sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第78节
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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 any thing 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 tithes should be raised to the utmost； and scarcely
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 inquiry；
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Elinor began to feel it necessary to pay her a visit。—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 tête…à…tête with a woman； whom neither of the others had so
much reason to dislike。
Mrs。 Dashwood was denied； 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。
“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
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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
value—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； 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。
“It is truly astonishing！”—he cried； after hearing what she
said—“what could be the Colonel’s motive？”
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“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； upon her late
behaviour； is she supposed to feel at all？—She has done with her
son； she 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 unhappy
match takes place； depend upon it his mother will feel as much as
if she had never discarded him； and therefore every circumstance
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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； fr
