sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第5章
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thing must be considered。 When your father and mother moved to
Norland； though the furniture of Stanhill was sold； all the china；
plate； 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
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what belongs to this house。 A great deal too handsome； in my
e
opinion； for any place th y 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
everything 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 acts as his own wife pointed out。
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CHAPTER III
rs。 Dashwood remained at Norland several months；
not from any disinclination to move when the sight of
M
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
7000 l。 would support her in affluence。 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。 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。
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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 gentleman…
like 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 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。 He was not handsome；
and his manners required intimacy to make them pleasing。 He
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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。 But Edward had no
turn for great men or barouches。 All his wishes centred 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 chanc
