CHAPTER III

Mrs. Dashwood remained at Norland several months; not from any

disinclination to move when the sight of 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.

[Illustration: "_I cannot imagine how they will spend half of it._"]

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 7000L 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.

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 gentlemanlike 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 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 centered 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 chanced one day to make on the

difference between him and his sister. It was a contrast which

recommended him most forcibly to her mother.

"It is enough," said she; "to say that he is unlike Fanny is enough.

It implies everything amiable. I love him already."

"I think you will like him," said Elinor, "when you know more of him."

"Like him!" replied her mother with a smile. "I feel no sentiment of

approbation inferior to love."

"You may esteem him."

"I have never yet known what it was to separate esteem and love."

Mrs. Dashwood now took pains to get acquainted with him. Her manners

were attaching, and soon banished his reserve. She speedily

comprehended all his merits; the persuasion of his regard for Elinor

perhaps assisted her penetration; but she really felt assured of his

worth: and even that quietness of manner, which militated against all

her established ideas of what a young man's address ought to be, was

no longer uninteresting when she knew his heart to be warm and his

temper affectionate.

No sooner did she perceive any symptom of love in his behaviour to

Elinor, than she considered their serious attachment as certain, and

looked forward to their marriage as rapidly approaching.

"In a few months, my dear Marianne," said she, "Elinor will, in all

probability be settled for life. We shall miss her; but _she_ will be

happy."

"Oh! Mamma, how shall we do without her?"

"My love, it will be scarcely a separation. We shall live within a few

miles of each other, and shall meet every day of our lives. You will

gain a brother--a real, affectionate brother. I have the highest

opinion in the world of Edward's heart. But you look grave, Marianne;

do you disapprove your sister's choice?"

"Perhaps," said Marianne, "I may consider it with some surprise.

Edward is very amiable, and I love him tenderly. But yet--he is not

the kind of young man; there is something wanting--his figure is not

striking; it has none of that grace which I should expect in the man

who could seriously attach my sister. His eyes want all that spirit,

that fire, which at once announce virtue and intelligence. And besides

all this, I am afraid, Mamma, he has no real taste. Music seems

scarcely to attract him, and though he admires Elinor's drawings very

much, it is not the admiration of a person who can understand their

worth. It is evident, in spite of his frequent attention to her while

she draws, that in fact he knows nothing of the matter. He admires as

a lover, not as a connoisseur. To satisfy me, those characters must be

united. I could not be happy with a man whose taste did not in every

point coincide with my own. He must enter into all my feelings; the

same books, the same music must charm us both. Oh! mama, how

spiritless, how tame was Edward's manner in reading to us last night!

I felt for my sister most severely. Yet she bore it with so much

composure, she seemed scarcely to notice it. I could hardly keep my

seat. To hear those beautiful lines which have frequently almost

driven me wild, pronounced with such impenetrable calmness, such

dreadful indifference!"

"He would certainly have done more justice to simple and elegant

prose. I thought so at the time; but you _would_ give him Cowper."

"Nay, Mamma, if he is not to be animated by Cowper!--but we must allow

for difference of taste. Elinor has not my feelings, and therefore she

may overlook it, and be happy with him. But it would have broke _my_

heart, had I loved him, to hear him read with so little sensibility.

Mama, the more I know of the world, the more am I convinced that I

shall never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much! He

must have all Edward's virtues, and his person and manners must

ornament his goodness with every possible charm."

"Remember, my love, that you are not seventeen. It is yet too early in

life to despair of such a happiness. Why should you be less fortunate

than your mother? In one circumstance only, my Marianne, may your

destiny be different from her's!"