to pp. 6–7

14.

15.

16.

17. 18.

438

echoing Henry Fielding’s (1707–54) The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling (1749), where the legal heir to the Allworthy estate, the ever ‘prudent’ Blifil, schemes to deprive Tom, his halfbrother, of any share of the inheritance. In contrast, Marianne, who is said to need ‘prudence’, is ‘everything but prudent’ (vol. 1, ch. 1). amiable woman: for JA, a heavily charged word. Mr Knightley probes its misuse in E: ‘No, Emma, your amiable young man can be amiable only in French, not in English. He may be very “aimable,” have very good manners, and be very agreeable; but he can have no English delicacy towards the feelings of other people: nothing really amiable about him’ (vol. 1, ch. 18). narrow-minded and selfish: a situation and relationship described by Mary Wollstonecraft (1759–97) in A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792) in similar terms: ‘The wife, a cold-hearted, narrow-minded woman . . . is jealous of the little kindness which her husband shows to his relations; and . . . is displeased at seeing the property of her children lavished on an helpless sister’ (ch. 4). a thousand pounds a-piece . . . liberal and handsome: clearly ironic in view of contemporary inheritance practices (see note 9 above). In comparison, John Dashwood’s own large income, with his inheritance from his mother, lies somewhere between £5,000 and £10,000 a year, likely nearer £10,000, considered the minimum income for indulging his family in the expenses of the London season (vol. 2, ch. 11). romantic: appealing to an idealistic imagination; extravagant and impracticable. Marianne’s abilities . . . every thing but prudent: perhaps modelled on the heroine of Frances Burney’s (1752–1840) novel Camilla (1796), to which JA was a subscriber: ‘[H]er every propensity was pure, and, when reflection came to her aid, her conduct was as exemplary as her wishes. But the ardour of her imagination, acted upon by every passing idea, shook her Judgment from its yet unsteady seat, and left her at the mercy of wayward Sensibility—that delicate, but irregular power, which now impels to all that is most disinterested for others, now forgets

Notes to pp. 8–11

all mankind, to watch the pulsations of its own fancies’ (vol. 4, book 8, ch. 11). 19. encouraged . . . affliction: a nourishment of feeling analysed by Hugh Blair (1718–1800) in his sermon, ‘On Sensibility’: ‘When the heart is strongly moved by any of the kind affections, even when it pours itself forth in virtuous sorrow, a secret attractive charm mingles with the painful emotion; there is a joy in the midst of grief . . . Sensibility heightens in general the human powers, and is connected with acuteness in all our feelings’, Sermons (1778), vol. 3, sermon 2. Blair, a member of the distinguished literary circle at Edinburgh including David Hume and Adam Smith, rose to prominence as a writer on rhetoric and as a leading ‘moderate’ divine, his sermons appearing in a nineteenth edition by 1794.

chapter 2 1. that sanguine expectation of happiness which is happiness itself: a phrase and sentiment that recalls Dr Johnson’s Idler, 58 (26 May 1759): ‘Yet it is necessary to hope, tho’ hope should always be deluded, for hope itself is happiness, and its frustrations, however frequent, are yet less dreadful than its extinction.’ 2. related to him only by half blood: also a problem in Mary Wollstonecraft’s The Wrongs of Woman: or, Maria. A Fragment (1798), where ‘half-blood’ brings on Jemima, the servant heroine, the persecution of her father’s new wife, ‘as a creature of whom my step-mother, though she had been kind enough to let me live in the house with her own child, could make nothing’, a situation which results in her being driven out: ‘Behold me then in the street, utterly destitute! Whither could I creep for shelter? To my father’s roof I had no claim’ (vol. 1, ch. 5). 3. assist his widow and daughters: a phrase that echoes numerous and powerful injunctions in both Old and New Testaments of the Bible that the prosperous assist ‘the fatherless and the widow’. 4. mean: penurious, stingy. 5. each have above three thousand pounds: a sum arrived at by dividing £10,000 by three, that is, Mrs Dashwood’s portion of seven thousand pounds which will presumably be left to the girls,

439

Notes to pp. 11–14

6. 7. 8. 9.

10. 11. 12.

13.

14.

plus the one thousand pounds left to each of them by ‘the old Gentleman’. the interest of ten thousand pounds: that is, £500, the principal invested at 5 per cent per annum. annuity: the grant of a periodical sum of money to persons for a term of years, for life, or in perpetuity and thus inheritable. completely taken in: cheated, a slang expression. her life cannot be worth half that purchase: not likely to last the length of time mentioned; another brutal expression derived from business (land sales and rentals). Mrs Dashwood is presently forty years old. stout: in robust health. superannuated: disqualified or incapacitated by age; old and infirm. rent day: more specifically ‘quarter-days’, the traditional four days of the year on which the business of an estate is transacted: Lady Day (25 March), Midsummer (24 June), Michaelmas (29 September), Christmas (25 December). excessively: a stronger expression than exceedingly. Isabella Thorpe is prone to the same usage in NA: ‘I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature. My attachments are always excessively strong’ (vol. 1, ch. 6). five hundred a-year . . . want for more than that: a tone similar to that taken by JA’s brother Henry in congratulating his brothers on their arrangements for their mother and sisters after the death of the Reverend George Austen in 1805: the women would be ‘in the receipt of a clear £450 per Ann.’ which he reckoned ‘very comfortable . . . as a smaller establishment will be as agreeable to them, as it cannot but be feasible, I really think that My Mother & Sisters will be to the full as rich as ever’ (FR, p. 142). Since Henry was never known to keep his thoughts to himself, it seems likely these generous sentiments were known throughout the family. A fictional inspiration, however, for the sharpest of JA’s satire may come from Charlotte Smith’s Ethelinde, or the Recluse of the Lake (1789), where the heroine’s brother decides to embezzle his sister’s inheritance: ‘What claim,’ cried he, as he argued the matter with himself,–‘what claim has Montgomery to any part of Harcourt’s fortune? he is only the son of his

440

Notes to pp. 14–18 half sister, and certainly ought not to deprive my wife of any share of her inheritance . . . As to his mother, what use has an old woman for money . . . As to Ethy indeed, I should be glad to be sure to have her properly provided for; and if Harcourt has a mind to make her a present of a thousand or fifteen hundred pounds it may not be amiss . . . I see no sort of use in her having more; and I cannot think it otherwise than an unjust robbery of my son, who has surely the best right to all his grandfather has, that I do not want: besides, I may have a large family, and ’twill be hard to have that money given to others which ought to be a provision for my younger children.’ (vol. 5, ch. 8)

15. My father . . . what you say: an echo of Jonathan Swift’s Tale of a Tub (1704), ‘Section II’, in which Peter, Martin and Jack famously, and in the same brusque tone employed by the John Dashwoods, debate their ‘Father’s Will’ (God’s) concluding, much like John and Fanny, that the clauses ‘did therefore require some Allowance, and a favourable Interpretation, and ought to be understood cum grano Salis’ (with a pinch of salt). 16. plate: utensils for table, the silverware. 17. neighbourly acts: an allusion to frequent Old and New Testament injunctions to assist one’s neighbour, as in Proverbs (ch. 27, v. 10), ‘Better is a near neighbour than a brother far off’, and in Romans (ch. 15, v. 1–2), ‘Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each one of us please his neighbour for that which is good, unto edifying.’

chapter 3 1. support her in affluence: an early ironic indication of Mrs Dashwood’s lack of experience with domestic economy. 2. the liberality of his intentions: his generosity in giving. 3. gentlemanlike: an expression meant in praise. ‘Mr. Bingley was good looking and gentlemanlike; he had a pleasant countenance, and easy, unaffected manners’ (P&P, vol. 1, ch. 3). 4. address: his bearing in conversation, a social asset much valued by Lord Chesterfield (1694–1773), whose opinions retained their currency throughout the eighteenth century among a broad range of classes: ‘In all good company, we meet with a certain manner, phraseology, and general conversation, that distinguish men of fashion. These can only be acquired by frequenting good

441

Notes to pp. 18–20

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

company, and being particularly attentive to all that passes there.’ From John Trusler’s Principles of Politeness and of Knowing the World, By the late Lord Chesterfield. Methodised and digested under distinct Heads, with Additions (1786), p. 33. a barouche: an expensive open carriage now used for royal state occasions, but in the early nineteenth century used for fast amateur driving by fashionable young men – an ambition appropriate to the principles and tastes of Mrs Ferrars and her daughter Fanny. JA rode in her banker brother Henry’s barouche in London: ‘the Carriage been [sic] open, was very pleasant. – I liked my solitary elegance very much, & was ready to laugh all the time, at my being where I was. – I could not but feel that I had naturally small right to be parading about London in a Barouche’ (24 May 1813, L, pp. 213–14). esteem: a significant word in its relation to love and marriage. Elizabeth Bennet measures the strength of her feelings for Darcy by her ‘esteem’: ‘She respected, she esteemed, she was grateful to him’ (P&P, vol. 3, ch. 2). The moralist John Gregory (1724–73) writes in his chapter, ‘On Friendship, Love, Marriage’, in A Father’s Legacy to his Daughters (1774), ‘A man of taste and delicacy marries a woman because he loves her more than any other. A woman of equal taste and delicacy marries him because she esteems him, and because he gives her that preference’ (p. 83). His eyes want . . . fire: an expression mocked by JA as a clich´e in her juvenile production ‘Jack and Alice, Chapter The First’: ‘The Gentleman at last finding the feirceness of his beams to be very inconvenient to the concourse by obliging them to croud together in one corner of the room, half shut his eyes by which means, the Company discovered him to be Charles Adams in his plain green Coat, without any mask at all.’ the same books . . . must charm us both: a demand on the emotions warned against by Gregory in A Father’s Legacy: ‘As this similarity of minds often gives rise to a more tender attachment than friendship, it will be prudent to keep a watchful eye over yourselves, lest your hearts become too far engaged before you are aware’ (p. 79). Cowper: William Cowper (1731–1800), a poet of romantic sensibility much admired by JA. James Edward Austen-Leigh claimed

442

Notes to pp. 20–29

in A Memoir of Jane Austen (1870) that for JA, ‘Johnson in prose, Crabbe in verse, and Cowper in both, stood high’ (ch. 5). Cowper is cited by Fanny Price in Mansfield Park when she alludes to the likely fate of Sotherton’s avenue of old trees: ‘Cut down an avenue! What a pity! Does it not make you think of Cowper?’ (MP, vol. 1, ch. 6). Two biographies of Cowper appeared in 1803 revealing Cowper’s sad personal history, a circumstance that may account for Marianne’s emotionally charged response.

chapter 4 1. to wish was to hope, and to hope was to expect: a thought that recalls Dr Johnson’s expression of the idea in Rambler, 8 (14 April 1750): ‘[W]hat men allow themselves to wish they will soon believe.’ 2. independent: that is, financially independent. Except for a small inheritance, Edward is financially dependent upon his mother: ‘He has only two thousand pounds of his own’, says Lucy Steele (vol. 2, ch. 2), which yields one hundred pounds per annum. 3. consequence: importance in rank and position, social distinction. Elizabeth Bennet cautions Mr Collins, who intends to speak to Mr Darcy without a proper introduction, that ‘it must belong to Mr. Darcy, the superior in consequence, to begin the acquaintance’ (P&P, vol. 1, ch. 18). 4. Barton Park: JA in a letter of 1 January 1801 (L, p. 71) refers to Barton Court, near Kintbury in Berkshire, the estate of Lord Craven (1770–1825). ‘Barton’, however, may suggest a particular knowledge of Devonshire, since the name, traditionally signifying the principal farm of the parish, though not peculiar to Devonshire, appears more frequently as a suffix to place names in that county than in any other. 5. cousin: in general use for relative. 6. so far distant . . . Devonshire: from Sussex, where Norland Park is located, Devonshire lies about 200 miles to the west.

chapter 5 1. Exeter: the principal town in Devonshire and a useful topographical marker for the Devon setting, as JA advised her niece Anna,

443

Notes to pp. 30–31

2. 3.

4. 5.

6.

at work on her own novel: ‘Lyme will not do. Lyme is towards 40 miles distance from Dawlish & would not be talked of there . . . If you prefer Exeter, that must be always safe’ (17 August 1814, L, p. 268). furniture . . . sent round by water: much cheaper and safer by sea than overland. pianoforte: an expensive marker of social status. The Coles, a rising merchant family in E, acquire an instrument, though no one in the family can play it, ‘hoping’, says Mrs Cole with some embarrassment, ‘that some of our good neighbours might be so obliging occasionally to put it to a better use than we can; and that really is the reason why the instrument was bought—or else I am sure we ought to be ashamed of it’ (vol. 2, ch. 8). JA proposed to buy a pianoforte on her move to Chawton, ‘as good a one as can be got for 30 Guineas’ (28 December 1808, L, p. 161); her niece Anna on her marriage to Ben Lefroy bought one for 24 guineas, too expensive for the newlyweds according to her aunt (30 November 1814, L, p. 285). JA’s prices match the Broadwood quotations for their square pianofortes: £25. 4s. for the least expensive, and £31. 10s. for one with additional keys and a damper. A grand pianoforte cost £84 from Broadwood’s. household: the number of servants. disposing of her carriage: a necessary economy. The amount required to keep a carriage would have been about £160 a year, or over 30 per cent of their £500 income. See John Trusler, The Way to be Rich and Respectable, addressed to Men of Small Fortune (1796). Trusler suggests in another work, The Economist (1774), that an income of at least £800 a year is needed to maintain a carriage. Austen’s father attempted to keep one on around £700 a year, but laid it aside as too expensive (FR, p. 112; 17 November 1798, L, p. 20). number of their servants to three: exactly the recommended number for their new income of £500 according to domestic economists Samuel and Sarah Adams in a table supplied in The Complete Servant (1825). Three is also the number of servants jokingly imagined by Austen when the family moved to Bath on her father’s retirement income: ‘We plan having a steady Cook, & a young giddy Housemaid, with a sedate, middle aged Man,

444

Notes to pp. 31–33

who is to undertake the double office of Husband to the former & sweetheart to the latter.—No Children of course to be allowed on either side’ (3 January 1801, L, p. 66). 7. expenses of housekeeping: not only personal expenses, but the costs associated with the maintenance of a great estate, such as household improvements, maintenance of farm buildings and the financial obligations to servants, tradespeople and the like. 8. Dear, dear Norland! . . . who will remain to enjoy you: a soliloquy on the loss of a childhood home possibly inspired by Emily St Aubert’s in Ann Radcliffe’s The Mysteries of Udolpho (1794): ‘This lovely scene!—how often shall I remember and regret it, when I am far away . . . O, peaceful, happy shades! . . . why must I leave ye!—In your retreats I should still find safety and repose. Sweet hours of my childhood—I am now to leave even your last memorials! No objects, that would revive your impressions, will remain for me!’ (vol. 1, ch. 10).

chapter 6 1. Barton Valley: a countryside familiar to JA, who spent the summers of 1802 and 1804 in Devonshire with her parents and sister. Walter Stafford, 2nd Earl of Iddesleigh was keen to promote his house, Pynes, near the village of Upton Pyne, like Barton only ‘four miles northward of Exeter’, as the original of Barton Park in Nineteenth Century, 47 (1900), pp. 811–20. 2. as a cottage it was defective: two kinds of cottages implied here – first, and ironically, the sentimental literary cottage of their imagination, an ‘ancient . . . low irregular building . . . [with] casements entwined [by] many creeping plants, such as jasmine, honeysuckles, &c.’, as described, for example, by Elizabeth Pinchard in The Ward of Delamere (1815), pp. 117–18; second, a cottage designed for the business of an estate. The Dashwoods’ cottage matches the cottage of an estate bailiff in which one of the two sitting rooms would have been used for business, the four bedrooms for family, and the garrets for servants. The ‘offices’ would include the kitchen, pantry, scullery, and storage areas. A third type of cottage, the cottage orn´ee, which was an elegant leisure accommodation for the wealthy, figures in a later scene in S&S (vol. 2, ch. 14).

