sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第7节
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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
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in the dependent situation which forbad the indulgence of his
affection。 She knew that his mother 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 aggrandisement。 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 consequence and property in
Devonshire。 The letter was from this gentleman himself； and
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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 everything 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； 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； 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； 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 might be secure of their approbation
before her answer were sent。
Elinor had always thought it would be more prudent for them
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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 a letter of
acquiescence。
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CHAPTER V
o sooner was her answer dispatched； than Mrs。
Dashwood indulged herself in the pleasure of
Nannouncing to her son…in…law and his wife that she was
provided with a 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。
“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 far from being her object as
ever； and she wished to shew Mrs。 John Dashwood by this pointed
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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 a house at such a
distance from Norland as to prevent his being of any
