CHAPTER XI

fter 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, where Elinor

was carrying on a negotiation for the exchange of a few old-

fashioned jewels 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 tend 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 despatch. But

the correctness of his eye, and the delicacy of his taste, proved to

be beyond his 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 puppyism 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

bedroom.

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 a happy air of real conceit and

affectedindifference.

Elinor lost no time in bringing her business forward, 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.

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; 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,

but one has always so much to do on first coming to town. I am

come here to bespeak Fanny a seal. But tomorrow 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 show

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 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. 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?"

"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 enthusiasticgenerosity, 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" title="ad.非常地，极度地">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 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,

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. And then I

have made a little purchase within this half year; East Kingham

Farm, 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 purchase-money, I

might have been very unfortunate indeed; for the stocks were at

that time so low, that if I had not happened to have the necessary

sum in my banker's hands, 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. There is

not a stone laid of Fanny's green-house, 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" title="ad.非常地，极度地">exceedingly pretty. We have cleared away all the

old thorns that grew in patches over the brow."

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."

"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."

"And do you not think it more likely that she should leave it to

her daughters, than to us?"

"Her daughters are both exceedingly" title="ad.非常地，极度地">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 it 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 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" title="ad.非常地，极度地">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, at the

utmost, and I am very much deceived if you do not do better.

Dorsetshire! I know very little of Dorsetshire; but, my dear Elinor,

I shall be exceedingly" title="ad.非常地，极度地">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" title="ad.非常地，极度地">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 good-natured 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 exceedingly" title="ad.非常地，极度地">exceedingly well-behaved

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 man who had got all his money

in a low way; 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."
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