445

Notes to pp. 34–38

3. The prospect . . . country beyond: an appreciation of the view presented as a mark of their taste and sensibility. Cowper’s The Task (1785): ‘How oft upon yon eminence, our pace / Has slacken’d to a pause . . . / While admiration feeding at the eye, / And still unsated, dwelt upon the scene’ (lines 154–5, 157–8). 4. before-hand with the world: to have sufficient money for future contingencies. 5. garden stuff: vegetables. 6. to and from the post: kindly meant, but somewhat intrusive. Mrs Elton offers a like service, and less welcome, to Jane Fairfax in E (vol. 2, ch. 16). In London, letters were delivered to the house, but in the country, if the recipient lived outside the area of the post town, they had to be fetched from the ‘post’, frequently a public inn, which is where the Austens received their mail, at the Wheat Sheaf located two miles from their home in Steventon. Barton Village, the likely location of the post for the Dashwoods, is only a mile away. 7. sending them his newspaper: a common practice, the sharing of newspapers and journals because of their relatively high cost, 6d. Sir John’s generosity is also a reminder of the Dashwood women’s limited income. Fanny Price’s half-pay father reads a borrowed newspaper, ‘the accustomary loan of a neighbour’, in the family’s Portsmouth lodgings (MP, vol. 3, ch. 7).

chapter 7 1. sportsman: a man who enjoys the sports of hunting and shooting. JA has little good to say for the sportsman. In P, Charles Musgrove ‘did nothing with much zeal, but sport; and his time was otherwise trifled away, without benefit from books, or any thing else’ (vol. 1, ch. 6). Her villains, Henry Crawford in MP and Willoughby in S&S, are also avid sportsmen, as are her fools: Sir John Middleton here and Lord Osborne in W. 2. resources: means of relaxation or amusement. Emma Woodhouse plans to employ them in her old-maidhood: ‘If I know myself, Harriet, mine is an active, busy mind, with a great many independent resources . . . If I draw less, I shall read more; if I give up music, I shall take to carpet-work’ (E, vol. 1, ch. 10). More sharply ironic are Mrs Elton’s boasts: ‘I honestly said that the world

446

Notes to pp. 38–45

3.

4.

5.

6.

I could give up—parties, balls, plays—for I had no fear of retirement. Blessed with so many resources within myself, the world was not necessary to me. I could do very well without it. To those who had no resources it was a different thing; but my resources made me quite independent’ (E, vol. 2, ch. 13). Sir John’s independent employments . . . only half the time: grouse-shooting began on 12 August (the Glorious Twelfth); foxhunting began traditionally on the first Monday of November and continued through the winter until the last frost. good-breeding of his wife: correct manners resulting from a polite education. Miss Bingley in P&P, educated in ‘one of the first private seminaries in town’, articulates the goal: ‘she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions’ (vol. 1, ch. 8). moonlight: an important addition to artificial light for walking or driving at night. In NA the ill-fated Thorpe–Morland expedition to Bristol ‘had a delightful drive back, only the moon was not up, and it rained a little’ (vol. 1, ch. 15). giving up music: a common satire directed at women who had achieved their goal of marriage. Mrs Elton in E cites many women of her acquaintance, herself included, who have given up music after marriage: ‘more than I can enumerate . . . it is enough to put one in a fright’ (vol. 2, ch. 14).

chapter 8 1. jointure: a financial settlement made for a woman upon marriage to provide for her care after her husband’s death, the amount usually dependent upon the capital or property the woman brings to the marriage and commonly designed to descend to her surviving children. 2. offices of a nurse . . . security of a wife: an argument in support of such a marital arrangement familiar to readers of Samuel Richardson’s novel Sir Charles Grandison (1753–4): ‘My Lord W.’s wife will probably, be confined six months, out of twelve, to a gouty man’s chamber. She must therefore be one who has outlived half her hopes: She must have been acquainted with affliction, and known disappointment. She must consider her marriage with him, tho’ as an act of condescension, yet partly as a preferment. Her tenderness

447

Notes to pp. 45–52

will, by this means, be engaged; yet her dignity supported: And if she is not too much in years to bring my Lord an heir, he then will be the most grateful of men to her’ (vol. 3, letter 16). 3. flannel waistcoats: recommended as a preservative against the gout by Philip Thicknesse (1719–92) in The Valetudinarians Bath Guide (1780), where he reports having advised a friend ‘to get half a dozen thin flannel waistcoats made, and wear one next his skin, he did so, and has told me since, that my p r u d e nc e in waistcoats . . . has kept him in perfect health ever since, but added, that he never knew what it was to be truely [sic] comfortable, till he wore the flannel waistcoat next his skin; and to a man turned of forty, whom it does not weaken too much, a flannel waistcoat should be considered the first of all physicians’ (pp. 38–9). 4. quick pulse of a fever: a clich´e of contemporary sentimental literature.

chapter 9 1. pencil: possibly a lead pencil, but in view of Elinor’s talents more likely the contemporary term for a small brush used for water colours. 2. a gentleman carrying a gun, with two pointers: like the hero of Ann Radcliffe’s Udolpho (1794) who also appears out of nowhere, in ‘hunter’s dress . . . his gun . . . slung across his shoulder’, and ‘followed by a couple of dogs’ (vol. 1, ch. 3). 3. whither . . . quitted not his hold: the archaic language and style here evoking chivalric romance, specifically Walter Scott’s The Lay of the Last Minstrel (1805): ‘Soon in his saddle sate he fast’ (canto 1, stanza 25). The poem is talked over by Willoughby and Marianne in their earliest conversation (vol. 1, ch. 10). 4. a shooting-jacket . . . becoming: made of weatherproof material and fitted much closer to the body than in previous years, and appearing in the 1790s in blue, green, buff and black, though scarlet was to become the favoured colour. 5. genius: characteristic disposition, inclination, bent, turn of temper. Dr Johnson defined it in his Life of Cowley (1781) as, ‘a mind of large general powers, accidentally determined to some particular direction’ (vol. 1, p. 5).

448

Notes to pp. 53–55

6. Somersetshire: the contiguous county to the north and east of Devon in which Mrs Jennings’ daughter and son-in-law, the Palmers, live, with whom Marianne and Elinor will stay on their return journey from London to Devon and Barton Cottage (vol. 3, ch. 6). 7. Miss Dashwood . . . Miss Marianne: the eldest sister, Elinor, is referred to as ‘Miss Dashwood’, with the family name. The use of a forename, ‘Miss Marianne’, indicates a junior position in the family. When the eldest sister is not present, usage dictates that the sister next in age is given the title. Willoughby calls Marianne ‘Miss Dashwood’, when he visits to ask after her health the day following her fall, but since he has not been properly introduced and is in no position to know any relationships in the family, the full title is the safest form of address. 8. covert: a place which shelters or hides game. 9. setting your cap at him: a vulgarism of the early nineteenth century, at first used exclusively of predatory women and only later in the century applied to men.

chapter 10 1. Marianne’s preserver: a clich´e of popular fiction found in a Lady’s Magazine tale, ‘The Shipwreck’ (‘Supplement’ 1794), where the hero and heroine of the tale share names common to S&S. The heroine, a Miss Brandon, is rescued from drowning by a Mr Willoughby: ‘Her preserver appeared, and announced himself to be Willoughby, that Willoughby who . . . would not hesitate to encounter a thousand times the same danger he had now braved to shield her from harm.’ Mr Brandon, her elderly father, insists on his daughter’s marriage to a man she does not love. The coincidence of the names, the plot and the expression, ‘Marianne’s preserver’, is likely a private joke, but also an acknowledgment of JA’s relationship to the popular market. Past copies of the Lady’s Magazine were available by the year in bound editions in the circulating libraries. 2. a delicate complexion: in the ordinary sense, the natural colour, texture and appearance of the skin, especially of the face, but in this usage, and for Marianne as well, carrying an older association of complexion with temperament or disposition.

449

Notes to pp. 56–57

3. He acquiesced in all her decisions: a seductive strategy taken by Sir George Bellmour, the villain of Charlotte Lennox’s novel The Female Quixote (1752). Sir George ‘resolved to profit by the Knowledge of her Foible’, the heroine’s enthusiasm for romances, by claiming to share the same interest in them (vol. 3, ch. 4). 4. her enthusiasm: a term suggesting rapturous intensity and allied with the still strong eighteenth-century association of the word with fancied inspiration, ill-regulated religious emotion, even frenzy. 5. Cowper and Scott . . . proper: a selection emphasising Marianne’s preference for contemporary poets, William Cowper (1731–1800) and Walter Scott (1771–1832). The allusion to Scott could have appeared in S&S revisions only after 1805 when Scott’s popular poem The Lay of the Last Minstrel was published, a work in which romantic love features strongly: ‘The silken cord, the silken tie, / Which heart to heart, and mind to mind, / In body and in soul can bind’ (canto 5, stanza 13). Elinor’s ironic reference to admiring Alexander Pope (1688–1744) ‘no more than is proper’ relegates Pope to the category of an old-fashioned poet, both for his mocking depictions of love and for his generally detached, cerebral appraisal of social and natural worlds. 6. picturesquebeauty: an aesthetic theory of nature that by the 1790s had become something of a popular clich´e, an opinion reflected in Elinor’s tone, but nevertheless a theory with considerable cultural power. The three major theorists were William Gilpin (1724– 1804), Uvedale Price (1747–1829) and Richard Payne Knight (1750–1824). Gilpin, from a theoretical consideration of Edmund Burke’s Philosophical Enquiry into . . . the Sublime and Beautiful (1757), argues that the picturesque in nature, its ruggedness and irregularity, its scenes of ‘high, low, steep, and rocky’, offered a particularly English category of nature, a middle way between the sublime and the beautiful that was to be appreciated, like Burke’s, by the standards of painting. Price emphasised picturesque nature as the model for the gardens of great estates, focusing on the melancholy operations of time on the landscape. Knight, like Price, emphasised the importance of class and the ownership of land as the operational criteria for an appreciation of the picturesque: only those who live on and own such estates can care for and

450

Notes to pp. 57–61

7.

8.

9. 10. 11.

appreciate ‘nature’ properly. The democracy of Taste, however, made the picturesque landscape into a consumer object for the middle classes, its jargon giving rise to contemporary charges of a ‘cult’. In P&P Elizabeth Bennet demonstrates her susceptibility to typically optical, Gilpin-like pleasures of nature as she anticipates her trip to the Lake District, canonically picturesque countryside: ‘[W]hat delight! what felicity! . . . What are men to rocks and mountains? Oh! what hours of transport we shall spend!’ (vol. 2, ch. 4). second marriages: an issue with currency in contemporary literary debate. Maria Edgeworth in her novel Belinda (1801) presents a heroine who balances between faithfulness to her first love (even when he seems no longer available) and marrying a second attachment. It is a central issue in Richardson’s Grandison (1753–4) in which all the major female characters except the heroine must marry ‘second attachments’. ‘She and I’, the heroine’s grandmother recalls about a girlhood friend, ‘have talked over the subject we are upon [second attachments] a hundred times. In those days I had my romantic notions’ (vol. 7, letter 42). every common-place notion of decorum: supported by numerous contemporary conduct writers. James Fordyce’s Sermons to Young Women (1766), from which Mr Collins reads to the Bennet girls (P&P, vol. 1, ch. 14), claims, ‘That respectful modesty . . . is maintained and exalted by nothing so much as an unaffected bashfulness on the woman’s side’ (vol. 1, p. 80). In opposition, Frances Burney’s The Wanderer (1814) features a young woman, Elinor Joddrell, who raises her voice against such advice, and though she is punished for it, expresses her opinions with impressive clarity: ‘How paltry is shame where there can be no disgrace—I disdain it!—disclaim it!—and am ready to avow to the whole world that I dare speak and act, as well as think and feel for myself!’ (vol. 1, ch. 16). discovered: revealed. the East Indies: here India. nabobs, gold mohrs, and palanquins: a crudely biased criticism of Colonel Brandon’s colonialist career in its mocking reference to ‘nabobs’, those newly enriched and allegedly corrupt returnees

451

Notes to pp. 61–66

from India to Britain, ‘gold mohrs’, the coins used for British trade in India, and ‘palanquins’, the luxurious and extravagant covered litters employed in carrying the nabobs about. 12. candour: a quality of judgment defined by Hugh Blair in his Sermons: ‘That candour which is a Christian virtue consists . . . in fairness of heart.’ Describing such a man, he writes, ‘In the midst of many defects, he can discover a virtue. In the midst of personal resentment, he can be just to the merit of an enemy’ (Sermon x). In P&P, Elizabeth Bennet tells her sister Jane, ‘Affectation of candour is common enough;—one meets it every where. But to be candid without ostentation or design—to take the good of every body’s character and make it still better, and say nothing of the bad—belongs to you alone’ (vol. 1, ch. 4). 13. of gentle address: genteel comportment, but somewhat oldfashioned with a hint of the chivalric, as in ‘gentle knight’. 14. the hanging of my curricle: a curricle is a fashionable, lightweight, two-wheeled carriage, drawn by two horses; its hanging refers to the characteristically elegant suspension of the curricle body on its springs. JA has little use for characters who talk about carriages. John Thorpe is a fool: ‘Curricle-hung you see . . . the iron-work as good as new, or better’ (NA, vol. 1, ch. 7).

chapter 11 1. abhorred all concealment . . . mistaken notions: a pertinent example of such recommended concealment is provided in Gregory’s A Father’s Legacy: ‘If you love him, let me advise you never to discover to him the full extent of your love, no not although you marry him. That sufficiently shews your preference, which is all he is intitled to know. If he has delicacy, he will ask for no stronger proof of your affection, for your sake; if he has sense, he will not ask it for his own. This is an unpleasant truth, but it is my duty to let you know it’ (p. 87). 2. obliged to separate for a couple of dances: in country dances partners form in two lines, the gentlemen facing the ladies, with partners taking their turns dancing from the top to the bottom of the set. The variety of the figure with a requirement to change partners would explain their obligation to separate. 3. romantic: idealistic.

