sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第112章
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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
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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。”
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。
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CHAPTER XIV
fter a proper resistance on the part of Mrs。 Ferrars； just so
Aviolent 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； but when she found that；
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though perfectly admitting the 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 anything 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 wants 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。
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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。 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
couples 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 si
