sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第6部分
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person can hardly be called handsome； till the expression of his
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eyes； which are uncommonly good； and the general sweetness of
his countenance； is perceived。 At present； I know him so well； that
I think him really handsome； or at least； almost so。 What say you；
Marianne？”
“I shall very soon think him handsome； Elinor； if I do not now。
When you tell me to love him as a brother； I shall no more see
imperfection in his face； than I now do in his heart。”
Elinor started at this declaration； and was sorry for the warmth
she had been betrayed into； in speaking of him。 She felt that
Edward stood very high in her opinion。 She believed the regard to
be mutual； but she required greater certainty of it to make
Marianne’s conviction of their attachment agreeable to her。 She
knew that what Marianne and her mother conjectured one
moment； they believed the next—that with them； to wish was to
hope； and to hope was to expect。 She tried to explain the real state
of the case to her sister。
“I do not attempt to deny；” said she； “that I think very highly of
him—that I greatly esteem； that I like him。”
Marianne here burst forth with indignation—
“Esteem him！ Like him！ Cold…hearted Elinor！ Oh！ worse than
cold…hearted！ Ashamed of being otherwise。 Use those words again；
and I will leave the room this moment。”
Elinor could not help laughing。 “Excuse me；” said she； “and be
assured that I meant no offence to you； by speaking； in so quiet a
way； of my own feelings。 Believe them to be stronger than I have
declared； believe them； in short； to be such as his merit； and the
suspicion—the hope of his affection for me may warrant； without
imprudence or folly。 But farther than this you must not believe。 I
am by no means assured of his regard for me。 There are moments
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when the extent of it seems doubtful； and till his sentiments are
fully known； you cannot wonder at my wishing to avoid any
encouragement of my own partiality； by believing or calling it
more than it is。 In my heart I feel little—scarcely any doubt of his
preference。 But there are other points to be considered besides his
inclination。 He is very far from being independent。 What his
mother really is we cannot know； but； from Fanny’s occasional
mention of her conduct and opinions； we have never been
disposed to think her amiable； and I am very much mistaken if
Edward is not himself aware that there would be many difficulties
in his way； if he were to wish to marry a woman who had not
either a great fortune or high rank。”
Marianne was astonished to find how much the imagination of
her mother and herself had outstripped the truth。
“And you really are not engaged to him！” said she。 “Yet it
certainly soon will happen。 But two advantages will proceed from
this delay。 I shall not lose you so soon； and Edward will have
greater opportunity of improving that natural taste for your
favourite pursuit which must be so indispensably necessary to
your future felicity。 Oh！ if he should be so far stimulated by your
genius as to learn to draw himself； how delightful it would be！”
Elinor had given her real opinion to her sister。 She could not
consider her partiality for Edward in so prosperous a state as
Marianne had believed it。 There was； at times； a want of spirits
about him which； if it did not denote indifference； spoke a
something almost as unpromising。 A doubt of her regard；
supposing him to feel it； need not give him more than inquietude。
It would not be likely to produce that dejection of mind which
frequently attended him。 A more reasonable cause might be found
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in the dependent situation which forbad the indulgence of his
affection。 She knew that his mother neither behaved to him so as
to make his home comfortable at present； nor to give him any
assurance that he might form a home for himself； without strictly
attending to her views for his aggrandisement。 With such a
knowledge as this； it was impossible for Elinor to feel easy on the
subject。 She was far from depending on that result of his
preference of her； which her mother and sister still considered as
certain。 Nay； the longer they were together the more doubtful
seemed the nature of his regard； and sometimes； for a few painful
minutes； she believed it to be no more than friendship。
But； whatever might really be its limits； it was enough； when
perceived by his sister； to make her uneasy； and at the same time；
（which was still more common；） to make her uncivil。 She took the
first opportunity of affronting her mother…in…law on the occasion；
talking to her so expressively of her brother’s great expectations；
of Mrs。 Ferrars’s resolution that both her sons should marry well；
and of the danger attending any young woman who attempted to
draw him in； that Mrs。 Dashwood could neither pretend to be
unconscious； nor endeavour to be calm。 She gave her an answer
which marked her contempt； and instantly left the room； resolving
that； whatever might be the inconvenience or expense of so
sudden a removal； her beloved Elinor should not be exposed
another week to such insinuations。
In this state of her spirits； a letter was delivered to her from the
post； which contained a proposal particularly well timed。 It was
the offer of a small house； on very easy terms； belonging to a
relation of her own； a gentleman of consequence and property in
Devonshire。 The letter was from this gentleman himself； and
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written in the true spirit of friendly accommodation。 He
understood that she was in need of a dwelling； and though the
house he now offered her was merely a cottage； he assured her
that everything should be done to it which she might think
necessary； if the situation pleased her。 He earnestly pressed her；
after giving the particulars of the house and garden； to come with
her daughters to Barton Park； the place of his own residence； from
whence she might judge； herself； whether Barton Cottage； for the
houses were in the same parish； could； by any alteration； be made
comfortable to her。 He seemed really anxious to accommodate
them and the whole of his letter was written in so friendly a style
as could not fail of giving pleasure to his cousin； more especially at
a moment when she was suffering under the cold and unfeeling
behaviour of her nearer connections。 She needed no time for
deliberation or inquiry。 Her resolution was formed as she read。
The situation of Barton； in a county so far distant from Sussex as
Devonshire； which； but a few hours before； would have been a
sufficient objection to outweigh every possible advantage
belonging to the place； was now its first recommendation。 To quit
the neighbourhood of Norland was no longer an evil； it was an
object of desire； it was a blessing； in comparison of the misery of
continuing her daughter…in…law’s guest； and to remove for ever
from that beloved place would be less painful than to inhabit or
visit it while such a woman was its mistress。 She instantly wrote
Sir John Middleton her acknowledgment of his kindness； and her
acceptance of his proposal； and then hastened to shew both letters
to her daughters； that she might be secure of their approbation
before her answer were sent。
Elinor had always thought it would be more prudent for them
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to settle at some distance from Norland； than immediately
amongst their present acquaintance。 On that head； therefore； it
was not for her to oppose her mother’s intention of removing into
Devonshire。 The house； too； as described by Sir John； was o