452

Notes to pp. 66–70

4. cannot agree with you there: contending opinions that echo the debate found in Hannah More’s Strictures on the Modern System of Female Education (1799): ‘It is cruel to chill the precious sensibility of an ingenuous soul . . . of a warm, tender, disinterested, and enthusiastic spirit, as if it exhibited symptoms of a deficiency in understanding or prudence.’ Yet, as More cautions, ‘this natural warmth, which they have been justly told is so pleasing . . . perhaps, they have not been told will be continually exposing them to peril and to suffering . . . the excess of a temper which ceases to be interesting when it is no longer under the controul of the governing faculty’ (vol. 2, ch. 15).

chapter 12 1. to keep any horse: a prohibitive undertaking because of the expense. Trusler in The Way to be Rich and Respectable estimates that the basic expense of keeping a horse ‘in the stable in summer, and at straw in the winter’ would be, at a minimum, £27. 7s. 8d. (p. 70). This minimal sum for a single horse would not include, as Elinor reminds Marianne, the necessary expenses of an additional servant to care for the horse and accompany her on rides if required, the purchase and upkeep of a second horse for the servant or the capital expense of a new stable to accommodate the two new horses. 2. so little, or at least so lately known: a seemingly casual expression, perhaps a premature valedictory to the Willoughby relationship, that echoes the first line of Dryden’s famous elegy, ‘To the Memory of Mr. Oldham’ (1684): ‘Farewel, too little and too lately known . . .’ 3. Queen Mab: a provocative name: Shakespeare’s Queen Mab in Romeo and Juliet (Act 1, scene 4, lines 53–4), ‘gallops night by night / Through lovers’ brains, and then they dream of love’ in dreams ‘more inconstant than the wind’. 4. by her christian name alone: a significant marker of intimacy. Frank Churchill objects to Mrs Elton’s presumption in using Jane Fairfax’s Christian name: ‘ “Jane,” indeed!—You will observe that I have not yet indulged myself in calling her by that name’ (E, vol. 3, ch. 14). Emma as a child addresses Mr Knightley by his first name: ‘I did it because I thought it would offend you’,

453

Notes to pp. 71–74

5.

6.

7.

8.

only promising to use it one more time – at their wedding (vol. 3, ch. 17). miniature: the most personal and intimate kind of portraiture, in these years frequently executed in watercolour on ivory, often mounted as jewellery in lockets, rings, in watchcases and on bracelets. In the early nineteenth century it became a pastime for amateurs, giving rise to JA’s analogy of her ‘little bit (two Inches wide) of Ivory on which I work with so fine a Brush, as produces little effect after much labour’ (16–17 December 1816, L, p. 323). cut off a long lock of her hair: suggesting the rich erotic subtexts of Alexander Pope’s poem The Rape of the Lock (1712–14): ‘The Peer now spreads the glitt’ring Forfex wide, / T’inclose the Lock; now joins it, to divide’ (canto 3, lines 147–8). Belinda’s immediate ‘screams of horror’ that ‘rend th’ affrighted skies’ are heard only later in S&S, when Marianne, ‘covering her face with her handkerchief, almost screamed with agony’ (vol. 2, ch. 7). his pocket-book: a wallet or purse usually of leather carried in a coat pocket and sized to hold bank notes and occasional correspondence. fine place: a house known for its architecture and gardens. In the late eighteenth century country-house visiting became common among the polite classes with access obtained by a genteel appearance, tips to the porter or housekeeper or, in some cases, by prearranged private permission. To control the numbers, some owners established a system of tickets, guidebooks and limited days of access. Others, like Colonel Brandon’s relation, simply denied all access to the public.

chapter 13 1. Avignon: a city in southern France with a strong British presence throughout the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. James Edward Stuart (1688–1766), the ‘Old Pretender’ to the British throne, lived there 1716–17; his son Charles Edward Stuart (1720–88), ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’, took refuge in the city in 1749 after the failed invasion of Scotland and England, but was forced out by British pressure. Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (1689–1762) moved there at mid-century after leaving her husband.

454

Notes to pp. 75–81

2. town: London. 3. this time of year: the landowning classes spent the autumn in the country for the hunting season and the Christmas holidays. They returned to London in February for parliament, or a month or so later for the social season. 4. Newton: a match in name and topography for Newton St. Cyres, a real Devonshire village about two miles directly west of Upton Pyne, the supposed model for Barton. 5. Honiton . . . go post: to travel at some expense in a hired post chaise, with fresh horses supplied from one posting house to the next – the quickest way to travel. The most convenient posting house, an inn set up with horses, carriages and attendants to take care of the business, is at Honiton, a real town four or five miles to the east of the fictional Barton. 6. natural: illegitimate. 7. curricle: fast and fashionable, extremely comfortable, open with a folding hood and seating for two, the only English two-wheeled carriage to which a pair of horses could be attached and driven abreast (see p. 452 above). 8. any other companion: any additional companion. 9. sensible of it: a concept of the 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury in ‘An Inquiry Concerning Virtue’, part 2, where he writes, ‘It has already been said that no creature can maliciously and intentionally do ill, without being sensible at the same time, that he deserves ill. And in this respect, every sensible creature may be said to have conscience.’ More in the spirit of Marianne’s assertion, he writes: ‘Now, as for that other part of conscience, viz. the remembrance of what was at any time unreasonably and foolishly done . . . the dissatisfactory reflection must follow still and have effect, wherever there is a sense of moral deformity.’ Characteristics of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times (1790 edition; first published 1711). 10. hanging wood: a forest on a steep slope or hillside, an important canonical presence in picturesque landscapes. William Gilpin: ‘The whole woody hill, and the ruins upon it . . . add much to the dignity of these forsaken habitations; and are, for that reason, of great use in description’, in Observations on the River Wye (1782), section 11.

455

Notes to pp. 81–93

11. a couple of hundred pounds: fantasy economics. Willoughby’s yearly income is at present only £600 to £700; Marianne’s, £50. 12. pleasantest summer-rooms: the windows on the two sides of this corner room supplying two different views of the outdoors and cross ventilation for summer heat.

chapter 14 1. sadly involved: the finances of the estate in debt or general disarray. 2. cleared the estate: paid its debts. 3. poverty: only because of his expensive tastes. Mrs Jennings later lists some of Willoughby’s excessive expenses, e.g., his curricle, horses and hunting dogs (vol. 2, ch. 8). 4. dinner . . . four o’clock: a conservative, country-style hour for serving the large, important meal of the day. More fashionable people dined later, particularly when in London. Dinner at Hartfield (E) is at 4 p.m.; at Mansfield parsonage (MP), 4.30; at General Tilney’s (NA), 5 p.m; and for the fashionable Bingley sisters at Netherfield (P&P), 6.30.

c h a p t e r 15 1. work: when unspecified, ‘work’ generally means utilitarian needlework. 2. apology: defence or vindication. 3. candid: charitable, in the sense defined by Johnson as ‘Free from malice; not desirous to find faults.’ 4. If we find they correspond: referring to the social prohibition of a private correspondence between marriageable young people before an official engagement. ‘Only to observe these few short rules . . . never . . . to write to any one but one of your own sex . . . not to any one whosoever, without the Permission of those under whose Jurisdiction you may be, and before whom you may safely lay the whole of your correspondence’, in Abb´e D’Ancourt, The Lady’s Preceptor (1743), pp. 62–3. The prohibition has a long history in fiction, most remarkably in the disastrous correspondence between Clarissa and Lovelace in Richardson’s Clarissa (1747–8), and as a key misunderstanding between Evelina and Lord Orville in Frances Burney’s Evelina (1778). In JA’s MP,

456

Notes to pp. 96–101

it presents a painful predicament to Fanny Price when her correspondence with Mary Crawford becomes Mary’s way to send messages to Edmund. In E, Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill conceal their correspondence as they conceal their engagement. In NA, JA makes a mild exception to the rule when she allows Mr and Mrs Morland to look ‘another way’ when a letter arrives for Catherine in the months before General Tilney can be persuaded to an official engagement between their daughter and Henry Tilney.

chapter 16 1. she courted the misery: self-indulgent and blameable behaviour according to Hugh Blair: ‘[W]hen thoughts, by whatever accident they may have been originally suggested, are indulged with deliberation and complacency . . . though the mind has been passive in their reception, and, therefore, free of blame; yet, if it be active in their continuance, the guilt becomes its own’, Sermons, ‘On the Government of the Heart’ (vol. 2, sermon 2). 2. romantic delicacy: exquisite fineness of feeling, a well-trodden path in sentimental fiction where feelings and silence customarily take precedence over clear communication. 3. nice: scrupulous. 4. Hamlet: a play with a hero who offers an ominous model for Willoughby’s brutal and mysterious rejection of Marianne; also Ophelia, a model for Marianne’s subsequent illness and near death. 5. Amongst the objects in the scene: a picturesque way of seeing nature described by Gilpin in Observations on the River Wye, where nature is treated as a stage featuring ‘two side-screens’ that mark the ‘perspective’ and a ‘front screen’ that serves for the display of ‘objects’ in the landscape (section ii). In P&P, Elizabeth Bennet observes a similarly composed scene from the windows of Pemberley: ‘[S]he looked on the whole scene, the river, the trees scattered on its banks, and the winding of the valley, as far as she could trace it, with delight. As they passed into other rooms, these objects were taking different positions; but from every window beauties were to be seen’ (vol. 3, ch. 1). 6. brother elect: future brother-in-law.

457

Notes to pp. 101–6

7. driven in showers about me by the wind: a familiar image from the autumnal melancholy of the literature of sensibility, particularly that of ‘Autumn’ by James Thomson (1699–1748) in The Seasons (1726–30), ‘Strained to the root, the stooping forest pours / A rustling shower of yet untimely leaves’ (lines 320–1), and the descriptions of the season in Cowper’s The Task, with ‘Unnumber’d branches waving in the blast, / And all their leaves fast flutt’ring, all at once’ (lines 188–9). 8. those woods and plantations: trees planted as part of an agricultural programme. 9. these bottoms . . . dirty in winter: low-lying lands that stand in need of better drainage for the winter rains to come. Edward appears to take Dr Johnson’s position in Adventurer (25 December 1753): ‘To prize every thing according to its r ea l use, ought to be the aim of a rational being.’

chapter 17 1. not in spirits: not cheerful. 2. a competence: the amount of money required to fund a genteel style of life, but very much a moveable target: ‘What is a competency to one, is not so to another. Wealth is comparative: that which would make one man rich, another shall be poor with. Every man should be able to live, and make an appearance in life, equal to his station in it’, according to John Trusler, Domestic Management, or the Art of Conducting a Family, with Economy, Frugality and Method (1810), p. 11. Popular novels and the fiction of the magazines suggest that an income of £200 to £500 a year could make up a respectable competence, but at the upper end of expectations, where JA places her characters, it takes an amount between £1,000 and £2,000 a year to guarantee a genteel appearance. 3. Two thousand . . . One is my wealth: a notion of ‘wealth’ that places Elinor in JA’s own class, that group of genteel professionals (clergy, officers in the army and navy, prosperous rentiers) who live in the country and aspire to the values of their wealthier neighbours in the land-owning gentry. Competences matching Marianne’s notions include Mr Bennet’s in P&P, a small estate

458

Notes to pp. 106–8

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

and £2,000 a year, or Colonel Brandon’s whose Delaford estate produces £2,000 a year. servants . . . hunters: a list of luxuries that accurately assesses the expenses attached to Marianne’s ideal competence of £2,000 a year. Hunters: expensive horses bred for foxhunting and valued for speed, endurance and jumping. In MP, Henry Crawford’s loan of a hunter to Fanny Price’s brother William causes Sir Thomas Bertram to have scruples about the great ‘value of such a loan’ and Fanny to fear that William may not be ‘at all equal to the management of a high-fed hunter in an English fox-chase’ (vol. 2, ch. 6). Thomson, Cowper, Scott: poets that minister to Marianne’s enthusiasm for nature. James Thomson, ‘Summer’, from The Seasons, ‘The dripping rock, the mountain’s misty top / Swell on the sight, and brighten with the dawn’ (lines 54–5); William Cowper, ‘The Yardly Oak’ (first published 1804), ‘Survivor sole . . . / Relic of ages! Could a mind, imbued / With truth from Heaven, created things adore, / I might with reverence kneel and worship thee’ (lines 454, 456–8); Scott, The Lay of the Last Minstrel, ‘But that the stream, the wood, the gale, / Is vocal with the plaintive wail, / Of those, who, else forgotten long, / Lived in the poet’s faithful song’ (canto 5, stanza 2). Thomson, Cowper and Scott represent in poetry a tradition of sensibility attached to an appreciation of nature, a poetic movement that had become, by the time of this novel, the defining characteristic of modern poetry. old twisted tree: a detail that shows Edward’s familiarity with the literature of picturesque landscape, particularly William Gilpin’s Remarks on Forest Scenery, and other Woodland Views (1791): ‘What is more beautiful . . . than an old tree with a hollow trunk? or with a dead arm, a drooping bough, or a dying branch?’ (vol. 1, p. 7); ‘The blasted tree has often a fine effect both in natural, and in artificial landscape. In some scenes it is almost essential’ (vol. 1, p. 14). doctrine . . . behaviour: the argument of Dr Johnson’s Rambler, 98 (Saturday, 23 February 1751): ‘Wisdom and virtue are by no

459

Notes to pp. 112–13

means sufficient without the supplemental laws of good-breeding to secure freedom from degenerating to rudeness, or self-esteem from swelling into insolence.’

chapter 18 1. I know nothing of the picturesque: a thoroughly disingenuous claim since Edward has just demonstrated an excellent knowledge of the movement in his parodies of its characteristic vocabulary – ‘bold’, ‘irregular’, ‘rugged’ and ‘indistinct through the soft medium of a hazy atmosphere’, a concept which, for example, William Gilpin employs in his Observations, Relative Chiefly to Picturesque Beauty . . . particularly the Mountains, and Lakes of Cumberland, and Westmorland (1786), where a ‘haziness . . . softens the harshness of lines; and above all, it throws over the face of landscape that harmonizing tint, which blends the whole into unity and repose’ (pp. 11–12). Edward’s attack is in part political: Gilpin’s picturesque aesthetic looks backwards to a nostalgically conceived landscape in which the realities of modern capitalist agriculture, its enclosures, its profitable timber, its improvements and its work relations are concealed. In contrast, Edward cites the ‘beauty’ and ‘utility’ of the contemporary system that he sees represented in the landscape before his eyes. 2. him who first defined what picturesque beauty was: presumably William Gilpin. 3. I like a fine prospect, but not on picturesque principles: Edward is explicit in his rejection of the picturesque, recalling in a mirror reversal a similar comparison in Uvedale Price’s Essay on the Picturesque (1794) where Price sets ‘the tameness of the poor pinioned trees of a gentleman’s plantation drawn up strait and even together’ against more favoured picturesque trees whose ‘large knots and protuberances add to the ruggedness of their twisted trunks’ (pp. 22–3). Edward’s focus on the agricultural countryside markedly distinguishes him from Willoughby whose interest in the countryside is confined to hunting sports. 4. the finest banditti in the world: valued by Gilpin as objects, ‘banditti fierce’, in the picturesque landscape in ‘Essay One’ of his Three Essays on Picturesque Subjects (1792). Ann Radcliffe’s were the most picturesque banditti in fiction: ‘On turning the angle of a

460

Notes to pp. 113–19

mountain, a light appeared at a distance, that illumined the rocks, and the horizon to a great extent. It was evidently a large fire . . . St. Aubert thought it was probably kindled by some of the numerous banditti, that infested the Pyren´ees’, Udolpho (vol. 1, ch. 4). Picturesque aesthetics valued bandits and peasants, outlaws and the lower orders in paintings not as representative extensions of a harsh economic world, but as objects safely framed within a reassuring hegemonic view. The tale of Harriet and the gipsies makes a comfortable bedtime story for Emma’s nephews in E (vol. 3, ch. 3). 5. ring, with a plait of hair: a ring with a crystal compartment for displaying a small woven lock of hair, common between 1780 and 1820, possessing both the status of sentimental object and genteel commodity. Edward’s crystal ring is also linked in literature to its ironic erotic counterpart in The Rape of the Lock: ‘And shall this Prize, th’ inestimable Prize, / Expos’d thro’ Crystal to the gazing Eyes, / And heighten’d by the Diamond’s circling rays, / On that Rapacious Hand for ever blaze!’ (canto 4, lines 113–16).

chapter 19 1. candid allowances: charitable extenuations or excuses. 2. old, well established grievance . . . parent against child: wellestablished, at any rate, for Mrs Delvile in Frances Burney’s Cecilia (1782), who offers it as an explanation of why Cecilia cannot marry her son Mortimer: ‘Interest and inclination are eternally at strife . . . the young are rash, and the aged are mercenary: their deliberations are never in concert, their views are scarcely even blended; one vanquishes, and the other submits; neither party temporizes, and commonly each is unhappy’ (vol. 6, ch. 6). 3. very knowing gigs: self-driven, two-wheeled, one horse vehicles with seating for two people; in status distinctly below the curricle (two horses), but sufficiently stylish or ‘knowing’ enough from a good coach maker to suit the taste of young lawyers with pretensions to fashion and limited means. 4. anyprofessionatall: each profession evaluated by Edward’s family in accord with its fashionable status. Mary Crawford in MP agrees with the Ferrars women in favouring the army and navy and in

461

Notes to p. 119

deprecating the church: ‘Soldiers and sailors are always acceptable in society. Nobody can wonder that men are soldiers and sailors’ (vol. 1, ch. 11). The army, the Guards most likely, ‘a great deal too smart’ for Edward, would give access to London’s most exclusive society, its gentlemen’s clubs, ballrooms and the homes of the rich, famous and powerful. His chance for the navy has passed: JA’s brothers entered the Royal Naval Academy at Portsmouth at around twelve years of age. ‘Chambers in the Temple’ refers to law offices located in the Strand on property that had once belonged to the medieval Knights Templar, hence the names Inner Temple and Middle Temple, two of London’s four legal societies with the exclusive right of admitting persons to practise law. The law, not to Edward’s taste, provides less fashion, but enough to satisfy his mother and sister. The church, his choice, provides no fashion at all. 5. entered at Oxford . . . properly idle ever since: possibly an allusion to the most fashionable and idle rank of Oxford students at the time, the status of a gentleman-commoner, a university position free of exams and normal college discipline and, after three years of residence, terminating in an honorary MA. The examinations throughout the university were notoriously lax. Edward’s remark on being idle reflects the opinions of contemporary satirists in alluding to a general slackness at Oxford: ‘Sad, indeed, is the fate of this University, if its object has been classical literature alone; and it has failed even in that’, Sydney Smith (1771–1845), The Edinburgh Review (October, 1809). 6. as Columella’s: Richard Graves’s amusing novel Columella; or, The Distressed Anchoret (1779) featuring two old Oxford chums who meet many years later on a coach ride and spend the time catching up on news of an acquaintance, Corry Milward or ‘Columella’, an eccentric member of a group of three fellow students who had assumed classical names among themselves while at college. Like Edward Ferrars, Columella, ‘not having qualified for any profession’ and having a small independent income, becomes idle, bored and imprudent. He contracts a marriage beneath his rank (‘She tortures my ears every hour in the day with her solecisms, her rustic dialect, or uncouth expressions’), and, resolving not to

462

Notes to pp. 120–27

7.

8.

9. 10.

let his sons fall into the same trap of idleness, enters the eldest with a lawyer, apprentices the second to a tradesman and the third to a man who, ‘united in his own person the several professions of apothecary, surgeon, man-midwife, bone-setter, tooth-drawer, hop-dealer, and brandy-merchant . . . [flattering] himself that his sons would be secured from that tedium and disgust of life which he experienced, and which he had brought upon himself by a life of indolence and inactivity’ (vol. 2, pp. 208–10). her determination to subdue it: the frequent recommendation of eighteenth-century moralists. Dr Johnson recommends forgetting the ‘useless and afflictive’ in Idler, 72 (1 September 1759), so that ‘the past might no longer encroach upon the present’; Blair gives directions that are followed by Elinor: ‘Avoid particularly all such objects as are apt to excite passions which you know to predominate within you. As soon as you find the tempest rising, have recourse to every proper method, either of allaying its violence, or of escaping to a calmer shore’. Sermons, ‘On the Government of the Heart’ (vol. 2, sermon 2). employed herself the whole day: a virtue recommended by Dr Johnson in Rambler, 47 (28 August 1750) and practised by Mrs Radcliffe’s Emily St Aubert in Udolpho: ‘[S]he was rewarded for her exertions by again experiencing, that employment is the surest antidote to sorrow’ (vol. 4, ch. 10). the casement: a window that opens at the side on hinges, traditional to cottage architecture. to be confined: to give birth, but drawing attention to Mrs Palmer’s pregnancy is a distinctly inappropriate topic to introduce into polite conversation.

chapter 20 1. Not go to town: for the London ‘season’, an expensive social ritual engaged in by the landowning classes lasting from February through July, for parliament, parties, balls, shopping and for the opportunity to secure appropriate marriages. In P, Sir Walter and Elizabeth go to town until they can no longer afford it. In S&S, the John Dashwoods’ acquisition of the Norland fortune makes possible their first attempt at the season.

463

Notes to pp. 127–33

2. next door to our’s, in Hanover-square: an expensive address suiting Mr Palmer’s self-indulgent tastes for fashion. Hanover Square lies in Mayfair, the most exclusive residential area of Regency London, an address only a shade less in status and fashion than Mayfair’s two other squares, Grosvenor Square and Berkeley Square, due to its greater distance from Hyde Park. 3. a billiard room: an expensive new architectural fashion, hence a self-promoting announcement on Mr Palmer’s part of his own fashionable modernity and Sir John Middleton’s irremediable backwardness. 4. canvassing against the election: soliciting votes for the coming election, a demandingly social and extremely expensive undertaking for the candidates. Wives were expected to entertain and take part as well. 5. frank for me: the privilege for members of parliament of sending letters without charge, ostensibly on parliamentary business, by signing (franking) the envelope. The odd refusal of JA’s Mr Palmer to oblige his wife by franking her personal letters is probably the occasion for a JA pun on his name. John Palmer (1742–1818), the powerful comptroller-general of the post office, was notorious for proposing at least half a dozen acts to control the abuses of parliamentary franking as part of the Tory government’s effort to gather money for the French war. 6. Weymouth: a highly fashionable seaside resort, patronised by royalty, aristocracy, gentry and wealthy professionals, located about 65 miles to the east of Barton in the neighbouring county of Dorset. 7. visit . . . in the opposition: illustrating the normal social divisions occasioned by political loyalties and alliances at the time. Willoughby’s style of life and spending habits would seem to place him with the aristocratic Whig party, strongly associated with the extravagant social circle of the Prince of Wales. The prince favoured the Whigs through 1809–10, but after becoming Prince Regent in 1811, he formed his government with the Tories the following year. 8. Bond-street: a street known for its exclusive shopping and a likely place for people of means and fashion to meet one another.

464

Notes to pp. 136–39

chapter 21 1. simply: foolishly. 2. morning’s excursion to Exeter: Devon’s primary city for shopping, four miles south of Barton, less than an hour’s drive by carriage. 3. they were all cousins: with a cousinship in literary history as well. E. E. Duncan-Jones in The Times Literary Supplement (10 September 1964) points out that Lucy and Nancy Steele share their first names with the Selby sisters, the heroine’s cousins in Richardson’s Grandison and that JA’s Lucy and Nancy have friends by the name of Richardson. All of them share an obsession with beaux: ‘That wicked Nancy fell a laughing—’, writes Richardson’s Lucy, ‘Here is a great parcel of girls of us—Have not I, her Elder, been crossed in Love already? But if no proper match ever offers, must we take an improper one, to avoid the ridicule of a mere name?’ (vol. 7, ch. 42). 4. gentle reprimand . . . five or six times every day: a like punishment meted out to Henry Fielding’s Mr Tow-wouse, who, though for a different sin, suffered the condition of ‘quietly and contentedly bearing to be reminded of his Transgressions, as a kind of Penance, once or twice a Day, during the Residue of his Life’, The History of Joseph Andrews (1742), vol. 1, ch. 17. 5. Benevolent, philanthropic man: the mockery and rhythm of the ejaculation recall a comic line from Goldsmith’s The Good-Natured Man (1768), ‘Open, generous, unsuspecting man!’ (Act 5, scene 1, line 25). Richard Sheridan’s School for Scandal (1777) offers, without criticism, ‘a Man of the most Benevolent way of thinking’ (Act 5, scene 1, line 28), but opposes him to a highly ironic Joseph Surface, ‘that benevolent Gentleman’ (Act 5 ‘scene the last’). 6. taking patterns of some elegant new dress: copying the dress by making a pattern of it, a usual practice since dresses and most other garments were not available ready-made, except in the secondhand market. JA mentions that her sister-in-law, Mrs Francis Austen, is deferring making a cap for her new baby, ‘in hope of having Mrs D’s present in time to be serviceable as a pattern’ (7–8 January 1807, L, p. 115).

465

Notes to pp. 139–44

7. work-bags: cloth bags containing materials for sewing, including sewing implements. 8. lavender-water . . . sugar plums: lavender water, a genteel cureall distilled from lavender flowers and used for both internal and external application. Mrs Dalgairns, the author of Practice of Cookery, Adapted to the Business of Every Day Life (1831) advises, ‘In nervous cases, a little may be taken dropped on a bit of sugar’ (p. 464). Sugar-plums are sweets made with boiled sugar and flavouring. 9. telling lies when politeness required it: an issue in E as well, when Frank Churchill claims, ‘I am the wretchedest being in the world at a civil falsehood’, and Emma replies, ‘I am persuaded that you can be as insincere as your neighbours, when it is necessary’ (vol. 2, ch. 9). 10. eclat: show. 11. outside of enough: at the utmost limit, in this situation, of being tolerable. 12. lief: willingly. 13. clerk: an ambiguous social position on the outer margins of gentility, a position that Dickens would later explore seriously, but familiar to JA as a stock figure of comedy in Mr Smith from Burney’s Evelina. 14. admiring the house and the furniture: a vulgar practice of conversing about the material possessions of others that JA gives to Mr Collins in P&P, who admires the furniture of Longbourn to such a degree that Mrs Bennet suspects ‘his viewing it all as his own future property’ (vol. 1, ch. 13). In contrast, Elizabeth Bennet looks out of the windows of Pemberley after only ‘slightly surveying’ Mr Darcy’s dining-parlour (vol. 3, ch. 1). 15. vulgar freedom . . . knowing them better: the same opinion expressed by Frances Burney’s Evelina about the Branghton sisters: ‘This extreme want of affection, and good-nature, increased the distaste I already felt for these unamiable sisters; and a confidence so entirely unsolicited and unnecessary, manifested equally their folly and their want of decency’, Evelina (vol. 2, ch. 9). 16. a friend in the corner: an old phrase meaning, loosely, a friend in reserve for help: ‘Particular contentement of mynde that I have

466

Notes to pp. 144–62

such an odd frende in a corner’ (sixteenth century); ‘A friend in a corner for refuge’ (seventeenth century) (OED). 17. nice: here, scrupulous or careful.

c h a p t e r 22 1. parts: abilities. 2. under my uncle’s care: being prepared for university entrance with the necessary classical studies. JA’s father took students as a supplement to his clergyman’s income. 3. Longstaple: a fictional name with perhaps a pun on Edward’s entanglement with Lucy. Longstaple, near Plymouth, would be about forty-four miles to the southwest of Exeter, making Barton, only four miles north of Exeter, a convenient stop for Edward on his trips between London and Longstaple. The Steele sisters’ regular home is in Dawlish, a seaside community only twelve miles south of Exeter and located at least thirty-five miles from Plymouth, a distance conveniently great enough to recommend lengthy stays when they visit their uncle, Mr Pratt. 4. Park-street: located between Grosvenor Square and Hyde Park and consequently one of the most exclusive and expensive addresses in Mayfair, certainly the most rarified London address in any of JA’s novels. 5. a small miniature: in country areas procurable for as little as three pounds from travelling artists, though an expensive commission when ordered from a fashionable London portraitist. 6. shewing the direction: Edward’s handwritten address offered to Elinor as conclusive evidence of their engagement. 7. a lock of my hair . . . not equal to a picture: Lucy’s unintentional irony: in the sentimental economy to which Lucy pretends, the gift of her hair as both literally and metaphorically ‘priceless’ would be more valuable than a miniature, a commodity object.

volume ii , chapter 1 1. the four succeeding years . . . if rationally spent: presumably Edward’s time at Oxford. 2. intelligence: piece of information, as in news.

467

Notes to pp. 163–65

3. consequences: a game in which a story of the meeting of a lady and gentlemen, including their conversation and its ‘consequences’, is concocted by the players of the game who each in turn adds a fact or a name without knowing what has been contributed by the other players, resembling the children’s game of gossip. 4. sufficiently noisy: a signal of vacancy of mind in JA’s novels. The Middleton party shares this kinship with empty-headed Kitty and Lydia Bennet in P&P who also enjoy ‘a nice comfortable noisy game’ (vol. 1, ch. 15). 5. attend the club at Exeter: the town nearest him that affords this kind of male sociability. In The Watsons, Mr Edwards also attends ‘a quiet little Whist club’ in the town of D., his absences from home causing, as do Sir John Middleton’s, regular complaints from his wife. General Tilney feels a responsibility to his club: ‘I cannot in decency fail attending the club. I really could not face my acquaintance if I staid away now; for, as I am known to be in the country, it would be taken exceedingly amiss’ (NA, vol. 2, ch. 11). 6. a round game: any game not entailing partners in which any number of players can participate. 7. fillagree: decorative art created by rolling stiff paper cut into strips about an eighth of an inch wide, then pinching the rolls into decorative shapes and gluing them onto the object to be decorated. ‘Filligree is a very pretty work’, claims Hannah Robertson in The Young Ladies School of Arts (1786), ‘and, when executed with judgment, will last hundreds of years, and may be made to represent various figures, such as beasts, birds, houses, flowers, trees, coats of arms, &c.’ (p. 3). 8. finish the basket after supper: a not inconsiderable offer on Lucy’s part, since after the card games supper could arrive as late as 10 or 11 p. m. 9. working candles: brighter burning, more expensive wax candles, as opposed to common tallow candles for ordinary usage. Mrs Elton uses them to tempt Jane Fairfax into becoming governess to Mrs Bragge’s children, presumably because of the close work involved: ‘Wax-candles in the school-room! You may imagine how desirable!’ (E, vol. 2, ch. 17).

468

Notes to pp. 165–70

10. a rubber of Casino: usually three games in a row, the best two winning the rubber, here to be played as a round game, but also possible in partners. This card game has much in common with Chinese ‘fishing’ games, with the object being to capture cards from the table by matching them in specified ways with cards from the hand. 11. you know I detest cards: a commonplace virtue among heroines in contemporary novels, though qualified here by Marianne’s unnecessary frankness. Frances Burney’s Evelina doesn’t play cards and Elizabeth Bennet avoids them only to be mocked by Miss Bingley: ‘Miss Eliza Bennet . . . despises cards. She is a great reader and has no pleasure in any thing else’ (P&P, vol. 1, ch. 8). Thomas Gisborne laments in his Enquiry into the Duties of the Female Sex (1797) that after all the other female diversions, ‘what resource, what possible occupation remains, except cards? To the unfurnished mind, none’ (pp. 194–5). 12. so rude a speech: the Marquis of Halifax’s Lady’s New-Year’sGift: or, Advice to a Daughter (1688), a book published in at least three editions in JA’s lifetime, cautioned against such unrestricted expression of opinion: ‘An unlimited liberty of this kind, is little less than sending a herald and proclaiming war to the world, which is an angry beast when so provoked’ (‘a new edition’, 1791), p. 68. 13. to cut out: if there are too many players, the cards may be cut to see who has to be left out of a rubber. Elinor’s use of the term is a generalized request to leave the game since casino, Lady Middleton’s choice, can be played by either four or five. 14. rolling her papers for her: undertaking the secondary task of preparing the stiff paper strips from which Lucy will construct the basket, thus speeding up her work.

chapter 2 1. only two thousand pounds: producing an income (invested at 5 per cent) of only £100 a year. 2. a great coxcomb: a foolish, conceited, showy person, vain of his accomplishments, appearance or dress; a fop. 3. take orders: be ordained as a minister in the Church of England.

469

Notes to pp. 170–78

4. to give him Norland living: landowners often had the legal right (the advowson) to give, to keep in the family or to sell vacant appointments (livings) to those churches attached to their estates. The recipient clergyman’s income was produced from three principal sources: from his right to tithes, that is, a tenth of the gross product of all cultivated lands in the parish, from the profits he could secure from farming the land (the glebe) attached to the living and from whatever fees might arise from marriages, baptisms and burials. Different livings could vary widely in value. 5. that festival . . . importance: Christmas, a season stretching from St Nicholas day, 6 December, through Twelfth Night, 12 January, an opportunity in the country for gatherings of family and friends for balls, music, visiting, theatricals, games and dinners. It is the season for Fanny Price’s first ball (MP, vol. 2, ch. 10), Mr Woodhouse’s visit to Randalls for dinner (E, vol. 1, chs. 14–15) and a ‘roaring Christmas fire’ at the elder Musgroves’ house (P, vol. 2, ch. 2).

chapter 3 1. near Portman-square: a carefully considered address of great respectability. Mrs Jennings lives in Berkeley Street, located near Portman Square, not in aristocratic and ultra-fashionable Mayfair like the more socially ambitious characters in S&S. The widow of a successful merchant, she chooses Berkeley Street, located north of Oxford Street, as an address favoured by respectable gentry and successful professionals. In 1801, JA’s brother Henry, an ambitious young banker, took a house in that street where his sister Cassandra visited and no doubt took note of the minute social distinctions of London addresses. 2. three . . . in my chaise: a light four-wheel enclosed travelling carriage carrying three passengers (one on a fold down seat) and driven by a postillion who rides the nearside horse. Betty, as the lesser fourth, must be sent by the public coach. 3. consequence: social importance. Elinor fears, not without reason, that Mrs. Jennings, the widow of a man in trade, can provide little access to the genteel or fashionable London society to which the Dashwood girls are entitled by birth, if not by their income, a

470

Notes to pp. 182–83

society in which the right social connections are supremely important for ‘consequence’.

chapter 4 1. at all events: whatever happens, in any case. 2. three days on their journey : seven to eight hours each day in the coach at an average speed of around eight miles an hour would take three days to cover the distance from Barton (near Exeter) to London. 3. preferring salmon to cod, or boiled fowls to veal cutlets: a matter of social tact since Mrs Jennings is presumably paying for dinner. Chicken was considerably more expensive than meat (lamb, beef or veal), and salmon was a luxury fish. As JA wrote to her sister Cassandra, ‘I am not without hopes of tempting Mrs Lloyd to settle in Bath;—Meat is 8d per pound, butter 12d & cheese 91/2d . You must carefully conceal from her however the exorbitant price of Fish;—a salmon has been sold at 2s : 9d pr pound the whole fish . . . so, say nothing about salmon’ (5 May 1801, L, p. 82). As for the ‘boiled fowls’ on offer at the inn, the Prince of Wales’ kitchens in 1816 paid a shocking 5s. 6d. each for chickens, a sum reported in the Royal Archives, cited by Venetia Murray in High Society in the Regency Period, 1788 to 1830 (London: Penguin, 1998), pp. 194–5. 4. landscape in coloured silks: decorative needlework, a boardingschool accomplishment also mocked in P&P: ‘They all paint tables, cover skreens and net purses’ (vol. 1, ch. 8). Mrs La Tournelle’s school (Abbey House) in Reading, which Jane and Cassandra attended between July and December 1786, included needlework in its curriculum. 5. footman: the male household servant on the butler’s staff charged with light indoor tasks and the duty of accompanying ladies of the house on their outings around town. 6. the two-penny post: the postal fee for local delivery of mail in London, increased from one penny in 1801, a source of information for Elinor that her sister is sending a letter within London. Since the two-penny post was picked up and delivered six times a day (8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.), Marianne’s

471

Notes to pp. 183–89

7.

8. 9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

472

frequent enquiries about the mail seem reasonable. The date of the increase to two-penny postage provides a marker for revisions of S&S done after JA’s 1797 version. anxiously listening to the sound of every carriage: an obsessed state of mind that follows the pattern of mental disturbance described by Dr Johnson in his Rambler, 17 (15 May 1750): ‘We represent to ourselves the pleasures of some future possession, and suffer our thoughts to dwell attentively upon it, till it has wholly engrossed the imagination, and permits us not to conceive any happiness but its attainment, or any misery but its loss; every other satisfaction which the bounty of providence has scattered over life is neglected as inconsiderable.’ Cartwright: presumably the butler or housekeeper, both of whom would keep household accounts. Mrs. Palmer’s barouche: the elegant and expensive open carriage that confirms Mr Palmer’s ambition to make a show in fashionable London society. In Bond-street especially: the most fashionable shopping street in Regency London, but also where Willoughby has taken rooms. dawdled away her time in rapture and indecision: the definitive mark of a shallow mind for JA. In E, Harriet Smith must be reminded by the heroine that, ‘if she wanted plain muslin it was of no use to look at figured; and that a blue ribbon be it ever so beautiful, would still never match her yellow pattern’ (vol. 2, ch. 9). assist in making a whist-table: whist is a partner card game. Since there will be only two other guests left to play with Mrs Jennings after Mrs Palmer’s exit, Elinor must become the fourth in the game, an onerous social duty refused by Tom Bertram in MP : ‘A pretty modest request upon my word! . . . To want to nail me to a card table for the next two hours with herself and Dr. Grant, who are always quarrelling and that poking old woman, who knows no more of whist than of algebra’ (vol. 1, ch. 12). anxiety of expectation: an account of Marianne’s feelings that recalls ‘the shackles of expectation’ analysed in Dr Johnson’s Rambler, 73 (27 November 1750).

Notes to pp. 190–201

chapter 5 1. open weather: that is, free from frost (it is January). 2. leaving cards: presenting a visiting card to a footman to be left with the mistress of the house, necessary as a courtesy as well as a way for Mrs Jennings to renew her social circle of friends and acquaintances in town. 3. old city friends . . . never dropped: a strong social separation between the polite world and the commercial world, a traditional fact of English society, was in a state of rapid erosion in the early nineteenth century. Prosperous business families were leaving their old homes located near their offices and warehouses in the City to take houses in the fashionable West End where they could erase the marks and ties of their prior life. Mrs Jennings, admirably, refuses to turn her back on her old friends. Colonel Fitzwilliam tells Elizabeth Bennet that Darcy’s objection to a match between Jane and Bingley is his objection to her having an uncle ‘who was in business in London’ (P&P, vol. 2, ch. 10). 4. Conduit-street: a street in fashionable Mayfair, appropriate to Lady Middleton’s aspirations to exclusivity, though not equal to the predatory social ambitions of Mrs Ferrars’ proud address in Park Street, nearer to Hyde Park and aristocratic Grosvenor Square. 5. a mere side-board collation: a light meal. In E, such a meal, ‘merely sandwiches, &c.’, is considered by the proposers of the ball at the Crown to be, ‘an infamous fraud upon the rights of men and women’ (vol. 2, ch. 11).

chapter 6 1. shake hands with me: a gesture of friendship of more significance than at present. Harriet is overjoyed that Emma had ‘actually shaken hands with her at last!’ (E, vol. 1, ch. 3), and Henry Crawford on taking leave of Fanny, ‘would take her hand, he would not be denied it’, and Fanny in thinking it over, ‘was better pleased that such a token of friendship had passed’ (MP, vol. 3, ch. 5).

473

Notes to pp. 203–10

2. hartshorn: the scrapings of the horn or antler of red deer (hart) containing ammonia, which powdered or distilled was carried about in decorative little bottles or perforated silver boxes and used as a smelling salt for fainting spells.

chapter 7 1. nervous irritability: a condition sometimes brought on by a ‘dubious or adverse return’ of love, and described by Dr John Lettsome in his introductory essay to William Falconer’s Dissertation on the Influence of the Passions upon Disorders of the Body (1791): ‘expressed by deep involuntary sighs; every incident that excites emotion . . . makes the heart palpitate, and suffuses the face with faint blushes; the voice is low, languid, slow or faultering [sic]; the eyes are downcast or pensive; and the breast heaves and falls, like the motion of gently disturbed waters. Solitude, shades and evening walks are frequented . . . The face at length becomes pale and wan, the eyes sink, the appetite for food is obliterated, frightful dreams invade the tedious night’ (Introduction). The condition is also considered a general consequence of melancholia, according to Falconer, and is difficult to treat: ‘Opposition if too direct, serves only to irritate the temper, and to confirm erroneous opinions’ (ch. 66). 2. lengths of worsted for her rug: thick wool yarn, used by Mrs Jennings for making a small rug, embroidered on canvas and probably intended for use by a bed. Such carpet-work, a traditional gentlewoman’s skill, employs decorative silk or wool embroidery on a canvas ground. The domestic comfort promised by Mrs Jennings’ rug contrasts significantly with Lady Bertram’s needlework in MP, ‘of little use and no beauty’ (vol. 1, ch. 2). 3. to town . . . to buy wedding clothes: to London as the source of the best workmen and most recent styles. Wedding clothes, consisting of a complete wardrobe, were a major expense in preparation for marriage. 4. chariot: a chaise, like the one used by Mrs Jennings on the journey from Barton to London, but fitted for driving in town with a driver’s seat on top. 5. a glass of wine: prescribed in Dr George Cheyne’s Essay on Health and Long Life (1724) for women of ‘weak nerves’: ‘The only

474

Notes to pp. 211–23

Remedy for them, is drinking Bristol Water and red Wine, with a low and light Diet’ (‘Miscellany Rules’). 6. exert yourself: a plea in accord with Dr Johnson’s belief in the power of the mind over the passions as expressed in Sermon 9 (‘But let a man examine himself . . .’): ‘All ideas influence our conduct with more or less force, as they are more or less strongly impressed upon the mind; and they are impressed more strongly, as they are more frequently recollected or renewed . . . By dwelling upon, and indulging any idea, we may increase its efficacy and force, make it by degrees predominant in the soul, and raise it to an ascendant over our passions, so that it shall easily overrule those affections or appetites which formerly tyrannized within us.’ 7. come earlier . . . generally out by one: the commencement of ‘morning’ occurs after 11 a.m. and following breakfast, continuing for visits and the leaving of cards till as late as 4 p.m.

chapter 8 1. dressing: scolding, chastisement. 2. sweetmeats: candies, cakes and light pastries. 3. Fifty thousand pounds: a great fortune, which invested in the 5 per cent government funds produces a handsome income of £2,500 a year, ironically about the sum that Marianne considers necessary for happiness. 4. her aunt . . . Biddy Henshawe: a relentlessly middle-class name that signals Miss Grey’s status as a nouveau-riche commercial heiress. Mrs Jennings, a tradesman’s wife herself, has long known the family. 5. all to pieces: ‘a bankrupt’. John Ray, English Proverbs (1768). 6. hiscurricleandhunters: luxuries incurring debts that Willoughby cannot pay. JA’s clergyman brother James, after his marriage in 1792 to Anne Matthew (d. 1795), tried keeping hunters on only £300 a year, but ‘It is scarcely necessary to add’, wrote his granddaughter Fanny-Caroline Lefroy (1820–85), ‘that the income was insufficient’ (FR, p. 72). 7. Midsummer: specifically 24 June, but also used as a general term. 8. the little love-child . . .’prenticed out: to apprentice the child to a trade or craft, which Mrs Jennings’ background in trade would

475

Notes to pp. 223–24

9.

10. 11.

12.

13.

476

deem the most eligible way to make the child economically self-sufficient at a time when illegitimacy was a significant stigma. Treatment of the illegitimate Harriet Smith in E, though generous and kindly meant, puts her at an economic disadvantage, as Mr Knightley says: ‘She has been taught nothing useful, and is too young and too simple to have acquired any thing herself ’, and will likely continue a dependent with Mrs Goddard, ‘till she grow desperate, and is glad to catch at the old writing master’s son’ (vol. 1, ch. 8). dove-cote . . . stewponds: a roosting house with compartments for doves or pigeons; small fish-ponds located near the kitchens. Both of these conveniences were designed to insure the freshness of provisions. turnpike-road: pay roads much extended in the previous twenty years to enhance the speed and service of the mail coaches. One shoulder of mutton . . . drives another down: a proverbial expression, ‘One shoulder of mutton draws down another. En mangeant l’appetit vient. Gall.’, noted in Ray’s English Proverbs. Also in Jonathan Swift’s A Compleat Collection of Genteel and Ingenious Conversation (1738): ‘Col. I’gad, I think, the more I eat, the hungryer I am. Lord Sp. Why, Colonel, they say, one Shoulder of Mutton drives down another.’ finest old Constantia: a fortified sweet wine made at Constantia Farm near Cape Town in South Africa. Mrs Jennings’ inherited supply of this luxury wine may indicate her husband’s position as a prosperous wine merchant, a socially respectable trade that would also account for the ease of her two daughters’ marriages into the country gentry. cholicky gout: a common medical complaint described by William Cullen (1710–90) in Nosology: or, A Systematic Arrangement of Diseases (1800) as ‘Podragra retrograda, with inflammation of the joints suddenly disappearing, followed immediately by debility of the stomach, or some other internal part.’ The joint pains of gout, now known to be caused by a concentration of uric acid in the blood, were thought by Cullen to alternate with ‘affections’ of the stomach in ‘a sort of reciprocal sympathetic action’ (p. 67). Robert James’s Medicinal Dictionary (1743) notes that ‘The Gout in the Stomach afflicts old People most frequently’

Notes to pp. 226–34

and prescribes a frequent ‘Glass of Port Wine’ during especially sharp sieges. 14. Pall Mall: a street of men’s clubs, two royal palaces and various small businesses, stationers and the like catering to an exclusive clientele.

1. 2.

3.

4.

5.

chapter 9 the delicacies of a strong sensibility: an acuteness of sensitivity governed by feeling or sensibility, as opposed to cognition or will. a short account of myself . . . will be necessary: a tired narrative device, much used by the novelist Charlotte Smith for spinning out plots. JA mocks it both early and late in her career: in ‘Jack and Alice’ (1787–90), ‘You mentioned Madam something of your having yourself been a sufferer by the misfortune you are so good as to wish me to avoid. Will you favour me with your Life & Adventures?’ ‘Willingly my Love’, and in ‘Plan of a Novel’ (c. 1816): ‘The Father to be induced, at his Daughter’s earnest request, to relate to her the past events of his Life. This Narrative will reach through the greatest part of the 1st vol.’ eloping . . . for Scotland: described by the contemporary observer Louis Simond in his Journal (1817), as a place, ‘notorious for smuggled weddings . . . It is enough to acknowledge a woman as your wife before witnesses, and even enough to live apparently as married, to be so legally and indissolubly. In England, there are banns to be published in church, and other formalities, inconvenient to unauthorized lovers’ (vol. 1, pp. 474–5). procured my exchange: a task that demanded finding another officer as a replacement. If there was a differential in status or income involved, a financial consideration, termed the Difference, would be given as part of an established system of such exchanges. her divorce: the grounds for the divorce assumed to be Mrs Brandon’s adultery. There was almost no access to divorce in England at this time, though divorce by Act of Parliament became possible at the end of the seventeenth century. The grounds were extremely limited and the process was enormously expensive. No

477

Notes to pp. 235–36

6.

7.

8.

9. 10.

11.

12.

478

more than 300 divorces were granted in the whole period up to 1857 when the Matrimonial Causes Act set up divorce courts for England and Wales. legal allowance was not adequate to her fortune: despite the large fortune she brought to the marriage, Mrs Brandon suffers the customary punishment of an adulterous wife in divorce proceedings, being stripped of the greater part of her fortune. If the husband were judged at fault, the wronged wife was provided for more generously. power of receiving it . . . made over: an expedient for paying off debts resorted to only in an extreme emergency; implicitly here a measure of the victim’s desperation, inexperience and gullibility. a spunging-house: a private house of confinement kept by a bailiff or sheriff’s officer for fees and used to house debtors to give them time to settle their debts before the next step, debtors’ prison. The institution is inescapably associated with the fate of the betrayed and dying heroine in Richardson’s Clarissa. a consumption: a gradual wasting of the body associated with the lungs and a hectic cough, now usually understood as tuberculosis. removed her from school: intended to give her the advantage of the closer, more genteel supervision of a respectable female companion than a school could provide. Darcy attempts the same change of condition for his sister Georgiana in putting her under the care of a ‘Mrs. Younge, in whose character we were most unhappily deceived’ (P&P, vol. 2, ch. 12). Dorsetshire: one county to the east of Devon (Barton’s location), and implicitly rural enough to shield a young girl from urban temptations. Bath: a city ostensibly devoted to health, with its hot springs and medical facilities, but more widely valued for pleasure, with its shops, ballrooms, concert halls, parks and various public entertainments. In NA it provides an energetic scene of courtship and youthful pleasure, but in P it is a tired town of retired people living on reduced incomes, engaged in private parties and petty social rivalries. In all three of JA’s novels where Bath is featured, it is the site of predatory courtships. As a resident of Bath after Mr Austen’s retirement there, JA found the social life confining and tiresome, though in earlier days she had enjoyed her visits.

Notes to pp. 237–44

13. confined to the house: by ill-health. 14. expensive: extravagant. 15. One meeting was unavoidable: a duel. Duels were illegal outside the military, but were not uncommon as the means for settling a point of honour among gentlemen of Brandon and Willoughby’s class. In the case of a fatality, the survivor could be tried for murder, but, as contemporary Louis Simond’s Journal (1817) describes it, ‘[T]he law is suffered to sleep,—it is disregarded; and if the motives of the duel are such as public opinion sanctions, they are tacitly admitted likewise by the law; and a premeditated duel passes now for an accidental rencontre, or any thing but murder, because the cases are few, and are deemed a useful corrective of manners’ (vol. 2, p. 243).

chapter 10 1. his acquaintance . . . friends: a draconian measure familiar to JA’s family. Ten years after Henry Austen’s broken engagement with a Miss Pearson, JA records a social encounter that had to be avoided: ‘The connection of the names struck Mary, & she immediately recollected Miss Fowler’s having been very intimate with persons so called;—and upon putting everything together we have scarcely a doubt of her being actually staying with the only Family in the place whom we cannot visit’ (8–9 February 1807, L, p. 120). 2. new carriage: essential to the ritual show associated with marriages of wealth and status. In Maria Bertram’s marriage to Mr. Rushworth in MP, ‘Nothing could be objected . . . except that the carriage which conveyed the bride and bridegroom from the church door to Sotherton, was the same chaise which Mr. Rushworth had used for a twelvemonth before’ (vol. 2, ch. 3). Mrs Elton flaunts her social pretensions by the acquisition of a new carriage on her engagement: ‘The carriage—we had disappointments about the carriage;—one morning, I remember, he came to me quite in despair’ (E, vol. 2, ch. 18). A family carriage, like General Tilney’s in NA, ‘drawn by the highly-fed four horses of a gentleman’ (vol. 2, ch. 5), would cost between £500 and £800; a good quality lesser vehicle would cost £200 upwards.

479

Notes to pp. 244–47

3. warehouse: a more dignified or pretentious name for ‘shop’. Notices in the newspapers of wedding clothes on view were an advertising staple for early nineteenth-century shopkeepers catering to exclusive clienteles. Much care was taken with the display of the finished clothes and also of the materials used in those that were still being made up. 4. qualification: a quality or attribute. 5. her own assemblies: an entertainment peculiar to the London season, the point of which was for a hostess to attract the largest number of fashionable guests that she could. As Simond’s Journal describes it, ‘[T]he people who give them, in their invitations only say, that they will be at home such a day, and this some weeks beforehand . . . people [are] received at the door of the principal apartment by the mistress of the house standing, who smiles at every new comer with a look of acquaintance. Nobody sits; there is no conversation, no cards, no music; only elbowing, turning, and winding from room to room; then, at the end of a quarter of an hour, escaping to the hall door to wait for the carriage’ (vol. 1, pp. 35–6). 6. to leave her card: the card is left specifically to indicate Lady Middleton’s desire to initiate an acquaintance with the new Mrs Willoughby. 7. the public papers: the Morning Post, for example, which chronicled the doings of fashionable London. In MP, Fanny Price learns of Maria Rushworth’s scandalous elopement with Henry Crawford through a newspaper report (vol. 3, ch. 14). 8. Bartlett’s Buildings, Holborn: lodgings located in an unfashionable tradesman’s area towards the east, and sited just off Fetter Lane. Frances Burney’s heroine in Evelina suffers agonies of shame when it becomes known to her friends in the fashionable world that she is staying with tradesmen cousins in Holborn. 9. Not in the stage . . . in a post-chaise: in a privately hired carriage, a post-chaise (holding only three people), serviced by a system of post-horses and postillions stationed at posting inns along the way. It was an expensive way to travel, costing from a shilling to 1s. 6d. a mile with two horses, and twice as much with four horses. The alternative to private-hire, the stage, provided

480

Notes to pp. 250–52

long-distance transport at a lower level of comfort and expense with six passengers riding inside, and those passengers travelling on the roof of the coach charged at half-price.

chapter 11 1. Gray’s in Sackville-street: Thomas Gray, goldsmith and jeweller, a supplier of luxury items to the aristocracy and gentry from his shop at 41–2 Sackville Street, Piccadilly, from around 1798 to his death in 1825. 2. the exchange of a few old-fashioned jewels: possibly an updating of fashion similar to the business referred to in Maria Edgeworth’s ‘Vivian’, from Tales in Fashionable Life (1813), where Lady Sarah relates that she went ‘to Gray’s the jeweller’s, to call for my poor mother’s diamonds, which, you know, he has reset’ (ch. 15). But jewellers for the fashionable world, including Gray, were known to buy jewels discreetly from their genteel customers and also to exchange more expensive items for less expensive ones. The nature of Elinor’s negotiation is left vague. 3. puppyism: impertinent conceit, affectation. In E, Mrs Elton offers her opinion of Frank Churchill and puppyism: ‘so truly the gentleman, without the least conceit or puppyism. You must know I have a vast dislike to puppies–quite a horror of them’ (vol. 3, ch. 2). 4. wild beasts at Exeter Exchange: an ageing and inelegant collection of shops in the Strand (across from the Savoy Chapel) featuring upstairs a menagerie with lions and tigers. A frivolous visit when set against unmet family obligations, but also comically contradictory to John and Fanny’s eager desire for fashionable distinction. 5. call on you . . . a spare half hour: a burst of familial conscience that inspires a relatively generous time proposal for the visit. The absolute minimum for a polite visit, fifteen minutes, is Fanny’s actual tribute to her sisters-in-law, a social slight enforced by her sitting ‘at least seven minutes and a half in silence’ (vol. 2, ch. 12). The fifteen minute minimum also governs Emma Woodhouse’s supervision of Harriet Smith’s visit with the Martins: ‘Fourteen minutes to be given to those with whom she had thankfully passed six weeks not six months ago!—Emma could not but picture it

481

Notes to pp. 252–57

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11. 12.

482

all, and feel how justly they might resent, how naturally Harriet must suffer. It was a bad business’ (E, vol. 1, ch. 5). bespeak Fanny a seal: a signet ring or possibly a stamp for sealing letters, an ostentatious purchase at any estimate, but purchased at Gray’s, the most fashionable source in London for such insignia (the Prince of Wales bought his seals here), an aggressive assertion of Fanny’s status as the new mistress of Norland. Conduit-street . . . Sir John and Lady Middleton: a convenient, brief walk from Berkeley Street through this fashionable area of London. a thousand a-year: the financial lure Mrs Ferrars considers sufficient to negotiate this prized marriage alliance with the aristocracy, almost matching the yearly income that Miss Morton’s £30,000 would bring in interest (£1,500). The promise of future riches in Edward’s inheritance as eldest son would be an implicit attraction to Miss Morton as well. the inclosure of Norland Common . . . East Kingham Farm: the enclosure of common land by wealthy landowners to make larger, more efficient units for farming. The process had been going on for centuries, but accelerated towards the end of the eighteenth century and at the beginning of the nineteenth because of the rising wartime price of grain. John Dashwood complains about the cost, but he looks to enrich himself by this enclosure and also by his purchase of East Kingham Farm, another part of the general scheme for consolidating more land for greater profits. This aggrandisement of power and wealth by the landed classes was a political issue of great contemporary interest. stocks . . . so low: the variable condition of a fluctuating wartime economy that veered between inflation and depression. In 1801 there was a deep depression and revival of the economy, and in 1811 another severe depression. necessary sum in my banker’s hands: that is, idle money not presently invested and gaining interest. Fanny’s greenhouse . . . over the brow: the showy expense of Fanny’s greenhouse, which contrasts ironically with John’s pleas of poverty, also contrasts sharply with the ideology of the

Notes to pp. 257–65

picturesque landscape so close to Marianne’s heart: ‘Every graceless hand can fell a tree’, writes Gilpin in Forest Scenery (1791) (vol. 1, p. 305). In regard to the loss of the old thorns, the contemporary landscape theorist Richard Payne Knight urges in The Landscape; a Didactic Poem (1794), ‘Teach him . . . / To cherish, not mow down, the weeds that . . . / overhang the steep’ (lines 194–6). 13. her jointure . . . descend to her children: an alteration from the first edition’s ‘furniture’ (personal property that Mrs Jennings could leave to anyone) to ‘jointure’ in the second edition, which by law must descend to the children, a change that makes patently clear the emptiness of John Dashwood’s fantasy. 14. five or six hundred a-year: ironically comparable to the £600 or £700 Sir John Middleton reports as Willoughby’s annual income prior to his marriage to Miss Grey (vol. 1, ch. 14). 15. got all his money in a low way: in an unspecified inelegant trade, as opposed, for example, to Mr Jennings’ likely occupation as wine merchant, a genteel trade.

chapter 12 1. Harley-street: a revealing address located in a newly developed area north of Oxford Street, considered in the Regency to attract social climbers and arrivistes. J. M. W. Turner (1775–1851), for example, the son of a Covent Garden barber, took a house in Harley Street immediately upon being elected an Associate of the Royal Academy. 2. words . . . proportioned them to the number of her ideas: possibly an allusion to Thomas Sprat’s The History of the Royal Society of London (1667) in which he calls for a scientific language of a ‘primitive purity, and shortness, when men deliver’d so many things, almost in a equal number of words’; also an opinion familiar in recent political controversy through the radical thinker John Horne Tooke’s Epea pteroenta. Or, the diversions of Purley (1805), a study of grammar in which Tooke claims, ‘Words are the signs of things. There must therefore be as many sorts of words, or parts of speech, as there are sorts of things’ (ch. 1). JA’s immediate satire appears to be directed towards the comic paucity of the

483

Notes to pp. 266–83

3.

4.

5.

6. 7.

number of Mrs Ferrars’ ideas, but it may also allude to recent political controversies attached to her materialist disruption of traditional values. comparative heights: such a comparison is famously inflicted on the heroine of Frances Burney’s Evelina by her vulgar Branghton cousins (vol. 1, ch. 17). a very pretty pair of screens: small decorated screens (paper or cloth on thin wood) used to protect the face from the heat of the fire, either held individually by a handle or mounted on a stand. this bitter phillippic: from Demosthenes’ orations against Philip, king of Macedon, hence any diatribe, invective or bitter denunciation, here with mock-heroic force. intelligent: knowing. salts: an ammonia compound, probably hartshorn, used against fainting.

chapter 13 1. teazing: vexatious or annoying.

chapter 14 1. toilette: the process of getting dressed. 2. knew the price of . . . washing cost: a social solecism and a traditional sign of vacuity in women’s fiction. The Branghton sisters in Burney’s Evelina harass the heroine with similarly taboo questions: ‘ “Pray, if it is not impertinent, what might you give a yard for this lutestring?—Do you make your own caps, Miss?”— and many other questions equally interesting and well-bred’ (vol. 1, ch. 17). Washing costs were not a negligible item, however. JA notes in her ‘Memorandums at the End of the Year 1807’ that she spent £8. 14s. 5d. for washing, and, during the month of December, an additional 11s. 61/2 d., making washing expenses, except for new clothes and pocket money (£13. 19s. 3d.), the largest single item in her yearly personal budget of only £50. 3. douceur: pleasant or conciliatory speech or gesture. 4. first: finest.

484

Notes to pp. 283–85

5. no scruple of turning away her eyes: an opportunity also taken by JA at such a musical party at her brother Henry’s in London in order, like Elinor, to observe the people attending: ‘[W]e placed ourselves in the connecting Passage, which . . . gave us all the advantage of the Music at a pleasant distance, as well as that of the first veiw of every new comer’ (25 April 1811, L, p. 183). 6. candidlyandgenerously: Mr Knightley uses the same expression without irony in describing Miss Bates’ response to Emma’s cruel joke at Box Hill: ‘She felt your full meaning. She has talked of it since. I wish you could have heard how she talked of it—with what candour and generosity’ (E, vol. 3, ch. 7). 7. a private education . . . a public school: the distinction between Edward’s time with Mr Pratt, a private education, and Robert’s education at Westminster, a public school. The debate between the two kinds of education was of long standing, but JA seems to share Cowper’s condemnation of public education: ‘Would you your son should be a sot or dunce, / Lascivious, headstrong, or all these at once, / . . . For loose expence and fashionable waste, / . . . Train him in public with a mob of boys, / Childish in mischief only and in noise’, Tirocinium: or, a Review of Schools (1784) lines 201–2, 204, 206–7. JA’s father, like Mr Pratt, took in students to educate privately. 8. sent him to Westminster: JA may remember Chesterfield’s specific criticism of Westminster School in his Letters to his Son (1774): ‘Westminster school is, undoubtedly, the seat of illiberal manners and brutal behaviour’ (London, 18 January 1750). The school was infamous for bullying. William Cowper used it as his model in Tirocinium from his intensely unhappy experience there. 9. near Dawlish: by coincidence also Lucy Steele’s home. The village underwent modest development as a bathing spa in the Regency period. JA did not think highly of the place: ‘The Library was particularly pitiful & wretched 12 years ago, & not likely to have anybody’s publication’ (10 August 1814, L, p. 267). 10. excessively fond of a cottage: the cottage orn´ee, a good sized luxurious structure designed with a distant nod to a picturesque tradition of cottage architecture in its irregular roof elevations

485

Notes to pp. 285–88

11.

12.

13. 14.

486

(occasionally of thatch) and informal floor plan, but with elegant windows to the ground and verandas uniting the interior with outdoor nature and in no sense a humble dwelling. In Sanditon the self-styled rake, Sir Edward Denham, is ‘running up a tasteful little Cottage Orn´ee’ as a real estate speculation (ch. 3). three different plans of Bonomi’s: Joseph Bonomi (1739–1808), an Italian architect patronised by the aristocracy and gentry, not as a builder of cottages, but of singularly heavy and expensive country houses. JA would have known his work and reputation through her social acquaintances, the Portal family, for whom Bonomi built Laverstoke Park, not far from Steventon, in 1796– 9. She also mentions a visit to another Bonomi house, Eastwell Park, when she was staying with her brother Edward in Kent (24 August 1805, L, p. 108), and she repeats a description of a new room at Sandling Park in Kent where her friends the Deedes had recently commissioned additions to the house by Bonomi (25–7 October 1800, L, pp. 50–1). Dartford: still a country town in the early nineteenth century, now industrial, located on the Thames about fourteen miles to the east of London. enfranchisement: liberation. a needle book, made by some emigrant: a small cloth case (occasionally paper) for holding needles, thread and other small sewing necessaries, traditionally handmade as a personal gift from one woman to another, also called a housewife or ‘hussif ’. JA made one for her future sister-in-law, Mary Lloyd, designed with a concealed pocket to contain a complimentary verse. The casual dismissal of the maker as ‘some emigrant’, presumably an impoverished French noblewoman in exile, reinforces Fanny and the Steele sisters’ alliance with an aggressive new commercial economy. The e´ migr´es met considerable sympathy from the landowning classes and their allies among genteel professionals like the Austens. William Locke, for example, stood surety for the rent of Juniper Hall, near Box Hill, where Frances Burney met her future husband Alexandre d’Arblay who had taken refuge there with a group of destitute French aristocrats.

Notes to pp. 291–94

volume iii , chapter 1 1. red-gum: a pimply skin eruption often associated with teething, but here, since the Palmers’ child cannot be teething at only eighteen days, it would be a sweat rash. 2. Mr Donavan . . . just come in from Harley-street: where Mr Donavan has been to see Mrs John Dashwood, not the location of his medical practice, and only a short walking distance from Hanover Square where Mrs Jennings has been visiting the Palmers. Harley Street became the home of the medical profession only in the last part of the nineteenth century. 3. no conjurer: not clever. ‘ “He’s no conjurer”: a joculatory proverb’, in Ray, English Proverbs. 4. violent hysterics: the physical symptoms, according to William Cullen, Clinical Lectures (1797), are severe: ‘Thus the abdominal muscles are violently contracted, and the navel drawn in. The heart is troubled with a palpitation; the lungs with an asthmatical fit . . . Often times they come under the power of the will: so that, on recalling to mind their former affections, persons can make all these symptoms to recur’ (p. 44). William Falconer in his Dissertation on the Influence of the Passions upon Disorders of the Body considers hysteria a moral failing of selfish people: ‘It is well known how irritable the mind and passions usually are in hysteric people, and that irresolution and unsteadiness are esteemed diagnostic symptoms . . . The liberal and truly amiable virtues of humanity and benevolence, are much more frequently found in persons of a steady mind and temper, who have experienced variety of fortune, than in those who have passed their lives in an uniform course of luxurious indulgence, which always generates selfish and mean ideas and sentiments’ (ch. 63). 5. a taking: an agitated state of mind, passion. 6. five hundred a-year . . . two maids and two men: one servant more than the Dashwood women can afford on the same income, but the increase in the staff is accounted for by Mrs Jennings’ addition of Edward’s independent fortune of £100 a year to the income and her high regard for Lucy’s efficiency. Mrs Jennings is quick to readjust the number of servants downwards when she believes the couple is destined to live on only £300 a year.

487

Notes to pp. 294–307

7. out of place: not currently in employment. 8. unamiable: unlovable; ‘Not raising love’ ( Johnson). 9. a sensible man: in the context of Marianne’s ideology meaning, most likely, a man capable of delicate or tender feeling; but also in contemporary usage, rational, intelligent. 10. my duty . . . obliged me to be secret: a plot device found in magazine fiction and sentimental novels, also employed in S&S earlier (vol. 2, ch. 9) to explain Colonel Brandon’s inability to discover the whereabouts of Eliza’s daughter when she disappears in Bath. 11. sense: natural understanding, common sense. 12. land-tax: a tax not actually on the land itself, but a ‘rent charge’ tax, that is a tax on what the land earns. The Norfolk estate promised Edward is worth £1,000 a year ‘clear’ after this tax is paid. In 1798, the land tax was established as ‘perpetual’ at 4s. in the pound. Mrs Ferrars’ ‘desperate’ increase of her lure to £1,200 a year has the lawyerly logic, appropriate to her sensibilities, of being the exact additional sum of a year’s land tax (£200) on an estate that is valued at £1,000 a year. 13. the interest of two thousand pounds—how can a man live on it: invested at 5 per cent, this amount produces only £100 a year, the lowest sum for which contemporary economists provide a ‘genteel’ budget, but, nevertheless, a life of severe privations. It is assumed that Mrs Ferrars has been providing Edward with financial support to maintain his style of life. 14. two thousand, five hundred a-year, (for Miss Morton has thirty thousand pounds,): an income calculated by John Dashwood from the interest Miss Morton’s £30,000 fortune produces invested at 5 per cent (£1,500 a year), plus the £1,000 a year from the value of the Norfolk estate promised to Edward. Uncharacteristically, John neglects to include in his calculations Edward’s additional private income of £100 a year and Mrs Ferrars’ most recent offer to raise the value of the Norfolk estate by £200 a year.

chapter 2 1. Kensington Gardens: personally familiar to JA, who with her brother Henry and friends, ‘had a pleasant walk in Kensington Gs

488

Notes to pp. 310–13

2.

3. 4. 5.

6.

7. 8.

on Sunday . . . everything was fresh & beautiful’ (25 April 1811, L, p. 184). According to The Original Picture of London, twenty-sixth edition (1827), ‘This delightful place is always open to the public from six o’clock in the morning in summer, and seven in winter, till sunset.’ go into orders . . . a curacy: to enter the ministry of the Church of England, but at the lowest clerical rank, that of a curate. Curates were proverbially underpaid as priests without a living of their own, but hired to fulfil the duties of the absent rector or vicar who, having multiple livings (and their incomes), was not in residence. To obtain a living of one’s own in the church, it was necessary to have influence in the landed classes where control was invested or to have money enough to buy one, both conditions missing for Edward. chimney-board: decorative wooden screen used to close a fireplace in summer. chariot: generic term for carriage. as soon as he can light upon a Bishop: a necessary step in entering the profession, an examination by a bishop to determine the applicant’s suitability for the priesthood, requiring a degree from Oxford or Cambridge, a certificate affirming that he had attended the Divinity Lectures and was of good character, a knowledge of Latin, the Scriptures, the Church liturgy and the 39 Articles, a doctrinal statement of the Church of England. The examination could be as rigorous or as undemanding as the bishop pleased. write to the Doctor, to get Edward the curacy: a ludicrous notion since the Doctor, a professional man, would have no influence in any matter relating to church appointments, a power which lay with the landed interests alone. this bout: this time; here, this season. muslin: a lightweight, fine, delicately woven cotton fabric originally from India, but subsequently manufactured in England and Scotland, and sold in plain, embroidered and figured patterns, spotted or sprigged for example, and in a wide range of colours. Catherine Morland lies awake ‘ten minutes on Wednesday night debating between her spotted and her tamboured muslin’, unaware that men have no ‘peculiar tenderness towards the spotted, the sprigged, the mull or the jackonet’ (NA, vol. 1, ch. 10).

489

Notes to pp. 313–17

9. preferment: a church appointment. 10. Betty’s sister would never do . . . now: the pay and duties of a housemaid, with its relatively lighter tasks of cleaning the house and maintaining bedroom fires, implicitly contrasted to those of a girl of all works, a lower position with less pay and more onerous duties of cooking, scouring, sweeping, laundry, fires, lamps, heavy lifting and if necessary, child-minding. With severely limited incomes, Miss Bates in E and Fanny Price’s Portsmouth family in MP must make do with a maid of all works. 11. We have had great trials, and great persecutions: vocabulary and rhetoric modelled on Samuel Richardson’s heroine in Pamela; or Virtue Rewarded, 2nd edn (1740): ‘More trials, more dangers, I fear, must your poor Pamela be engaged in: but through the Divine Goodness, and your prayers, I hope, at last, to get well out of all my difficulties, and the rather, as they are not the effect of my own vanity or presumption’ (vol. 1, p. 212). 12. paper reminds me to conclude: a trite and hackneyed way to say she has run out of paper, a shift that JA mocks in her juvenile work ‘Amelia Webster’ (letter 5), in which the heroine after writing only one sentence notes, ‘my Paper reminds me of concluding’. Since contemporary letters were sent without envelopes, the reminder has some practical importance: a single large page was folded to make four pages, with page four left blank for the address, then the letter folded and sealed with a wax wafer.

chapter 3 1. Somersetshire: the large county adjacent to Devonshire on its eastern border, containing not only the Palmers’ Cleveland, but also Willoughby’s Combe Magna, although as Mrs Palmer has indicated to Elinor earlier, the estates are not within visiting distance of one another, ‘such a way off’, near thirty miles according to Mr Palmer (vol. 1, ch. 20). 2. Barton . . . a long day’s journey: at an optimistic maximum of ten miles an hour, the distance between Barton (Exeter) and Cleveland (Bristol), about 85 miles, would take at least eight hours travel time in the coach, not including stops for meals and change of horses.

490

Notes to pp. 320–32

3. a rectory . . . improvement: not only agricultural improvements and innovations to increase the income, but also more rigorous supervision of tithes from the parish. JA’s cousin, Edward Cooper, accepted a rectory valued at £140 a year, but, as JA comments in her letter reporting this, ‘perhaps it may be improvable’ (21 January 1799, L, p. 37). Church livings vary greatly in value in JA’s novels: in MP, Edmund Bertram’s living at Thornton Lacey is worth £700; Dr Grant’s, almost £1,000; in NA James Morland is promised a living worth £400. 4. indifferent: not particularly good. 5. in proportion to their family: appropriate for themselves and the small number of servants they will have to accommodate. 6. my interest: specifically, his influence as a landowner over the rights of presentation of a church living. Such rights (advowsons) were treated as property at the independent disposal of their owners.

chapter 4 1. lady’s maid: a significant promotion for Betty’s sister, now a housemaid under the control of the housekeeper, but perhaps qualified as a personal maid answering only to her mistress, with the duties of assisting at her toilette, dressing her and taking care of her clothes. 2. St. James’s-street: an exclusive street running south from Piccadilly towards St James’s Park, and convenient in regard both to Colonel Brandon’s profession in the army, with military barracks across the park, and to his position as a landowner, with parliament and the government offices nearby – in contrast to Willoughby’s address in ultra-fashionable, even raffish Bond Street. 3. giving ten guineas to Mr. Ferrars: the fee for performing the wedding. 4. touch up the Colonel: to try to make him pay for the improvements.

chapter 5 1. his tythes should be raised to the utmost: a rector’s privilege, though an onerous task, to receive the parish tithes, one tenth of the yearly produce of each farmer in the parish, an ordeal described by William Cowper in his poem, ‘The Yearly Distress’ (1783): ‘But oh it cuts him like a Scythe / When Tything Time draws near . . . /

491

Notes to pp. 333–38

2.

3.

4.

5.

6. 7.

for well he knows / Each Bumkin of the Clan, / Instead of Paying what he Owes / Will cheat him if he can’ (lines 7–8, 23–4). necessary to pay her a visit: the ‘sick call’, a rigid social duty. Not doing so would cause a serious break with the John Dashwood family. Mrs. Dashwood was denied: instructions to a servant to say she is not at home, a common stratagem of politeness when the lady of the house was engaged or indisposed. General Tilney in NA and Fanny Dashwood are the only characters to resort to this social lie in JA’s novels. Etiquette books remained uneasily defensive about its use: ‘This form has often been denounced as a falsehood, but a lie is not a lie unless intended to deceive; and since the words are universally understood to mean that you are engaged, it can be no harm to give such an order to a servant. But, on the other hand, if the servant once admits a visitor within the hall, you should receive him at any inconvenience to yourself’, The Habits of Good Society (c. 1859), ch. 10. living of that value: usually sold at five times the annual value of the living, but with the agricultural prosperity of the war years bringing increases to the value of the glebe and the local farmers’ tithes, John Dashwood estimates that Colonel Brandon could charge seven times the annual value of the Delaford living (£200) for a total of £1,400. too late to sell it: as a case of simony, that is to say, ‘traffic in sacred things’, it was illegal to sell a living after the incumbent’s death, but legal to sell, as a promise, before that event. The value of a living was often advertised in the newspaper with remarks on the age and health of the present incumbent. JA’s father’s living was acquired through his Uncle Francis’ purchase of the next presentation to two livings, Deane and Ashe, so that whichever became vacant first could be bestowed on his nephew (FR, p. 7). to compound now for nothing worse: to settle a liability by compromise whereby something lighter or easier is substituted. a white surplice . . . banns of marriage: a surplice is a loose vestment of white linen worn by Anglican clergymen over other clerical garb in performing their churchly duties, such as proclaiming the banns, that is, giving public notice of an intended marriage,

492

Notes to pp. 341–46

a ritual that made it possible for anyone with knowledge of an impediment to the marriage to lodge an objection.

chapter 6 1. more than two days on their journey: an important accommodation for a woman with a new baby, since the distance of around 120 miles (from London to near Bristol) done ordinarily in two fairly arduous travel days, demanded at least six to seven hours travelling time in the coach each day, plus additional time for meals and change of horses. 2. no park . . . extensive: the absence of a park signals Mr Palmer’s social status as one of many moderate landowners newly enriched by wartime prosperity, with an estate ‘like every other place of the same degree of importance’. The presence of a park ‘ten miles round’ at Darcy’s Pemberley marks a much higher place in the social structure (P&P, vol. 3, ch. 1). The landscaping near the house embellished with gardens, walks and shrubberies demonstrates Mr Palmer’s expensive taste for the latest fashions in picturesque garden design, particularly in the varied mix of decorative tree specimens, including the thick screen with Lombardy poplars used to hide the functional operations of the house. 3. Grecian temple: a decorative garden building in an architectural style recalling again Mr Palmer’s habitual attention to fashion and displaying his taste for the new Grecian style in garden structures that had recently replaced the Roman style in fashion. 4. Reading: a good half day’s ride, only forty miles from London. 5. disgusting: distasteful, without the more extreme implication of repulsive now associated with the word. 6. nice in his eating, uncertain in his hours: overly particular in his food and irregular in managing his time, both self-indulgent traits associated with fashion and the Prince of Wales’s habits, but dryly implied by JA to be merely typical for ‘his sex and time of life’. 7. Epicurism: a term of derogation associated with the philosophy of Epicurus (c. 300 BC) who encouraged living for pleasure and in the present, thus allowing in its debased form self-gratification without guilt. 8. the simplest of the remedies: those recommended, for example, in The Footman’s Directory (1823) for colds and sore throats:

493

Notes to pp. 347–50

steam inhaled from heated vinegar, ‘a piece of flannel dipped in hartshorn’ wrapped around the throat at bedtime, or for ‘a relaxed sore throat a few lumps of sugar dipped in brandy, and gradually dissolved in the mouth’.

chapter 7 1. apothecary: a position lower in status in the medical profession than a physician, but respected and the first recourse in a health emergency, especially in the country. In Charlotte Bront¨e’s novel Jane Eyre (1847), the heroine harbours a life-long resentment, among many others, that an apothecary is called for her, but a physician for her wealthy cousins. 2. a putrid tendency: showing infectious symptoms suspiciously like diphtheria or typhus. JA’s mother and father turned down a set of lodgings they were shown in Bath because there were reports of ‘putrid fevers’ associated with them (21 May 1801, L, p. 87). 3. piquet: a game virtually unchanged since the sixteenth century, played by two people using thirty-two cards, ‘the piquet pack’, made by discarding all cards below the sevens from a full pack. The game takes about half an hour to play and requires considerable concentration and skill. 4. emergence: a form of the word ‘emergency’ used in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries but obsolete later in the nineteenth century. 5. talked boldly of a speedy recovery: optimism based on the diagnosis of a benign (as opposed to malignant) ‘intermittent fever’ believed by medical men to be the consequence of frequenting marshy, wet areas, something that Marianne has done. William Buchan, in Domestic Medicine (1794), offers a description of ‘intermittent fever’ that matches Marianne’s symptoms: ‘This fever takes its name from a remission of the symptoms, which happens sometimes sooner, and sometimes later, but generally before the eighth day. The remission is commonly preceded by a gentle sweat, after which the patient seems greatly relieved, but in a few hours the fever returns. These remissions return at very irregular periods, and are sometimes of longer, sometimes of shorter duration’ (p. 210). Today the description strongly suggests malaria, a disease that appeared in Europe in frequent epidemics throughout

494

Notes to pp. 350–61

6.

7. 8.

9.

10.

the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, but with milder manifestations, fewer relapses and a lower mortality rate than in tropical zones. cordials: aromatic medicines, generally homemade, with directions for making them found in countless anonymous books. A typical cordial for Marianne’s milder symptoms might be the following from the Cheap, Sure, and Ready Guide to Health (1742): ‘Sherry, Mirabilis-water, Syrup of Quinces, Oyl of Cloves and Nutmegs, with Venice Treacle, to strengthen the Stomach in Vomiting and loss of Appetite.’ recreating herself: resting, recovering from exhaustion. must not go round by London: a fevered hallucination—Mrs Dashwood is coming from the opposite direction, from Barton (near Exeter), eighty-five miles to the southwest, not from London which lies 120 miles to the east. A patient’s fever in the acute stage of a benign intermittent fever like Marianne’s rises in a series of spikes from 39 to 40.6 degrees Celsius (103 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit) accompanied by marked constitutional disturbances. an order for post-horses directly: the quickest way for Colonel Brandon to travel to Barton is in his own chaise so that luggage does not have to be shifted, and with hired horses (post-horses) to be changed for fresh horses at post-houses along the way. At ten o’clock . . . travelling towards them: a reasonable hour for their arrival assuming that the eighty-five miles between Barton and Cleveland can be covered in a very long day.

chapter 8 1. porter: a dark beer with a modest alcohol content made from toasted malt, and drunk for strength by porters and labourers, its ancient reputation as a restorative surviving in the advertisement for a modern porter, ‘Guinness is Good for You!’ 2. At Marlborough: a coaching town situated over ninety miles from London, a distance covered by Willoughby between eight o’clock in the morning and five o’clock in the evening, taking only a ten minute break at Marlborough to push on thirty miles more to arrive at Cleveland, the Palmers’ house (near Bristol), by eight in the evening – a punishing single day’s journey of over

495

Notes to pp. 361–83

3.

4. 5. 6.

7. 8.

9. 10.

120 miles. The real achievement of Willoughby’s average speed of ten miles an hour is attested to by John Thorpe’s foolish boast in NA: ‘I defy any man in England to make my horse go less than ten miles an hour in harness’ (vol. 1, ch. 7). nuncheon: ‘noonchine’ in the first edition. Light refreshment taken between meals. In a letter (20–2 June 1808, L, p. 130), JA uses the expression: ‘immediately after the noonshine which succeeded their arrival, a party set off for Buckwell’. expensive: extravagant. my coming of age: becoming twenty-one years old, that is, in the English law of the time, full legal age. Honiton: the nearest town from Barton with a coaching inn, three or four miles to the east, where Willoughby was intending to arrange for transportation to London. indifferent: without feeling. hackneyed metaphor . . . a dagger to my heart: reminiscent of a phrase used in Richardson’s Clarissa (1747–8) by Lovelace as he anticipates the news of Clarissa’s death: ‘And that will stab me to the heart’ (vol. 7, letter 80). put them up: that is, turn them over to Miss Grey. in Drury-lane lobby: one of two licensed theatres for drama in London, the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane (established in 1663), rebuilt in 1794, seating 3,611 people, its interior architecture divided by social class (separate seating, entrances, corridors, and common areas) so as to make a chance meeting between Willoughby and Sir John Middleton highly plausible.

chapter 9 1. so happy . . . with Colonel Brandon: Mrs Dashwood appears to subscribe to John Gregory’s opinion in his chapter on ‘Friendship, Love, and Marriage’ in A Father’s Legacy to his Daughters, that ‘a married state, if entered into from proper motives of esteem and affection, will be the happiest for yourselves, make you most respectable in the eyes of the world, and the most useful members of society’ (p. 108).

496

Notes to pp. 391–98

chapter 10 1. My illness . . . entirely brought on by myself: an opinion not confined to moralists, but asserted by the physician John Lettsome in his introductory essay to William Falconer’s Dissertation on the Influence of the Passions Upon Disorders of the Body (1791): ‘few subjects can appear of greater importance, in the history of the medical profession, when it is considered that at least, half of the diseases, to which we are prone, originate from the influence of the passions on the human system . . . In health indeed, the operation of the passions is no less varied than wonderful; some excite; others depress the vigour of life; and these again, by some reflex and active powers of the mind, acquire a new influence, totally independent of their primary impression’ (p. 14). 2. self-destruction: strongly associated with the ambiguity of the heroine’s death in Richardson’s Clarissa, also a possible parallel with Ophelia’s death in Hamlet, which Marianne and Willoughby read together. 3. regretting only that heart which had . . . wronged me: a disturbed mental state described by Samuel Johnson in Rambler, 47 (28 August 1750): ‘They have suffered all sensibility of pleasure to be destroyed by a single blow, have given up for ever the hopes of substituting any other object in the room of that which they lament, resigned their lives to gloom and despondency, and worn themselves out in unavailing misery . . . An habitual sadness seizes upon the soul, and the faculties are chained to a single object, which can never be contemplated but with hopeless uneasiness.’ 4. constant employment: the course of action recommended in Dr Johnson’s Rambler, 47: ‘The safe and general antidote against sorrow, is employment.’

chapter 11 1. retailed: recounted. 2. libertine practices: Mrs Dashwood’s deliberate evocation of the term most associated with Richardson’s Lovelace in Clarissa. 3. My happiness never was his object: Charlotte Smith’s Willoughby in Celestina (1791), like the Willoughby of S&S, is

497

Notes to pp. 400–18

secretive, unsupportive, mostly absent and believed by the heroine to have contracted another marriage. ‘Indeed’, confesses Smith’s rueful heroine, ‘his happiness, and not my own, has been always the first wish of my heart’ (vol. 1, ch. 14). 4. the New London Inn: the main coaching inn for the north side of Exeter, located a short distance from Exeter Cathedral. 5. post-boys: one of the boys in the inn yard who delivered mail; also used for postilions who rode the post-horses hired by travellers.

chapter 12 1. at Longstaple: Elinor’s double error that the chaise Thomas saw at the New London Inn in Exeter contained Lucy and Edward travelling to Mr Pratt’s home at Longstaple (near Plymouth, forty miles to the southwest). Instead, it is Lucy and Robert who are in the chaise and they are travelling to Lucy’s home in nearby Dawlish, twelve miles south of Exeter.

chapter 13 1. philosophic dignity of twenty-four: specifically, the age required of Edward in order to be ordained into the Anglican priesthood and thus take possession of the Delaford living, but also seeing himself as now older and wiser. 2. idle inclination . . . want of employment: Dr Johnson’s opinion in Rambler, 85 (8 January 1751): ‘Perhaps every man may date the predominance of those desires that disturb his life and contaminate his conscience, from some unhappy hour when too much leisure exposed him to their incursions.’ 3. delicacy: sense of modesty, shame. 4. meanness: ‘lowness of mind’ ( Johnson). 5. three hundred and fifty pounds . . . comforts of life: including Edward’s private income of £100 per annum, the £200 a year from the church living at Delaford, and Elinor’s £50 a year interest from the £1,000 left her by ‘the old Gentleman’, her great uncle. Mrs Jennings has no doubt that Lucy and Edward would marry on an amount marginally less (vol 3, ch. 4), nor does Lucy question this (vol. 3, ch. 5). JA’s brother James married Anne Matthew on a joint income of £300 a year in 1791, which the couple found insufficient to support their notions of genteel life (FR, p. 72).

498

Notes to pp. 420–29

6. seven shillings: a unit of currency in common use: one third of a guinea (that is, 21s.). JA reports her brother Edward’s purchase in London of ‘a Thing for measuring Timber’: ‘He treated himself with this seven shilling purchase’ (23–4 September 1813, L, p. 227). 7. crossness: perverseness.

chapter 14 1. with no more than three: an underestimate of Elinor’s fortune, but only marginally. Elinor will have her own fortune of £1,000 inherited from ‘the old Gentleman’, plus one-third of her mother’s fortune, £7,000, upon her death, making a total of £3,333. 2. an income quite sufficient to their wants: around £900 a year, made up of £500 a year (the 5 per cent interest on Mrs Ferrars’ gift of £10,000) plus their joint incomes of £350, making £850, which will be increased again by Elinor’s eventual inheritance of one third of her mother’s £7,000 fortune, bringing their annual income to around £950 a year, close enough to £1,000 to match her earlier estimate of a satisfactory competence: ‘One is my wealth!’ (vol. 1, ch. 17). 3. chuse papers, project shrubberies, and invent a sweep: select wallpaper and plan an ornamental landscape planting near the house. The shrubbery could be expensive and fashionable, like the Palmers’, or modest, like Henry Tilney’s at Woodston: ‘the ornamental part of the premises, consisting of a walk round two sides of a meadow’, which Catherine Morland considers, ‘prettier than any pleasure-ground she had ever been in before, though there was not a shrub in it higher than the green bench in the corner’ (NA, vol. 2, ch. 11). A sweep is a curved carriage drive leading to the house. 4. Delaford Hanger: a steep-sloping wood. John Dashwood admires its market value, not its picturesque beauty. 5. cut: ignore or refuse to speak to. 6. strong esteem and lively friendship: a condition recommended by the heroine’s grandmother in Richardson’s Grandison: ‘Esteem, heightened by Gratitude, and enforced by Duty . . . will soon ripen into Love: the only sort of Love that suits this imperfect state: a tender, a faithful affection’ (vol. 7, letter 42).

499

Note to p. 430

7. became, in time: a moralist’s solace: Gregory, A Father’s Legacy: ‘True love is founded on esteem, in a correspondence of tastes and sentiments, and steals on the heart imperceptibly’ (p. 136); Dr Johnson, Adventurer, 107 (13 November 1753): ‘[H]ow often we alter our minds, we do not always remark; because the change is sometimes made imperceptibly and gradually, and the last conviction effaces all memory of the former.’

500